their unfruitfulness, break off the branches, and graft us Gen- tiles in ? And will he, in that day, graft in again his afflicted people, and cause the whole tree to flourish in unrivalled beauty to endless ages? Will he thus display before the whole universe the greatness of his power, and the immuta- bility of his grace? I say, then, the prospect of this is a just ground of joy. The angels in heaven contemplate it with joyr: and we also should begin that song which shall most assuredly be sung by all the Church on that blessed occasion : " Praise ye the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done marvellous things : this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thees."]
Address —
1. Those who have never yet tasted of this joy —
[How many, alas! are there of this description! On account of personal and national benefits, you all have, at some time, rejoiced: but, in the prospects we have been con- templating, you have taken no interest. The conversion of one single soul fills all the angels in heaven with delight ; but the conversion and salvation of millions is passed over by you, as unworthy of a thought. See, then, how unlike ye are to the character of real saints, and how little ye resemble God ! Indeed, indeed, if ye continue so regardless of the happiness of God's Church below, ye can have no hope of participating in the blessedness of his Church above.]
2. Those who have reason to hope that this new creation is already begun in them —
[" Every true Christian is, in fact, a new creation1:" he is " God's workmanship," as truly as the material heavens areu. Then I appeal to you, whether you have not found occasion for joy in your own soul? Is it no ground for joy that you have obtained reconciliation with God through the blood of his dear Son ; and a renovation of your souls through the operation of his Holy Spirit? Or rather, I must ask, Have you not, " by believing in Christ, been brought to rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and glorifiedx?" Then I need not urge you to forward this same blessed work in the souls of others : you need only be shewn how you may be instru- mental in diffusing through the world the knowledge of Christ, and you will of yourselves be ready to employ all that you have, and all that you are, in this blessed cause y.]
r Rev. xi. 15—17. s Isai. xii. 4—6. * 2 Cor. v. 17.
» Eph. ii. 10. x 1 Pet. i. 8. y 2 Cor. viii. 1—4.