of Jehovah towards his people ; yet will we assert, that the whole creation does not present an image that will more adequately convey this sentiment to our minds. It suggests to us,
1 . His attention to our wants —
[How great and manifold are the wants of a little child ; no one of which he himself is ahle to supply ! but his mother provides for every one of them, and anticipates them even before he is brought into the world. In like manner, the num- ber of our wants is only equalled by the extent of our help- lessness : we are not of ourselves able to do any thing good, nor " to speak a good word," no, nor even " to think a good thought." But our God has promised " to supply all our wants, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"." " He knoweth what things we have need of before we ask him ;" and he has engaged, that, " though the lions may lack and suffer hunger, they who fear him shall want no manner of thing that is good:" he will give them " grace to help them in every time of need," and " his grace shall be sufficient for them."]
2. His sympathy with us in our troubles —
[Through diseases of various kinds, and accidents almost innumerable, the days of infancy afford much scope for the exercise of parental tenderness and affection. And where is the mother whose bowels have not frequently yearned over her afflicted offspring? How has the sudden cry of her infant pierced her soul, even as with a sword ! Yet is this but a very faint image of the tenderness and compassion of our God. In reference to his people of old, it is said, " His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel x ;" and " in all their afflictions he was afflicted y." So now, if any presume to injure them, God says, " He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eyez." Our Divine Master identifies himself with his people, and regards every thing that is done to them, whether good or evil, as done unto himself: if they be persecuted, it is he that is smitten a ; or if they have kindness ministered unto them, it is he that is relieved15. One member of the body does not more participate the feelings of the rest, than he does the trials and troubles of his redeemed people : indeed, he submitted to be " made in all things like unto them, on purpose that he might, as our faithful and compassionate High Priest," be stimulated, as it were, from his own experience, to pity and relieve his tempted people0.]
« Phil. iv. 19. x Judg. x. 1G. > [sai. Ixiii. 9.
z Zech. ii. 8. a Acts ix. 4. b Mutt. xxv. 15.
c Heb. ii. 17, 18. and iv. 15.