3. His forbearance towards us in our perverseness —
[Few things perhaps are more trying to the temper than the untowardness of a perverse child : it requires all the love of a parent to support it, when it is great and of long con- tinuance. But what parent ever had to endure a thousandth part of the perverseness which our God has seen in us ; seen too in the midst of all his kindness? No one can read the his- tory of Israel in the wilderness without being amazed at the multitude of their provocations, and at the patience with which " God suffered their manners forty years :" yet this is a just representation of human nature, in every place, and every age. Of the very best amongst us it may be said, that " he falleth seven times a day :" yea, " in many things we offend all." But God " does not deal with us after our sins, nor reward us according to our iniquities :" on the contrary, " he spareth, when we deserve punishment ;" " he keepeth mercy for thou- sands," who, alas ! would soon cast it away ; " he forgiveth iniquity, transgression, and sin ;" and, if constrained to chasten us with the rod, he " does not suffer his whole displeasure to arise," but chastises in mercy only, and " does not utterly take away his loving-kindness from us."]
4. His affectionate endearments —
[It is well known with what delight a mother will " bear her" infant in her arms, and "dandle him on her knees:" and it should seem as if this were an extravagant representation of the Saviour's love to us : but he " bare his people, and carried them all the days of old :" even " as an eagle beareth on her wings" her unfledged offspring, so does he now " carry the lambs in his bosom, and gently lead them that are with young." It is, if we may so speak, a delight to him to " manifest him- self to them" in the most endearing manner; to "lift up the light of his countenance upon them ;" to " kiss them with the kisses of his lips," and to " shed abroad his love in their hearts by the Holy Ghost." He accounts them " his jewels," and " his peculiar treasure;" and " rejoices over them, to do them good" in every possible way. Not all the endearments of the tenderest mother can exceed the exercises of his mind towards us, as described by an inspired prophet : " The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty : he will save : he will rejoice over thee with joy : he will rest in his love : he will joy over thee with singing\,r\
Address —
1. Those who are strangers to our Jerusalem —
[It is generally thought amongst you, that there is no happiness in religion. But, I would ask, Where else is it to
d Zeph. hi. 17.