Now this, I conceive, marks particularly the aspect which this passage has on the future restoration of the Jews : for not only is Israel here united with Judah (which shews that the passage was not fully accomplished at their return from Baby- lon), but there were not, previous to our Lord's advent, nor have there been at any time since, to the Jewish nation at large, any such stated pastors appointed as exist in the Chris- tian Church : but, so far as they have returned to God through Christ, so far has this benefit been accorded to them : and so far as they shall yet be brought to Christ, they shall live in the enjoyment of it, and possess all the blessings that result from a stated and faithful ministry.]
Thus does God, by all these kind and affecting arguments, urge his ancient people to return unto him —
But the passage may also be considered,
II. As addressed to ourselves at this day —
Blameable as it is to overlook God's ancient people in their own prophecies, or to pass them over as not deserving our attention, it would be still more blame- able so to limit the prophecies to former ages, as to overlook their aspect on the Christian Church, and the still fuller accomplishment which they shall re- ceive in the latter-day. The passage before us may doubtless be properly applied to us as well as to the Jews : for to us pertain,
1. The same duties —
[We have been " a backsliding people." Who amongst us is not conscious that he has not put forth his strength in the service of his God ? Our Lord has told us, that " his yoke is easy, and his burthen is light :" yet who amongst us has delighted to fulfil his will, and execute his commands? Say, Brethren, whether, instead of devoting yourselves wholly to the Lord, and living altogether for him, ye have not in many things transgressed against him, and manifested an insuperable reluctance to that holy and heavenly course which he has pre- scribed ?
To you, then, as God's servant, I come ; and, as com- missioned by him, I " proclaim, in his sacred name, Return," and yield up yourselves unfeignedly to him. Indeed ye must " return," if ever ye would obtain mercy at his hands. Yes, ye must return in a way of penitential sorrow, confessing your sins, and humbling yourselves before him. Nor is it in a way of general humiliation only, but of particular confession. Many
1033.] god's invitation to his people. 39
are the sins which all of us have committed ; many which, though unknown to man, are known to God, and recorded against us in the book of his remembrance. He has seen us, when lying upon our bed : the darkness has been no darkness with him : he has seen the inmost recesses of our hearts, and has beheld our every thought and every desire. But, whether we have committed more flagrant transgressions or not, this is clear and undeniable, that " we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God." If we try ourselves by the requirements of his Law and of his Gospel, we shall see that, in instances without number, " we- have sinned, and come short of the glory of God :" and, under a sense of our defects, we must abase ourselves before him, even as holy Job did, in dust and ashes ]
2. The same encouragements —
To us does God send the same gracious invitations— [To us, as well as to his ancient people, is he rich in mercy, and ready to forgive. Not one of us would he reject, if only we would come to him in his Son's name1. No, Brethren, " his anger should not fall upon you," even though your trans- gressions may have been ever so great, or ever so long continued in : on the contrary, he would act towards you the part of the father in the parable ; and would, upon the very first approach of your hearts towards him, " run to meet you, and fall on your neck and kiss you, and clothe you in the best robe and kill the fatted calf, and make merry with you"