1. Expect discouragements in every part of your
duty—
[Who amongst the saints was ever exempt from them ? and who is not taught to expect them? They are God's ap- pointed means for trying our faith and love, and for increasing every divine grace within us. If we are soldiers of Jesus Christ, we must expect conflicts, and pass through them to the attainment of the crown.]
2. Make them occasions of glorifying God the more —
[If we have fightings without and fears within, we must go the more earnestly to God for help, and rely the more firmly on his promised aid. Instead of sinking under discou- ragements of any kind, we must say to every enemy that obstructs our way, " Who art thou, O great mountain ? Before Zerrubbabel thou shalt become a plain."]
Jer. xxiii. 6. This is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness.
THE writings of the Prophets no less than of the Apostles testify of Christ : nor can we any where find a fuller exhibition of his character than in the words before us. As to his origin, he is " a branch from the root of David;" and, in his character, "a righteous" branch. His office is that of " a King ; " and, as to the manner in which he executes that office, "he executes righteousness and judgment in the land." Look we for the effects of his administration ? " In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely." Lastly, Would we know in what light he is to be re- garded? " This is his name, whereby he shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness."
In these words the prophet sets forth,
I. The dignity of Christ —
The inspired writers never seem afraid of speaking of Christ in too exalted terms. The prophet, in this very place, declares,