3. Let us, by anticipation, bless God for the yet richer mercies which he has in reserve for us —
[We began with observing, that " the deliverance" from Babylon was yet distant, at least sixty years, though the pro- phet spoke of it as already accomplished. So may we look forward to the blessings which are made over to us by the sure word of promise, and may even now bless God for them as though they were already possessed. As Abraham rejoiced at the prospect of the day of Christ, just as if he had actually
d Hos. ii. 8. Ps. lxv. 9—13.
e Ps. cix. 27- and xliv. 3. Isai. xlv. 7.
f Prov. xxi. 1. Ps. lxv. 7. g 2 Cor. iv. 6. and v. 5.
h Ps. xl. 5. ! Ps. xcviii. 1—8.
* Ps. xliv. 7, 8. » Ps. lxiv. 9.
seen it with his eyes, so may we do, and so we ought to do, in reference to his future advent to reign on earth. Then will peace and plenty, and truth and righteousness, prevail through- out the world. Then shall men " beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, and they will learn war no more." Then " Judah will no more vex Ephraim, nor Ephraim envy Judah," but all will " sit harmoni- ous and contented under their own vine and fig-tree." " The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid:" nor shall any hurt or destroy in God's holy mountain. Then, whilst plenty abounds in every place m, " the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea." O what a day of wonders will that be! It is our privilege to look forward to it, and even to see it now, as it were, before our eyes. See how the prophet, who lived almost three thousand years ago, beheld it, and gloried in the sight"! and shall not we, who are almost on the very eve of that day? We have no doubt but that all these events, which have been taking place in the world these twenty years, are preparing the way for the promised advent of our Lord. Let us then anticipate it with joy and gratitude0: let us adore our God for giving such prospects to sinful man : and let us endeavour to hasten it forward by every possible exertion in the cause of Christ.]
m Amos ix. 13 — 15. n Isai. xlix. 12, 13. and lx. 1, 4, 8.
0 Isai. lii. 9, 10.