and was forced to seek an asylum in a heathen land". On many occasions he escaped only by a miraculous exertion of his own almighty power0. When his time was come, he was be- trayed by one of his own disciples, who, like David's treacherous friend, speedily went and hanged himself p. But, infinitely beyond David, was Christ "a man of sorrows;" " his visage was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men." Yet, after all, " the stone which the builders refused, was made the head-stone of the corner." He was " exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour0-," " the utmost ends of the earth were given him for his dominion;" and "of his kingdom there shall be no end1."]
For his people also he secures the blessings that are here accorded to them —
[" God is made their God :" and this comprehends all that men or angels can receive. It is not possible for a finite ima- gination to conceive the full import of such an expression as this. It must certainly imply, that he will protect us from all kinds of evil, and fill us with the richest consolation both in this world, and the world to come : every perfection, which God himself possesses, shall be improved for our present bene- fit, and all his glory shall be enjoyed for our eternal happiness. Yet shall this most assuredly be our portion, if we be num- bered among the flock of Christ. To such indeed it is that the promise in the text must be confined. As for the ungodly world, they have no prospect whatever of such a blessing: there is not one word in all the holy oracles, that warrants such a hope. But to those who believe in Christ the pro- mises are made : to those, who have been brought into his fold, who feed in his pastures, and yield up themselves unfeignedly to his dominion, God has pledged himself to be their God. Nor shall any who seek him in his appointed way, fail to be partakers of its.]
But we must view this prophecy,
II. As waiting for a fuller and more glorious accom- plishment—
We cannot doubt but it shall be yet more abun- dantly fulfilled —
[Its completion in the apostolic age was very partial. The Jews themselves yet look for its accomplishment in their
n'Matt. ii. 14, 15. ° Luke iv. 29, 30.
p Ps. lxix. 25. and cix. 8. with Acts i. 20. shew Ahithophel to be in this a type of Judas.
i Acts iv. 11. and v. 31. r Ps. ii. 8. Luke i. 33. s Ezek. xxxvii. 24—28.