dearest friend to be a grievous interruption. But, however true the words are in this sense, 1 apprehend the other to be the better version of them ; and therefore passing by this, we observe further, That God will speak comfortably to those whom he thus allures. He makes his word now to be exceed- ing precious to their souls : he opens their understandings to understand it ; and they begin to hear God speaking in and by it : and O ! how delightful are the promises ! With what eagerness do they embrace the promises ! With what unspeak- able pleasure do they now apply them to themselves ! Under a sense of guilt, they now see that they may have pardon for sins of the deepest dye : under a consciousness of their own insufficiency for any thing that is good, they see here in the sacred records an inexhaustible treasure of grace and strength. In every situation and circumstance of life they find, that there is a word suited to their condition : they hear the voice of God in the promises ; and by these he speaks indeed most comfortably to them. There is somewhat peculiar in the original words ; literally translated, they mean, " I will speak to her heart" and this is very properly rendered, "I will speak comfortably to her;" for God speaks to the outward ears of thousands to very little purpose : he invites, but they are not entreated ; he promises, but they are not comforted : but, when once he speaks to the heart, then comfort flows in apace, and " they rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified."]
Thus we see how God, alluring the sinner, and speaking comfortably to him, leads him on by pre- sent comforts. We proceed to shew, how he en- courages him,
II. W it h future prospects —
[He that is born of God, is indeed born to a great in- heritance : nor is he in danger of expecting too much at the hands of God ; for, as he has said in general, " Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it," so he says in the passage before us, " I will give her vineyards from hence, and the valley of Achor, for a door of hope." You will call to mind what was observed in the beginning of this discourse, that this passage was never literally fulfilled, and that St. Paul has explained it in a spiritual and mystical sense : and this we now repeat, lest our construction, or rather our application of it should appear fanciful or forced. Vineyards were a very important part of the produce of the land of Canaan ; insomuch, that when the spies went to search out the land, they brought back a cluster of grapes upon the shoulders of two men, as the best proof of the fertility of the soil. When the Lord there- fore promises to give his people " vineyards from thence," he