This subject may be improved,
1. For our conviction —
[It is an awful truth, that instead of preferring God before every thing, we have preferred every thing before him. Only let us compare the anxiety we have felt about created objects, with that which we have felt in reference to God, and we shall need no further evidence of our being idolaters in the sight of God. What then have we reason to expect at his hands, in the day when he shall judge the world ? Let us not judge of ourselves by some of the grosser sins which are injurious to society, but by those which strike at the honour and authority of God. Then we shall see, that, instead of being a Saviour to us, we have reason to fear lest he arise and plead his own cause, and become an avenger of his own insulted Majesty.]
2. For our consolation —
[If we take Jehovah for our God, there is not any good thing which we may not expect at his hands. The declaration that there is no Saviour beside him, is, in fact, an assurance, that he will be a Saviour to us, and do for us more than the whole universe can do. We may view salvation in all its bearings, and in its utmost extent; and then say "All this will my God be to me ; all this he will do for me." We cannot possibly raise our expectations too high ; for " he will do ex- ceeding abundantly for us above all that we can ask or think:" nor need it be any grief to us that there is no Saviour besides him ; for we shall want no other : He is almighty, and will be all-sufficient ]