a just ground for joy and thanksgiving. In such a dispensation of mercy we may often behold " wonderful" efforts of Divine goodness: and our acknowledgments should be devout and fervent, in proportion to the occasion that calls them forth. As " the very land," and " the beasts of the field," no less than " the children of Zionb," were here called upon to rejoice in the mercies vouchsafed unto them, so should we call forth " all that is within us to bless God's holy name" for the bless- ings which we now commemorate ]
2. Of a spiritual nature —
[Spiritual judgments, though less generally felt, are in- finitely more grievous, than those which affect only our present interests. Say, ye who have been bowed down under a sense of guilt, and the fears of final dereliction, whether this be not a burthen too heavy for you to bear ? How should you rejoice then, and bless your God, if he has removed it from you! Surely God " has dealt wondrously with you." In providing such means for your restoration to his favour ; (the death of his own Son, and the influences of his Spirit ;) and in overcoming the reluctance of your hearts, and inclining you to embrace his proffered mercy; say, is not this wonderful? May you not behold wonders in every step of your way? Truly then there should be no bounds to your gratitude and love. The frame of your mind should be like that of the pious Hezekiah, " The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day : the fathers to the children shall make known thy truth. The Lord was ready to save me : therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments, all the days of our life, in the house of the Lordc."]
The removal of his judgments from us is also a call from God,
II. For more entire affiance —
Whilst we are under the pressure of our afflictions, we are ready to think that it is in vain to call upon God. But God assures us that it is not : he tells us that " his people," namely, " those who wait upon him," shall never be ashamed". They may assuredly expect from him all that they stand in need of. They shall never want,
1. The gifts of his providence —
[This is abundantly declared in the Holy Scriptures. " They that fear the Lord shall want no manner of thing that
b ver. 21 — 23. c Isai. xxxviii. 19, 20.
d Compare Isai. xlix. 23. with the text.