serve him, trust in him, and delight ourselves in him! O, be- loved, let your hearts ascend to him, and your souls be devoted to him, as the occasion demands. Is he "good?" praise him for his goodness. Is he " a strong-hold?" flee to him, and dwell continually in him. Does he " know those who trust in him?" let him have joy over you as monuments of his grace, and delight in you as heirs of his glory s. In a word, live but for him ; and as he has " bought you with a price, see that ye glorify him with your bodies and your spirits, which are his*."]
s Zeph. iii. 17. l 1 Cor. vi. 20.
THE PROPER IMPROVEMENT OF GOD's MERCIES a.
Nahum i. 15. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace ! 0 Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows.
IN the writings of the prophets there is an abrupt- ness of style, which often renders them intricate, and almost unintelligible. The rapidity of their transi- tions from one person to another, from one period to another, and from one subject to another, tends to bewilder the mind, and operates as a discourage- ment to us, when we endeavour to investigate and comprehend their meaning. But when we are on our guard respecting this, we shall often discover beauties that will amply repay the labour of investi- gation, and shall be led to admire those passages, which at first sight appeared to be involved in im- penetrable obscurity.
The subject of the prophecy before us is the de- struction of Sennacherib's army, as a prelude to the overthrow of the Assyrian empire, of which Nineveh was the capital. The prophet begins this chapter with expatiating in general terms on the power and vindictive justice of Jehovah b. He then speaks of these perfections with a more express reference to his main point0. After that, he proceeds to ad- dress himself to Nineveh, from whence that " wicked
a Thanksgiving Sermon for Peace, in May 1802. b ver. 2 — 7. c ver. 8 — 10.