will, or yield obedience to his commands. If from our inmost souls we regarded him as " Emmanuel, God with us," how should we fear before him ; admiring his person, adoring his love, and magnifying his grace ! See how the Cherubim before the throne conduct themselves, whilst incessantly they proclaim his praise a: so would it be with us in our daily walk before him, if our faith were such as it ought to be : we should veil our faces as unworthy to behold him ; and our feet, as unworthy to serve him ; whilst we should yet strive to serve him with all our faculties, both of soul and body.]
2. How few look to him aright for the communi- cation of his saving benefits !
[We see how diseased persons pressed around him in the days of his flesh ; and were let down through the roofs of their houses, when no other way of access to him was open to them. But where do we find persons thus earnest in their approaches to him in their secret chambers ? The diseases of our souls can be healed by him alone : yet, if we look at our prayers that are offered to him day and night, who has not reason to blush
and be ashamed ? And whence is this, but from our
unbelief, which keeps us from feeling either our need of his mercy, or of his willingness to bestow it.]
3. How few surrender up themselves to him as his
devoted servants !
[Behold how the Apostles left their nets, and Matthew the receipt of custom, to attend upon their Lord ! So, in heart and spirit, will all his believing people forsake all for himb. But say, Whether, this be indeed the habit of your lives? Look back to your early days; and trace your conduct up, through successive years, to the present moment, and then de- clare, whether you have ever risen thus superior to earthly things, and devoted yourselves unreservedly to your Lord and Saviour! This is the proper office and effect of faith c: and the total want of this fruit argues but too plainly the want of the root from which alone it can proceed.]
This state of things may well excite our wonder ; as will appear, whilst I shew,
II. What reason there is to marvel at it —
Consider, I pray you,
1. With what abundant evidence Christ is set forth amongst you —
a Isai. vi. 1—3. with John xii. 41. b Luke xiv. 33.
c 1 John v. 4.