And have not we the same ground of joy d? or rather, ought
a ver. 48, 49. b Compare Ps. ex. 1. with Matt. xxii. 43 — 45.
c ver. 4-3,44. a Luke ii. 10, 11.
not our joy in him to be more sublime, in proportion as our knowledge of him is more clear ? O let not our views of him be less exalted, or our affiance in him less firm ! ]
From viewing the grounds of her joy, let us turn our attention to, II. The expressions of it —
[Here we behold a blessed mixture of admiration, grati- tude, and joy. It is evident that her mind was full of her subject: the abruptness of her speech shews, that she had " mused in her heart till the fire kindled ; and then she spoke with her tongue." She was naturally of a ruminating thought- ful turne: and, from the moment when the angel announced to her the Divine purpose, we doubt not but that her meditations had been on this subject night and day. Here then, over- whelmed, as it were, with the greatness of this mystery, she gives vent to her feelings, and magnifies him as her Saviour, whom by faith alone she knew to have been formed in her womb.
Fain would she have presented to her God a tribute of praise adequate to the occasion. Her soul and spirit " were engaged to the uttermost :" but the language of mortality was too feeble for such a theme. Yet, as far as she could, she " magnified" her Lord, and rendered to him the acknowledg- ments so justly due.
As to the joy she felt, that also, no less than her theme, exceeded the powers of language to express. Even if she could have expressed it, her words would not convey to us any precise ideas, unless we had correspondent feelings within our own bosom.
If such, then, was her state, we ask, what can any man know of this mystery, who has not been filled with wonder at it? What can any man know of it, who does not rejoice in it with most exalted joy, and bless God for it from his inmost soul ?
As a speculative truth, indeed, it may have received
our assent, even though we have never contemplated it with any suitable emotions : but if the excellency of the truth have been ever felt, we have found that we sunk under it as ineffable, incomprehensible ; and were constrained to adore in silence the mercies which we could not utter — • ]
From this instructive history we may learn,
1. Our duty —
[Persons readily acknowledge their obligation to do as they would be done unto, or even to perform some religious duties: but they can live all their days without rejoicing in God, and yet never feel any sense of guilt on account of it.
e Luke i. 29. and ii. 19, 51.