What a holy glorying would such views of Christ introduce into the soul, even if its distresses were ever so accumulated0! Surely, our consolations should abound not only above, but also in proportion to, our heaviest afflictions p.]
3. In an assured expectation of his promised advent —
[That he has promised to come to the souls of his afflicted people has been before shewn. Indeed a very principal end of his heavenly mission was, " to comfort them that mourn in Zion, and to appoint unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness11." Will he then relinquish the work he has under- taken ? Will he violate his own engagements? " Is he a man, that he should lie, or the Son of Man, that he should repent?" Let us not then listen to the suggestions of unbelief and impa- tiencer: but rather obey the voice of the prophet, who says, " Though the vision tarry, wait for it; for in due time it shall come and shall not tarry s."]
Our improvement of this subject shall be,
1. In a way of inquiry —
[What do we make the ground of our consolation ? We see what is supremely and exclusively the consolation of Israel. O that our regard to Christ may testify for us, that we belong to the true Israel !]
2. In a way of encouragement —
[Consolation implies some previous trouble. Now, trou- ble, if not of a temporal, yet certainly of a spiritual kind, we must all feel. Let us acquaint ourselves with Christ, and we shall never be at a loss for comfort. Let us live nigh to him, and we may defy all the powers of earth and hell*.]
0 2 Cor. xii. 10. p 2 Cor. i. 5. 1 Isai. lxi. 1 — 3.
r Ps. lxxvii. 7 — 9. s Hab. ii. 3. l See Isai. xxv. 9.