prophet ; we see him in the whole of his mediatorial character, as the King, Priest, and Prophet, of the universal Church. She heard only partial instructions, on particular occasions, with the outward ear : but we have access to him at all times, to hear the whole of his revealed will, and to receive instruction in our inmost souls.
How far preferable this is to his bodily presence our Lord himself informs us1 : and consequently our state is far more blessed than even that of his own mother.]
3. He has richer communications from him —
[She, as his mother, received nothing from him in this world1"; nor does she receive any thing in heaven on account of this relation to him11. But every believer, as a believer, is blessed in him with all spiritual and eternal blessings0. Un- speakable are the benefits he imparts to all his people. What- ever grace they possess, they have received it all out of his fulness p. In heaven also their relation to him shall be acknow- ledged, and suitable honours be conferred upon them. A throne q, a crown r, a kingdom8, are the inheritance that he has reserved for them, and will finally bestow upon them.
Let these things be considered, and, however blessed we may conceive the Virgin to have been on account of her relation to him, we shall see that incomparably greater blessedness is ours, provided we hear the word of God, and keep it.]
Address —
1 . Those who do not statedly hear the word of God —
[Upon what principle can you conceive that any blessed- ness belongs to you, when you prefer your ease, your business, your pleasure, to an attendance on God's ordinances ? Can it be imagined that God is unconcerned about the honour of his word, and that he will not notice the contempt poured upon it? Has he not repeatedly declared the very reverse*? What- ever excuses then you may make, remember that you have not even the semblance of Christianity, so long as you remain indifferent to the public ministration of the word, and neglect- ful of it in your secret retirements.]
2. Those who hear the word, but without keeping it —
[There are many who are regular in their attendance on divine worship, but never regard one word they hear. They
1 John xvi. 7. m Matt. xii. 46 — 50. n Matt. xxii. 30.
0 Eph. i. 3. i» John i. 16. <i Rev. iii. 21. r 2 Tim. iv. 8. s Luke xxii. 29 .
1 Deut. xviii. 19. Matt. x. 14,15. Luke x. 10. 1 Thess. iv. 8. Heb. ii. 1—3.