From knowing what his views of Christ were, we shall be at no loss to say,
II. Why he so exulted in them —
Though we should estimate his knowledge by the lowest standard, the event which he foresaw could not fail of being a source of much joy to him,
1. Because of the mystery contained in it —
[Frequently does St. Paul characterize the Gospel as a " mystery that from eternity was hid in the bosom of God," and as containing "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge8." Another Apostle represents the very " angels in heaven as desiring to look into it," and to search out, if possible, its immeasurable extent1.
Do we wonder then that Abraham rejoiced in the manifes- tation of this to his soul ? To see such a display of the divine perfections, all exhibited in the person of one who should spring from his loins ; to see a descendant of his own effecting what all the angels in heaven would in vain have endeavoured to effect ; to see him, by his own obedience unto death, bring- ing more honour to God than all the obedience of angels ever brought, and more good to man than he would have enjoyed if he had never sinned at all ; I say, to see such " a day " as this, might well fill him with all the rapture that feeble mortality could sustain. When this mystery began to be more fully manifested in the incarnation of Christ, a multitude of the hea- venly host, astonished, as it were, at the display of the Divine glory, commenced a new song, saying, " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men." And from that period it has been the one theme of praise and
1 Gal. iii. 8, 9. r Rom. iv. 18—22.
s Col. ii. 3. * 1 Pet. i. 10—12.
474 JOHN, VIII. r>G. [1657.
adoration among saints on earth and saints in heaven. Yea, so glorious, so inexhaustible is the subject, that after millions of years it will be as new and interesting as ever : and to all eternity, notwithstanding it will be progressively unfolded to the admiring universe, it will be found to have a length and breadth, a depth and height, that can never be explored.]
2. Because of the benefits conveyed by it —
[If he had only his own personal benefit in view, he could not but rejoice : for, what an amazing benefit is it for a guilty creature to say, " Behold, God is my salvation : I will trust, and not be afraid : for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song, he also is become my salvation"!" It is not possible for any one to have this sweet assurance, and not adopt the lan- guage of exultation actually used by the Church of old, " I will greatly rejoice in the Lord : my soul shall be joyful in my God : for he hath clothed me with the garments of sal- vation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels1." Indeed it is said of every believer, that " though he has not personally seen Christ, yet he cannot but rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and full of glory y." But doubtless he looked to the salvation of a ruined world : and what joy must not that excite ! See in what raptures David was, at the prospect which was opened to himz! See how, at the period of our Saviour's advent, every heart rejoiced! how Mary exclaimed, " My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour!" how the embryo infant, of six months' existence only in the womb of Elizabeth, leaped for joy at the approach of the blessed Virgin, in whom the Saviour was but just formed a! Hear, at the time of his nativity, with what ecstatic joy the angels proclaimed his advent, " Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people ; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lordb!" Hear how every person, to whose ears it was at all welcome, exulted in it! how Zacharias "blessed God;" and Simeon desired his dismission from the body, accounting that he had attained all that was valuable in life, now that he had seen and embraced the infant Saviour0 ! Behold, when salvation by Christ was proclaimed on the day of Pentecost, how all the converts forgot every personal concern, and spent all their time in blessing and praising Godd. So it was, wherever the glad tidings were proclaimed6. No wonder then it was so with Abraham,