« Isai. xii. 2. x Isai. lxi, 10. y 1 Pet. i. 8, 9.
z Ps. xcviii. Read, and quote, the whole psalm,
a Luke i. 44. b Luke ii. 10, 11. c Luke ii. 27—32.
d Acts ii. 44 — 47. e Acts viii. 8, 39.
1657.] Abraham's views of christ. 475
when he heard, as it were, an universal jubilee proclaimed : his heart at least, if not his lips, gave vent to its feelings, in the expressive language of the prophet, " Sing, O ye heavens, for the Lord hath done it : shout, ye lower parts of the earth ; break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein ; for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel f."]
We cannot conclude without inquiring, What effect
has the arrival of this day on yous ?
[How many who live under the meridian light of the Gospel have never yet attained the knowledge nor the joy that Abraham possessed, though he lived two thousand years before the Lord Jesus came into the world ! The greater part of those who bear the Christian name, even when commemorating the Saviour's advent, celebrate it only in a way of carnal feasting; thus making his being " manifested to take away our sins" an occasion of multiplying their transgressions against him. But woe be to those who so mock and insult the Saviour of the world : truly their mirth will have a very different issue from what they expect. I call upon you then to examine, what effect the contemplation of this mystery has produced on you? Has it filled you with admiration, and gratitude, and joy? and does this effect of it remain upon your mind from day to day ? Tell me, if Abraham so exulted in it when he saw it only pro- spectively, and at the distance of two thousand years, should you view it with indifference, who are privileged to behold it in its meridian splendour? Methinks the frame predicted by the Prophet Isaiah, should be that of every soul amongst you : " It shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God ; we have waited for him, and he will save us ; this is the Lord ; we have waited for him ; we will be glad, and rejoice in his salva- tion11." My dear brethren, be not satisfied, if' this be not your experience : be assured, you know nothing of the Saviour's love, nothing, at least, as you ought to know it, if it have not produced this effect upon you. If you be Abraham's children, you will " walk in the steps of your father Abraham," believing in Christ, and rejoicing in him; not indeed in the prospect of his advent in the flesh, but in the prospect of that day which is now fast approaching, when all, both Jews and Gentiles, shall be gathered to him, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God
You will also look forward to that day, when he will
come again in the glory of his Father, and of all his holy angels, to judge the world — for ever to be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe."]
f Isai. xliv. 23.
e If this be preached on Christmas-day, it will admit of that ap- plication. But the true reference is to the gospel-day. h Isai. xxv. 9.