an union with each other3. For this purpose " God laid" him in Sic-n from the beginning ; lie laid him, I say, in types and prophecies, and declarations, and promises ; and he requires all both in heaven and earth to honour him as the one source of their strength, and the one bond of their union.]
Tn this view he is "elect and precious" in the eyes of God—
[God has appointed him to execute this office from all eternity, and determined that there shall be " no other name whereby any shall be saved." And, as qualified for it, as dis- charging it in every respect, and as saving man in perfect consistency with the honour of the Divine perfections, God esteems him " precious ;" He declares that " in this his be- loved Son He is well-pleased ;" and He acquiesces fully in the salvation of all who shall approve of this appointment.]
Nor will he be less precious in our eyes, if we consider,
II. The security of those who " believe in him" —
To believe in him, is, to feel an entire dependence on him ourselves, and to have such an union with him as produces a correspondent union with all the other parts of his spiritual temple. They who thus believe in him shall never be confounded,
Here —
[Much there is in their experience, which might well confound them, and which nothing but their union with him could enable them to support. How should they endure a sense of guilt, or bear up against their indwelling corruptions? How should they sustain the fiery trial of persecution, or stand composed in the near prospects of death ? These are things which disconcert and confound others ; and drive them like a ship from its moorings. But they have " an anchor both sure and steadfast." They are not agitated, and driven to hasty conclusions, or ill-advised methods of deliverance b. " Their heart standeth firm, trusting in the Lord." " Being justified by faith, they have peace with God." The promise that " sin shall not have dominion over them," encourages their hope. Their present consolations, and future prospects of reward, soften all their trials, and enable them to " glory in tribulations." And, knowing in whom they have believed,
a Eph. ii. 14, 20 — 22.
b Compare the text with the passage from whence it is taken, Isai. xxviii. 16.