1 Pet. ii. 7. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.
THERE is a great difference between the views of natural and spiritual men. This exists even with
respect to things temporal; much more in those which are spiritual and eternal. It appears particu- larly with respect to Christ. Hence St. Peter repre- sents him as disallowed of some, but chosen by others. This was designed of God, and agreeable to the prophecies; and it justifies the inference drawn from it in the text.
We shall, I. Confirm this saying of the Apostle, that Christ is precious to believers —
We might suppose that Christ would be precious to all men ; but he is not so. Nevertheless he is so to all that truly believe.
The history of the Old Testament affords abundant
proof of this —
[Abraham rejoiced to see his day, though at a distance3. Job delighted in the thoughts of death as introducing him to his presence b. Moses esteemed reproach for his sake0. David regarded nothing in earth or heaven in comparison of himd. Isaiah exulted in the prospect of his incarnation e. All the prophets contemplated him as the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.]
The New Testament Scriptures confirm it — [The Virgin, while he was yet in her womb, sang his praises f — The angels congratulated the shepherds on his in- carnationg — The just and devout Simeon after seeing him, could depart in peace11 — John Baptist, as the bridegroom's friend, rejoiced in his voice1 — How precious was he to that Mary who was a sinner k — St. Paul counted all as dung for the knowledge of him, was willing to be bound, or to die for him, and knew no comfort like the expectation of being with him1 — The glorified saints and angels incessantly adore himm — ]
The experience of living saints accords with that of those who have gone before". The world even
a John viii. 56. * Job xix. 25—27. ° Heb. xi. 26.
d Ps. lxxiii. 25. e Isai. ix. 6. f Luke i. 47.
e Luke ii. 10. h Luke ii. 29, 30. ! John iii. 29.
k Luke vii. 38. l Phil. iii. 8. Acts xxi. 13. 1 Thess. iv. 18.
m Rev. v. 12, 13. This and all the foregoing passages should be cited in whole or in part.
n There are many to whom he is Ti/xii, preciousness itself ; who account him as the pearl of great price, desire to know more of him, grieve that they cannot love him more, welcome every thing that leads to him, and despise all in comparison of him.