wonders at them on account of their attachment to him.
II. Account for the fact, and shew why he is so
precious to them —
They have reason enough for their attachment :
They love him for his own excellence —
[He is infinitely above all created beauty or goodness. Shall the}- then regard these qualities in the creature, and not in him? Whosoever views him by faith cannot but admire and adore him.]
They love him for his suitableness to their ?iecessi- ties —
[There is in Christ all which believers can want ; nor can they find any other capable of supplying their need : hence they delight in him as their " all in all."]
They love him for the benefits they receive from him —
[They have received from him pardon, peace, strength, &c. Can they do otherwise than account him precious?]
We may rather wonder why all do not feel the same attachment.
III. Shew why this regard for him is found in them exclusively —
There certainly exists no reason on his part ; he is good to all. But unbelievers cannot love him :
1. Because they have no views of his excellency —
[The god of this world has blinded them that they cannot see him0. How then should they esteem him, whose excel- lency they know not ? They must of necessity be indifferent to him, as men are to things of little value.]
2. Because they feel no need of him —
[Christ is valuable only as a remedy p ; nor can any man desire him as a physician, a fountain, a refuge, unless he feel some disease, some thirst, some danger.]
Application —
[All, who have any spiritual discernment, feel a love to Christ : he is beloved of the Father, of angels, and of saints.
0 2 Cor. iv. 4. p Isai. xxxh. 2.