his representative character, what is done by hitn is as done by us. " We thug judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead " (2 Cor. t. 14). There is nothing unreason- able in this. We are perpetually imputing to others what is not in tliem or but very faintly in them. We do so when we treat strangers with all kindness for the sakis of those — some honoured and beloved ones — who commend them to us. We cause to flow over on them the worth and goodness of those by whom they are commended. They may not merely be strangers, but unworthy and evil, and yet, for the sake of otlieis, we deal with them, not as they are, but as those are from whom they come. So ig the Lord Jesus our Bighteousness, blessed be his Namel 2, The lard hath brought forth righteousness in us. But for him there would have been no righteousness at all. Some speak of " natural goodness." There is no such thing. All goodness, like all light, has but one source. Divines tell of ruined arches, stately pillars, etc., relics of the noble fabric that once was. But Scripture rather teaches that sin wrought death. If, then, there be aught that is beautiful and good, fair and righteous— and there is, and much — it is not a relic, but a new creation. It comes from him who is " the Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world " (Juhn i. ; cf. Jas. i. 16). And' when a man yields up his soul to Christ, then — vitally grafted into him, the true Vine, and having become a living branch — he will more and more yield the fruit of righteous- ness, as he never did or could before. 3. 2hs Lord hath brought forth his covenant,' That is to say, he hath brought forth in his own mind, so as to remember, bis covenant that he made (cf. Fs. cv. 8 — 15 ; cxi., etc.). It is ever declared to be on the ground of this covenant that God dealt well with his people. Now, that covenant had been, as it were, put out of the Divine mind by the multitude of their sins. But now he brings it forth again. 4. The Lord hath vindicated us. The enemies of the Lord blasphemed his people. Counted them as having no worth or goodness at all ; as far inferior to all others. But, despised as his people were and condemned, now, by God's redemption of them, he was to bring forth their righteousness, vindicate them, on and before all (cf. Ps. xxxvii. 5 — 7). This, which he did for Israel, he will do for all his people — " will bring forth their righteousness as the light, and their judgment as the noonday."
II. What, thebefobb, should we do ? " Come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God." This is what we are to do. 1. Why should we do this t For the honour of G«d. It is his due. For our own soul's sake ; to keep silence on what he has done for us is not only dishonouiing to him, but disastrous to our own souls. For the encouragement of others, that they may be led to trust in him. 2. Sow should we do this t Openly : " Let us declare in Zion," etc. Not concealing our obligation, not refusing to confess him. Unitedly: "Come, and let its," etc. Join with them of a like mind. Heartily : calling on others to do the like, " Come," etc., In his Church : " In Zion.'' There taking our place, falling into rank in the army of the Lord. In the heavenly Zion the redeemed of the Lord never tire of thus declaring the work of the Lord. — 0.
Vet. 19.— ''The Portion of Jacob " (cf. homily, vol. I. p. 277).— 0.
Ver. 20.— Tfte Church Ood's battle-axe. God ever employs instruments to accom- plish bis purposes. He is a God that " hideth " himself. Hence many see nothing but instruments, and forget, or deny, the hand that uses them. " That does not seem much of a sword," said one, as he looked upon the treasured weapon of a great national hero and valiant soldier. " Ah 1 but you do not seo the hand that wielded it," was the just reply. So as we look on the agencies Gud employs, how feeble they seem to be ! But think of the force behind them, and then the works they accomplished are explained. Now, this is true of all God's- works. Especially is it true in all the great spiritual achievements which we have heard of or seen. This verse re»<;rs to Israel, in reference to the idolatrous nations around them, and to Babylon especially. Israel was the unseen cause that led to the overthrow and destruction of one nation after another. For the Church's sake God governs the world. "All things are yours." Now, note—
I. The witness of bistort to the truth that God's people are his " battle-axe and weapons of war." " I came not to send peace upon earth, but a sword," said Jesus, and Id the same sense as this verse declares that word is true. " Magna est Veritas, et pre- valent," is another rendering oi the same fact. 1. Btfore the birth ^ Christ the para
S02 THE BOOK OF THE PBOPHET JBBEMIAa [oh. u. 1—64