vain [David bears his testimony that his cries were not in in And all who plead like him, shall find reason to make his acknowledgments "-] ADDRESS 1. Those who are unconcerned about the blessings of salvation [The generality know but little of spiritual troubles-But their exemption from them is by no means to be desired- They at the same time have no interest in these precious promises They taste not the rich consolations of the gospel-And how will their tongue fail for thirst" in the eternal world! Let all then seek to know their spiritual wants- -1 Let them take encouragement from that gracious offer P-] 2. Those who are fainting for want of them These promises cannot possibly fail of being accomplished From them, as "from wells of salvation, you may draw water with joy" They shall certainly be fulfilled to you, both here, and for ever'] 1 Pet. ii. 7. Unto you therefore who 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 particularly with respect to ChristHence St. Peter represents him as disallowed of some, but chosen by others Ii 3 This This was designed of God, and agreeable to the prophecies And it justifies the inference drawn from it in the text We shall shew I. That Christ is precious to believers We might suppose he would be so to all men; but he is not 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 distance Job delighted in death as the means of introducing him to his presence b Moses esteemed reproach for his sake David regarded nothing in earth or heaven in comparison of him a Isaiah exulted in the prospect of his incarnation -] 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 incarnation %___ The just and devout Simeon after seeing him, could depart in peace 1 h John Baptist, as the bridegroom's friend, rejoiced in his voice How precious was he to that Mary who was a sinner!-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 him' The glorified saints and angels incessantly adore him "— -1 The experience of living saints accords with that of those who have gone before a John viii. 56. Ps. lxxiii 25. Luke ii. 10. i John iii. 29. Phil. iii. 8. Acts xxi. 13. 1 Thess. iv. 18. Heb. xi. 26. f Luke i. 47. The h Ib. ver. 29. 30. k Luke vii. 38. m Rev. v. 12, 13. n There are many to whom he is preciousness itself; who account him as the pearl of great price, desire to know more of him, grieve that they cannot love him more, think afflictions good when they lead to him, and despise all in comparison of him. The world even wonders at them on account of their attachment to him II. Why he is so precious to them They have reason enough for their attachment- [He is infinitely above all created beauty or goodnessShall they 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 necessities [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?-] rather wonder why all do not feel the same. We may attachment III. Why he is not precious to others 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 him How then should they esteem him, whose excellency 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 r Isai. xxxii. 2. • 2 Cor. iv. 4. He is beloved of the Father, of angels, and of saints- And shall any, who do not account him precious, be objects of his regard?- Surely his final decision will correspond with that declaration Let all then believe in him, that he may become precious to them Nor let any be dejected because they cannot delight in him as they wish The more we love him, the more shall we lament the coldness of our love In a little time all the powers of our souls shall act without controul Then shall we glory in him with unrestrained and unabated ardour-] प 1 Sam. ii. 30. LXXXIII. GOD'S COMPASSION. Hos. xi. 7-9. My people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them unto the Most High, none at all would exalt him: [yet] how shall I give thee up Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger. THE riches of divine grace are manifest in all the promises But they are more eminently displayed in the manner in which the promises are given God often introduces them after an enumeration of his people's sins The passage before us well exemplifies this remark God has been contrasting his kindness to Israel, and their ingratitude towards him In the text he sets forth their wickedness with all its aggravations * See similar instances, Isai. xliii. 22-25. and Ivii. 17, 18. Yet Yet all this is preparatory, not to an heavy denunciation of his wrath, but to the tenderest expressions of paternal love- I. The conduct of men towards God The ten tribes, since their separation from Judah, had become idolaters Yet God calls them his people because they had been admitted into covenant with him, and still professed to be his Thus all who call themselves Christians are people But they are bent to backsliding from him "God's [The ungodly are justly compared to an unruly heifer— They will not submit to the yoke of God's laws Their whole spirit and temper is like that of Pharaoh ——The "bent" and inclination of their hearts is wholly towards sin An outward conformity to God's will they may approveBut they have a rooted aversion to spiritual obedience-] Nor can they by any means be prevailed on to "exalt and honour him [They are "called" frequently by God's ministersThey are exhorted and intreated to return to the Most High But neither promises can allure nor threatenings alarm them They turn a deaf ear to all admonitions— They will not "exalt " God in their hearts and lives-] This is almost universally the conduct of mankind [There are a few indeed who desire and delight to serve God They wish him to be the sole Lord and Governor of their hearts It is their study to exalt him both in their words and actions But these are few in every age and place So few, that, in comparison of the rebellious, they may be said to be " none at all "-] What might such persons expect at the hand of God? II. God's conduct towards them Exod. v. 2. How |