Isaiah 49:26

REFLECTIONS

READER! I charge it upon you, as I desire to feel the full impression upon my own mind, that the subject, as well as the contents, of this most precious Chapter, be not dismissed, before all its blessed truths, under the divine teaching, be properly received and enjoyed in both our souls. The solemn transactions here recorded, of what passed, between our God and Father in Christ Jesus, and our most blessed Lord, concerning the recovery of our poor lost and fallen nature, are, in fact, the bottom and foundation of all grace and mercy, given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. All that we receive in pardon, in the regeneration of our nature, our adoption and high calling in Christ Jesus, our assurance of salvation in grace here, and glory to all eternity; all are the result of those covenant engagements, which this most blessed Chapter records, and which took place between the high contracting parties, before the fall of man, yea, before the foundation of the earth was laid. Pause then, and trace the wonderful subject through all its parts. Behold God the Father, in his love to our poor nature; who so loved us, as to give his only begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Behold God the Son, who so loved us, as to give himself for us. Behold God the Holy Ghost, as testifying the same, in bringing the Church acquainted with her mercies, and not only revealing the glad tidings of salvation, but inclining the hearts of the children to the belief of the truth of Jesus, and making them willing in the day of his power. Oh! what everlasting praise, love, and adoration, have we now to offer, and shall have eternally to present, to the holy, undivided, Three in One, Jehovah, for these unspeakable mercies of God in Christ!

Reader! let us seek grace to receive the blessed truths contained in this Chapter, to live up to the faith, and in the enjoyment of them, during our whole continuance upon earth, until we come to realize the full possession of them in everlasting glory. Precious Jesus! may we behold thee as the whole of the covenant. All the obligations of it have been wrought by thee; all its blessings are from thee; and all the concerns of it, and of thy people's happiness, are entrusted to thee. Help me then, O Lord, to look more to thee in every blessing, as the author and procurer of it! There is more of thee in the most common mercies, than thy people are conscious of: thy death hath secured our life, thy cross hath purchased our crown! To he be glory in the Church throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.