And were not these things also mysterious, that the poo idolatrous Gentiles should have such glad tidings proclaimed to them; and that he, who had not saved himself, should be regarded as the Saviour of the whole world?] V. He "was received up into glory" [The return of Jesus to his heavenly mansions is generally thought to be here referred to: but perhaps the reference rather is to the glorious reception which he met with among those who believed on him: they did not merely assent to the truth of his gospel, but received him into their hearts with most fervent love. "No sooner did they hear of him, than they obeyed him," and accounted his service to be perfect freedom: and so unreserved was their surrender of themselves to him, that they desired "every thought," as well as every action, "to be brought into captivity" to his will. In short, they "counted all things but dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord;" nor were their goods, their reputation, their liberty, or their life, of any value, when put in competition with his will, or when an opportunity was offered to sacrifice them to his honour.d Such was the reception given him wherever his name was preached: multitudes in every place "blessed themselves in him," and "rejoiced in him with joy unspeakable." And what a glorious mystery was this! that they should so highly honour one who had been abhorred by all his own countrymen, and executed as the vilest of malefactors! and that they should feel such love to one whom they had never seen, as to renounce for his sake all that their eyes had seen, and all that is held dear among men! This was wonderful indeed: yet wonderful as it is, it is still daily experienced, and daily mani fested, by all that believe.] We conclude with submitting to your consideration two important QUESTIONS 1. What reception have you given to this mystery? [Are the great subjects of Christ's humiliation and glory disregarded by you as matters of doubtful disputation; or are they entertained with that reverence which is due to such mysterious truths? Alas! notwithstanding they are preached a It seems that the different members of the text received their accomplishment in successive order of time: and if this be duly considered, the interpretation here given to the last clause will appear the most suitable of any: and it is certain that aveλppen ev don may very properly be translated he was received gloriously. See in the Greek Acts xx. 13, 14. Phil. iv. 19. with other passages referred to by that most instructive and judicious commentator, Dr. Guyse. b Ps. xviii. 44 • Ps. lxxii. 17. e 2 Cor. x. 5. d Phil. iii. 7, 8 66 among you, they are far from meeting with that reception they deserve. Beg then that the Holy Spirit would take of the things that are Christ's and shew them unto you." And endeavour to give the Lord Jesus such a reception now, that you may be welcomed by him in the great day of his appearing.] 2. Are you experiencing the gospel to be indeed a mystery of godliness? [It is to but little purpose to "call Christ Lord, if we do not the things which he says." He will "save us from our sins," but never in them. He came to "redeem us from iniquity, and to purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works." Let us not then attempt to make him "a minister of sin;" but endeavour to shew the sanctifying, as well as saving, efficacy of his gospel. Let us shew, that while "the grace of God bringeth salvation to us, it teaches us to deny all sin, and to live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world."k John xvi. 15. h Tit. ii. 14. APPENDIX. CCCXXI. THE UNCONCERN OF MEN AMIDST GOD'S Ísai. xxii. 12-14. In that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping and to mourning, and to baldness, and tɩ girding with sackcloth: and behold, joy and gladness, slay. ing oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine. let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we shall die. And i was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you, till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts. TRUE religion is equally abhorrent from an atheisti. cal contempt of God's providence, and a presumptuous reliance on it. It teaches us neither to "trust in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, the temple o the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we;" nor, on the other hand, to trust in human devices, to the neglect o him, who "worketh all things after the counsel of hi own will." a It was for the latter of these sins, that the Jews wer reproved in the words before us. The Assyrians hå invaded their country, and were coming against Jeruslem itself: and the Jews, instead of crying to God fr help, contented themselves with fortifying their city; ax lived as securely as if no danger were at hand. This greatly incensed God, and caused him to denounce agaist them his heaviest judgments. The words before us will lead us to consider I. The duty to which God calls us The terms used in the text were intended to expess repentance [The shaving of the head, and cutting of the beard, and putting on of sackcloth were used among the Jews as inlications of sorrow. Of themselves indeed, neither those no any other actions, however significant, had any value before God: a Jer. vii. 4. b Ezek. xxvii. 30, 1. ney were even hateful to him, if used without correspondent ispositions of heart: but, when accompanied with inward ontrition, they were pleasing and acceptable in his sight.d] This is the duty to which God calls us at this time [He spake to the Jewish nation by the dispensations of Is providence, and the voice of his prophets. And is he ot calling us to repentance at this time, by the calamities of te nation, by the command of our rulers, and by the voice of d his faithful ministers? Yes; he says aloud, "turn ye to re with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, ad with mourning."] But how little attention we pay to him will appear, if te consider I. The state in which we continue The evils of which the prophet complained, are, alas! to descriptive of our state 1. We confide in our own preparations without lookig to God [So often has God prospered our naval exertions, that we amost universally overlook his providence, and ascribe our sccess to our own superior skill and valour. Our hopes also a future conquest are founded wholly on our own prowess. Ve are active enough in making preparations; but are as unnndful of God, as if we needed not his aid, nor were at all doendent on his will. For the truth of this assertion we appel to the public prints, and to the expressions of all with wom we converse.] 2. We still live in habits of conviviality and dissipa on [It is not intemperance and excess that is the object of theprophet's reprehension, but an unsuitable gaiety of mind, at time when it became them to be humbling themselves in dus and ashes. And is not this the case with us amongst all ranks and orders of the community? Doubtless the pressure of the public burthens must impose restraints on many: but still he change in them is not the effect of a voluntary humiliaion, but the reluctant fruit of irresistible necessity.] 3. We, in too many instances, turn the very warnings of Jehovah into contempt and ridicule [The Jews were warned of the near approach of their destruction: and they, to ridicule the idea, said, "Let us eat Isa. i. 13, 14. and lxvi. 3., d 1 Kings xxi. 27—29. e Mi. vi. 9. Awful visitations were always considered in that view, Judges xx, 25, 26. f Joel, Isaiah, &c. $ Joel ii. 12. 碎 and drink, for to-worrow we shall die." We indeed, having no information from God respecting the issue of public affairs, cannot imitate, with respect to them, the impiety of the Jews. But in relation to infinitely more important matters, there is as much profane scoffing amongst us, as amongst them: the declarations of God's word are set at nought; and they, who most faithfully denounce God's judgments against sin and sinners, are most universally regarded either as hypocrites or fanatics.] Let us then, as it becomes us, proceed with all fidelity to shew III. The evil and danger of such a state What can be more unsuitable to our condition? [What should we think of a child or servant that should manifest such a spirit under our rebukes? Does such conduct then become us towards God, when he is contending with us, and chastising us for our sins? Yea, are we not as devoid of humanity as of piety, while we feel no sympathy with the thousands of our suffering fellow-creatures? Well says the prophet on a similar occasion, "Should we then make mirth?" Surely it becomes us rather to "cry and howl" for the miseries that are come upon us.] What can be more offensive to God? [The word "surely," is equivalent to an oath: and is it a light thing which causes Jehovah to swear by his own life and immortal perfections? Is it a small matter that causes "the Lord God of hosts" to shut up his tender mercies, and to swear, that the guilt of such or such an action shall “ never be purged away?" Must not that be beyond measure offensive to him, that can fill his breast with such "fiery indignation?" The sins that have brought down his chastisements, are doubtless great: but an obstinacy under those chastisements which are intended to reform us, is a sure forerunner of our utter excision.'] What can be more destructive in its consequences? [The nation cannot be delivered but by means of a national repentance: nor can any individual escape the eternal wrath of God, but by means of his own personal repentance. If there be only one impenitent transgressor in the whole kingdom, "God will search him out with candles," in order to punish him." Even in his present dispensations m Ezek. xxi. 9, 10, 12. i Heb. vi. 13, 14. This title, being thrice repeated, is very emphatical. 1 Jer. vii. 12-16. Such also is the import of that threatening, Amos iv. 12. the ground of which is five times repeated from ver. m Luke xiii. 3. 3 D 6 to 11. VOL. II. n Zeph, î. 12. |