long-loft inheritance, which had been forfeited by fin; and by whose Redeeming Process in their fouls, they are rendered capable of enjoying it. In the preceding verfe, the Prophet calls upon "Zion, to get up into the high "mountain; and upon Jerufalem, to lift 66 up her voice with ftrength, and not to "be afraid; and to say unto the cities of "Judah, Behold your GOD!" The external sense of this prediction was fully accomplished in the incarnation, nativity, personal appearance and ministration, of the HOLY JESUS, in Jerufalem and the cities of Judah; whilst its internal sense has been fulfilled, and is fulfilling, in the hearts of all thofe, who fpiritually behold this Incarnate GOD, and meekly fubmit to his faving energy in their fouls. As the highest encouragement to fuch a conduct as this on the part of man, the illuminated Prophet proceeds, in my text, to point out the perfonal character of this Great Deliverer, together

together with the manner in which he opens his powers and virtues in the human heart, triumphs over all oppofition, accomplishes the falutary work he has undertaken, and, by a most/gentle and condescending process, restores his beloved offspring to their original ftate of Heavenly Life and Glory.

"Behold! the LORD GOD fhall come " with ftrong Hand, and his Arm shall "rule for him."

The mistaken Ifraelites, to whom these words were primarily addreffed, vainly afcribed to them a temporal interpretation, and looked for a deliverer, whofe conquering arm fhould effectually rescue them from the earthly powers to which they were tributary. But the true children of faithful Abraham, wait for the spiritual accomplishment of this prophecy in their hearts; and fee and feel "the ftrong Hand" of their REDEEMER,

REDEEMER, in that inward oppofition which he raises in their breasts, to all the evil defires and corrupt paffions of human nature. Light uncreated breaks forth amid the depth of nature's darknefs, and reveals to trembling mortals those strong fortreffes, which the prince of darkness hath been erecting within them, and which nought can overcome, but the Hand and Arm" of their delivering GOD.

"Behold! his Reward is with him, "and his work before him!"

This Work is no other than the complete deliverance of man from the captivity of fin and Satan. This Reward is no other than the glorious acquifition of those loft or wandering fouls, who were originally his by creation, and are now doubly fo by Redemption. You may observe that the Prophet seems to dwell upon the Strength,

the

erer.

the Power and Majefty of this DelivHe reprefents him as coming with a strong Hand: and, indeed, fuch is usually his first appearance in the finner's heart. David fpeaks of this firft appearance, in the most awful and alarming terms: "the arrows of the Almighty stick faft in me, and his "hand preffeth me fore."

66

The first feelings of an awakened and convicted confcience are painful and agonizing indeed; for they are, as hath already been faid, the breaking forth of Heaven's Majestic Light upon the benighted foul, which shakes nature to her very center, and difclofes every hidden recefs to which conscious guilt flies from its approach. But when viewed with steadiness and compofure, and received with chearfulness and thanksgiving, it foon becomes as mild and sweet as the radiance of the rifen day after a dark and tempeftuous night. Hence it is, that in the next verse we

find the dignity and majefty of this auguft Perfonage fweetly tempered with condefcenfion and love, and melting into heavenly meeknefs, gentleness, and compaffion.

"He fhall feed his Flock like a Shepherd he shall gather the Lambs “with his arm, and carry them in his "bofom; and fhall gently lead those "that are with young."

Perhaps there is not an image in the whole world, that the Prophet could have chofen, which would have been more beautifully expreffive, than this of that ineffable tendernefs and care, which the SON OF GOD is perpetually exercifing towards his redeemed offspring. I would not chufe to dwell too minutely upon this fimilitude, but would wish to make a just and not fanciful application of the feveral parts.

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