Isaiah 63:19

REFLECTIONS

MY soul! ponder well the blessed things contained in this Chapter; and while the Prophet, in the name of the Church, is humbly enquiring, who Christ is, and in what garments he appears; do thou see whether thou canst answer the enquiry, to thy joy, in the most satisfying tokens of thy Redeemer's Person and righteousness. Who is this, that cometh up with salvation, but the Lord, mighty to save he is One with Jehovah, in the divine nature; and no less one with us in the human; bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh. His name is indeed wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace! Surely, Lord, thine own arm brought salvation, and of the people there was none with thee; and though in all things it behoved thee to be made like unto thy brethren; yet, in redemption-work, thou troddest the wine-press of the wrath of God alone. And amidst all our rebellions, and forgetfulness of thee, never didst thou forget us, or forego our interests. In all our afflictions, thou wast afflicted. Thy love, and thy pity, allowed of no abatement, for thou wast always Jesus: the same yesterday, and to - day, and forever. Oh! then Lord, let nothing of the waywardness of thy children, thwart the gracious designs of thy love; but remember that we are but dust, and let thy strength and thy zeal, and the sounding of thy bowels, never be restrained. We throw ourselves upon Covenant relationship, and beseech of thee, our God, to remember that most blessed promise, in which thou hast said, I wilt not turn away from them to do them good and I will put my fear in their heart, that they shall not depart from me!