John 1:51

REFLECTIONS

Reader let you and I, in the review of this blessed Chapter, do as Moses and Israel did, at the borders of the Red Sea; stand still, and contemplate what is here revealed of the salvation of the Lord. Never surely was there ever a proclamation from heaven more full, conclusive, and satisfactory, in confirmation of the Godhead of Christ; the glories of his Person, the infinite preciousness of his work, and the greatness of his salvation! Oh! what a thought for the Church of God to cherish, and to feast upon, to all eternity; that the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. And Oh! for grace, like the chosen disciples of the Lord, to behold his glory, the glory, as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth!

Blessed forever be the God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath so loved us as to give his only begotten Son! And blessed be God the Son, who hath so loved us as to give himself for us. And blessed be God the Holy Ghost, whose everlasting love prompted his infinite mind to give all the precious manifestations of the Lord in his scriptures. Oh! how inexpressibly sweet are all those views of Jesus, which God the Spirit hath here given of the Godhead, Person, Work, Glory, Grace, and Love, of the Lord Jesus.

And Lord! give thy whole Church upon earth grace to praise thee, for the wonderful witness of that wonderful man, John the Baptist. Lord, the Spirit! do thou graciously be pleased to give to every child of God, thy heavenly teachings, that we may enter into a full apprehension of the design of his ministry; and behold him as raised up on purpose, and filled with the Holy Ghost, even from the womb, to testify to those two great features of the Lord Jesus, contained in this Chapter; namely, his Godhead, and the efficacy of his one all-effectual sacrifice. For surely, the testimonies alone, which this herald of the Lord hath given, are in themselves enough to carry before them all the infidelity of the present Christ-despising generation. Oh! for a boldness in the faith, to say as Paul did upon a like occasion, to the infidels of his day; behold ye despisers, and wonder and perish! Dearest Jesus! may it be my portion, with all the Andrews, and Peters, and Philips, and Nathaniels, of this age of the Church, having found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the Prophets did write; to testify to thy glorious name and character, and say, Rabbi! thou art the Son of God! thou art the King of Israel!