Leviticus 25:55

REFLECTIONS

WHAT motives of thanksgiving and praise pour in upon my soul from every quarter, in the perusal of this chapter, while I consider and compare my privileges and my happiness to those of the LORD'S people of old. They had, it is true, their seventh year of Sabbaths to remind them of the Sabbaths in Paradise, which Adam's transgression deprived his children of; but I have in that second Adam, the LORD from heaven, (as the Apostle most properly stiles him) an everlasting Sabbath, in him and from him to enjoy. Oh! may the blessed SPIRIT give me by his sweet influences to rest in JESUS!

In this Jubilee season to the poor captive and bond-servant may I behold by faith, the lively emblem of that eternal jubilee in JESUS, wherewith he makes his people free. Oh! thou kinsman Redeemer, that hast caused thy gospel trumpet to be sounded, never may I lose sight of what I was by nature, and what I now am by grace. Thou didst find me, O LORD, a bond-servant, indeed, to Sin and Satan, serving divers lusts and pleasures; and even in love with my chains, and averse to freedom. Eternal praises to thy dear name, that thou hast both proclaimed liberty to the captive, and made me willing to be redeemed in the day of thy power. Oh! may it be my happiness to return, as the redeemed Israelite, to my FATHER'S house, and now the mortgaged and sold inheritance is ransomed; LORD keep me from being ever again entangled in the old yoke of bondage. And while I behold so many all round me in nature's chains of sin, LORD give me grace, to adore the distinguishing mercy of my Deliverer. Let it be wholly to the praise of the glory of thy grace, wherein thou hast made me accepted in the beloved.