Psalms 81:16

REFLECTIONS

READER! let every renewed call, which we behold in the old dispensation, to excite the people to praise, remind us of our higher privileges, and become an additional incentive to the most animated love and praise to our God in Christ. Were the Old Testament saints perpetually reminded of the distinguishing love of God to his people; and was it the voice of trumpets by which the Holy Ghost caused it to be proclaimed in his church, Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound? Think what increased causes we may find, to whom Jesus himself hath manifested his great trumpet of salvation, declaring that when it is blown, they shall come that are ready to perish.

And shall we, like Israel, forget the Lord? Shall we say, or, what is to the same effect, shall we do, as they did; that it may be said of us, His people would not hearken to his voice, and Jesus's Israel would have none of him? Oh, Lord! in mercy avert these awful departures. No! precious Jesus! it is thou who hast brought our souls out of the spiritual Egypt of sin and death! It is thou who hast converted us from the language of nature to a language of grace, which we understood not, neither should have known, but from thy teaching. Thou hast indeed removed from our shoulders the burden of sin, and delivered us from the slavery of Satan; thou hast heard and answered prayer; and thou hast been our God and our Saviour. Oh! then still go on, to satisfy our souls with the bread of life, and the water of life, which is thyself, and keep us by thine almighty power, through faith unto salvation.