August 12

them and heaven. Their fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Blessed are the people that are in such a case: yea, happy is the people whose God is the Lord.

AUGUST 12.—“They shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one.”—Isaiah 19:20.

LET us consider these words in the noblest exemplification of which they are susceptible; and let us remark what they say of the saved and what they say of the Saviour.

What they say of the saved: “They shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors.” The representation includes their state—They are oppressed, and their oppressors are worse enemies than any of the conquerors who have enslaved nations. They are more base, and vile, and cruel, and reduce their vassals to far greater wretchedness and ruin. And we cannot mistake who these tyrants are, when we know that “the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil,” that he “might deliver us from this present evil world,” that he might “turn every one of us away from our iniquities,” that he might “save his people from their sins.” It includes their sensibility. Many are unwilling to own their condition; and resemble the Jews, who, when our Lord spoke of making them free, exclaimed, “We were never in bondage to any man,” though they had been captives to every neighbouring power, and were then a Roman province. But these are awakened to consider, and enlightened to see their deplorable estate. This is what divines call conviction of sin; and which commonly operates in the following order. The man first feels the effects of his sin. The prodigal began to be in want: I here perish with hunger: I will arise. Then he feels the guilt of sin, and learns that whatever miseries he has brought upon himself here, they are only the beginnings of sorrow, and a small part of his desert. The soul that sinneth it shall die. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the living God. Who can dwell with everlasting burnings? At last he becomes sensible of the pollution of sin, as the defilement of the soul, and as rendering him unfit for communion with a holy God—“Behold, I am vile: wherefore I abhor myself, repenting in dust and ashes.” It includes also their disposition—“They cry unto the Lord” for relief and deliverance. Conviction of sin always issues in earnest prayer: and such prayer cannot be in vain.

“He shall send them a Saviour”—And what is said of him? A single distinction is given him: but how much does it contain! and how suitable, how necessary is it to meet our wants! Our case is beyond expression difficult; yea, it is desperate in itself, and also with regard to “the help of men and angels joined.” Every kind of saviour therefore will not do for us; he must be mighty to save: and our help is laid on one that is mighty—He shall send them a Saviour; “and a great one.” He is so in four respects. A great one if we consider the dignity of his person. The grandest titles are not withheld from him in the Scriptures of truth. There he is not only the child born, and the son given, but the mighty God.

VOL. II.