Let us pause for a moment and marvel at the depths of God’s counsel and the infinite glory of the riches of His grace towards mankind. That God should ever have such thoughts towards such insignificant creatures as we are, and that He chose not to let such despicable creatures perish eternally but to show mercy to them in such a unique way – truly, brethren, God has accomplished more in bringing a poor soul to Himself than in creating heaven and earth. The work of creating heaven and earth is but a lesser feat when compared to this extraordinary way of conveying His grace and mercy to the children of men through His Son. This is the masterpiece of God’s works, whether already done or to be done for all eternity. God deserves to be admired and adored for this. We should glorify God in every created thing, but how much more should we sanctify His name when we behold His glory in His humblest works? If it is a sin not to sanctify the name of God when we witness His glory in His most modest works, then how great a sin is it not to sanctify the name of God when we contemplate the mystery of the Gospel and His glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ! God expects (brethren) that those living under the Gospel should dedicate their days, thoughts, and conversations to the contemplation of the glory He has revealed in His Son. For those of you with frivolous and worldly spirits who can squander your precious thoughts on such trivial matters, know that there is an object worthy of your thoughts. Your sin is even greater when you waste your thoughts on vanities while God presents to you such a glorious object to engage your hearts. Those of you who have more time and greater wealth than others, and are not as occupied with the necessities of life, but have greater opportunities for the worship and service of God, and for delving into His truth – how do you squander your time on frivolous and trivial matters, as if there were no greater issues to engage your hearts! It is a sign of a vain and frivolous spirit that, when God presents such glorious things to you, you are content to fritter away your time on vanity and matters that will not profit you. If you want evidence for your souls that Christ is everything to you and will be for all eternity, take it from this: if God has ever opened your eyes to behold His glory in the mystery of the Gospel, and your heart has been captivated and overwhelmed by it, then it is proof that you are indeed the soul whom God has received in His mercy through His Christ. But, as the Apostle says, “If our Gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost.” Many hear the Gospel, yet it remains hidden to them. It is hidden to you if you merely speak of Christ in a formal manner, thinking it sufficient to say, “I hope to be saved by God in Jesus Christ.” But do you see in the Gospel that which fills your heart with wonder, eclipsing all the glory of the world? Do you perceive more of God’s glory shining in that one sentence, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” than you do in the entire creation of heaven and earth? You may hope to get to heaven, but what would you do there? The work of saints and angels in heaven, when joined together, is to magnify God for this great work of His. So begin this work here and give God the glory for the great things He has done for the children of men.
If Christ is thus all in all, then let us thank God that we ever knew Christ and that the mystery of the Gospel has been revealed to us. Without this grace of God in the Gospel being revealed to us, we would have been without God in the world. What would have become of us if this grace of God in the Gospel had not been revealed to us? Could you have ever thought of it yourselves? Could it ever have entered into your hearts? Certainly not, nor into the heart of any creature in heaven or earth. Therefore, blessed are your ears that hear the things which you hear, and blessed are your eyes that see the things which you see. Know that when you come to live under the ministry of the Gospel, you enjoy the greatest mercy that you have had since your birth.
Jeremiah Burroughs. The Saint’s Treasury.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
Conductor: Stephen Cleobury
Organ: Henry Websdale
Composer: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
