Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 4.djvu/17

Rh wrested them to the destruction of any, 2 Pet. iii. 16. It is the prerogative of the Lamb of God to take this book, and to open all its seals. I have likewise endeavoured to accommodate these prophecies to the use and service of those who desire to read the scripture, not only with understanding, but with pious affections, and to their edification in faith and holiness. And we shall find that whatever is given by the inspiration of God is profitable, (2 Tim. iii. 16.) though not all alike profitable, nor all alike easy or improvable; but when the mystery of God shall be finished, we shall see what we are now bound to believe, that there is not one idle word in all the prophecies of this book. What God has said, as well as what he does, we know not now, but we shall know hereafter.

The pleasure I have had in studying and meditating upon those parts of these prophecies which are plain and practical, and especially those which are evangelical, has been an abundant balance to, and recompense for, the harder tasks we have met with in other parts that are more obscure. In many parts of this field, the treasure must be digged for, as that in the mines; but in other parts the surface is covered with rich and precious products, with corn, and flocks, of which we may say, as we said of Noah, These same have comforted us greatly concerning our work, and the toil of our hands, and have made it very pleasant and delightful; God grant it may be no less so to the readers!

And now let me desire the assistance of my friends, in setting up my Eben-Ezer here, in a thankful acknowledgment that hitherto the Lord has helped me. I desire to praise God that he has spared my life to finish the Old Testament, and has graciously given me some tokens of his presence with me in carrying on of this work; though, the more I reflect upon myself, the more unworthy I see myself of the honour of being thus employed, and the more need I see of Christ and his merit and grace. Remember me, O my God, for good, and spare me according to the multitude of thy mercies. The Lord forgive what is mine, and accept what is his own!

I purpose, if God continue my life and health, according to the measure of the grace given to me, and in a constant and entire dependence upon divine strength, to go through the New Testament in two volumes more. I intimated! in my preface to the first volume, that I had drawn up some expositions upon some parts of the New Testament; namely, The gospels of St. Matthew and St. John; but they are so large, that to make them bear some proportion to the rest, it is necessary that they be much contracted, so that I shall be obliged to write them all over again, and to make considerable alterations, and therefore I cannot expect they should be published but as these hitherto have been, if God permit, a volume every other year. I shall begin it now shortly, if the Lord will, and apply myself to it as closely as I can; and I earnestly desire the prayers of all that wish well to the undertaking, that if the Lord spare me to go on with it, I may be enabled to do it well, and so as that by it some may be led into the riches of the full assurance of understanding in the mystery of God, even of the Father, and of Christ, Col. ii. 2. And if it shall please God to remove me by death before it is finished, I trust I shall be able to say not only, Welcome his blessed will, but, Welcome that blessed world, in which, though now we know but in part, and prophesy but in part, that knowledge which is perfect will come, and that which is partial, will be done away; (1 Cor. xiii. 8.—10, 12.) in which all our mistakes will be rectified, all our doubts resolved, all our deficiences made up, all our endeavours in preaching, catechizing, and expounding, superseded and rendered useless, and all our prayers swallowed up in everlasting praises; in which, prophecy, now so much admired, shall fail, and tongues shall cease, and the knowledge we have now, shall vanish away, as the light of the morning-star does when the sun is risen; in which we shall no longer see through a glass darkly, but face to face. In a believing, comfortable, well-grounded expectation of that true and perfect light, I desire to continue, living and dying; in a humble and diligent preparation for it, let me spend my time, and in the full enjoyment of it, O that I may spend a glorious eternity!

M.H. 18, 1712.