Psalms 50

REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM L.—Great is the majesty, extensive the high sovereignty, and terrible the wrath, of God! And great is his care of his saints who have embraced his Jew covenant, of which Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice is the condition. But God hath full power to change the positive institutions of his own worship at his pleasure, and to reject his long professed people for their contempt of his Son. No obedience is acceptable to him but what proceeds from the faith of his being our own God in Christ. To obey was always better than sacrifice; and prayer to, and praise of, God more than burnt-offerings.—And since Jesus’ death, and Jerusalem’s destruction, Jewish ceremonies are not only vain, but hurtful. But never is our gracious God more ready to hear our supplications than in a day of trouble: and what grateful vows and thanksgivings doth he then deserve at our hands! Notwithstanding antecedent gospel declarations, how rarely doth the Son of man, when he cometh, either in remarkable mercy or judgment, find faith in the earth, or indeed aught but empty formalities and gross wickedness! And none are worse than profane clergymen, stained with hypocrisy, covetousness, whoredom, slander of Christ and his saints, blasphemy of God, and every thing horrid. But graciously he warns ere he strikes. And to bow before the sceptre of his grace, receive his gospel offers, and practise holiness in his fear, is the way to escape the rod of his judgments, and to share his eternal favours