16. come and hear. Before, they were bidden
to come and see. Hearing is faith’s seeing. They saw how terrible God was, but
they heard how gracious he was. All ye that fear God. These are a fit
audience when a good person is about to relate experience, and it is well to
select our hearers when inward soul matters are our theme. We do not want to
furnish wanton minds with subjects for their comedies, and therefore it is wise
to speak of personal spiritual matters where they can be understood. And I will declare what he hath done for my soul. Testimonies ought to be borne by all
experienced Christians, in order that the younger and feebler sort may be
encouraged by the recital to put their trust in the Lord. To declare human
doings is needless; they are too trivial, and, besides, have trumpeters enough.
Let each speak for himself; secondhand experience lacks the flavor of
first-hand interest. Let no mock modesty restrain the grateful believer from
speaking of himself, or rather of God’s dealing to himself, for it is justly
due to God; neither let him shun the individual use of the first person, which
is most correct in detailing the Lord’s ways of love.
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