On the Sacrament, in February, 1743

I HAD been preaching from those words in Ephesians, “Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it, that he might present it to himself a glorious church,” &:c. Ephesians v. 25, 26. Agreeably to this I spoke to-day from a scripture which I believe has been the subject of my meditation before, but I am not quite sure. It was, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah xxxv. 10. When the church is perfectly saved, this shall be fulfilled. Observe under what character God’s people are described; whither they shall be brought, and in what manner; and how this great transaction shall end. Under what character God’s people are described: “the redeemed of the Lord.” Those whom he has ransomed and bought. Are we not so? This is a feast of his ransomed ones, in which the price for the ransom is commemorated. Nor would any one who did not apprehend himself in this view have any business here. It is sinners that were once enslaved and condemned, then bought by the Son of God, who are to seek their places at this board, their part in this ordinance. “Into thy hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth!” Psalm xxxi. 5.

“They shall return:” return from their captivity in the grave. He will say in another world, “Return, ye children of God.” And they “shall come to Zion;” to the New Jerusalem, to the city of our God. Now we are travelling towards it. Now we are incorporated with that society. We have our freedom, but not our habitation there, being no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. It is that Jerusalem from above, which is the mother of us all. It is pleasant to come to Zion below; our Lord loves it. But O, how much more do we love those heavenly gates! They shall “come with singing;” making a grand procession with anthems in their mouths. What melody in each! What harmony in all! How pleasant to think of them, not singing with sorrowful and broken voices, but in a full harmonious quire! Who would not wish to have seen Moses and Aaron leading on the Israelites from Egypt with that sacred song of triumph? to have heard the poor slaves, untaught in music, unless by inspiration, and used rather to groans than songs; yet on so sublime an occasion as the deliverance of Israel and the destruction of Pharaoh, their tongues were filled with notes of triumph: — it had been pleasant. But the song of Moses and the Lamb shall be in another strain. O that we could catch a little of the echo now! And how shall it end? They shall march on to heaven? “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors!” Psalm xxiv. 7. Everlasting joy is upon their heads. God pours out the oil of gladness, and its fragrance is immortal. Sorrow and sighing were once familiar, but now they are fled away, for ever discomfited and defeated by the great Captain of our salvation and his triumphant legions; they dare not look him in the face, they dare not invade his followers for a moment. How grand and how delightful an image! And now, Lord, lead me not forth with the workers of iniquity, but with this thy people. Methinks that thou hast this day begun to fulfil this promise. I number myself among thy redeemed ones. I come to thy Zion here, I come with pleasure and delight; joy is in my heart, and a song is in my mouth. Let sorrow and sighing retire, at least for a while, and give way to that joy that becomes such a feast. And thou, sacred Spirit, shed abroad a new effusion of faith, of hope, of love, and joy in my soul. Come, Lord, for I wait on thee with expectation and delight.