Isaiah 44:5 One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob… : — Those who become the subjects of special grace will choose to join the Church, and enter into covenant to walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. I. DESCRIBE THE SUBJECTS OF SPECIAL GRACE. II. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN THEIR PROFESSING RELIGION. III. WHY THE SUBJECTS OF SPECIAL GRACE CHOOSE TO JOIN THE CHURCH AND ENTER INTO COVENANT WITH GOD. 1. They love the commands of God. 2. They love the ordinances of God. 3. Their hearts are united to Christians. 4. They desire to promote the cause and interest of God in the world. 5. They desire to grow in grace. 6. They are so sensible of the deceitfulness of their own hearts, and their proneness to forget and forsake God, that they desire to bind themselves, by covenant vows and obligations, to be steadfast and unmovable in His service.Those who have sincerely made a public profession of religion must rejoice to see any who appear to be the subjects of special grace, make a public profession of religion. Improvement — 1. If those who have become the subjects of special grace desire to make a public profession of religion, and to enter into covenant with God, then none who have really become subjects of special grace have any just excuse for neglecting to join the Church, and neglecting to bind themselves to love and obey God for ever. 2. If the subjects of special grace always desire to profess religion and partake of Divine ordinances, then so long as they neglect their duty they must necessarily feel unhappy. 3. While the subjects of special grace neglect to join the Church, they live in a very sinful manner. They greatly injure both themselves and religion. 4. It appears from what has been said that some who have long entertained a hope of being the subjects of special grace, must soon give up their hope if they continue to neglect joining the Church. 5. It highly concerns those who have entered into covenant with God, to be steadfast in His covenant, and persevere in universal obedience. (N. Emmons, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel. |
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