Chap. 12. Showing the First Good Effect of the Saints' Piety

2. THE Good effects of the Saints Piety. 1. God Regarded it. The Lord listened and heard.

These blessed ones in the Text were speaking and thinking of God, and he did not turn away his Ear from them, as if he had not minded them; but he listened and heard; which expression denotes.

- 1. Diligence. - 2. Delight.

1. It notes the diligent heed God gave to these Saints, He listened. Here was attention of Ear, and intensness of Mind. Hearkening is the Gesture of one that Listens to what another says.

2. Gods hearkening shews the delight he took in the Holy Dialogues of these Saints: he was pleased with them, they were to him as sweet Melody.

That God takes special Notice of of the Good which he sees in his People. The Children of God may perhaps think that God does not regard them, Job 30:20. I cry to you, and you dost not hear me. The Church complains, God did shut out her Prayer, Lam. 3:8. But though God be sometimes Silent, he is not Deaf: he takes Notice of all the good Services of his People, the Lord listened and heard.

Whence is it God takes such Notice of his Peoples Services?

1. Not from any Merit in them, but the Impulsive cause is his or Free-grace. The best duties of the Righteous could not endure Gods ballance, but God will display the Trophies of his Mercy. Free-grace accepts what Justice might condemn.

2. Gods taking Notice of the good in his people, is through Christ, Ephesians 1:6. He has made us acceptedin the Beloved. Or as Chrysostom renders it, he has made us Favourites. Through the Red glass every thing appears of a Red Color: through Christs blood, both our Persons and Dutyes appear Ruddy and Beautiful in Gods Eyes.

3. God takes Notice of the Services of his People, because they flow from a Principle of Grace. God regards the Voice of Faith, Song of Solomon 2:14. O my Dove, let me hear your Voice, for sweet is your Voice. The Services of the Wicked are harsh and sowre, but the Godly give God the first ripe Cluster Which grows from the sweet and pleasant Root of Grace.