There is the mighty power of God by which he overcomes all our sins, by which he redeemeth us, Luk. 3.6. All flesh shall see the salvation of our God, yea more then all flesh, for it is manifested.
1 To the Angels, Luke 2.13, 14.
2 To mens consciences, Rom. 5.8. Gal. 2.20. God commonly gives us no gifts, but he is willing his Spirit should shew unto us his love.
3 This love of God is manifested to the rest of mankind, Rev. 3.9.
Reas. From Gods glory, Luke 2.14. the high praises of God were in their mouthes; Jerusalem shall be comforted, because God will make bare his arm in the redemption of his people, Isa. 52.9, 10.
2 If God did not reveal our salvation to us, it would be no comfort to us, but when it is manifested, it is a ground of joy.
3 It's a means to draw on many men into the unfeigned love of God, which otherwise might be left in darknesse, Zech. 8.23. When the love of God, is manifested to the children of men, it doth raise them up to seek God, Cant. 5.16. therefore the daughters of Jerusalem are provoked to seek Christ Jesus with the rest of his people; when they discern what a gracious God he is to them that cleave to him in a conjugall affection, Psal. 106.45. this encoura∣geth them that are coming on in the wayes of grace, and discourageth them that doe not, and convinceth them that are of the Synagogue of Satan, who know that he is the Lord.
Ʋse 1. This should teach the servants of God not only to bear an hidden love, but also a manifest love to Christ; now indeed are the time, wherein men need not be ashamed to manifest their love; but if times grow hard, then men will come to Christ by night, as Nicodemus did; but God requires, if he mani∣fest his love to your conscience, that you should make it known to the world, and not to be like Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, Joh. 9.38, 39. If