An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

Thirdly, When we say the Stars praise God, it intimates, there is so much excellency in the Works of God, that if the Stars could speak, they would declare and show forth his praise. When the Disciples of Christ rejoiced, and praised God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works which they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord, peace in Heaven, and glory in the Highest (Luke 19.37, 38.) The envious Pharisees did not like the Music, and therefore •aid to him from among the multitude, Master, rebuke thy ⟨p. 80⟩Disciples (vers. 39.) To these morose Masters, Christ answered (vers. 40.) I tell you, that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. As if he had said, you labour in vain to suppress or hinder the testimony given me by my Disciples; for if they should be silent, the stones would cry shame of them, for neglecting their duty: and God would rather cause senseless creatures to proclaim his praise, in giving me an honourable testimony, than I should want it. Now as there was such a worth in the work of Redemption, and in all the works of the Redeemer, while here on Earth, that the stones would have showed forth his praise, if men had not: So there is such a worth in that Work of God, the Creation of the Earth, that rather than God should not have the glory of it, the Stars would have done it by breaking out into joyful singing.

Thirdly, When we say the Stars praise God, it intimates, there is so much excellency in the Works of God, that if the Stars could speak, they would declare and shew forth his praise. When the Disciples of Christ rejoyced, and praised God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works which they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord, peace in Heaven, and glory in the Highest (Luke 19.37, 38.) The envious Pharisees did not like the Musick, and therefore •aid to him from among the multitude, Master, rebuke thy ⟨p. 80⟩Disciples (vers. 39.) To these morose Masters, Christ answered (vers. 40.) I tell you, that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. As if he had said, you labour in vain to suppress or hinder the testimony given me by my Disciples; for if they should be silent, the stones would cry shame of them, for neglecting their duty: and God would rather cause senseless creatures to proclaim his praise, in giving me an honourable testimony, than I should want it. Now as there was such a worth in the work of Redemption, and in all the works of the Redeemer, while here on Earth, that the stones would have shewed forth his praise, if men had not: So there is such a worth in that Work of God, the Creation of the Earth, that rather than God should not have the glory of it, the Stars would have done it by breaking out into joyful singing.