Now, this presence of God with them symbolically did consist in, or rather was represented by, two things: — [1.] The pillar of the cloud and fire, which was with them ordinarily ; [2.] The appear- ance of his glory, which they enjoyed on extraordinary occasions.
[1.] The first, with the first use of it, is mentioned, Exod. xiii. 21, 22, " And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, to go by day and night. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." There is mention here as if it were of two pillars, one by day, and another by night; but it seems to have been the same pillar with several properties. For, chap. xiv. 19, 20, the same pillar, at the same time, performs both these offices in respect of several persons ; — to some it was, on the one side, a cloud and darkness; to others, bright and shining as fire : " The pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them. And it came between the camp of tlie Egyptians and the camp of Israel ; and it waa a cloud and dark- ness to them, but it gave light by night to these." After this, when the ark was made, and the tabernacle erected, this cloud, which until then went before the camp, came and covered the tabernacle night and day, aa it stood in the midst of the camp, or the congregation ;
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as a cloud it was by day, and as a pillar of lire by night, Exod. xl. 84-38 ; and there it continued with the people all the while they were in the wilderness, Neh. ix. 19. This being- the first eminent pledge of the presence of God with that people, let us consider what was in- dulged or granted to them thereby.
1st. They had hereby constant direction in all their joumeyings and undertakings: they were by this pillar directed in their way; so at large it is expressed, Numb. x. 33, as also Exod. xl. God, by this pledge of his presence, was the beginning of all their rest and motion, the guide and director of all their undertakings; so that the}'^ moved, acted, rested, proceeded, according to his will and counsel. He guided them by his eye, and led them by his counsel. Sometimes, perhaps, they would be forward, — they would be up, acting, doing, — their hearts are full of desires, and they are impatient of delay. If it be not ac- cording to his mind, he will cause a cloud to abide on their tabernacle, or their assemblies and meetings, — a cloud that shall darken them, and distract them in their consultations, that they shall not be able to take one step forward. Though their desires be great, their inten- tions good, yet the cloud shall be upon them, and they shall not know their way. Sometimes, perhaps, they are heavy, fearful, slothful; — there is a lion in the way, — giants are in the land ; difficulties and per- plexities lie in the way before them in such and such undertakings, — they have no heart to them; the Avay is long and perilous, — better return than go forward. Would God now have them pass on and engage? — -the cloud shall break up and go before them, — they shall see so far on their way as to go forth with cheerfulness. Only, observe this, that when the cloud was taken up, they knew they were to go on in the way wherein they were, and journeyed accordingly; yet they knew not whither they should go, nor what would be the end of their journey. And therefore it is said, that when they journeyed the ark went before them, to seek out a resting-place for them. Numb. x. S3. It was carried on, to see where the pillar or cloud of dhec- tion would stay, and there they rested, wherever it was. When God gives a people so much direction as that they see it is their duty to go on, and to tiiist him in so doing, though they see not the end, nor know what their resting-place will be, yet it is a pledge of God's presence with them. I suppose in your assembly you have had the cloud taken off, as to your engagements in some undertakings, con- cerning which you are to trust that the Ai'k of God's presence, the Lord Jesus Christ, will find you out a resting-place, which as yet appears not unto you.
What a full experience have we had of this kind of proceeding among us! In the last assembly of parliament, how many had no less real intentions to be at work for God than now! God saAv
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that it would not be for the advantage of the people tliat they should proceed ; hence the cloud rested on that assembly, that they could not see how to take one step forward. He was stDl present with us; but it was by a darkening cloud, that we could not journey towards our rest. Nor is it the will or counsel of man, but of God, that is to be looked to in these things. We now hope the cloud is up, and we are journeying tov.^ards our rest. The great Angel of his presence will find a rest for us in the good providence of God. This, then, lies in God's special presence, — he is with us to give us direction in all our undertakings; — to take away darkness, perplexities, difli- culties from our counsels ; or to cause us to rest and cease from what- ever may come into our hearts that is not according to his mmd. The Lord give us evermore of this his presence !