i2
116 A MEMORIAL OF THE DELIVERANCE
apiece of land, and exactly measuring it out, as intending it for his own, weighing and considering the bounds and limits of it, to see if it will answer the end for which he purposeth it. God's exact notice and knowledge of his people's pos- session is in those words held out. He views where the lines of every tribe shall run. Nothing happens or is made out to any of God's people, without his own careful, provi- dential pre-disposition. He views the circuit of the whole, where, and how divided, and separated from the dwellings of the unclean, and habitations of the uncircumcised. Fixed bounds, measured limits of habitation is a necessary ingre- dient to the making up of a national church.
2. What he did, which is two ways expressed: (1.) In reference to the inhabitants ; (2.) To the land itself.
(1.) For the inhabitants: He drove them asunder, "iri'l ' and he made to leap' out of their old channels. Those nations knit and linked together amongst themselves, by leagues and civil society, he separated, disturbed, divided in counsels and arms (as in the case of the Gibeonites^) persecuted by the sword, that they suddenly leaped out of their habitations, the residue wandering as no people. God's justly nation-disturbing purposes are the bottom of their deserved ruin.
(2.) For the land: 'The everlasting mountains,' &c. those strong, firm, lasting mountains of Canaan, not like the mountains of sand in the desart, where the people were, but to continue firm to the world's end, as both the words here used, Tj; and D^iy ' perpetuity,' and ' everlasting, do in the Scripture frequently signify. Now these are said to be scattered, and to bow, because of the destruction of the in- habitants of those lasting hills, being many of them high and mighty ones,^ like perpetual mountains; they being given in possession to the sons of Israel, even ' the chief things of the ancient mountains, and the precious things of the lasting hills;' Deut. xxxiii. 15.
X. Observation. God takes an exact foreview of his peo- ple's portion and inheritance.
Like a careful father, he knows beforehand what he in- tends to bestow upon them. He views it, measures it, pre-
' Josh. ix. 3. « Numb. xiii. 33.
OV ESSEX COUNTV, AND COMMITTEE. 117
pares it to the utmost bounds. They shall not have a hair's breadth which he hath not allotted thera, nor want the least jot of their designed portion.
Use. Learn to be contented with your lot. He is wise also who took a view of it, and measured it, and found it just commensurate to your good : had he known that a foot's breadth more had been needful, you would have had it. Had he seen it good, you had had no thorns in your lands, no af- flictions in your lives. O how careful, how solicitous are many of God's people ! how full of desires ! Oh, that it were with me thus or thus! Possess your souls in patience; as you cannot add to, no more shall any take from your pro- portion. He took the measure of your wants, and his own. supplies long since. That which he hath measured out he will cut off for you. He knows how to suit all his children, XI. Observation. It is dangerous encroaching for any of the sons of men upon God's people's portion, lot, privileges, or inheritance.
God hath measured it out for them, and he will look that they enjoy it. Shall men remove his bounds, and landmarks,' and be free ? will it be safe trespassing upon the lands of the Almighty? will it be easy and cheap ? will he not plead his action with power? especially seeing he hath given them their portion? If he hath given Seir to Edom, what doth he vexing and wasting Jacob ? Shall they not possess what the Lord their God gives them to possess? Judg. xi. 24. He hath cautioned all the world, kings and others in this kind : * Touch not mine anointed, do my prophets no harm ;' Psal. cv. 14, 15. Touch them not, nor any thing that is theirs : harm them not in any thing I bestow on them. They have nothing but what their Father gives them, and Christ hath bought for them. Will a tender father, think you, contentedly look on, and see a slave snatch away his children's bread ? If a man hath engaged himself to give a jewel to a dear friend, will he take it patiently to have an enemy come and snatch it away before his face? God is engaged to his people for all his enjoyments, and will he quietly suffer himself to be robbed, and his people spoiled ? Shall others dwell quietly in the land, which he hath measured for his own?
Use 1. See whence the great destructions of people and
' Vid. Tertiil. ad Scapniam, de persecutione.
118 A MEMORIAL OF THE DELIVERANCE
nations in these lattet ages have come. Is it not for touch- ing these forbidden things ? The holy vessels of the temple at Jerusalem, ruined Babylon. Is not the wasting of the western nations at this day from hence, that they have served the whore to deck herself with the spoils of tiie spouse? helped to trim her with the portion of God's people, taking away their liberties, ordinances, privileges, lives, to lay at her feet? Doubtless God is pleading with all these kingdoms for their encroaching. They who will not let him be at peace with his, shall have little quiet of their own. The eagle that stole a coal from the altar fired her nest. I know how this hath been abused to countenance the holding of Babylonish wedges. God will preserve to his people bis own allowance, not Rome's supplyment. This nation hath yet itching fingers, and a hankering mind after the inheritance of God's people. Let them take heed, he hath knocked oflT their hands a hundred times, and sent them away with bloody fingers. O that we were wise, that we be not quite con- sumed ! Of you I hope better things, and such as accom- pany salvation, yet give me leave to cautionate you a little. (I.) As to privileges and liberties of this life. Their liberties and estates are not as other men's, but more ex- actly measured for their good, and sanctified to them in the blood of Christ. If in these things God hath called you to the defence and protection of his, he will expect a real ac- count. You had better give away a kingdom that belongs to others, than the least of.that which God hath made for his saints. Think not any thing small, which God accounts worthy to bestow on his. If he hath meted out liberty for them, and you give them slavery, you will have a sad reckoning.