if he knew that he could not finally prevail against them, would
not cease to harass them to the utmost of his power
And their own hearts, if they had no other enemy to encounter,
would afford them many occasions for labour and sorrow
To every person that is desirous of reaching the promised land, this life is a state of warfare : and if he would gain the victory, he must " put on the whole armour of God," and " endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ," and " fight the good fight of faith."]
For these conflicts God fits his people : but,
II. Whatever deliverances we may have experienced
in past times, we are ever liable to faint under future trials —
[One would have thought that persons who had so recently seen the irresistible power of Jehovah engaged for them, would not have feared any enemies they might be called to encounter. But God knew that the appearance of new difficulties would soon efface from their minds the remembrance of past deli- verances. How just his estimate of them was, appeared, as soon as ever they knew that they were pursued by the Egyptian armies. They instantly murmured against Moses and against God for bringing them out of Egypt ; and regretted that they had ever left the land of their captivity d. And when they had
c Gen. xliii. 2, 10. d Exod. xiv. 11, 12. and xvi. 3.
actually reached the borders of the promised land, so terrified were they at the report of their spies respecting the stature of the Canaanites, and the strength of their fortresses, that they proposed even there to appoint a captain over them, to conduct them back again to the land of Egypt e. This principle of unbelief is so deeply rooted in our hearts, that even the most eminent saints have yielded to its influence under severe trials: David, notwithstanding God had promised him the throne of Israel, thought he should one day perish by the hands of Saulf ; Elijah, who had so boldly withstood Ahab, fled from his post through fear of Jezebel g ; and the Apostles, who had seen on numberless occasions the almighty power of Jesus, expected nothing but death, even while He was in the vessel together with themh. No wonder then if we find " our spirits fail" in seasons of extraordinary difficulty or danger. Indeed, who amongst us is so firm, that he can enter into a cloud, and not be afraid1? Who, when a cloud is ready to burst over his head, can say at all times, " I know whom I have believed, and that He is able to keep that which I have committed to himk," and will overrule these troubles for my eternal good1? Under great temptations more especially, and under the hidings of God's face, it is not uncommon for truly upright persons to doubt, whether they shall ever get safe to Canaan; and almost to regret, that they have ever turned their backs on Egypt.]
Not that we shall be really and finally deserted : for,
III. God, in condescension to his people's weakness, proportions their trials to their strength —
[What he did to the Israelites on this occasion, he did to the Christian Church in its infancy : the Apostles were screened from persecution till " they had received more power from on high : " and, for a considerable time after the day of Pentecost, they alone were noticed by the ruling powers : opposition, till the death of Stephen, was limited almost exclusively to them; and very little affected the Church at large. In the experience of individuals, the tender mercy of God is often very conspi- cuous at this day. Whilst they are yet young and feeble, he is pleased to screen them from that fierce opposition, which, at a more advanced period, they will have to encounter : and oftentimes their very corruptions appear to be almost extinct, when, in fact, they are only dormant : their joys also in the Lord are made to abound in such a manner, that they are ready to think they shall never more be called to conflict with sin or sorrow. These are mercies to them from the Lord, to strengthen their resolution, and animate their exertions. God