God was to be to them ; but not of what they were to be to God. Now God, having softened their minds by a heavy trial, and conciliated their regards by a miraculous interposi- tion, opens to them the connexion between duty and privilege ; and thereby prepares them for becoming " a holy and peculiar people, zealous of good works."]
2. Their sinfulness —
[This mixture of judgment and mercy was well calculated to bring them to a knowledge of themselves. The trial alone would only irritate and inflame their minds : but the deliver- ance applied a balm to their wounded spirits. By the union of them they would be humbled, and led to acknowledge the heinousness of their ingratitude, their unbelief, their queru- lousness, and rebellion. This is expressly declared to have been a very principal end of all the dispensations of God towards them in the wilderness d: and it is a main object of Ins diversified dealings with his people at this day.]
Let us learn from this subject,
1. To mark the effect of trials and deliverances on our own minds —
[If trials always, instead of humbling, disquiet us ; and if deliverances produce only a temporary impression, and not a lasting change on our hearts; can we be right before God? They ought to " work patience, experience, and hope ;" and by means of them our faith ought to be so purified, as to tend " to the praise and honour and glory of our God at the appear- ing of Jesus Christ e." By examining into this point we may ''prove our own selves," and ascertain with considerable preci- sion our true character.]
2. To distrust our religious feelings —
[We may be moved under a sermon or any particular occurrence ; we may sometimes be dissolved in tears, and at other times be elevated with joy ; and yet have no root in our- selves, nor any inheritance with the saints in light. Who that had heard the devout songs of Israel at the Red Sea, would have thought that in three days they could so totally forget their mercies, and indulge such a rebellious spirit? But look within ; and see whether, after an occasional exercise of reli- gious affections, you have not, within a still shorter space of time, been hurried into the indulgence of the most unhallowed tempers, and the gratification of a spirit that is earthly, sen- sual, and devilish? Ah ! think of " the stony-ground hearers, who received the word with joy, and yet in time of temptation fell away." Lay not then too great a stress on some transient
d Deut. viii. 2. e 1 Pet. i. 7.