4. Object not, that they who give this invitation are a mere party —
[Whose fault is it, if they be a party ? Is it theirs who are going heaven-ward ; or those who will not advance a step towards it ? Are those who " enter in at the strait gate, and walk in the narrow way that leadeth unto life," to be blamed, because the great mass of mankind prefer " the broad road that leadeth to destruction?" But if they must be called a party, let me tell you what party it is : it consists of such as Moses summoned to his aid, " Who is on the Lord's side ? let him come unto men." Yes, they are those who are "on the Lord's side : " and if that be a fault, let them bear it. But who is at the head of thai party ? When we know that it is the Lord Jesus Christ himself0, and that " the whole world besides lieth under the dominion of the wicked onep," we need not be ashamed. If this objection have any force, it had the same force against the Israelites who had come out of Egypt ; (for they were but a party, in comparison of those whom they had left behind :) yea, against the Apostles and the primitive Chris- tians it lay with still greater force ; for they were, especially at first, as nothing in comparison of their opponents. If those who invite us to join them be but " a little fiock," still they are the flock to whom exclusively " the kingdom of heaven shall be given q :" and therefore we would urge you all to join them without delay.]
To give yet further weight to the invitation, I will call your attention to, II. The arguments with which it is enforced —
Two considerations Moses proposed to Hobab : first, the benefit that would accrue to himself; and next, the benefit which he would confer on Israel. Similar considerations also may fitly be proposed to us. Consider then, if ye accept the invitation,
1. What benefit will accrue to yourselves —
[Truly, " God has spoken good respecting Israel." He calls them his children, his first-born, Iris peculiar treasure above all the people upon the face of the earth. And whatever can conduce to their present and eternal happiness, he promises them in the richest abundance. Both in their way, and in their end, they shall be truly blessed. What a catalogue of blessings is assigned to them in the space of a few verses r ! yet
n Exod. xxxii. 26. ° John viii. 23. and xvii. 16.
P John xvii. 14. and xv. 18 — 20. 1 John v. 19. fi Luke xii. 32. r Exod. vi. 6 — 8.