■in a dark world, they are of great service; for they " hold forth the word of life" to those who would not otherwise behold it; and are " epistles of Christ, known and read" of thousands, who, but for such instructors, would remain for ever ignorant of his will.
If any one be disposed to ask, What good can so weak an individual as I do? I answer, " If under any circumstances whatever any individual could be justified in offering such an objection, it would have been Hobab: first, because Israel were altogether under the divine guidance, protection, and support ; and therefore could not be supposed to need any thing ; and next, because he was a Midianite, and therefore incapable, as might be thought, of adding any thing to Moses and the Israelites. But to him Moses said, " Thou may est be to us in the stead of eyesu." The truth is, that no one can foresee of what use he may be to the Church of God. Had Peter, when employed in fishing, been told what services he should render to the Jewish nation, or Paul what wonders he should effect in behalf of the Gentile world, how little would they have con- ceived, that such weak instruments should ever accomplish so great a work ! The same may be said of others in later times : and so far is the weakness of the instrument from affording any just ground for discouragement, that God has expressly " com- mitted the Gospel treasure to earthen vessels, on purpose that the excellence of the power may the more clearly appear to be of God : " and it still is, as it has ever been, his delight to " ordain strength in the mouth of babes and sucklings."
Think then, ye who have tasted any thing of redeeming love, is it possible that ye may be useful in promoting the designs, and in advancing the glory of your Lord and Saviour, and will ye not do it? Shall any earthly interests or attachments prevail with you to put your light under a bushel, when, by suffering it to shine forth, you might aid others in their way to heaven ? O ! requite not thus your heavenly Benefactor, but join your- selves to his people without delay, and live henceforth altogether for Him who lived and died for you.]
Address —
1. Those who have never yet contemplated the
invitation given them —
[Our blessed Lord, both in the Old and New Testament, says, " Look unto me," "come unto me," "follow me." But yet, strange as it may appear, we for the most part consider these invitations no more than a mere empty sound; or, if we regard them at all, we satisfy ourselves with vain excuses for refusing them. But, if we wonder at Hobab for proposing to
u ver. 31.