his people in their resting-places, as in their removals. We too, though apparently in peace, must remember, that " the roaring lion which seeketh to devour us" never rests ; he is ever going about, and ready to " take advantage of us" to our ruin. In God, and in him alone, is our safety. If He guide us, we shall not err : if He uphold us, we shall not fall : if He be a wall of fire round about us, we may bid defiance to all the assaults of earth and hell ]
2. As our supreme happiness — [At no time should we suffer ourselves to rest in created enjoyments : they are then only conducive to real happiness, when we can enjoy God in them. All, without him, is but
" as the crackling of thorns under a pot" To have his
presence in the ordinances, and in the closet, and in our own hearts, this is life, this is peace, this is "joy that is unspeakable and glorified." This therefore we should covet beyond all created good ; and every moment that we are bereft of this, we should consider as lost to all the great ends and purposes of life ]
Address —
1. Those who are ignorant of God —
[Do not despise the idea of communion with God : there is a time coining, when you yourselves will wish for it. A dying man is a pitiable object indeed without the divine pre- sence. But if we seek it not now, what reason have we to expect it in a dying hour ? ]
2. Those who indulge unbelieving fears respecting
him —
[How greatly do you dishonour the God of Israel ! See how he attended his people of old, going before them in their journeys, and abiding with them in their resting-places : and is he not the same God still ? O blush and be ashamed, that ever ye have limited his power and grace. Only live' nigh to him in the exercise of faith and prayer, and you cannot but be happy in time and in eternity.]
3. Those who enjoy his presence —
[Be, like Moses, true patriots. Consider " the many thou- sands of Israel," and let them ever have a remembrance in your prayers. Seek for them, as well as for yourselves, God's blessing and protection. To be intercessors for the Church is an employ- ment worthy the attention of the highest potentates : at the same time " the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man," however low he be in the scale of society, " availeth much." And they who bring down blessings on the Church by prayer, shall be sure to have no small portion of them resting on their own souls.]