[Justly did these remonstrants, who themselves " had searched the land," declare it to be good, " an exceeding good land." And are there not those amongst us, who by faith have searched the heavenly land, and already tasted its delicious fruits? Is not the sealing influence of the Spirit said to be " the earnest of our inheritance1?" And may we not from the first-fruits of the Spirit which we have already received111, judge in a measure what the harvest shall be ? May we not at least take upon us to affirm that heaven is a good, an exceeding good land? Yes, truly, "it flows with milk and honey ;" yet while
it affords abundance to all, it gives satiety to none How
can that land be otherwise than good, which was prepared by God the Father from the foundation of the world, purchased for us on the cross by the blood of his dear Son, and secured to us by the gift of the Holy Ghost, whose office it is to fit us
for it, and to preserve us to itn ? How can that be
otherwise than good, which is emphatically called "Emmanuel's land0," as being the place where our adorable Saviour displays the full radiance of his glory, and communicates to every one, according to the measure of his capacity, all the fulness of his
richest blessings ? 'In whatever view we contemplate
it, we cannot but see, that it is worthy of our utmost exertions, and will amply repay all that we can do, or suffer, in the attainment of it.]
2. To animate your hopes —
[Unbelief will say to us exactly what the people said to each other on this occasion ; " Were it not better for us to return to Egypt ? Let us make a captain, and let us return to Egypt." " When we were in the world, we enjoyed its pleasures, which now we have exchanged for pain and trouble. When we turned our backs upon the world, we imagined that we should experience nothing but ease and happiness under the protection of our God ; but, behold, here are constant difficul- ties and trials to be encountered, and such too as we can never surmount : it were better therefore to return to our former state, and to leave events to God, who is too merciful to ex- clude any of his creatures from his heavenly kingdom." But, beloved, why should any of you be discouraged by your trials and conflicts ? Have you not One on your side, who is able to make you " more than conquerors over all your enemies ? " " If God be for you, who can be against youp?" Multiply the number and power of your enemies a thousand-fold, and you need not fear them. Only, " Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his mightq:" and know, that, though you are but as
1 Eph. i. 13, 14. m Rom. viii. 23. n 2 Tim. iv. 18.
0 Isai. viii. 8. p Rom. viii. 31,37. °- Eph. vi. 10.
156.1 god's answer to moses' intercession. 59
a worm, you shall, through his almighty aid, be enabled to " thresh the mountains r" ]
3. To direct your exertions —
[One caution did Joshua and Caleb give to Israel ; which also we would recommend to your- attention ; it is, to guard against an unbelieving and disobedient spirit : "Only rebel not ye against the Lord." You have nothing to fear but sin. Nothing, but sin, can by any means hurt you. As for men and devils, so far from prevailing against you, they are only " bread for you," and shall, by the very efforts which they use to destroy you, be made subservient to your spiritual welfare. But sin is a deadly evil : that will provoke your God to depart from you : that may cause him to "swear in his wrath, that you shall never enter into his rest s." O put away from you that deadly evil ! Espe- cially put away unbelief : it is " by an evil heart of unbelief that you will be tempted to depart from the living God'." Pray therefore to God to " increase your faith u." Guard also against a murmuring spirit. If the Lord bring you into diffi- culties, it is only for the magnifying of his own grace in your deliverance. It is not your place to be indulging solicitude about events. God " would have you without carefulness35:" he bids you " be careful for nothing ;" but to " cast all your care on him." Duty is yours : events are his. " Only therefore let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ y " and your success is sure : for your God has said, " I will never leave you nor forsake you."]