excellent, because it was a holy pleading with God. Let us now proceed to consider,
II. The answer he obtained —
" I have pardoned," saith God, " according to thy word. Thou hast entreated me to spare them; and I will spare them: but, I swear by my own life, that the whole of my conduct on this occasion shall be such, as shall procure me honour to the remotest ends of the earth, and to the latest period of time. Every one of my perfections shall be now displayed : now will I exhibit before my people such rays of my glory, as shall illumine the benighted heathen, and fill the whole earth with wonder."
Now then, my Brethren, let us contemplate this subject with holy awe: let us beg of God to take away the veil from our hearts, that we may see wherein this glory of his consists. Let us behold,
1. His condescension in hearing prayer —
[Here was a whole nation involved in actual rebellion against God : and one single individual betakes himself to prayer. What, it may be said, can a single individual do? Read the answer of God, and see. He replies, not, " I will pardon," but, " I have pardoned:" " the very moment thou liftedst up thy voice, my hands were tied, and I could no longer persist in my resolution to destroy them *. I have par- doned according to thy word, and to the full extent of thy petitions." O, who after this will ever doubt the efficacy of prayer? If God answered so speedily the prayer of one on behalf of a rebellious nation, what will he not do for those who supplicate mercy for themselves ? Will he ever cast out their prayer ? No : let the whole universe know, that he is " a God that heareth prayer," and that not even the vilest of the human race shall " ever seek his face in vain."]
2. His mercy in forbearing vengeance —
[Consider the mercies which that nation had experienced, and the extent of that wickedness which they now committed ; consider that they cast the most bitter reflections on God him- self, and actually appointed a captain to lead them back to Egypt u, and were proceeding to murder those who exhorted them to obedience : could it be supposed that such persons should be spared, spared too after God had said he would
* Compare Dan. ix. 20, 21, 23. u Neh. ix. 17.
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instantly cut them off? Whom then will he not spare ? Who, whilst on praying-ground, can be considered as beyond the reach of mercy ? Let us not despair of any ; nor let any despair of themselves : He is the same God as ever ; " slow to anger, and of great kindness, and ready to repent him of the evil" which he has thought to inflict upon us, the very moment that he can do it in consistency with his own perfections.]
3. His justice in punishing sin —
[Though he forbore to destroy the nation at large, he executed immediate vengeance on those who were the leaders and instigators of the rebellion x. Nor were the people them- selves left unpunished. They had expressed a wish that they had died in the wilderness : now God gave them their wish; and declared that not one of those who had rebelled against him should ever see the promised land. Forty days had been spent in searching the land of Canaan ; and forty years were they condemned to bear their iniquities, till their carcases should be consumed in the wilderness.
What an awful lesson does this give to the ungodly world ! Who must not tremble for fear of his judgments ? Who does not see that it is vain to hope for impunity on account of the number of those who tread the paths of wickedness ? The question is often confidently put by sinners, Do you think that God will condemn so many ? We answer, If you would know what God will do, look at what he has done : inquire, how many of those who came out of Egypt ever were admitted into the land of Canaan : and when you have learned that, you will know how God will proceed in the day of judgment y. Let all the world hear this, and tremble : for " verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth."]