Address,
1. Those who are unconscious of having rejected Christ- fit is not necessary in order to a rejection of Christ that
we should combine against him as the Israelites did against Aaron : we reject him, in fact, if we do not receive him for the ends and purposes for which he was sent. Our inquiry then must be, not, Have I conspired against him, and openly cast him off? but, Am I daily making him the one medium of my access to God, and expecting salvation through him alone?
If we have not thus practically regarded him in his
mediatorial character, we are decided rebels against God.]
2. Those who begin to be sensible of their re- bellion against him —
[Men are apt to run to extremes : the transition from pre- sumption to despondency is very common. See how rapidly it took place in the rebellious Israelites ! No sooner did they see the controversy decided, than they cried, " Behold we die, we perish, we all perish! Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the Lord shall die : shall we be consumed with dying1 ?" What consternation and terror did they here express ! Just before, they would be priests, and come to the very altar of God : and now, they will not " come any thing near the tabernacle," though it was their duty to bring their sacrifices to the very door thereof. So it is too often with us. Before we are convinced of sin, we cast off all fear of God's judgments ; and, when convinced, we put away all hope of his mercy. Let it not be thus. The very means which God has used for our conviction, are proofs and evidences of his tender
1 ver. 12, 13.