This however we may learn from it, that God will abun- dantly recompense whatever we do for him " Even a
cup of cold water given for his sake, shall in no wise lose its reward." Let us then enlarge our expectations from him, and open our mouths wide, that he may fill them. Let us not be afraid to incur risks for him ; but let us serve him at all events, accounting nothing of any value in comparison of his favour, nothing desirable but an inheritance with his people h]
h The brief practical hints contained under these three subdivi- sions, might be omitted, and added separately as three inferences from the subject. Thus — Infer, 1. There is no person so vile, but he may become an. eminent saint — 2. Faith, if true, will uniformly pro- duce good works — 3. Whatever we do for God shall most assuredly be richly rewarded. This plan would contract the second head ; but it would admit of these important thoughts being more expanded and enforced.
Josh. iv. 20 — 24. Those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal. And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones ? then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the Lord your God dried up the ivaters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over : that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty : that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.
TO remember God's mercies to us, and to trans- mit the remembrance of them to future generations, is a solemn duty imposed upon us, especially where the mercies are of such a nature as to involve the welfare of our posterity as well as our own3. On different occasions God appointed memorials for that express purpose ; and ordered, that the children in all succeeding generations should make inquiries respecting them, and receive an answer from one duly qualified to give the desired instruction. This was the case with respect to the passover, which was
a Ps. Ixxviii. 4 — 8.