way. But He is held up " as an Ensign to the people; and to him must all people seek'." And, as a man entering into the army of an earthly monarch sur- renders up himself altogether to the disposal of the general who is placed over him, so must we volun- tarily devote ourselves to the service of Christ, before we can be numbered amongst his host over whom he presides. But, supposing this to have bedn done, then we say that,
1. We must execute his commands —
[Observe the question which Joshua put to him, the very instant he knew the Lord under this character : " "What saith my Lord unto his servant ? " A similar question was put by the Apostle Paul, the very instant that the Lord Jesus Christ revealed himself to him : " Lord," what wilt thou have me to dok?" In truth, there is not a soldier in any army who does not look for orders from his commanding-officer from day to day, or who does not feel himself bound to carry them into execution. Now the reading of the Scriptures with diligence will, for the most part, supply the needful information : yet are there many particular occasions whereon we must be peculiarly attentive also to the voice of his providence ; and in those in- stances must we seek, by prayer and supplication, his special guidance, which he has promised to us in answer to our prayers. For instance : in the attack which was to be made on Jericho, nothing was left to the direction of Joshua, but every the most minute particular was given in command from this great Captain. And we also, if we will look unto Him, may expect all needful directions ; to which, of course, we must adhere with all fidelity, in order to approve ourselves good soldiers of Jesus Christ.]
2. We must go forth in an entire dependence upon him —
[Soldiers of necessity confide in their commander ; and in proportion as is their estimate of his talents, will be, for the most part, their expectation of success. Amongst men, how- ever, this confidence is mutual: for the best general in the universe can effect nothing, if he have not good soldiers to carry his orders into effect. But, in the Christian camp, the confidence must be altogether in the Captain ; without whom the most gallant army in the universe must fail. We must be strong indeed, and of good courage : but we must " not lean to our own understanding," or " trust in an arm of flesh." In
1 Isai. xi. 10. k Acts ix. 6.
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