615
257.]
both. When the accusers found themselves mistaken, they did not shift their ground, and condemn their brethren for impru- dence ; nor, when the accused had evinced their innocence, did they condemn their accusers on the ground of uncharitableness and injustice : the one were as glad to acquit as the others were to be acquitted ; and both united in unfeigned thankful- ness to God, that all ground of dissension was removed.
Now it will almost of necessity sometimes happen, that the well-meant actions of our brethren shall be misconstrued, through an ignorance of their precise views and intentions : it may also happen, that the well-meant reproofs of our brethren may be founded in misconception. Here then is ample room for the exercise of well-tempered zeal. To avoid, on the one hand, unnecessary accusations, and gladly to retract them if they have been unwittingly adduced ; and, on the other side, to avoid vindictive recriminations, and with pious meekness to satisfy the minds of any whom we may have unintentionally grieved ; this is the spirit which we should continually culti- vate : it should be the labour of our lives to " keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."]
3. To avert the divine judgments from our guilty land —
[It is a memorable expression which is recorded on this occasion ; " Now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lordc." Sin delivers us into his hand for punishment. Of this, the history of Israel in all ages is a deci- sive proofd. On the other hand, repentance delivers us out of his hand; as was remarkably exemplified in the case of Nine- veh ; which, but for the intervention of their penitence, would have been overthrown in forty days. But we need not go further than to the history before us, where this very effect is ascribed to the pious zeal of the Reubenites and Gadites. Happy would it be for us, if we all considered the effect of our conduct on the public welfare ! God has no pleasure in punishing his crea- tures : and he is ever ready to remove his judgments, when they have produced in us the desired humiliation. Let us then approve ourselves to him : and then, though our zeal be mis- interpreted, and even our own brethren be for a time incensed against us, our righteousness shall be made to appear, and our labours be crowned with the approbation of our God.]
c ver. 31.
d If this be the subject of a Fast Sermon, the judgments inflicted on us may be adduced as an additional proof.