The zeal which Joshua shewed on this occasion will be approved by all : we may hope therefore to perform an acceptable service to you, whilst, with an eye to that covenant, we,
II. Propose the same to you —
The duty of serving the Lord our God will be denied by none ; and least of all by those who know the obligations which they owe to him for redeeming them from death by the blood of his only-begotten Son But we beg leave to retrace, with appli- cation to yourselves,
1. The engagements you have entered into —
<* ver. 16.
e ver.
17, 18.
f ver.
21.
s ver. 22.
h ver.
23, 24.
1 ver.
20, 27
s s
[You are bound to serve the Lord your God, sincerely, resolutely, exclusively.
There must be no dissimulation in this matter : you must have " truth in your inward parts:" to " call him ' Lord, Lord,' will be of no use, if you do not the things which he says." His word must be the rule, his will the reason, his glory the end of your obedience — ■
You will find that many will account the service of God an " evil" thing; odious in itself, injurious to society, and con- temptible in all who addict themselves to it. You will find also that the great mass of nominal Christians are alienated from the life of God, as much as ever the Jews of old were. For the truth of this we appeal to the lives of all around us. Yet you must " not follow a multitude to do evil," or forbear to walk in the narrow path of life, even though the whole world should urge you to accompany them in the broad road that leadeth to destruction. Nay ; you must not only be steadfast yourselves, but must exert all your influence to animate and encourage others: you must adopt the noble resolution of Joshua, " As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
You must be on your guard too against harbouring any " idol in your heartk." Sensuality, or covetousness, or any other unmortified lust, will provoke God to jealousy, as much as gods of wood and stone : and if any one sin be willingly retained, any one service wilfully neglected, or any sacrifice deliberately withheld, we must say with Joshua, " The Lord will not for- give your transgression and your sin:" " an eye, or a hand or foot, retained in opposition to his command, will cause the whole body, and soul too, to be cast into hell : " he only that will " lose his life for Christ's sake, shall find it unto life eternal" ]
2. The witnesses that will attest your violation of them —
[You must be " witnesses against yourselves :" your own consciences will testify, if, when you are convinced that it is your duty to serve the Lord, you continue to neglect him. Well are we assured that we have even now within your own
bosoms a witness to the truth of all that we affirm
But there will be other witnesses against you. The word that we speak, the same will testify against you in the last day: for it is written " in the book of God's remembrance," and re- served in the sanctuary to be brought forth as the evidence of God's righteousness and the ground of his procedure. I may add too, The very walls wherein we are assembled will testify against you: to use the strong language of our text, "they
k Ezek. xiv. 3, 4.
260.] Joshua's covenant with Israel. 627
have heard all the words that have been spoken to you," the faithful declarations, the earnest entreaties, the rich encourage- ments: yes, " the stones out of the wall will cry out against you1," if you continue to violate your baptismal engagements, and indulge an indifference to all the subjects of your prayers. Times without number have you prayed, that you might " live a righteous, sober, and a godly life, to the glory of God's holy name ; " and yet, many of you at least, have either never set yourselves in earnest so to live, or have carelessly declined from the ways of God, and forgotten the vows that are upon you. Finally, God himself also will be " a swift witness against you." Yes, " he searcheth the heart, and trieth the reins, and will give to every man according to his works."]