" vcr. 2 .'i, '' Nuirib. vi. 2 «. '' vcr. 0, 7.
27f3.1 MANOAIl's VISION. G5
experienced a very different effect. The revelation produced,
1. In Manoah, fear —
[Ho now perceived and knew, that the person who had announced these tidingKS to him was God, in human shape: and therefore he conceived that both he and his wife must die. This idea was not without some foundation ; for, wlicn Moses had entreated the Lord to shew him his glory, the 1 jord said to him, " Tliou canst not see my face; for there sliall no man see me and live :" and for this very reason God put him, into a clift of a rock, and permitted him to see, as it were, only " his back parts'^" And, when Jacob had been favoured with a visit from the same divine person in the shape of an angel, he expressed his astonishment that " his life was preserved^" Indeed, when only an angel has appeared to some of the most distinguished servants of the Ahnighty, they liave been so agitated, as scarcely to retain possession of their minds ^ We wonder not therefore at his apprehensions ; but we the more admire the composure of his wife.]
2. In his wife, confidence —
[She argued in a very dilferent way. She considered the mercies already vouchsafed to them as tokens lor good : for why should God confer such singular lu)nt)ur upon them, if lie intended to kill them? Why did he accept at their hands the burnt-offering? Why did he stoop to give tlieni such informa- tion? Why give them such gracious promises? Was all this done to mock them ? Indeed, if he should kill them, how could the promises be fuliilled ? or for what purpose were they given? This was a just mode of arguing ; for such mercies were both evidences, and y)ledges, of his love : and therefore were rather to be considered as earnests of future blessings, than as har- bingers of ill. This was precisely the view which Paul enter- tained of the mercies conferred on him by God, " who," says lie, " delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us*-':" and it is the true light in which every instance of his goodness should be con- sidered.]
Let us LEARN then from hence,
1. To guard against low and unworthy thoughts
of God—
[It is really no uncommon thought, even among good people, that their blessings are too great to be of any long
d Exod. xxxiii. 20—23. e/Gen. xxxii. 29, 30.
f Judg. vi. 22. Rev. xix. 10. «/ 2 Cor. i. 10.