they may not be condemned with the world here-, after'*." Amongst those who died in the wilderness for their transgressions, we know, infallibly, that some were received to mercy. We have no more doubt of the salvation of Moses and Aaron than we have of any saint from the foundation of the world. And we think that there is evidence in the psalm before us, that many repented in the wilderness, and that though " they were delivered, as it were, to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, their spirit will be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus'*." When they found that the sentence passed against them could not be reversed, they humbled themselves before God for their iniquities ; and in consequence thereof they found favour in his sight, passing their remaining days upon earth in some measure of peace, and enjoying a hope, that, though they were never to possess the earthly Canaan, they should be admitted to the enjoyment of a heavenly inheritance. Their supplications for mercy were such as God never did, nor ever will, reject. " O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days ! Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children : and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us:" that is. Let us have such tokens of thy love, and such communications of thy grace, as may carry us forward with comfort, and prepare us for thy more immediate presence.
For the further elucidation of my text, I will en- deavour to shew,
I. Wherein the beauty of the Lord our God con- sists—
But in attempting to speak on such a subject, I feel that I shall only ** darken counsel by words without knowledge :" for " we cannot by searching find out God, we cannot find out the Almighty to'
perfection."
* 1 Cor, xi.32. " 1 Cor. v. 5.
399 'li god's beauty imparted tq his people. 3J^
perfection." Yet, as we are able, we must declarje him unto you, and set forth his perfections,
1. As existing in himself —
[We need only open our eyes and survey the visible creationj^ to be assured of his eternal power and godhead. In this respect _ the most stupid heathens, in neglecting to worship him, are without excuse. The n)agnitude and number of tbe heavenly bodies, all moving so exactly in their respective courses, and ful- filling the ends for which they were designed; and the variety and beauty of the things existing on this terraqueous globe, all sp adapted for their respective offices and uses, and all subser-' vient to one great design, the glory of their Creator ; evince that his wisdom and goodness are equal to his power. I am not^ aware that philosophers have any advantage over those of less intelligence in things which are known only by revelation : because those things can be known only by the teachings of God's Spirit; and the Holy Spirit can instruct one as easily as another, and does often *' reveal to babes what is hid from the wise aiid prudent:" but in the things vvhich are obvious to our senses they have a great advantage, because by their proficiency in different sciences they attain a comprehensive knowledge of many things, of which the generality of persons have no conception; and consequently, they can discern traces of divine wisdom, and goodness, and power, which can never come under the view of one that is illiterate and uninformed.
If from the works of Creation we turn our eyes to the dis- pensations of Providence, we ^hall see all the same perfectiims illustrated and displayed to yet greater advimtage ; because they shew how entirely every created being, however unconscious, or_ however adverse, fulfils bis will, and executes his designs ^J