people, no one has been so much noticed, and so highly ap- plauded by him, as faith. Even when as bright an assemblage of graces as ever were united, were called forth into exercise by the penitent Mary, nothing but her faith was noticed by our Lord: "Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace1." In fact, as it is that which, more than any other grace, honours God, that beyond every other shall be honoured by him. " Be strong then in faith, giving glory to God;" and " according to your faith it shall be unto you."]
1 Luke vii. 50.
Ps. Ixxviii. 32. For all this, they sinned still.
THE history of the Israelites in the wilderness should not be considered as the history of that people only, but of human nature in general. In this view, it is pre-eminently instructive ; because it serves as a mirror, to reflect our own persons, and to shew us what is actually passing in our own hearts. In illus- tration of this remark, I will set before you, I. The state of Israel in the wilderness —
It is plainly depicted in the psalm before us. It was one continued contest between God and them ; God endeavouring, by mercies and judgments, to reclaim them from their evil ways ; and they deter- minately persisting in their rebellion against him.
1 . They had begun their wickedness early — [Whilst they were yet in Egypt, where, as might be supposed, they were led to commit idolatry, God had endea- voured to withdraw them from it. He had revealed himself to them as the God of their fathers ; and had urged them to cast away their abominations and their idols. But they would not hearken unto him : on the contrary, so obstinately did they adhere to their idol worship, that, had it not been for his own great Name's sake, which would have been dis- honoured among the heathen, God would have cut them off from being a nation, and have utterly destroyed them from the face of the earth a. When Moses had clearly proved to them his divine mission to deliver them, they murmured at. the delay which Pharaoh's obstinacy had created, and made their augmented trials an occasion of utter despondency b. After all the wonders that had been wrought in Egypt before a Ezek. xx. 5— 9. " Exod. v. 20, 21.