Ps. xc. 1 7. Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us !
IT is pleasing to think that in every age the Lord has many " hidden ones:" even as in the days of Elijah, who thought himself the only worshipper of Jehovah, whilst there were in reality " seven thousand men who had not bowed their knee to the image of Baal." It is not every one who dies apparently under the displeasure of God, that will be visited with his judgments in the world to come. Many " are judged of the Lord now, in order that they may not be con- demned with the world hereafter*." 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 de- livered, as it were, to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, their spirit will be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus V 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
a 1 Cor. xi. 32. b 1 Cor. v. 5.
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