every succeeding trial, and distrusting God in every difficulty, and in heart going back again to the flesh-pots of Egypt. They were often ready to stone those servants of God who had been the instruments of their deliverance ; they retained their idols which they had worshipped in Egypt ; and even made a golden calf, as the representative, or rather, as the rival and competitor, of Jehovah. In their history we find some seasons of amendment; but, on the whole, they were "a rebellious and gainsaying people."]
But this is no less applicable to ourselves —
[Certainly we are quite as much indebted to the Lord as ever the Jews of old were : for though we have not had such visible interpositions in our favour, we have been no less the objects of his paternal care : and, in that which constituted their " chief advantage," we greatly excel them"^." "To them were committed the Oracles of God:" but to us is given the Gospel of his dear Son ; in comparison of which the Law, glo- rious as it was, had no glory at all ; being eclipsed as a star
before the meridian sun®
And what has been our conduct towards him ? Have we been sensible of the benefits conferred upon us ; and have we endeavoured to render to him the recompence that was due? Alas! we have been unmindful of his kindness, and regardless of his authority altogether. It has never entered into our hearts to say, " Come, let us serve the Lord, who hath done such great things for us*^." Whilst we have violated his holy laws, we have " pufied at his judgments," saying in our hearts, " God seeth not, neither regardeth what we do." If called to obey him, we have replied, in spirit, if not in word, " Who is the Lord, that we should serve him ? We know not the Lord, neither will we obey his voiced." " Our lips are our own: Who is Lord over us'^?" In truth, we have lived "without God in the world';" and have practically said, "There is no God^"]
Not content with charging upon us our multiplied rebellions, God proceeds to set forth, II. The extent of our criminality —
The brute creation demean themselves, for the most
part, in a way suited to their several capacities —
[The ox and the ass are amongst the most stupid of the brute creation : yet have they some knowledge of their master, and some sense of their dependence on him. Though fed only
^ Rom. iii. 2. e 2 Cor. iii. 7—1 1 . *■ J er. ii. 5, 6. and v. 23, 24. e Job xxi. 14, 15. Exod. v. 2. '' Ps. xii. 4.
* Eph. ii. 12. k Ps. xiv, 1.
856.1 god's complaint AGAINSl HIS PEOPLE. 4G1
for their master's benefit, and used only to subserve his in- terests, they often express themselves with a kind of grateful acknowledgment towards him.]
But we, notwithstanding our superior advantages, act more irrationally than they —
[We live from year to year on the bounty of our heavenly Father, and yet feel no sense of gratitude towards him. We " do not even consider" our obligations to him. We " do not consider" either ivJiat he has done for us; (though it is so great, that neither the tongues of men or of angels can ever worthily declare it:) or, ivliat he requires of us; (though that should be the subject of our unceasing contemplation :) or, ivhat return we have hitherto made to him; (though on that our eternal happiness depends:) or, ivhat account we shall hereafter give to him ; (though we know not but that before the expiration of another hour we may be summoned into his immediate presence.) In a word, God's testimony respecting us is, that " HE is not in all, or any, of our thoughts ^" Of the brute creation there are many that act with a degree of fore- sight and wisdom™ : but we, who are endued with reason, act a part more irrational than they: and hence are justly reproached by God as more brutish and sottish than even tlie ox and ass ". How humiliating is this view of our state, and especially in relation to persons who have been redeemed by the blood of God's only dear Son ! Verily there is not one amongst us who has not reason to blush and be confounded under the accu- sations that are brought against us.]