2. The kindness he exercises —
[As God gave unto Israel both the moral and ceremonial law for their instruction, and guided them through the wilder- ness for forty years, so is he now the instructor and leader of the Christian Church, who exclusively enjoy the light of reve- lation. But there are a favoured few, " a little flock," to whom these blessings are vouchsafed in a more especial manner. While multitudes never receive any benefit from the ministra- tion of the Gospel, some are "taught to profit" by it: they are instructed in the knowledge of their own hearts ; and are enabled to discern the suitableness of Christ to their neces- sities, and to live by faith upon him as their only Saviour a. They are also " led in the way that they should go:" they are brought from " the course of this world in which they were walking," and are guided into the way of peace and holiness1'. If we have experienced these blessings, surely we cannot but " give earnest heed to the things" spoken in the text, since they are spoken by Him, to whose gracious teaching we owe all the knowledge we possess, and to whose protecting care we are indebted for every step that we have taken in the way to Canaan ]
Let ns listen then with the deepest reverence to the voice of our Benefactor : let us hear, II. The regret he expresses on our account —
In his words we may notice, 1. The matter of his regret — [God is not an unconcerned spectator of our conduct. He is not satisfied with giving us his commands, and leaving
a Acts xvi. 14. 1 John v. 20. b Acts xxvi. 18. Eph. ii. 1 —5. Tit. hi. 3 — 5. VOL. VIII. R