" pasturage," even on the summit of the most barren " moun- tains." " A feast of fat things has he provided for us1 ; yea, and has " spread a table for us in the presence of our enemies"1." " The meek therefore may rest assured that they shall eat and be satisfied":" "their souls shall be satisfied, as with marrow and fatness0;" and in the strength of the divine com- munications they shall be enabled to go forward, finding no labour too arduous, no difficulty too great, for them to surmount p.]
2. Protection —
[One of the greatest obstacles to the progress of unpro- vided travellers is the intense heat of the sun, which frequently destroys those who are exposed to its fiery rays. But to his people, when assaulted by persecution or temptation, Christ himself will be a shelter, even " as the shadow of a great rock in a weary landq." " Neither heat nor sun shall smite them." True it is, that, in the apostolic age, myriads were persecuted even unto death ; and even at the present time there are but few followers of Christ who have not a cross to bear : but still is this prophecy fulfilled ; because, if afflictions abound, our consolations much more abound ; and, instead of feeling the rays of the sun intolerable, we are enabled to " glory in tri- bulation," and to " rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer either shame or death for Christ's saker."]
3. Guidance —
[The cloud, which covered the camp of Israel from the action of the solar rays, was a pillar of fire to light them by night, and went before them in all their journeys. So our blessed Lord will lead his people now, and make their way plain before their face. His word shall mark their path ; his Spirit shall shine upon it ; his providence shall open it from time to time ; and thus " he will guide them by his counsel, till at last he receive them to glory s."]
4. Refreshment —
[To God's people in the wilderness the fatigues of tra- velling were great, notwithstanding all the advantages they enjoyed; insomuch, that " they were greatly discouraged by reason of the way." And we too, through the weakness of human nature, shall often be ready to faint in our heavenly journey. But God will " lead us by springs of water," where we can at all times quench our thirst, and refresh our weary
1 Isai. xxv. G. m Ps. xxiii. 5. " Ps. xxii. 26.
° Ps. lxiii. .">. p 1 Kings xix. 7. q Isai. xxxii. 2.
r Rom. v. 3. Acts v. 41. and xx. 24. s Ps. lxxiii. 21.
951.] THE GREATNESS OF CIIHIST's SALVATION. 2,j9
souls. Our blessed Lord promises that we shall have his Spirit within us, as " a well of water springing up unto ever- lasting life1."
But in this last communication, methinks I see, as it were, a heaven upon earth ; for the description given us of heaven itself is conveyed in the very words of my text : " They are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple : and He that sitteth on the throne dwells among them. And they hunger no more, nor thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat : for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes11."]
Such was the blessed state of the Church in the
apostolic age And such it is at this very hour
And such, only in a far more exalted degree,
shall it be in the day when Christ shall take to him his great power, and reign unto the ends of the earth.
Address —
[And now, let me ask, Who amongst you does not need tliis salvation? Who amongst you, if not already liberated by divine grace, is not at this hour in bondage to sin and Satan,