of the host of the Lord," from whom alone all Joshua's suc- cess should spring". And to us also is he revealed under the same blessed character, "The Captain of our salvation x." He is at the head of all his people, and goes forth with them to battle : and all who have enlisted under his banners are to fight as good soldiers of Jesus Christ," and to " quit them- selves like meny;" nor are they ever to cease from their con- flicts till they have gained the victory2. Indeed " through him they shall be more than conquerors3:" for he will never leave them, till he has fulfilled to them all that he has undertaken, and put them into possession of their promised inheritance b.]
From the ends for which he is given, we proceed to shew,
II. The manner in which he is to be received —
This must correspond with God's design in send- ing him into the world. He must be received,
1. With a faith that wavers not —
[As he is a Witness to us, we must listen to his testimony with childlike simplicity. If he declare to us the plan of sal- vation, we must submit to it with the deepest reverence, and not for a moment dispute against it, or attempt to substitute in its place any plan of our own. If he open to us the great and precious promises which God has made in his word, we must rely upon them, and expect their accomplishment with the most assured confidence. If, on the other hand, he de- nounce the judgments of God against impenitent transgressors, we must tremble at his word, and humble ourselves before him in dust and ashes. As for all that men may say in opposition to his testimony, it must be to us of no greater weight than the dust upon the balance. Our answer must be, " To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them c." To sit at his feet, like Mary, must be the delight of our souls. We must treasure up in our hearts his every word, even as his own Mother did, whilst he was yet a child d. We must " meditate on his sayings day and night e." They must be " more to us than our necessary foodf," and " sweeter to us than honey and the honey-comb." If under any circumstances our faith in his word begin to waver, we must be ashamed of ourselves, and mourn for it, as treating him with the greatest dishonour.
u Josh. v. 14, 15. * Heb. ii. 10.
y 2 Tim. ii. 3. 1 Cor. xvi. 13. z 1 Tim. vi. 12.
a Rom. viii. 37. b Josh, xxiii. 14. c Isai. viii. 20.
d Luke ii. 51. e Ps. 1,2. f Job xxiii. 12.