see far more than in any description of the Deity that could be given us. Here we see Jehovah in action, if I may so speak. Every one of his perfections is here painted, as it were, to the very life. Whatever expressions might be used to characterize his condescension and love, we could not form so just a conception of him as from this history. Behold his sovereignty, in choosing a people so unworthy of his love ! Behold his power, in bringing them forth from the midst of such a powerful nation, that were determined to retain them in their bondage ! Behold his care over them for the space of forty years, providing for their every want ; and his truth and faithfulness, in bringing them at last into the promised land ! And is he not the same God now ? Or will he do less for his people now ? or rather, will he not do at this time for the souls of his people as much as he then did for their bodies? I say, these manifestations of his power and grace deserve to be reviewed by us, no less than by the Jews themselves : and we suffer great loss, in not calling them more frequently and more gratefully to our remembrance.]
But let us contemplate him more especially,
II. In a way of affectionate inquiry —
Twice is the inquiry made, " Where is he ?" And this inquiry should be made by us,
1. That we may obtain similar mercies at his hands —
[We need, in fact, the very same mercies as were vouch- safed to the Jews of old. For, are not we also in bondage ?
And can any thing less than Omnipotence deliver us ?
Are there not also seas of difficulty before us, through which we need to be brought by the spiritual influence of Heaven ?
And do we not need the Holy Spirit also, to instruct
and guide us in all our way, and to accomplish in us and for us
all the good pleasure of our God ? Need we not the
same provision also for our daily wants ? And do we not need
that rest which remaineth for us in the Canaan above?
Yes, in truth : all that was vouchsafed to Israel of old, is a type, and not a type only, but a pledge also, of what shall be vouchsafed to us, if only we commit ourselves, like Israel of old, to the guidance and protection of our Godd. Inquire, then, I pray you, " Where is this God?" "Where is He" that did these wonders for his people of old ; that we may supplicate his favour, and have them renewed to us?]
2. That we may render to him the honour due unto his name —
d Illustrate this by Ps. lxxvii. 5, 11, 12, 15, 19, 20.