miseries of hell? And what were the cloudy pillar for their direction, and the manna and water for their support, in com- parison of the in-dwelling of the Spirit of God in our souls, as our Guide, our Sanctifier, and our Comforter? And what was a short possession of Canaan, in comparison of an eternal inheritance in heaven ? What the Jews enjoyed was a mere shadow only, of which we possess the substance : and all this bought for us by the precious blood of Christ, who laid down his life for us ?
Now, it might well be supposed that we should be conti- nually inquiring after this Saviour ; and that we should not have so much as a wish but to know him, love him, serve him, glorify him, and enjoy him. But has this been the case with us ? Have we not, on the contrary, passed days, weeks, months, and years, without any anxious desire after him, or any diligent pursuit of him ? Look back, I pray you, and see what has been the state of your souls, from your youth up even to the present moment. Compare your feelings about the things of this world, its cares, pleasures, vanities ; and say whether they have not engrossed your minds far more than the Lord Jesus, and all the wonders of redeeming love. Tell me, then, What can exceed your ingratitude ? and how justly may God be filled with indignation against you! ]
From this complaint, we pass on to notice,
II. His challenge in relation to it —
" What iniquity have your fathers found in me," to
justify such conduct towards me ? This was
altogether unanswerable by them: but how much more so by us!
I now, in God's name, challenge every one of you to say, What have you ever found in the Lord Jesus Christ that merits such treatment at your hands ?
1. Have you ever found him a hard Master ?
[The Jews might have said, that God imposed " a yoke upon them, which neither they nor their fathers were ever able to bear :" but can you speak thus of Christ's yoke ? Has he not declared, and do not your consciences attest, that " his yoke is easy, and his burthen light ? Verily, there is not one of his commandments that is grievous ;" not one " in the keep- ing of which you will not receive" a present, as well as an eternal, " great reward."]
2. Have you found him, in any one respect, less gracious or merciful than he professed to be ?
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