written revelation of his will, and taking them for his own peculiar people above all the people upon the face of the whole earth. To them also he held forth the prospect of an inhe- ritance, even of a land flowing with milk and honey, where they should enjoy such peace, and plenty, and happiness, as were unknown to the whole world besides.
Now these distinguishing favours were well calculated to bind them to him in such love and gratitude, that nothing should ever be able to draw them from him, or to damp their ardour in his service.
True indeed these means did not produce their full effect upon that generation, all of whom perished in the wilderness, excepting two. What addresses itself to our senses only, is but transient in its operation on the mind ; whereas the things which are seen by faith are always present, and abidingly influential and uniformly effectual. In this respect, therefore, the parallel between God's dealings with the Jews and with us will not hold good. But still the manner in which God drew them serves as " a shadow of good things to come," and affords to us a striking illustration of the way in which he will draw his people to himself under the better dispensation which we are privileged to enjoy.]
To elucidate this, I will shew,
II. How he will draw us at this day —
We need his influences as much as ever his ancient
people did —
[No man ever comes to God by any power of his own. Our blessed Lord expressly says, " No man cometh unto me, except the Father who hath sent me draw himb." In fact, we have not in ourselves a power to do a good actc, or speak a good wordd, or think a good thought e. " Our sufficiency for every thing is of God alone ;" " nor without him can we either will or do any one thing that is pleasing in his sight f. If any man could have exerted such a power, it would have been the Apostle Paul. But he confesses, " By the grace of God I am what I am ;" and, when constrained to speak of his labours, he recalls, as it were, his words, and, with holy jealousy for God's honour, adds, "yet not I, but the grace of God which was with meg." If any man think he can renew and sanctify his own soul, let him make the effort ; and his own experience shall attest all that the Scriptures have spoken.]
And how is it that God will work in us ? —
b John vi. 44. c John xv. 5. d Matt. xii. 34.
e 2 Cor. hi. 5. <" Phil. ii. 13. u 1 Cor. xv. 10.