a 1 Kinsrsiv.80. »» Heb. xi. 24— 26. c Exod. ii. 11 — 15.
1756.] THE ZEAL OF MOSES. $2o
was right, I presume not to judge. It is the desire of de- livering his people, and not the mode of his attempting that deliverance, that is the object of my commendation: and that is held forth to us, by God himself, as worthy of our highest admiration.]
And now let us consider,
II. The light which his conduct reflects on the general subject of Missions —
Methinks it reflects great light,
1. On the need there is of Missions —
[The state of the Israelites in Egypt very strongly illus- trates the state of mankind at large under the bondage of sin and Satan. Truly "the god of this world" rules over men with most tyrannic sway ; "leading them captive at his will," and recompensing with nothing but evil their most laborious exertions. In one respect, the vassals of Satan are in a far worse predicament than they ; for they are unconscious of their bondage, and even love their chains. Not only where the darkness of heathenism prevails, but even where the light of Christianity shines, are men enslaved by their lusts and pas- sions ; and yet are ready to account their bondage liberty d; unconscious, too, in what that bondage will issue. To the miseries of oppressed Israel, so far at least as the cruel Egyptians could inflict them, death put a happy termination : but the slavery of Satan's vassals is leading them to chains of everlasting darkness. Say, then, whether there be not need for such to be instructed, and encouraged to cast off the yoke with which they are bound ? Yes verily : and to exert our- selves for the diffusion of such light and liberty is an employ- ment worthy of the most elevated of mankind. No talents can be improved to better purpose than in such acts of benevolence as these.]
2. On the spirit with which they should be under- taken—
[Moses regarded all the honours and riches of Egypt as nothing, when put into competition with the service of God, and the benefiting of mankind. Nay, not only did the sacri- ficing of all earthly comforts appear trivial in his eyes, but even life itself was judged by him as of small value, in com- parison of the discharge of his duties to God and man. Now, thus should it be with us. Whatever we possess of earthly distinctions, we should account it of no value, but as it may
<* 2 Pet. ii. I'J.