[The Israelites were left to feel their need of food before the miraculous supplies were given them : and with what avidity would they gather up the new created bread ! with what insatiable appetite would they bow down to drink of the flowing stream ! Such is the spirit with which we should approach the ordinances of our God. In them the manna is rained round about our tents: in them the rock is struck, and the waters of salvation flow around us : and if we come hungering and thirsting, we shall never be sent empty away. Let none then consider the ordinances as mere occasions for gratifying their curiosity, but as the place where spiritual food is set before them for the support and comfort of their souls. The Israelites would ask but one question ; Is this provision suited to my necessities ? So neither should we concern our- selves much about the manner in which the ordinances are dispensed, but rather go, that we may receive Christ in them, and have more abundant communications of his Spirit im- parted to us.]
2. What should be the habit of our minds when we have partaken of spiritual blessings —
[The particular object of the Apostle in the text is, to inculcate the necessity of fear and caution : and the argument he uses is well calculated to effect his purpose. Two millions of Israelites came out of Egypt : they were brought in safety through the Red Sea, and supported by this miraculous food : yet, of all who had attained the age of twenty, two only were suffered to enter into the promised land. All the rest perished in the wilderness : and the very profession which they made, and the privileges which they enjoyed, served but to enhance, in most instances, it is to be feared, their eternal condemnation. Moreover they were intended by God himself as examples to US'"; that we, admonished by their fate, might suppress all irregular desires, and walk more worthy of our high calling. Well therefore does the Apostle add, " Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." We never are so much in danger as when we think ourselves most secure. Let us then "not be high-minded, but fear:" whatever mercies we have experienced, and whatever enjoyment of spiritual blessings may have been vouchsafed to us, let us remember, that we are not beyond the reach of temptation : we may *' have escaped for a while the pollutions of the world, and yet be again en- tangled therein and overcome":" it is not sufficient for us to have " tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come :" we may still " fall away, and return to a state from whence we shall never be renewed to repentance"."
m Tv-noi, ver. 6, 11. "2 Pet. ii. 20. " Heb. vi. 5, 6.