then is the whole of this experience proper for us also, as well as for him : and in it we see, that the Gospel is sufficient to perfect every thing that concerns us ; and so to carry us through things temporal, that we may finally attain the things eternal.
Such, then, is the spiritual food which God com- mends to you this day. And now let me invite you all to partake of it. In rich abundance is your hea- venly Father causing the manna to fall around your tents ; and at this moment are the streams gushing out like a river, for the satisfying of your thirsty souls. O that we all felt our need of the bread and water of life, as the Israelites did of the food that perisheth ! Paint to yourselves the sense of obliga- tion which they felt at having all their wants sup- plied ; and the avidity with which they seized the provisions which were thus afforded them. Would to God that we had some resemblance to them, and could feel an intensity of interest suited to the occa- sion, now that Christ is freely offered to us for the support of our souls ! Remember, I pray you, that not one amongst them was benefited by merely hearing or seeing what God had done for them : no, it was by applying to themselves the heavenly gift, for their own personal comfort and support. In like manner must we also apply to ourselves all the rich provisions of the Gospel : we must " eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood," if we would have our souls nourished unto eternal life. Earnestly would I wish that this distinction should be made, and care- fully remembered. We are ready to think that we have done enough when we have heard the Gospel, and approved of the truths contained in it. But we must receive them into our hearts by faith ; yea, they must enter into our very souls ; and we must live upon them from day to day. Never are we to be weary of feeding upon Christ : we must see and feel that " his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed :" and, feeding daily upon him, we must hun- ger for nothing else, and thirst for nothing else1. At
John vi. 35. H H 2