its smallness ; or as bringing it near to us, notwithstanding its vast distance, within tlae reach of our visual organs. I mean not to say that there is any just comparison between these artificial aids and faith ; but, when we consider what we our- selves can effect by such helps, we may, without any great difficulty, imagine the power which God himself has given to faith.]
They have a realizing sense of his presence with them —
[It is manifest that Moses saw God with him, just as Elisha " saw the chariots of fire and horses of fire" that en- compassed him. Thus does every behever, in proportion as his faith is lively and operative, view God present with him. God is with his people, as a witness, to observe their conduct : he is with them, as a protector, to deliver them from danger : he is with them, as a provider, so that, " though lions do lack and sufier hunger, they that serve him shall want no man- ner of thing that is good." He is with them, too, as a com- forter, who will make their consolations to abound above all their afflictions : and as a rewarder will he recompense into their bosom all that they either do or suffer for him. In all these views, Moses, no doubt, beheld him: and to the very end of time will he thus reveal himself to all his believing people.]
This being their exclusive privilege, I will proceed to state —
II. The advantage they derive from it in the divine life—
From this realizing view of the Divine presence, believers obtain,
1. Firmness in acting — [Moses was undaunted by the menaces of Pharaoh ^ Nay, more : he, in his turn, warned Pharaoh, that all the first- born of Eg}'pt, even of Pharaoh's own household, should die that very night ; and that the ver}- courtiers around the throne should come bowing to him, and entreating him with all the children of Israel, to depart out of the land : and that then he icoidd go, whether Pharaoh should consent to it or not''. Such is the firmness which a sense of the Divine pre- sence will give to every believer. Whoever it be that threatens him, or whatever the threat contain, his answer will be, " Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye : for we cannot but do the things which God
a Exod. X. 28, 29. ^ Exod. xi. 4—8.