proceed farther, stop NUMBERS X. 29. of Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Razuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, IVe are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you : come thou with us, and we will do thee good ; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. THERE is a broad way which leads to destruction ; and we are assured by the inspired volume, that there are many who walk therein. The principles of infidelity, in those who entertain them, set at nought all the gracious discoveries which God has revealed in the scriptures. Men of licentious conduct delight و in gratifying their own earthly, sencorrupt passions, by walking according e course of this world, and by fulfilling · lusts of the flesh. There are unrighcous men, who violate their engagements and obligations; who lead not quiet and peaceable lives in their several stations and relations; and who live not in love one towards another. There are ungodly men, who call not on the Lord, nor walk according to his will ; who seldom worship him in the sanctuary, and seldom pray to him in secret; who neither consult his word, nor obey his commandments, nor delight in his promises, nor dread his threatenings. All such persons are walking in the broad way which leads to destruction ; living in the indulgence of carnal appetites ; neglecting the great salvation ; and depriving themselves of all the sublime delights which flow from communion with God. But, though many in the world are living carelessly and at ease, pursuing earthly things, laying up treasures only for time; yet, glory be to God! many have been roused from their fatal security; are translated from darkness to marvellous light ; brought brought to chuse the better part, which can never be taken away; and constrained, by sovereign grace, to give all diligence that they may be found of God in peace. All such may safely say, with Moses in our text, We are journeying to the place of which God himself hath spoken. All such will feel the benevolent desire, that their companions and kindred may unite with them in travelling to the goodly land; and all such will be disposed to proclaim with triumph, the gracious things which God has promised for the consolation of his children. Without farther introduction, it is proposed, through divine assistance, to direct your attention to three particulars suggested by the text. I. The character of the true Israel of God; they are journeying to the place of which a faithful God has spoken. II. The animating consideration which encourages heavenly travellers to hold on their way, or the good which Jehovah has promised to his people. III. The affectionate and salutary counsel which they give to others, others, “ Come with us, and we will do thee good.” I. Direct your meditations to the representation given in the text, of all the true Israel of God; they are journeying to the place of which God has spoken. When God, according to his promise, brought the posterity of Abraham from the bondage of Egypt, and from the perils of the Red Sea, he set before them the sure prospect of a rich inheritance, which in due time they should possess. In this land they were to dwell safely, and enjoy abundance of good things. Here they were to sit serene under their own fig-tree, and be fed with the finest of the wheat. Their flocks and their folds were to be multiplied, and their cattle to be strong for labour. Their barns were to be filled with plenty ; their vallies to be clothed with corn; their trees to be as the cedars of Lebanon ; and their flowers as the Rose of Sharon. Though all this only constituted an earthly Canaan, yet such promises and prospects gladdened their spirits in the wilderness, sweetened the labours of their pilgrimage, and a and smoothed the roughest steps of their journey. But under the gospel, the God of glory speaks to his spiritual Israel of a far better inheritance, of a heavenly Canaan, a state of unmingled and eternal felicity. In this land all the ransomed of the Lord shall for ever dwell ; sorrow and sighing shall be done away, and the days of their mourning be ended; the Lamb in the midst of the throne shall lead them to fountains of living water, and wipe away all tears from their eyes. They shall be for ever with the Lord; shall see him as he is; shall be like him in their finite measure; and shall be exalted to inconceivable joy, arising from his immediate presence, and from the uninterrupted enjoyment of his love. That future state of perfect knowledge, purity, and bliss, our God has promised to his Israel : He has assured them, that there remains a rest for his people; that it is secured for them, by the perpetual mediation of his own Son; and that had it not been so, he would not have called himself their God, nor would have said, that he loved them with an everlasting love. Το a |