with his Maker)-when persons, I say, read of all this, are they not apt to conclude, that such perverse discontent, such abominable ingratitude, and such gross proofs of sin and folly, must have been altogether peculiar to the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob? From painful experience, I know this to be the conclusion of the mind unacquainted with the evil of its own heart, and the corruption of human nature.

To understand the Word of God, we must be divinely taught ;-to enter fully and spiritually into its meaning, God himself must be our teacher. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." So far, indeed, is any one, unenlightened by the Holy Spirit, from understanding or relishing the humbling truths of God's word, "that they appear foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." But when it pleases God to open the eyes of our mind to view ourselves as we really are, as naturally guilty and depraved creatures, then the history of ancient Israel appears an exact transcript of ourselves, and of the natural character of man in every age of the world.

This may appear a hard saying; and many of you, I fear, will think this assertion equally void of truth and soberness; but if God's word

be true-if his declarations be according to truth and justice-I have advanced neither more nor less than his own word records. What was Israel's peculiar sin, but sinning against light, and love, and knowledge? What was the great and leading proof of their folly and rebellion? but their desire to return to Egypt, to despise the constituted authorities of their adorable Jehovah, and to say to Moses, "We will not have this man to reign over us." And have not we also sinned against the clearest light, the most abundant means of knowledge —against the most unparalleled proofs of love? Have we not said in our hearts of one better than Moses," Who is the Lord, that we should obey him?"

The Israelites, it is true, had miraculous proof of divine interposition continually exercised in their favour, and had the most awful displays of the majesty and power of the Lord ever before their eyes: they had the pillar of a cloud to guide and protect them on their way by day, and the pillar of fire by night. They were sustained by manna in the desert, and had the stony rock converted into a fountain of waters to relieve their fainting and thirsty souls; but they were under a dark dispensation, compared to ours. They saw only the types and shadows of good things to come,

whilst we have the whole sum and substance of the revelation of God made known unto us. We have prophecy accomplished-types realised-threatenings executed-promises fulfilled. We have, in short, the whole salvation of the Gospel offered to us.

In that Gospel, the Lord God Almighty is exhibited as a just God, and yet a Saviour. In it God's attributes are divinely harmonised, and his hatred of sin marked in the most evident and awful manner. Yet how is this divine revelation received? Ask your own heartsexamine your every-day conduct, and see if the world is not followed, its lusts obeyed, its practices admired, and God and his Word neglected. Oh! that I had an archangel's voice to arouse you from this deceitful slumber, to awaken you to a minute examination of your own state, and to lead you to a careful comparison of your own conduct with that of God's ancient and disobedient people! If their privileges were great, yours are greater; and if their ingratitude was criminal, yours is inexcusable.

They, it is true, had the pillar of a cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, to guide them through the pathless, trackless desert; but have not we the lamp of divine truth, shining with pure and unextinguishable

lustre, to guide us safely and securely through this wilderness world? They had manna given them from heaven to eat; but have not we the blessings of fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with joy and gladness;—and, above all, have we not that bread which came down from heaven, which, whosoever eateth thereof shall live for ever? They had the rock opened for their relief, so that water flowed out in rich abundance; but have not we a far richer, a far better fountain opened for our acceptance in the Gospel, even a fountain for all sin and uncleanness, with this blessed invitation annexed, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters and drink?"

Deceive not then yourselves, my brethren; for, if these precious truths do not fill your souls with admiring gratitude, if they do not operate as active principles, inciting you to constant holy obedience to all the commandments of God; if they are not the great object of your constant contemplation and your most serious regard, think not that, if in Israel's circumstances, you would not have walked in Israel's steps. "If you believe not Moses and the prophets, neither would you be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." And if you believe not and obey not the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, neither

66

would you have believed nor obeyed, though you had heard all the thunders of Sinai, and witnesed all the miraculous acts of the "Lord God of Israel."

I have thus endeavoured to call your attention to your own hearts and conduct, in order that, whilst I lay before you the daring rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, related in the chapter from which the text is taken, and on which occasion the fact related in it took place, you might have your minds more alive to the evil of sin-more clearly perceive the depraved nature of man, and more devoutly prize that gracious plan of salvation, provided for you in the Gospel, by Him who stayed the plague of divine wrath-who interposed in favour of His rebellious creatures, and who hath said, "Suffer not their souls to go down to the pit, for I have found a ransom."

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, having rebelled against Moses and Aaron-Korah aspiring to the High Priesthood, and Dathan and Abiram wishing to usurp the authority of Moses-Moses, who well knew the justice of his cause, referred the issue to God himself, and falling on his face, loudly proclaimed that the Lord on the morrow would shew who were his, and who was holy.

To prove this, Korah, and all his company,