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two spics Caleb and Joshua, remained firm in dependence upon God. They protested against the impious cowardice of their associates. They carnestly entreated their associates not to rebel against the ordinance of the Lord, who had commanded them to go up and take possession of the land; who had promised to bestow it upon them and their children forever; and who had proved himself able, by his former glorious deeds on their behalf, to crown them with victory over their most powerful enemics. Their entreaties and exhortations were thrown away. The congregation of Israel prepared to stone to death these faithful servants of the Most High. The Divine indignation was awakened. God instantly destroyed the ten spies who had impelled the Israelites to transgress: and pronounced this awful sentence on all among the rebellious congregation who had attained the age of twenty years, that they should wander until they died in the wilderness, and should never set their feet on the promised land. But his scrvants Caleb and Joshua, who fully followed him in steadfast obedience, he repeated his gracious assurance, that they should enter into the land and possess it.

The events, which on this occasion took place in the host of Israel, bear a striking resemblance to those, which at the present day are frequently seen to occur on the subject of religion. We perceive numbers pursuing the example of the ten spies and their disobedient countrymen. And some through the blessing of God, we behold walking in the steps of Caleb and Joshua. On the conduct of persons of each of these two descriptions, I propose separately to offer some observations; and shall afterwards cndeavor to furnish you with the means of judging for yourselves, which of the two classes of men it will be your wisdom to take for your pattern. May the Divine grace render what you hear conducive to your cdification.

I. Let me in the first place call your attention to a class of men very numerous in the world; men who allow that piety is commendable, and even profess that they are desirous of paying what they term a reasonable regard to religion: but having no true love of holiness in their hearts, are continually taking alarm at difficulties and on the watch to raise objections. Observe how nearly the character and conduct of such persons resemble those of the ten spics. The ten spics acknowledged the excellence of the land which they had searched. They said unto Moses; "We

came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this," added they, while they pointed to the figs and pomegranates and the wonderful cluster of grapes, "this is the fruit of it." So the professed Christians of whom we speak are ready to say: "We know what religion is; we have examined it and we understand it. We admit that the Scriptures are excellent books; and the Gospel gives many admirable directions. We are fully of opinion that Christianity is well adapted to produce tranquility and good order, and honesty, and charitable actions, and other valuable fruits among men. And we doubt not that it secures great rewards in reversion to all who lead examplary lives."

On the spiritual nature of true piety, on the intrinsic odiousness of sin, ou the necessity of a change of heart, and on other distinguishing features of the "doctrine which is according to godliness," such persons are commonly silent. They commend religion, as the ten spies commended the land of Canaan, loudly as to some particulars, but with various objections in reserve; objections which in their case weigh, like those of the spies, much more than all the subjects and circumstances of their praise.

"Nevertheless," said the ten spies, "Nevertheless the land through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof." The heart now began to unfold itself. The real disposition began to produce its natural effect upon the conduct. These men had no sure confidence in God. They placed no firm reliance on his promise of protection. They possessed not that fervent love for him, which fills the bosom with a prevailing desire to obey him. They secretly hankered after the flesh pots of Egypt; and did not regard the promised land with all its blessings as worthy of being purchased by the trouble and exertions, which were necessary to obtain it. Hence they looked around for objections, which might serve as excuses for their own disobedience, and might also deter their countrymen from making the attempt. They "brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched, saying, 'It is a land which eateth up the inhabitants thereof." Thus the class of professed Christians now under consideration, men whose desire is to live not unto Christ, but unto themselves, men who acknowledge the truth of the Gospel, but love not the doctrines which it reveals, and still less the holiness which it requires; such men gladly try to shelter

their breach of duty, by bringing up an evil report on a life of godliness. "The service of religion," they exclaim, “is a hard service. It is a service which wears away and consumes those who engage in it." Again; the spics proceed to set forth and to magnify the difficulties which must be sustained, and the obstacles which must be surmounted, previously to the day when the land of Canaan could be secured. "The people," said they, "be strong, they dwell in the land; and the cities are walled and very great. We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we." So these nominal Christians bring forward into notice, and heighten with every extravagance of exaggeration, the trials which attend a Christian life. They describe the temptations against which the Christian has to maintain at conflict, as almost irresistible. "His duty," they cry, "is most severe; his watchfulness unremitting; his labor extreme; his success very doubtful, and in appearance nearly hopeless." "And moreover," continued the spies, "we saw the children of Anak there: there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak which come of the giants." "In addition, too," exclaim the nominal Christians, "to the hardships already enumerated as waiting us in the paths of religion; we there perceive those enemies of happiness, those objects of our abhorrence and our dread, obloquy, mortification and self-denial." 66 Who, (they demand, in the language of St. Paul, but in spirit directly opposite to that by which the Apostle was governed;) Who is sufficient for these things." Inwardly averse to that rightousness which the Scriptures enjoin; they studiously represent it as unattainable, and labor to render it unacceptable. Intent on framing apologies for declining to devote themselves to God; and solicitous to vindicate themselves by the authority and support of companions in sin; they scruple not to delineate the Father of mercies as a hard master; and his service as difficult and toilsome beyond the ability of man, and therefore, as in forgetfulness or contempt of the promised grace of the Holy Spirit they blindly and presumptuously pronounce, exceeding in its prescribed extent the bounds of human duty.

II. "But my servant Caleb," saith the Lord, "had another Spirit with him, and hath followed me fully." He "stilled the people before Moses and said," together with Joshua; “Let us go up at once and possess the land; for we are well able to overcome it. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into VOL. II.-57

Fear them not."

the land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord: neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us. Their defence is departed from them; and the Lord is with us. Caleb had no apprehensions; he looked not around for objections; he raised up no difficulties. And why? Because "he followed the Lord fully." He placed entire confidence in God. He knew that whatever God had promised, he was able to perform. The strong people that dwelt in the land, the cities walled and very great, the sons of Anak who were giants, he regarded as nothing. He beheld with the eye of faith the Lord of hosts going before him to battle, and casting all enemies under his feet. His heart was with his God. He delighted to obey the Divine commands. "Only rebel not ye against the Lord." This was his main desire both for his countrymen and himself. Consequences he left to Omnipotence. His own concern was duty. "All the labors, all the sufferings, to which it may please my heavenly King to summon me, will be lightened by his never failing goodness, and will be abundantly overpaid by his promised inheritance." His heart spoke thus and was at rest.

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Through the grace of God, and it is through that grace alone, there are those among the Christians of our own days who are animated by the spirit of Caleb and of Joshua. They follow the Lord fully. Religion is their choice; holiness their delight. Thoroughly convinced of the truth of God, of the mercies of redemption, of the glories of the world to come, they hesitate not to encounter the toils of Christain warfare. They are not ignorant of the strength of their enemies. They are aware that it is far greater than it is imagined or represented to be by the worldly minded men who refuse to encounter it. "We know," they reply to the deceivers who would persuade them to shrink back from the path of duty; "we know that we have to contend with the flesh and the world; with the corruption of our own hearts; with your evil customs, your scoffs and your snares; with Satan and his angels, the principalities and powers of darkness. But we are ready to set the battle in array. We are ready to go forth in the name of our God. Mightier is he that is with us than he that is against us. His strength is perfected in our weakHis grace is sufficient for us and able to make us more than conquerers through Him that loved us, even through Jesus Christ."

ness.

III. You are now acquainted with the different spirit of two different classes of persons to be found among modern Christians. Which of the two do you judge to be in the right? Which of the two do you esteem the wiser? "Come and let us reason together" on this subject. The Israelites were directed to search out and examine the land of Canaan by means of their spies, before they should attempt to take possession of it. In the same manner Christ admonishes those, who are desirous of becoming his disciples, to "sit down first and count the cost." Not that the Israelites were left at liberty in point of duty to determine for themselves whether they would proceed into Canaan or not. Neither are you left at liberty in point of duty to determine for yourselves whether you will be religious or not. The Israelites were commanded to proceed into Canaan, and you are commanded to be religious, under pain of the wrath of Almighty God. Why then are you required to sit down and count the cost of being religious? For the same reason for which the Israelites were commanded to search out the land of Canaan: namely, that through the promised assistance of Him" from whom is the preparation of the heart," you may prepare your minds beforehand for the task which you have to perform; and may thoroughly understand the greatness of the promised reward.

Do not imagine that for the purpose, as it were, of deluding you into the service of religion I would represent that service as easy. Whatever may be the blessings present or future which it may hold forth; unquestionably it abounds with difliculties, and requires constant and laborious exertion. And what valuable pursuit is there which does not? But with respect to every valu able pursuit the decisive question is not whether difficulties and sacrifices will be compensated by the attainment of the object which you pursue. The husbandman cheerfully gives up his time and case, and submits to watchfulness and hardship, in cultivating his fields: for he hopes for an ample retribution in the harvest. The merchant commits his property to the winds and waves, traverses the ocean, faces the vicissitudes of climates, recoils not from fatigue and danger, from suspense and anxiety: for he looks forward to a cargo, which shall abundantly remunerate his labors. Consider whether the rewards, which religion ensures to her followers, are appropriate to the nature of the service which she demands. But beware of estimating among hardships those things which are blessings.

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