So these nominal land of Canaan could be fecured. The peo-. ple, faid they, be strong, that 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. Chriftians eagerly bring forward unto notice, and heighten with every extravagance of exaggeration, the trials which attend a Chriftian life. They defcribe the temptations, against which the Chriftian has to maintain a conflict, as almoft irrefiftible. His duty," they cry, "is moft fevere; his watchfulness “unremitting; his labour extreme; his fuc"cefs very doubtful, and in appearance nearly "hopeless." And moreover, continued the fpies, we faw the children of Anak there: there we faw the giants, the fons of Anak which come of the giants. "In addition too," exclaim the nominal Chriftians, " to the hardships al 66 ready enumerated as awaiting us in the paths of religion; we there perceive those "detefted enemies of human happiness, those "objects of our abhorrence and our dread, "mortification and felf-denial. Who," they demand, in the language of St. Paul, but in fpirit directly oppofite to that by which the apoftle was governed; "Who is fufficient "for these things?" Inwardly averfe to that rightcoufnefs which the Scriptures enjoin; they They had not that fervent love for him, which fills the bofom with a prevailing defire to obey him. They fecretly hankered after the flesh-pots of Egypt: and did not regard the promised land with all its bleffings as worthy of being purchased by the trouble and exertions, which were neceffary in order to obtain it. Hence they looked around for objections, which might ferve as excufes for their own difobedience, and might also deter their countrymen from making the attempt. They brought up an evil report on the land which they had fearched; faying, It is a land which eateth up the inhabitants thereof. Thus the class of profeffed Chriftians now under confideration, men whose desire is to live not unto Chrift, but unto themselves; men who acknowledge the truth of the gofpel, but love not the doctrines which it reveals, and still lefs the holiness which it requires; such men gladly try to fhelter their breach of duty by bringing up an evil report on a life of godlinefs. "The fervice of religion," they exclaim, "is a hard fervice. It is a fervice which wears away and confumes thofe who engage in it." Again; the fpies proceeded to fet forth and to magnify the difficulties which must be suftained, and the obftacles which must be furmounted, previously to the day when the land land of Canaan could be fecured. The peo- 66 objects of our abhorrence and our dread, "mortification and felf-denial. Who," they demand, in the language of St. Paul, but in a spirit directly oppofite to that by which the apoftle was governed; "Who is fufficient "for these things?" Inwardly averse to that rightcoufnefs which the Scriptures enjoin; they 4 they ftudiously reprefent it as unattainable, and labour to render it unacceptable. Intent on framing apologies for declining to devote themselves to God; and folicitous to vindicate themfelves by the authority and, fupport of companions in fin: they scruple not to delineate the Father of mercies as a hard Mafter; and his fervice as difficult and toilfome beyond the ability of man, and therefore, as in forgetfulness or contempt of the promised grace of the Holy Spirit they blindly and prefumptuously pronounce, exceeding in its prescribed extent the bounds of human duty. II. But my fervant Caleb, faith the Lord, had another Spirit with him, and hath followed me fully. He filled the people before Mofes, and faid, together with Jofhua; Let us go up at once and poffefs the land: for we are well able to overcome it. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into 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. Fear them not. Caleb had no apprehenfions; he looked not around for objections; he raifed up no difficulties. And why? Because he followed the Lord Lord fully. He placed entire confidence in God. He knew that whatever God promised, he was able to perform. The ftrong people that dwelt in the land, the cities walled and very great, the fons of Anak who were giants, he regarded as nothing. He beheld with the eye of faith the Lord of hofts going before him to battle, and cafting down 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 defire both for his countrymen and for himfelf. To the protection of the God whom he loved, he committed himself. Confequences he left to Omnipotence. His own concern was duty. "All the labours, all the fufferings, to which "it may please my heavenly King to fummon me, will be lightened by his never-failing "goodnefs, and will be abundantly overpaid "by his promifed inheritance." His heart spoke thus; and was at reft. Through the grace of God, and it is through that grace alone, there are thofe among the Chriftians of cur own days who are animated by the fpirit of Caleb and of Joshua. They follow the Lord fully. Religion is their choice; holinefs their delight. Thoroughly convinced of the truth of God, of. |