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it is in our power to mercy of that Jehovah,

arouse such persons to a sense of guilt and danger, or to work in them any effectual change, but commend them to the who "keepeth not his anger for ever;" and in his abundant mercy his gracious promise may be fulfilled, "It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." And transporting indeed must be the feelings with which on that day we shall behold the sinner, who has had an interest in our prayers, plucked from the jaws of eternal destruction, lifting up his head with joy, for his full redemption draweth nigh, and become a participator in that saving grace, which reigns "through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

SERMON XI.

THE WATERS OF MARAH.

EXODUS Xv 23-25.

"And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were

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bitter therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet."

"WHEN Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion; the sea saw it and fled, Jordan was driven back." With such exulting language the Psalmist celebrates the mighty wonders wrought for his forefathers by that gracious Shepherd who led them through the wilderness like a flock, in whose

hands Moses and Aaron were but humble instruments to perform his pleasure, and to reveal his will.

The whole history of the Israelites strikingly exemplifies the base ingratitude of man on the one hand, and the infinite mercy of God on the other; and it is humiliating to read of the reiterated murmurings and rebellious conduct of that stiff-necked people, and to reflect at the same time that Jehovah had revealed himself as their God, and had vouchsafed tokens the most incontrovertible of his love and favour towards

them.

The passage before us most forcibly illustrates the disposition of the children of Israel; the faith of their commander; and the power and goodness of God: it affords also much important instruction; "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." May the few reflections now made upon it be blessed for our spiritual edification and improvement. May they incline us to bow with the most entire submission to every dispensation of the Almighty's will, and to look to him for that comfort and support which it is in vain to expect from any other source.

The first point deserving our notice in the transaction before us, is the disposition mani

fested by the children of Israel. "When they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?" These waters are mentioned by ancient writers as well as by travellers of modern times. At a short distance from the Red Seasuch a distance as may be calculated as a journey of three days-bitter springs have been discovered, and thus the truth of the Mosaic statement respecting the march through the wilderness is powerfully confirmed. The Israelites had received good at the hand of the Lord, but they were unwilling to receive evil. It was but lately that they had celebrated the praises of Jehovah, for the wonders wrought in their behalf. Three days only had elapsed since the shores of the Red Sea had re-echoed with the shout of victory. "The Lord is my strength and song; he is become my salvation; he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him." Alas, how soon were these benefits forgotten! The Red Sea had indeed stood up as a heap, while the Israelites had passed through in safety; its overwhelming waters had swept off Pharaoh and his mighty men of war; the depths had covered them; and yet, notwithstanding this most miraculous inter

position in their favour, no sooner were they in want of water, or rather, found water disagreeable to their taste, than they "murmured against Moses," and in thus murmuring complained against God. Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, had taken a timbrel in her hand, and all the women had gone out after her with timbrels and dances; but the voice of joy had yielded to that of sullen murmur, and the Lord, who had triumphed gloriously, by whom the horse and his rider had been thrown into the sea, was no longer an object of adoration. As before they blamed Moses, saying, "Because there were no graves in Egypt hast thou brought us out to die in the wilderness ?" so now the language of complaint was again uttered.

Are there not, it may be asked, too many among ourselves who act a part no less presumptuous and rebellious? We are too ungrateful to our heavenly Father for the common comforts and conveniences of life; to that Father who, remembering that we are dust, continually exercises the most watchful care over us, whose tender mercy is new to us every morning, and experienced by us at every moment. It is in him that we live, and move, and have our being. It is from him, the bestower of every good gift, and of every perfect gift, the benefits, as unmerited as innumerable, flow. His mercy is displayed in

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