of their sin is death,-death temporal, as the penal inheritance of their sinful nature; death eternal, as the personal and awful punishment of their sinful and impenitent lives.

In conclusion, my brethren, I would remind you, that in the text everything is set before us which is worthy to call into action the two great principles within us, of fear and hope; the broad road which leadeth to destruction, is here placed side by side with the narrow path to glory;— the grace of God is in this passage opposed to the wages of sin; happiness, in fact, is opposed to misery-heaven to hellGod's blessing to Satan's curse. I would repeat to you, therefore, the words of Joshua-"Choose you this day whom ye will serve. Yea, choose even this day who shall be your master-what your portion. Let not time rob you of the best hours of your life, ere you have pondered the steps you are taking,-the * Joshua xxiv. 15.

guidance you are under,-the end

you are of your

Let not

approaching. Let not the years earthly pilgrimage speed so hastily away, without witnessing your increased efforts to renounce the service and wages of sin, and to attain the gift of God. your heart, in its natural deceitfulness, beguile you to put off from day to day, and year to year, the consideration of your final destiny. While it is called today, every offer of grace and mercy is made to you. "Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”* "The night cometh

when no man can work."

And "how then shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation."

Lay these things to heart, my brethren, in earnest prayer for God's blessing. When Joshua's question was proposed to the children of Israel, "the people answered and said: God forbid that we should forsake the Lord.-The Lord our * Prov. xxvii. 1. † John ix. 4. Heb. ii. 3.

God will we serve; and his voice will we obey." May such be the spirit of your minds; may you, with equal promptness, decide upon the same choice, and have grace and power consistently to maintain it; and when this world to you is closing in the darkness of the grave, God grant that you may feel and say with DavidMy flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever."†

* Joshua xxiv. 16, 24

† Psalm lxxiii. 26.

68

SERMON IV.

ON THE DIVINE PROTECTION.

JOSHUA i. 5.

"As I WAS WITH MOSES, SO I WILL BE WITH THEE :— I WILL NOT FAIL THEE, nor FORSAKE THEE."

THESE are not the words of man;-too great is the spirit of confidence and power which they breathe, for aught that appertains to his frail and fleeting nature;they are the words of God;-they come to us in clothing of divine authority; and while we read them, a voice within us. seems to whisper-" Thus saith the Lord. Jehovah."

Under circumstances of great and peculiar historical interest was this gracious announcement made. The promise which he Almighty had given to Moses in dis

pleasure, was at this time fulfilled; and although "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated;" although none of the usual warnings of approaching dissolution were evident in him- his strength and health unimpaired,—yet a cloud of divine threatening had long rested over his head; and at the time when the promised land was even in view, and the hopes of Israel near their completion and accomplishment, was their great prophet and leader summoned to pay the penalty of disobedience, yield his life to the great Being who gave it, and his command amongst the hosts of Israel to him whom the God of Israel chose as his successor.

An imperfect acquaintance with the wanderings of the Hebrews in the wilderness, up to this time, is sufficient to show how important was the command entrusted to Moses, and how trying and arduous were very many of the situations in which he was placed. Utterly impossible is it for * Deuteronomy xxxiv. 7.