Some chiefs have so attached and inspired their troops, that they would plunge into any enterprise, or follow them into any danger. It was said proverbially at Rome, that it was unbecoming a Roman soldier to fear while Cæsar was alive. It is much more unworthy a Christian soldier to fear while Christ is alive; for, because, says he, I live, ye shall live also. When Antigonus heard some of his troops rather despondingly say, How many are coming against us? he asked-But, my soldiers, how many do you reckon me for? And whenever we think of our foes, and then of the Captain of our salvation, we may truly say, More are they that be with us than they that be with them. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Who goes before us? Who teaches our hands to war, and our fingers to fight? Who provides for us? Who renews our strength? What limits have his wisdom and power? Did he ever lose an action yet? or a single private in his army?

And let me think of the certainty of the issue. Fear unnerves: but it would make a hero of a coward to assure him in the conflict that he should overcome. This can rarely or never be done in other contentions: for nothing is so doubtful as the result of battle. Prudence, therefore, says, Let not him that putteth on the harness boast himself like him that putteth it off-But the Christian enters the field under peculiar advantage. However trying or lengthened the struggle may be, he fights not uncertainly. Yea, in all these things we are more than conquerors!

For what will be the result of success? What do other victors gain? How precarious, how unsatisfying, how poor, how mean, the rewards of the world's

warriors, compared with the acquisitions of the good soldiers of Jesus Christ! He that overcometh shall inherit all things!

JULY 4.-MORNING.

"Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim."

EXOD. xvii. 8.

THOUGH God had relieved the people in their pres sure when there was no water for them to drink, yet they had offended and provoked him by their rebellious murmurings. Moses therefore, to perpetuate the memory of their guilt, as well as of their deliverance, gave a new name to the place: "He called it Massah and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, saying, Is the Lord among us or not?"-And may we not suppose that the present attack upon them was permitted of God, to rebuke and correct them for their sin? For men are his instruments: he controls them when they act most freely; and he employs them righteously when they act against us unjustly. He can also punish them, even when they fulfil his pleasure; for he judges them according to their motives and designs, and not according to the effects their actions produce by his overruling interposition. "O Assyrian! the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy

Therefore shall the

and cut off nations not a few. Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of fire."

These Amalekites have been supposed to be the descendants of Esau: but we read of them in the days of Chedorlaomer; and Balaam calls Amalek "the first of the nations." They possessed at this time a large tract of country, extending from the confines of Idumea to the western shore of the Red Sea. When therefore Israel crossed over, they were obliged to approach their borders: but they offered them no injury or provocation; and instead of invading their territory, they were turning away from it. We know not what actuated Amalek to assault them; whether it was the hope of plunder, or a wish for military renown, or pure maliciousness. But from the book of Deuteronomy it appears that his conduct was as mean as it was wicked, and as dastardly as it was cruel: for, not daring to engage them in front, he waited his opportunity, and smote the hindmost of them, even all that were feeble behind them; and when they were faint and weary, alike incapable of resistance or flight.

The detail of the action on the part of Israel is worthy our attention. They were not only justified in having recourse to arms, but they wisely managed the measure. Though they were a people conducted by the Almighty, who had miraculously saved them in Egypt, and delivered them at the Red Sea, and provided them with flesh at Zin, and water where they now were, nothing supernatural is here thought of. Miracles were never intended to be employed where ordinary means were at hand, and sufficient for the

purpose. "Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to-morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill." Here we have a fine example of activity and reliance: the sword in the hand of Joshua; the rod in the hand of Moses: the host fighting in the vale as if every thing depended on their strenuousness; the interceder pleading on the hill, as if all was to be accomplished by Divine agency. To use means without neglecting trust in God, and to trust in God without omitting the use of means-this is the test of a proper state of mind in religion; this is the union recommended by our Lord and his Apostle. "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation:" "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure."

Behold Moses and Joshua on this occasion in their respective departments; and see in what various and suitable ways God qualifies and employs his servants. We should not oppose good and useful men to each other, or even improperly compare them together. We should view them all in reference to their com mission, their work, and their adaptation-Then they are equally respectable. Each has his own calling and work. It would be absurd to extol the valour of Joshua at the expense of piety in Moses; or to extol the piety of Moses at the expense of valour in Joshua. It was not for want of courage that Moses prayed; or for want of devotion that Joshua fought-It was the same spirit that actuated the supplicant and the

warrior. But "as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." If all were the eye, where were the hearing? and if all were the ear, where were the seeing? It is enough for the eye to see, and the ear to hear, and the foot to walk. It would not be for the beauty and welfare of society that every excellence should be found in the same individuals; and it will always be in vain to look for it.

As nothing like our artillery was then used in fight, a person might safely place himself near enough to survey the scene-Thus Moses was stationed on the brow of a rising ground just by, and within viewAnd how encouraging must it have been to Israel, as they advanced to battle, to look up and see him with his arms extended, and holding in his hand the signal of omnipotence! "Yonder," would they say, "yonder is lifted up the wonder-working rod which has performed so many exploits for us. Yonder is the man who has power with God, and can prevail, imploring for us succour and success."

"And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed." This was to shew him that the excellency of the power was of God, and not of them; and that means, however good and proper in themselves, are nothing without the concurring agency of Heaven.

But where are the knees that never tremble, and the hands that never hang down? In another world we shall serve God as we ought, and according to our desire; but in our present state, and while we have