Difcourfe VII.

ISRAEL'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS, AN EMBLEM OF THE CHRISTIAN'S STATE ON EARTH.

NUMBERS X. 12.

And the children of Ifrael took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud refted in the wilderness of Paran.

HE apoftle Paul obferves,

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that the

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things which happened to Ifrael in the wilderness, happened to them for enfamples, or types and patterns, to us; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." facred writers fometimes allude to their cafe; refer to their deliverance from Egypt, as an emblem of the chriftian's deliverance from the flavery. of fin and Satan; and their entrance upon Canaan, as an emblem

of

of the heavenly state, which all the people of God fhall poffefs. So that I think, my brethren, I am fufficiently juftified in confidering their journeys and ftations in the wildernefs as an emblem of the ftate of God's people while they are paffing through this world. This will give us a very natural and inftructive idea of human life, and fome important hints of caution and encouragement, particularly adapted to the circumstances of aged chriftians.

After God had delivered Ifrael from Egypt, he appointed them to wander forty years in the wildernefs; that he might punish their difobedience, cure them of the idolatry which they had been infected with in Egypt, give them time to learn the laws and ceremonies which he had enjoined them, and train them up, by fubjection and difcipline, for driving out the wicked Canaanites, whofe land they were to poffefs, They had continued long near mount Sinai, where the law was given; and the text tells us, that they took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai, and the cloud, which directed their march, refted in the wilderness of Paran," where they were to

encamp.

encamp. This wilderness of Paran was a vast defert; it was eleven days journey over; and most of their stations, though called by particular names, were in that wilderness. So that we may naturally confider their ftate, during this period, as an emblem of the chriftian's state while, on earth. The fubject of our difcourfe, therefore, will be this reflection, that,

While we are in this world, we are paffing through a wildernéfs; and our removes in it are only from one wilderness to another.

The chriftian is travelling from Egypt, from fpiritual flavery, to the heavenly Ca naan, and all his journey is through a wil dernefs. The men of this world will object to, and diflike, the comparifon, because the world is their portion, their all. But thofe whofe chief bufinefs and governing defire is to get to heaven, and who have their converfation there, will acknowledge the em blem to be juft, will dwell on it with pleafure, and derive instruction from it. The juftice of this reflection will appear from feriously confidering, that the prefent ftate rolf TA

1

is to the true chriftian, on many accounts, an uncomfortable a dangerous and an unfettled ftate.This world is like a wilderness, as, 4001

...

1. It is an uncomfortable ftate.

The wildernefs was fo to Ifrael, both on account of the inconveniences they met with in it, and the goodnefs of the country to which they were going, and where they defired and longed to be. The wilderness

of Paran was a dry, fandy defert. It is cal led in fcripture, "a terrible wilderness, a land of deferts and pits, a land of drought, and of the Shadow of death, a land that no man paffed through, and where no man dwelt." And travellers give us the fame account of it. Such is earth to the people of God. Their ftate here is reprefented in fcripture as a pilgrimage; they are Strangers and fojourners on earth; few and evil are the days of their pilgrimage; yea, they are full of trouble. The temptations which furround them, the body of death which cleaves to them, fin and corruption that ftill dwell in them, are their greatest burdens, and make their journey toilfome. Afflictions

Afflictionsland troubles of various kinds, too many to be reckoned up, are a painful exercise, from which they are feldom free. Bodily diforders hinder them: from active fervice, and comfortable enjoyment. Their disappointed hopes and expectations diftrefs their minds, and (poil their pleasure. The want of earthly enjoyments is their unt eafinefs, and oftentimes their reproach: and, if they have much of the world, it is fo far from making them happy, that it increafeth their cares and anxieties. They have many vexations from their fellow-travellers; from those of the fame tribe, and fometimes: from those of the fame tent and family. They would be ferviceable to others; but either have it not in their power, or others will not permit or receive their friendly attempts; and they often meet with base and ungrateful returns for real fervices. The darkness of their own minds, to which it is owing that they know fo little of God, of Chrift, of themfelves, of religion, and a future state, is a grievance to them and the imperfection of their own graces giveth them many forFrows of heart. They have various com

forts,