more particular reference to this history, that it is utterly impossible that we can succeed in our spiritual conflict with the enemies of our salvation, except the Lord go with us to it. In this, above all other cases, let us feel, that we must prevail, not by might nor by power of our own, but by the Spirit of the Lord; in every successful issue of the continual contest let us say, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name, be the glory." In this especially we must learn that without him we can do nothing. And yet let us always connect with that humbling sense of our own insufficiency a full assurance that in the Lord we have strength, that his grace is sufficient for us, and that when he is with us, he will make all the powers of the world, of sin, and hell, to flee before us.

4. Lastly, let us learn the danger of neglecting our present opportunities. Had the children of Israel gone up at once to the conquest of Canaan, they had achieved it: when they attempted it afterwards they were too late: God was provoked by their former distrust and disobedience; he therefore left

them to adventure by themselves, and they were greatly discomfited. How apposite is our Lord's intimation that when once the master of the house hath risen up, and hath shut the door, it is in vain to seek admittance ! How useful are the admonitions, "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:" " To-day, while it is called to-day, harden not your hearts." Alas, how many have there been who have neglected their day of grace! There have been times with them when, like Israel on the borders of Canaan, they have seemed to be not far from the kingdom of God; times in which all things appeared ready for them to enter into it. But they were then unwilling; their hearts were not decided for God; they were not prompt to avail themselves of the grace afforded; and therefore they have been sent back; they have plunged again into the world, have wandered therein the remainder of their lives, and lost their souls eternally. This, my brethren, is, I doubt not, a very common Far more than these many thousands of Israel have, since their day, miserably

case.

perished through their fatal neglect of opportunities, which if laid hold of at the time, might have issued in their salvation. Thousands upon thousands have regretted on their deathbeds the days in which they neglected the mercies of Christ, and the grace of the Holy Spirit. They have died in grief and terror, and have left to their surviving relatives an awful uncertainty, to say the very best that can be said, of the eternal condition of their souls. Hear then the wise man's instruction, "Whatever thine hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Let neither sloth, nor cowardice, nor unbelief, nor love of sin and the world, nor any principle that can find a place in a careless, carnal mind, withdraw the purpose of your soul from an immediate obedience to God according to the gospel. You know not how little time you may have wherein to make your choice; and perhaps if the present moment be lost, it may never more be retrievable. Let this be the accepted time, and this the day of salvation; and let every purpose and every energy of your soul be put forth to win Christ, and

to gain possession of the kingdom of God through his sacrifice and righteousness.

My beloved brethren, let me again most earnestly exhort you all to shew a deep submission to the Lord's will in all your afflictions; to lie as penitents before him and make fervent prayers for mercy whenever you have offended; and to give an implicit and immediate obedience to all that he commands you. Otherwise you can never prosper. Whatever plans you adopt, or determinations you form, they will be scattered in the dust, if they be contrary to God, nay, even if they have not his blessing. Believe in and obey the Lord, so shall ye be established in faith and holiness, in peace and hope and joy; believe in and obey his word, so shall ye prosper in every stage of your journey to the rest of heaven. Your enemies shall all be discomfited before you, and you shall take full possession of every part of God's promised kingdom.

SERMON XXVI.

KORAH, DATHAN, AND ABIRAM.

NUMBERS Xvi. 32.

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

THIS chapter gives us an account of a most daring rebellion of some of the Israelites, and of a most terrible judgment inflicted upon them.

We have seen such things

before, but we have seen none like this as yet among the Israelites. The overthrow of the old world by the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire from heaven, and the ruin of Pharaoh and his host by the waters of the Red Sea, have shewn us how God commands the elements to execute his vengeance upon the ungodly; but now we