AN BUMBLE ATTEBtrr, Ac. only the first of these divine writings given them, without a se- cond to explain it : how much therefore should our faith and our hope, our loveand our holiness transcend the virtu-es and graces of a Jew. And yet,' alas ! how greatly does our piety, our zeal, our self- government, our single and social virtues, and our universal holiness fall short ofthose degrees to which some of those Jewish saints attained ?. Which of' us can compare with the first of their leaders, Moses, the servant of God, in an unwearied attendance upon the commands of his Lord, in opposition to all the threaten - ings of the King of Egypt and the murmurings of his own peo- ple Israel ? Which of us would have shewn such meekness in bearing so many indignities and alhionts from au ungrateful race of men, whom he had rescued from the brick kilns and task- masters and cruel bondage? Which of us follow God so fully as Caleb and Joshua did, and could bear such an undaunted testimonyto the truth of his word, and the excellency of the pro- mised blessings, in opposition to the clamours of a whole nation, and the danger of being stoned upon the spot? How few are there in the present age of christians who are so well acquainted with the efficacy and success of prayer as Hannah the mother of Samuel, who poured out her petitions before God, and left her cares and her burthens there, and went away and was no more sad? When shall any of us arise to the blessed-experiences of David ? When shall we live so much by faith as he did, and tri- umph over all our fears, even in the midst of enemies, dangers and distresses ? When shall we arrive at such a humble, holy intimacy with God, as to walk with him all the day long, and communicate with him all our concerns, our comforts, our dan- gers and our, difficulties, and be able to rejoice in hope as he did? How far are the ways of his faith and love above ours, like the way of an eagle in the air, too high and too hard for us? When shall our zeal for the Mouse of God carry us to sùéh a pious solicitude about it as his did ? And when shall we feel such longing desires and insatiable thirstings after the presence of God in holy ordinances as he found ? Which of us can say with the humble sph it of Micah, vii, 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he arise andplead my cause ? Or where is the christian that can assume the words of Habakkuk, iii. 17. with the same spirit of faith ? Though there be nofruit in the field, nor herds in the stall, yet will I rejoice in the Lord, andjoy in the God of my salvation. But it is time to proceed to some other characters that belong to us, and wherein we enjoy advantages for holiness superior to others ; for it is a most evident andheavy reproach upon us, that either Jews or heathens should exceed us in any instances of the religious or civil life. II. We are prolestants and not papists; and what progress
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