146 REFOrtMATION OF MANNE*S. christian state : Their release from the house of bondage, and` their march through the wilderness to Canaaan, was a shadow of our rescue from the slavery of sin, and our travels through this desart world to theheavenly country. Their rebellions and mur- murings, their fiery serpents and destructive plagueswhich swept them away by thousands, were but a. figure of our sins and'sor- rows, our backslidings and divine judgments. This is evident to those who will read and believe what St. Paul writes to the Corinthians ; 1 Cor. x. 1 -11. Where, after he hadbriefly re- counted their transgressions and punishments, he asserts, verse 11. that all these things happened unto themfbr'examples, or types, as it is in the original ; or these things fell out typically, -rveroco , as the Alexandrine manuscript in the royal library bids us read it ; and they are written for our admonition, upon whoa: the ends of the world are come. The enemies they met with in their way, represent those sinners thatvex the christian church in its journey through this mortal state ; and Amalek may well figure out the biggest impi- eties, the most daring and profane wretches, against whom it concerns a christian tomake his utmost efforts : For these were the people that came first out against Israel,just after their escape from the hand of Pharaoh : They came out with violence and- without any provocation ; they were those against whom the- Lord- ware he would have everlasting war; verse 16. or such whose hand was lifted up against the throne of the Lord, as some translate this phrase. It is adescription of sins and sinners of a bold and impious character, that fight directly against heaven and holiness, against the light of nature and the laws of God and nations : Such as the Lord bath resolved that the remem- brance of them shall utterly be blotted out; verse 14. It is against such iniquities, and such transgressors, immor- alities and wickednesses of the biggest size, that you have taken up arms, who appoint and attend this season ofworship ; and my soul shall rejoice if ye may be this, day animated to pursue the war. Now let us take a survey of the several persons that are placed in their proper posts and offices in this warfare against Amalek. Here is Moses, Aaron, and Hur, Joshua, and the chosen roen of Israel. Moses the law-giver, the supreme magistrate : ' He was king in Jeshuron when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together;" Deut. xxxiii. 4, 5. He gave orders to Joshua to fight the Amalekites, while himself stood on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in his hand. This may be called a rod of authority and command, whereby his orders were continued : It was a sceptre in the hand of Moses, and the most powerful one thatever was held by a prince : It was
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