of Jesus Christ, denoting him to be the only procurer of our happiness, and our only peace maker with God, and, he adds that the word importeth a Saviour.

Secondly, And the tabernacle of the congregation was set up at Shiloh, where it remained until the death of Eli, a term comprising no less than three hundred and forty-nine years. This tabernacle is one of the proudest themes upon which Moses expatiates. It was here that God promised to meet with him, Exodus xxv. 22, "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee, from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims, which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel."

Thirdly, Joshua upbraideth the people on account of their indifference respecting their entrance into possession of the land which the LORD God of their fathers had given them. Judges xviii. 19, "And they said unto him, hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father, and a priest Is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe or a family in Israel?” Proverbs xv. 19, "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.”

Fourthly, Joshua directs that three men should be selected from every tribe, that they should proceed to survey the land, and afterwards return to him at Shiloh, that he may submit the lot of every tribe to the inspection of Deity.

Fifthly, The Levites have no part or lot with the people, and, for this reason, the LORD is their inheritance. Deuteronomy x. 9, "Wherefore, Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him. Lamentations iii. 24, "The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”

Sixthly, Verse tenth. "And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh, before the LORD; and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel, according to their division."

REMARKS.

First, The people are brought together in Shiloh. Shiloh, to whom the gathering of the people should be. Secondly, The tabernacle is in Shiloh. Hebrews viii. 2, "A minister of the

sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the LORD pitched and not man." Thirdly, Though the blessed antitype of Joshua has given us to know that all the promises respecting spiritual blessings, are secure in him, yet they cannot enjoy this assurance until they enter into rest by believing; and as believing is the result of knowledge, for we certainly believe as much as we know, Joshua exhorts the people to appoint certain persons to make discoveries which may confirm their faith. Fourthly, It is Jesus, in the kingdom of his peace, who divides the inheritance, and that not according to personal excellence, but according to their divisions.

SKETCH XLV.

JOSHUA XX.

First, THE LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, speak to the children of Israel, saying, appoint out to you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by Moses. Numbers xxxv. 13, "And of these cities which ye shall give, six cities shall ye have for refuge."

Secondly, These cities were appointed not for the Israelites only, but also for strangers.

Thirdly, Whatever those cities were literally to the Hebrews, and to strangers, God is spiritually, both to Jews and Gentiles. Thus Moses taught the people; Deuteronomy xxxiii. 27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Psalm ix. 9, 10, "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble. And they that know thy name will trust in thee." Psalm xlvi. 1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm xlviii. 3, "God is known as a refuge in her palaces." Psalm lvii. 1, "Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Psalm lix. 16, "Thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble." Psalm lxii. 8, "God is a refuge for us. Selah." Psalm cxlii. 5, "Thou art

my refuge and my portion in the land of the living." Isaiah iv.. 6, "And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm, and from rain." Jeremiah xvi. 19, "O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction; the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth.”

Fifthly, Christ is the christian's refuge, Hebrews vi. 18, "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us."

REMARKS.

First, God directs Joshua to speak to the people, and remind them of what Moses directed them. Thus did his divine antitype upon every occasion-The words I speak I received of my Father. Secondly, The people were directed to appoint those cities of refuge, long before the necessity for such asylums existed. Thus was grace given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began. Thirdly, Personal and present safety depended upon their fleeing to, and entering into those cities of refuge; and their peace and security depended upon their continuance in those cities. Thus the christian must not only lay hold on the hope set before him, but he must continue in faith, holding fast the profession of his faith without wavering; and his sense of salvation, and consequent happiness, is only attained by believing.

SKETCH XLVI.

JOSHUA xxi. 1—8.

First, "THEN HEN came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazer the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel; And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, the LORD commanded, by the hand of Moses, to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle."

Let us inquire what were the commands of God to Moses? Numbers xxxiv. 17, "These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you, Eleazer, the priest, and Joshua, the son of Nun." And chapter xxxv. 2, “Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possessions, cities to dwell in; and ye shall give unto the Levites, suburbs for the cities, round about them."

Secondly, The children of Israel while under the influence of the divine spirit, hasten to obey the command of the LORD communicated to them by his servant Moses.

Thirdly, The first lot came out for the children of Aaron, and the first division of their lot was from the tribe of Judah; and the rest in their order according to their lots.

Fourthly, And the children of Israel gave by lot these cities with their suburbs unto the Levites, as the LORD commanded Moses. Numbers xxxv. 4, "And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city, and outward, a thousand cubits round about."

Fifthly, Verse 43, "And God gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers, and they possessed it, and dwelt therein." Luke xxi. 33, "Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away." Titus i. 2, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."

Sixthly, Verse 45, "There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass." Chapter xxiii. 14-16, "And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth; and ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; and all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Therefore, it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall VOL. III.

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perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you."

REMARKS.

First, God taketh care of his servants. Matthew x. 10, "Take no scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat." 1 Timothy, v. 17, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in word and doctrine.” 1 Corinthians, ix. 10, "Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written that he that plougheth should plough in hope; and he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope." Secondly, God is a promise performing God. Thirdly, He that believeth must not make haste. It is good that we both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God. Fourthly, It is for the called of God, as was Aaron, that God engageth to provide. Fifthly, This provision is made through the instrumentality of his people, whose hearts he disposes to act as his almoners. Lastly, God will perform all the good words which he hath spoken.

SKETCH XLVII.

JOSHUA Xxii.

First, JOSHUA SHUA sendeth away the two tribes and a half tribe with a blessing; and he said unto them, ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you to keep, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. This declaration, made by Joshua, would seem incredible, did not the scriptures guide us in our inquiries. Numbers xxxii. 20-22, "And Moses said unto them, if ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, and go all of you armed over Jordan until he hath driven out his enemies from before him; and the land be subdued before the LORD; then, afterwards, ye shall return and be guiltless before the LORD."