And as the word is nigh us, even in our mouth, and in our heart, let us cleave unto the Lord our God; and serve him in sincerity and truth; with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind, and with a pure conscience; (e) for he is more ready to hear than we are to pray, and more willing to give than we can desire or deserve, and will not withhold from the least of his followers any of those spiritual or temporal mercies we so often need. And were we called, like the Israelites, to travel through the wilderness, no doubt bread would be given us from heaven; and the desert would smile and blossom as the rose.

May we not yield to murmuring, and the desire of evil things as they also desired them, and thereby bring upon ourselves the justice and vengeance of the Almighty; for they forgot not the onions and garlick of Egypt. Neither must we desire to return

(e) Josh. 23. 8. : 24. 14.

1 Chron. 28.9.

2 Tim. 1. 3.

to those beggarly elements in which we were in bondage, as the refined delights and pleasures of this world; but we must cast them to the moles and to the bats; that the body of sin may be destroyed, and that we may rise and walk in newness of life. Many sorrows, says David, shall be to the wicked; but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. (f)

(f) Ps. 32. 10.

Journey XX. v. 17.

And they departed from Kibroth Hattaavah, and encamped at Hazeroth.

HAZEROTH, from Roth, to tremble, trembling, &c. This may represent of what we read in the 12th chapter of Numbers, where Aaron and Miriam spake against Moses; for which the Almighty smote Miriam with leprosy, and she was shut out of the camp seven days. The not being permitted to come into the presence of Him, who is represented as dwelling among the Israelites, must have been felt as a severe punishment. How great is the suffering of sitting in spiritual darkness to a soul that knows the value and great consolation of communion with the Father of Light, who knows no variableness nor shadow of turning. Is it not highly necessary to examine well into our hearts, and to see if we are earnestly endeavouring to escape that land of darkness from which we can never return; and repent and live? For the righteous

Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. (g) The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him; (h) but to all those that work wickedness, he says, depart from me, I know you not whence ye are. (i) We do not present our supplications before thee, O God, for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. (j) If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight. (k)

May we present our supplication to the Almighty as the Prophet Habakkuk, and say, O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years; in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. (1) O God, my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. (h) Ps. 147. 11.

(g) Ps. 11. 7.

(i) Luke, 13. 27. (j) Dan. 9. 18. (k) 1 John, 3, 21, 22.

(1) Hab. 3. 2.
R

Journey XV. v. 18.

And they departed from Hazeroth, and pitched in Rithmah.

RITHMAH, from Rithen, to bind.* It was here the ten spies brought up an evil report of the good land which caused the people to murmur against Moses and Aaron. Their anger burned against them like coals of juniper ; for they said, Let us make a captain, and return into Egypt.

*The above place was probably so called, from the quantity of the Genista or Spanish Broom growing in that part of the wilderness; and from the toughness or tenacity of its twigs being so great, they were used for withs to bind; and "the Italians, in our days, weave baskets of its slender branches."

+ Parkhurst says, when speaking of the 4th verse of the 20th Psalm, The coals of Rithmin are mentioned either as affording the fiercest fire of any fuel that the Psalmist met with in the Desert, or because, according to Geierus, the Spanish genista or rethama, sparkles, burns, and crackles, more vehemently than other wood."