feel, that nothing earthly can content you? Oh that you may feel it!--you are then prepared to welcome Christ, and his life-giving waters of salvation.

II. The rock in Horeb WAS A MOST IMPROBABLE

MEANS OF RELIEF.

I know indeed that, in countries like our own, the springs of water generally take their course along a rocky bed below the surface of the ground. But in those sandy deserts the case is far otherwise. The rock of Horeb was a large mass of stone, projecting above ground; it only increased the desolation of the prospect, and confirmed the previous appearances of complete barrenness and drought.

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And such were the gloomy anticipations of many, to whom Jesus the Son of Mary offered himself as their Redeemer. Scribes and Pharisees were offended at his personal meanness-the son of a carpenter ! no worldly show! "No form nor comeliness!" 1 • How shall this man save us?"-His own disciples were continually stumbled; and at last they seem to have despaired of help from him; on his apprehension, "they all forsook him and fled. " 3 "We trusted that

it had been he which should have redeemed Israel."4— Learned Gentiles heard with scorn, that one executed as a malefactor was to be received as King of the world; and his religion seemed to them as a mere piece of " foolishness." 5-Nay, even to this day, Christ is a Saviour from whom men will hope nothing, expect nothing, and therefore seek nothing, till they are compelled. Though guilt upbraids,

though the broken law threatens, though sin and Satan urge their cruel tyranny within the heart, men will still try to save themselves—nay, many will go without salvation-rather than come to Christ.

A

simple faith in Jesus, for full pardon, and for renewing grace, appears so improbable a method, that very few can be induced to make the trial.-Again,

III. IT REQUIRED TO BE SMITTEN, ERE IT GAVE

A SUPPLY.

The rock was at hand, but there it might have remained to this day, a witness and a monument of the universal death of that vast congregation, had not Moses, by divine command, raised his rod and smitten it then indeed, "the water gushed forth, and the streams overflowed." 1

men.

And how exactly did this action typify the suffering Redeemer of souls! It was not by his wonderful miracles-no, nor by his heavenly instructions-that Jesus provided salvation for us; but by his sufferings and death. Some persons seem to regard his death as the termination of his merciful labours and as brought about merely by the wicked hands of wicked But this was in fact the one great work, for which he came into the world. All the rest was but secondary, and preparatory to this. Moreover, his enemies, wicked as their own intentions were, only fulfilled what God's hand had determined before to be done. Read the whole fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, noticing especially those words,-" It pleased the Lord to bruise him,” and-" by his stripes we are healed.” --Read also Zech. xiii. 7.- Not only therefore Christ was smitten; but he was to be smitten. He himself once asked, Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?"2 -Here then let us fix our attention?" Behold the" wounded "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!" 3 And while you still are amazed at the mystery of this condescension, say with St.

'Ps. lxxviii. 20. 2 Luke xxiv. 26.

3. John i. 29.

Paul, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!" 1

IV. IT YIELDED A SUPPLY, ABUNDANT, EFFECTUAL, LASTING.

"For

For such a host as was encamped there, no ordinary stream of water would be required: but here was enough and to spare; and it satisfied every parched tongue, for the murmuring instantly ceased. Nay more, it appears to have followed them for forty years, in all their wanderings. Once indeed, towards the end of that period, the supply of water was again suspended-to try their faith, and to shew their unbelief: but it flowed again from another rock, at the command of the Lord; when Moses incurred his displeasure by again smiting, where he should only have spoken. And such, brethren, is the supply of spiritual blessings, which is treasured up in Christ Jesus. it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."2 His Gospel contains the most ample resources for our peace, consolation, holiness, hope, gladness, and victory over spiritual enemies. Yes! whatsoever good thing thy soul lusteth after, all is to be found in Christ.-Moreover, whom he supplies, he satisfies. Not but that the believer is still thirsting for more; but he thirsts for nothing else—for he finds that the water of life is "drink indeed," filling him with happiness, inconceivable and glorious.--And shall he fear that the spring will ever cease and be dry? He ceases to be a true believer, if he admit such a thought, "Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever."4 Having loved his own, he loves them to the end; carries them safe through the wilderness--guards them in their passage over Jordan-welcomes them to the Canaan where he himself dwells; never intermitting 1 Gal. vi. 14. 2 Col. i. 19. 3 John vi. 55. 4 Hebrews xiii. 8.

the "spiritual drink," until they reach the "land flowing with milk and honey.”

Finally, the rock in Horeb represented the Saviour of sinners, in that

V. IT SAVED THE LIVES OF REBELS, IF THEY WOULD BUT DRINK.

The Israelites were those rebels: for oh! how provoking to the Lord was that distrust, which led them to murmur at the first approach of difficulty, after they had had such distinguished proofs of his power and love in delivering them from Egypt! Yet he pardons even this, and gives the relief they need.

In like manner, every thought and deed of ours in quest of happiness, till we come to Christ, is rebellion against God. Our looking to the creature for help, is idolatry our discontent is murmuring against the allbountiful Father. Nevertheless, even to rebels like us, Christ is still calling, "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink!" What marvellous !grace But take heed lest this grace should, after all, be lost upon you, by your refusing or neglecting to come to him. You may behold the life giving stream, may admire it, may recommend it; but what avail, if you yourself still let it pass untasted? "Repent then, and believe the Gospel ! "2

And above all, while you use the tokens of this grace, which have been appointed by Jesus Christ, beware lest you overlook, as thousands of Israel did, the thing signified. While you say of the Holy Communion,That Sacrament is Christ-that bread is his body, that wine is his blood'-see that ye be not content with only the visible bread and wine. • FEED ON HIM in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving;' and may he be to you spiritual food—“ meat indeed, and drink indeed!"

1 John vii. 37.

2 Mark i. 15.

SERMON IV.

JEREMIAH iv. 14.-How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

On the first hearing of these words, apart from the connection in which they stand, you might naturally suppose them to be the language of indignant impatience and displeasure; but they are in truth dictated by a more compassionate feeling. They come in as a pathetic remonstrance, interrupting the course of some of the most awful threatenings. In the midst of these alarming declarations, the pity of the Lord interposes for an instant with this pathetic expostulation "O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

I shall first shew you what are vain thoughts; and then endeavour to enforce the solemn inquiry of my text_" How long?" And may He, who so manifestly speaks to us in mercy, enable us meekly to listen to his words, and constrain us by his love!

I. WHAT ARE VAIN THOUGHTS?

1. The most obvious idea implied by these words, is that of unprofitable imaginations. What a torrent of these foolish thoughts is continually streaming through our minds! We may remember it in our childhood-we may still behold it in the children growing up around us; the whole employment of the