plished. The particular providence of God was thus eminently displayed; and whenever those names were mentioned, men were reminded of the divine benefits, and of the duties which these benefits required. Who could hear the name of Joshua, without recollecting that he was the saviour of his countrymen in their perilous conflicts with the heathen whom they dispossessed? The same divine wisdom used a similar method, in assigning a name to that person, who was sent into the world to achieve the most high and excellent de ign which was ever undertaken for the glory of God and the good of men. This name was brought by an archangel, and imposed upon our Lord before his nativity-" Thou shalt call his name Jesus,” said the heavenly messenger, "for he shall save his "people from their sins." Whenever this name is heard, let it instruct and admonish us; let it raise in us a high sense of God's infinite goodness; let it excite in our hearts love, and gratitude, and veneration. The prophets had repeatedly foretold, that the expected Prince of Peace should speak in righteousness, and be mighty to save. To save was the chief employment of the Messiah; to purchase, to publish, and to accomplish salvation for his people, was his peculiar work. Let the name of Jesus, therefore, be ever grateful to our ears, and fill our hearts with joy. He came to save mankind from their sins and miseries. At the name of Jesus, the Saviour, let us bow in grateful adoration; let every tongue confess, that he is the Lord of life, to the glory of God the Father!

2dly. We are informed, that while others gave a discouraging representation, Joshua, the son of Nun, in conjunction with one other person, made a favour

able report of the land which they had been sent to examine. He brought a cluster of the grapes from the brook of Eshcol; he brought also of the pomegranates and of the figs, as specimens of the fertility of the country. "He spake unto all the company of "the children of Israel, saying, The land which we "passed through to search it, is an exceeding good "land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring ❝ us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth "with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the "Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land: their "defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with "us: fear them not." This was, indeed, good news of the promised inheritance, which ought to have excited in the people the utmost alacrity in obeying the commands of the Lord.

And, in like manner, the Saviour of mankind has given us the most animating representations of the heavenly Canaan, the future inheritance of his faithful people; he has brought good tidings of great joy, which ought to inspire us with resolution to encounter and vanquish all our spiritual adversaries. Before the coming of Christ, the representations which had been given of a future state of rest and felicity, were very imperfect and obscure. He brought life and immortality to light. What glorious descriptions does his Gospel contain, of the abundant goodness of God, and of the joys which are prepared in heaven for those who love him! Pardon, grace, and salvation, are offered with an unsparing hand and unlimited mercy. A joy unspeakable and full of glory is set before usa joy perfect in its kind, and of eternal duration. He has even brought us a foretaste of the bounties of this

heavenly country. The Holy Ghost the Comforter, which he procured for us, now fills the soul of the pious Christian with joy and peace in believing. The sacraments which he instituted, like the grapes of Eshcol, strengthen and refresh us; they are pledges of his never-ceasing love, an earnest of the fulness of that blessed land of promise, where his people shall want no manner of thing that is good. The Lord is with us. Only take heed, that ye rebel not against him, and he will delight in us; he will bring us into this good land; he will give it to us for an everlasting possession.

3dly. Joshua was educated under the immediate inspection of Moses, and he perfected what Moses only began: the one instituted laws, the other fixed the people in a situation where those laws could be carried into complete execution. It is said "That "Joshua, the son of Nun, was full of the spirit of "wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him: "that the Lord spake unto Joshua, the minister of "Moses, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now "therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all "this people, unto the land which I do give to them, " even to the children of Israel. Only be thou strong "and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to de "all that is written in the law, which Moses my "servant commanded thee; for then, thou shalt make

thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good "success." He was obedient to the heavenly command, and the institutions of Moses were carried into effect.

Thus Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, was born under the law, and complied with all its directions relative to

circumcision, the passover, and other solemnities. He was obedient unto the law for man. He fulfilled all ! righteousness. In him, the ceremonial law had its entire completion. When he said-" It is finished!" at that awful declaration, the shadows began to disappear, and the true light to rise upon mankind. A new system was now to be introduced. Old things passed away, and all things became new. Prophecies were fulfilled. Ceremonies were explained. Types were understood. Sacrifices had their complete significance. Moses, the old servant of the Lord, surrendered his authority to Joshua: the legislator was succeeded by the Saviour: the ceremonial law gave place to the pure and ever blessed Gospel. As the Lord hath commanded-" Let not this improved book "of the law depart out of our mouths; but let us "meditate therein day and night. Let us turn not "from it to the right hand or to the left, that we may prosper whithersoever we go."

4thly. Under the conduct of Joshua, the people were put in possession of the promised inheritance. We are informed" A long time after that the Lord "had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies "round about, when Joshua waxed old and stricken "in age, he called for all the elders, and heads, and "officers of Israel," to give them his last charge and benediction. In this solemn transaction, enumerating the divine blessings which had been abundantly poured down upon them, he tells them-" A land has been given you, for which ye did not labour. Ye dwell "in cities which ye have not built. Ye do eat of "vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not.” And this is the important inference which he draws

Now, therefore, fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth."

In like manner, the Redeemer of mankind is called, in Holy Scripture-" The mighty Conqueror; the "Captain of our Salvation;" and he is thus addressed in the animated language of the inspired Psalmist―“ Gird "thee with thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most

mighty, according to thy worship and renown. "Good luck have thou with thine honour: ride on, "because of the word of truth, of meekness and 'righteousness, and thy right hand shall teach thee "terrible things. Thy arrows are very sharp, and the "people shall be subdued unto thee, even in the "midst among the king's enemies. Thy seat, O God, "endureth for ever; the sceptre of thy kingdom is a 'right sceptre. Thy name shall be remembered from "one generation to another; the people shall give "thanks unto thee, world without end." Sharp was the conflict which the Captain of our Salvation had to sustain, when he engaged in the arduous work of man's redemption. But, let his glorious name be remembered from one generation to another. Our spiritual adversaries have all been subdued unto him. vanquished Satan: he triumphed over death: he ascended up on high, leading captivity captive, opening the everlasting doors to all his faithful followers. Happy are the people who have taken him for their leader and guide! The lines have fallen to them in pleasant places; yea, they have a goodly heritage. Many mansions of blessedness are provided for them. He that is most mighty, displaying his worship and renown, shall conduct them in safety through the chilling waters of Jordan, the awful gulf of death; he shall

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