treat that, which none but the Lord of the universe can bestow-a pardon secured by the death of that true victim who was slain from the foundation of the world—a pardon that shall remain in force when the heavens have been folded up as a vesture, and when unnumbered ages shall have witnessed to the heirs of promise, the faithfulness of Jehovah, and the immutability of his counsel. How diligently should we apply to the unfailing and unfathomable fountain of divine beneficence, for that principle of heavenly life, which if it be enkindled and cherished by the sun of righteousness, shall gloriously assimilate the soul to him, in whom is no darkness at all.'1

No sooner did Joshua hear the powerful appeal made by the Gibeonites to his compassion, than he ascended to their relief from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. Every other purpose was suspended, and he gave himself entirely to their deliverance. He rested not from his progress when the day was closed; but marched all night, and came suddenly upon the enemy, and routed them with a fearful slaughter. If Israel itself had been in danger he could have done no more. And can ye not, my brethren, discern in this haste some dim traces of that

1 Shepherd's Thoughts on private Devotion, p. 56.

speed of love, with which the Redeemer and the Spirit of grace press forward to deliver, not only those who have been long numbered among their followers, but those who have most recently joined the camp of God, and that too in circumstances of unbelief, ignorance, and infirmity, like the Gibeonites of old, when they sought the refuge of the camp in Gilgal? They may be in extremity, but he will certainly interfere to save them, with a manifestation of power, as undeniable, as when the prophet found the widow with her last handful of meal, and her last drop of oil in the cruise, and replenished both, that they failed not, until the Lord sent rain upon the earth. Flee ye, in every difficulty flee ye by prayer, to the open sanctuary of God in Christ Jesus, and ye shall not be disappointed of your hope. Elisha had seen the power of God displayed towards his master. When therefore, the prophet's mantle fell, as he ascended to heaven, Elisha took it up in faith, smote with it the waters of Jordan, exelaiming, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and the river was divided for his passage. Let the same faith, gathering strength from instances of deliverance and mercy vouchsafed to others, animate and encourage you to rest upon both and, according to your faith, so shall it be done unto you.

II. Such, at least, was the experience of the Gibeonites. Their urgent application to Joshua was justified BY THAT ASTONISHING VICTORY, which we have next to consider, and, by the good Spirit of God, to apply to our hearts. A cheering presage of it had been already given, when the hosts marched forth to the battle. The Lord said unto Joshua, "Fear them not, for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee." He that believeth shall have the same witness in himself a strong, though an humble expectation of victory. His most merciful Father in Christ Jesus shall bear him testimony. His most blessed Redeemer shall come into his soul with the same gracious hope. His eternal Sanctifier shall write a similar persuasion on his heart. And their united assurance shall tranquillize the suggestions of doubt and despondency, with the conviction of faith, that "God will bruise Satan under his feet shortly."

When the battle was joined, success remained not for a moment doubtful. "The Lord discomfited the Amorites before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter." The hailstones from heaven did their part with the swords of Israel, in the work of vengeance, and slew even more of their enemies, than fell by the hand of man: Nay, the favour of God was exhibited, and the

success of his people secured, by a miracle unparalleled in previous or succeeding ages of the world, except by that power which bade the dead come forth from the corruption of the tomb, and live. The day was probably drawing to a close, and the sun even now in the horizon, before the work of slaughter and extermination had been accomplished. That work, dreadful as it was, must be finished, and Joshua must be the minister. And lo, after that silent prayer of faith, which wrestled with God, and prevailed, he said, in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies ;" and the great light of heaven hasted not go down about a whole day. At the voice of a man, the sun that rules the day, was stopped, as he descended to the west, and the moon, that governs the night, as she arose in the east. These eyes of the lower world, which were probably the gods whom the Amorites worshipped, were compelled, as it were, to stand still, and look down upon their mistaken idolaters, who might cry to them for life and delivDid the Lord thus hearken to the voice of a man, when he fought for Israel? And shall not the intercession of Him who doeth as

to

erance.

he will among the armies of heaven, plead with resistless energy, and with almighty power, for miracles of mercy and deliverance, in behalf of those who seek the salvation of his cross, the new creation of his Spirit, and the attainment of that holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord? If the Most High magnified Joshua, by thus condescending to his petition, how surely shall the pleading of our risen advocate succeed, whom God delighteth to honour! How surely shall the work of his mediation be advanced by wondrous interpositions of power, and of mercy; until every tongue shall confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!

The five kings who led the Amorites on this eventful day, were taken alive, and, when the slaughter of their subjects had been completed, were brought forth from the cave where they had vainly sought concealment, in order to be judged and punished, according to the righteous will of heaven. Before the sentence was executed, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, "Come near, and put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed; be strong,