the confidence of his profession, but by the approved strength and sincerity of his obedience. It is not enough for him to say, "Though all men should deny thee, yet will I never deny thee:" but, that, having passed through the furnace, in which the trial of his faith has been found more precious than of gold that perisheth, he should be able to cry, in the humble consciousness of manifested truth," Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee." Always adding, "Not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

Our heavenly Father regards those who exhibit such an attachment, with tenderness and delight. He stretches forth the right hand of his majesty, to be their defence against all their enemies. He magnifies the riches of his power and goodness, by an interference of both, so prompt, so effectual, and so manifest, that all men who see it must say, "This hath God done: for they must perceive that it is his work."

Views of divine interference thus consolatory abound in the long records of experience-in the pages of the word of God-and not least in the history before us. The chapter in which it stands exhibits, by a plain and powerful illustration, the danger of a Christian from the enemies of religion, whose godless cause he has deserted; the gracious and ready help of the

Saviour, to whom he has fled for refuge; and the salutary consequences of his wise and holy choice. Accompany me, therefore, with the word of life in your hands, through this portion of the warfare of Israel which involves

I. THE CONFEDERACY OF THE KINGS OF CANAAN.

II. THE VICTORY OBTAINED BY JOSHUA.

I. While the men of Gibeon made common cause with the kings and people of the Amorites who dwelt among the mountains, they enjoyed that hollow treacherous semblance of peace, which might have lulled them into a careless security, until the anger of heaven came upon them, like want upon the spendthrift, or travail upon a woman with child. Happily the rolling of the thunder awakened them, the tempest being yet distant; and they were induced to flee from it, while escape was possible. From that moment, however, the nations among whom they dwelt became their implacable ene mies, and conspired together for their destruction. Adonizedek, king of Jerusalem, (probably the most powerful prince of the land,) sent unto his allies, earnestly desiring their co-operation for vengeance upon Gibeon. "Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon; for it hath made peace with Joshua, and with

the children of Israel." The call was promptly obeyed. "These five kings gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it."

"When a strong man armed keepeth his palace his goods are in peace; but when a stronger than he cometh upon him," the strife begins, until the conqueror "taketh away the armour wherein his adversary trusted, and didiveth the spoil." No sooner does an awakened and convinced spirit turn to God, as its only refuge, than Satan throws off the disguise of ally and friend, in which he had always appeared, and commences an open, as he had formerly carried on a secret war against its salvation. From the moment in which the first heavenward motion of the soul bids it inquire, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?' until the work of mercy shall be made perfect in its salvation, Satan will address it with his defiance, as the prophet addressed Asa; "From henceforth thou shalt have wars." And that Christian must take Satan at his word, descend at once into the lists against him, and be contented to become, and to remain, a man of strife, until he shall exchange the whole armour of God for the peaceful robes of everlasting glory-the helmet of salvation for the crown of perfect righteousness

--and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, for the palm and sceptre of a victory, to be celebrated for ever, by the songs of the blessed. There may be joy in the presence of the angels of God, at his conversion. But while that joy falls upon his ear, with a faint, almost perhaps, with a doubtful sound, and upon his heart, with a delight which he can hardly realize, the assaults and onset of his spiritual enemy will be too plain, and too formidable to be mistaken. He must take the field immediately against sin, the world, and the devil; and fight the good fight of faith, until he receives a dismission-Go in peace. Nay, it will frequently happen, as the first distressing incident in this spiritual war, as it happened to Gibeon, amidst the nations of Canaan, that "a man's foes shall be they of his own household." The warning voice of the Saviour's love cried to his disciples, as they were about to enter upon their stern conflict with the powers of darkness, "If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." Contrariety of pursuit separateth between chief friends. Two cannot walk together, unless they be agreed: and when the newly enlisted soldier of the cross hears that call, "Come ye out from among them,

and touch not the unclean thing," he must prepare himself to experience the alienation of those who resolutely persist in their opposition to the calls and mercies of the living God. They that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. If the carnal mind be enmity against him, that enmity will secretly, or openly extend to all who bear his image, submit to his law, and glory in his service. Amidst the refinements of social intercourse, it may, indeed be softened down, and divested of its palpable bitterness. Yet even here is it, too frequently found, mingling the waters of Marah with the dearest, not less than with the ordinary charities of life, and filling them with gall and wormwood. Would to God, my brethren, that the evil rested here. But alas, in too many instances, they who profess to seek the mind that was in Christ Jesus, instead of imitating his blessed example, imbibe the unhallowed zeal of such as have not been with Jesus; and in the stand which they are called upon to make against the enemies of religion, "sin after the similitude of their transgression."

The ruin of the Gibeonites would have been complete and final, if their enemies had prevailed against them. Revenge for past desertion, and fear of future annoyance, from men who were in covenant with their foes, would