Joshua 21

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXI.—Those pleadings are ever successful at a throne of grace which are founded on God’s promises. God largely provides for his ministers, that they may attend on his service disentangled from the cares of this life. And yet it becomes them to be modest and reserved in seeking for themselves. It is prudent indeed that ministers’ incomes should be connected with the welfare of the church: but it is likewise proper that all such as are taught should communicate to their teachers in all good things. God can easily turn a well-deserved curse into a distinguished honour and blessing; and make the scattering of the Levites in Israel an honour to themselves, and a certain mean of instruction to the other tribes. How commodiously the priests are settled for their future attendance at Jerusalem, where God did not place his name till about four hundred years after! But inviolable are the promises of God, who cannot lie: and it is pleasant, profitable, and dutiful, to trace out in providence the exact fulfilment thereof. But was not this Canaan, now disposed of to the Hebrew tribes, a figure of the gospel rest in the New Testament church; a figure of a new covenant state, and of our better country above? These are the lands which are chosen and provided by God for us; remarkably, under his inspection and care, watered with his heavenly rains and dews, and fertile of the choicest blessings, flowing with milk and honey. How holy! how pleasant! how inhabited by God and his favourites! And by what marvellous grace, wisdom, and power, are we brought into them, through much tribulation! Not our low, nor our sword, but JAROVAR’s arm, favour, and countenance, gets us the land: and he that truly enters in shall in no wise, nor ever, be cast out