Joshua 24

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXIV.—Faithful ministers and magistrates are loth to leave this world without spending their last breath in the service of God, and manifesting a deep concern to have religion flourish among their friends after their death. Marvellous and sovereign are the transactions of God with respect to his people; and great cheerfulness and gratitude ought to take place in our service of him, and in cleaving to him alone. And the most solemn engagements, with a deep sense of the purity, power, and profitableness, of religion, should always be maintained, to render us duly diligent and constant in it. It is pleasing to see those who inculcate religion upon others from choice become noted patterns of it themselves and in their families, and daring to be singular therein: and when people, the greatest not excepted, seem fond of attending solemn opportunities of fellowship with God, and edification to their souls. The glory indeed and influence of the great and good on earth is quickly stopt by death. But when our fathers fail, and since our prophets do not live for ever, what a mercy is it that our Redeemer liveth, and will be with us always, even unto the end of the world! And was not Joshua a noted type of him, our Captain of salvation, who brings many sons and daughters to glory! God solemnly called him to, and fitted him for, his mediatorial office: and, in his baptism at Jordan’s banks, began to magnify him before the people; nor did he ever fail him or forsake him. Made under, and trained up in servitude to Moses’ broken law, he became fit for his work; and even his name is pregnant with manifold and everlasting salvation. Through what Jordans of trouble and death does he bring his church into her gospel form, and her true members into their new covenant and celestial state! He circumcises their hearts, and feasts them on his flesh and blood, to prepare them for their spiritual warfare on earth. He powerfully intercedes for them, and makes up all breaches between God and them. Miraculously and effectually he conquers all their enemies, treads them under their feet, and enriches them with their spoil. He purchased and prepares for them the promised, the heavenly Canaan! and in due time puts them into the full and quiet possession thereof, according to his Father’s purpose and promise. Having brought them into the bond of the covenant, he weans them from their idolatry, and makes them serve the Lord, and walk as he also walked. Readily he receives returning harlots and prodigals—accursed sinners of the Gentiles—and consecrates them to the service of God. But no obstinate and hardened opposer is able to stand before him all the days of his life. Fire, hail, and furious storms, he did and will rain upon his Jewish, heathen, antichristian, or other implacable enemies. Nor till his victories be finished shall the luminaries of heaven, or those of his church, withdraw their shining. Before Christ 1434 or 1421