Joshua 4

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IV.—No care or labour of our own should ever hinder us from that which tends to the immediate honour of God, and the commemoration of his wonderful works. And, if not one Israelite, however feeble, merish in trouble or in death, surely it becomes all to keep his mighty works in verlasting remembrance. Never let us hunt after pomp or finery in our me- 28 morals, for God has chosen the weak and foolish things of this world to confound all earthly glory. Let every accommodation, even in outward things, render us forward and exemplary in duty. If we be called forth to God’s work, we may cheerfully leave all our worldly concerns behind us: and if we have God’s presence with us we need not be weary, nor doubt but we shall safely land at last: for, though the years of our pilgrimage should be many and sorrowful, they have an appointed end: let us therefore never hurry out of danger till our work in it be finished. But, whatever perilous work God allots to us, let us go through it with proper dispatch, never with unbelieving haste: and let us always honour those whom God honours by his providence. The religious inquiries of young people should be encouraged and gratified to the uttermost. If we wish them wise when they are old, they ought to be inquisitive when they are young. But, if we wish our present mercies to be doubly sweetened, let us compare them with our former ones. 31