June 21

tors they had twenty-fold more in their hands when they left off than they began with; yet when they were in the boat, they began to despond, because they had but one loaf! And has not this been still more the case with us? Are we not always limiting the Holy One of Israel, and ready to say, "There is no hope," especially when the usual expedients fail us? But we should remember that nothing is too hard for the Lord; and that if he does not find a way for our release or relief, he can furnish one. Our extremity is his opportunity. He does not prevent darkness; but to the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: and it is often darkest before break of day. He turneth the shadow of death into the morning. He loves to appear to our joy, when all prospect that we should be saved is taken away. Let us remember that what is impossible to us is easy to him. Who ordered the fish to bring Peter the tribute money? Who multiplied the widow's oil and meal? Who brought Elijah bread and meat in the morning and in the evening? Who turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters?

It will readily be conceded that we are not to look for miracles now. But we are to look for him who performed them, who is a very present help in trouble, whose hand is not shortened that it cannot save, and whose ear is not heavy that it cannot hear. He has said, and the Scripture cannot be broken, "Thy bread shall be given thee, and thy water shall be sure;" and "they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing."

But his work is perfect, his ways are judgment. We do many things to accomplish one purpose; he accomplishes many purposes by one thing. This interposition therefore not only displays the Providential care of God, and teaches us to trust in him in all difficulties and exigences; but it also furnishes an emblem of the Saviour's grace. We love not the spiritualizers of the Scripture. They give it meanings which it never had, finding facts in figures and figures in facts, just as it serves their vain fancies, till sober-minded people are tempted to think that it has no certain and fixed sense in it. But here we follow our inspired guide—"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

JUNE 21.—"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."—1 Corinthians 10:4.

How was that Rock Christ? Not really, but typically. How was it a spiritual Rock? Not by substance, but by signification; not by its quality, but by its use. We should not press a metaphor beyond its lawful bounds. But the analogy in the case before us holds

With regard to the Rock itself. A rock is remarkable for its solidity, strength, duration, support, shelter, and shade; and so it is a just and striking emblem of Christ, who is so often expressed by the name. It holds also

With regard to the striking. The Rock was smitten; and Christ once suffered, the just for the unjust. The Rock was smitten

publicly in the sight of the elders and of the people; and Christ suffered at Jerusalem in the presence of a similar multitude. The rock was smitten by Moses; and the law, of which he is the representative, inflicted the death of Christ: he redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been made a curse for us. Till the rock was thus smitten it yielded no supplies; and Christ being made perfect through suffering, became the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. Who could have expected that the smiting of a rock would have furnished a flood of living waters? It was the Lord's doing, and is marvellous in our eyes. And Christ crucified was to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness; but to them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men—Which things the angels desire to look into. It also holds

With regard to the streams. What did these serve to express? The blood of Jesus which "is drink indeed"—The doctrines of the Gospel, whose tidings to the distressed conscience are like cold water to a thirsty soul, and afford a refreshment and satisfaction which no philosophy can furnish—The influences of the Holy Ghost, according to the promise, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty; and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:" and the invitation, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink—This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive."

One circumstance must not be overlooked. The streams not only relieved their present wants, but secured them future supplies; for it was in these, the rock followed them in their journeys, so that they were constantly refreshed by them. As long as we are in the wilderness our spiritual wants will return; but the Saviour will never leave us: and as our days, so shall our strength be. Thus our condition is softened; and we can sometimes sing the Lord's song in a strange land. But soon the sun shall not light on us, nor any heat, for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed us, and lead us unto living fountains of water.

Let us read the Old Testament under the extensions and applications of the New. It was designed to furnish shadows of good things to come; but the body is Christ.

Let us bless him who was smitten that we might drink of the river of his pleasure. The rock in the wilderness was smitten unconsciously; but Jesus was exceeding sorrowful even unto death: and he knew the expensiveness of his interposition on our behalf: yet he more than consented to the condition—he delighted in the sacrifice.

"Oh," said David, "Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" And three of his brave followers broke through the garrison of the Philistines, and brought him a supply. But, said he, "it is the price of blood;" and he was too generous to drink what had endangered life in the procuring. Behold how they loved him. But what was their love to their sovereign, compared with the Saviour's love to us! He actually poured out his soul unto death, that we might live through him, and with joy draw water out of the wells of salvation. This