there administered. Thus their intention was good; but they would have acted more prudently, if they had explained it to Joshua, Eleazar, and the elders; and more consistently, if they had solemnly consulted the Lord.

But their conduct was greatly mistaken by their brethren. The command of God was very express, that no sacrifices should be offered, except at the door of the tabernacle; the building an altar, certainly seemed to imply an intention to offer sacrifices, an act of high disobedience against God, and which would probably prove a step to apostasy and idolatry. This was the impression which the conduct of the two tribes and a half left upon the minds of their brethren.-And now the people in general were far too rash and precipitate; they assembled themselves together at Shiloh, not to inquire into the true state of the case, or to reason with their erring brethren, but to " go up to war against them." Human nature is always in danger of erring, on the right hand or on the left; let us carefully avoid thinking ill of our brethren, or putting on their actions the worst construction they will bear; rather let us cultivate that spirit of charity, which "hopeth all things, thinketh no evil, and hideth a multitude of sins:" on the other hand, let us be careful that our actions do not give our brethren just occasion to think ill of us; yet whatever may be their thoughts and speeches concerning us, and their conduct towards us, let us rejoice that they are not the judges of our motives, or the dis

pensers of our rewards; in well doing let us commit the keeping of our souls unto God, as unto a faithful Creator: and when evil-spoken of, let us meekly commit our cause to Him who judgeth righteously.

The people met, it seems, in angry haste; but the wisdom and moderation of Joshua, Eleazar, and others, seem to have tempered their zeal, and induced them to adopt more lenient measures. An embassy, with Phinehas the son of Eleazar at its head, was sent to the supposed offenders, to remonstrate with them; and even offering to welcome them over Jordan, and share their inheritance with them, if they considered their land polluted for want of an altar for expiatory sacrifices. The conduct and answer of the Reubenites, and other tribes concerned, was, highly honourable; they took in good part the suspicions, reproofs, and even harshness of their brethren, and with the utmost solemnity and meekness explained their intentions, and gave all the satisfaction in their power. The ambassadors were well pleased with their pious, fervent, meek, and wise reply, and the affair was brought to an amicable conclusion. Thus was it seen that "a soft answer turneth away wrath."

Several years had elapsed since the settlement of Israel in Canaan, when Joshua, finding the infirmities of age creeping fast upon him, summoned the people together, (probably at one of the sacred feasts in Shiloh,) and gave them a solemn charge steadfastly to adhere to the Lord God, and courageously to persevere in obedience to all His commands.

As

his predecessor Moses had done, he recounted the dealings of God towards his people, and solemnly appealed to them, as to the faithfulness of God to His largest promises, declared the consequences that would follow disobedience, and exhorted them to sincerity and obedience. However, putting the matter as it were upon their own free choice, he declared his own decided and adopted resolution : "If it seem evil to you to serve the Lord,"-if his service seems severe, or his rewards unsatisfactory, or if you can find a better master,-" choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." It is truly edifying and animating to observe the steadfastness, perseverance, and zeal of aged saints; to hear their testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of God, and the excellency of true religion; to find that their principles do not fail them, but that that which has been their direction through life, is their support and consolation in death; and that holy zeal for the glory of God, and the interests of man, rouses them to employ the last hours of life in recommending His service. Surely this is a testimony which all the vain cavils of ungodly men, who make light of godliness because their hearts and lives are not under its power, can never, never stand against. No! Joshua's Master is still a good Master; His service is perfect freedom; His servants are honourable and happy,--Whatever others choose, may we be enabled to say, "I will serve the Lord!"

Joshua candidly set before the Israelites the holiness of Jehovah's nature and requirements, and reminded them of their own unholiness and insufficiency, not to drive them into despair from His service, but to urge them to engage with right views and deliberate purposes, and in dependence on divine grace.

The people were suitably affected by his address, and solemnly renewed their covenant with the Lord, setting a stone as a memorial of the transaction.After taking this affecting leave of the tribes, Joshua, it appears, was speedily taken to his last best rest in heaven. He was honourably buried in his own inheritance, and so sacredly was his memory enbalmed in the hearts of the people, that they served the Lord not only all the days of his life, but all the days of the elders that over-lived him, and which had known all the works of the Lord that he had done for Israel.

The Israelites, it will be remembered, had carried the bones of Joseph with them in all their wanderings, and never attempted to bury them until they were peaceably settled in the land. They then, according to his dying charge given in Egypt, buried them in Shechem in the piece of ground which Jacob purchased of the sons of Hamor: thus as it were acknowledging the faithful fulfilment, and cancelling the bond, (for the bones of Joseph were ever looked upon as the pledge of the promises of God, and the faith of his people,) that they should be brought to the full possession of the land of Canaan.

About the same time with Joshua, Eleazar the high priest died, and was buried in a hill belonging to Phinehas his son and successor, situated in mount Ephraim, which was given him by the people. Probably as the cities of the Levites were at a considerable distance from Shiloh, this spot was voluntarily given for the residence of the high priest, on account of its contiguity to the sacred spot. Of the sons of Aaron truly there were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue, by means of death; but Jesus, the High priest of our profession, continueth for ever, because he hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews vii. 25.

We have now traced the fulfilment of the Divine promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in multiplying their seed, rescuing them from the hand of their oppressors, and establishing them in the possession of the land of Canaan: we have also had occasion to observe the dealings of God with them in bearing long with their perverseness, ingratitude, and rebellion; thus proving himself a God of infinite compassion and long-suffering goodness: yet has He not failed also to testify Himself a God of holiness and justice, in whose sight iniquity is odious, and by whom sin will be punished.-Now these things happened unto the people of Israel for an