some time after they should have obtained a footing in it; and this was to happen not for the sake of any improper lenity towards them, but in order that the Israelites themselves might reap an advantage from it.

Now this, brethren, is a fact which, when well and discreetly considered, is caluculated to explain to us many occurrences and events which would otherwise be mysterious and unintelligible. There can be few men of common understanding and common virtue, still fewer can there be, whose minds have been in any degree spiritualized and enlightened by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who do not oftentimes witness occurrences and events which at first sight are calculated to create uneasiness within them, and to make them wish that something different had been brought to pass from what has actually happened. How numerous, indeed, are the acts of impiety and injustice which are permitted to pass, if not unnoticed, yet most certainly unpunished or unreproved. Were we to form any thing approaching to a correct estimate of such of fences against God and against man, for the one cannot be separated from the other, which are daily and hourly committed, the perpetrators of which are not only permitted to exist, but even to add to the catalogue of sins already committed, we should soon satisfy ourselves that enough of such cases existed to create the most serious alarm in the pious and devout mind. This alarm, however, ought never to survive the moment of its birth, if we re

flect, as we ought to do, that there is a God above of equal wisdom and justice, who superintends and directs every thing that passes in the world. More especially if we betake ourselves for consolation to the divine records of the Old and New Testament, shall we procure the relief which is suitable to the greatest and most extensive emergencies. In these we shall see examples of illustrious and devout individuals, whose comfort and serenity had oftentimes been disturbed on beholding the numerous crimes of their species which were allowed to pass unrebuked and unopposed, until their religious meditations, to which they ever had recourse on such occasions, satisfied them that the worst actions of men, as they are under the control of the Almighty, would most assuredly, in their proper season, produce the most complete and the most undeniable good. For such a reason was it that the inhabitants of Canaan did not receive the reward of their iniquities so soon as might have been expected by the Israelites who were sent to overthrow them. The good which was produced by this forbearance was the security of those who were to be the instruments of God's vengeance, against those beasts of prey which would otherwise have disputed with them the possession of the conquered territory. For a similar reason is it, to omit the most flagrant crimes which in a civilized community it is to be hoped seldom pass unpunished, that the inferior or more ordinary offences are permitted to flourish with that vigour with which we frequently see them

invested. Day after day, and night after night, and to deny the fact is to lie against God, do we hear of, if indeed we do not actually behold, those who commit such deeds and actions as their consciences and the Scriptures pronounce to be sinful and unjust. Yet are many of these of such a nature as the authority of rulers and magistrates is not sufficient to punish or resist. Many a man, for example, has been known to boast of having committed offences for which he is in no danger of being punished, because he has taken care that the evidence against him is not such as the law must of necessity require; or because, perhaps, he has selected those which for a variety of reasons, even if proved, the laws would not be warranted in chastising. There can, indeed, be no doubt that the Almighty in many cases sees fit to punish these by a direct interference on his part; by visiting the criminal with either mental or bodily affliction; or by checking his impious career by a painful or sudden death. There is, nevertheless, an extensive number of persons who commit crime after crime, yet are they permitted not only to live to an extreme age, but even to flourish and succeed in every thing they undertake! But why these things are so, is a question which can only be answered by considering how far the wisdom of God surpasses the weak comprehension of mortal man, and by referring ourselves to such hints and suggestions in reference to the subject, as are so generally disseminated throughout the word of God. One of these, and it is one of

no trifling importance, is contained in our text. This tells us, that many of the inhabitants of Canaan were for a time to remain unpunished, and that the Israelites were not to wonder at this, because, if it had been otherwise, evil would happen to them. But it tells us even more than this; it tells us that as all the plans and contrivances of the Almighty are equal and uniform, so does it follow that every crime, be it great or small, which is now suffered to pass, will only remain unpunished for a time, and that even the respite is granted not for the sake of the individual offenders, but in order that some ulterior advantage might in no respect be interfered with.

The conclusion to which a due and discreet consideration of our text has just conducted us, is a conclusion well deserving the attention of all mortal beings, destined as we are to witness the occurrence of so many events which, without such assistance, would be liable to be misunderstood. It is, indeed, manifestly impossible that our limited understandings can form any idea whatever of the future objects and advantages which the Almighty has in view, when superintending and directing the affairs of this transitory and insignificant world. In order to elucidate this position, let us look for a moment at the case of those of superior genius among our own species, to whose management and direction the affairs of state, or the movements of entire armies are entrusted. In the case of these, does it not continually occur, that the great objects which

they have in view, and the sentiments and intentions that are dwelling within them, are altogether unknown and unintelligible to any but themselves? Are not the minister of state to whose talents and superior endowments the power and resources of his country are entrusted, and the equally talented and illustrious warrior whose will and whose authority have the movements of entire hosts at his command, clear and indisputable examples of the position just now advanced. Neither of these would at all times deem it prudent to proclaim to the world at large the designs by which he was influenced in the decisions which he had formed, or in the commands which he had issued. More than this, even if their purposes were disclosed, those comparatively inferior minds, of which the mass of mankind consists, would be altogether unable to comprehend how the plan in progress could effect the purpose which was contemplated. Precisely analogous to this, are those cases which gave rise to these observations. We continually behold things passing in the world which are altogether contrary to our notions of propriety and justice. The thief and the murderer, or it may be the perpetrators of inferior crimes, the false witness and the calumniator, oftentimes escape the just penalty of their offences. We are made acquainted with these facts, and it not unfrequently happens that the information is, as indeed it ought to be, a source of considerable sorrow and vexation to the reflecting and devout mind. Such an one would rather that a discovery had taken place,