and partly succeeded!  Not to procure a victory for Moab, but to bring the judgments of God upon Israel; twenty four thousands of whom fell by the pestilence which was sent to punish “their sin the matter of Peor.”  And more tragical events would probably have followed, had not Phinebas stood up and executed vengeance on some of the principal offenders, and thus turned away the anger of the Lord from his offending people.*

* Numbers xv. and xxi. 16.

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Who can contemplate these things without astonishment!  Who consider the character and conduct of Balaam and not be amazed!  That a man so instructed respecting the divine character, the nature of religion, and the consequences which will follow human conduct here, should dare to set himself deliberately to evade the divine law, as wicked and artful men do human laws, surprises and confounds us!  Yet so it certainly was in the case before us!

We are not left ignorant of the consequences:  To him the “end of those things was death,” eternal death, for he died in rebellion against God.  And he seems to have anticipated the event; when speaking of the divine being, the true God and Redeemer, he breaks out into that language—­“I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh.”

We can form no judgment of a person’s moral state by his speculative knowledge of God and religion.  Knowledge in divine things is important; on many accounts it is so; but it does not ensure goodness of heart, without which we cannot be saved; we may have “all knowledge,” yet perish in our sins.  So it happened to Balaam, and probably to others beside him.  “If ye know these things happy are ye, if ye do them.”

But we are chiefly concerned at home—­to know our own state. Do we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God?  If these are found upon us, happy are we; but if any of them are habitually wanting to us, we “are yet in our sins, and the wrath of God abideth on us.”

If any are disposed to inquire with Balak, Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God?  Let them attend to the answer given by Balaam—­if we add, reliance on divine grace in Christ no better answer can be given.

How far those of old were let into the gospel way of salvation we know not.  Balaam expressed the temper of a child of God.  Whoever possessed that temper relied on divine mercy, while endeavoring to fulfil all righteousness.  Such would refer themselves to divine grace; and surely God would not be wanting to them.  He might lead them by a way which they understood not; “but would bring them to their desired haven, and unto God their exceeding joy.  Their labor would not be in vain in the Lord.”

Dependence on divine mercy is still our duty.  Though favored with gospel light, many things are yet hidden from us.  Let us therefore do justly love mercy, and walk humbly with God, and he will guide us through the darkness, and bring us through to the rest which he hath prepared for those who love and serve, and trust him here.  For these there is no commutation.  Knowledge the most perfect; faith the most miraculous; and sacrifices the most costly, would all be of no avail.  God hath shewn us what is good, and what he requires.  May we hear and obey.  Amen.