Are we by office appointed to ask mercy for others and bear them on our hearts before God?  We must not therefore conclude that mercy is not necessary for us.  Like the high priests of old, “We must offer, first for own sins, and then for the people’s.”  There is only one intercessor to whom this is needless.

Witnessing the sin and danger of others, should stir us up to the duty, as it did this leader of Israel.  While crying to God for others, we must beware wrapping up ourselves in fancied purity.  To this we are tempted by a view of greater sins in others, which serve as a foil to act off our fancied goodness; and especially by the knowledge of certain great sins in others, of which we know ourselves to be clear.

Some in Moses’ situation, would doubtless have adopted that language —­“God I thank thee that I am not as other men are—­not as this people.”  Very different was the effect it had on him—­it reminded him of his sins, and led him to cry for mercy.

It is of vast importance that we know ourselves—­if we attain this knowledge, from sense of demerit, we shall add to our prayers for others, but if not, blot me, I pray thee out of thy book which thou hast written.

III.  If we do not mistake the sense of the text, the strange doctrine exploded in the beginning of this discourse, finds no support in it.  And surely the doctrine which reason rejects cannot be supported by revelation.  Reason directs us to pursue that line of conduct which will be most for our advantage taking the whole term of our existence into the account.  And revelation doth the same—­“in keeping God’s commandments there is great reward.”  If we look through the holy scriptures we shall find abundant rewards annexed to every requirement.  The idea that despising the promises, and being willing to renounce the desire and hope of them, should be made a condition of receiving them, is pitiable weakness and absurdity.

Quite a different spirit is displayed in the history of the saints, whom we are directed to follow.  All the worthies of old “died in faith not having received the promises, but seen them afar off.”—­The renowned leader of Israel “had respect to the recompense of reward” —­yea, “the captain of our salvation,” the divine son of Mary, “for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame.” *

* Hebrews xi. 26, xii. 2.

Here the way of duty requires self denials.  The good man is often called to take up his cross; but the rewards which follow are constantly held up to view, in revelation, as infinitely surpassing the losses and sufferings of the present life.  “Blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake:  Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven.”  Every one who forsaketh worldly advantages, out of regard to God, will “receive an hundred fold reward, and inherit eternal life.”