---

I. THE KING'S CHARTER. Observe, the text does not say, "We will make a covenant with one another," God and man; it says, "I will make them a covenant"; originating in the electing love of God.

II. THE EXERCISE OF THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE — "I will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land." Satan cares not how many churches or chapels are built, provided the things of the King's charter are never talked of. But, says Jehovah, "I will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land." Hell's powers are vanquished. Who is He that said, "He spoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly"? Who is He that is said to have "destroyed death, and him that bad the power of death, that is, the devil, and thereby delivered them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage"? Who is he of whom it was predicted, that He should "bruise the serpent's head"? Even the second Person in the glorious Trinity, who in this covenant of peace became Himself the peace of the Church.

III. THE POSITION, WHICH THIS KING'S DOMINION OCCUPIES IN HIS WORLD IN "THE WILDERNESS." What is "the wilderness"? A place haunted by every description of evil beast; a place uncultivated, trackless, and dangerous. If you can picture to yourselves, for a moment, what that wilderness was to the tribes of Israel literally, you may draw the inference, and a very fair one, that just such the world through which we pass is to a believer spiritually. It is a wilderness; but God has a Church in it, and that is the mercy. Of Christ it is said, that He was "with His Church in the wilderness." He had, then, His Church in the wilderness, His spiritual family; and so He has now, — a Church, a little flock, an encamped land, a chosen family, brought out of Egypt by miracles of grace, and travelling towards Canaan, the constant object of His love. Such is the portion of the Church — in the wilderness.

IV. THE PRECIOUS PROMISE OF TRANQUILLITY. Though the Church may occupy a position so frightful, so fearful, so alarming as that I have described, the text says, "they shall dwell safely." What protection! And they shall "sleep too"; that is, they shall rest. Mark these two things

1. In these woods, solemn as they are, — and really they are more affecting than any language can describe, — they are encompassed with Deity — with all the attributes of Deity — encompassed with angelic guardians — encompassed, as we read in the Psalms, by the Angel of the Lord. Jesus encircles His Church with His own perfections and attributes. He guarantees her security in the wilderness; and this accounts for her dwelling safely.

2. Mark one thing more; they were "to see the salvation of God." If you get a fair sight of it you will "stand still." Faith's telescope will not bear much shaking about; and if you have a fair view of the salvation of God you will "stand still." He works best when we do nothing; He displays His glory most when we most feel our need of it. He shines abroad, and even "rides upon heaven for help" when we cannot crawl on earth to ask for it.

(J. Irons.)

---

---

KJV: And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.

WEB: I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause evil animals to cease out of the land; and they shall dwell securely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.