instruction, temporal security and prosperity. They were "nourished and brought up as children." When they groaned under the Egyptian yoke, God delivered them with a high hand and with an outstretched arm. When they travelled through the dry and barren desert where no water was, he caused streams to flow from the flinty rock to refresh their fainting spirits. He rained down manna from heaven to relieve them from the pains of hunger. But notwithstanding they enjoyed such distinguished privileges and blessings at the hand of God, they were far from bringing forth those fruits of purity and good living which might have been reasonably expected. There were, it is true, some honorable exceptions; but the general character given them in the holy scriptures, is that of "a rebellious and stiff-necked people,"—they were bent on backsliding—ever ready to depart from their Almighty Sovereign and Friend, and to conform to the abominable
11
