Redemption being now accomplished, and Israel divinely prepared, they commence their journey. But observe, in passing, _how_ they start. Before taking one step, every question between the conscience and God is divinely settled. They are forgiven, justified, and accepted, in His sight. Hence it is written, "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." (Hosea xi. 1.) Blessed type of the real condition in which every true believer begins his Christian course! He may not see this blessed truth, or he may have a very feeble apprehension of it, as Israel had, but that does not alter the fact. God acts according to His own knowledge of the relationship, and the affections which belong to it. We see this in the glorious deliverance of His beloved people at the Red Sea, in the manna from heaven, the water from the flinty rock, and in the pillar of His presence, which accompanied them in all their wanderings. He ever acts according to the purposes of His love, and the value of the blood of Jesus. Once more, dear reader, allow me to ask. Are you sure that you are under the safe shelter, the secure refuge, the blessed hiding-place, of the Redeemer's blood? But I must now leave my reader, earnestly recommending him to pursue the journey across the wilderness in company with God and His redeemed. He will find the "Notes" most useful. They convey truth, agreeably and intelligently to the heart, the conscience, and the understanding. May many find them to be a real oasis in the desert. The journey will prove a most profitable one if we thereby learn more of the natural unbelief of our own heart and the abiding faithfulness of God's. He never changes, blessed be His name; and the blood of the slain Lamb never loses its efficacy. "Blest Lamb of God! Thy precious blood Shall never lose its power, Till every ransomed saint of God Be saved to sin no more." May the Lord graciously own and use the following "Notes" for His own glory and the blessing of many souls. _A. M._ _London_ CONTENTS _Page._ CHAPTER I, 1 " II. 1-10, 9 " II. 11-25, 17 " III, 33 " IV, 58 " V. & VI, 78 " VII.-XI, 95 " XII, 126 " XIII, 163 " XIV, 172 " XV, 191 " XVI, 206 " XVII, 224 " XVIII, 238 " XIX, 247