"For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? Is it not in that thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and thy people from all the people that are upon the face of the earth." --- Exodus 33:16.
Reader, do you adopt the language of Moses, and request with him that in all your removals, God's presence may go with you? that you be not permitted to stir without this distinguishing testimony that you are in the path of duty? Are you waiting upon the Lord in earnest to serve him in sincerity and truth; "not being conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind," and desirous to be numbered with his separate people? Then you may expect the Divine blessing, and your way to be prosperous.
It was a distinguishing privilege of the Israelites, that they were to dwell alone, and not to be reckoned among the nations; and it is the privilge and duty of the spiritual Israel to be separate and distinct from the world; they are a separate people in the love of God; in their election in Christ; in the covenant of grace made with them in him; in effectual vocation; in their being seated with him to all eternity. Nor are they reckoned among the nations, but as they are called out of them, and generally treated as the refuse and offscourings of all things; they do not reckon themselves to be of the world, but as pilgrims and strangers in it. Lord, let me be among thy separate people, the righteous, both here and for evermore.
Among the righteous let me dwell,
And cast my lot with them;
Dead to pleasure, dead to wealth,
And to the world's esteem.