This is a Scripture phrase of great beauty, concerning the Lord's heritage. The Lord compelled this declaration to be made out of the mouth of Balaam, when blessing the children of God while he wished to curse them. "The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations." (Numbers 23:9) And I hardly know, in all the Scripture, a more blessed mark of divine discrimination. Very much it were to be wished, that the Lord's people would be always on the look out for it, as a token and badge of their high calling in Christ Jesus. That the Lord's people have, from all eternity, been so appointed is certain. They have dwelt alone in God the Father's gracious purpose in giving them to his Son. They have dwelt alone in the mind of Jesus, when he stood forth as their Surety, and Head, and Husband, before all worlds. And they have dwelt alone in the view and love of God the Holy Ghost, when making them the objects of his grace. Hence therefore, as they dwell alone in the privileges of the everlasting covenant, and as the members of the mystical body of Christ, so are they supposed to dwell alone in their affections, pursuits, manners, habits, and daily delights. They may, and they do, hear that voice John heard from heaven concerning them, when calling them to dwell alone, and to have no connection with the unfruitful works of darkness. "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4)