<+ CO ÇO y *.* * , ~ : Fºx - ºf * ~ * ſ 1,076 º 2， , ， , , ·şºae – ': *（.*?« 3纅-…---*-** £, e'…*…* -- „* ¿? ： ': *（~*~ BEAUTIES B E IN G A SELECTION FROM THE Old and New Testaments, wirii various - REMARKS AND BRIEF DISSERTATIONS, owesteron tº ºv, CHRISTIANS IN GENERAL, - AND PARTICULARLY FoR THE use of ~ * «” - - s . ºf S-C*H O O L S, 2* : AND for THE - IMPRO V E M E N T of Yo UT H. .--J-2 r ºr--~~~~~~ 2 r_r ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ B Y E Z R A S A M P S ON, OF HU DSON, NEW - YORK. ºrror/ºrrºr-cºrrºr-cºrrºr-rrºr-rº- THIRD AUDSON EDITION. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED Accor DING To Act of con G Rese. e t e º & © e º s e s c s e e º 'º e º º tº a e º e º º ſº tº e • * * * * * * * * * * • * s º a e º & ºp tº e º ºl tº e º º ºs e e tº e a we e g º e º tº Q tº “These words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine bear: ; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto tºy children.” Moses. " ... ºs.' . . . . - • , razºrrºr-cºrrºr, Arrºr…” HUDSON, - * PRINTED BY HARRY CROSWELL, FOR WILLIAM E. NORMAN. - 1806, =s** fººt/A A. × - & 2::= 2*/ * …, { jæ0ttg. IN a few inſtances, for obvious reaſons, the words and phraſes of the Bible tranſlation are:altered in this work, while the ſenſe or meaning is carefully pre- ſerved ; and this alteratiân is marked with Italic cha- račiers : And alſo, where a word, or phraſe is added for explanation, ſuch additions are in the Italic dia. raēters, and are included in parentheſes. uſ". Aſ ºf Jºvºvº, MT Jº THE title “BEAUTIEs of the BIBLE,” that has been given to this Sele&tion, only means that it con- tains a part of thoſe matchleſs beauties, with which that Divine Volume abounds. --- ſº prºpf ACE. --~~~~~ I. would be improper to apologise for undertaking a work, which is designed to be useful to the best interests of mankind. That a book of this kind is necessary will be generally allowed by Christians of every denomination, who have thought carefully on the subject. Time was in our country, when the Bible was almost the only schoºl book. By frequently reading the sacred writings in schoºls. a large portion of the doctrine and precepts of our holy religion was imperceptibly lodged in the memory, and often continued there through life, as the seed of piety, and as a happy preventive to error and vice. At length, objections were started against the use of the Bible in schools. Other books were introduced, and the sacred writings for several years past, have been almost totally excluded from having any share in school instruction: and by reason of this almost total disuse of the bible in schools, thousands of children have grºwn, and are growing up in gross ignorance of the contents of that sacred book. It is an astonishing thought and should be humbling to Christ- ians, that while we have neglected to make the knowledge of the bible any part of the school education of our children, the Mahºn- etans have been teaching their children the Alcoran with most dºº- gent care. Will not Mahomerans rise up in judgment against us and cºndemn us? - * While men slept the enemy came and sowed tares.” Besides innumerable other books of permicious tendency, it has been asserted that twenty thousand copies of what some have called “ Thomas Paine's bible” were imported into this country as one time. They have been distributed over the country, and have been read with ea- gerness: their poison has struck deep, particularlºnio those minds which had not been sown with the seeds of religious instruction. Thus an altitudes have been desperately wounded, not indeed by the paw ºf the lion, but by the sting of the despicable asp - * As we sow we may expect to reap.” If the bible should con- tinue to be excluded from schools, and the religious instruction of children be neglected, the bitter fruits will be experienced in the demoralized condition of all classes of people. To obviate, in some degree, this threatening evil, is the object of the present publication. This selection is not liable to any of those objections which have been urged against the scholastic use of the whoſe bible. Such mat- _ - _ ter has been selected (historical, moral and miscellaneous) as has been thought most likely to please and engage as well as improve the young mind. The whole has been thrown into paragraphs of a convenient length for reading lessons; and interspersed with ma- my remarks. As the book is designed for the use of Christians of all denomi- nations indifferently, no remark has been made on any points which are disputed between Christians; and the remarks in general have a threefold object : 1stly, to inculcate the several divine virtues, and religion in general, from scripture history and example—2dly, to bring into view, in the most compet dious manner, some of the evidences of the truth of Christianity; and 3dly, to illustrate the ºnequalled beauties of the sacred writings. Among the advantages proposed by this selection are the follow- ing : The knºwledge of the doctrines and mºral duties of our holy religion will be hereby instilled into young minds, without any cor- rupting mixture. They will learn the nature of the Christian reli- sºn, not from second hand descriptions, or as it is drawn by a hu- ºnan pencil, but from a real view of the thing itself. And they will in this way be led to read the bible with a relish, as a pleasant em- ºnent ; which relish may be likely “to grow with their growth and strengthen with their strength º' whereas it has been objected, that when youth are made to read those parts which they do not un- derstand, they consider it as an irksome task, that sometimes oc- casions a disgust against the whole book. It is further hºped, that some who are not incompetent judges may think this to be an advantagecus methºd of defending & holy religion, and guarding inexperienced minds against the º of infidelity, if one should deny that this world were made by a wise and good Being, because of the defects which appear upon it, and the confusion that seems to reign in it, there might be an in- possibility of answering all his quibbling arguments. The shortest and surest way would be to point out a number of the most strik- ing beauties; the marks of wisdom and design, and the displays of goodness which appear on the face of the earth; ºbserving withal, ºnat seeming deformities may be “beauties in disguise.” Or, if a man who had been lºng shut up in a dark room should deny that the stuº the fountain of light, and pretend that it had no better title to that distinction than his own glimmering lamp : you would not undertake to confute all his quibbles, but rather bring him ºut to the open day, and show him the sun in its meridian glo- º, and let him then compare his lamp with it. In like manner the most striking beauties of the bible, drawn together and presented in a single point of view, may go further to convince sºme people of the divine excellency of that book, than a whole volume of accurate ºd learned reasoning in its favour. ( v. ) ,f Perhaps too much attention has been occupied in answering the minute and trivial objections of isfidel writers : at least in a great measure, it seems to have been a fruitless task; because without: taking anyºngtice at all of the answers, they have, from time to time, º their objections with as much confidence as if no. answers had been given. This conduct has equally nanifested their cunning and their dishonesty ; for they well knew that many would read their objections, who would never have opportunity or inclina. tion to read the ingenucus and solid answers which had already been made to those objections. • * ~ * ... . . . It is an old maxim, that the bible is the best expounder of itself; and perhaps it is equally true, that the bible is the best vindicator of itself. We do not light a candle to see the sum : it shows itself to us by its own light. And when the great dc ciril.cs and truths of the bible, unmixed and without any foreign ornament, are diáºwn. together and presented in a clear view, they carry powerful evi. dence of their own divinity: they have a spirit and energy which: are peculiar to themselves. The collecting together the most plain and important doctrines and precepts in religion which are sgatter- ed through the bible, may be compared to collecting the rays ºf the tum into a focus, whereby they are-made to act with the greater. force. . . 33% ... With respect to the Dissertation on the style of our English bi- ble, the concise proofs of Christianity, and the various remarks which are scattered through this work, it becomes me to say bit:lit: tle ; otherwise I might incur the imputation either of vanity of the one hand, or of an affected humility on the other. I will therefºre only observe, that it is hoped, that these well meant essays will be conducive to the improvement of youth in knowledge and virtue; and that some people of more mature age and enlarged inder. standiñgs, may meet with valuable thoughts in them, which had heretofore escaped their notice. - . . . * * Finally, a hope is ir.dulged, that real Christians, of whatever de- nomination, will think this book a valuable present to bestow on a child, or any dear friend; and that they will feel the propriety.of introducing it into schools. - - E. : S. . % A Dissertation GN THE STYLE OR LANGUAGE OF OUR ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE, vſ. ZT, AEN WTJT'JºJº, Aſ ALL, who have any considerable knowledge of the English lan- guage well know that it has in some degree been corrupted, by in. termixing with it words and phrases c.f a foreign kind. This cor-. ruption of our language seems to have taken its first rise from the circumstance of placing on the British throne a foreign prince, name- ily, William of Nassau : in consequence of this event, the British court-being crowded with foreigners, an affectation of using for- eigăjwords and phrases began to prevail. - - : The evil was greatly increased by the war of the confederates with Léwis the 14th of France, which began in the reign of William, and continued through most of the reign of Queen Ann, his succes- ‘sor. By that war a number of the British mobility and commoners, as well as peasantry, were drawn over as soldiers, and were employ- ed fºr several years on the córitinent of Europe; where, being mixed together with the people of several other nations, they were Žiščustomed, at length, to express themselves in a mixed sort of ilāfiguage, consisting partly of words and phrases of a foreign stamp. The ingenious Addison noticed and reprobated this inundation of foreign words in the 'föllowing manner —“ The present war has so adulterated our-iānguage with strange words, that it would be impossible for one of our great grandfathers to know what his pos- feñty had been doing, were he to read their exploits in a modern hewspaper.” (See No.165 of the Spectator; where this affecta- tion ºf using foreign words instead of English is delicately satirized.) º; Other causes have co-operated, not only to corrupt our language with strange words, but also to darken it by such artificial arrange- ‘mént of words as Öbscured the sense in the same degree that it im- proved the sound. *Particularly, some authors of great fame have syritten in a very pompous affected style; among the most eminent of whºm was Dr. Samuel Johnson, who, composing some ºf his celebrated books while his attention was partly cccupied in com- piling his dictionary, and by that means, having his head filled with technical terms, he distributed them with an unsparing hand ; and disfigured his language by an unnatural stiffnes and pomposity. Many other writers of inferior abilities, aſſecting to form them- selves by that celebrated model, have imitated with too much suc- cess, not the beautiful and noble thoughts, but the swollem stile of Dr. Johnson. . . - After Richardson and Fielding had obtained a fame as novelists, a numerous tribe of writers engaged in the same line. The shelves ef-book-sellers have been crowded with novels, which besides their (vii ) immoral tendency, and the entire barrenness of many of them as to common sense, have frequently been written in an unnatural swol. len language. And as nevels in latter years, have, unhappily, been . a principle part of reading among the American yeuth, they have caught from them an unnatural taste with respect to language, as . well as many impure and extravagant ideas. - From the aforementioned causes as well as others it has happen- ed that many words not English have unnecessarily been mixed with our language ; which in the mean time, has been obscured by such unnatural arrangements of words as hid the meaning, while they attempted to please the ear; and if we had not a standard of pure English, it might at length become impºssible to separate the false from the true coin. - • - . It is readily granted that in the progress of arts, some new words became necessary to express new ideas; and when new words have. been either coined or borrowed from other languages, merely to sup; ply the deficiency of our language, it was both necessary and advantageous: but the coining of new words, or introducing foreign words to express things which already had English, names appre- priated to them, occasions a redundancy, and breeds confusion in our language. - . . . *:: ... Now it has favorably happened that the Bible-translation, which 3. is at present in use, was made before those innovations in our lan- ; guage began. Fify four men, distinguished for their knowledge, ſº not only of the Hebrew, Gyceé, and Latin, as well as English, but also of the principal modern languages of Europe, were selected and . appointed by king James 1st of England, A. D. 1604, to make a - new English translation of the Bible. - - Forty-seven of them began this task in the year 1607; and form. ing themselves into six divisions, they carefully compared the for. mer English translations of the Bible, not only with the original, but also with translations into Spanish, and sofhe other European languages. At leng h after abundance of care and labor, the Eng- lish translation which is now in use, was published in the year 1613. It is worthy of remark, that the Grecian and Roman Classics, which are justly considered the standard of purity and elegance in style, were studied much more thoroughly at that period than at any time since. And to this circumstance, in a great degree, it is probably owing that our English translation of the Bible is simple in . its language and entirely free from affectation. The words made use of are pure English, and there is not a phrase from the beginning to the end that swells into bombast. . . . . . - . . It is acknowledged that in our bible translation some words have become obsolete, and some-thoughts might be better expressed in different phrases, in order to suit them to the delicacy of a mod- ern ear; but with these small variations, and also rectifying a few f * º (viii inaccuracies in point of grammar, it may be pronounced a corn. plete standard of pure English. We read or hear, not for the sound of words, or for the sake of observing a stately structure of language, but to obtain informa- tion : so that, in general, that is the best style, by which thoughts are communicatº," with the greatest plainness and in the fewest words. And the scripture language, in our English translation, is, in a remarkable degree, both concise and clear. It may justly be called the perfection of style, to speak or write in such a manner that the hearer, or reader, without noticing the lam- guage, is led to yield up his whole attention to the thoughts which it communicates.—And this is the case, when we read the Bible in its English dress : while the thoughts strike our minds, we scarcely think of the language in which those thoughts are conveyed to us: whereas an affected style ever turns the attention on itself rathêr than on the sentinent. Every attempt to embellish the sublime thoughts of scripture, by divesting them of their simple dress, and agding the decorations of florid language, has debased the sacred writings, and manifes' ed the folly of the attempter. As well might ope attempt to varnish the colours of the rainbow. : The language of our Bible translation inay, in particular, be con- sidered as a very exceilent model for youth. An affectation in lan- is guage is nº less disgusting than an affectation in dess and manners; **, for language is the dress of thought.”—Now: it is observable that youth wild have an ambition to excel, are very apt, through a desire to distinguish themselves, to run into an affectation in language; or to elideavor to make their style glitter with ornaments. It is ... therefore proper that their style should at first be formed upon º most simple plan. - ... I will subjoin some remarks of Mr. Addison, whose authority, in point of language, is indisputable. Spectator No. 405. . . . There is a certai; coldness and indifference in the phrases of our European languages, when they are compared with the oriental forms of speech ; and it happens very luckily, that the Hebrew idi- oms run into the English to:gue with a particular grace and beauty. Gur language has received innumerable elegancies and improve- ments, from the infusion of Hebraisms which are derived to it out of the poetical passages in Holy Writ. They give a force and energy to our expression, warn and animate our language, and convey our thoughts in more ardent and intense phrases than any that are to be met with in our own tongue. “ There is something so pathetic in this kind of diction, that it often sets the mind in a flame, and makes our hearts burn within us. How cold and dead does a prayer appear, that is composed in the most elegant and polite forms of speech, which are natural to our tongue, wifen it is not heightened by that solemnity of phrase, which may be drawn from the sacred writings.” - - º BEAUTIES OF THE BIBLE, part I. A SELECTION FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT, CHAPTER I. HISTORY OF THE CREATION. A. c. or ºf rechrift, 4004 Year. - & 3, 1..... } N the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void ; and darkneſs was upon the face of the deep ; and the ſpirit of Gºd moved upon the face of the waters, and God ſaid, Let there be light, and there was light. And God ſaw the light that it was good : and God divi- ded the light from the darkneſs. And God called the light day, and the darkneſs He called night : and the evening and the morning wet e the firſt day. . 2....And God ſaid, Let there be a firmament in the midſt of the waters, and ſet it divide the waters from the waters. As i God made the firmament and divi- ded the waters which wers -under the firmament from the waters which were above the firinament: and it was ſo. And God calied the firinament heaven ; and the evening and the morning were the ſecond day: º, 3....And God ſaid, Let tº waters under the heavenº be gathered together unto one 'ace, and let the dry land appear, and it was ſo. And God called the dry B 14 º BEAUTIES of • land earth, and the gathering together of the waters called He ſeas : and God ſaw that it was good. 4....And God ſaid, Let the earth bring forth graſs, the herb yielding feed and the fruit-tree yielding fruit after his kind, whoſe ſeed is in itſelf upon the earth : and it was ſo. And the earth brought forth graſs, and the herb yielding feed after his kind, and the tree yield- ing fruit, whoſe ſeed was in itſelf after his kind ; and God ſaw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day. . . . - . 3....And God ſaid, Let there be lights in the firma- ment of heaven, to divide the day from the night : and let them be for ſigns and for ſeaſons and for days and for years ; and Jet them be for lights in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth ; and it was for And God made two great lights ; the greater light to rule the day, and the leſſer light to rule the night: He made the ſtars alſo. • , , 6....And God ſet them in the firmament of heaven, to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkneſs; and God faw that it was good.: and the evening and the morning were the fourth day. 7....And God ſaid, Let the waters bring forth abun- dantly the moving creature that hath Hife, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven : And God created great whales, and every. living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind : and God faw that it was good. .* 8,...And God bleſſed them, ſaying, Be fruitful arid multiply and fill the waters in the ſeas, and let toºl multiply on the earth. And the evening and the tuerning were the fifth day. . . . . - THE BIBLE. - is 9....And God ſaid, let the earth. bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping " thing, and beaſt of the earth after his kind ; and it was ſo. And God made the beaſts of the earth after . his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind : and God ſaw that it was good; . . . . 10....And God ſaid, Let us make man in our image, after our likeneſs; and let them have dominion over the fiſh of the ſea; and Gver the fowl of the air, and . over the cattle and over all the earth.—So God cre- ated man in his own image, male and female created He them. And G6d bleſſed them.—And God ſaw ev- . erything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the fixth day. - " 1 1. ..Thus the heav ens and the earth were finiſhed, and all the hoſt of them. And on the ſeventh day God Sºr’ “ which God. created and made. REMARKS. * * * - * ended his work which he had made. And he refled ºn the ſeventh day from all his work which he had ºrnade, and God bleſſed the ſeventh day and ſančlified ºf becauſe that in it he had reſted from all his works ; Fivehts the moſt aſtoniſhing as well as moſt intereſt. 3. ingafe here related with great brevity, and with a fim- ple grandeur. The origin of the heavens and all their hoſks agd of the earth, with all its furniture paſſes, as it were, in review before us. The original inſtitution of the Sabbath, ſo neceſſary to keep alive a ſenſe of reli- "gion, is diſtinëly marked. “We ſee human nature” itſelf traced up to its ſource: We are made acquainted . with the venerable father of all men; of whoſe nature we all partake; by whoſe condućt we are all affºled, * ... 16 BEAUTIES of and in the conſequences of whoſe aftions we are all to 'this day, deeply involved.” What an invaluable trea-’. fure of knowledge is here contained in a few lines 1– - CHAPTER II. THE FALL of MAN, of INNocence AND { GUILT CONTRASTED. . . . ra. * * * . -, 1..... I HE Lord God formed man of the duſt of the ground, and breathed into his noſtrils the breath of life: and man became a living ſoul. ... And the Lord God planted a garden eaſtward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the . ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is. pleaſant to the fight and good for food': the tree of life alſo in the midſt of the garden, and the tree of knowl: , edge of good and evil. * ºr 2....And a river went out of Eden to water the gar: '. den. And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden to dreſs it, and to keep it. And the Lord. God commanded the man, ſaying, Of every tree of the garded thou mayeſt freely eat; but of the tree of ‘the knowledge of good and evil thou ſhalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhaft ſurely die. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . *** º . . . . . . . . . . . . 3....And the Lord God ſaid, It is not good that man ſhould be alone; I will make an help meet for him. And the Lord God made a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam ſaid, "This is now bone of my bone and fleſh of my fleſh. And Adain called his wife's name Eve, becaäſe ſhe was the thèthér of all living; . . . . ; " ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . t THE BIBLE, 17 4...Now the ſerpent was more ſubtle than any beaſt of the field which the Lord God had made; and he ſaid unto the woman, Yea, hath God ſaid, ye ſhall not eat cf every tree of the garden P And the woman ſaid to the ſerpeñt, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the ritidſt of the garden, God hath ſaid, Ye ſhall not eat of it, neither ſhall ye touch it, leſt ye die. . . . 5....And the ſerpent ſaid unto the woman, Ye ſhall not ſurely die : for God doth know that in the day ye. eat thereof, then your eyes ſhall be opened : and ye ſhall be as Gods knowing good and evil—And when the woman ſaw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleaſant to the eyes, and a tree to be deſired to make one wiſe, ſhe took of the fruit thereof and did eat - and gave alſo to her huſband with her, and he did ... 6....And they heard the voice of the Lord God walk- sing in the #.". the cool of the day : and Adam and his wife aid themſelves from the preſence of the Lórd God among the the trees of the garden. And fhe Lord God called unto Adam, and ſaid unto him, Where art thou ? And he ſaid, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, and I hid myſelf. 7....And he ſaid, Haſt thou eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thce that thou ſhouldeſt not eat P And the man ſaid, The woman—ſhe gave me of the tree and I did eat. And the Lord God ſaid unto the woman What is this that thou haſt done 2 And the womah. ſaid, The ſerpent beguiled me, and I did eat. º 8....And the Lord ſaid unto the ſerpent, Becauſe thou haft done this, thou art curfed above every beaſt of the field: upon thy belly ſhalt thou go, and diſt ſhalt thou eat all the *** life. And I will put enmity be-, ... tº . p 2 : 18 BEAUTIES of tween thee and the woman, and between thy ſeed and her ſeed : it ſhall bruiſe thy head and thou ſhalt bruiſe his heel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9....Unto the woman he ſaid, I will greatly multiply thy ſorrow. And unto Adam be ſaid, Becauſe thou haſt hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and haſteat- en of the tree of which I commanded thee, ſaying, Thou ſhalt not eat of it, curſed is the ground for thy ſake : in ſorrow ſhalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. In the ſweat of thy face ſhalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground ; for out of it waſ thou taken; fer duſt thou art, and unto duſt ſhall thou return. 10....Therefore the Lord God ſent him forth from the garden of Eden to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man : and he placed at the eaſt end of the garden of Eden, Cherubim and a " flaming ſword, which turned every way, to keep the tree of life, leſt the man ſhould eat thereof and live forever. 11....And Adam and Eve had two ſons, Cain and Abel : Abel was a keeper of ſheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in proceſs of time it came to paſs, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel alſo brought of the firſtlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. 12....And the Lord had reſpećt unto Abel and to his effering : but unto Cain and to his offering he had not reſpect. And Cain was very wroth and his counte- nance fell. And the Lord ſaid unto Cain, why art thou wroth P and why is thy countenance failen P, if thou doeſ well ſhalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doeſ not well, fin lieth at the deor. * * * 13....And Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to paſs, when they were in the field, that Cain #THE BIBLE. 19 * roſe up againſt Abel his brother, and flew him.” And . the Lord ſaid unto Cain, Where as Abel thy brother ? And he ſaid, I know not : am I my brother’s keeper ? And he ſaid, What haſt thou done 2 The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. 14....And now thou art curſed from the earth, which hath opened her močth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hands. . When thou tilieſt the ground, it ſhall, not henceforth yield unto thee her ſtrength. A fugi- tive and a vagabond ſhaltithou be in the earth. 15....And Cain ſaid unto the Lord, my puniſhment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou haſt driven me out this day from the face of the earth ; and from thy face ſhall I be hid: and I ſhall be a fugitive and a vag- abond in the earth ; and it ſhall come to paſs, that eVr. ery one that findeth me ſhall ſlay me. º . . REMARKS. - T he horrors of a guilty conſcience are not deſcribed .” ..more forcibly even by Shakeſpeare himſelf, than in the foregoing expreſſions of deſpairing Cain. We behold the wretch quaking with borror, a terror to himſelf and to all round about him. But here the queſtion occurs, How could Cain be afraid of violencc from the hands of men, ſeeing it does not appear that any man exiſted at that time, excepting himſelf and Adam his father P To this queſtion the following anſwer is taken from Dr. Hunter's ſacred biography. Af “The birth of Seth is fixed, by the ſacred hiſtory, in * “It is melaneholy to observe [says Dr. Hunter] that the first quar- rel in the world, the first human blood that was shed, were occa- sioned by religion, which was designed by God to be, and really is in itself, the dearest bond of union among men.”. This awful in- starce, while it plainly shows that the best things may sometimes be perverted to the worst of purposes, is a solemn warning to the children of men, to avoid all bitterness and wrath in their religious *isputes. * BEAUTIES or the one hundred and thirtieth year of Adam : it is therefore reaſonable; to place the death of Abe, two years earlier, or near it ; that is in the one hundred and twenty-eighth year of the world. Now though.we ſhould ſuppoſe (which is by no means-certain) that Ad. dam and Eve had no other ſons, in the year of the world one hundred and twenty-eight, but Cain and Abel, it muſt be allowed that they had daughters, whe might early marry with their two ſons. And no niore than the deſcendants of theſe two are requiſite to make a eonſiderable number of men upon the earth, in the ſaid year one hundred and twenty-eight. . . “For ſuppoſing them (Cain and Abel) to have been married in the nineteenth year of the world, they raight have had each of them eight chiſãren in the sweaty-fifth year.” In twenty-five years more, the fif. tieth of the world, their defeendants, in a dire&# line. would be ſixty four perſons. In the ſeventy-fifth year; at the ſame rate, they would amount to five hundred. and twelve. In the one hundredth year, to four thoux. ſand and ninety-ſix. In the one hundred and twenty- fººth year, to thirty-two thouſand ſeven hundred. *}: ſixty-eight.” ". . . . . . . . . . .", * * ~~º-tº- & —?— —” - 3––. * * ºr CHAPTER III. . . . . T H E F L o o D. . . - A. M. or year of the World, 1656. 1.... [ HE earth was corrupt before God; and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, beheld, it was corrupt ; for all fleſh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God THE BIBLE, 21 făw that the wickedneſs of man was great upon the earth, and that every immagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 2....And the Lord ſaid, My ſpirit ſhall not always. ſtrive with man, for that he alſo is fleſh. And God ſaid. unto Noah, The end of all fleſh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them ; be- hold I will deſtroy man whom I have created, from the face of the earth.—Makéºthee an ark of Gopher. wood ; rooms ſhall thou make in the ark, and pitch it within and without with pitch. g 3....And, behold 1, even I, do bring a flood of wa-, ters upon the earth, to deſtroy all fleſh wherein is the breath of life from under heaven. But with thee will I eſtabliſh my covenant : and thou ſhalt come into the jayk ; thou and thy ſons, and thy wife, and thy ſons wives with thee. . . . º:44...And the Lord ſaid unto Noah, Come thou and all thy houſe into the ark : for thee have I ſeen righte- Gus before me in this generatic n. For yet ſeven days and I will cauſe it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights ; and every living ſubſtance that I have *de will I deſtroy from of the face of the earth. 5:...And Noah went in, and his ſons, and his wife, §nd his ſons' wives with him, (in the whole, eight ſouls/ into the ark, becauſe of the waters of the flood. Of &lean beaſts, and of beaſts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, there went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded No. ... a * , -º- 3 s : • . ah. And the Lord ſhut him in. * - .. 6....And it came to paſs, after ſeven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. In the fixth hundredth year of Noah's life, in the ſecond month, 22*. - - - *. º º *: ...the ſeventeenth day of the month, (anſwering to the *7th day. of December) the ſame day were all the foun- tains of the great deep broken up, and the windows ; of heaven opened. . . . . 7....And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights : and the waters increaſed and bare up the ark. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth.: and all the hills that were under the whole hea- ven were covered.—Eifteen cubits upwards did the wa-. ters prevail ; and all fleſh died that moved upon the earth; all in whoſe noſtrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land died. And, Noah only re- mained alive and they that were with him in die ark. 8....And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hun- dred and fifty days. And God remembered. Noah and every living thing that was with him in the ark: aid. God made a wind to paſs over the earth, and the was ters aſſuaged. The fountains alſo of the deep, and, the windows of heaven were ſtopped, and the rain frºm heaven was reflrained. 9 ...And the waters returned from off the earth gon- tinually ; and the ark reſted in the ſeventh month, on ... the ſeventeenth-day of the month, (or the ſixth of MaØde un, the mountains of Ararat, (in Armenia.) And it same to paſs that Noah opciled the window of the ark which he had inade. And he ſent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from the face of the earth. 10... Alſo he ſent forth a dove ſon him, to ſee if the watersºvere abated from off the face of the ground: But the dove found no reſt for the ſole of her foot, and ſhe returned unto him into the ark. And he ſtayed yet other ſeven-days, and again he ſent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came in to him in the even- ing, and, ſo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off. - ,” we *-* . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; ººse...,' ri-tºrr prºtºff.º.'' . . , A-A zºº lºººººº... . . . . º, ; ; ºf.” . . . . . g -º-º: . ... ? 23 it....So Noah knew that the waters were abated from *65the earth. And he ſtayed yet other ſeven days, and ſent forth the dove : which returned not again unto: him any more. And Noah removed the covering # the ark, and loºked, and behold the face of the groufid: was dry. And Godºfpake unto Noah, ſaying, Go forth out of the ark. And Noah went forth, and his ſons, and his wife, and his ſons' wives with him. (They ihawing continued in the aré one year and eleven days)." 12...And N ah builded an altar untº.the Lord. Atid, God bleſſed Noah and his ſons; and God ſpake unto t Noah and to his ſons, ſaying, Behold I eſtabliſh myº covenant with you and with your ſeed after vox. 5 reiss , ther ſhall all fleſh be cut off any more by the return of a flood. And God ſaid, This is the token of the coi: venant, I do ſet my £30 w in the cloud, and it ſh;I be for a token of a covenaft between me...and the earth. . And the ſons of Noah, that went forth of the gºvere Shem, and Ham, and Jepire:h; and of them # the whole ea cil over ſpread. . . . . . . . . . . ºf • * ~ * ** * * : . REMARKS. -. . - , .ºz. • *. - - *.* º, Marks of the flood are ſtill to be ſeen is every quar- “ter of the globe. Large beds of oyſter &nd other ſea- ſhells, extending over ſeveral acres each, have fre- "quently been found at a great diſtance from the ſea, and ſometimes in very elevated ſituations: alſo the bones of whales, and other fiſhes, buried decp in the ...eartly, - . . . . . . . . . . . . . In the words of a celebrated writer, “Whatever, depths of the earth we examine, or whatever di Éancé. within land, we ſeek, we moſt commonly find a mutii. ber of foſſil: ſhells, which being compared with others from the ſea are found to be exatily of a ſimilar ſhape and nature. They are found at the very bottom of * § - - . . . . .3ñº yº. . 24 BEAUTIES OF quarries and mines, on the top of even the higheſt mountains, as well as in the vallies and plains : and ... this not in one country alone, but in all places where there is any digging for marble, chalk, or any other terreſtrial matters, that are ſo compaët as to fence off ...the external injuries of the air, and thus preſerve theſe ſhells from decay.” . . . - • * . By the fingle family of Noah the earth was re-peo- pled. Noah himſelf is ſuppoſed to have gone eaſtward about one hundred and fifteen years after the flood, and to have laid the foundation of the Chineſe monarchy. Aſhur, ſon of Shem, built. Nineveh, the capital of the Aſſyrian Empire. And there are two remarkable na- ...tions now in being, namely, the Jews and the Arabi- ans, who both deſcended from Arphaxed, another ſon of Shem, in the line of Abraham. Nimród, a great grandſon of Noah, in the line of Ham, founded the famous city Babylon. Cuſh, a ſon of Ham, is thought to have begun the ſettlement of Ethiopia, which in ancient times, was called the land of Cuſh. Miſraim, another ſon of Ham, founded the kingdom of Egvpt, about one hundred and ſixty- four years atter the flood. And Canaan, who was alſo a ſon of Ham, and grandſon of Noah, was the father pf the Canaanites; Sydonians, Tyrians, and Cartha- genians; nations once famous, but long ago deſtroyed from the face of the earth. * The poſterity of Japheth ſettled the weſtern part of Aſia, and the European countries ; which, in ſcrip- ...ture, are called the iſles of the Gentiles. It may be proper to obſerve, that the fingle life of Noah almoſt conneéted the diſtant times of Adam and Abram ; for Noah was born only one hundred and twenty-ſix years atter the death of Adam, and lived till within two years of Abram's birth. . . . . . . THE BIBLE, as .. ^- - chAPTER IV. The conciliative cowp vct of ABRAM. A. M. about 2087. - ...ABRAM went up out of Egypt, he and his wife and aſ that he had, and Lot with him into the ſouth. 'And Abram was very rich in cattle, in ſilver, and in gold. And he went on his journey from the ſouth, even unto Bethel, unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at firſt ; and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. - 4, 2....And Lot alſo, who went with Abram had flocks, and herds, and tents: and the land was not able to bear them that they might dwell together ; for their ſub- flance was great. And there was a ſtrife between the herdſmen of Abram's cattle, and the herdſmen of Lot's cattle. - 3 ...And Abram ſaid unto Lot, Let there be no ſtrife between me and thee, and between my herdſmen and thy herdſmen ; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before thee 2 Separate thyſelf, I pray thee from me : if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right ; or if thou depart to the right band, then I will go to the left. . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . t * , . A 4....And Lot beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, even as the garden of the Lord : then Lot choſe him all the plains of Jor: dan. And they ſeparated themſelves one from the oth. er; and Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan. -º . . . . REMARKS. The charader of Abram is greatly revered by Ms. -* * hometäns, as well as by Jews and Chriſtians; and the ... . ... . . . . . . . .. C - º 26 BEAUTIES or \ generoſity of his conduët in this inſtance is no incon- ſiderable mark of his uncommon excellence. He flood teward Lot in a ſuperior relation : he was his uncle, and had even been a father to him. Indeed, in every point of view, he was Lot's ſuperior. It might, therefore, have ſeemed reaſonable in Abram, on their propoſed ſeparation, to have claimed the firſt choice of ſituation. ... " But this right of precedence he voluntarily gave np, and conceded it to the inferior party—not from weak- reſs or cowardice, as Chedorlaomer and the other con- federate kings could witHeſs, whom he vanquiſhed in battle, but fron the impulſe of a generous and noble heart. This conciliatory overture of Abram to his nephew, while it manifeſted a great and a good mind, did, at the ſame time, exhibit an amiable example which it would be highly uſeful to contemplate. This example is particularly recommended to the ... ſerious notice of the froward and petulant, who engage in trivial contentions and captious law ſuits, and ſeem to think it a point of honor to be unvielding and boiſt- erous, even in the mereſt trifles. Let ſuch people learn from the condućl of that great and good man, Abram, that a truly noble mind is not petulant and captious, but mild and accommodating. * CHAPTER v. - sº THE HEROIC AND DISINTERESTED cow. DUCT OF AB RAM. - ...It came to paſs, in the davs of Amraphel, a king of Shirar, Arioch, king of Ellaſor, Chesiol la mer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of Nations; that theſe *: THE BIBLE. 27 made war with Bera, king of Sodom, and with Birſha, king of Gomorrah. And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah ; and they joined battle with them, in the valley of Siddim. . . 2....And the vale of Siddim was full of ſlime pits ; and the king of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and feif there ; and they that remained fled to the mouſtain. And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their vićtuals, and went their way. And thºr took Lot, Abram's brother's ſon, and his goods, and departed. { } - - 3....And there came one who had eſcaped, and told Abram the Hebrew. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained ſervants born in his own houſe, three hundred and eighteen, and purſued them unto Dan. - - 4....And he divided himſelf againſt them, he and his ſervants by night, and ſmote them. And he brought back all the goods, and alſo brought back his brother i. and his goods, and the women alſo, and the peo- - p • | * . 3....And the king of Sodom went out to meet him. And Melchizedek, king of Salem, (afterwards călled Jeruſalem) brought toith bread and wine : and he was the prieſt of the moſt high God. And he bleſſed him and ſaid, Bleſſed be Abram of the mºſt high God, poſ- ſeſſor of heaven and earth” and bleſſed be the moſt. high God, who hath given thine enemies into thige hand. And he gave him tithes of all. tº 6....And the king of Sodom ſaid unto Abram, Give me the perſons, and take the goods to thyſelf. ºrd Abram ſaid to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up. mine hand unto the Lord, the moſt high God, the poſs feſſor of heaven and earth, that I will not take any thing. 28 BEAUTIES OF - that is thine, even to a ſhoe latchet, leſt thou ſhouldeſt ſay I have made Abram rich. - REMARKS. The perſonal bravery of Abram in reſcuing his cap- .." and neighbors, and recovering their goods; his rºble independence of mind in declining the offer of the king of Sodom, and his diſintereſted and digni- # * } condućt throughout the whole affair, are entitled to a high degree of honor. And who does not ſee, in *this inſtance, a near reſemblance between Abram, the venerable Chaldean, and the American Waſhington P Both of thern riſqued their own lives, from benevolent motives and principles ; and both refuſed thoſe pecun- iary rewards which were due to their ſervices. CHAPTER VI. ABRAM's HospitaLITY, courTESY AND BENEVO LEMCE. . A. M. 2107. ! * . .” * W W HEN Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared unto Abram, and ſaid unto him, I am the Almighty God ; walk before me, * and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceed- ingly ; neither ſhall thy name any more be called A- bram; but thy name ſhall be Abraham ; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 2....And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre; and he ſat in the tent door in the heat of the day, Aud he looked, and, lo, three men flood by : THE BIBLE. - 29 him ; and when he ſaw them, he ran te meet them, from the tent door, and bowed himſelf toward the ground, and ſaid, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy ſight, paſs not away I pray thee from thy ſervant. 3....Let a little water I pray you, be fetched, and waſh your feet, and reſt yourſelves under the tree'; and I will fetch a morſel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts ; after that ye ſhall paſs on : for therefore have ye come to your ſervant.—And they ſaid: So do as thou haſt ſaid. And Abraham haſtened into the tent to Sarah, and ſaid, Make ready quickly three meaſures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. 4....And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf, tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he haſtened to dreſs it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dreſſed, and ſet it be- fore them ; and he ſtood by them under the tree, and they did eat. 5....And the men roſe up from thence, and looked towards Sodom ; and Abraham went with them, to bring them on the way. And the Lord ſaid, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do : ſeeing that Abrahain ſhall ſurely become a great and nighty ma- tion, and all the nations of the earth ſhall be bleſſed in him for I know him, that he will command his children, and his houſehold after him, and they ſhall keep the way of the Lord. . 6....And the Lord ſaid, Becauſe the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and becauſe their fin is very grievous ; I will go down now, and ſee whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me, and if not I will know. And the frien turned their faces from thence, and went towards Sodom : *A* ſtood yet before the Lord. t . . . . 2 * ...i. * -- 2: \ -, *.* 3a BEAUTIES OF 7....And Abraham drew near and ſaid, Wilt thou al- ſo deſtroy the righteous with the wicked 2 peradven- ture there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou alſo deſtroy and not ſpare the city for fifty righteous that are therein P that be far from thee—to ſlay the righteous with the wicked. Shall not the judge of all the earth do right 2 - 3 * 8....And the Lord ſaid, if I find in Sodom fifty righteous, then I will ſpare all the place for their fakes. And Abraham anſwered and ſaid, Behold, now I have taken upon me to ſpeak unto the Lord, who am but do ſt and aſhes ; peradventure there ſhould lack five of the fifty righteous ; wilt thou deſtroy all the city for lack of five P And he ſaid, If I find there forty and five I will not deſtroy it. 9....And he ſpake unto him yet again, and ſaid, Perad venture there ſhall be forty found there. And he ſaid I will not do it for forty's ſake. And he ſaid, Oh let not the Lord be angry, 2nd I will ſpeak : perad- venture that thirty ſhall be found there. And he ſaid, I will not do it if I find thirty there. 1o....And he ſaid, Behold now I have taken upon me . to ſpeak unto the Lord : peradventure there ſhall be twenty found there. And he ſaid, I will not deſtroy it for twenty’s ſake. And he ſaid, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will ſpeak yet but this once : perad- venture ten ſhall be found there. And he ſaid, I will not deſtroy it for ten’s ſake. s REMARKS. . While the fervent and perſevering interceffion of Abraham for his wicked neighbors, the Södomites, was a mark of the fingular benevolence of his mind, his courteous and hoſpitable character is, in the mean time, worthy of notice and imitation. He entertained THE BIBLE, 8, angels unawares—Suppoſing them to be mere men. Sitting in his tent door and obſerving three ſtrangers in the ſtreet, the kindneſs of his heart prompted him to invite them in. - * , , He did not, with a cold formality, ſend one of his ſervants to them : but went himſelf. His pace accord- ed with the warm feelings of his heart : he ran to meet them i and, according to the eaſtern manner of expreſ- ſing civility, bowed himſelf to the ground. His in- vitation was ſuch as could leave no doubt of their be- ing welcome ; for it was warm and hearty. He ifiade ready the beſt things for their entertain- Wºment ; and, tho’ he had many ſervants, he ſtood by his gueſts while they were eating, and courteouſly waited upon them himſelf. And finaily, when they took their leave, he did not ſend, but went perſonally, though greatly advanced in age, to bring them on their way.— This noble ſpecimen, in compariſon with the falſe and cold-hearted Chefterfieldian politeneſs, is like the pure gold compared with tinſel. + - CHAPTER VII. THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM. A. M. aloz. - ...Now pride, fulneſs of bread, and abun- dance of idleneſs were in Sodom ; and the people of Sodom gave themſelves over to wantonneſs and abom- £nations, and were finners exceedingly before the Lord. . But Lot was a juſt man, and was grieved forms day to day with their filthy communications. . 32 BEAUTIES OF 2....And there came two angels to Sodom at even : and Lot ſat in the gate of Sodom ; and Lot ſeeing them, roſe up to meet them ; and he bowed himſelf , with his face toward the ground; and he ſaid, Behold, is now, my Lords, turn in, I pray you, into your ſer- vant’s houſe, and tarry all night, and waſh your feet, and ye ſhall riſe up early, and go on your way. And they ſaid, Nay, but we will abide in the ſtreet all night. 3, ...And he preſſed upon them greatly ; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his houſe ; and he made them a feaſt, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. But before they lie down, the timen of the city, even the men of Sodom, compaſſed the houſe round about, both old and young : and they called unto Let, and ſaid up to him, Where are the men that came in to thee this night P bring them out unto us, that we may abuſe them. 4....And Lot went out at the door unto them, and ſhut the door after him ; and ſaid, I pray you, breth- ren; do not ſo wickedly : unto theſe men do notbing ; for therefore came they under the ſhadow of my roof. And they ſaid, ſtand back. And they ſaid again, This one fellow came in to ſojourn, and he will needs be a * judge ; now we will deal worſe with thee than with them. - -- T 8....And they preſſed fore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. But the men put forth their band, and pulled Lot into the houſe to them, and ſhut the door ; and they ſmote the men who were at the door of the houſe, with blindneſs, both ſmall and great : ſo that they wearied themſelves to find the door. . - 6....And the men ſaid unto Lot, Haſt thou here any baſides 2 Son-in-law, and thy ſons, and thy daughters, THE BIBLE. 33 and whatſoever thou haſt in the city, bring them out of this place; for we will deſtroy this place, becauſe the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord ; and the Lord hath ſent us to deſtroy it. And Lot went out, and ſpake unto his ſons-in-law which married his daughters, and ſaid, up, get you out of this place, for the Lord will deſtioy this city. But he ſeemed as one that mocked unto his ſons-in-law. 7....And when the morning aroſe, then the angels haſtened Lot, ſaying, Ariſe, take thy wife, and thy two daughters which are here ; left thou be conſumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters the .* Lord being merciful to him ; and they brought him forth, and ſet him without the city. - - 8....And it came to paſs, wheſſ they had brought them forth abroad, that he ſaid, Eſcape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither flay thou iſ: all the plain, eſcape to the mountain, left thou be conſumed. And Lot ſaid unto them, Oh not ſo, my Lord ; behold, now thy ſervant hath found grace in thy fight, and thou haſ magnified thy mercy, which thou haſt ſhe wed ba- to me, in ſaving my life; and I cannot eſcape to the: mountain, leſ, ſome evil take me, and I die. 9.... Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one : Ob let me eſcape thither ? is it not a little one? and my foul ſhall live. And he ſaid, See I have accepted thee concerning this thing alſo, that I will not overthrow this city for the thing which thou haſt ſpoken. Hafle thee, eſcape thither ; for I can- not do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 10....The ſun was riſen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom, 34 BEAUTIES OF and Gomorrah, brimſtone and fire from the Lord out of heaven ; and he over threw the cities and all the - plain, and all the in babitants of the cit; i. s. . 11....And Abraham got him up early in the morn- ing to the place where he ſtood before the Lord : and he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the ſmoke of the country went up as the ſmoke of a furnace. R.E.M.A.R.K.S. N- The ground where Sodom and Gomorrah flood, and the whole vale of Siddim, was ſunk, and is overflown by the lake called Aſphaltites, on account of the Bitu- men with which it abounds. It is alſo called the Dead Sea, by reaſon that it contains neither animal, not veg- etable life. - Volney affi, ins that there is no verdure to be ſeen on its banks, nor a fiſh to be found within its waters. Thus the place, whoſe inhabitants were miraculouſly deſtroyed neatly four thouſand years ago, for their abominable wickedneſs, ſeems ſtill to bear ihe evident. marks of the divide diſpleaſure. . . . CHAPTER VIII. AN ANCIENT SPECIMEN of Politeness. A. M. about 2145. died, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to 1. If came to paſs that Sarah (Ahraham's wife) K weep for her. And Abraham ſtood up trom before his dead, and ſpake unto the ſons of Heth, ſaying, I am a THE BIBLE. - & ſtranger and a ſojourner with you ; give me a poſſeſ. fion of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my fight. º • . - 2....And the children of Heth anſwered Abraham, ſaying unto him, Hear us, my Lord : thou art a migh- ty prince among us ; in the choice of our ſepulchres bury thy dead: None of us ſhall withhold from thee his ſepulchre, but that thou mayef bury thy dead. And - * -- the land, even to the children of Heth. Abraham ſtood up and bowed himſelf to the people of 3....And he commoned with them, ſaying, If it be your mind that I ſhould bury my dead out of my fight, hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he bath; for as much money as it is worth ſhall he give it me, for a poſſeſſion of a burying-place armong you. And Ephron anſwered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, ſaying, Nay, my Lord, hear me : 4....The field I give thee, and the cave that is there. in’ſ give it thee ; in the preſence of the ſons of my people give I it thee; bury thy dead. And Abraham bow- ed down himſel; before the people of the land; and he fake unto Feb; on, in the audience of the people of . the land, faying, But if thou will give it, I pray thee hear me: I will give thee money for the field, take it of me, and I will bury my dead there. 5....And Ephron anſwered Abraham, ſaying unto. him, My Lord hearken unto me; the land is worth four hundred ſhekels of ſilver; what is that betwixt Ine and thee P bury therefore thy dead. And Abraham & beakened unto Ephron, and Abraham weighed unto Eºgon ºne ſilver which he had named in the audience' of the ſons of Heth, four hundred ſhekels of ſilver, current money with the merchant. . . . . . . . ~~~ 36 BEAUTIES OF 6....And the field of Ephron, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, were . made ſure unfo Abraham, for a poſſeſſion, in the pre- ſence of the children of Heth. (This is the earlieſ, record extant of the transfer of land, and of the uſe of money in commerce J . #. . . . . . CHAPTER Ix. - A REMARKABLE DREAM. * - A. M. *44. - ...Now Iſaac called Jacob, his ſon, and bleſſed him, and charged him, and ſaid unto him, thou ſhalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. (Be- cauſe the daughters of Canaan were wicked and wor- Jhipped idols.) Arife, go to Padan-Aram, to the houſe of Bethuel, thy mother’s father, and take thee a wife frºm thence: and God Almighty bleſs thee. 2....And Jacob went out from Beerſheba, and went toward Haran : and he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, becauſe the ſun was ſet, and he took of the ſtones of that place, and put them, for his pillows, and lay down in that place to ſleep. 3....And he drearned, and behold, a ladder ſet upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven : and, behold, the angels of God aſcending and deſcending upon it. And behold... the Lord Rood above it, and faid, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Iſaac ; the land whereon thou lieſt, to thee will I give it, and to thy children. 4....And thy children ſhall be (numerous) as the duſt r’ THE BIBLE. 37 of the earth :" agd in thy ſeed (meaning the Meſſiah, or Chriſt, who ſprang from 7acob) ſhall all the na- tions of the earth be bleſſed. And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou go- eſt; and will bring thee again into this land. - * Thiſ divine promiſe of multiplying the poſterity of face' has been fulfilled to a moſt aſioniſhiºestānī; for his deſcendants already, at a moderatec impºrtation, Áave exceeded two hundred millions of people. ...They have exiſted mºre than three thouſand #ve hundred jears 5 and will probably continue to exiſt, as a diffinº claſs ºf people, to the end of the world.” And th; time may cºme, when the number of Jacob's poſterity ſhall exceed the whoſe number of the inhabitant; ofthe earth at any one period ſince the creation. . . . . The hiſtory of this people, from their origin down to the preſent day, is filled with wonders. While the whoſe world beſides, was ſunk into groſ; idolatry, they all along preſerved the Ánowledge and the worſhip of the one true God, They have always been hat: by other nations; and frequent attempts have been made to root then out of the earth ; and yet they have long ſurviv- ed the utter ruin %f the 4/yrians, the Grecians, the Formans, and their other mighty conquerors and op- Pºž. $ º . - hough faithtº/, as to their general charader, they $ºſººd with wonderful fiſhºya...º. Q%20.* *erein their aggravâted.cºm.a.ſ.... and which repreſent them to have deen, through Juz. ceſſive generations, **3rateful and rebelliºus race of people. They have now, for more than ?venteen hundred Jºãº, been diſperſed over the *::/ world. and have ſuffered every Aiºd of indignity, inſult and miſery. And all this was predićled with aftoniſhing . . - exadneſs, by their great grºpist Moſes, more than - 33. BEAUTIES OF . $5....And Jacob awaked out of his ſleep, and he ſaid, Sirely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. : And he was afraid, and ſaid, How dreadful is this place This is none other but the houſe of God, and this is the gate of heaven. And Jacob roſe early in the morn- ing, and took the ſtone that he had put for his pillow, and ſet it up for a pillar, • * * * 3 #3;&# ... * 4. - tº - - - - .. -6.jacob vowed a vow, ſaying, If God will be withièand will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, ſo thäßiſcome again to my father's houſe in peace ; then ſhall the Lord be my God. - ... * * * * ... " ... }*, * * " . . . . . . * * • *, *, * *.*.* = ... cHAPTER X. ^: , THE AFFECTIONATE, MEETING 9 F.T. 2 #RoTHERS WHO HAD BEEN AT WARI: ANCE. - - . . .” A. M. 2263. ...Now Jacob went on his way, and the 3 fi- gels of God met him : and when Jacob ſaw them, he three thouſand years ago, particularly in the twenty- eighth chapter of Deuteronºmy,..., , , , , a. . . . *...ºft. enemies of the Chriſtian teligion, and yet are the living and inconteſtible witneſſes of its truth : fºr they carry with them, every where, the pro- ihetic writings, which had their accompliſhment in * 7eſus C ſhrift' and the awful deſiručion of their city, ...A hºrible atamities which the nation #4;. ſince ſuffered majºremarkably correſpond with our Saviour's. predišions. - - THE BIBLE, s, 30....And joſeph ſaid unto Pharaoh, the dream of. Pharaoh is one : God hath ſhewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The ſeven good kine, and the ſeven good ears are ſeven years: and the ſeven thin and ill-favour. ºred kine, and the ſeven empty ears blaſted, with the eaſt. ' wind, ſhall be ſeven years of famine. sº 3. 31.....Behold, there come ſeven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. Aird there ſhall ariſe after them ſeven years of famine verygiiev- ous and the famine ſhall conſume the land. . . . . 32...Now, therefore, let Pharaoh look out a than diſcreet and wiſe, and ſet him over the land of Egypt. ' And let Pharaoh appoint officers over the land ; arid. let them gather the food of thoſe good years, that food, tuay be in ſtore in the land, againſt the ſeven years of •famine, and the thing was good in the eyes of Phara- 'oh, and in the cyes of all his ſervânts º, 33....And Pharaoh ſaid unto his ſervants, Can we find ſuch an one as this is, a man in whom the ſpirit of . , God is P And Pharaoh ſaid unto Joſeph, Foraſunuch as God hath ſhewed thee all this, there is none ſo diſcreet and wiſe as thou art, thou ſhalt be over my houſe and people : only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 34....And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joſeph's hand, and arrayed him in a veſ- ture of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck : and he made him to ride in the ſecond chariot which he had , and they cried before him, bow the knee, and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. …; 35...And Joſeph went out from the préſence of Pharaoh, and went thoughout all the land:#Egypt. And in the ſeven plentejus years tº earth brought forth by handfuls. . and Joſeph gathered corn as the ſand of the ſea. And the ſeven years of plenteouſneſs . * . . . . . as BEAUTIES OF were ended, and the ſeven years of dearth began to come; and the dearth was in all lands ; but in the land ... of Egypt there was bread. And all countries came in- to Egypt, to Joſeph, for to buy corn. 36...Now when Jacob ſaw that there was corn in -Egypt, Jacob ſaid unto his ſons, Why do ye look one upon another * And he ſaid, Behold, I have heard that *****: there is corn in Egypt : get ye down thither, and buy for is from thence; that we may live, and not die. And Joſeph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in : * 37....And Joſeph's brethren came, and bowed down , themſelves beſore him, with their faces to the earth. “And Joſeph knew his brethren : , but made himſelf ſtrange unto them, and ſpake roughly unto them. And Joſeph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and ſaid unto them, Ye are ſpies: to ſee the na- kedneſs of v.le land ye are come. * . 38....And they ſaid unto him, Nay my lord; but to buy food are thy ſervants come : we are all one man's ſons ; we are true men, thy ſervants are no ſpies.— And he ſaid unto them, Nay, but to ſee the nakedneſs of the land ye are come. . . 39....And they ſaid, thy ſervants are twelve breth- ren, the ſons of one man in the land of Canaan ; and behold, the youngeſt is this day with our father, and one is not. And Joſeph ſaid unto them, That is it that I ſpake unto you, ſaying, ye are ſpies ; hereby ye ſhall be proved; for ye ſhall not go hence except your youngeſt brother come hither. - 40....Send one of you, and let him fetch your broth- er, and ye ſhall be kept in priſon, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you ; or elſe ſurely ye are ſpies.—And he put them all together into ~ * THE BIBLE, 19 priſon three days. And Joſeph ſaid unto them the third day, This do, and live ; for I fear God. . . . 41....If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the.houſe of your priſon ; go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houſes : but bring your young- eſt brother unto me, ſo ſhall your words be verified, and ye ſhall not die. And they did ſo. . ‘. . 42....And they ſaid one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we ſaw the an- guiſh of his ſoul, when he beſought us, and we would, not hear; therefore is this diſtreſs come upon us.— And Reuben anſwered them, ſaying, j not un- to you, ſaying, do not fin againſt the child and ye would not hear : therefore, behold, alſo his blood is required. - : *- 43....And they knew not that Joſeph underſtood thern, for he ſpake unto them by an interpreter. ' And he turned himſelf about from them, and wept ; and re- turned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. Then Joſeph commanded to fill their ſacks with corn, and to reſtore every man's money into his ſack, and to give them proviſion for the way. . . . . . . 44....And they laded their aſſes with the corn, and departed hence.—And as one of them opened his ſack to give his aſs provender in the inn, he eſpied his mo- ney ; for, behold, it was in the ſack's mouth. And he ſaid unto his brethren, My money is reſtored : and, lo, it is even in my ſack.-And their heart failed them, and, they were afraid, ſaying one to another, what is this that God hath done unto us. P - - . . . . . . . 45....And they came unto Jacob their father, and told him all that befel them, in Egypt. And it came to paſs as ºffey eamptied their ſacks, that, behold, eve- a BEAUTIES OF ry, man's money was in his ſack ; and when both they and their father ſaw the bundles of money, they were afraid.--And Jacob their father ſaid, unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children; Joſeph is not, and Siméon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away : all theſe things are againſt me. º 46....And Reuben ſpake unto his father, ſaying, Slay. my two ſons, if I bring him not unto thee : deliver him. into may hand, and I will bring him to thee again. And T he ſaid, my ſon ſhall not go down with you : for his brother is dead, and he is left alone ; if miſchief be- fall him in the way in which ye go, then ſhall ye bring down my gray hairs with ſorrow to the grave. . " 47....And it came to paſs when they had eaten sp. the corn which they had brought out of Egypt (the famine continuing %. in the land) that their father ſaid, unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.—And, Judah ſpake unto him, ſaying, The man did ſolemnly proteſt unto us, ſaying, Ye ſhall not ſee my face, ex- cept your brother be with you.-If thou wiltºend our bråther with us, we will go down and buy thee food; 48...But if thou wilt not ſend him, we will not go. down. And Iſrael ſaid, Wherefore dealtye ſo ill with me as to tell the man whether ye had yet any brother P And they ſaid, The man aſked us ſtraightly of our ſtate, arić of our kindred, ſaying, Is..your father yet alive 2 have ye another brother P and we told him according to the tenor of theſe words. ' - 49....Could we certainly know that he would ſay, Bring thy brother down 2 And Judah ſaid unto Iſrael his father, ſend the lad with me, and, we will ariſe and go, that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and our little ones. I will be ſurety for him ; of my hand ſhaltihou require him : if I bring hig §not unto :* -* i THE BIBLE. 5 : thee, and ſet him before thee, then let me bear the blame Forever. go...And their father Iſrael ſaid unto them, If it muſt be ſo now, do this ; take of the beſt fruits of the land in your veſſels, and carry down the man a preſent, a little balm, and a little honey, ſpices, and myrrh, nuts and almonds: and take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the month of your ſacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an overſight. 51...Take alſo your brother, and ariſe, go again unto the man, that he may ſend away your other broth- er, and Benjamin ; if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. 52....And the men took the preſent, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin ; and roſe up, and went down to Egypt, and ſtood before Joſeph. –And when Joſeph ſaw Benjamin with them, he ſaid tº the ºiler of his houſe, Bring theſe men home, and Bay, and make ready : for theſe men ſhall dine with me at noon.—And the man did as Joſeph bade ; and the ºn brought the men into Joſeph's houſe. 53 ...And the men were afraid, becauſe they were brought into Joſeph's houſe ; and they ſaid, Becauſe of the money that was returned in our ſacks at the firſt tiree, are we brought in, that he may ſeek occaſion againſt us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen. –And they came near to the ſteward of Joſeph's houſe, and they communed with him at the door of the houſe, and ſaid, O ſit we carne, indeed, down at the firſt time to buy food : 54...And it came to paſs, when we came to the inn, that we opened our ſacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his ſack; and we have - - 52 - BEAUTIES OF brought it again in our hand. And other money have we brought down in our band to buy food ; we cannot tell who put our money in our ſacks. 55....And he ſaid, Peace be unto you, fear not : your God, and the God of your father hath given you treaſure in your ſacks : I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. And the man brought the men into Joſeph's houſe. And they made ready the preſent againſt Joſeph came at noon ; for they had heard that they ſhould eat bread there. 56....And when Joſeph came home, they brought him the preſent, which was in their hand into the houſe, and bowed themſelves to him to the earth. And he aſked them of their welfare, and ſaid, is your father well ? The old man of whom you ſpake, is he yet alive? And they anſwered, Thy ſervant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeiſance. 57....And he ſaw his brother Benjamin, his mother's ſon, and ſaid. Is this your yeunger brother, of whom ye ſpake unto me? and he ſaid, God be gracious unto bee, my ſon. And Joſeph made haſe ; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother ; and he ſought where to weep : and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. 58....And he waſhed his face, and went out, and retrained himſelf, and ſaid, Set on bread. And he toºk and ſent meſſes unto them, from before him ; But Benjamin's meſs was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him. 59....And he commanded the fleward of his houſe, ſaying, Fill the men's ſacks with food, and put every man's money in his ſack's mouth ; and put my cup, the ºilver cup in the ſack's mouth of the youngºº, and his THE BIBLE. 53 corn money. And he did according to the word that Joſeph had ſpoken. 60....As ſoon as the morning was light the men were ſent away : and when they were gone out of the city, and not got far off, Joſeph ſaid unto the ſteward, Up, follow after theſe men ; and when thou doſt overtake them, ſay unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good 2 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh Ye have done evil in ſo doing. And he overtook them, and he ſpake unto them theſe ſame words. 61,...And they ſaid unto him, Wherefore faith my lord theſe words God forbid that thy ſervants ſhould do according to this thing. Behold, the money which we found in our ſacks' mouth we brought again unto thee; how then ſhould we ſteal out of thy lord's houſe ſilver or gold * With whomſoever of thy ſervants it be found, both let him die, and we alſo will be my lord's bondmen. - 62....And he ſaid, Now let it be according to your words : he with whom it is found ſhall be my ſervant; and ye ſhall be blameleſs. Then they ſpeedily took down every man's ſack to the ground, and opened eve- ry man his ſack. And he ſearched, and the cup was found in Benjamin's ſack. Then they rent their clothes, and returned to the city. And Judah, and his brethren came to Joſeph's houſe ; and they fell before him on the ground. 63....And Joſeph ſaid unto them, what deed is this that ye have done? And Judah ſaid, What ſhall we ſay unto my lord ' What ſhall we ſpeak 2 or how ſhall we clear ourſelves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy ſervan : Behold, we are my lord's ſervants, both we, and he alſo with whom the cup is found. And he ſaid, God forbid that I ſhould do ſo; but the man in E 2 54 BEAUTIES OF whoſe hand the cup is found, he ſhall be my ſervant : and as for you, get ye up in peace to your father. 64....Then Judah came near unto him, and ſaid, O my lord, ſet thy ſervant, I pray thee, ſpeak a word in my lºrd's ear, and let not thine anger burn againſt thy ſervant; for thou art even as Pharaoh, My lord aſked his ſervants, ſaying, Have ye a father, or a brother 65...And we ſaid unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one : and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mo- ther, and his father loveth him. And thou ſaideſt un- to thy ſervants, Bring him down unto me, that I may ſet mine eyes upon him. And we ſaid unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for if he ſhould leave his father, his father would die. 66....And thou ſaidſt unto thy ſervants, Except your youngeſt brother come down with you, ye ſhall ſee iny face no more. Now, when we came up unto thy ſervant my father, we told him the words of my lord. And our father ſaid, Go again and buy us a little food. And we ſaid if our youngeſt brother be with us, then will we go down : for we may not ſee the man's face except our youngeſt brother be with us. 67...And thy ſervant my father ſaid unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two ſons: and the one went out from me, and I ſaid ; ſurely he is torn in pieces; and I ſaw him not ſince; and if ye take this alſo from me, and miſchief befºº him, ye ſhall bring down my gray hairs with ſorrow to the grave. 68. Now, therefore, when I come to thy ſervant my father, and the lad be not with us ; (ſeeing that his ... is bound up in the lad's ſite) it ſhall come to paſs, when he feeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die and thy ſervants ſhall bring down the gray hairs THE BIBLE, ss of thy ſervant our father with ſorrow to the grave. For thy ſervant became ſurety for the lad unto my fath- er, ſaying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I ſhall,bear the blame unto my father forever. . . . . . . . . 69...Now, therefore, I pray thee, let thy ſervant a- bide inſtead of the lad a bond man to my Lord ; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how ſhall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me 2 left perad- venture I ſee the evil that ſhall come on my father.” . . 7o....Then Joſeph could not refrain himſelf before all them that ſtood by him; and he cried, Cauſe every man to go out from me; and there ſtood no man with him while Joſeph made himſelf known unto his breth- ren. And he wept aloud : and Joſeph ſaid unto his ... brethren, I am Joſeph ; doth iny father yet live And his brethren could not anſwer him ; for they were troubled at his preſence.t - * This ſpeech of 7udah is a ſtrain of the moſ, pa- thetic eloquence that ever flowed from a heart bleeding with anguiſh ; and I will venture to ſay, that there is nothing of the kind in Cicero or Demoſhenes, in Pirgil . or Homer that will bear a compariſon with it. t “None of 7oſeph’s brethren are introduced as uttering aught, either to expreſ; their preſent joy, ºr palliate their former injuries to him. On all ſide}; i. there immediately enſues a deep and ſolemn ſilence ; d.º. ſilence infinitely more eloquent and expreſſive, than anyº thing elſe that could have been ſubſtituted in its place. -—Had Thucydides, Herodotus, Livy, or any of the celebrated claſſic hiſtorians, been employed in writing this hiſtory, when they came to this point, they would doubtleſºave exhauſted all their fund of eloquence in ju rniſhing 7oſeph's brethren with laboured and ſtudied harangües ; which, however fine they might have be enr. -º-º: sº BEAUTIES of 71....And Joſeph ſaid unto his brethren, Come near terrie, I pray yeu : and they came near : And he ſaid, Iºan Joſeph your brother whom ye ſold into Egypt. Now, therefore, be not grieved, nor angry with your- Helves, that ye ſold me hither : for God did ſend me before you to preſerve life. . 72... For theſe two years hath the famine been in the land ; and yet there are five years, in the which & there ſhall be neither earing nor harveſt. And God . fent me before you, to ſave your lives by a great deliv- erance, So now, it was not you that ſent me hither, . but God, ; and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his houſe, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. . 73....Hafle ye, and go up to my father, and ſay unto him, Thus faith thy ſon Joſeph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt; come down unto me, and tarry not. And thou ſhalt dwell in the land of Goſhen, and thou ſhalt be near unto me : and there will I nouriſh thee, left thou, and thy houſehold come to poverty. , 74....And, behold, your eyes ſee, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that ſpeaketh 'unto you. And ye ſhall tell my father of all 'my glory in themſelves, would nevertheleſs have been unnatural, and altogether improper on the occaſion. For when ſuch variety of contrary paſſions broke in upon theºn, what tongue was able to utter their hurried and diſ. *traded thoughts 2 When remorſe, ſurprize, ſhame, joy and gratitude, ſtruggled together in their boſoms, how aneloquently would their lips have performed their du - ty 2–How unfaithfully their tongues have ſpoken the language of their hearts 2 In this caſe, ſilencºwas tru. ly eloquent and natural, and tears expreſſed what or- -atory was incapable of.” STERN.E. THE BIBLE. - 57 in Egypt, and of all that ye have ſeen : and ye ſhall haſte, and bring down my father hither. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept ; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover, he kiſſed all his brethren, and wept upon them : and after that his brethren talked with him. - . . . 75....And Joſeph gave them waggons, and gave them proviſion for the way. To all of them he gave each trian changes of raiment ; but to Benjamin he gave three kundred pieces of ſilver, and five changes of rai- . Iſſient. . .76....And to his father he ſent after this manner; * ten aſſes laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten laden with corn, and bread, and meat for his father by the way. So he ſent his brethren away, and they de- parted : and he ſaid unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way. 77....And they went up out of Egypt, and came in- to the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father; and told him, ſaying, Joſeph is yet alive, and he is governºr over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not. And they told him all the words of Joſeph ; and when he ſaw the waggons, which Jo- ſeph had ſent to carry him, the ſpirit of Jacob their father revived. And Jacob ſaid, it is enough ; Joſeph my ſon is yet alive ; I will go and ſee him before I die. - . . . . . - REMARKS. ºr . . Moſes, the writer of the book of Geneſis, beſides : poſſeſſing the ſpirit of inſpiration, might have been ac- , quainted with moſt of the faëts that are recorded in that book, by unqueſtionable tradition. Methuſelah was cotemporary with Adam two hundred and forty three years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . – - *~ 58 BEAUTIES OF Shem was cotemporary with Methuſelah, ninety- eight years: and Shem lived, after the flood, five hun- dred and two years; and was cotemporary with Abram, one hundred and fifty years. Therefore, Abram, by a very direct tradition, was acquainted with the hiſtory of Adam and his immediate deſcendants, and alſo with the hiſtory of the flood, and the diſperſion of the ſons of Noah and the countries which they reſpeštively poſſeſ. fed, &c. And thoſe ſa&s might eaſily have been pre- ſerved in the family of Abram, till the time of Moſes. CHAPTER XII. the powd ace and Miraculous Drein. ERANCE 01 THE ISRAELITES. A. M. from 2410 to 2453. 1.... Lº OW there aroſe up a new king over E- gypt, who knew not Joſeph ; and he ſaid unto his peo- ple, Behold, the people of the children of Iſrael are more, and mightier than we. Come on, let us deal wiſely with thern, lºſt they multiply; and it come to paſs, that when there falleth out any war, they join unto our enemies, and fight againſt us, and ſo get thea up out of the land. 2....Therefore they did ſet over them taſk-maſters, to afflićt them with their burdens : and they built for Pharaoh treaſure cities.* And Pharaoh charged all his * It is an opinion of Volney (and he ſeems to ſup- port it with ſolid reaſoning) that theſe ſave holders, the ancient Egyptians, were Negroes ; and that the world is, in a great meaſure, indebted for the invention THE BIBLE. 59 * people, ſaying, Every ſon that is born (of the Hebrew women) ye ſhall caſt into the river; and every daughs ter ye ſhall ſave alive. . ! - - 3....And there went a man of the houſe of Levi ſnamely Amram) and took to wife a daughter of Revi (namely 7ochebed.) And the woman bare a ſon: and when ſhe ſaw him that he was a goodly child; ſhe hid him thröe months. And when ſhe could no longer hide him, ſhe took for him an ark of bulruſhes, and daubed it with ſlime, and with pitch, and put the child therein : and ſhe laid it in the flags by the river's brink * (it being the river Nile) And his ſiſter (Miriam) flood atar off, to obſerve what would be done to him. 4....And the daughter of Pharaoh, Thermuthis by name) came down to waſh herſelf at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's ſide : and when ſhe ſaw the ark among the flags, ſhe ſent her maid to fetch it. And when ſhe had opened it, ſhe ſaw the child : and, behold, the babe wept. And ſhe had compaſſion on him, and ſaid, This is one of the Hebrew children. 5....Then ſaid his ſiſter to Pharaoh's daughter, Shalf .. I go and call to thee a nurſe of the Hebrew womefr, that ſhe may nurſe the child for thee P And Pharaoh's . daughter ſaid to her, Go. And the maid went, and called the child's mother. And Pharaoh's daughter ºf uſeful arts, to that race of people, the Negroes, who are now ſome of the moſt debaſed part of all the hit. mán ſpecies. Strange as this may ſeem, there is a par- * aſſeſ inſtance. The Georgians and Circaſians, whº deſcended from the ancient Grecians, a people that were renowned for their inimitable genius and love of liff.” ºty; are a very ſtupid race, and have even been in , , the habit, for ſeveral centuries paſt; of ſelling their own children, to the Turks, for ſlaves. '. 69 -" BEAUTIES OF *- ſaid unto her, Take this child away, and nurſe it for, me; and I will give thee thy wages. - 6....And ſhe took the child and nurſed it. And the child grew, and ſhe brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her ſon. And ſhe called his name Moſes : and ſhe ſaid, Becauſe I drew him out of the water. And Moſes was learned in all the wiſdom. of the Egyptians ; and was mighty in words and in deeds. : , 7....And it came to paſs, when Moſes was growfly that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens, and he ſpied an Egyptian ſmiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he ſaw that there was no man, he ſlew the Egyptian, and hid him in the ſand.* - *. 8....And when Moſes went out on the ſecond day, behgld, two men of the Hebrews ſtrove together : and he ſaid to him who did the wrong, Wherefore ſmiteft thou thy fellow 2 and he ſaid, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us * Intendeſt thou to kill me as thou killedſt the Egyptian P And Moſes feared, and ſaid, ... Surely this thing is known. Now, when Pharaoh heard this thing, he ſought to ſlay Moſes. 9...But Moſes fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian ; and he ſat down by a * ~ * r well. Now, the prieſt of Midian had ſeven daughters : gthey came and drew water, and filled the trough, *Water their father's flock. And the ſhepherds came, º The juſtification of this deed of Moſes is pleaded, on the principle, that his nation was under the moſt unmerited and grievous oppreſſion; and that the Egyp- tian whom he ſlew was in the aët of groſsly abuſing, and, perhaps, might be attempting to murder the ep- preſſed Hebrew. . ." - THE BIBLE. 61 and drove them away : but Moſes ſtood up, and help- ed them, and watered their flock. * 10....And when they came to their father, he ſaid, How is it that ye are come ſo ſoon to day And they ſaid, An Egyptian delivercl us out of the hand of the ſhepherds, and alſo drew water enough for us, and wa- … tered the flock. And he ſaid to his daughters, And where is he Why is it that ye have left the man 2 Call him that he may eat bread. And Moſes was content to *dwell with the man : and he gave Moſes Zipporah his daughter. - 11...Now Moſes kept the flock of Jethro his father- in-law, the prieſt of Midian ; and he led the fleck to the back ſide of the deſert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midſt of a buſh: and he looked, and, behold, the buſh burned with fire, and the buſh was not conſumed. 12....And Moſes ſaid, I will now turn aſide and ſee this great fight, why the buſh is not burned. And God called unto him out of the midſt of the buſh, and ſaid, Myſes, Moſes | And he ſaid, Here am I. And he ſaid, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Iſaac. and the God of Jacob.—And Moſes hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. - 13....And the Lord ſaid, I have ſurely ſeen the af. . flićtion of my people, which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reaſon of their taſk-maſters : for I know their ſorrows. And I am come down to deliv- er them out of the hands of the Egyptians. 14:...Go and gather the elders of Iſrael together, and ſay unto them, The God of your fathers appeared unto me, ſaying, I have ſurely viſited you, and ſeen that which is done ‘. you in Egypt : and I will bring 62 BEAUTIES OF you up out of the afflićtion of Egypt, unto a land flow- ing with milk and honey. 15....And Moſes anſwered, and ſaid, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor bearken unto my voice : for they will ſay, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.—And the Lord ſaid unto him, What is in thine hand 2 and he ſaid, A rod. And he ſaid, caſt it on the ground. And be caſt it on the ground, and it be- came a ſerpent ; and Moſes fled from before it. 16....And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Put forth thine hand and take it by the tail.-And he put forth his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand : that they may believe that the Lord God of their fath- ers, the God of Abraham, the God of Iſaac, and the God of Jacob hath appeared unto thee. 17....And Moſes returned to Jethro his father-in- law, and ſaid unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and re- turn up to my brethren, who are in Egypt, and ſee whether they be yet alive.—And Jethro ſaid to Moses, Go in peace. And Moſes took the rod of Gºd in his hand. And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, When thou re turneſt into Egypt, ſee that thou do all theſe wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand. 18....And the Lord ſaid to Aaron (Moſes' elder brother, Go into the wilderneſs to meet Moſes. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kiſſed him. And Moſes told Aaron all the words of the Lord, who had ſent him, and all the ſigns which he had com- manded him. And Moſes and Aaron went, and gath ered together all the elders of the children of Iſrael. 19....And Aaron ſnake all the words which the Lord had ſpoken unto Moſes, and did the ſigns in the fight of the people. And the people believed : and when they heard that the Lord had viſited the children of Iſrael. THE BIBLE. 63 and that he had looked upon their aſſlétion, then they bowed their heads, and worſhipped. 23. And afterward Moſes and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus ſaith the Lord God of Iſrael, let my people go. And Pharaoh ſaid, Whº is the Lord, that I ſhould obey his voice, to let Iſrael go 2 I know not the Lord, neither will I let Iſrael go. And he ſaid unto them, Wherefore do ye. Moſes and Aaron, hunder the people from their work Get you unto your bur- dens. 2 : ...And Pharaoh ſaid, Behold, the people of the land are many, and ye make then reſt from their bºr- dens : let there more work be ſaid upon the men, that they may abour therein and ſet them not regard vain words. And the officers of the children of Iſrael did ſee that they were in evil caſe. 22....And the Lord ſpºke unto Mºſes and ºnto Aa- ron, ſaying, When Pharaoh ſhall ſpeak unto you, ſay- ing, Shew a miracle for you : then thor ſhºt lay unto Aarºn, Take thy rod, and caſt it before Pharaoh, and it ſhall become a ſerpent. And Moſes and Aaron went in unso Pharaoh, and they did ſo as the Lord had corn- manded : and Aaroa caſt down his rod before Pºznaoh, and before his ſervants, and it became a ſerpent. 23. Then Pharaoh alſo called the wiſe men and the force cºs: now the magicians of Egypt, they alſo did in like manner with their enchantments; for they caſt down every ºn his rod, and they became ſerpents; but Aaron's rod, ſwallowed up their rods. 2- . . . . .And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuſeth to let the people go. Take by rod, and ſtretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, that they may become blood. And Pharaoh turned, and went into his houſe, neither did he ſet his heart to this alſo. 6, BEAUTIES OF , 25....And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes and unto Aaron, fake to you handfuls of aſhes of the furnace, and let Moſes ſprinkle it toward the heaven in the fight of Pharaoh ; and it ſhall become ſmall duſt in all the land of Egypt, and ſhall be a boil breaking forth with blains, upon man and upon beaſt throughout all the land of Egypt. ‘. . - - 26....And they took aſhes of the furnace, and ſtood before Pharaoh ; and Moſes ſprinkled it up toward heaven ; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man and upon beaſt.—And the magicians could not ſtand before Moſes becauſe of the boil : for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyp- tians.—And Pharaoh’s heart was harden:d, and he hearkened not unto them. - - 27....And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Stretch forth tºine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt. And Moſes breiched forth his rod toward heaven, and the Lold ſent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground.—So there was hail and fire mingled with the hail very grievočs, ſo the: there was none like it in all the land of Egypt. 28....And the bail ſmote, throughout all the land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both mán and beaſt : and the hail [inote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the ficłd.—And Pharaoh ſent, arid called for Moſes and Aaron, and ſaid unio them, I have ſinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Entreat the Lord, for it is cnough, that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail : and I will let you go. ! . 29...And Moſes ſaid unto him, As ſoon as I am gone out of the city I will ſpread abroad my hands unto the J.ord ; and the thunder ſhall ceaſe, neither hail there ºr any more hail; that thea may eſt know that the earth , - THE BIBLE, 65 is the Lord's. But as for thee and thy ſervants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God. o....And Moſes went out of the city from Pharaoh, and ſpread abroad his hands unto the Lord : and the thunders and hail ceaſed, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. And when Pharaoh ſaw that the rain, and the hail, and the thunders were ceaſed, he ſigned - yet more and hardened his heart, he and his ſervants.” 31....And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkneſs over the land of Egypt. And Moſes ſtretched forth his händ toward heaven ; and there was a thick darkneſs in all the land of Egypt three days. They ſaw not one another, neither aroſe any from his place for three days : but all the children of Iſrael had light in their dwellings, 2....But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he -would not let the people go. And Pharaoh ſaid unto . Moſes, Get thee from me, take heed-to thyſelf, fee my face no more : for in that day thou ſeeſt my face thou ſhalt die. And Moſes ſaid, Thou haſ ſpoken well . I will ſee thy face again no more. 33,...A-4d the Lord ſpake unto Moſes; yet wiil i bring one plague more upon Pharaºh, and upon Egypt: afterwards he will let you go hence. And it carrie to paſs, that, at midnight, the Lord ſmote all the firſt born in the -land of Egypt, from the firſt born of Pharaoh, who ſat on his throne, unto the firſt. born of the cap. - tive in the dungeon. And Pharaoh roſe up in the night he and all his ſervants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt : for there was not a houſe where there was not one dead.*. . . . . * * “Pagan authors, of an early antiquity, who have ſpoken of Moſes, ſeem to have been acquainted ~ * - F 2 - * - 65 BEAUTIES of * 34:...And he called for Moſes and Aaron by night, and ſaid, riſe up, and get ye forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Iſrael ; and go, ſerve the Lord, as ye have ſaid, Alſo take your flocks and your herds, as ye have ſaid, and be gone : and bleſs me alſo. w - 35....And the Egyptians were urgent upon the peo- ºple that they might ſend them out of the land in haſte : for they ſaid, we be all dead men.—And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their cluthes upon their ſhoulders. - - ... 36...And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled : and the heart of Pharaoh and of his ſervants turned againſt the people ; and they ſaid, Why have we done this, that we have let Iſrael go from ſerving us P And he made leady his chariot and took the peo- ple, with him. And he took ſix hundred choſen cha- riots, and captains over every one of them.—And the Egyptians purſued after the children of Iſrael, and over- took them encamped by the ſea. 37....And the children of Iſrael lifted up their eyes, and, behold the Egyptians marched after them : and they were ſore afraid ; and the children cf Hſrael cried out unto the Lord. And they ſaid unto Moſes, Be- cauſe there were no graves in Egypt, haſ thou taken us away to die in the wilderneſs 2 Wherefore baſt thou “dealt thus with us 2 For it had been better for us to y with the hiſtory of thoſe aſhoniſhing miracles which he wrought in Egypt. Both Diodorus and Herodotus mention the miſèrable condition to which that countr was reduced by the wonderful plagues that preceded the enigration of the Hebrew tribes.” - * . . . ENCYCLOPEDIA. THE BIBLE. 67 ſerve the Egyptians than that we ſhould die in the wil- ‘derneſs. - - - 38....And Moſes ſaid unto the people, Fear ye not, ſtand ſtill, and ſee the ſalvation of the Lord, which he will ſhew you to day; for the Egyptians whom ye have 'ſeen to day, ye ſhall ſee them again no more forever. The Lord ſhall fight for you, and ye ſhall hold your peace. And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Speak unto the children of Iſrael that they go forward : but lift thou up thy rod, and ſtretch out thine hand over the ſea, and divide it : and the children of Iſrael ſhall go on dry ground through the midſt of the ſea. - 39...And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Iſrael, removed, and went behind them ; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and ſtood behind them. And it came between the camp of the º and the camp of Iſrael ; and it was a cloud and darkneſs to them, but it gave light by night to theſe. - 40....And Moſes ſtretched out his hand over the ſea; and the Lord cauſed the ſea to go back by a ſtrong eaſt wind all that night, and made the ſea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Iſrael went into the midſt of the ſea upon dry ground ; and the wa- ters were a wall unto them, on the right hand, and on their leit. And,the Egyptians purſued and went in at- ter them to the mid fl of the ſea, even all Pharaoh's horſ- es, his chariots, and his horſemen. * 41....And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Stretch out thine hand over the ſea, that the waters may come a- gain upon the Egyptians. And Moſes ſtretched forth his hand over the ſea, and the ſea, returned to his ‘ſtrength, when the morning appeared, and the Egyp- tians fled againſt it and the Lord overthrew the Egyp- 68 BEAUTIES OF the chariots, and the horſe men, and all the hoſt of Pharaoh, that came into the ſea after them : there re- mained riot fo much as one of them. . . . . . , 42...But the children of Iſrael walked upon , dry land in thernidſt of the ſea ; and the waters were a wail unto them, on their right hand, and on their left.—Thus the Lord ſaved Iſrael that day out of the hand of the E- gyptians, and Iſrael ſaw the Egyptians dead upon the #ſea ſhore. And Iſrael ſaw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians : and the people feared º: Lord, and believed the Lord; and his fervant Mo- eS. - * - CHAPTER xIII. THE SOLEMN PUBLICATION OF THE LAir "6 F TEN COMMANDMENTS. ; sº . . . º 4. M. 25 13. . , UN OW the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Go un- to the people, and ſančify them to-day, and to mor- row; and be ready againſt the third day : for the third day the Lord will come down in the ſight of all the peo- ple upon Mount Sinai. And it came to paſs, on the third-day in the morning, that there were thunders ardº lightnings and a thick cloud upon the Mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; ſo that all the people that was in the camp trembled. . . . . . . . 2....And Moſes brought forth the people out of the camp, fö meet with God; and they ſtood at the nether part of the Mount; And Mount. Sinai was altogether on a ſmoke,becauſe the Lord deſcended upon it in fire : THE BIBLE. 69 and the ſmoke thereof aſcended as the ſmoke of a fur- nace, and the whole Mount quaked greatly. 3....And when the voice of the trampet ſounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moſes ſpake, and God anſwered him by a voice. And the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the Mount ; and the Lord called Moſes up to the top of the Mount ; and Moſes went up. And God ſpake all theſe words, ſay- ing, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land cf Egypt, out of the houſe of bondage. 4....Thou ſhalt have no other Gods before ine. Thou' ſhait not make unto thee any graven image, or any like- neſs of any thing that is in Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the edith. Thogſhaft not bow down thyſelf to them, nor ſerve them” fºr I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, viſiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate nie, and ſhe wing mercy unto thouſands of them that love me and keep my commandinents. - 5....Thou ſhaft not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guiltleſs that taketh his name in vain. . 6...Remcmber the ſabbath day to keep it holy. Six days ſh; it thou labour and do 211 thy work : but the ſeventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God : in tº it thou ſhalt not do any work, thou, northy ſon, nor thy daughter, thy man ſervant, nor thy maid-ſervant, northy cattle, northy ſtranger that is within thy gates : for in ſix days the Lord made heaven and earth, the ſea and all that in them is, and reſted the ſeventh day: where- fore the Lord bleſsed the Sabbath-day, and ballowed it. 7....Honour thy father and thy mother ; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. . . . . zo BEAUTIES OF . * * 8....Thou ſhall do no murder.” Thöu ſhalt not com- mit adultery. Thou ſhalt not ſteal. Thou ſhalt not - bear faiſe witneſs againſt thy neighbour. . . - . . 9....Thou ſhalt not covet thy neighbour's houſe, thou ſhalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man- ſervant, nor his maid ſervant, nor his ox, nor his aſs, ‘nor anything that is thy neighbour's. - * 10....And the people ſaw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noiſe of the trumpet, and the moun- tain finokºpg : and when the people ſaw it, they remo- ved, and ſtood afar off. And they ſaid unto. Moſes, Speak thou with us, and we will hear : but het not *God ſpeak with us, left we die. And Moſes ſaid unto the people, Fe2+ not, for God is come to pºveryou, and that his fear may be before youréº, thātyāfin II of . . - -\; * - **, 3 *** *- * {Rºk , º, ... tº feółly accords with human feelings ...g miuſ' conſent to it as being holy, juſt㺠barbarðus cuſtom, effabliſhed in a darśrutul age. does ſtill inhintain its ground, though it direčily vio- ... ſafe; this divine law, and outrages all genuine feel- ings of humanity : ‘I mean duelling, - * This divine precept, Thou ſhalt do no murder, per- . ** It ſurely muft he affe?ing to every benevolent mind, that even in our enlightened gountry this pračice has been ſuffered and is now faſt increaſing : a pračice that wantonly ſports with the tears of the widow and orphan, and with the blood of men, and that ſets at defiance the great and ſacred ſtatute law of heaven. * . * -* wi . ..f $4 ...ºry hear? " #3, #d. But a THE BIBLE, 7, CHAPTER XIV. MANNA. A. M. 2552. - ...AND they took their journey from Elim ; and all the congregation of the children of Iſrael came 3 unto the wilderneſs of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai. And the whole congregation of the children of Iſrael murmured againſt Moſes and Aaron in the wil- derneſs. - s - 2....And the children of Iſrael ſaid unto them, Would to God’swer, had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egyptgwhen we ſat by the fleſh pots, and when , we did eat bread to the full : for ye have brought us forth into the wilderneſs, to kill this whole aſſembly with hunger. . . . . - ? * 8. - ... 3....Then ſaid the Lord unto Moſes, Behold, I willº, rain bread from heaven for you ; and the people ſhall; . go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or riot. And it ſhall come to paſs that on the ſixth day they ſhall prepare that which they bring in ; and it ſhall be . twice as much as they gather daily. 4....And Moſes and Aaron ſaid unto all the congre- gation, At even, then ye ſhall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the fand of Egypt. And in the morning, then ye ſhall ſee the glory of the Lord ; for. that he heareth your murmurings againſt the Lord : . and what are we, that ye murmur againſt us 2 - 5...And Moſes ſpake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children ot Iſrael, come near before the Lord: for he hath heard your murmurings, And ** $ * > ., sº tº . *.. * */ : , ‘ 72 BEAUTIES OF it came to paſs, as Aaron ſpake unto the whole con- gregation of the children of Iſrael that they looked to- ward the wilderneſs, and, behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. . 6....And the Lord ſpake unto Moſes, ſaying, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Iſrael; Speak unto them, ſaying, At even ye ſhall eat fleſh, and in the morning ye ſhall be filled with bread : and ye ſhall know that I am the Lord your God. And it came to paſs, that even the quails came up, and covered the camp. ; and in the morning the dew lie round about the hoſt. - - 7....And when the dew that lie was gone up, behold upon the face of the wilderneſs there was a ſmall round thing as ſmall as the hoar froſt on the ground. And when the children of Iſrael ſaw it, they ſaid, one to an- other, it is manna: for they knew not what it was. And Moſes ſaid unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat. 8....This is the thing which the Lord hath command- ed, gather it, every man according to his eating ; an omer for every man ; according to the number of your perſons, take ye every man for them which are in the tents. And the children of Iſrael did ſo, and ga- thered, ſome more, ſcne leſs. Ard when they did meaſure it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little bad no lack. 9....And it came to paſs, that on the ſixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for a man : and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moſes. And he ſaid unto them, this is that which the Lord hath ſaid, to-morrow is the reſt of the holy Sab- 4 bath unto the Lord : bake that which ye will bake to THE BIBLE 73. day, and ſeethe that ye will feethe and that which re- maineth overlay up for you,to be kept until the morning 1e....So the people reſted on the ſeventh day, And the houſe of Iſrael called the name thereof manna; and it was like coriander-ſeed, white ; and the taſte of it was like wafers made with honey. - 1,....And Moſes ſaid, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, fill an omer of it, to be kept for your generations : that they may ſee the bread where with I have fed you in the wilderneſs, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. 12....And Moſes ſaid unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna, herein, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your generation. And the chila dren of Iſrael did eat manna forty years. until they'éame to a land inhabited. --- - ' ' . j , V CHAPTER xv. - A BLASPHEMER STONED. . 1.... UN OW the ſon of an Iſraelitiſh woman, whoſe father was an Egyptian, went out among the thildren of Iſraeſ; and this ſon of the Iſraelitiſh wo. man and a man of Iſrael ſtrove together in the camp: and the Iſraelitiſh woman's ſon blasphemed the name of the Lord, and curſed. ** . . . 2....And they brought him to Moſes : and they put him in ward; that the mind of the Lord might be ſhewed them. And the Lord ſpake unto Moſes, ſaying, Bring ferth him that hath curſed without the eamp, and let all who heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation ſtone him: . . . . . G. * $4 - BEAUTIES OF ºf 3....And thou ſhalt ſpeak unto the chilien of Iſrael, ** ºfaying, Whoſoever curſeth his God ſhalibear his fin. And he that blasphemeth the name ºf the Lord,he ſhall .# ſurely be º and alf the congregation ſhall certainly, ſtone him : as well the ſtranger as he that is born if the land, when he blaſphemeth the name of the *. w :- Lord; he ſhall be put to death. . ‘. . . jºš - £And Moſes ſpake to the children of Iſrael, that 4% is …they ſhould bring forth him who had curſed out of the camp and ſtone him with ſtones. And the children of Iſrāīl did as the Lord commanded. - :: y : . . . . . . . . . . . . • * , *** ** . * ~ *** * - ... The foregoing paſſage of ſacred hiſtory is a ſolemn and awful warning againſt profane curſing and ſwear- ings; this is an heinous evil that ſhall not go unpun- iſhed ; for the Lord will not hold them guiltleſs who take his name in vain. As profane ſwearing is offen- five to heaven, it quenches the good ſpirit, hardens the heart, and ſtupifies the conſcience, and plainly betokens a depraved and ungodly mind. . - Profalse language is, moreover, contemptible for its vulgarity, or ill manners. It violates the rules of good breeding ; it is a groſs inſult upon any well bred and reſpe&table company; it degrades a gentleman to : y a level with a clown ; and in a lady, it is peculiarly indelicate and diſguſting. . - A youth who wiſhes for innocence and peace of Amind and to be reſpectable in the world, will careful- ºly ſhun ſuch foul and polluted language. *-- + *- * * CHAPTER xvi. . . . THE Achief EMENTS OF GIDEON, º A. M. 2759. ...Now the children of Iſrael did evil in the: fight of the Lºrd ; and the Lord delivered them into théâand of Midian ſeven years. And becauſe of the Miłianites the children of Iſrael made them thé dens which are in the inpuntains, and caverns, and ſtrong ... 2....And ſo it was, when Iſrael had ſown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the chil- dren of the eaſt : and they encamped againſt them, and deſtroyed the increaſe of the earth, and left no ſuſte-, nance for Iſrael; for-they came up with their cattle, and their tents, as graſsheppers for multitude ; both they and their camels were without number. And Iſrael was greatly impoveriſhed becauſe of the Midian- ites ; and the children of Iſrael cried unto the Lord. r * . . . . * r * Yº... - “. ... ‘ Mº 3....And the Lord ſent a prophet unto the children of 1ſrael, who ſaid unto them, Thus ſaith the Lord God of Iſrael, I brought you up from Egypt, and broºglit you forth out of the houſe of bondage, and I delivered you out of the hand of all who oppreſſed you." And I iaid unto you, I am the Lord your God ; fear not the gods of the Amorites in whoſe land ye dwelf: but ye have riot obeyed my voice. . º.º. . . 4 ...And there came an Angel of the fººd, a , and fat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pétained u n- to Joaſh ; and his ſon Gideon threſhedºhéat by the . wine-preſs, to hide it from the Midiaisº. And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto hiºid ſaid untô *...*.*.*.*. him, The Lord is with thee, thoumigº £hian of valor, 76 BEAUTIES OF 5....And Gideon ſaid unto him, O my Lord, it the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers have told us into the hands of the Midianites. . ... 6....And the Lord looked upon him, and ſaid, Go in this thy might, and thou ſhall ſave Iſrael from the hand of the Midianites: have I not ſent thee P And he * of, ſaying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt P But now the Lord hath forſaken us, and delivered us “s \ ſaid unto him, Oh my Lord wherewith ſhall I ſave Iſ. rael P. Behold my family is poor in Manaſſeh, and I am the leaſt in my father's houſe. And the Lord ſaid minto him, ſurely I will be with thee, and thou ſhalt * ſmite the Midianites as one man. 7....And he ſaid unto him, If now I have found grace in thy fight, then ſhew me a ſign that thou talkeſt with ine. Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come un- to thee, and bring forth my preſent, and ſet it before thee. And he ſaid, I will tarry until thou come again. And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and un- leavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the fleſh he put in a baſket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and preſented it. 8...And the Angel of God ſaid unto hiun, Take the fleſh and the unleavenca cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. Alid he did ſo. Then the Angel of the Lord put forth the end of the ftaff that was in his hand, and touched the fleſh and the unleavened cakes ; and there roſe up fire out of the rock, and conſumed the fleſh and the unleavened cakes. Then the Angel of the Lord departed out of his fight. 9....And wheiß Sã perceived that he was an An- gel of the Lord, Gidéon ſaid, Alas, O Lord God for becauſe I have ſeen an Angel of the Lord face to face. ºfHE BIBLE. 77 º And the Lord ſaid unto him, Peace be unto thee, fear not: thou ſhalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar , there unto the Lord. . . . . . . - .. ió....And it came to paſs the ſame night, that the, Lord ſaid unto hira, Take thv father's young Bukoek, and throw down the altar of Baal which thy father hatby. and eut down the grove that is by it ; and build an at- tarºunto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, “id the ordered place, and take the bullock, and offer a burnt ſacrifice with the wood which thou ſhaft, cut - down, - - w - 3. º it....Then Gideon took ten men of his fivants, and \ did as the Lord had ſaid tinto him : and ſo it was, be- cauſe he feared his father's houſehold, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night. . . . S- *-- :* - * ** • , " ... *, *, *.*.* ‘….. N ~, 12....And when the met of the city aroſe early in the morning, behold, the aftar of Baal was caſt down, and , the grove was cut down that was by it, and the ſecond bullock was offered upon the altar that was built, And they faid one to another, Who hath done this thing 2 And when they inquired, and aſked, they ſaid, Gideon the ſon of Joaſh, hath done this thing. 13,...Then the men of the city ſaid to Joaſh, Bring out thy ſon, that he may die: becauſe he hath caſt down the altar of Baal, and becauſe he hath cut down the grove that was by it. And Joaſh ſaid unto all who ſtood againſt him; Wilf ye plead for Baal P wiłłye ſave him P. He that will plead for him, let him be pit. to death whilſt it is yet morning; if hºisa God, jet him plead for himſelf, becauſe one hatšºf down his altar. . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . " . . " - * - - ... :-} . . . . . . .'; a - #4....Then all the Midianites, and the Åmalekites, . - ; :- " - tº 4 > * ... ." §." $– * - * . - - - 2 .,”; ºr e .." - ... ' ' ' - ". . . - . . . * , ** G 2 ºr \ . * . - * “. . . . . . . - I - , , " . - -- ... • *, * , * , - • *. 4. - - * 4* { *s * x ºf 78 * . ... " BEAUTIES OF and the children of the eaſt, were gathered together. ºd went over, and pitched in the vallev of Jezreel. But the ſpirit of the Lord came upón Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, and Abiezer was gathered after him. And he ſent meſſengers throughout all Manaſſeh , who alſo was gathered after him ; and he ſent meſſengers un- tº Aſher, and unto Zebulon, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet him. -s * 15:1.Then Gideon and all the people who were with. him, roſe up early, and pitched beſide the well of Ha- rod : So that the hoſt of the Midianites were on the north ſide ºf them, in the valley. And the Lord ſaid unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too una- ny for me to give the Midianites into their hands, leſt Iſrael vaunt themſelves againſt me, ſaying, Mine own hand hath ſaved me. . . ~~ 16...Now, therefore, proclaim in the ears of the people, ſaying, Whoſoever is fearful and afraid, let hirn return, and depart early frºm Mount Gilead : and there returned of the people, twenty and two thouſand, and there remained ten thouſand. - 17....And the Lord ſaid unto Gideon, the people are yet too many : bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there : and it ſhall be, of whom I ſay unto thee, This ſhall go with thee, the ſame ſhall go'with thee ; and of whomſoever I ſay unto thee, This ſhall not go with thee, the ſame ſhall not go. 18....So be brought down the people unto the water : and the Lord ſaid unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth ... of the water, with his tongue thou ſhalt ſet by himſelf ; likewiſe every one who boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them who lapped, put- ting their hand to their ſpouth, was three hundred men : but all the reſt of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water, . *t, t • THE BIBLE. 79 - 19....And the Lord ſaid unto Gideon, t By the three hundred men, who lapped will I ſave you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand; and let all the other, people go every man to his place. So the people took vićtuals in their hand, and the trumpets: and he ſent all the reſt of Iſrael, every man unto his tent, and re- tained thoſe three hundred men. And the hoſt of Mi- dian was beneath him in the valley. . . . 32b....And it came to paſs the ſame night, that the Lord ſaid into him, Ariſe, get thee down into the hoſt ; for I will deliver it into thine hand. But if theſe fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy ſervant down to the hoſt.” Then went he down with Phurah his fer- . vant into the outſide of the armed men that were in the hoſt. And the Midianites, and the Analekites lie along the valley like graſshoppers for multitudes. 21....And when Gideon was eome, behold, there was a man who told a dream unto his fellow, and ſaid, Behold, I dreamed a dréâm, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the hoſt of Midian, and came un-" to a tent, and ſnote it that it fell, and overturned it, and the tent lie along. And his fellow anſwered and ſaid, This is nothing elſe, but the ſword of Gideon, the ſon of Joaſh, a man of Iſrael ; for into his hand hath God deiivered Midian, and all the hoſt. 22....And it was ſo, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worſhipped, and returned into the hoſt of Iſrael, and ſaid, Ariſe, for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the hoſt of Midian. And he divided the three hun- dred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. And he ſaid unto them, Look on me, and do likewiſe: when I blow with the trumpet, • * > .. so . . . BEAUTIES of then blow ye the trumpets alſo on every ſide of the camp, and ſay, The ſword of the Lord, and of Gideofi. *. -- ** ** 23....So Gideon, and the three hundred men, who were with him, came unto the outſide of the camp, in the beginning of the middle watch ; and they blew the trutnpets, and brake the pitchers, which were in their hands; and they clied, The ſword of the Lord and of Gideon, And they ſtood, every man in his place round about the camp, and ali the hoſt ran, and cried; and flæd, Aid the men of Iſrael purſued atter the Midianiies. . . . . . . . . . . - 24....This was Midian ſubdued before the children of Iſrael, fº that they fifted” up; their hēzī 's no more ; and the country was in quietneſs forty yās in the days of Gideºn. And the men of Iſrael ſaid unto Gideon, Rule thou over is, both thou, and thy ſon, and thy ſon's fon alſo ; for thou haſt deličered us out of the hand of -the-Midianites.” And Gideon had three ſcore and ten ſons by his wives. And his concubine who was at Shechem, ſhe alſo bare him a ſon, and ſhe called his 25....And Gideon died in a gogd old age : and after Gideon was dead, the children of Iſrael remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hand of all their enemies on every ſide ; neither ſhewed they kindneſs to the houſe of Gideon, accord- ing to all the goodneſs which he ſhewed to Iſrael. THE BIBLE. 81 * *** CHAPTER XVII. zoth AM's PARABLE IN cows'ECTION WITH THE HISTORY OF ABIMELECH. A. M. about 2835. ...Now, after the death of Gideon, Abim- elech, the ion of the concubine, went tº Shechen, unto his mother's brethren, and communed with theiri, and. with all the family of the houſe of his mother's father, ſaying, ſpeak, I pray you, in the ears of the men of . Shechem, whether it is better for you either that all the ſons of Gideon, who are three ſcore and ten per- ſons reign over you, or that one reign over you ? Re- member alſo that I am your bone and your fleſh. - 2....And his mother's brethren ſpake of him in the ears of the men of Shechem all theſe words ; and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech ; for they ſaid, He is our brother. And they gave him three ſcore and ten pieces of ſilver, out of the houſe of Baalberith ; where. * ... ." -: with Abimelech hired vain and light perſons, who fol- lowed him. 3....And he went unto his father's houſe at Ophrah, and ſlew his brethren, the ſons of Gideon, being three ſcore and ten perſons, upon one ſtone; notwithſtand- ing, yet Jotham the youngeſt ſon of Gideon, was left ; for he hid himſelf. And all the men of Shechen gath- ered together, and all the houſe of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar. that was in Shechem. * - - . . . . . . 4....And when they told it to Jotham, he went and flood in the top of mount Gerizłm, and litted up his voice, and cried, and ſaid unto them, Heatken unto. & BEAUTIES OF me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. . . . . . . . . . - * 5....The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them ; and they ſaid unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive-tree ſaid unto them, Should * I leave my fatneſs, where with by me they honor God , and man, and go to be promoted over the trees P gover us. But the fig-tree ſaid unto them, . - grſake my ſweetneſs, and my good fruit, and go to be ºmoted over the trees P. Then ſaid the trees ... 6…And the trees ſaid unto the figuree, Come thou tinto the viº, Co me thou and reign ove; us: And the vine ſaidºtinto them,Should I leave fly * * * * * * wine which cheereth every one,and go to be promoted: ver the trees 2 # 7....Then ſaid all the trees unto the bramble, Come thog, and reign over us. And the bramble ſaid unto the trees, if inſtrugh ye anoint me king over you, then come, and put your truſt in my ſhadow ; and if not, let fire come out of the braaible and devour the cedars of Lebanon. . . . . . . . . 8...Now, therefore, if ye. have done truly and fin- cerely, in that ye, have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Gideon aid his holaſe, and have done unto him according to the deſerving of his hands; then rejºice ye in Abimelech; and let him alſo re- jöice in you. But it not let fire coune out from Abim- elech, and devour the men of Shecher, and the houſe of Millo: and let fire come out from the men of She- chem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abim- elech. And jotham ran away and fled for fear of A- bimelech his brother. … … . . . . . . . . . . * * *. tº... .ºz. ... . . . . . . . . . - , 9;...An nº Abimelēśhad reigned three years over Iſrael, then God ſent an eviñfpirit between Abim- clech and the men of Shecher; º **, ++ - : THE BIBLE, 89 chem dealt treacherouſly with Abimelech: that the cru. elty done to the threeſcore and ten ſons of Gideon . might come, and their blood be laid upon-Abimelech their brother who ſlew them ; and upon the men of Shechem who aided in killing his brethren. 1o....And the men of Shechem ſet liers in wait for him in the top of the mountain ; and they robbed all who came that way by them : and it was told Abime- lech. And he took the people and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and lóoked, ... and behold,the people were come forth ont of the i and he roſe up againſt them and ſmote theſiº 11....And Abimelech, and the company that was with . him, ruſhed forward, and ſtood in the entry of the gate of the city ; and the other companies ran upon all the people who were in the fields, and flew them. …And Abimelech fought againſt the city all that day and he took the city, and flew the people who were therein. 12....And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof, they entered into an hold of the houſe of the god Belith. And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together : And Abimelech gat him up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him ; and Abimelech took an ax in his band, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his ſhoulder, and ſaid unto the people who were with him, What ye have ſeen me do, make haſte and do as I have done. 13,...And all the people likewiſe cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and ſet the hold on fire upon them ; ſo that all the men of the tower of Shechem died alſo, about a thouſand men and women. . . . . . . . 14....Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamp. 84 BFAUTIES OF … ed againſt Thebez, and took it. But there was a ſtrong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and ſhut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower. And Abim- elech came unto the tower, and fought againſt it, and went hard unto the door of the tower, to burn it with ... 15....And a certain, woman caſt a piece of rhill- ſtone upon Abimelech's head and all to break his ſkull. ... Then he called haſtily unto the young man his armour- ... beårer; and ſaid unto him, draw thy ſword and ſlay me, that men måy not ſay of me, A woman ſlew him. And his young man thruſt him through, and he died. 16....Thus God’rendered the wickedneſs of Abime- lech, which he did unto his father, in ſlaying his ſe- venty brethren. And all the evil of the men of She- them did God render upon their heads : and upon them came the curſe of Jotham the ſon of Gideon, ‘. . . . REMARKSV - The parable of Jotham is the moſt ancient compoſi- tion of the kind that is known to be on record. Not on- ly is it beautifully adapted to the particular circumſtan- ces which gave riſe to it ; but alſo it conveys an inter- eſting moral, that ought to engage the ribtice and con- templation of mankind in every age. - The olive tree, the fig tree and the vine, rich in their own reſources; as well as pleaſant and uſeful in their nature and fruits, had no wiſh to be exalted over the trees; aptly denoting that a man of real and emi- nent worth is modeſt and unaſſuming. On the other hand, the worthleſs bramble, that bare no fruit, but cumbered the ground on which it grew and even wounded the hand that ſhould touch it, was forward to obtain office and dominion ; which repre- * THE BIBLE. 85 - ſented that men of worthleſs Or dangerous charaders were the moſt aſſuming, and would thruſt themſelves forward with unbluſhing impudence. . . . The tºgical end of Abimelech is one of the many remarkable inſtances of providential retaliation ; where- : in bloody men have been, cut off by a violent death, and havé been made inſtruments of puniſhing one *** nother for thoſe very crimes and horrible cruelties, which they perpetrated together as accomplices. . . . . cHAPTER XVIII. story of RUTH, • . . A. M. about 2860. S 1 . . . . OW it came to paſs, in the days when the Judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land : and a certain man of Bethlehem-Judah went to ſojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife, and his two ſons. . And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two ſons Mahlon and Chillion ; and they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 2....And Elimelech, Naomi's huſband died ; and ſhe was left and her two ſons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab ; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth : and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chillion died alſo both of them ; and the woman was left of her two ſons and her huſband. , - - - 3…Then ſhe aroſe with her daughters-in-law, that the might return from the country of Moab; for ſhe - k - - * º H - - , - - - º 86 s^-- BEAUTIES OF had heard in the country of Moab, how that the Lord had viſited his people in giving them bread. Where- fore ſhe went forth out of the place where ſhe was, and her two daughters-in-law with her : and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. 4....And Naomi ſaid unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each to her inother’s houſe : the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. Then ſhe kiſſed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they ſaid unto her, Sure- ly we will return with thee unto thy people. . . . . 5....And Naomi ſaid, Turn again, my daughters, why will ye go with me º Turn again ; nay,my daugh- ters : for it grieveth me much for your ſakes, that the hand of the Lord is gone out againſt me. And they lifted up their voice, and went again : and Orpah kiſ. fed her mother-in-law ; but Ruth clave unto her. And , ſhe ſaid, Behold thy ſiſter-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods; return thou after thy ſiſter- in-law. - - 6....And Ruth ſaid, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee : for whither thou goeſt, I will go ; and where thou lodgeſt, I will lodge : thy people ſhall be my people, and thy God, my God. Where thou dieſ?, I wiłł die, and there will I be buried : the Lord do ſo to me, and more alſo, if aught but death part thee and me.* ... • 7....And when Naomi ſaw that ſhe was ſteadfaſtly minded to go w ifh her, then ſhe left ſpeaking unto her : * Examine this paſſage, ye admirers of Sterne ; and candidly acknowledge that no lines of your favor- ite author are equally ſentimental and affectionate. Indeed, it is juſtly doubted whether it be within the THE BIBLE. 87 ſo they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to paſs, when they were come to Beth- lehem, that all the city was moved about them ; and they ſaid, is this Naomi º And ſhe ſaid unto them, Cal me not Naomi, call ºne Mara ; or the Almighty bath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out foil, and the Lord bath brought nº home again cºpy. 8....And they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley-harvejº, And Naomi had a kinſºnan ºf her bºbanºs, a mighly man of wealth, of the family of Eºnycºech , and his nano was Bºaz. And Ruth the Moabiteſs ſaid unto Naomi, Lºt ºne now go to the field, and glean cars of corn atter him in whº ſight ſhall find grace. And ſhe ſaid unto her, Gº, ºny daugh- ter. And ſhe went, and gleaned in the field after the reapers. 9 ...And her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging to Boaz. And, behold. Boaz came from Bethlehem, and ſaid unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they anſwered him, The Lord tº is thee. Then ſºld Boaz unto his ſervant who was ſet ºver the reapers, Whoſe damſel is this And the ſervant anº ſwered and ſaid, It is the Moabitiſh danºel who cºnne back with Naomi out of the country of Moab : and the ſaid, I pray you, let ºne glean and gather after the reap- ers among the ſheaves; ſo ſhe hath continued even from the tº orning until now. ro....Then ſaid Boaz unto Ruth, Heaveſ thou not. my daughter P Go not to glean in another field, neither compaſs ºf ºr 'anguage to expreſs the wary gº tions of a feeling heart in a more tender and nº manner than they are here expºſedly tº ºniable too- man. From this ſame Ruth deſcended ſº Chriſt, the Saviour of men ; in whom all the nations of the eartſ are ///ed. 88 BEAUTIES OF go from hence; but abide here faſt by my maidens. Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them.—Have I not charged the young men that they ſhall not touch thee P And when thou art a- thirſt, go unto the veſſels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 1 1....Then ſhe fell an her face and bowed herſelf to the ground, and ſaid unto him, Why have I ſound grace in thine eyes, that thou ſhouldeſt take knowledge of me, ſeeing I am a ſtranger ? and Boaz anſweredžānd ſaid unto her, It hath fully been ſhe wed me all that thou haſt done unto thy mother-in-law ſince the death of thine huſband ; and how thou haſt left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and haſt come unto a people which thou"kneweſt not heretofore. . . 12....The Lord recompenſe thy work, and a full re- ward be given thee of the Lord God of Iſrael, un- der whoſe wings thou art come to truſt. Then ſhe ſaid, Let me find favor in thy fight, my lord ; for that thou haſ comforted me, and for that thou haſ ſpoken kindly unto thine handmaid.. And Boaz ſaid unto her, At meal time come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morfel in the vinegar. And ſhe ſat beſide the reapers ; and he reacbed her panched corn, and ſhe did eat, and was ſufficed. . . . 3....And when ſhe was riſen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, ſaying, Let her glean e- ven atmong the ſheaves, and reproach her not : and let . fall alſo ſome of the handfuls of purpoſe for her, and leave them, that ſhe may glean them, and rebuke her not.—So ſhe gleaned in the field until even, and beat out what ſhe had gleaned ; and it was about an ephah of barley. .. * * - 14....And ſhe took it up, and went into the city ; and her mother-in-law ſaw what ſhe had gleaned : and ſhe THE BIBLE. 89 brought forth, and gave to her that ſhe had reſerved af- ter ſhe was ſufficed.—And her mother-in-law ſaid un- to her, Where haſt thou gleaned to-day ? And where wroughteſt thou ? Bleſſed be he that did take knowledge. of thee. - - - - - - 15....And ſhe ſhewed her mother-in-law with whom ſhe had wrought, and ſaid,The man's name with whom I wrought to-day is Boaz.—And Naomi ſaid unto her daughter-in-law, Bleſſed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindneſs to the living and to the dead. And Naomi ſaid unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinſmen. 16...And Naomi ſaid unto Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet theč not in any other field.— So ſhe kept faſt by the maidens of Boaz, to the end of barley harveſt, and of wheat harveſt : and dwelt with her mother-in-law. - . . . - REMARKS. This ſtory gives a pleafing ſample of the ſimple man- ner of living, among people of early times.—While the reapers were cutting down the wheat, the maidens followed them, and gleaned up the ſcattering ears.--— At meal-time, they ſet themſelves down to a repaſh, conſiſting of parched corn, and bread, dipped in vine. gar;--They ate merely to ſuffice hunger; and their coarſe and frugal fare, ſweetened by toil, was enjoyed with contentment and cheerfulneſs. - -. Now contraſt this homely repaſ, with a modern table, loaded with the luxuries of every climate. To fur- piſh this table, the innocent lamb has bled ; and the hapleſs ſlave has toiled and agonized under the torturing foourge. And, bebold'ſ diſeaſe and death are lurking in theſe dainties. Think of the diſcontent, the conſ. go BEAUTIES OF tentions, the wars, the horrid crimes, the racking pains and loathforme diſeaſes, which luxury has introduced ; into the world ;—and it will abate one's contempt for that coarſe and frugal manner of ancient living, which was upon the plan of fimple nature. And let people that are apt to deſpiſe plain diet, refle&t alſo that the Saviour of men, who for our ſakes became poor, uſed . thankfully, on coarſe barkey-bread, and broiled IłęS. -- . - CHAPTER xix. THE EARLY PIETF, AND EMINENT cha. . . RACTER OF SAMUEL. - A. M. about 2880. - ...Now there was a certain man of Mount. Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah ; and Hannah his wife bare a ſon, and called his name"Samuel, ſaying, I have aſked him of the Lord. And the man Ełkabah, . . and all his houſe, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly ſacrifice. But Hannah went not up ; for ſhe ſaid unto her huſband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may ap- pear before the Lord, and abide there forever. 2....And Ełkanah her huſband ſaid unto her, Do what ſeemeth thee, good. And when ſhe had weaned the child, ſhe toºk him up with her, and brought him un- to the houſe of The Lord in Shiloh, and brought the child unto Eli theºrieſt;" And ſhe ſaid, Oh, my lord : as thy ſoul liveth; my lord, I am the woman, who flood by thee here, praying onto the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given mº my petition which THE BIBLE. gi the Lord's people to tranſgreſs. If one man fin againſt ſº I aſked of him therefore alſo I have lent him to the Lord ; as ſong as he liveth, ſhall he be lent to the Lord.* 3....And Samuel miniſtered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a ſiaen ephod. Moreover his mo-' ther made him a ſittle coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when ſhe came up with her huſhand to offer the yearly ſacrifice. And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor with God, and alſo with men. 4...Now the ſons of Eli were ſons of Belial ; they knew not the Lord : and the ſin of the young men was very great before the Lord. Ajd Eli was very old, and heard all that his ſons did unto all Iſrael ; and how they wrought wickedneſs with the women who aſſem- bled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 3...And he ſaid unto them, Why do ye ſuch things; For I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my ſons ; for it is no good report that I hear : ye make another, the judge ſhall judge him : but if a man ſin againſt the Lord, who ſhall intreat for him P Notwith- *It is a remark worthy of notice, that ſeveral of the moſt eminent ſights which have been in the world, were born of mothers of ſingular piety ; and from them received the firſt rudiments of their education. Children, during ſeveral of their earlieſt years, are , chiefty with their mother : from her they receive their firſt impreſſions ; and thoſe firſt impreſſions are a ſort of in delible charaćiers —they are not eaſily worn off. In this view, a good. minded, diſcreet.andfaithful *nother tº the very fift and choiceſ! blºſing to a fami- ly, Blºſſed are the mothers, who chooſe rather to em. ploy their leiſure in rearing their tender offspring, and pouring virtuºus inſtruction into their minds, than in ſcenes of faſhionable amuſement. ~ 9: BEAUTIES of ſtanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, becauſe the Lord would ſlay them.* 6....And the child Samuel miniſtered unto the Lord ... before Eii. And the word of the Lord was precious in thoſe days; there was no open viſion. And it came to paſs at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and before the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, and while Samuel was laid down to ſleep; that the Lord called Samuel. And he anſwered, Here am I. 7....And he ran unto Eli, and ſaid, Here am I; for thou calledſt me : And he ſaid, I called not ; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the Lord called again, Samuel. And Samuel aroſe, and went to Eli, and ſaid, Here am I; for thou didſt call me. And be anſwered, I called thee not, my ſon ; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. 8....And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he aroſe and went to Eli, and ſaid, Here am I;. * The Lord will ſlay, or deſtroy thoſe wicked chil- dren who deſpiſe and ſcoff at their parents, and refuſe to hearken to their good counſel and inſtruction, . The Bible declares, that the eye that mocketh at his father, and refuſeth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley ſhall pick it out, and the young eagles ſhall ea & 2.É. . ‘. . . . s - - - According to this awful declaration and threatening, diſobedient children often die untimely and unnatural deaths. Many ſuch children have at length become ſo wicked, that, for a warning to others, they have been hung up high in the air on gibbets ; where their bodies were left to periſh and conſume : and, the ravens and eagles, and other greedy birds, have picked out their eyes and eaten them. . . . . . . forthou didſt call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli ſaid unto Samuel, Go, lie down ; and it ſhall be, if he call thee that thou ſhalt ſay, Speak, Lord, for thy ſervant heareth. So Samuel went and lie down in his place. And the Lord called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Sa- muel anſwered, Speak, for thy ſervant heareth. 9...And the Lord ſaid unto Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Iſrael, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it ſhali tingle. In that day I will perform againſt Efi all things which I have ſpoken concerning his houſe : when I begin, I will alſo make an end. 10....For I have told him that I will judge his houſe forever, for the iniquity which he knoweth : becauſe his ſons, made themſelves vile, and he reſtrained them not. Therefore the iniquity of Eli's houſe ſhall not be purged with ſacrifice, nor offerings forever. - 11....And Samuel lie until the morning, and open- ed the doors of the houſe of the Lord ; and Samuel feared to ſhew Eli the viſion. Then Eli called Samu- eł, and ſaid, Samuel, tiny ſon. And he anſwered, Here ams I. And he ſaid, what is the thing which the Lord hath ſaid unto thee P I pray thee, hide it not from me, And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And Eii ſaid, It is the Lord; let him do what ſeemeth him good. . 12....And Samuel grew and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Iſrael knew that Samuel was eſtabliſhed to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh : for the Lord revealed himſelf to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. . . , & - 13....And Samueljudged Iſraelan the days of his life. And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and - 94 BEAUTIES of Gilgal, and Mizpeh , and judged Iſrael in all thoſe places. And his return was to Ramah ; for there was his Houſe. - " . . . • CHAPTER xx. A young shepherd cowowering A A. M. about 2945. , , 1,...] NOW the Philiſtines gathered together their armies to battle, at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah. And Saul and the men of Iſrael were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Ełah, and ſet the battle in array againſt the Philiſtines. And the Philiſ- times food on a mountain on the one ſide, and Iſrael Ítood on a mountain on the other ſide : and there was a valley between them. . . . . 2....And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philiſtines, named Goliath of Gath, whoſe height was ſix cubits and a ſpan. (about eleven feet.) And he had an helmet of braſs upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail : and the weight of the coat was five thouſand ſhekels of braſs. And he had greaves of braſs upon his legs, and a target of braſs between his ſhoulders. * * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . s 3....And the ſtaff of his ſpear was like a weaver's beam, and his ſpear's head weighed fix hundred ſhek- els of iron : , and one bearing a ſhield went before him. And he ſtood arid cried unto the armies of Iſrael and ſaid unto them, Why are ye corne out to ſet your bat- the in array 7: Am not I a Philiſtine, and ye fervants to Saul P. Chooſe you a man for you, and let him come ,- down to me. THE BIBLE, 93 4....If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me,’ then will we be your ſervants ; but if I prevail againſt him and kill him, then ſhall ye be our ſervants and ſerve us. And the Philiſtine ſaid, I defy the armies of Iſrael this day; give me a man that we may fight to- gether. When Saul and all Iſrael heard thoſe words of the Philiſtiae they were diſmayed, and greatly afraid. And the Philiſtine drew near morning and evening, and preſented himſelf forty days. - - 5....Now David was the ſon of Jeſſe ; and he had eight ſons: and the three eldeſt ſons of Jeſſe followed Saul to the battle ; and David was the youngeſt : and he fed his father's ſheep at Bethlehem. And Jeſſe ſaid unto David his ſon, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and theſe ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren : and carry theſe ten cheeſes unto the captain of their thouſand, and look how thy brethren fare. - - . . . 6....And David roſe up early in the morning, and left the ſheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jeſſe had commanded him ; and he came to the trench as the hoſt was going forth to the fight, and ſhouted for , the battle. For Iſrael and the Philiſtines had put the battle in array army againſt army. And David ran in- to the army, and came, and ſaluted his brethren. - 7....And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion (the Philiſtine of Gath, Goliath hy. mame) out of the armies of the Philiſtines, and ſpake according to the fame words : and David heard them. And all the men of Iſrael, when they ſaw the man, fled from him, and were ſore afraid. ' 8....And the men of Iſrael ſaid, have ye ſeen this man who is come up P Surely to defy Iſrael is he come up ; and it ſhall be that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him 96 BEAUTIES OF his daughter, and make his father's houſe free in Iſrael. & 3....And David ſpake to the men who ſtood by him, ſaying, What ſhall be done to the man who killeth this Philiſtine, and taketh away the reproach from Iſrael P For who is this uncircumciſed Philiſtine that he ſhould defy the armies of the living God P And the people anſwered him after the ſame manner, ſaying, So ſhall it be done unto the man who killeth him. - 1o....And Eliab, his eldeſt brother, heard when he ſpake unto the men ; and Eliab's anger was kindled againſt David, and he ſaid, Why cameft thou down hither P And with whom haſt thou left thoſe few ſheep in the wilderneſs P I know thy pride, and the naughti- neſs of thy heart ; for thou art come down that thou mighteſt ſee the battle. And David ſaid, What have I done 2 Is there not a cauſe 2 And when the words were heard which David ſpoke, they rehearſed them before king Saul and he ſent for him. - 11....And David ſaid to Saul, Let no man's heart fail becauſe of him : thy ſervant will go and fight with this Philiſtine. And Saul ſaid unto David, Thou art not able to go againſt this Philiſtine to fight with him : for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 12....And David ſaid unto Saul, thy ſervant kept his father's ſheep, and there came a lion and a bear,and ... took a lamb out of the flock; and I went out after him, and I ſmote him, and delivered it out of his mouth : and when , he roſe againſt me, I caught him by his beard, and ſmote him, and ſlew him. . 13....Thy ſervant ſlew both the lion and the bear : and this umcircumciſed Philiſtine ſhall be as one of them, ſeeing that he hath defied the armies of the living God. David, ſaid, moreover, The Lord, who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the “THE BIBLE. - 97 bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philiſ- time. And Saul ſaid unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of braſs upon his head; alſo he armed him with a coat of mail. - 14....And David girded his ſword upon his armour; and he aſſ,yed to go ; for he had not proved it. And David ſaid unto Saul, I cannot go with theſe ; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his ſtaff in his hand, and choſe him five ſmooth ſtones out of the brook, and put them in a ſhep- herd's bag which he had, even in a ſcrip, and his ſling was in his hand ; and he drew near to the Philiſtine. And the Philiſtine came on,and drew near unto David; and the man who bare the ſhield went before him. 15....And when the Philiſtine looked about and ſaw David, he diſdained him ; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philiſtine ſaid unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comeſt to me with ſtaves 2 and the Philiſtine curſed him by his gods. And the Philiſtine ſaid to David, Come to me, and I will give thy fleſh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beaſts of the field. “: 16....Then ſaid David to the Philiſtine, Thou com- eſt to me with a ſword, and with a ſpear, and with a ſhield ; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hoſts, the God of the armies of Iſrael whom thou haſt defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand, and I will finite thee, and take thine head from thee; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Iſrael. And ail the aſſembly ſhall know that the Lord ſaveth not with ſword and ſpear; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. 17...And it came to paſs, when the Philiſtine. aroſe and drew nigh to meet David, that David haſted, and 98 BEAUTIES OF ran toward the army to meet the Philiſtine. And Da- wid put his hand in his bag, and took thence a ſtone, and ſlang it, and ſmote the Philiſtine in his forehead, that the ſtone ſunk into his forehead Î and he fell upon his face to the earth. - - - 18....So David prevailed over the Philiſtine with a ſling and a ſtone, and ſmote the Philiſtine, and ſlew him ; but there was no ſword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and flood upon the Philiſtine, and took his ſword; and drew it out of the ſheath there- of, and ſlew him, and cut of his head therewith. 19....And when the Philiſtines ſaw their champion, was dead, they fled. And the men of Ifrael and of Ju- dah aroſe, and ſhouted, and purſued the Philiſtines, un- til thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And David took the head of the Philiſtine, and brought it to Jeruſalem ; but he put his armour in his tent. REMARKS. Every one had a giant to conquer :—Some darling ſin, ſome conſtitutional vice, to overcome which re- quires great exertions. But yet the feebleſt youth, while duly depending on divine aſſiſtance, may baffle and ſubdue this formidable foe, even the ſin that moſt eaſily beſets him. - - CHAPTER XXI. THE MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP OF DAVID AND 70 NATHAM; - - A. M. About 2988. ...When sº, is king av Dwar forth againſt the Philiſtine, he ſaid unto Abner, the cap: , tain of the hoſt, Abner, whoſe ſon is this youth P And THE BIBLE 99 Abner ſaid, As thy foul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. And the king ſaid, . Inquire thou-whoſe ſon the ſtrip- ling is. And as David returned from the ſlaughter of the Philiſtine, Abner took him, and brought him be- fore Saul, with the head of the Philiſline in bis hand. And Saul ſaid to him, Whoſe ſon art thou, young man P. And David anſwered, I am the ſon of thy ſervant Jef- fe the Bethlehemite. - . . . 2....And it came to paſs, when he had made an end of ſpeaking unto Saul, that the ſoul of Jonathan, Saul's ſon, was knit with the ſoul of David ; and Jonathan loved him as his own ſoul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's 'hôuſe. . . . . . . . . 3....Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, be- cauſe he loved him as his own ſoul. And Jonathan ſtripped himſelf of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his ſword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. 4....And David went out whitherfoever Saul ſent bim, and behaved himſelf wiſely ; and Saul ſet him over the men of war ; and he was accepted in the fight of the people, and alſo in the fight of Saul’s ſervants. And it came to paſs, as they came, when David was returned from the ſlaughter of the Philiſtine, that the women came out of all the cities of Iſrael, finging and dancing, to meet king Sau}, with tabrets, with joy, and with inſtruments of muſic. . ~ ... 5....And the women anſwered one another as they played,and ſaid, Saul hath ſlain his thouſands, and Da- vid his ten thouſands : And Saul was very wroth, and the ſaying diſpleaſed him ; and he ſaid, They have a- ſcribed unto David his ten thouſands, and to me they have aſcribed but thouſands : and what can he have more but the kingdom P - . . . . 10o BEAUTIES OF ra * , 6,...And Saul eyed David from that day forward. And Saul ſaw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul be- came David's enemy continually. And Saul ſpake to . #. his ſon, and to all his ſervants, that the ould kill David. - - 7....But Jonathan, Saul’s ſon, delighted much in David ; and Jonathan told David, ſaying, My father *ſeeketh to kill thee. Now, therefore, I pray thee, take heed unto thy ſelf until the morning, and abide in a ſe- cret place, and hide thyſei; ; and I will go out and fland beſide my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I ſee that will I tell thee. 8....And Jonathan ſpake good of David unto his father, and ſaid unto him, Let not the king ſin againſt his ſervant, againſt David ; becauſe he hath not ſinned againſt thee, and becauſe his works have been to thee ward very good. For he did put his life in his hand, and ſlew the Philiſtine, and the Lord wrought a great ſalvation for all Iſrael; thou ſaweſt it and didſt rejoice: Wherefore then wilt thou fin againit infiocent blood, to ſlay David without a cauſe 2 - 9....And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jona; than ; and Saul ſware, As the Lord liveth, he ſhall not be ſlain. And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan ſhewed him all thoſe things; and Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his preſence as in times paſt, - 1o....And there was war again ; and David went out and fought with the Philiſtines, and ſlew them with a great ſlaughter; and they fled from him. And the evil ſpirit was upon Saul, as he ſat in his houſe THE BIBLE 1 O 1 with his javelin in his hand :--and David played with with his hand.—And Saul ſought to ſmite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he ſlipped away out of Saul’s preſence, and he ſmote the javelin into the wall : and David fled, and eſcaped that night. And David came to Samuel to Ramah. 11....And it came to paſs afterward, that David fled from Naioth in Ramah,and came, and ſaid before Jº- athan, What have I done P What is mine iniguiyi. And what is my fin before thy father, that he ſeekº my life 2 And Jonathan ſaid unto him, Thorºſºft not die ; behold, my father will do nothing, either great or ſmall, but that he will ſhew it me ; and why ºuld my father hide this thing from me 2 It is not O. 12....And David ſaid, thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he ſaith, Let not Jonathan know this, left he be grieved ; but truly, as thy ſoul liveth, there is but a ſtep between me and death. Then ſaid Jonathan unto David, What- ſoever thy ſoul deſireth, I will even do it for thee. , 13.....And David ſaid unto Jonathan, Behold, to- morrow is the new moon, and I ſhould not fail to ſt with the king at meat : but let me go that I may hide myſelf in the field until the third day at even.-- If thy father at all miſs me, then ſay, David earneſtly aſked leave of me, that he might run to Bethlehem his city. If, he ſay, it is well, thy ſervant ſhall have peace : but if he be very wroth; then be fure that evil is determined of him. " - - 14....Therefore thou ſhalt deal kindly with thy fer- vant; for thou haſt brought thy ſervant into a cove- ... nant of the Lord with thee; notwithſtanding if there be in me iniquity, flay me thyſelf; for why ſhouldeſt 102 BEAUTIES of thou bring me to thy father ? And Jonathan ſaid, if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my fa. ther to come upon thee, then would I not tell it thee P Then ſaid David to Jonathan, Who ſhall tell me? or what it thy father anſwer thee roughly 2 15....And Jonathan ſaid unto David, Come, let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field. And Jonathan ſaid unto David, O Lord God of Iſrael, when I have ſounded my father, sbehold, if there be good toward David, and I ſend it not to thee, and ſhew it thee, the Lord do ſo and much more to Jonathan : but if it pleaſe my father to do thee evil, then I will ſhew it thee, and ſend thee a- way, that thou may eſt go in peace ; and the Lord be with thee. s 16....And thou ſhalt not only, while yet alive, ſhew me the kindneſs of the Lord, that I die not ; but alſo thou ſhalt not cut off thy kindneſs from my houſe for- ever. So Jonathan made a covenant with the houſe of David ; and Jonathan cauſed David to make oath a- gain, becauſe he loved him as he loved his own ſoul. 17....Then Jonathan ſaid to David, To-morrow is the new moon ; and thou ſhalt be miſſed, becauſe thy ſeat will be empty. And when thou haſ ſtayed three days, then thou ſhalt go down quickly; and corne tº the place where thou didſt hide thyſelf ; and I will ſhoot three arrows on the fide thereof, as though I ſhot at a mark. . - , 8....And, behold, I will ſend a lad, ſaying, go find out the arrows. If I expreſsly ſay unto the lad, Be- hold the arrows are on this ſide of thee, then come thou ; for there is peace to thee. But if I ſay thus unto the young man, Behold the arrows are beyond thee, gothy way; for the Lord bath ſent thee, away. THE BIBLE, 103 And as to what we have ſpoken together, behold, the Lord be between me and thee forever. 19....So David hid himſelf in the field : and when the new moon was come, the king ſat down to eat meat. And the king fat upon his ſeat, as at other times, and Abner ſat by Saul's ſide, and David's place was emp- ity. Nevertheleſs, Saul ſpake not anything that day; tor he thought ſomething had befallen him. And it came to paſs on the morrow, that David’s place was empty; and Saul ſaid unto Jonathan, his ſon, Where- fore cometh not the ſon of Jeſſe to meat, neither yeſter- day nor to-day P • * - 20....And Jonathan anſwered Saul, David earneſtly aſked leave of me to go to Bethlehem. Then Saul’s anger was kindled againſt Jonathan, and he ſaid unto him, Do not I know that thou haſt choſen the ſon of Jeſſe to thine own confuſion 2 For as long as the ſon of Jeſſe liveth upon the ground, thou ſhaſt not be eſtabliſh- ed, nor thy kingdom : Wherefore now ſend and fetch him unto me, for he ſhall ſurely die. 21....And Jonathan anſwered his father, and ſaid un- to him, Wherefore ſhall he be ſlain P What hath he done? And Saul caſt a javelin at him to ſmite him; whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to ſlay David, So Jonathan aroſe from the ta- ble in fierce anger, and did eat no meat that day; for he was grieved for David, becauſe his father had done him ſhame. . . ; s 22,...And it came to paſs in the morning, that Jon- athan went out into the field, at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him. And he ſaid unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I ſhoot. And as the lad ran, he ſhot an arrow beyond him. And when the lad had come to the place of & 104 BEAUTIES OF the arrow which Jonathan had ſhot, Jonathan cried af- ter the lad, and ſaid, is not the arrow beyond thee P , 23....And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make ſpeed, haſte, ſtay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his maſter. But the lad knew not anything : only Jonathan and David knew the mat- ter. And Jonathan gave his artillery unto the lad, and ſaid unto him, Go carry them to the city. * 24,...And as ſoon as the lad was gone, David aroſe out of a place toward the ſouth, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himſelf three times’; and thew kiſſed one another, and wept one with another, un- til David exceeded. . And Jonathan ſaid to David, Go in peace, foraſmuch as we have covenanted togeth- er in the name of the Lord, ſaying, the Lord be be- tween me and thee, and between my children and thy children. - - . . . REMARKS. - This beautiful pićture of friendſhip is held up to view as a uſeful copy for youth. Such a pure and - lively friendſhip as there was between the young men, David and Jonathan, ſhould always be among brothers and fiſters. They ſhould be pitiful to'each other in trouble, and rejoice in one another’s welfare ; and ſhould ever be polite and obliging, kind and aſſe&tion- ate. - - - Behold how good and how pleaſant it is for brothers and ſiſters to dwell together in unity It is like the dew of the morning upon the new blown flowers and bloſſoms. 4. - • . THE BIBLE 105 CHAPTER xxii. THE STORY OF ABSALOM. A. M. 2983. 1.... N all Iſrael there was none to be ſo much praiſed as Abſalom, the ſon of David, for his beauty : from the ſole of his foot, even to the crown of his head, there was no blemiſh in him. Now Abſalom prepared him chariots, and horſes, and fifty men to run before him. And Abſalom roſe up early, and ſtood beſide the way of the gate : and it was ſo, that when any man who had a controverſy came to the king for judgment, then Abſalom called unto him, and ſaid, Of what city art thou ? . . - -2....And he ſaid, Thy ſervant is of one of the tribes of Iſrael. And Abſalom ſaid unto him, See thy matters are good and right ; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Abſalom ſaid, moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any ſuit or cauſe might coshe unto me, and I would do him juſtice. - 3....And it was ſo, that when any man came nigh unto him, to do him obeiſance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kiſſed him. And in this manner did Abſalom to all Iſrael, who came to the king for judgment : So Abſalom flole the hearts of the men of Iſrael.” - . *The ſame arts and intrigues which were here uſed by Abſalom, have been adfed over in the world a thou- 'and times. In a popular government, an artful man, whoſe reſtleſs ambition, or avarice, prompts him to ſcramble for the loaves and fiſhes of office, is carefuſ 106 BEAUTIES OF 4....And it came to paſs, after a time, that Abſalom ſaid unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord in Hebron. For thy ſervant vowed a vow, while I abode in Geſhur in Syria, ſaying, If the Lord ſhall bring me again in- deed to Jeruſalem, then I will ſerve the Lord. And the king ſaid unto him, Go in peace. So he aroſe and went unto Hebron. . . . 5...But Abſalom ſent ſpies throughout all the tribes of Iſrael, ſaying, As ſoon as ye hear the trumpet, then ye ſhall ſay, Abſalom reigneth in Hebron. And the conſpiracy was ſtrong; for the people increaſed conti- nually with Abſalem. And there came a meſſenger to David, ſaying, the hearts of the men of Iſrael are after Abſalom. - . . . 6 ...And David ſaid unto all his ſervants who were with him at Jeruſalem, Ariſe, let us flee; for we ſhall not elſe eſcape from Abſalom : make ſpeed to de- part, left he overtake.us ſuddenly, and bring evil up- on us, and ſmite the city with the edge of the ſword. And the king's ſervants ſaid unto the king, Behold, thy to flatter the people ; and in the language of a wooing lover, he ſolemnly profeſſes his pure and ardent affec- tion for them, and his devotedneſs to their intereſt. ... He inſinuates that the people's intereſts have been neglečted—that unneceſſary burdens have been impoſed on them, and that the adminiſtration is either unwiſe or corrupt ; and he hints that if he himſelf were in power, his objećl would be to lighten their burdens and redreſs their grievances, This artifice has, in every age, duped the credulous and undiſcerning ; whom the crafty demagogue has never failed to deſpiſe and ſpurn, after he has uſed them ſufficiently to accorn- pliſh the obječis of his own ambition. . . . THE BIBLE, 107 ſervants are ready to do whatſoever my lord the king ſhall appoint. - • . - 7....And the king went forth, and all his houſehold and all the people with him. And David went up by the aſcent of Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, . . and had his head covered, and he went bare-foot : and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 8....And David numbered the people who were with him, and ſet captains of thouſands and captains of hun. .. dreds over them. And David ſent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abiſhai (?oab's brother) and a third part under the hand of Ittai. . . . . . . 9....And the king ſaid unto the people, I will ſurely go with you myſelf alſo. But the people anſwered, Thou ſhalt not go forth : for it we flee away, they will not bare for us ; neither if half of us die, will they care for us : but now thou art worth ten thouſand of us : Now therefore it is better that thou ſuccour us out of the city. io....And the king ſaid unto them, what ſeemeth you béſt I will do. And the kiug ſtood by the gate ſide, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thou- ſands. And the king commanded Joab, and Abiſhai, and Ittai, ſaying, Deal gently for my ſake with the young man, even with Abſalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge con- cerning Abſalom. - . . . . . . 1....So the people went out in the field againſt Iſ. rael ; and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim ; where the pºople of Iſrael were ſlain before the ſervants of David : and there was there a great ſlaughter that day of twenty thouſand men. For the battle was there ſcattered over the face of all the country : and the wood 198 BEAUTIES OF devoured more people that day than the ſword devout- ed. - . - 2” w . 12....And Abſalom met the ſervants of David ; and Abſalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the hea- ven and the earth, and the mule that was under him . went away. And a certain man ſaw it, and told Joab, and ſaid, Behold, I ſaw Abſalom hanging in an oak. And Joab ſaid, unto the man,who told him, Why didſt thou not ſmite him there to the ground, and I would have given thee ten ſhekels of filver ? - * 13....And the men ſaid unto Joab, Though I ſhould receive a thouſand ſhekels of ſilver, yet would I not put forth mine hand againſt the king's ſon : for in our hear- ing the king charged thee, and Abiſhai, and Ittai, ſay- ing, Beware that none touch the young man Abſalom. Otherwiſe, I ſhould have wrought falſhood againſt mine own life; and then thyſelf wouldeſt have ſet thyſelf a- gainſt me. . - . 14....Then ſaid Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thruſt them through the heart of Abſalom, while he was yet alive in the midſt of the oak. And they took Abſalºpm, and caſt him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of ſtones upon him ; and all Iſrael fled eve- ry man to his tent. * - 15....Then ſaid Ahimaaz, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the Lord bºth agenged him of his enemies. And Joab ſaid untoºhirº Thou ſhalt not bear tidings this day, becauſe the king's ſon, is dead. Then ſaid Joab to Cuſhi, Go, tell the king what thou haſt ſeen. And Cuſhi bowed himſelf unto Joab, and THE BIBLE, ico 16....Then ſaid Ahimaaz yet again unto Joab, ºu': howſoever, let me, I pray thee, run after Cuſhi. And Joab ſaid, Wherefore wilt, thou rān, my ſon, ſeeing that thou haſ no tidings ready ? But howſoever(ſaid hº) let me run ? And he ſaid unto him, Run. Then Ahi- - maaz run by the way of the plain, and over-run Cuſhi- 17....And David ſat between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof, and looked, and behold, a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king. Tand the king ſaid, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And the watchman ſaw an- other man running ; and the watchman called unto the porter, and ſaid, Behold, another man running alone. And the king ſaid, He alſo bringeth tidings. And the watchman ſaid, Methinks the running of the foremoſt is like the running of Ahimaaz the ſon of Zadoc. And the king, ſaid, He is a good man, and cometh with good ti- dings. * - 18....And Ahimaaz called, and ſaid unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and ſaid, Bleſſed be the Lord thy God who hath delivered up the men that lifted up; their hand againſt my lord the king. And the king ſaid, Is the young man Abſalom ſafe 2 And Ahimaaz anſwer. ed, When Joab ſent the king's ſervant, and me thy ſer. vant, I ſaw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. And the king ſaid unto him, Turn aſide, and ſtand here, 19....And, behold, Cuſhi came, and Cuſhi ſaid, Ti- dings, my lord the king : for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them who roſe up againſt thee. And the king ſaid unto Cuſhi, Is the young man Abſa- hom ſafe 2 And Cuſhi anſwered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all who riſe againſt thee to º: hºrt, be as that young man is. º &#,And the king was much moved, and went up 11o BEAUTIES OF to the chamber. over the gate, and wept ; and as he wept, thus he ſaid, O my ſon Abfalom, my ſon, my ſon Abſalom : would to God I had died for thee, O Abſalom, my fon, my ſon. Y REMAKKs. . . . . * This lamentation is exquiſitely pathetical. It is the natural effuſion of a heart that bleeds with anguiſh; and never was grief, expreſſed in, a more moving manner. None but a parent knows the intenſity of parental love : Nor is there any ſorrow, more deep and diſtreſſing than the ſorrow of an affectionate parent over a loſt child. * * Y. Let fooliſh ſons and daughters, who by rebellious condućt, have become a heavineſs to their parents, conſider, that they are wounding and breakièg the hearts of thoſe who beſt love them, and bringin; them down with ſorrow to the grave. . . . * & . . . . . . CHAPTER XXIII. . . . solo Mon’s Polite NESs To HIs MeTHER, A. M. 2989. . . . . . ...Now Adonijah came to Báthſheba, the mother of Solomon ; and ſhe ſaid, Comeſt thout peaceably And he ſaid, Peaceably. He ſaid, more: over, I have ſomewhat to ſay unto thee. And ſhe ſaid, ..say on. And he ſaid, Thou knoweſt that the kingdo". was mine, and all. Iſrael ſet their faces on me; that I ſhould reign : howbeit, the kingdom is turned abºr and is become any brother's ; for it was his from th’ 2....And now I aſk one petition of thee, deny me not. And ſhe ſaid unto him, Say on, And he ſaid, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king (for he will not ſay, thee nay) that he give me. Abiſhag, the Shunamite to wife. And Bathſheba ſaid, Well, I will ſpeak for thee unto the king. 3...Bathſheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to ſpeak unto him for Adonijah ; and the king roſe up. tº meet her, and bowed himſelf, and ſat down on his throne, and cauſed a ſeat to be ſet for the king's moth- - - - - - *. er, and ſhe ſat on his right hand. * - REMARKs. - * . This amiable example of Solomon, one of the great- eſ; and moſt accompliſhed men that ever lived, will seach young gentlemen to be polite and reſpe&ful to their mother 5. A young man, however high be his birth, who is habitually diſreſpectful to his mother, deſerves to be ranked among ill-bred clowns: while, Ón the other hand, there is ſcarcely any ſurer mark of good-nature, good-breeding and good fenſe, in a young man, than his habitually behaving towards his nother with re. ſpectful attention. • , . . . . . .- --- - - * , == w- ** . . . CHAPTER XXIV. THE WISE CHOICE of A Royal YouTII. 4. At 999. ... y : * * * - - . . . - \ ** - - * - ...In Gibeon the Lord appeared unto Solo-. mon, in a dream by night: and Göö'ſaid, Aſk: what I fhall give. And Solomon ſaid, Thou haſ ſhewed un- to thy ſervant David, my father, great mercy, and thou * 12 BEAUTIES OF baſt kept for him this great kindneſs, and thou haſt given him a ſon to fit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou haft made thy ſer- vant king inſtead of my father ; and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 2....And thy ſervant is in the midſt of thy people whom thou haſt chofen, a great people that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. Give therefore thy ſervant an underſtanding heart, to judge thy people, that I may diſcern between good and bad ; for who is able to judge this ſo great a people * t. 3....And the ſpeech pleaſed the Lord, that Solomon had aſked this thing. And God ſaid unto him, Becauſe thou haſ aſked this thing, and haſt not aſked riches for thyſelf, but haſt aſked for thyſelf underſtanding to diſ- cern judgment ; behold, I have done according to thy words : lo, I have given thee a wiſe and underſtanding heart, ſo that there was none like thee before thee, nei- ther after thee ſhall any ariſe like unto thee. , 4....And I have alſo given thee that which thou haſt Isot aſked, both riches and honor: ſo that there ſhall not be any among the kings, like unto thee all thy days. And if thcy wilt walk in my ways, to keep my ſtatutes and my cººr mandments, then I will lengthen thy days 5....And God gave Solomon wiſdom and underſtan- ding, exceeding much, and largeneſs of heart, even as to the ſand that is on the ſea-ſhore. And Solomon’s wiſdom exceeded all the wiſdom of the eaſt country, and all the wiſdom of Egypt. ...For he was wiſer than all men : than Ethan, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the ſons of Mahol; and his fame was in all na- tidn's round about. . . . - fa 6....And he ſpake three thouſand proverbs : and his ſongs were a thouſand and five. And he ſpake of trees THE BIBLE, “a from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon, even unto the hyſſop that ſpringeth out of the wall; he ſpake alſo of beaſts, and of fowls, and of creeping things, and of fiſhes. And there came of all people to hear the wiſ. dom of Solomon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; ‘. . . . . . .” s: , ºr - f REMARKS. - - The wiſe choice of Solomon is a moſt valuable leſſon to young people. Let youth, who read this pleaſing piece of hiſtory, “go and do likewiſe.” Let it be their firſt wiſh and prayer that they may have a wiſe and inderſtanding heart. Let them tear the Lord, which is the beginning of wiſdottº: and yield their hearts to the impreſſions of his good ſpirit. : Let-themehearken diligently to the voice of their parents and inſtrućtors; ‘and itàprove all opportunities in-ſtoring and enriching their minds with valuable knowledge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . This would be infinitely better to them than tresſ- ures of gold and ſilver. : " . . . . . . . . . . . . . chAPTER xxv. REMARKABLE occuRRENCES IN THE LIVES OF THE PROPHETS, ELIZAH AND * * * * * * & -- ELISHA. • . - $. . . A. M. about 31oo. w ...In the thirty and eighth year of Aſa, king of Judah;began Ahab, the ſon of Omri, to reign over Iſrael. And Ahab did evil in the fight of the Lord, above all that were before him. Now Elijah, the Tiſh- bite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, ſaid unto A- shab, As phe Lord God of Iſrael liveth, before whom I K 2 14 BEAUTIES off ſtand, there ſhall not be dew nor rain theſe years, but according to my word. . . . 2....And the word of the Lord came unto Elijah, ſay- jºig, Get thee hence, and hide thyſelf by the brook Che- rith that is before Jordan : and it ſhall be, that thou ſhalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went, and did accor- ding unto the word of the Lord. And the ravens brought him bread and fleſh in the morning, and bread and fleſh in the evening ; and he drank of the brook. . 3....And it came to paſs, after a while, that the brook dried up, becauſe there had been no rain in the land. And the word of the Lord came unto Elijah, ſaying, Ariſe, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zi- don, and dwell there : behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to ſuſtain thee. So he aroſe and went to Zarephath. 4....And when he came to the gate of the city,behold, the widow woman was then gathering of ſticks ; and he called to her, and ſaid, Fetch me, I pray thee, a lit- tle water, tha I may drink. And as ſhe was going to fetch it, he called to her, and ſaid, Bring me, I pray thee, a morſel of bread in thine hand. . 3.And ſhe ſaid, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a littie oil in a cruiſe : and, behold, I am gathering two flicks, that I may go in and dreſs it for me and my fon, that we may eat it, and die. 6....And Elijah ſaid unto her, Fear not ; go, and do as thou haſ ſaid ; but make me thereof a little cake firſt, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and thy ſon : for thus faith the Lord God of Iſrael, the barrel of meal ſhall not waſte, neither ſhall the cruiſe of oil fail, until the day that the Lord ſendeth rain upon the * THE BIBLE: 1 F5 earth... And ſhe went, and did according to the ſaying of Elijah, and ſhe, and he, and her ſon, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal waſted not, neither did the cruiſe of oil fail. r . 7....And it came to paſs, after theſe things, that the ſon of the woman, the miſtreſs of the houſe, tell ſick : and his ſickneſs was fore, that there was no breath left in him. And ſhe ſaid unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God P Art thou come unto ( me to call my ſins to remembrance, and to ſlay my ſon P 8....And he ſaid unto her, Give me thy ſon." And he took him out of her boſom, and carried him up into a loft where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the Lord, and ſaid, O Lord my God, haſt thou alſo brought evil upon the widow with whom I ſojourn, by ſlaying her ſon 2 And he ſtretched him- ſelf upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord and ſaid, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s ſoul come into him again. 9....And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the ſoul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down, and delivered him unto his mother : and Elijah ſaid, See thy ſon liveth. And the woman ſaid to Elijah, Now by this I know thou art a man of God. . . - io....And it came to paſs, after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah, ſaying, Go ſhew thy- ſelf unto Ahab : and I will ſend rain upon the earth. And Elijah went to ſhew himſelf unto Ahab : and there was a fore famine in Samaria. And Ahab called Oba- diah, who was the governor of his houſe : (Now Oba- diah feared the Lord greatly.) 11....And Ahab ſaid unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks ; per- 146 *EAUTIES of adventure we may find graſs to ſave the horſes and mules alive. So they divided the land between them : *Ahab went one way by himſelf, and Obadiah went an- other way by himſelf. And as Obadiah was in the way, behold Elijah met him. . . . 12....And Obadiah knew him, and fell on his face, and ſaid, Art thou my lord Elijah P And he anſwered, I am : go tell thy lord, behold, Elijah is here. And he ſaid, 'What have I ſinned, that thou wouldeſt deliv- er thy ſervant into the hand of Ahab, to ſlay me 2 There is no nation or kingdom whether my lord hath not ſent to ſeek thee. - 13:...And now thou ſayeſi, Go tell thy lord, behold Elijahishere. And it ſhall comé to paſs, as ſoon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord ſhall car- Iy thee whither I know not? and ſo, when I come and * > § * * -, *. - . tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he ſhall ſay me : but I thy ſervant fear the Lord from my youth.' ' ' 14....Was it not told my lord what I did, when Jez- ebel ſlew the propbets of the Lord, how, I hid an hun- dred men of the Lord’s prophets, by, fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water P.And now thou fayeſt, Go tell thy lord, behold, Elijah is here : and he ſhalk ſlay me. . . . . - 15....And Elijah ſaid, As the Lord of hoſts liveth, before whom I ſtand, I will; ſurely, ſhew myſelf unto him to-day. So Qbadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him : And Ahab went to meet, Elijah. And when Ahab ſaw Elijab, he ſaid unto him, Art, thougheſthat troubleth Iſrael P. And Elijah anſwered, I have, not troubled Iſrael, but, thou and thy father's, hopſe, in that ye have forſaken the commandments of the Lord, and have, follºwed Baalim. “... * 16...Now,thereforeſead, and gather tº mealſ iſºl * & THE BIBLE, 117 unto Mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty. And Ahab' did ſo. And Elijah came unto all the people, and ſaid, How long halt ye between two opinions 7 If the Lord be God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him. And the people . anſwered him not a word. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17....Then ſaid Elijah unto the people, I, even 1 on-" ly, remain a prophet of the Lord ; but Baal's prophets, are four fiundred and fifty men. Let them, therefore, , give us two bullocks ; and let them chooſe one bullock for themſelves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under ; and I will dreſs the other bul-, lock, and lay it 99 wood, and put no fire under. 18....And call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord ; and the 3od who: anſwereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people anſwered and ſaid, It is well ſpoken. And Elijah ſaid. unto the prophets of Baal, Chooſe ye one bullock for yourſelves, and dreſs it firſt ; for ye are many...s 19....And they took out the bullock which was given them, and they dreſſed it, and called on the name of Baal, from morning even until noon, ſaying, O Baał. hear us ! But there was no voice, nor any that anſwer- ed. And they leaped upon their altar. And it came to paſs at noon, that Elijah mocked them and ſaid, Cry aloud ; for he is a god : either he is talking, or-he is purſuing, or he is on a journey, or peradventure he Jeepeth, and muſt be awaked. 20....And they cried aloud, and cut themſelves, af- ter their manner, with knives and lancets, till the blood guſhed out upon them. And although they propheſied until the time of the offering of the evening ſacrifice, there was neither voice nor any to anſwer, nor any that regarded. 118, BEAUTIES OF 21....And Elijah ſaid unto all the people, Ceme next unto me, And, all, the people came near unto him : and be repaired the altar of the Lord ; that was broken *dawn. ; and, he made a trench about the altar. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and ſaid, . Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt ſacrifice, and on the wood. And he filled the trench with water. . . 22....And, at the time of the offering of the evening ſagrífice, Elijah the prophet came near, and ſaid, Lord Gºd of Abraham, of Iſaac, and of Iſrael, let it be known this day that thou art God in Iſraef, and that I am thy fervant, and that I have done all theſe things at thy. word, Hear me, Q. Lord, hear me ; that this people may know that thou at the Lord God. 23....Then the fire of the Lord fell, and conſumed the burnt-ſacrifice, and the wood and the ſtones, aid. the duſt, and licked up the water that was in the trench: And wºn all the people ſaw it they felſ of their fåées'; and they ſaid, The Loid he is the God; the Lord, he - 34% ind Elijah ſaid unto Ahab, Get thee : . . . . -- ºr----------. - - - - ee up, eat and driñk; for there is a ſound of abundance of rain. 3. A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ‘. . . . . . . . • , . . . . . Yº Yº - w . . . . * So Ahab went up to eat and to drink ; and Elijah went ... to the top of Catmel ; and he caſt himſelf down upon the earth and put his face between his knees. And - ſaid unto his ſervant, Go up now, look toward the ſea. And he went up, and lookéd, and ſaid, There is noth- 25....And be ſaid, Go again ſeven times. And it. - - " - . . . . . .” *{ . . . -- * **Y’; . * * : * * ... i 'ſ-3. -i . . .'; came to paſs, at the ſeventh time that he ſaid, Behold, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . c : . . . . . . . fººts. there ariſeth a little cloud out of the ſea, like a mafi's hand. And he ſaid, 'Go up, ſay unto Ahab, prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain ſtop thee THE BIBLE, 119 not. And it came to paſs, in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. 26....And after theſe things, the Lord ſaid unto Eli- jah, Go, return on thy way to the wilderneſs:–And Eliſha the ſon of Shaphat, thou ſhalt anoint to be pro- phet in thy room. So he departed hence, and found E- liſha the ſon of Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen. And Elijah caſt his mantle ºp- on him : and he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and miniſtered unto him. 27...And it came to paſs, when the Lord would take | up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Eliſha from Gilgal. And Elijah ſaid unto Eliſha, | Tarry here, I pray thee : for the Lord hath ſent me to Bethel. And Eiſha ſaid unto him, As thy ſoul liveth. | I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. - 28....And Elijah ſaid unto Eliſha, Tarry Dray thee, for the Lord hath ſent me to Jericho. An he ſaid, As thy ſoul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And Elijah ſaid unto him, Tany, I pray thee here, for the Lord hath ſent me to Jordan. And he ſaid, As the Lord liveth, I will not leave thee. And fifty men of the ſons of the prophets went, and ſtood a far off. 29....And they two ſtood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mande, and ſºnote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither : So that they two went or wer on dry ground. And when they were gone over, Elijah ſaid unto Eliſha, Aſk what I ſhall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Eliſha ſaid, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy ſpirit be upon me. º And he ſaid, Thou haſ aſked a hard thing: re- ºtheleſs, if thou ſee me, when I am taken ºrom thee, 12C BEAUTIES OF It ſhall be ſo unto thee ; but if not, it ſhall not be ſo. And it came to paſs, as they ſtill went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and hor. ſes of fire, and parted them both aſunder ; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 31....And Eliſha ſaw it, and he cried, My father, my father The chariot of Iſrael, and the horſemen thereof. And he ſaw him no more. And he took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and ſtood by the bank of Jordan. And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and ſmote the wa- ters, and ſaid, Where is the Lord God of Elijah 32....And when he had ſmitten the waters, they parted hither and thither; and Eliſha went over. And when the ſons of the prophets, which were to view at Jericho, ſaw him, they ſaid, The ſpirit of Elijah doth reſt on Eliſha. - 33....And Eliſha went up from thence unto Bethel; and a he was going up by the way, there came forth little ºbildren out of the city, and mocked him, and ſaid unto him, Go up thou bald head; go up thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them :- And there came forth two ſhe bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.” * Children will learn from this, how very wicked it is to make a mock of aged people; and of per/ons who are deformed in body. The young ought to reſpect and reverence the old for the holy bible expreſs/y con- mands, ſaying, Thou ſhalt rºſe up bºyſore the hoary (or gray) head, and honor the face of the old man. And as to deformed, and underwitted perſons, if you make a mock of them, it would be mocking their na- her. You ought to pity them, and be thanºv' ºat you were not made like them. THE BIBLE, 12, 34....And after theſe things, a certain woman of the wives of the ſons of the prophets, cried unto Eliſha, ſaying, Thy ſervant my huſband is dead ; and thou . knoweſt that thy ſervant did fear the Lord : and the creditor is come to take unto him my two ſons to be. bond-men. And Eliſha ſaid unto her, What ſhall I do for thee P Tell me : What haſt thou in the houſe à And ſhe ſaid, Thine handmaid bath not any thing in the houſe, ſave a pot of oil. - 35....Then he ſaid, Go, borrow thee veſſels abroad . of all thy neighbours : borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou ſhalt pour into all thoſe veſſels, and thou ſhalt ſet aſide that which is full. So ſhe went from him, and ſhut the door upon her, and upon her fons, who brought the veſſels to her, and ſhe poured : O Últ. g & º , 36....And when the veſſels were full, ſhe ſaid to her ſon, Bring me yet a veſſel. And he ſaid unto her, There is not a veſſel more. And the oil ſtayed. 4Then ſhe came, and told the man of God ; and he ſaid, Go, ſell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the reſt. - 37...Now Naaman, captain of the hoſt of the king of Syria, was a great man with his maſter and, honoura- ble : he was alſo a mighty man of valour : but he was a leper. And the Syrians had brought away captive out of the land of Iſrael, a little maid, and ſhe waited on Naaman's wife. And ſhe ſaid unto her miſtreſs, I wiſh my Lord were with the prophet, who is in Sama- ria for he would recover him of his leproſy. “ 38....And one went in and told his "lord of this fy. - º - But ſtill more wicked it is, to máše deriſion of Godly people : children, who are ſo hardened as to do this, are in the way to deſtrućlion. - - . . . . 122 BEAUTIES OF ing. And the king of Syria ſaid, I will ſend a letter unto the king of Iſrael. And Naaman departed, and took with him ten talents of ſilver, and ſix thouſand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. , 39....And he brought the letter to the king of Iſrael, ſaying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, be- hold, I have therewith fert Naaman my ſervant unto thee, that thou mayeſt recover him of his leproſy. And when the king of Iſrael had read the letter, he rent his clothes, and ſaid, Am I a God, to kill and to make alive, that this man, hath ſent unto me to recov- er a man of his leproſy P 40....And it was ſo, when Eliſha the man of God heard this, he ſent to the king, ſaying, Let Naaman come now to me, and he ſhall know that there is a prophet in Iſrael. So Naaman came with his horſes and with his chariots, and ſtood at the door of the houſe of Eliſha. And Eliſha ſent a ſneſſenger unto him, ſaying, Go and waſh in Jordan ſeven times, and thy; fºſh ſhall come again to thee, and thou ſhalt be *:41....And Naamán was wroth, and went away, and ſaid, Beheld, I thought he would ſurely come out to me, and ſtand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and ſtrike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are Hot Abzna and Pharpar, rivers of Damaſcus, better than all the waters of Iſrael 2 May I not waſh in them and be clean P So he turned, and went away in a rage. . . 42....And his ſervants came near, and ſpake unto him, and ſaid, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do ſome great thing, wouldeſt thou not have done it How much rather then, when he faith unto thee, waſh and be clean P. Then went he down, and dipped him: ſelf ſeven times in Jordan, according to the ſaying of THE BIBLE, tº the man of God : and his fleſh came again like the fleſh of a little child. r - 43....And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and ſtood before him ; and he ſaid, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Iſrael ; now therefore, I pray thee, take a gift of thy ſervant. But Eliſha ſaid. As the Lord livetb, before whom I ſtand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it ; but he refuſed. - 44...But Gehazi, the ſervant of Eliſha the man of God ſaid, Behold, my maſter hath ſpared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought ; but ſurely, I will run after him and take ſomewhat of him. So Gehazi followed after Naaman ; 2 and when Naaman ſaw him running after him, lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and ſáid, Is all well ? . - . 45....And Gehazi ſaid, All is well. My/maſter hath ſent me, ſaying, Behold, even now theyébe come . to me from mount Ephraim two"young/men of the ſons of the prophets : give them, º thee, a talent } of ſilver, and two changes of raimenſ. And Naaman ſaid, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of ſilver in two bags, with two changes, of garments, and laid then upon two of his ſervants, and they bare them before him. . . .. 46....And when he carrie to the tower, he took the talents and the garments, and hid them in the houſ; : and Jet the ſpen go their way. But he went in, and’, ſtood before his maſter: and Eliſha ſaid unto him, . Whence comeſ thou, Gehazi And he ſaid, Thy ſer. vant went no whither. #. Eliſha ſaid unto him, Went not my heart with thee, when theºrean turned again from his chariot. to meet thee Is it a time to receive money, and to re. 124 BEAUTIES OF ceive garments ? The leproſy, therefore, of Naaman ſhall cleave unto thee. And he went out from his pre- • fence a leper as white as ſnow. CHAPTER xxvi. A PATRIOTIC covernor, or THE WASH. ... INGTON OF THE ZEW’s. A. M. 3774. 1.... | HE words of Nehemiah, the ſon of Ha- chaliah. It came to paſs, as I was in Shuſhan the pal- ** ^ 1. vity *he, The remnant, who are lett of the captivity there ace, that Hanani, one of my brethren came, he and * men of Judah ; and I aſked them concerning t - and concerning Jeruſalem. And they ſaid unto . who had eſcaped, that were left of the capti- * in the province are in great afflićtion and reproach ; the wall of Jeruſalem aiſo is broken down, and the gates thereofare burnt with fire. - 2....And when I heard theſe words, I ſat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and faſted, and pray- ed before the God of heaven. And it came to paſs, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him : and I took up the wine and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime ſad in his preſence. 3...wherefore the king ſaid unto me, why is thy countenance ſad, ſeeing thou art not ſick P. This is no- thing elſe but ſorrow of heart. Then I was very fore afraid, and ſaid unto the king, Let the king live for- ever : why ſhould not my countenance be ſad, when the city,the place of my fathers’ ſepulchres, lieth waſte, and the gates thereof are conſumed with fire * THE BIBLE. . 125 4....Then the king ſaid unto me, for what doſt thou make requeſt ? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I ſaid unto the king, If it pleaſe the king, and if thy ſervant have found favor in thy fight, that thou would- eſt ſend me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ ſepulchres, that I may build it. And the king ſaid un- to ine, for how long ſhall thy journey be And when wilt thou return ? So it pleaſed the king to ſend me,’ and l ſet him a time. * * 5....Moreover, I ſaid unto the king, If it pleaſe the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river that they may convey me over, till I come in- to Judah; and a letter unto Aſaph the keeper of the king's foreſt,that he may give me timber to make beams for the gate of the palace, and for the wall of the city. And the king granted me, according to the good hang: of my God upon me. , . * 6....So I came to Jeruſalem. Then ſaid I unto the rulers, Ye ſee the diſtreſs that we àte'in, how Jeruſa- * lem lieth waſte, and the gates thereofare burnt with fire; come, and let us build up the wall of Jeruſalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God, which was good upon me ; as alſo the king's words that he had ſpoken unto me. And they ſaid, Let us riſe up and build. So they ſtrengthened their hands for this good work. 7....But it came to paſs, that when Sanballat heard. that we builded the wall he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he ſpake be- fore his brethren, and the army of Samaria, and ſaid, What do theſe feeble Jews 2 Will they fortify them. ſelves P Will they make an end in a day Now Tobi. ah the Ammonite was by him, and he ſaid, Even that ... which they build, it a º go up, he ſhall even break 126 BEAUTIES of down their ſtone-wall. Hear, O our God; for we are deſpiſed, - - 8....So we built the waii; and all the wall was joined together ; for the people had a mind to work. But when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians heard that the walls of Jeruſalem were made up, and the breach- es began to be ſtopped, then they were very wroth, and conspired, all of them together, to come, and to fight againſt Jeruſalem, and to hinder the work. 9...Nevertheleſs, we made our prayer unto God, and ſet a watch againſt them day and night. And in the lower places behind the wall, and in the higher pla- ces, I ſet the people with their ſwords, and their ſpears, and their bows. And I ſaid unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the reſt of the people, Be not afraid of & them : remember the Lord, who is great and terrible; and fight for your brethren, your ſons and your daugh- ters, your wives and your houſes. - . . . . gº to....And they that builded on the wall, and they *who bare burdens, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his ſword girded by his ſide, and ſo builded ; and he that ſounded the trumpet was by me. - - - 1 1....And I ſaid unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the reſt of the people, The work is great, and we are ſeparated upon the wall, one from another: in what place therefore, ye hear the ſound of the trumpet, reſort ye thither unto us: our God ſhall fight for us. So we labored in the work : and neither I, nor my brethren, nor my ſervants, none of us put off our clothes, ſaving that every one put them off for waſhing. 12....And there was a great cry of the people, and of their wives againſt their brethren the Jews. For there THE BIBLE. * 127 were ſome who ſaid, We, our ſons, and our daughters are many; therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat and live. Some alſo there were, who ſaid, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards and houſes, that we might buy corn becauſe of the dearth. 13....Yet now our fleſh is as the fleſh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring i no bondage our ſons and our daughters to be ſervants; and ſome of our daughters are brought into bondage alrea- dy; for other men have our land and vineyards. And I was very angry when I heard theſe words. Then I conſulted with myſelf, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and I ſaid unto them, ye exačt uſury, every man of his brother. 14....And I ſet a great aſſemby againſt them: And I ſaid unto them,Willye even ſell your brethren P or ſhall * they be ſold unto us 2 Then held they their peace, and -$ “found nothing to anſwer. Alſo I ſaid, It is not good . that ye do ; ought ye not to walk in the fear of God. I pray you, let us leave off this uſury; reſtore, I pray you, even this day, their lands and their houſes. :: 15....Then ſaid they, We will reflore them, and will require nothing for them ; ſo will we do as thou ſayeſt. Then I called the prieſts, and took an oath of them, that they ſhould do according to this promiſe. And all the congregation ſaid, Amen, and praiſed the Lord. And the people did according to this promiſe. - 16....Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, that is twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. But the former governors were charge- able unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine ; yea, even their ſervants bare rule over the peo- ºple: but ſo did not I, becauſe of the fear of God. - 17....Yea alſo, I continued in the work of this wall, . 128 BEAUTIES OF neither bought we any land; and all my ſervants were gathered thither unto the work. Moreover, there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beſides thoſe that came unto us from among the heath- en, who were about us.. . - 18....Now that which was prepared for me daily was &e ox, and fix choice ſheep; alſo fowls were prepar- ‘ed for me, and once in ten days, ſtore of all ſorts of wine : yet for all this required not I the bread (that is the wa- ges) of the governor, becauſe the bondage was heavy upon this people. . . . . . 19....Now it came to paſs, when Sanballat, and To- biah, and Geſhem the Arabian, heard that I had builded the wall, that they ſent unto me, ſaying, Come, ſet-us meet together in ſome one of the villages of Ono ; but they thought to do me miſchief. And I ſent meſſen- gers unto them, ſaying, I am doing a great work, ſo : that I cannot come down ; why ſhould the wºrk ceaſe whilſt I leave it and come down to you ? § 3. 20....Yet they ſent unto me four times after this ſort; and I anſwered them after the ſame manner. Then ſent Sanballat his ſervant unto ſne, with an open letter in his hand ; wherein it was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gaſhmu ſaith it, that thou and the jews think to rebel : for which cauſe thou buildeſt the wall that thou may eſt be their king. Come now, therefore, and let us take counſel together. . . . . 21. ...Then I ſent unto him, ſaying, There are no ſuch things dong, as thou ſayeſt, but thou feigneſt them out of thine own heart. Afterwards I came unto the *houſe of Shemaiah, who was ſhut up ; and he ſaid, Let ºns meet together in the houſe of God, within the tem- ple, and let us ſhut the doors of the temple: for they will come to ſlay thee; yea in the night will they come to ..º. **: THE BIBLE. 129 22:...And I ſaid, Should ſuch a man as I flee 2 And who is there, that being as I am, would go into the temple to ſave his life 2 I will not go in.* 23:...In thoſe days ſaw I in Judah ſome treading wine- preſſes on the ſabbath, and bringing in ſheaves, and ding affes; alſo wine, grapes, and figs, and all man- ner of burdens, which they brought into Jeruſalem on the ſabbath-day : And I teſtified againſt them. 24....There alſo dwelt men of Tyre in Jeruſalem, who brought fiſh and all manner of ware, and ſold on the ſabbath to the people of Judah. Then I contend- ed with the nobles of Judah, and ſaid unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the ſabbath day ? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city ? Yet ye bring more wrath upon Iſrael by profaning the ſabbath. ; 25....And it came to paſs, that when the gates of Je- ruſalem began to be dark before the ſabbath, I com- manded the gates to be ſhut,and charged that they ſhould... not be opened till after the ſabbath ; and ſome of my ſervants ſet I at the gates, that there ſhould no burden. be brought in on the ſabbath-day. . . . . . . . 26....So the merchants, and ſellers of all kinds of ware, lodged without Jeruſalem once or twice. Then I teſtified againſt them, and ſaid unto them, Why lodge ye about the walls 2 If ye do ſo again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath. And I commanded the Levites, that they ſhould purify themſelves, and that they ſhould - come, and keep the gates, to ſanétify the Sabbath. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. * A more heroic ſpeech was never pronounced by the mouth of man. ‘. . . . . . . 130 BEAUTIES OF CHAPTER XXVII. THE SINGULAR AFFLICTION AND PA. TIENCE OF 70B. A. M. about 2473. 1.... I HERE was a man in the land of Uz, whoſe name was Job ; and that man was perfect and upright, and one who feared. God, and ſhunned to do wickedneſs. And there was born unto him ſeven ſons and three daughters. His ſubſtance alſo was ſeven thouſand ſheep, and three thouſand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred ſhe-aſſes, and a very great houſehold. So that this man was the greateſt of all the men of the eaſt. . . . - every one his day; and ſent and called for their three ſiſters, to eat and to drink with them. And there was *āday, when his ſons and his daughters were eating and .###king wine in their eldeſt brother’s houſe. & 3....And there came a meſſenger unto Job, and ſaid, The oxen were plowing, and the affes feeding befide them ; and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away ; yea, they have ſlain the ſervants with the edge of the ſword ; and I only am eſcaped alone to tell thee, 4....While he was yet ſpeaking, there came alſo an . other, and ſaid, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burnt up the ſheep, and the ſervants, and con- tumed them ; and I only am eſcaped alone to tell thee, 6....While he was yet ſpeaking, there came alſo an- other, and ſaid, The Chaldeans made out three bands; and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away; yea, and ſlain the ſervants with th; edge of the ſword ; and I only am eſcaped alone to tell thee. - THE BIBLE. 13. 6....While he was yet ſpeaking, there came alſo an- other, and ſaid, Thy ſons and thy daughters were eat- ing and drinking wine in their eldeſt brother's houſe : and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilder- neſs, and ſmote the four corners of the houſe, and it fell ) - upon the young men, and they are dead ; and I only am eſcaped alone to tell thee. . . . 7....Then Job aroſe, and rent his mantle, and ſhaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worſhip- ped, and ſaid, Naked was I born into the world, and naked ſhall I return unto the earth ; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; bleſſed be the name of the Lord. - . . - * - REMARKS. - . The book of Job was probably penned before the emigration of the children of Iſrael from the land of E- gypt ; as it no where contains any alluſion to that event, or to any of the aſtoniſhing circumſtances which attended it. It is ſaid to have been the general opinion of the Jewiſh Rabbins, that Moſes was the writer of this book ; and that it was written by him while he lived in the land of Midian. º CHAPTER XXVIII. THE STORY OF 70NAH. A. M. about 3200. 1..., NOW, the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the ſon of Amittai, ſaying, Ariſe, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry againſt it ; for their wickeddeſs is come up before me. But Jonah roſe up to flee utto' Tarſhiſh from the preſence of the Lord, and went down 132 BEAUTIES OF to Joppa ; and he found a ſhip going to Tarſhifh : So he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarſhiſh from the preſence of the Lord, 2....But the Lord ſent out a great wind into the ſea, and there was a mighty tempeſt in the ſea, to that the ſhip was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried, every man unto his God, and caſt forth the wares that were in the ſhip into the ſea, to lighten it ; but Jonah was gone down into the ſides of the ſhip; and he lie, and was faſt aſleep. 3....So the ſhipmaſter came to him, and ſaid unto him, What meaneſt thou, O ſleeper ? Ariſe, call upon thy God, if ſo be that God will think upon us that we periſh not. And they ſaid, every man to his fellow, Come, and let us caſt lots, that we may know for whoſe cauſe this evil is upon us. So they caſt lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. 4....Then ſaid they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whoſe cauſe this evil is upon us. What is thine oc- cupation ? And whence comeſt thou ? What is thy country P And of what people art thou ? And he ſaid unte them, I am an Hebrew ; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who hath made the ſea and the dry land. Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and ſaid unto him, Why haſt thou done this 2 (for the men knew that he had fled from the preſence of the Lord, becauſe he had told them.) - - 3....Then ſaid they unto him, what ſhall we do unto thee, that the ſea may be calm unto us 2 (for the ſea wrought and was tempeſtuous.) And he ſaid unto them, Take me up, and caſt me forth into the ſea; ſo ſhall the ſea be calm unto you : for I know that for my fake this great tempeſt is upon you. Nevertheleſs, the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not : for the ſea wrought and was tempeſtuous againſt them. THE BIBLE. 133 , 6....Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and ſaid, * We beſeech thee, O Lord, we beſeech thee, let us not periſh for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood. So they took up Jonah, and caſt him forth in- to the ſea ; and the ſea ceaſed from her raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a ſacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows. . . 7...Now the Lord had prepared a great fiſh to ſwal- low up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fiſh three days and three nights. . Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the belly of the fiſh. And the Lord ſpake unto the fiſh, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. -- .. 8....And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah, the ſecond time, ſaying, Ariſe, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. So Jonah aroſe, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. (Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.)* * “The ancient manner of reckoning was to compute twenty-, miles for a day's journey : which makes Nineveh to have been ſixty miles in circumference. This nearly agrees with the account of Diodoruſy, an ancient Pagan writer ; according to whom, Nineveh was about twenty miles long, about twelve miles broad, and a little more than ſixty miles in circumference. According to the ſame author, Nineveh had walls an hundred feet high, and which were ſo broad, that three chariots could go abreaſt upon them : and on the walls, at proper diſtances, were fifteen hundred towers, each meaſuring two hundred feet in height.” This Jamous city was founded by Aſhur, ſon of Shem, and grandſon to Noah. 334 BEAUTIES of And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and ſaid, Yet forty days, and Nineveh ſhall be overthrown. - - 9....So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a faſt, and put on ſackcloth, from the great. eft of them even to the leaſt of them. For word came te the king of Nineveh, and he aroſe from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with ſackcloth, and ſat in aſhes. 10....And he cauſed it to be proclaimed through Nineveh, ſaying, Let neither man nor beaſt, herd not flock, taſte any thing : but let all be covered with ſack. cloth, and cry mightily unto God; yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we periſh not 2 11....And God ſaw their works, that they turned from their evil way ; and God repented of the evil that he had ſaid that he would do unto them ; and he did it not. And ſo, (becauſe they repented of their wick- edneſs, ) God ſpared Nineveh, that great city, wberein were more than ſix ſcore thouſand perſons (little chi!. dren.) who could not diſcern between their right hand and their left hand. . cHAPTER xxix. THREE YOUNG MEN CAST INTO A F#- RY FURNACE. - A. M. 3.433 - ...Nebuchap.NEzzak the king made an image of gold, whoſe height was threeſcore cubitä, THE BIBLE, - 13.5 and the breadth thereof ſix cubits : he ſet it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king ſent to gather together the princes, the governors and the captains, the judges, the treaſurers, the counſellors, the ſheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication ot the image, which Nebuchadnezzar the king had ſet up. 2....And they were gathered together unto the dedi- cation of the image, and they flood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had ſet up. Then an herald cried. aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations and languages, that, at what time ye hear the ſound of the cornet, flute, harp, ſackbut, pſaltery, dulcimer, and ałł kinds of muſic, ye fall down and worſhip the golder, image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath ſet up : and whoſo falleth not down and worſhippeth, ſhall the ſame hour be caſt into the midſt of a burning fiery furnace. 3....Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accuſed the Jews. They ſpake, and ſaid to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. There are certain Jews whom thou haſ ſet over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meſhech, and Abednego : theſe men, O king, have not regarded thee; they ſerve not thy gods, nor worſhip the golden image which thou haſ ſet up. . 4....Then Nebuchadnezzar, in his rage and fury, commanded to bring Shadrach, Meſhech and Abedne- go. Then they brought theſe men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar ſpake and ſaid unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meſhech and Abednego 2 Do not ye ſerve my gods, nor worſhip the golden image that I have ſet up P º - - ... 5...Now if ye be ready to fall down and worſhip the image that I have made; well ; but if ye worſhip not, 136 - BEAUTIES OF ye ſhall be caſt the ſame hour into the midſt of a burn- ing fiery furnace : and who is that God that ſhall de. liver you out of my hands P t - jº 6....Shadrach, Meſhech and Abednego anſwered and ſaid to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to anſwer thee in this matter. If it be ſo, our God, whom we ſerve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace : and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not ſerve thy gods, nor worſhip the golden image which thou haft ſet up. 7....Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his viſage was changed againſt Shadrach, Meſhech and Abednego : therefore he commanded that they ſhould heat the furnace one ſeven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the moſt mighty men who were in his army to bind Sha- drach, Meſhech and Abednego, and to caſt them into . the burning fiery furnace. - - 8....Then theſe men were bound in their coats, and . their other garments, and were caſt into the midſt of the burning fiery furnace. And becauſe the king's commandment was urgent, and théfurnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire ſlew thoſe men who took up Shadrach, Meſhech and Abednego. And theſe three men, Shadrach, Meſhech and Abednego, fell down bound into the midſt of the burning fiery furnace. 9....Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was aſhonied, and roſe up in haſte, and ſaid unto his connfellors, Did not we caſt three men bound into the midſt of the fire P They anſwered and ſaid unto the king, True, O king. He anſwered and ſaid, Lo, I ſee four men looſe, walking in the midſt of the fire, and they have no . §: and the form of the fourth is like the ſon of Sod. ... - THE BIBLE, 1.37 10....Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and ſaid, Shadrach, Me- ſhech and Abednego, ye ſervants of the moſt high God, come forth and come hither. Then Shadrach, Me- ſhech and Abednego came forth out of the midſt of the fire. - - 11....And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counſellors, being gathered together, ſaw theſe men, upon whoſe body the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head ſinged, neither were their coats changed, nor the ſmell of fire had paſſed on them. - - - 12....Then Nebuchadnezzar ſpake and ſaid, Bleſſed be the God of Shadrach, Meſhe hand Abednego, who hath ſen: his Angel, and deliveréd his ſervants, who truſted in him, that they might not ſerve nor worſhip any God except their own God. Then the king pro- moted Shadrach, Meſhech and Abednego in the prov- ince of Babylon. - - - REMARKS. : The young men, Shradrach, Meſhech and Abednego choſe to endure the pains of a moſt terrible death ra- ther than to tranſgreſs the laws of God: and they ex. perienced his friendſhip and miraculous protećtion. And God is ſtill the ſame, and will ever befriend aud prote& the youth, who chooſes rather to ſuffer than to fin. - M 2 138 BEAUTIES OF CHAPTER xxx. THE IMPIOUS FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR. - A. M. 3470. - - , ...B ELSHAZZAR the king made a great feaſt to a thouſand of his lords, and drank wine before the thouſand. Belſhazzar, while he taſted the wine, commanded to bring the gold and ſilver veſſels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the tem- ple which was in Jeruſalem ; that the king and his prin- ces, his wives and his concubines, might drink there- in. Then they brought thoſe golden veſſels, and drank wine therein, and praiſed the gods of gold, and of ſilver, of braſs, of iron, of wood, and of ſtone. - 2....In the ſame hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over againſt the candleſtick, up- on the plaiſter of the wall of the king's palace ; and the king ſaw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts . tröubled him, ſo that the joints of his loins were looſed, and his knees ſmote one againſt another. . . . 3....The king cried aloud to bring in the aſtrologers, the Chaldeans, and the ſoothſayers. And the king ſaid to the wiſe men of Babylon, Whoſoever ſhall read this writing, and ſhew me the interpretation thereof, ſhall be clothed with ſcarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and ſhall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 4....Then came in all the king's wife men ; but they could not lead the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belſhazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed, and his lords were aſtonied. 6...Now th; queen, by reaſon of the words of the THE BIBLE, 139 king and his lords, came into the banquet houſe; and the queen ſaid, O king, live forever : let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be chang- ed. There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the ſpirit of the holy Gods: and in the days of thy father, light and underſtanding and wiſdom, like the wiſdom . of the gods, was found in him : - - - - - - 6....Whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, made maſter of all the magicians, aſtrologers, Chal- deans and ſoothſayers ; foraſmuch as an excellent ſpirit, and knowledge, and underſtanding, interpreting of dreams, and ſhewing of hard ſentences, and dit- ſolving of doubts were found in the ſame Daniel, whom the king named Belteſhazzar : now let Daniel be cal- led, and he will ſhew the iºterpretation. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. - 7....And the king ſaid unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel who was of the children of the captivity of ju- dah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry P I have even heard of thee, that the ſpirit of the gods is in thee, and that light, and underſtanding, and excellent wiſdom are found in thee. - 8....And now the wiſe men, the aſtrologers have been brought in before me, that they ſhould read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not ſhew the interpretation of the thing : Now, if thou caliſt read the writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof, thou ſhalt be clothed with ſcarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and be the third ruler in the kingdom. 9....Then Daniel anſwered and ſaid before the king, Let thy gifts be to thy ſeif, and give thy rewards to ano- ther : yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O thou king, the moſt high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a king- 149 BEAUTIES OF dom, and majeſty, and glory, and honor ; and for the majeſty that he gave him, all peopke, and nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him : whom he would he ſlew, and whom he would he kept alive. 10....But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was depoſed, from his kingly throne, and he was driven from the ſons of men ; and his heart was made like the beaſts, and his dwelling was with the wild aſſes: they fed him... with graſs like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven ; till he knew that the moſt high God ruled in the king- dom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomſoev- er he will. 1 1....And thou, his ſon, O Belſhazzar, haſt not huma- bled thy heart, though ºu kneweſ alithis, but haſ lifted up thyſelf againſt the Lord of heaven ; and they have brought the veſſels of his houſe before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them ; and thou haſ praiſed the gods of ſilver and gold, of braſs, iron, wood and ſtone, which ſee not, nor. hear, nor know ; and the God in whoſe hand thy breath is, and whoſe are all thy ways, haſt thou not glorified. . . . . . . 12....Then was the part of the hand ſent from him; . and this writing was written ; MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARs1N. This is the interpretation et the thing : MENE ; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finiſhed it. TEKEL; thou art weighed in the balance, and art jound wanting. PERES ; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Perſians. -- ‘. . . . . . . . 13....Then commanded Belſhazzar, and they cloth- ed Daniel with ſcarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he ſhould be the third ruler in the kingdom. In that night was Belſhazzar the king of the Chaldeans flain; and Darius the Median took the kingdom. THE BIBLE. 14t. . . . . REMARKS. - The famous city of Babylon, during this impious feaſt was taken by Cyrus; who having turned the courſe of the river Euphrates that ran through it, marched his army into the city, along the river's bed; and the king being ſlain immediately after the interpretation of the hand-writing, the Chaldean or Babyloniſh empire was diſſolved, and the Medo-Perſian empire commenced. The prophet Jeremiah, in the fifty-firſt chapter, pre- dićted, long before the event happened, that Babylon would be taken, while the inhabitants ſhould be feaſt- ing, or engaged in a drunken carouſal; and he alſo foretold the circumſtance of drying up the river, or turning it from its bed. - H Tº - • CHAPTER XXXI. DANIEL CAST INTo A DEN of LIONS. 1..., Irº- Darius to ſet over the kingdom, an hundred and twenty princes ; and over theſe, three preſidents, of whom Daniel was the firſt ; that the prin- ces might give an account unto them, that the king ſhould have no damage. Then this Daniel was prefer- red above the preſidents and princes, becauſe an excel- . lent ſpirit was in him ; and the king thought to ſet him : ' over the whole realm. • , - . . . 2....Then the preſidents and princes ſought to find occaſion againſt Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occaſion, nor fault, foraſmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then ſaid theſe men, We ſhall not find any occaſion againſt this Daniel, except it be concerning the law of his God. . . - - 142. BEAUTIES OF 3....Then the preſidents, and princes aſſembled toge- ther to the king,and ſaid thus unto bim, King Darius, live forever ! All the preſidents and officers of the kingdom have conſulted together, to eſtabliſh a royal ſtatute,and to ſnake a firm decree, that whoſoever ſhall aſk a petition of any god or man for thirty days, ſave of thee, O king, he ſhall be caſt into the den of lions. Now, O king, eſtabliſh the decree, and ſign the writing. Wherefore king Darius ſigned the writing and the decree. 4...Now when Daniel ſaw that the writing was ſign- ed, he went into his houſe; and his windows beingo- pen in the chamber towards-Jeruſalem, he kneeled up- on his knees three times a-day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then theſe men aflembled, and found Daniel praying and making fupplication before his Gods . .. 5....Then they came near and ſpake before the king concerning the king's decree; and ſaid before the king, That fame Daniel, who is of the children of the capti- vity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the de- cree which thou haſt ſigned, but maketh his petition three times a-day. Then the king, when he heard theſe words, was fore diſpleaſed with himſelf, and ſet his heart on Daniel, te deliver him ; and he labored till the going down of the ſun to deliver him. < . " 5....Then theſe men ſaid unto the king, Know, O sking, that the law of the Medes and Perſians is, that no dºrée or ſtatute which the king eſtabliſheth may be changed. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and caſt him into the den of lions : and a ſtone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den. Now the king ſaid unto Daniel, Thy God,whom thou ſerveſt continually, he will deliver thee. e . 7....Then the king went to his palace, and paſſed the - night faſting; neither were inſtruments of muſic brought 3 THE BIBLE. ºf 43 . before him ; and his fleep went from him. Añd the king aroſe very early in the morning, and went in haſte “unto the den of lions. "And when he caine to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel : and the king ſaid, O Daniel, ſervant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou ſerveſt continually, able to deliver thee from the lions P - - 8....Then ſaid Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever ! My God hath ſent his angel, and hath ſhut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me : foraſ- much as before him innocency was found in me ; and alſo before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 9....Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they ſhould take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, becauſe he believ- ed in his God. And the king commanded, and they brought thoſe men, who had accuſed Daniel, and they caſt them into the den of lions : and the lions had the maſtery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces as ſoon as they came to the bottom of the den. to....Then king Darius wrote unte all people, na- tions, and languages, that dwell in all the éarth;Peace be multiplied unto you ; I make a decree, that in eve- ry dominion of my kingdom, men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel ; for he is the living God, and ſteadfaſt forever, and his kingdom that which ſhall not be deſtroyed, and his dominion ſhall be even unto the end. So this Daniel proſpered in the reign of Da- rius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Perſian. - REMARKs. - Daniel, while a young man, was led away into cap- tivity; where, iſºhe midſt of a corrupt and idolatrous People, he preſerved his innocence, and was highly diſtinguiſhed both for his piety and wiſdom. 144 BEAUTIES OF An Angel, even Gabriel, who was ſent to Daniel, ſaluted him in theſe words, O man, greatly beloved Such was his excellent charaćter, that he lived and died greatly beloved both of God and men. • . . . Young people ; let the wiſdom, the integrity, and the piety of Daniel, be held up to your view as a pleaſ. ing pattern to imitate. - - BEAUTIES OF THE BIBLE, 42art II. sºmºsºmsº • f Selections from the Bible. CHAPTER I. solo Mow’s DESCRIPTION OF A PIRTUGUS - WOMAN. 1 . . . . HO can find a virtuous woman P For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her huſ- band doth ſafely truſt in her; and ſhe will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. 2....She ſeeketh wool and flax, and worketh willing- ly with her hands : ſhe riſeth alſo while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her houſehold, and a portion to her maidens. - - * . . . . 3....She confidereth a field and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands ſhe planteth a vineyard. She perceiv- eth that her merchandize is good ; her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the ſpindle, and her hands hold the diſtaff. - • 4....She is not afraid of the ſnow for her houſehold; for all her houſehold are clothed with ſcarlet. She maketh herſelf coverings of tapeſtry; her clothing is ſilk and purple. She maketh fine linen, and ſelleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchants. 3....She looketh well to the ways of her houſehold, - and eateth not the º of idleneſs. Strength and hons 146 BEAUTIES OF come. " or are her clothing, and ſhe ſhall rejoice in time to: 6....She ſtretcheth out her hands to the poor; yea, ſhe reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She openeth her mouth with wiſdom ; and in her tongue is the law of kindneſs. . . . . . . 7....Her huſband is known in the gates, when he fitteth among the elders of the land. Her children ariſe up, and call her bleſſed : her huſband alſo praiſ. eth her. - 8....Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain ; but a woman who feareth the Lord, ſhe ſhall be praiſed. Give her of the fruit of her hands ; and let her own works praiſe her in the gates. - REMARK. The foregoing is an ancient pićture of a fine lady, drawn by a moſt selebrated artiſt, and proper to be hung up, in a gilt frame, in every family-hali, or parlour, in the United States. - - - CHAPTER II. THE LOVELINEss of PIRTUE EXEMPLI. FIED IN THE CHARACTER OF 70B. : . . . . . ...J OB continued his diſcourſe and ſaid, O that I were as in months paſt, as in the days when God preſerved me ; as I was in the days of my youth, when º : children were about me ! The young men ſaw me *ānd were abaſhed ; and the aged aroſe, and ſtood up the princes refrained talking ; the nobles held their peace. - *; . . . - 2....Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept THE BIBLE, 147 ſilence at my counſel. After my words they ſpake not again ; my ſpeech dropped upon them, and they wait- ed for me as for the rain. When the eaf heard me, then, it bleſſed me: and when the eye ſaw me, it gave witneſs, to me; becauſe I delivered the poor, who cried, and the fatherleſs, and him that had none to help. 3....The bleſſing of him that was ready to periſh came upon me : and I cauſed the widow's heart to fing for joy. I put on righteouneſs, and it clothed me; my jºidgement was as a rebe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to-the lame. I was a father to the poor ; and the cauſe which I knew not I ſearch- ed out. - 4....Doth not God ſee my ways, and count all my ſteps ? Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath haſled to deceit ; if my ſtep kath turned out of the way, and mine heart waiked at- termine eyes, and if any blot bath cleaved to my hands, then let me ſow and let another eat. . . . . . . . 5....If I did deſpiſe the cauſe of my man ſervant, or of Iny maid ſervant, when they contended with me ; what then ſhall I do when God riſeth up 2 And when he viſiteth, what ſhall I anſwer him 2 Did not he who made me, make him 2 And did not one faſhion us both P. 6....If I have withheld the poor from their deſire, or have cauſed the eyes of the widow to fail : or have eat- en iny morſel myſelf alone, and the father eſs hath not eatea thereof: (for from my youth he was brought up with me ;) if I have ſeen any periſh for want of cºaths. ing, or the poor without covering ; if his loins have not bleſſed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my ſhēēpē; or, if I have lifted up mine hand ºganſ the fatherleſs; then let mine arm fall from my {houlder-blade, and be broken from the bone. 148 - BEAUTIES OF 7....If I have made gold my hope, or ſaid to the moſt fine gold, Thou art my confidence ; if I proudly exult- ed becauſe my wealth was great; If I rejoiced in the deſtrućtion of him that bated me. The ſtranger did not Hodge in the ſtreet, but I opened my door to the travel- ler. If my land cry aganſt me, that I have eaten the fruits without money, or have cauſed the owners the re- of to loſe their life : let thiſtles grow inſtead of wheat, and cockle inſtead of barley. . R EMARKS. Who can read theſe lines, and not exclaim, “O vir- tee, how lovely is thy image l’” Such an excellent char- after as this of Job, is better than 211 the treaſures in the world. Courage, ſtrength, wit, beauty,and wealth, what are they, when weighed in the balance, againſt ſolid virtue P What are they but vanity ? - Youth, who wiſh to attain true bonor, are invited to ...so imitate the virtues of this excellent man, and to ſtrive ... to be eminently good. A good name is as precious ointment : and the righteous ſhall be had in everiaſting remembrance. - , CHAPTER III. THE IDOL MAKER. - “. - HEY, who make graven image, are all of them vanity ; and their dele&table things ſhall not profit : they ſee not, nor know, that they may be aſham- éd. Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven im- age that is profitable for nothing P Behold, all his fel- lows ſhall be aſhamed ; and the workmen they are of men : let them all be gathered together, ſet them ſtand up ; that they may be aſhārned together. 2....The ſmith with the tongs both worketh in the THE BIBLE, 143 coals, and faſhioneth it with hammers, and worketh it. with the ſtrength of his arms : yea, he is hungry, and his ſtrength faileth ; he drinketh no water, and is faint. , . 3 3....The carpenter ſtretcheth out his rule, he marketh" it out with a line, he fitteth it with planes, and he mar- keth it out with a compaſs,and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the houſe. He he weth him down cedars, and taketh the cypreſs and the oak, which he ſtrengh- eneth from the trees of the foreſt. - . 4...He planteth an aſh, and the rain doth nouriſh it. Then ſhall it be for a man to burn : for he will take thereof and warm himſelf; yea, he kindleth it, and bak- eth bread : yea, he maketh a god, and worſhippeth it; he maketh a graven image, and falleth down thereto. 5....He burneth part thereof in the fire ; with part thereof he eateth fleſh : he roaſleth roaſt and is ſatisfied ; ; yea, he warmeth himſelf, and faith, Aha, I am warm, I have ſeen the fire : and the reſidue thereof he maketh - a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worſhippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and faith, Deliver me ; for thou art my God. * , . 6....They have not known nor underſtood : . and none conſidereth in his heart, neither is there know- fedge nor underſtanding to ſay, I have burnt part of it, in the fire; yea alſo, I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roaſted fleſh, and eaten it ; and fhall I make the reſidue thereof an abomination 2 Shall I fall down to the ſtock of a tree ? . . . . . . . . . . . - REMARKS. - This is a keenly fatyrical repreſentation of the ex- treme folly of idolaters, who worſhiped a ſtock, or im- age, which they themſelves had made. . . . . . There are, in the ſcriptures, but few inſtances of N 2 . go BEAUTIES OF ſatire; this is one: another is that pungent ſaying of Job to his uncandid and tormenting friends, Doubtle/3, .5e are the men ; and wiſdom ſhall die with you. ... A third inſtance of the kind, is the exquiſitely keen . ſatire of Elijah upon the falſe prophets, when he ſaid to them, whilſt they were vehemently calling upon Baal, Cry aloud ; for he is a god : either he is talking, or he is purſuing, or be is on a journey, or peradven- ::ture he ſleepeth, and muſt be awake d. - - ** * , w .** CHAPTER IV. * - ExtRACTS FROM THE LAW 9F MOSES. - 1... : : E that ſmiteth his father, or his mºther, ſhall ſurely be put to death. He that fiealeth a man, and ſelleth him, or it he be found in his hand, he ſhall ‘ſurely be put to death. He who curſeth his father, or his mother, ſhall ſurely be put to death. Whoſo ſhed- deth man's blood, by man ſhall his blood be ſhed. Ye fhall take no ſatisfaction for the life of a murderer ; he fhall ſurely be put to death. So ye ſhall not pollute the land wº ye are ; for blood defileth the land ; and the land cannot be cleanſed of blood that is ſhed therein, but by the blood of him that ſhed it. . . 2....If a man ſteal an ox, or a ſheep, and kill it, or fell it, he ſhall reflore five oxen for an ox, and four fleep for a ſheep. If thou ſee thy enemy's beaſt go- ingaſtray, thou ſhalt ſurely bring it back to him again. 1f thou ſee the beaſt of him who hateth thee, lying un- der his burthen, thou ſhalt ſurely help him. ' 3....Thou ſhalt neither vex a ſtranger, nor oppreſs him. Ye ſhall not afflićt any widow or fatherleſs child : $f thou aftić, them, and they cry at all unto me, I will sº THE BIBLE, 151 ll be wid- ſurely hear their cry ;-and your wives ſha ... wº * ows, and your children fatherleſs. 4....If thou lend money to any of my people, who is poor, thou ſhalt not be to him an uſurer, neither halt thou lay upon him uſury. If thy brother be waxen “poor, and fallen into decay with thee, thou ſhalt re- fieve him : yea, though he be a ſtranger or ſojourner, thou ſhalt relieve him, that be may live with thee; thou ſhalt not give him thy money upon uſury, nor lend him thy vićtuals upon increaſe. - 5....Thou ſhalt not curſe the ruler of thy people. Thou ſhalt not raiſe a falſe report ; neither put thine hand with the wicked, to be an unrighteous witneſs. Keep thou far from a falſe matter. Ye ſhall not ſteal, neither deal falſely, neither lie one to another : and ye ſhall not ſwear by thy name falſely ; neither ſhalt thou profane the name of thy God. Thou ſhalt not follow a . multitude to do evil. . . 6....Thou ſhalt take no bribe ; for a bribe blindeth. • ** ". . . .” :s the wiſe, and perverteth the words of the righteous?". Ye ſhall do no unrighteouſneſs in judgment : ** ſhalt not reſpect the perſon of the poor, nor honor the perſon of the mighty ; but in righteouſneſs thou ſhalt judge thy neighbor. Forty ſtripes the judge may give him who is guilty of ſtripes; and ſhall not exceed •. 7....Ye ſhall fear every man his father and his moth- er, and keep my Sabbaths and reverence my fan&tuary; I am the Lord your God. The father ſhall not be put to death for the children, neither ſhall the children be put to death, for their father : every man hall be put to death for his own firi. , 8....When ye reap the harveſt of your field, thou fhalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither that thou gather the gleanings of thy harveſt. And thou ſhalt not glean of thy vineyards, neither ſhalt thou ‘Ā’. * . 132 BEAUTIES OF them for the poor, and the flranger. * ery grape of thy vineyard; thou ſhalt leave 9....Thou ſhalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him. . If thou ſell aught unto thy neighbor, or buy any thing of thy neighbor, ye ſhall not oppreſs one another. Thou ſhalt not avenge, or bear any grudge againſt the children of thy people : but thou ' fhalt love thy neighbour as thyſelf. Ye ſhall not eat anything with the blood. Thou ſhalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people. + 10....If a ſtranger ſojourn with you in your land, ye fhall not ve; him : the ſtranger, who dwelleth with you ſhall be unto you as one born amongſt you ; and thou ſhalt love him as thy ſelf. Ye ſhall have one man- ner of law, as well for the ſlranger, as for one of your own land. - - - 11....Ye ſhall do no unrighteouſneſs in weight or in meaſure : juſt balances, and juſt weights ye ſhall have. Thou ſhalt not have in thy bag diverſe weights, a great and a ſmall. Thou ſhalt not have in thine houſe di- verſe meaſures, a great and a ſmall, (that iſ, one to ſell º, and another for buying) for all who do ſuch things are an abomination unto the Lord thy God. . . 12....The wages of him, who is hired, ſhall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Thou ſhalt not oppreſs an hired ſervant, who is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or a ſtranger. At his time, thou ſhalt give him his hire, neither ſhall the ſun go down upon it; for he is poor, and ſetteth his heart upon it : leſ; he cry againſt thee unto the Lord, and it be ſin unto thee. . 13....The woman ſhall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither ſhall a man put on a woman's gar- ment ; for all who do ſo are an abomination unto the Lord thy God, THE BIBLE. 133 14....Thou ſhalt riſe up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man. When thou ſhalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou ſhalt not be ſlack to pay it : that which has gone out of thy lips thou ſhalt keep and perform. . . . 15....Curſed be he that ſetteth light by his father, . or his mother ; and all the people ſhall ſay, Amets. Curſed be he that removeth his neighbor's land mark: and all the people ſhall ſay, Amen. Curſed be he that maketh the blind (or ignorant) to wander out of the way : and all the people ſhall ſay, Amen. - - . , 16....Curſed be he that perverteth the judgment of the ſtranger, fatherleſs, and widow ; and all the people ſhall ſay, Amen. Curſed be he that ſmiteth his neigh- bour ſecretly : and all the people ſhall ſay, Amen. ... Curſed be he that taketh reward to ſlay an innocent perſon : and all the people ſhall ſay, Amen. . . . REMARKS. - If the foregoing laws and maxims had been ex- traćied from the code of Solon or Lycurgus, they would have had a ſure claim to the public noticº º and approbation : our refined deiſts ...# them as a valuable fragment of antiquity. But they are a part of the gode of Moſes; they are ſcripture's “there is the rub.” - , , . . . . . . . Pºſſibly, it will be found that no men are more un- der the influence of prejudice than the yotaries of the goddeſs of reaſon, who are ever ridiculing the prej udi- ces of the vulgar, and affe €t to be themſelves ſuperior to all prejudice whatever. - - . “Joſephus, in his diſcourſe againſt Appion, demon- ſtrated that the Jewiſh law was of ſo high antiquity, that the very name of law was not known in other countries, till a thouſand years after ; infomuch that Homer, though obliged to ſpeak of ſo many different nations, has not once uſed the word. The fame wri- ter (Joſephus) produced clear evidence, that the ta- mous legiſlators of Greece and Rome, borrowed from the Jewiſh law their principal inſtitutions.” • . . ; - * * * M. Paſcal's Thoughts CHAPTER. v. MISCELLANEous Extracts. ... 1.... : : HOU, Solomon my ſon, know thou the God of Thy fathers, and ſerve him with a perfečk heart, and with a willing mind; for the Lord ſearcheth all hearts, and underſtandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts; if thou ſeek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forſake him, he will caſt thee off forever. , 2....Hear, ye children, the inſtrečtion of a father : I give you good dotrine, forſake ye not my law: for I was my father's ſon, tender and only beloved in the fight of my mother. He taught me alſo, and ſaid un- tºme, Let thine heart retain my words, keep my com- mandments, and five. - - ..º.º.º.º.º.º. forget it not ; neither decline from the words of my mouth. For- fake her not, and ſhe ſhall preſerve thée : love her and ſhe ſhall keep thee. Wiſdom is the principal thing ; therefore get wiſdom; and with all thy, acquirements, get underſtanding. She ſhall give to thine head an ornament of grace. 4....Hear, O my ſon, and receive my ſaying : and the years of thy life ſhall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wiſdom : I have led thee in right paths. Takehold of inſtrućtion ; let her not go : keep her, for ſhe is thy life. . . . . 5....My ſon, enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men ; avoid it, paſs not by it, turn from it, and paſs away. For they ſleep not, except they have done miſchief; and their ſleep is ta- ken away, unleſs they cauſe ſome to fall : they eat the bread of wickedneſs. But the path of the juſt is as the dawning light, which ſhineth more and more until noon-day, - - º 6....My ſon, attend to my words ; let them not der part from thine eyes : keep them in the midſt of thine heart : for they are life unto thoſe who find them; Keep thy heart with all diligence : ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be eſtabliſhed. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: 1emove thy foot from evil, • . - . . . . . . 7....Truſt in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean.” not to thine own underſtanding. . In all thy ways ac- knowledge him, and he ſhall direét thy paths. Be not wife in thine own eyes ; fear the Lord, and depart from evil. My ſon, deſpiſe not the chaſtening of the Lord : neither be weary of his corre&tion : for whom the Lord loweth, he correð, even as a father the ſon in whom he delighteth. . . . . . . . 8....My ſon, if finners entice thee, conſent thou not. Walk in the way of good men, and keep the path of the righteous : for the upright ſhall, dwell in the land : . but the wicked ſhall be cut off from the earth, and the tranſgreſſors ſhall be rooted out of it. ... 9....There be many that ſay, Who will ſhew us any good P Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us... Thou baſt put giadneſs into my heart more than worldly men have, in the time that their corn and - their wine increaſe. Thy favor is hite, and thy loving ..kindneſs is better than life. In thy preſence is fulneſs *joy ; and at thyright hand are pleaſures forevermore. 10....My ſon, give unto God thy heart : behold, to obey him is better than ſacrifice. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wiſdom; and to depart from wick- edneſs is underſtanding. He hath ſhewed thee what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do juſtly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? - 11....The wicked, through pride, will not ſeek after God: the fool hath ſaid in his beart, There is no God, They are corrupt, and have done abominable works. God is angry with the wicked every day ; and will rain upon them ſnares, fire and brimſtone, an horri- ble tempeſt ; which ſhall be the portion of their cup. 12....Wherewith ſhall a young man cleanſe his way By taking heed thereto according to the word of God. His word is a light to the feet, and a lamp to the path. - The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the ſoul : the teſtimony of the Lord is ſure, making wife the fim- ple. The ſtatutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlight- ening the eyes: More to be deſired are they than fine gold ; ſweeter alſo than honey, and the honey comb : and in keeping of them there is great reward. 13...Bleſſed is the man, who walketh not in the ºf counſel of the ungodly, nor ſtandeth in the way of ſin- ners, norfitteth in the ſeat of the ſcornful : but his de- light is in the law of the Lord ; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he ſhall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water: and whatſoever he doth ſhall proſper. - • . 14...Bleſſed is he that conſidereth the poor : the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preſerve him, and keep him alive ; and he ſhall be bleſſed in the earth. The Lord will ſtrengthen him upon the bed of languiſhing; and will make his bººk comfortable in ſickneſs. " - THE BIBLE. 13, 15....Lord, who ſhall abide in thy tabernacle "Who ſhall dwelſ in thy Holy Zion ? He that walketh up- rightly, and worketh righteouſneſs, and ſpeaketh the truth from his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach againſt his neighbor: but he honoreth them, who fear the Lord. He that doeth theſe things ſhall never be deſtroyed. . . . - 16....How forcible are right words ! A word fitly ſpoken is like apples of gold in piāures of filver. T ſaid I will take heed to my ways, that I fin not with my tongue ; I will keep my mouth with a bridle. 17....The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous ſheweth mercy and giveth : He is ever merciful, and lendeth ; and his children are bleſ. ſed. The ſteps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : \, the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. 18....I have been young but now am old; yet have I. though he-fall, he ſhali not be utterly caſt down; for not ſeen the righteous forſaken. I have ſeen the wicks ed in great power, and ſpreading himſelf like a green bay-tree : yet he paſſed away, and, lo, he was not : yea, I ſought him, but he could not be found. . . i 9....Come, ye children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he, who deſireth life, and loveth many days, that he may ſee good P Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from ſpeaking guile : depart from evil and do good; ſeek peace, and purſue it. . . . . . 20....The Lord taketh pleaſure in them, who fear him, and who hope in his mercy. The Lord is nigh unto them, who are of a broken heart. This poor man cried, and he ſaved him out of alf his troubles. Many are the afflićtions of the geous ; but the Lord delis 158 BEAUTIES OF . vereth him out of them all. Mark the perſea Inan, and behold the upright : for the end of that man is 21,...Ceaſe from anger, and forſake wrath : fret, not thyſelf becauſe of evildoers, neither be thou envious againſt the workers of infguity : for they ſhall ſoon be cut down as the graſs. Truſt in the Lord, and do good; ſo ſhalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou ſhalt be fed. 22....Whºm have I in Heaven but thee And there is none upon earth that I deſire beſides thee. My fleſh and my heart fail ; but God is the ſtrength of my heart, and my portion forever. It is good for me to draw near to God ; for, lo, they who are far from thee ſhall pe- riſh. When my father and my mother forſake me, , then the Lord wiłł take me up. S ~~ - 23....Who can underſtand his errors P Cleanſe thou me from ſecret faults : keep me back alſo from pre- fumptuous firs; let them not have dominion over me. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy fight, O Lord my God. ' 24!...I will praiſe thee; for Isam fearfully and won- derfully made, and curiouſly wrought. How precious alſo are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the ſum of them | If I ſhould count them, they are more in number than the ſand ; when I'awake, I am fill with thee. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and ice it there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlaſting. . . . . . 25....A fool is wiſer in his own conceit than ſeven reaſonable men. Before honor is humility; but pride goeth before deſtruction; and an haughty ſpirit before a fall. An high look, and a proud heart is fin. THE BIBLE, 39 , 26....Theſe fix things doth the Lord hate; yea, ſeven are an abomination unto him : a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands which ſhed innocent blood, an heart that deviſeth wicked imaginations, feet which be ſwift in running to miſchief, a falſe witneſs who ſpeaketh lies and him who ſoweth diſcoid among brethren. : * 27....Surely the ſerpent will bite without enchant- ment; and a babbler is no better. The words Öf a tale- bearer are as wounds. Where no wood is there the fire goeth out; to where there is no tale-bearer the ſtrife ceaſeth. - - . . . . . . 28....Is not this the faſt that God hath choſen 2 To looſe the bands of wickedneſs,to undo the heavy bur- dens, and to let the oppreſſed go free, and that ye break every yoke P Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are caſt out. to thy houſe, and when thou ſeeſt the naked, that thou cover hiºn Then ſhall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health ſpring forth ſpeedily ; and thy right- eouſneſs ſhall go before thee : the glory of the Lord ſhall be thy rear-ward. . . . . . . 29....If thou draw out thy foul to the hungry, and ſatisfy the afflićted ſoul ; then ſhall thy light riſe in . obſcurity, and thy darkneſs be as the noon-day : and the Lord ſhall guide thee continually, and ſatisfy thy foul in drought : and thou ſhalt be like a watered gar- den, and like a ſpring of water, whoſe waters fail not. 30....If thou refrain from doing thy pleaſure on the Sabbath, my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and ſhalt honer him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own plea- ſure, nor ſpeaking thine own words: then ſhalt thou delight thyſelf in the Lord, and I will can ſe thee to ride on the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the * heritage of Jacob thy father : for the mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it. . . . . . . . . ; 160 BEAUTIES of - - CHAPTER VI. SPECIMENs of THE SUBLIMITY of scrip. - TURE. ...Gop ſaid, Let there be light, and there was light. The Lord came from Sinai, and roſe up , from Seir unto them; he ſhined torth from Mount Pa- ran, and he came with ten thouſand of his ſaints: fromi his right hand went a fiery law. There is none like the God of Jeſhurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency in the ſky. MOSES. 2....The earth ſhook and trembled; the foundations of the heaven moved and ſhook becauſe he was wroth. He bowed the heavens alſo and came down : and dark- meſs was under his feet. And he rode upon a Cherub, and did fly; and he was ſeen upon tº: wings of the wind. And he made darkneſs pavilions round about him. Through the brightneſs before him were coals of fire kindled. 3....The Lord thundered from heaven, and the moſt high uttered his voice. And the channels of the ſea appeared, the foundations of the world were diſcover- ed at the rebuking of the Lord, and at the blaſt of his breath. º • - * 4....Clouds and darkneſs are round about him; a fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world ; the earth ſaw, and trembled; the hills melted like wax at the preſence of the Lord, at the preſence of the Lord of the whole earth. 3....When Iſrael went out of Egypt, the ſea ſaw it, and fled ; Jordan was driven back. The mountains ſkipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. What ailed thee, O thou ſea, that thou ſleddeſt ? Thou Jor- THE BIBLE. 16, dan, that thou waſ driven back 2 Ye mºuntains, that ye ſkipped like rams; and yelittle hills like lambs. *— Tremble, Q earth, at the preſence of the Lord. . . . ; : . . . . . . . . . . . . . DAVID. - 6....I ſaw the Lord ſitting upon a throne, high and lified up, and his train filled the temple. Above it ſtood the ſeraphim ; each one had fix wings ; with two. wings he covered his face, and with tºo he covered. his feet, and with two he did fly. * - - ** *. - - 7....And one cried unto another, and ſaid, Holy, Hóly, Holy is the Lord of Hoſts : the whole earth is futi of his glory. And the poſts of the dogr moved at the voice of hiºn that cried, and the houſe was filled with ſmoke. . . ISAIAH. 8....God came from Teman, and the holy one from möant Páran. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praiſe ; and his brightneſs was as the light. Before him went the peſtience, and burning coals went forth at his teet. He ſtood and meaſured the earth : He beheld, and drove aſunder . the nations ; and the everlaſting mountains were ſcat. tered, and the perpetual hills did bow ; His ways are . everlaſting. . . , . . . . 9...I ſaw the tents of Cuſhan in afflićtion; and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. Thou didſt ride in thy chariots of ſalvation. Thou didſt cleave, , the earth : the mountains ſaw thee, and they trembled: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The ſun and moon ſtood ſtill in their habita- tion : at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the ſhining of thy glittering ſpear. . . . . HABAKKUK, 1o....I beheld till the thrones were caſt down, and the ancient of days did fit, whoſe garment was white as ſnow : His throne, was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning #5 A fiery ſtream iſſued and came - - 2 : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 BEAUTIES of forth from before him ; thouſand thouſands miniſtered unto him, and ten thouſand times ten thouſand ſtood be- ºfore him. . . . . . DANIEL. - R EMARKS, :- The foregoing paſſages, and others alſo which might be drawn from the ſame ſource, are ſublime beyond all parallel. They ſoar above the writings of the im- inortal Homer himſelf, even as the flight of the eagle . ** orbit of the moſt daring among ordinary ºbyrds. . . . * alsº `Milton, the boaſt of Engliſh poets, was a chriſtian believer, and a cloſe ſtudier of the beauties of the bi- ble ; from hence he happily drew much of his beauti- ful imagery—his noble conceptions, his aſtoniſhing grandeur. . . . . -- . . . . ; He ſeized the mantle of the Scripture bards; he : căught their ſacred enthuſiaſm, their etherial fire : and this circumſtance, added to the aſtoniſhing genius of Milton, produced in his Paradiſe Loſt, a poem, which, excluſive of the Scripture writers, has no equal in point of ſublimity. . . . . - " . . CHAPTER VII. DIPINE ATTRIBUTEs. the supremacy AND SELF-Existence of THE GoD- HEAD. {º 1.... I - H EAR, O Iſrael, the Lord our God is our Lord. The Lord is God, and there is none elſe. I am the Lord, and there is no God beſide me. Who hath meaſured the water in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven as a ſpan, and comprehended the duſt THE BIBLE. 163 of the earth, in a meaſure, and weighed the mountains. in ſcales, and the hills in a balance P ‘. . . 2....Who hath direéted the ſpirit of the Lord, or, being his counſellor, hath taught him P With whom took he counſel, and who inſtrućted him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him know- ledge-? - . . . . . 3....Behold, the nations are as a drop of the bucket, and are counted as the ſmall duſt of the balance : be- hold, he taketh up the iſles as a very little thing. Alf nations before him are as nothing ; and they are counts ed to him leſs than nothing and vanity. . . ." THE ETERNAL AND UNCHANGEABLE EXISTENCE OF * . GOD. 4....Art thou not from everlaſting, O Lord my God? His kingdom is an everlaſting kingdom, and his domin- ion is from generation to generation. Befººthe mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadſtºform- ed the earth and the world, from everlaſting to everlaſt- ing thou art God., Thou changeſt not.…. . . . $ - - 4 - 3....Of old haſt thou laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands : they ſhall periſh.; but thou ſhalt endure; yea, all of them ſhall wax old like a garment; as a veſture ſhalt thou change them, and they ſhall be changed; but thou art the ſame, and thy years ſhall have no end. * . - THE INFINITE KNow LEDGE, AND OMNIPRESENCE of • THE DIVINE MIND. - ~. 6....Thine underſtanding, O Lord, is infinite ; for thou telleſt the number of the ſtars, and calleſt them all by name. How manifold are thy works, in wifaom haſt thou made them ah. Am I a God at hand, faith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide him- ſelf in ſecret places, that I ſhall not ſee him 2 faith the 164 BEAUTIES OF ‘’.”- “... º. - * * * * , * . f Lord : do not I fill heaven and earth 2 faith the Lord. 7....The eyes of the Lord are in every place behold- ing the evil and the good ; they run to and fro through the earth. God, ſearcheth the heart, that he may give to every man, according to his ways. O Lord, thou. haft ſearched me and known me : Thou knoweſt my down-ſitting, and mine up. riſing; thou underſtandeſt tº my thoughts afar off. Thou art acquainted with all my ways; and there is not a word in my tongue; but lo, O Lord, thou knoweſt it altogether. . . * . . . . . . •. . . . . . .” - - A - -- g * .8....Whither ſhall I go from thy ſpirit P Or, Whith- er ſha'i I flee from thy preſence 2 If I aſcend up into heaven, thou art there : if I make my bed in the depths of the earth, beheld thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the utter moſt parts of the ſea ; even there ſhall thy hand lead ºne. 9....If I ſay, Sorely the darkneſs ſhałł cover me; even the night ſhall be light about me. Yea, the dark- neſs hideth not from thee : but the night ſhineth as the day : the darkneſs and the light are both alike to thee. * * ALL CREATURES ARE GoD's PROPERTY. 10....The earth is the Lord's,and the fulneſs thereof; the world, and they who dwell therein. In his band is the ſoul Gi every living thing, and the bleath of all mankind. Behold, all ſouls are mine, faith the Lord : as the ſoul of the father, ſo alſo the ſoul of the ſon is Itine. Behold, as the clay is in the hand of the potter, ſo alſo are ye-in mine hands. Whatſoever is under the whole heaven is mine. . • GoD SEEN IN HIs works. * t . . . " 11....The heavens declare the glory of God ; and the firinament', ſheweth his handy work. Day, unto day uttereth ſpeech, and night unto night ſhe weth knowledge of him. When I confider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the ſtars, which thou haſt ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him 2 For thou haſt made him a little lower than the angels, and haſt crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madeſt him to have dominion-over the works of thy hands... I will praiſe thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . . . . . . * . Divin E PROvIDENCE. 12....The lot is caſt into the lap ; but the whole diſ. poſing thereof is of the Lord. A man's heart deviſeth #. way; but the Lord direéteth his ſteps. The bleſ- ſing of the Lord maketh rich. The Lord reigneth ; let the earth rejoice. He doth according to his pleaſ- ure in the armies of heaven above, and among the in- habitants of this earth; He woundeth and He healeh ; He killeth and He ſaveth alive. - - 13....The Lord covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth, and maketh graſs to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beaſt his food, and to the young ravens which cry 2 The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou giveſt them their meat in due ſeaſon. Thou openeſt thy hand, and ſatisfieſt the deſire of every living thing. º - 14....The Lord hath fed and clothed us ; He hath nouriſhed and brought us up : He hath granted us life and favor, and his viſitation hath preſerved our ſpirit. * - 15...Bleſs the Lord, O my ſoul ; and all that is within me ; bleſs his holy name. Bleſs the Lord, O my ſoul, and forget not all his benefits : Who forgiv- eth all thine iniquities ; who healeth all thy diſeaſes ;- who redeemeth thy life from deſtrućtion ; who crown- eth thee with loving kindneſs and tender mercies ; who ſatisfieth thy mouth with good things. 166 BEAUTIES of THE PERFECT.JUSTICE AND INFINPTE BENEvo EENCE - ; , ; ; ; ; ; *... . . . . . . . . . of DEITY. . . . . . .'; tº \ . . . . . _16....Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right 2 Rightéouſneſs and judgment are the habitation of his throne: 'Holy and reverend is his name. God is of phirer eyes than to behold iniquity, neither ſhall evil dwell with him. I lift mine hand to heaven, and ſay, I live forever ; if I whet my glittering ſword, and ºmine band take hold on judgement, I will render awful puniſhment to mine enemies. 2 . . . 17,...A juſt God and a Saviour. The Lord pro- claimeth his name : the Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, ſlow to anger, abundant in goodneſs and truth, keeping mercy for thouſands, forgiving iniqui- ty, trangreſſion and fins. The Lord is gracious and fall of compaſſion ; ſlow to anger, and of great mer- cy. The Lord is good to all ; , and his tender mer- cies are over all his works. . . . . TH: DEPFAved, guilty state of MAN. 18 ...What is man, that he ſhould be clean P And he that is bºrn of a woman, that he ſhould be righteous P. Behold, the heavens are not chean in his fight: how much more abominable and filthy is man, who drinketh iniquity like water? 19....The fool hath ſaid in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt ; they have done abominable works; there is none, that doeth good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to ſee if ºthere were any who did underſtand, and ſeek God. They are all gone aſide, they are altogether be- come filthy ; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." ~ . . . . . . . . . . - THE PREDICTED sufferings of CHRIST FossINNFRs. 20....He ſhall grow up as a tender-plant, and as a THE BIBLE, ... 167 root out of dry ground. He is deſpiſed and rejećted of men ; a man of ſorrow and acquainted with grief. Surely he hath borne our grief and carried our ſorrows: He was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities, and with his ſtripes we are healed. 21... All we, like ſheep, have gone aſtray; we have turned every one to his own way ; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppreſſed, and he was afflićted ; yet he opened not his mouth ; he is brought as a lamb to the ſlaughter, and as a ſheep before her ſhearers is dumb, ſo he opened not, his mouth. He was taken from priſon 2nd from judg- ment, and was cut off out of the land of the living : for the tranſgreſſions of my people was he ſtriken. . 22....It hath pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him ; he hath put him to grief: when thou ſhalt make his ſoul an offering for ſin, he ſhall ſee his offspring, and the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his band. He ſhall ſee of the fruit of his ſufferings and be ſatisfied: by his knowledge ſhall my righteous ſervant juſtify ma- ony; for he ſhall bear their iniquity. * * : . . . . . , s: , , ...? . . . . . . . . . . T : - • . . ... " 23....Therefore wiil I divide him a portion with the great ; becauſe he hath poured out his ſoul, unto death : and he was numbered among the trangreſſors; and he bafe the ſin of many, and made interceſſion for the tranſgreſſors. . . . . . . THE DIVINE NATURE AND CHARACTER of CHRIST. 24....Unto us a child is born, unto us a ſon is given, and the government ſhall be upon his ſhoulder ; and his name ſhall be called wonderful, counſellor, the mighty God, the everlaſting father, the prince of peace. Of the increaſe of his government and peace there ſhall be no end; to order his kingdom and to eſ- stabliſh it with judgment and with juſtice, from hence- forth, even forever. " * - *. 168 BEAUTIES OF 25....Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion : Behold thy king cometh unto thee : He is juſt, and having ſalvation. And his dominion ſhall be from ſea even to ſea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. In his days ſhall the righteous flouriſh ; and abundance of peace ſo long as the moon endureth. Prayer alſo ſhall be made for him continually ; and daily ſhall he be praiſed. His name ſhall endure forever : His name ſhall be continued as long as the ſun and men ſhall be bleſſed in him. All nations ſhall call him bleſſed. And this is the name whereby he ſhall be called, The Lord our Righteouſneſs. - THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT of GoD IN CHANG- ING AND SANCTIFYING THE MINDs of SINNERS. 26....I will ſprinkle clean water upon you, and ye ſhall be clean : from all your filthineſs will I cleanie you. A new heart alſo will I give you, and a new ſpirit will I put within you ; and I will take away the ftony heart out of your fleſh, and I will give you a heart of fleſh. And I will put my ſpirit withingyou, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes, and ye ſhall keep my judgments and do them. -- 27....Waſh me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanſe me from my ſin. Purge me, and I ſhall be clean : Waſh me, and I ſhall be whiter than ſnow. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right ſpirit within me. Caſt me not away from thy preſence; and take not thy holy ſpirit from me. the Exercises of A PENITENT. 28....I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye ſeeth thee; wherefore I abhor myſelf, and repent in duſt and aſhes. I acknowledge my tranſ- greſſions; and my ſin ever is before me. Againſt thee, thee only, have I finned, and done this evil in thy fight; THE BIBLE. 169 that thou mighteſt be juſtified when thou ſpeakeſt, and be clear when thou judgeſt. 29....I have ſurely heard Ephraim bemoaning him- ſelf thus : Thou haſ chaſtiſed me, and I was chaſtiſed : , turn thou me, and I ſhall be turned ; for thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was turned, I re- pented : I was aſhamed, yea, even confounded, be- cauſe I did bear the reproach of my youth. . . . . ... 30....Then ſhall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings, which were not good, and ſhall loathe yourſelves in your own fight, for your iniquities, and for your abominations. A - . . . . ... 31....It is good that a man ſhould both hope, and quietly wait for the ſalvation of the Lord. It is good for a mafi that he bear the yoke in his youth, He ſit- teth alone, and keepeth ſilence, becauſe he hath borne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the duſt, if ſo be there may be hope. He is filled fuſi with reproach. cop’s GRACIOUS ACCEPTANCE of PENITENT, RETURN- ING SINNERS. . . . . . . 32....Thus faith the high and lofty one who inhabit- eth eternity, whoſe name is holy ; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him alſo who is of a contrite and humble ſpirit, to revive the ſpirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend forever; neither will I be always wroth ; for the ſpirit ſhould fail before me, and the ſouls which I have made. I have ſeen his ways, and will heal him, and reſtore comfort unto him, and to his mourners. 33....The ſacrifices of God are a broken Ipirit : a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not deſ. Pife. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a brok- en heart ; and ºve, ſuch as be of a contrite ſpirit: ize BEAUTIES OF This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and de. livered him out of all his troubles. Gop's GRACIous calls AND INVITATIONs. * * . * - 34,...Ho, every one that thirſteth, come ye to the wa- ters, and he that bath ho money : come ye, buy and eat; yea come; buy wine and milk without money, and without price. Wherefore do ye ſpend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which ſatisfieth not ? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good. Incline your ear, and come un- to me; hear and your ſoul ſhall live. - 35....Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near. Le: the wicked for- fake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts : and jet him return unto the Lord, and He will have mewcy upon him : and to our God, for He will abun- dantly pardon. Far my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, faith the Lord. For as the heavens are highesthan the earth, ſo are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 36....Waſh you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes : ceaſe to do evil; earn to do well ; ſeek judgment, relieve the op- preſſed ; judge the fatherleſs ; plead for the widow. . . . 7.....Come now, and let us reaſon together, faith the Lord : though your ſins be as ſcarlet, they ſhall be as white, as ſnow ; though they be red like crimſon, they ſhaft be as wool : If ye be willing and obedient, ye ſhall eat the good of the land. 38....Look unto me, and be ye ſaved, all, the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none elſe. Turn ye, turn ye ; for why will ye die? Have I ally pleaſure at all that the wicked ſhould die? Saith the THE BIBLE. 171 Łord God ; and not that he ſhould return from his ways, and live 2 I have no pleaſure in the death of him, that dieth, faith the Lord God ; wherefore turn your- ſelves, and live ye. ". . - . REMARKS.. " . . . . . . . . . The foregoing paragraphs are an epitome of the cha- raēter of God ; and of the way of recovery, for tallen man, to his likeneſs and favor. -º- *... x CHAPTER VIII. THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER. 1.... iN ING Hezekiah was ſick unto death ; and Iſaiah the prophet came unto him, and ſaid unto him, Thus faith the Lord, ſet thiné houſe in order: for thou ſhalt die; and not live. Then Hezekiah turn- ed his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, and ſaiº, Remember now, O Lord, I beſeech thee, Häy I haze walked before thee in truth, and with a perfeči heart, and Have done that which is good in thy fight. . And Hezekiah wept fore. . . 2 - 2.... Then cave the word of the Lord to Iſaiah, ſay, ing, Go, and ſay to Hezekiah, thus faith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I. have ſeen thy tears : behold I will add unro thy days fifteen years. t :º $. :-sºº. £3. - ’. > 3...Now theſe are the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah, when he had been ſick, and was recovered of his ſickneſs. “I ſaid in the cutting off of my days, I ſhali go to the gates of the grave : I am deprived of the reſidue of my years. I ſaid, I ſhall not ſee the Lord, - even the Lord in the land of the living ; He with cut 17, BEAUTIES OF * me off with pining ſickneſs : I ſhall behold man. no more with the inhabitants of the world. - 4....Like a crane or a ſwallow, ſo did I chatter : I did mourn as a dove : mine eyes fail with looking up- ward : O Lord, I am oppreſſed, undertake for me. What ſhall I ſay? He hath both ſpoken unto me, and himſelf hath done it. . I ſhall go ſoftly all my years, in the humility of my ſoul. . . . . . . 5....Thou ſhalt recover me, and make me to live. I had great bitterneſs; but thou haſt in love to my ſoul de- livered it from the pit of corruption : for thou haſt caſt all my fins behind thy back. The grave cannot praiſe thee; death cannot celebrate thee : they who go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the º: living, he ſhall praiſe thee, as I do this day.” • ‘ CHAPTER Ix. . . . AN ABSTRACT of solo Mow’s PRAYER. ...it came to paſs, when the prieſts were come out of the holy place, the cloud filled the houſe of the Lord, ſo that the prieſts could not ſtand to min- iſter becauſe of the cloud : for the glory of the Lord had filled the houſe of the Lord. *g....Then ſpake Solomon, The Lord ſaid that he would dºge!! in the thick darkneſs. I have ſurely built thee in flºuſe. And the king turned his face around, and bleſſed aii the congregation of Iſrael : (and all the congregation of Iſrael ſtood up :) . . . . . 3....And Solomon ſtood before the altar of the Lord, in the preſence et all the congregation of Iſrael, and ſpread forth his hands toward beaven ; and he ſaid, THE BIBLE, 73 Lord God of Iſrael, there is no God like Thee, in heaven above, or earth beneath, who keepeſt cove- nant and mercy with thy ſervants, that walk before Thee with all their hearts; who haſt kept with thy fer- vant David my father what thou didſt promiſe bim ; Thou ſpakeſt with thy mouth, and haſt fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day. And now, O God of Iſ- rael, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou ſpakeſt unto thy ſervant David my father. -- 4....But will God indeed dwell on the earth ! Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, cannot contain , Thee : how much leſs this houſe that I have builded ! Yet have Thou reſpect unto the prayer of thy ſervant, and to his ſupplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry, and to the prayer which thy ſervant pray- eth before.Thee to-day. 5....That thine eyes may be open toward this houſe night and day, even toward the place of wººſhoi haſ ſaid, My Name ſhall be there; that that mayeft hearken unto the prayer which thy ſervant ſhall make toward this place. And bearken Thou to the ſuppli-. cation of thy ſervant, and of thy people Iſrael, when they ſhall pray toward this place : and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place ; and when thou hearett, forgive. - . - . . . . . . 6....When thy people Iſrael be ſmitten down beforé the enemy, becauſe they have ſinned againſt Thee,and fhall turn again to thee, and confeſs thy name, and pray, and make ſupplication unto Thee in this houſe : then hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the fin of thy people Iſrael, and bring them again unto the land which Thou gaveſt unto our fathers. . . . . . . . . . 7....When heaven is ſhut up, and there is no rain, becauſe they have ſinned againſt Thee ; it they pray toward this place, and confeſs thy name, aud turn from 174 BEAUTIES OF .. , their ſins; then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the fin of thy people Iſrael, and teach them the good way * wherein they ſhould walk, and give rain upon thy land. $ 8:...If there be in the land famine, if there be peſti- lence, whatſoever plague, whatſoever ſickneſs, 'there be ; what prayer and ſupplication ſoever be made by any mán, or by all thy people Iſrae!, which ſhall know every man, the plague of his own: heart, and ſpread forth his hands toward this houſe : then hear Thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive. 9....And it was ſo, that, when Solomon had made an end of praying, he aroſe from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands ſpread. 10....And he ſtood, and bleſſed all the congregation of Iſrael with a loud voice, ſaying, Bleſſed º who hath given reſt to thy people Ilgel, according to all that he had promiſed : There hath not failed one word of all his good promiſe. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers : let him not leave us, nor forſake us; that He may incline our hearts un- to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his com- mandments; that all the people ºf the earth, may , know that the Lord is God, and that there is none eiſe. Reader, have you ever ſeen any people ſo lifted up with the pride of wealth, or of office, that they przęti- cally déïare it to be beneath their rañk to do homage even to the Deity, or to acknowled ge any dependance upon him Have you'ever ſeen any faſhionable cº- pany, with whom ſeligion was the moſt unfºaſhioºk !e thing in the world ; who never mentioned the Bible, the Church or the paiſon, but with a ſneer of cos tempt . . . . . - 3. * THE BIBLE, Azá If you have ſeen'ſuch people, you may here ſee them contraſted in the example of the wiſe king of Iſrael. Solomon, a great and powerful monarch, young, rich, learned, polite, and all-accompliſhed ; as far ſuperior almoſt to the general maſs of modern declaim, ers againſt religion, as they be ſuperior to the gaudy.in- ſeÉt that flutters in the ſun : this faine Solºmon, in the preſence of a numerous congregation, and with out- . ſpread hands and bended knees, uttered the prayer, which is here recorded to his honor, and for the imita- 'tion of others. , - - . . . . . . . . - , , ” it— X-- * ‘. . .” - 's - r - - > * : *r -× . - s...' ' . . . . . . . ~ CHAPTER x. * , , , - THE SHORTNEss of HUMAN LIFE. º º - - . . . . . . . ...I) "UST thou art, and unto duſt ſhalt thou i. return. My days are ſwifter than a poſt ; they are paſſed away as the ſwift ſhips ; as the eagle that haſteth to the prey. The life of man, is a vapour, his breath.is. in his noſtrils, he dwelleth in a houſe of clay, and his foundation is in the duſt. The days of our yeºšafe threeſcore years and ten ; and if by reaſon of '####th, they be fourſcore yeais, yet is their ſtrengthºlābor and ſorrow : for it is ſoon cut off, and we fly away. . 2....Man, that is born of a woman, is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down ; he fleeth alſo as a ſhadow, and con- tinuetb not. Man dieth and waſteth away ;...yea, man giveth up the ghoſt, and where is he he lieth down and riſeth not : till the heavens be no more, they ſhall not awake, nor be raiſed out of their ſleep. . . . , 3....All fleſh is graſs, and all the gopdneſs thereof is as the flower of the field : ſurely the people is graſs; 176 BEAUTIES OF the graſs withereth, the flower fadeth. The eye of him, who hath ſeen me ſhall ſee me no more. As the cloud is conſumed; and - vaniſhed away ; ſo he that goeth down te the grave ſhall cone up no more. He ſhall return no more to his houſe, neither ſhall his place know him any more. 2 4....One dieth in his full ſtrength ; another dieth in the bikerneſs of his ſoul: They lie down alike in the grave, and the worms cover them. Death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the ſtreets. The grave is mine-houſe. I have ſaid to corruption, thou art my father; to the worm, thou art my mother and my fiſter. - - e-- - . . . ) - - . . . . . . . 5....So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wiſdom. Whatſoeverthy band findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wiſdom, in the grave whither thou goeſt. . . . . . . . • * * * : - REMARKS, - From this affe&ting view of the ſhortneſs of life, it is plain that time ſhould not be waſted. Robbèrs of time are more dangerous enemies that robbers of money ; because they take away that which no money can pur- chaſe and replace. And one of the moſt notorious robbers of time is gaming at cards ; for it tends to ho improvement, either of body or mind. Is it the part of creatures, who are capable by intel- le&ual and moral improvements, of riſing continually in the ſcale of being ; is it conſiſtent with their rank,to ſpend their time in ſhuffling and diſtributing a number of pieces of ſpotted paper, to the entire excluſion of all ideas, excepting thoſe few which belong to the game? . . - t - ~. ... " * Is our ſpan of life in this world too long Have we THE BIBLE. 177 time more than enough P Why elſe ſhould any waſte their time with more prodigality than even the ſpend- thrift waſtes his money P Why elſe ſhould they con- trive to annihilate time by turning a large portion of their exiſtence into a mere blank P , - . . - ? But beſides that gaming is a waſte of time, it has, in a manifold view, a very pernicious tendency : and, ac- cordingly, in every civilized and well regulated ſtate, it is either totally prohibited, or limited and reſtrained ...by law. * * * ‘. . . . . - ; : It ſeizes and overpowers the minds of people, like a ... ſort of enchantment, and withdraws their attention from * the various neceſſary occupations and duties of life. *It'ſſitates the paſſions, ſours the temper; and leads to contention, to protane ſwearing, to intemperate drink- ing, and to a general diſſipation of property and profli- gacy of "manners. By anxiety' and exceſſive night- , watchings, it injures the health. Gambling for tiloney, in large bets, is the highway to every kind of knavery and villany. It habituates the mind to lying and cheating. The ſucceſsful gam- bler obtains his money at the expence of moral prin- ciples. The unfortunate gameſter, ſtung to the heart with the ſenſe of his loſſes, and rendered deſperate, is in a prepared flate for forgery, burglary, highway rob- bery, or, indeed, for any kind of villany whatever, by which he may hope to repair his loſſes, Ör to ſup- port himſelf without induſtry. - If all our unhappy fellow-creatures who have died on the gallows, or are confined in the ſtate-priſons, had written memoirs of their lives, it would probably, be found that more than three-fourths of them had frequently ſpent their nights at the gambling table. Let youth of either ſex be ſolemnly warned againſt . this vortex of deſirućtion. Shun gambling : avoid it, 43 you would the manſions of death : Shun it, as you . 2. * * *: . . would ſhun a den of rebbers, around which are to be ſeen innumerable ſculls and bones of murdered men and women. CHAPTER XI. . . . . ExPostulations of GoD WITH 70B. - ... I HE Lord anſwered Job out of the whirlwind, and aid, Who is this that darkeseth counſel by words without knowledge 2 I will demand of thee, and aniwer thou me. Where waſ thou when Išaid the foundations of the earth P. Declare, if thou haſtºun- derſtanding. - -- . . . . . . . 2...Who hath laid the meaſure thereaf, if thou knoweſt? Or who hath ſtretched the Hine upon it 2 Whereupon are the foundations thereof faſtened P. Or who laid the corner-ſtone thereof, when the morning #2rs ſang together, and all the ſons of God ſhouted for 3....Who ſhut up the ſea with doors, when I made the cloud the garnent thereof, and thick darkneſs a ſwaddling band for it, and ſet bars and doors, and ſaid, Hitherto ſhaft. thou come, but no targher ; and here ſhall thy proud waves be łlayed 2 Haſt thou entered in- to the ſprings of the ſea 2 Or haſt thou walked in the fearch of the depth P. - 4::::Haſt thou commanded the morning ſince thy days 2 and cauſed the day-ſpring to know his place Have the gates of death been opened unto thee P-Or hiſt thou feen the doors of the ſhadow of death. P Where is the way where light dwelleth 2 And as for darkneſs, where is the place thereof * Knoweſt thou it, becauſe thou waſt, then born ? Or becauſe the number of thy days is many P - • . . . . - THE BIBLE. 1:9 5....Haft thou entered into the treaſures of the ſnow, or haſ thou ſeen the treaſures of the hail, which I have reſerved againſt the time of trouble, againſt the day of battle and war 7 By what way is the light parted 2 Who hath divided a water courſe for the overflowing of waters ? or a way for the lightning of thunder, to cauſe it to rain on the earth, where no water is ; to ſatisfy the deſolate and waſte ground, and to cauſe the bud of the tender herb to ſpring forth P … . . . 6....Knoweſt thou the ordinances of heaven 2 Canſt thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee P Canft thou ſend lightnings, that they may go, and ſay unto thee, Here we are 2 Canſ; thou bind the ſweet influences of Plieades, or léoſe the bands of Orion ? Canft thou bring forth Maz- zaroth in his ſeaſon 2 Or canſt thou guide Archturus with his ſons P. • , . . . . 7....Who hath put wiſdom in the inward parts? Or who hath given underſtanding to the heart P. Who ean ‘number the clouds in wiſdom P Or who can flay the bottles of heaven, when the duſt groweth into hardneſs, and the clods cleave faſt together P Who provideth for the raven his food P when his young ones; cry unto {}od, they wander for lack of meat. . . . . 8....Gaveſt thou the goodly wings unto the peacock P. or wings and feathers unto the oſtrich P which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the duff, and forgetteth that the foot may cruſh them, or that the wild beaſt may break them. She is hardened againſt her young ones, as though they were not hers: becauſe God hath deprived her of wiſdom, neither hath he im- parted to her underſtanding. . - . , 9...Doth the hawk fly by thy wiſdom, and ſtretch her wings toward the ſouth P. Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her neſt on high ſhe 180, BEAUTIES OF dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the , “rock: from thence ſhe ſeeketh her prey, and her eyes behold afar off. Her young ones alſo ſuck up blood : and where the ſlain are there is ſhe. 10,...Who hath ſent out the wild aſs free, cr looſed his bands P Whoſe houſe I have made the wilderneſs, and the barren land his dwelling. He ſcorneth the “multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the cry of the driver. The range of the mountains is his paſture, and he ſearcheth after every green thing. 11.... Will the unicorn (now called rhinoceros) be willing to ſerve thee, or abide by thy crib 7 Canfl thou bind the linicorn with his bands in a furrow 2 or will he harrow, the vallies after thee P Wilt thou truſt him, becauſe his ſtrength is great P Wilt thou believe him that he will bring home thy harveſt, and gather it into thy barn ? *- . . . . . - 12....Haſ thou given the horſe ſtrength 2 Haſt thou clothed his neck with thunder P Canſt thou make him afraid as a graſshopper ? The glory of his noſtrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his ſtrength : he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted ; neither turn- eth his back from the ſword. . . - 13....The quiver rattleth againſt him, the glittering ſpear and the ſhield. He ſwalloweth the ground with fierceneſs and rage. He faith among the trumpets, Ha, ha and he ſmelleth the battle afar off, the thun- der of the captains and the ſhouting." 14...Behold, now Behemoth (the hippopotamus, or river horſe) which I made with thee, he eateth graſs as an ox, Lo now his ſirength is in his joins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar : and his finews are wrapped together. THE BIBLE, * His bohes are as ſtrong pieces of braſs, and are as bars. of iron. Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beaſts of the field play. 15....He lieth under the ſhady trees, in the covert of the reeds and fems. The ſhady trees cover him with their ſhadow ; the willows of the brook compaſs him about. Behold, he drinketh up a river, and haſleth not : he truſteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. . - 16...canation draw out leviathan (the crocodile) with an hook 2 or his tongue with a cord which thou letteſt down P Canſt thou put an hook into his noſe Wilt thou play with him as with a bird P Canſt thou filt his ſkin with barbed irons P or his head with fiſh-ſpears P None is ſo fierce that dare ſtir him up : Who then is able to ſtand before me * Whatſoever is under the whole heaven is mine. . 17....Who can diſcover the face of his garment P. or who can open the doors of his face P. His teeth are ter. fible round about. His ſcales are his pride, ſhut up ; together as with a cloſe ſeal. One is ſo near to another that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another, they ſtick together, that they cannot be. fundered. - 18...By his néeſings a light doth ſhine, and his eyes are like the eye-lids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and ſparks of fire leap out. Out o his noiſirils goeth ſmoke, as out of a ſeething pot or caldron. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. . In his neck, remaineth ſtrength: The flakes of his fleſh are joined together; they are firm in themſelves, they cannot be moved. . . . . , , ig....His heart is as firm as a ſtone; yea, as hard as à piece of a nether millſtone. When he raiſeth up himſelf . the mighty are afraid:The ſword of him that layeth at hiri *º ºz. ... - BEAUTIES OF cannºt hold ; the ſpear, the dart, nor the habergeon, He eſteemeth iron as ſtraw, and braſs as rotten wood. ... go....The arrow cannot make him flee : darts are counted as ſtubble : he laugheth at the ſhaking of a ſpear. He maketh the deep to boil like a pot : he ma- -keth a path to ſhine after him. Upon earth there is not . his like, who is made without fear. - 21....Moreover the Lord anſwered job, and ſaid, Wilt-thou condemn me, that thou mayeſt be righteous * Haſt thou an arm like God P or canſt thou thunder with a voice like him f Deck thyſelf now with majeſty and excellency, and array thyſelf with glory and beau- ty. Caſt abroad the rage of thy wrath ; and behold ev- ery one who is proud, and abaſe him. Tread down the wicked in their place, and hide them in the duſt together. Then will I alſo confeſs unto thee that thine own right hand can ſave thee. . . . - 22:…And job anſwered the Lord and ſaid, I know that thou canít do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. I have uttered that I un- derſtood not ; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.’ Hear, I beſeech thee, and I will ſpeak : I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear : but now mine eye feeth thee: wherefore I abhormyſelf, and re- pent in duſt and aſhes. s • . " - 23....And the Lord turned the adverſity of Job : alſo the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before, Then came there unto him all his brethren and all his fiſters, and all they who had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his houſe ; and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. So the Lord bleſſed the latter end of Job more than the begin- ning. And he had ſeven ſons and three daughters ; and in all the land were no wornen found; ſo fair as the daughters of Jobs. THE BIBLE. 183 - REMARKS. . . . A very confiderable part of the Old Teſtament was originally written in poetry. Of this deſcription are the prophetic writings in general, as well as the book , of Pſalms. The book of Job alſo, in the original, is poetry, excepting the two firſt chapters, and the latter part of the laſt Chapter. It is a poem of the dramatic kind; and it will ever be admired by all perſons of a refined taſte, as well for the exquiſite beauties of its compoſition, as for the invaluable treaſure of moral and religious inſtrućtion, which it contains. . “Its beauties (obſerved a good judge of fine writing) are too numerous, and various to be mentioned ; but, the bold figures, the ſtriking interrogationsta—the fine deſcription of man’s frailty—the panegyric upon wiſ. dom—Job's contraſt of his former and preſent circum-. flances—the introdućtion, and above all, the ſpeech. of the Deity, are unequalled by any poet, ancient or Semodern.” . . . ! . . Dr. Dwight's Oration, Anno. 1772. CHAPTER XII. ** * DAVID'S ELEGY. - ...Now the Philiſtines fought againſ Iſael s and the men of Iſrael fled from before the Philiſ, times, and fell down ſlain in Mount Gilboa. And the Philiſtines followed hard upon Saul, and upon his ſons; and the Philiſtines ſlew Jonathan ; and the battle went - fore againſt Saul, and the archers hit him ; and he was fore wounded of the archers.-And Saul took a ſword, and fell upon it. And David lamented with this lamen- tation over Saul, and over Jonathan his ſon. 184 BEAUTIES OF 2...." The beauty of Iſrael is ſlain upon the high places; how are the mighty fallen Tel; it not in Gath, publiſh it not in the ſtreets of Aſkeion; leſt the dāughters of the Philiſtines rejoice, leſt the daughters of the uncircumciſed triumph. • 3....Ye mountains of Giſboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you, nor fields of of- ſerings ; for there the ſhield of the mighty is vilely caſt away, the ſhield of Saul, as though he had not been an- nointed with oil. From the blood of the ſlain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the ſword of Saul returned not empty. 4....Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleaſant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided : they were ſwifter than eagles, they were ſtronger than lions. Ye daughters of Iſrael, weep over Saul, who clothed you in ſcarlet, with other delights ; who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. How are the mighty fallen in the midſt of the battle ! . 5....O Jonathan, thou waſ ſlain intbine high places. I am diſtreſſed for thee, my brother Jonathan ; very pleaſant haſt thou been unto me : thy love to me was wonderful, paſſing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war periſhed ''' - REMARKS. “The poet's fear leſ, the Philiſines ſhould hear and rejoice, that the beauty of Iſrael was ſlain upon the high places—his apoſtrophe to the mountains of Gilboa— his elegant addreſs to the fair-ones of Iſrael to ſympa- thize with bin in his diſtreſs—his tender addreſs to his beloved brother Jonathan, upon remembrance of their intimacy—with the repetition of that paſſionate excla- mation,-" How are the mighty fallen P are ſo many different circumſtances, which all contribute to raiſe this pièce to the higheſt degree of elegiac perie&ion.” Dr. Dwight's Oration. THE BIBLE, 85 CHAPTER XIII. THE WORDs of AGUR. - 1.... HO hath aſcended up into heaven, or deſcended ? Who hath gathered the winds in his fiſts 2 Who hath bound the waters in a garment 2 Who hath eſtabliſhed all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his ſon's name, if thou canſt tell ? every word of God is pure : He is a ſhield unto thern that put their truſt in him. Add thou not unto his words, leſ; he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 2....Two things have I required of thee ; deny me them not before I die : remove far from me vanity and lies ; give me neither poverty nor riches ; feed me with food convenient for me : left I be full, and deny thee, and ſay, Who is the Lord P. Or left I be poor, and ſteal, and take the name of my God in vain. CHAPTER XIV. THE ROYAL PREACHER, 1.... I HE words of the preºcher, the ſon of David, king of Jeruſalem. Vanity of vanities, faith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. One gen- eration paſſeth away, and another generation cometh : the ſun alſo riſeth, and the fun goeth down. All the rivers run into the ſea; yet the ſea is not full. All things are full of labour : the eye is nor ſatisfied with feeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. . . . . . 2....I ſaid in mine heart, Come on, I will prove thee with mirth ; therefore enjoy pleaſure : and, behold, this alſo is vanity. I made me great works; Ibnilded 186 BEAUTIES OF me houſes; I planted me vineyards ; I, made me gar. dens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruit; I made me pools of water; I got me ſervants and maids ; alſo I had great poſſeſſions above all who were in Jeruſalem before me. I gathered me alſo ſilver and gold, and the pe. culiar treaſure of kings and of the provinces ; I gat me men. ſingers, and women-ſingers, and the delights of the ſons of men, as muſical inſtruments, and that of all ſorts : and whatſoever mine eyes deſired, I kept not from them : I withheld not my heart from any joy. 4....Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do : and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of ſpirit, and there was no profit under the ſun. And I turned myſelf to behold wiſdom and folly. Then I ſaw that wiſdom excelleth folly as far as light excelleth darkneſs. 5....God hath made every thing beautiful in his ſea- ſon. To every thing there is a ſeaſon, and a time to ev- ery purpoſe under the heaven : a time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted: a time to weep, and a time to ºugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance: a time to get, and a time to loſe : a time to keep ſilence, and a time to ſpeak. I ſaid in mine heart, God ſhall judge the righteous and the wicked. 6....I returned, and I ſaw vanity under the ſun. There is one alone, and there is not a ſecond ; yea, he hath neither child nor brother : yet there is no end of all his labour : neither is his eye ſatisfied with riches; neither faith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my ſoul of good P * 7....There is a ſore evil which I have ſeen under the fun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their ** THE BIBLE, 187 hurt. There is an evil which I have ſeen under the fun, and it is common among men ; a man to whom God hath given riches, wealth and honor, ſo that he wanteth nothing for his ſoul of all that he deſireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a ſtran- ger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil diſeaſe. 8....Behold that which I have ſeen : it is good and comely for one to eat, and to drink, and to enjoy the good of his labour that he taketh under the ſun all the days of his life, which God giveth him ; for it is his . portion. Every man alſo to whom God hath given riches, and wealth, and hath given him power to eat. thereof, and to take' his portion, and to rejoice in his kabour; this is the gift of God. - ....The ſleep of a labouring man is ſweet, whether he eat little or much : but the abundance of the rich will not ſuffer him to ſleep. Better is an handful with quietneſs, than both the hands full with toil and vexa- tion of ſpirit. . e . * . . . . . . 10....Wiſdom is better than weapons of war. There was a little city, and few men within it; and there. came a great king againſt it, and beſieged it, and built. great bulwarks againſt it. Now there was found in it a poor wiſe man, and he by his wiſdom delivered the city : yet no man remembered that ſame poër riffan. Then ſaid I, Wiſdom is better than ſtrength: never. leſs, the poor man's wiſdom is deſpiſed, and his words are not heard. . . . . . . . . 11.... A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to the houſe of mourning than to go to the houſe of feaſting : for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. It it better to hear the rebuke of the wiſe, than to hear the ſong of fools : 188 BEAUTIES of for as the cracking of thorns under a pot, fo is the laughter of a fool. S 12....To him, who is joined to all the living, there is hope : for a living dog is better than a dead lion. The living know that they ſhall die : but the dead know not any thing ; for the memory of them is for- gotten. Alſo their love, and their hatred, and their envy is now periſhed; neither have they any more por- tion forever of any thing that is done under the ſun. . 13:...I returned and ſaw under the ſun, that the race is not to the ſwift, nor the battle to the ſtrong, neither yet bread to the wiſe, nor yet riches to men of under- ſtanding, nor yet favor to men of ſkill ; but time and chance happens to thern all. Man alſo knoweth not his time : as the fiſhes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the ſnare: ſo are the fons of men ſnared in an eviſ time, when it falleth ſud- denly upon them. - - 14....Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made mail upright; but they have fought out many in- ventions. Becauſe ſentence againſt an evil work is not executed ſpeedily, therefore the heart of the ſons of men is fully ſet in them to do evil. - - 15....Though a ſinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet ſurely I know that it ſhall be well with them who fear God. But it ſhall . not be well with the wicked, neither ſhall be prolong his days, becauſe he feareth not God. *- * 16....In the day of proſperity be joyful, but in the day of adverſity confider. Be not haſty in thy ſpirit to be angry : for anger reſteth in the boſom of fools. . Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou fooliſh : why ſhouldeſt thou die before thy time - 17.i.Truly the light is ſweet, and a pleaſant thing it is to behold the ſun : but if a man live many years, THE BIBLE. 189 and rejoice in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkneſs ; for they ſhall be many. . . . . . 18....Rejolce, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the fight of thine eyes: but know thou that for all theſe things God will bring ..thee into judgment. .* 19...Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou ſhalt ſay, I have no pleaſure in them ; while the ſun, or the light, or the moon, or the ſtars, be not darkened : becauſe man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the ſtreets. Then ſhall the duſt return to the earth as it was ; and the ſpirit ſhall return unto God who gave it. - 20....Let us hear the concluſion of the whole mat- ter; Fear God, and keep his commandments : for this. is the whole duty of man. For God ſhall bring every work into judgment, with every ſecret thing, whether, it be good, or whetherit be evil. . . . . . . . . CHAPTER. xv. THE DIVINE EXCELLENCY, AND CALLs - OF WISDOM. - 1.... VW HERE ſhall wiſdom be found 2 Man' knoweth not the price thereof: it cannot be gotten for gold, neithef ſhall filver be weighed for the price of it. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious Onyx, or the Sapphire. The gold and the cryſtal cannot equal it : and the exchange of it ſhall not be for jewels of fine gold. — - - - 192 BEAUTIES OF 2...No mention ſhall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wiſdom is above rubies. The topaz ot. Ethiopia ſhall not equal it, neither ſhall it be valued with pure gold. God underſtandeth the way thereof: and unto man he ſaid, Behold the fear of the . that is wiſdom ; and to depart from evil is undeſ anding. - * 3....Happy is the man who findeth wifdom, and the man that getieth underſtanding: for the merchandize of it is better than the merchandize of ſilver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canſt deſire are not to be compared unto her. . 4....Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. . Her ways are ways cf. pleaſantneſs, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to all them who lay hold upon her ; and happy is every one who retaineth her, • , , 5....I wiſdom dwell with prudence: I love them who love me; and thoſe who ſeek me early ſhall find me. Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteouſneſs. My fruit is better than gold ; yea, than fine gold ; and my revenue than choice ſilver. I lead in the way of righteouſneſs; that I may cauſe thoſe who love me to inherit ſubſtance ; and I will fill their treaſures. - - . . . 6....The Lord poſſeſſed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was ſet ºftom ever- latting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was, When there were no depths I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with Water. Be- fore the mountains were ſettled; before th£hills was I brought forth. * 7....When he prepared the heavens I as there ; when he eſtabliſhes the clouds above ; when he gave THE BIBLE, 191 to the ſea his decree, that the waters ſhould not paſs his commandment ; when he appointed the foundation of the earth : Then was I by him as one brought up with him ; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing, al- ways before him : rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the ſons of men. 8....Now, therefore, hearken unto me, O ye children : łor bleſſed are they who keep my ways. Hear inſtruc- tion, and be wiſe, and refuſe it not. Bleſſed is the ‘man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waite , sing at the poſts of my doors. For whoſo findeth me, findeth life, and ſhall obtain favor of the Lord : but he that finneth againſt me wrongeth his own ſoul : all they who hate me love death. ~~~~ - , 9....Doth not wiſdom cry And underſtanding put forth her voice She ſtandeth in the top of high pla: ces, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors : unto you, O men, I call ; and my voice is to the ſons of men. O ye ſimple, underſtand-wiſdom; and ye fools, be ye of an underſtanding heart. 1o....Hear ; for I will ſpeak of excellent things: my mouth ſhall ſpeak truth ; all the words of my mouth are in righteouſneſs: they are all plain to him that un- derſtandeth. . . . . . . . . - 11....Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forſake the tooliſh, and live ; and go in the way of underſtanding. Receive my in: frućtion rather than choice gold. For wiſdom is bets tº than rubies : and the fear of the Lord is the begins hing of wiſdom. - • * , * 198 BEAUTIES of CHAPTER xvi. cAUTION AGAINST RE 7EcTING THE CALLs 0F WISDOM. , 1....J Cºl E that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, haſ ſuddenly be deſtroyed, and that without remedy. And thou mourn at laſt, and ſay, How have I hated inſtrućtion, and my heart deſpiſed reproof; and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them, who inſtrućted me ! I was almoſt in all evil in the midſt of the congregation and aſſembly. 2....Wiſdom crieth without, ſhe uttereth her voice in the ſtreets ; ſhe crieth in the chief place of concourſe; in the city ſhe uttereth her words, ſaying, how long, ye ſimple ones, will ye love ſimplicity ? And the ſcorn- ers delight in their ſcorning 2 And fools hate know- ledge P Turn ye, at my reproof ; behold, I will pour out my ſpirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. . . . . ". - - 3...Becauſe i have called, and ye refuſed . I have firetched out my hand, and no man regarded ; but ye have ſet at naught all my counſel; and would none of my reproof ; I alſo will laugh at your calamity ; I will mock when your fear cometh ; when your fear cometh ãs deſolation, and your deſtrućtion cometh as a whirl. wind; when diſtreſs and anguiſh come upon you. - - 4....Then ſhall they call upon me, but I will not an: ſwer ; becauſe they hated knowledge, and did not chooſe the fear of the Lord ; they would none of my counſel; they deſpiſed all my reproof : therefore ſhall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. THE BIBLE. 193 CHAPTER XVII. • * INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS cowTRASTED. 1 . . . . . H HE hand of the diligent maketh rich, The hand of the diligent ſhall bear rule: but the ſloth- ful ſhall be under tribute. Seeſt thou a man diligent in his buſineſs 2 He ſhall ſtänd before kings ; he ſhall not ſtand before méân men. He that tiſſeth his land ſhall be ſatisfied with bread. Wealth gotten by vanity ſhall be diminiſhed : but he that gathereth by labour ſhall increaſe, . - 2:...The ants are a people not ſtrong, yet they pre- pare their meat in the ſummet. Go to the ant thou ñº. conſider her ways, and be wiſe : which hav. ing no guide, overſeer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the ſummer, and gathereth her food in the harvéſt. 3....How long wilt thou ſleep, O ſluggard 2 When wift thou ariſe out of thy ſleep 2 Yet a little ſleep, a . little ſlumber, a little folding of the hands to ſleep : So ſhall thy poverty coine as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man; r 4....I went by the field of the ſlothful ; and; ſo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had cov- ered the face thereof, and the ſtone-wall thereof was broken down. Then I ſaw; and conſidered it well: I looked upon it and received inſtruäion. 3....As ſmoke to the eyes, ſo is the ſluggard to them who ſend him. The ſoul of the ſluggard deſireth; and hath nothing ; and as the ſluggard will not plow; therefore ſhall he beg in harveſt. . R 194 BEAUTIES OF - CHAPTER XVIII. A CAUTION AGAINST GLUTTONY AND DRU,VKENAWESS. 1 . . . . E not deſirous of dainties ; for they are deceitful meat : the morſel which thou haſt eaten, thou ſhalt vomit up. Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of fleſh : for the drunkard and the glut- ton ſhall come to poverty ; and drowſineſs ſhall clothe a man with rags, Their end is deſtruttion, whoſe God is their belly. 2....Who hath woe 2 Who hath ſorrow 2 Who bath contentions 2 Who hath babbling 2 Who bath wounds Who hath redneſs of eyes 2 They who tarry long at the wine. 3..., Look not thou upon the wine, when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itſelf aright ; at the laſt it biteth like a ſerpent, and fingeth like an adder. Wine is a mocker, ſtrong drink is raging, and whoſoever is deceived thereby is not wife. ... • . . . . . REMARKS. The force of habit and the extreme danger of fix. ing any bad habit, particularly that of drenkenneſs, may be aptly illuſtrated by moralizing the following piece of natural hiſtory. . - “On the coaſts of Norway is a dreadful whirlpool called by the natives Maelſtroom, which ſignifies the navel of the ſea. The body of the waters which form this whirlpool is extended in a circle above thirteen miles in circumference. In the midſt of this ſtands a rock, againſt which the tide, in its ebb, is daſhed with inconceivable fuſſy when it inſtantly ſwallows up all things which comes within the ſphere of its violence. THE BIBLE. - * 19% - f “No ſkill in the mariner, nor ſlrength of rowing, can work an efcape. The ſailor at the helm finds the ſhip at firſt go in a current oppoſite to his intentions; his veſſel's motion, though ſlow in the beginning, be-, comes every moment more rapid : it goes round in eircles, ſtill narrower and narrower, till at laſt it is daſhed againſt the rock and entirely diſappears.” And thus it fares with the hapleſs youth that falls un- der the power of any vicious habit. At firſt he indul- ges with caution and timidity, and ſtruggles againſt the fiream of vicious inclinations. But every relapſe car- ries him further down the current, (the viclence of which, increaſes) and brings him ſtill nearer to the fatal rock in the midſt of the whirlpool; till, at length flupi- fied and ſubdued; he yields without a ſtruggle, and makes ſhipwreck of conſcience, of intereſt, of reputa- tion, and of every thing that is dear and valuable in the human charaćler, . +. - : It ſhould alſo be obſerved, on the other band, that good habits are powerful as well as baºzºnes : there- fore, no better advice can be given to #. than the ioliowing : “Chooſe the moſt rational and beſt way of living, and habit will ſoon make it the moſt agreeabie.” CHAPTFR xix. ... 0.v S ABBATH KEEPING AND PUBLIC 190ASHIP. , sº ...RE MEMBER the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Bleſſed is the man that doth j idgment and juſ- tice, and who keepeth the Sabbath figin, polluting it. Every one, who keepeth my Sabbath from polluting it, will I bring to my holy mountain, and flake theus joy- ful in mine houſe of prayer. * . . . . . 196 BEAUTIES OF 2....From one Sabbath to another, ſhalf all fleſh come to worſhip before me, faith the Lord. I was glad when they ſaid unto me, Let us go into the houſe of the Lord. I had rather be a door keeper in thine houſe than to dwell in the tents of wickedneſs. 3 ...Ye ſhall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my . ſanétuary : I am the Lord. K. ep thy toot (be ſerious and attentive) when thou goeſ to the houſe of God, and be more ready to hear than to give ibe ſacrifice.of fools. Be not raſh with thy mºuth, and let not thine heart be haſty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth ; therefore let thy words be few. REMARK3. Scarcely any prattice can be named that is more in- decent, than whiſpering, laughing, or in any way, giv. ing needleſs and deſigned interruption, at the time and place of public worſhip: . Not to mention the atheiſtical profanity of ſuch con- dućt, it is the groſſeſt inſult upon all the ſerious part of the aſſembly ; and it plainly diſcovers that the offender, beſides being devoid of religion, is either ignorant of the rules of good breeding, or, violates them wilfully, and with inſufferable inſolence. CHAPTER xx. ribn AGAINST sureTISHIP. 1....JDE not thou one of them who ſtrike hands, or örthém, who are ſureties for debts. A man void of underſtanding ſtriketh hands, and becometh ſurety. He that is ſurety for a ſtranger ſhall ſmart for it; and he that hateth ſufetiſhip is ſure. THE BIBLE. 197 2....My ſon, if thou be ſurety for thy friend, if thou haſ ſtricken thy hand with a ſtranger, thou art ſnared with the words of thy mouth : do this now, my ſon, and deliver thyſelf. Give not ſleep to thine eyes, nor' ſlumber to thine eye-lids. Deliver thyſelf as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and * a bird from the hand of the fowler. - , sº \; -\ . REMARKS.. " # i . *, , “Striking hands,”:6r ſeizing each other by the #hand, is ſaid to have been a common ceremony among the ancients, whenever they entered into any contraët * of ſuretiſhip ; and from hence aroſe the phraſe, ſtriking hands, to denote, the engagement of one perſon as a ſurety for another. It is not ſuppéſ ſuretiſhip abſolutely, and, in every inſtance; for the laws of humanity and benevolence do, in ſome inſtan- ces, require that one man ſhould be ſurety for another. But it is a raſh and hazardous furetiſhip that is here denounced and cautioned againſt. And none are ſo liable to be plunged into a raſh and hazardous ſureti- fhip, as an unexperienced youth. . A young man of a warm and generous heart, unac- quainted with the perfidy of the world, and judging others by the fine and delicate feelings of his own ſoul, is peculiarly expoſed to the ſnares of crafty, unprinci- pled men ; and many an amiable youth, of this deſ- cription, have been utterly undone, by involving their fortunes with the deſperate circumſta and abandoned ſharpers. *::: But there is another ſpecies of ſtriking, or ſeizing hands, which is ſtill more fatal to youth of the female fex. * - . - gº When a girl, of virtue and worthºventures to/frike *auds with *sº or, with a män of an unprinci- + . . . *:::-"r 2. nees of worthleſs. £d that Solomon meant to diſcourage AS 198 BEAUTIES OF pled and vicious charačer; when ſhe liſtens to his fair ſpeeches and flattering words, and ſuffers the poiſon thereof to infüſe itſelf into her heart; when ſhe gives her hand to ſuch an one in marriage, it is unſpeakably more imprudent and hazardous than to be ſurety in a large ſum for a worthleſs ſharper. " ' " " " ' 'Ye amiable º as you value your own peace; as you would ſhun the polluted path of the deſtroyer; as you would avoid the piercing (and too often the un- pitied) anguiſh of unfortunate females ; be warned to turn away from the flattery of a ſtranger, and never to truſt yourſelves with a man who has not the deſerved reputation of ſolid virtue. *-* $. - ... . . . . ºf . > ++ º- - • * * , ‘ SELECT PROVERBs of solo Mow. I ...A WISE ſon maketh a glad father: but a fooliſh ſon is the heavineſs of his mother. He becometh poor, who dealeth with a ſlack hand : but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. - He that gathereth in ſummer is a wiſe ſon ; but he that ſleepethin harveſt is a ſon who cauſeth ſhame. 2....The memory of the juſt is bleſſed: but the name of the wicked ſhall rot. " " ' ' ' ' ' ' He that walketh uprightly walketh ſurely : but he that perverteth his ways ſhall be known. " . " in the multitude of words there wanteth, not ſin: but he that refraineth his lips is wife. . . . . . * : The bºffing of he for; it maketh rich, and head- deth no ſorrow with it.” When pride cometh, then comethſhame; but with the lowly is wiſdoñ. - . * . . . . . º. º”". "...º.º. - * . . ** ** . - - - .*.3: . • • - - Wilsº ſport tº a fool to do miſchief. THE BIBLE, 199 When a wicked man dieth his expečiation ſhall periſh : and the hope of the unjuſt man periſheth, A tale-bearer revealeth ſecrets ; but he that is of a faithful ſpirit concealeth the matter. - 4....Where no counſe! is, the people fall ; but in the multitude of counſellors there is ſafety. - "Though hand join in hand the wicked ſhall not be unpuniſhed. . The liberal ſoul ſhall be made fat; and he who wa- tereth, ſhall be watered alſo himſelf. - - A virtuous woman is a crown to her huſband. 5....A fool's wrath is preſently known. . The lip of truth ſhall be eſtabliſhed forever : but a lying tongue is but for a moment. s Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord : but they who deal truly are his delight. The righteous is more excellº n; than his neighbour ; and in the ways of righteouſneſs is life. - 6....A wiſe ſon heareth his father's inſtrućtion : but a fcorner heareth not rebuke. Whoſo deſpiſeth the word ſhall be deſtroyed; but he that feareth the commandment ſhall be rewarded. . . . . . Poverty and ſhame ſhall, be to him who refuſeth in- ſtrućtion. He that walketh with wife men ſhall be wiſe; but a Gompanion of iodls ſhall be deſtroyed. . . . . Train up a child in the way he ſhould go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.*, * : . . . . 7....Fools make a mock at fin. There is an awful miſtaše of ºarents, in £ºint of training up their children, when they employ ſhºolmaſters, or ºft of a vicious charaćier, or . ºf infidel principles. This is to commiſſambs to the ... sco - BEAUTIES of He that deſpiſeth his neighbour finneth : but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. . He that is flow to anger is of great underſtanding : but he that is haſty of ſpirit and ſoon angry, dealeth fooliſhly, . . - - - 8.... The wicked is driven away in his wickedneſs : but the righteous hath hope in his death. • . Righteouſneſs exalteth a nation : , but ſin is a re- proach to any people. . . . . . . - - A ſoft anſwer turneth, away wrath; but grievous words ſtir up anger. … . – Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great tre ſure and trouble there with. ºf • * , 9...Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a ſtalled ox and hatred there with. . . . x Every one who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord. . . . . . - Pride goeth before deſtrućtion, and an haughty ſpir- it before a fall. • . The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſs. - io....He that is ſlow to anger is better than the migh- ty ; and he who ruleth his ſpirit than he that taketh a city. . . . . . • Whoſo mócketh the poor reproacheth his maker; and he that is glad at calamities ſhall not be unpuniſhed. He that covereth the fault of another ſeeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter ſeparateth very friends. 1 t....Whoſo rewardeth evil for geod, evil ſhall not depart from his houſe. . . . ºp He that juſtifieth the wicked, and he who condemn- eth the juſt, even they both are an abomination to the He that is firſt in his swn cauſe ſeemeth juſt : but ... *-* his neighbourgometh and ſearchetb him out. . . * **w. THE BIBLE, scº 12....He that anſwereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and ſhame unto him. * , t ** "A man who hath friends muſt ſhew himſelf friendly : and there is a friend who ſticketh cloſer than a brother. Wealth maketh many friends: but the poor is ſep- arated from his neighbour. - - 13....A falſe witneſs ſhall not be unpriniſhed ; and he who ſpeaketh lies ſhall not eſcape. - - He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord ; and that which he hath given will he pay him. again. He that waſteth his father and chafeth away his mo- ther is a ſon who cauſeth ſhame. 14....Love not ſleep, leſt thou come to poverty: open thine eyes, and thou ſhalt be ſatisfied with bread. . It is nought, it is nought, faith the buyer; but when ` he is gone his way, then he boaſteth. *. Whoſo curſeth his father or his mother, his lamp ſhall be put out in obſcure darkneſs. , - Whoſo ſtoppeth his ears at the c : y of the poor, he alſo ſhall cry himſelf, but ſhall not be heard. 15....He that loveth pleaſure ſhall be a poor man : be who loveth wine and luxury ſhail not be rich. Whoſo keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his ſoul from troubles. - - A good name is rather to be choſen than great riches, and friendſhip rather than ſilver and gold. . The rich and the poor meet together: the Łórd is the maker of them aſl. ... ." . . . . - 16...A prudent man foreſeeth the evil and hideth himſelf; but the ſimple paſs on and are puniſhed. He that ſoweth iniquity, ſhall reap vänity. Hearken u - aſken unto thy father, and deſpiſe not thy mother, when ſhe is old. - - - - - Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth ; and let not soa BEAUTIES OF thins heart be glad when he flumbleth, left the Lord ſee it, and it diſpleaſe him. 17....Fret not thyſelf becauſe of evil men ; and med. dle not with them who are given to change. Every man ſhall kiſs his lips, who giveth a right an- iſwer. . - - - - Put not forth thyſelf in the preſence of the ruler, and ſtand not in the place of great inen : for better it is that it be ſaid unto thee, Come up hither, than that thou ſhoulded be put lower, º, . . . & . . . . . . 18..., Go not forth haſtily to ſtrive, left thou know not what to do in the end thefeof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to ſhame. . . . . . Débate thy cauſe with thy neighbor himſelf, and diſcover not a ſecret to another: leſt he who heareth it put thee to ſhame, and thine infamy turn not away. 15...A word fitly ſpoken is like apples of gold in pic- tures of ſilver. - Withdraw thy font from thy neighbor's houſe; (make not thy viſits too frequent, nor too long :) leaſt he be weary of thee, and ſo hate thee. - . . If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat : 2nd if he be-thirſty, give him water to drink ; (for this benevolence will warm and melt his heart, ) and the Lord will reward thee. - 20....Seeſt thou a man wife in his own conceit * There is more hope of a fool than of him. The ſlothful man ſaith, There is a lion in the way, a lion is in the ſtreets, The ſlothful hideth his hand in his boſom ; and as the door turnetbºupon his hinges, ſo doth the flothful man upon his bed. . . §: 21....He that paſſeth by and meddleth with ſtrife be- longing not to him, is like one who taketh a dog by the ºf S, . . . . . . . . - THE BIBLE, acs As a madman, who caſteth abroad fire-brands, ar- rows and death; ſo is the man who deceiveth his neigh- bour, (or injures him by wanton calumny or other- . ºf and faith, Am not I in ſport 2 §2....Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out ; ſåwhere there is no tale-bearer, the ſtrife ceaſeth. ... The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds. *:A flattering mouth worketh ruin. * . . . * Whoſo diggeth a pit (for others) ſhall fall thereic. ; : Boaſt not thyſelf of to morrow ; for thou knoweſt. not what a day may bring forth. , . . . Let another, man praiſe thee, and not thine own mouth ; a ſtranger, and not thine own lips. 23....Wrath is gruel, and anger is outrageous : but who is able to ſtañd before envy P ... A ſtone is heavy; and the ſand weighty : but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them all. - It is better to dwell in a corner of the houſe-top, than in a wide houſe with a brawling woman. - . A continual dropping, in a very rainy day, and a ſcolding woman are alike. . . 24....Open rebuke is better than ſecret love. - Faithful are the wounding reproofs of a friend; but the kiſſes of an enemy are deceitful. ~ . . . . w * - Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forſake not : neither go into thy brother's houſe, (to weary him with thy complaints) in the time of thy calamity. 25....Remove not the old land-mark ; and encroach not upon the fields of the fatherleſs : for their redeems’ er is mighty ; he ſhall plead their cauſe with thee. *; Be thou diligent to know the ſtate of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds: for riches are not forever. ſo tº...whoi. is a partner with a thief, hateth his ow is 1 Oil is . . . . . . . . . " 1, act BEAUTIES OF The wicked flee when rig man purſueth : but the righteous are as bold as a lion. - -- " Better is the poor, who walketh in his uprightneſs, than he that is perverſe in his ways, though he be rich. 27....He that haſteth to be rich for taketh unlawful methods) hath an evil eye, and conſidereth not that poverty ſhall come upen him. . He that by unjuſt gain increaſeth his ſubſtance, he fhall gather it for him, who will pity the poor. . The rich man is wife in his own conceit: but the poor, who hath underſtatiding, ſearchsth him out. He that truſteth his own heart is a fool. REMARKs. º *...*, *, 3. * * * * * The proverbs of Solomon were: º reparticularly deſign- ed for the inſtrućtion and guidance of youth. Solo- mon himſelf, in the beginning of the book, expreſsly declares it to have been the deſign of his Proverbs, To give to the young man, or, to youth in general, know- iedge and diſcretion. They are a Mine of intelle&tual wealth, from which may be drawn the choigeſt rules for the guidance of hu- man life. They detect the artifices, and lay open the very hearts of the wicked; and accurately mark down, as on a chart, the various rocks and quickſands, where inexperienced and unwary youth have been ſhipwrecked and loſt. - * In a word, Solomon takes his young pupil by the hand, and, amidſt ſurrounding inares, leads him in a ſafe path: he ſhows him the wor'd, and, in the meafi time, inſtrućts him how to live in it, with ſafety and honour. * > . - Happy are the youth, who carefully treaſure up in memory theſe maxims of wiſdom, and make a daily uſe ºn inite regulation and guidante of their own * Wes. - * . THE BIBLE, so; - CHAPTER XXII. The following are a Specimen of the Beauties of the ºf Scripture Compoſition, particularly of the Deſcrip- tive kind. - - - joB's PATHETIC DESCRIPTION OF HIS AFFLICTED STATE, . . . ...Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balance together For now it would be heavier than the ſand of the ſea: therefore my words are ſwallowed up. For the ar- rows of the Almighty are within ine, the poiſon where- . of drinketh up my ſpirit : the terrors of God do ſet themſelves in array againſt me. He breaketh me with breach upon breach. - 2....He hath fenced-up my way that I cannot paſs, and hath ſet darkneſs in my paths. He hath flript ºne of my glory and taken the crown from my head. He häth deſtroyed me on every ſide, and I am gone : and mine hope hath he removed like a tree. He hath - put my brethren 'far from me, and my acquaintance are verily eſtranged from me. My kinsfolk have fail-, ed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. All my inward friends abhorred me; and they whom I lov- ed are turned againſt me. Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends for the hand of God hath touched me. . . . . 3....I am made to poſſeſs months of vanity, and weariſome nights are appointed unto me. When I lie down, I ſay, When ſhalff ariſe, and the night be gone? And I am full of toſſings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. When I ſay, My bed ſhall comförtme} . thy couch ſhall eaſe my complaint;, then thou ſcareſt the with dreams and terrifieſt me through viſions. . . . 206 BEAUTIES OF 4:...My bore cleaveth to my ſkin and to my fleſh. My fleſh is clothed with worms, and clods of duſt; my ſkin is broken, and become loathſomé. I have ſewed ſackcloth upon my ſkin and defried mine honor in the duſt. My face is toul with weeping, and on my eye- lids is the ſhadow of death. O earth, cover not thou my blood, I will ſpeak in the bitterneſs of my ſoul. I wili ſay unto God, Do not condemn me; ſhew me wherefore thou contendeſt with me. Remember I be- . feech thee, that thou haſt made me of the clay, and wilt thou bring me into duſt again P --- A DESCRIPTION OF SOCIETY, POISONED BY DECEIT • - AND SLANDER. . 7er, 9th Chap. 5....Oh that I had in the wilderneſs a lodging place of way-faring men, that I might leave my people and go from them : for they be all, an aſſembly of treach- erous men And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies : but they are not valiant for the truth up- on the earth. . 6....Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and truſt ye not in any brother : for every brother will ut- terly ſupplant, and every neighbor will walk with ſlanders. And they will deceive every one his neigh- bor, and will not ſpeak the truth. They have taught their tongues to ſpeak lies, and weary themſelves to commit iniqnity. Their tongue is as an arrow ſhot out; it ſpeaketh deceit: one ſpeaketh peaceably to his neigh- bor with his mouth, but in-his beart he layeth his wait. A MOST ANIMATED DESCRIPTION OF THE Down FALL OF A MIGHTY ConquEROR AND OPPRESSOR OF NA- TIONs. Iſaiah, 14th Chap. *7:...Thou ſhalt take up this proverb againſt the king of Babylon, and ſay, How hath the oppreſſor ceaſed the golden city ceaſed The Lord hath broken the ſtaff – TH BIBLE. •oz of the wicked. He who frnote the people in wrath with a continual ſtroke, he that ruled the nations in an- ger, is perſecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at reſt, and is quiet : they break iórth into: ſinging. * - - 8....Yea, the fir-trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, ſaying, Since thou art laid down, no feller hath come up againſt us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming : it ſtirreth is p the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raiſed up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they ſhall ſpeak and ſay unto thee, Art thou alſo become weak as we ? Art thou become like unto as P - - 9....Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noiſe of thy viols: the worm is ſpread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou tallen from hea- ven, O Lucifer, ſon of the morning ! How art thou cut down to the ground, which did it weaken the na- tions !. For thou haſt ſaid in thine heart, I will aſcend into heaven, I will erećt my throne above the ſtars of G. d:—I will aſcend above the heights of the clouds; 1 will be like the Moſt High. to....Yet thou ſhalt he brought down to heli, to the fides of the pit. They that ſee ſhall narrowly look upon thee, and confider thee, ſaying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did ſhake the king- doms ? That made the world as a wilderneſs and de- ſtroyed the cities thereof * * . a DESCRIPTION OF A TEMPEST AT SEAs . . 11....They that go down to the ſea in ſhips, that do buſineſs in great waters : theſe ſee the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. Föf - * "- - - the command- eth, and raiſeth the flormy wind, which lifteth up the 208 BEAUTIES OF waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths : their ſoul is melted becauſe of trouble. They reel to and fro, and ſtagger like a drunken mar, and are at their wits' end. 12....Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their diſtreſſes. He mak- eth the ſtorm a calm, ſo that the waves thereof are ſtill. Then are they glad becauſe they be quiet; ſo he bring- eth thern unto their deſired haven. Oh that men would praiſe the Lord for his goodneſs, and for his wonder- ful works to the children of men. REMARK. - *A In compariſon with this, Virgil's admired deſcrip- tion of a tempeſt, literally tranſlated into Engliſh, is flat and infipid. - The State-priſon : or a deſcription(in an accommodat- ed Senſe) of the mournful State and joyful Releaſe of penitent Criminals, that had been condemned to Impriſonment and Hard Labour. 13 ...Fools, becauſe of their tranſgreſſion and be- cauſe of their iniquities, are afflićled. Such fit in darkneſs and in the ſhadow of death, being bound in afflićtion and iron : becauſe they rebelled againſt the words of God, and contemned the counſel of the Moſt High. Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. 14....Then they cried unto the Lord in their trou- ble, and he ſaved them out of their diſtreſſes. . He brought them out of darkneſs, and the ſhadow of death, and brake their bands aſunder. Oh that men would praiſe the Lord for his goodneſs, and for his wonderful works to the children of men For he hath broken the gates of braſs, and cut the bars of iron aſunder. --- f THE BIBLE. so ELIPHAz's DESCRIPTION OF AN APPAR ITION OR . . . GHOST, - . !" 15....In thoughts from the viſions of the night, when deep ſleep falleth on men, fear came upon me, and trembling which made all my bones to ſhake. Then a ſpirit paſſed before my face—The hair of my fleſh flood. up—lt ſtood ſtill—But I could not diſcern the form thereof—An image was before mine eyes—There was ſilence—Then I heard a voice, ſaying, Shall mortal man be more juſt than God 2–Shall a man be more pure than his Maker - - - * - - REMARK, - In reading theſe lines one's blood is ready to curdle, as it were, with horror. The conſternation of Eliphaz, denoted by the ſhaking of all his bones, and his hair briſtling, or ſtanding on end—The indeſcribable form of the ghoſt—His ſolemn ſtillneſs and filence, at the firſt ; and the awful words, which he finally uttered, are circumſtances of a moſt affecting nature. Neither Virgil's Polydoreus, or Shakeſpeare's Ghoſt in Hamlet, do, by any means, ſtrike the mind with equal ſolem- nity and awe. - . A MORNING SCENE IN THE COUNTRY. 16....My beloved ſpake and ſaid unto me, Riſe up my love, my fair one and come away; for lo, the winter is paſt, the rain is over and gone ; the flowers. appear on the earth ; the time of the ſinging of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land : the fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good ſmell. . . . . 17....Come, my beloved, let us go into the field— Let us get up early to the vineyards: let us fee if the vine flouriſh, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth. . . . . . . . . . . . .S 2. - . . . . . 2 : O BEAUTIES OF - * - REMARK. The foregoing lines, independent of their ſpiritual meaning, are a moſt delicate and beautiful deſcription of country ſcenes, ſurpaſſing in charms the deſcrip- tive poetry even in Thompſon's Seaſons. A DESCRIPTION of THE DESOLATING MARCH of AN ARMY OF LOCU STS. - - Joel, 2d Chap. 18....A fire devoureth before then, and behind them a-flamé burneth : the land is as the garden of E- den before them, and behind them a deſolate wilder- neſs; yea, and nothing ſhall eſcape them. The ap- pearance of them is as the appearance of horſes ; and as horſemen, ſo ſhall they run. Like the noiſe of char- iots on the tops of mountains ſhall they leap, like the noiſe of a flaine of fire that devoureth the ſtubble, and a ſtrong people ſet in battle array. - 19....They ſhall run like mighty men: they ſhall climb the wall like men of war ; and they ſhall march every one on his ways, and they ſhall not break their ranks : neither ſhall one thruſt another, they ſhall walk every one in his path. They ſhall run to and fro in the city ; they ſhall run upon the wall; they ſhall climb up upon the houſes ; they ſhall enter in at the windows like a thief. The Sun and the moon ſhall be dark, (by reaſon of the ſwarms of locuſis that fill the air) and the ſtars thall withdraw their ſhining. - REMARK. It is gratifying to compare this with the correſpon- ding deſcriptions, which modern travellers give of the match of locuſts through the land of Syria—keeping their ranks like diſciplined troops, and their frightful progreſs every where marked with utter deiolation. THE BIBLE. 21. CHAPTER XXIII. - BABYLON STREAMS, AN ELEGY. - 1 . . . . Y the rivers of Babylon, there we ſat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midſt thereof. For there, they who carried us away captive required of us a ſong ; and they who waſted us requir- ed of us mirth, ſaying, Sing us one of the ſongs of Zi- OI) • . ! - 2....How ſhall we ſing the Lord’s ſong in a ſtrange land 2 If I forget thee, O Jeruſalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof ol my mouth.-If I pre- Her not Jeruſalem above my chief joy. - .** O daughter of Babylon, who art to be deſtroyed; happy the man that rewardeth thee, as thou haſt ſerved. CHAPTER xxiv. AN ABSTRACT GF 7EREMIAH's ELECY ON THE BABYLONISH CAPTIPITY. 1 . . . . OW doth the city fit folitary that was full of people ! How has ſhe become a widow ! She weepeth fore in the night, her tears are on her cheeks; among all her lovers ſhe hath none to comfort her. . 2....Judah is gone into captivity; ſhe dwelleth a . mong the heathen, ſhe findeth no reſt. The ways of Zion do mourn, becauſe none come to the ſolemn feaſis: all her gates are deſolate: her prieſts figh, her - virgins are afflićted, and ſhe is in bitterneſs. From 212 BEAUTIES OF the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed; her em. . emies proſper, and her children have gone into captiv- Ity. . s ºf - - 3....Jeruſalem remembered in the days of her afflic- tion, and of her miſeries, all the pleaſant things which ſhe had in the days of old. Jeruſalem, hath grievouſly finned ; therefore ſhe is removed : all who honored her, deſpiſe her, becauſe they have ſeen ber ſhame. Her adverſaries ſaw her, and did mock at her Sabbaths. 4.... Zion ſpreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her : ſhe remembered not her laſt end ; therefore ſhe came down wonder fully ; ſhe had no comforter. All her people ſigh, they ſeek bread; they have given their pleaſant things for meat to relieve the foul. -. - - 5....Is it nothing to you, all ye who paſs by ? Behold, and ſee if there be any ſorrow like unto my ſorrow. For theſe things I weep : mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, becauſe the comforter that ſhould re- lieve my ſoul is far from me. - • 4 6....My children are deſolate : I called for my low- ers, but they deceived me ; my prieſts and mine el- ders gave up the ghoſt in the city, while they ſought their meat to relieve their ſouls. 7...Behold, O Lord, for I am in diſreſs; my bow- els are troubled : mine heart is turned within me ; for I have grievouſly rebelled: abroad the ſword bereaveth, and at home there is as death. My fighs are many, and my heart is faint : they have heard that I figh, and that there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my troubles; they are glad that thou haſt done it. - , 8....How hath the Lord covered the daughters of Zi- on with a cloud in his anger, and caſt down the beauty THE BIBLE. 212 of Iſrael ! All who paſs by clap their hands at thee ; they hiſs and wag their head at the daughter of Jeruſa- lem, ſaying, Is this the city that men call the perfec- tion of beauty, the joy of the whole earth 2 9....The elders of the daughter of Zion fit upon the ground, and keep filence : they have caſt up duſt upon their heads; they have girded themſelves with ſack- cloth : the virgins of Jeruſalem hang down their heads to the ground. Mine eyes do fall with tears, for the deſtrućtion of the daughters of my people ; becauſe the children and the ſucklings ſwoon in the ſtreets of the city. -. - 10....They ſay to their mothers, Where is bread, and what ſhall we drink P When they ſwooned as the wound- ed in the ſtreets of the city, when their ſoul was pour- ed out into their mother's boſom. . . . . . . . 11....What thing ſhall I take to witneſs for thee P - What thing ſhall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jeru- ſalem P What ſhall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion ? for thy breach is great like the ſea; who can heal thee 2 12.... Daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a riv- er day and night ; give thyſelf no reſt; let not the ap- ple of thine eye ceaſe. Ariſe, cry out in the night; in the beginning of the watches pour out thy heart like water before the face of the Lord : lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, who faint for hunger in the top of every ſtreet. 13,...Behold, O Lord, and conſider to whom thou haſ done this. Shall the women eat the fruit of their own body ? Shall the prieſt and the prophet be ſlain in the ſan&tuary of the Lord P the young and the old lie on the ground in the ſtreets ; my virgins and my young men are fallen by the ſword ; thoſe whom I have ſwaddled and brought up hath mine enemy conſumed. 214 BEAUTIES OF 14....How is the gold become dim How is the moſt fine gold changed The precious ſons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they eſteemed as ear. then pitchers .. - * 15....The tongue of the ſucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirſt ; the young children aſk bread, and no man breaketh it unto them. They who did feed delicately are deſolate in the ſtreet ; they that were brought up in ſcal het embrace dunghills. 16....The Nazarites were purer than ſnow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their poliſhing was of ſapphire : their viſ- age is (now) blacker than a coal ; they are not known in the ſtreets ; their ſkin cleaveth to their bones ; it is withered, it is become like a ſtick. - 17....They who be ſlain with the ſword are better than they that be ſlain with hunger ; for theſe pine al- way in a lingering death. - - 18.... Even the tender-hearted and pitiful ſex, the women, have ſodden their children for food ; this was their meat in the fiege of the city. The puniſhment of the iniquity of my people is greater than the puniſh- ment of the ſin of Sodom, that was cºverthrown as in a moment, and did not ſuffer the lingering torments of famine. . - 19...Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us : conſider, and behold our reproach. Our inheritance is turned to ſtrangers, our houſes to aliens. We are or- phans and fatherleſs, our mothers are as widows. Our - necks are under perſecution ; we labour, and have no reſt. - . - 20....Servants have ruled over us : there is none who doth deliver us out of their hand. Our ſkin was black like an oven, becauſe of the terrible famine. THE BIBLE. 21.5 21....They raviſhed the women in Zion, and the maids in the city of Judah. Princes are hanged up by the hand : the faces of elders were not honored. 22,...The elders have ceaſed from the gate, the young men from their muſic. The joy of our heart is ceaſed, our dance is turned into mourning. The crown is fal- len, from our head : woe unto us that we have ſinned For this our heart is faint ; for theſe things our eyes are dim, becauſe of the mountain of Zion, which is deſolate; the foxes walk upon i:. . . 23....Thou, O Lord, remaintil ſcrever; thy throne from generation to generation : wherefore doff thou forget us jorever, and forſake us ſo ſong time 2 Thou haſ removed my ſoul far off from peace : I forgat proſperity ; and I ſaid my ſtrºh and my hope is periſhed from the Lord. - 24...Remembering mine afflæon- and my miſery, the worm wedd and the gali; my fºu; bath them ſtill in remembrance, and is troubled within ºre. 25....This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope; it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not con- ſumed, becauſe his compaſſions tail not ; they are new every morning ; great is thy faithfulneſs. . 26....The Lord is my portion, faith my ſoul ; there- fore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them who wait for him, to the ſoul that ſeeketh him. . • 27....It is good that a man ſhould both hope and quietly wait for the ſalvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth : he ſitteth . alone, and keepeth ſilence, becauſe he hath borne it up- ‘. . . on him ; he putteth his mouth in the duſt, if ſo be there may be hope. . . . . . . off forever : but . 28....For the Lord will not caſt 2 16 BEAUTIES OF though he cauſe grief, yet will he have compaſſion, ac. cording to the multitude of his mercies : for he doth not willingly afflićt, nor grieve the children of men. 29....Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the puniſhment of his ſins P. Let us ſearch and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens, Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we ſhall be turn. ed : renew our days as of old. - REMARKS. It is well known that the moſt celebrated paſſages in Virgil, or even in Homer, when tranſlated literally in- to Engliſh proſe, do loſe, in a great degree, their origi- nal beauties, and becºe flat and inſipid. - Now, all the Hebrew oetry in the Bible is preſented to the Engliſh reader under this ſame diſadvantage : it is a literal tranſlation from the original into Engliſh proſe but even in this dreſs, it has beauties without number and without parallel. - ... The elegy of Jeremiah, for inſtance, cannot fail to charm the mind of any reader, who is not wholly de- void of ‘ſentinent and tatte. * . Call to mind the occaſion of this elegy—Jeruſalem beſieged, waſted with famine, taken, pillaged, and laid in ruins—The ſtones thereof ſtained with the biood of her infants—The glorious temple of Solomon demoliſh- ed, and its ſacred utenſils borne off in triumph by an implacable enemy—The princes and nobles of Judah put to an ignominious death—The virgin daughters of Jeruſalem ſubjećted to the unbridled appetite of a brutal ſoldiery—The flower of the nation led away captive into a foreign land; and there ſuffering all the buffetings and inſults, all the contempt and mockery of the baſeſt ſervitude. , -- - call to mind alſo that the writer of this divine piece THE BIBLE, 21% was an eye-witneſs of thoſe diſtreſſing ſcenes, and an eminent ſufferer in that dreadful cataſtrophe-and then ~read the artleſs, but exquiſitely pathetic and moving deſcription of the aforementioned events—And if you have a heart that can “feel another's woe,” that heart muſt be touched and deeply affected. CHAPTFR xxv. DIVINE ODES. It is not in the Power of any Comment to do Zuſtics to the numerous and inimitable Beauties of the two following Divine Odes. - - - * . * PsALM 104th. , ... Birsa. Lord, O my ſoul. O Lord my God, thou ar. very great ; thou art clothed with honor and majeſty; who covereſt thyſelf with light as with a garment; who ſtretcheſt out the heavens like à curtain; who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters ; who maketh the clouds his chariot ; who walketh upon the wings of the wind; who maketh his angels ſpirits, his miniſters a flaming fire; who laid the foundations of the earth, that it ſhould not be re. moved forever. . . . . . - 2....Thou covered.ſt it with the deep as with a gar: inent ; the waters ſtood above the mountains. At thy febuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they haſted away. They go up by the mountains: they go down by the vallies unto the place which thou haſ bounded for them. Thou haſt ſet a bound that they may not paſs over, that they turn not again to covéf the earth. * . . 218 BEAUTIES OF 3. He ſendeth the ſprings into the vallies, which run among the bills: they give drink to every beaſt of the field : beſide them ſhall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation. He watereth the hills from his chamber; the earth is ſatisfied with the fruit of thy works. 4....He cauſeth the graſs to grow for the cattle, and herb for the ſervice of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth ; and wine that makes glad the heart of man, and bread which ſtrengtheneth man's heart. 5....The trees of the Lord are full of ſap ; the ce- dars of Lebanon which he hath planted ; where the birds make their neſts : as for the ſtork, the fir trees are her houſe. The high bills are a ciuge for wild goats, and the rocks for the conies. 6....He hath appointed the noon for ſeaſºns: the ſun knoweth his going down. Thou makeſt darkneſs, and it is night, wherein all the beaſis of the foreſt do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and ſeek their meat from God. The ſun ariſeth, they gather themſelves together, and lay thern down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work, and to his la- bour, until the evening. 7... O Lord, how manifold are thy works in wiſ. dom haſ thou made them all : the earth is full of thy riches: ſo is this great and wide ſea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both ſmall and great beaſts. There go the hips; there is that Leviathan, whom thou haſ made to play therein. 8.Theſe all wait upon thee, that thou mayeſt give them their meat in due ſeaſon; what thou giveſt them they gather thou openeſt thine hand, they are filled with good. - THE BIBLE. 219 9....Thou hideſ thy face, they are troubled; thou takeſt away their breath, they die and return to their duſt. Thou ſendeſt forth thy ſpirit, they are created ; and thou reneweſt the face of the earth. to...The glory of the Lord ſhall endure forever: the Lord ſhall rejoice in his works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth : he toucheth the hills, and they ſmoke. 11....I will ſing unto the Lord as long as I live ; I will ſing praiſe to my God, while I have my being. Iy meditation of him ſhall be ſweet ; I will be glad in the Lord. Bleſs thou the Lord, O my ſoul. Praiſe ye the Lord. 148th PsALM. 12....Praiſe ye the Lord. Praiſe ye the Lord from the heavens : praiſe him in the higheſt. Praiſe ye him all his angels : praiſe ye him, all his hoſts. Praiſe him the ſun and moon : praiſe him all ye ſtars of light. 13-...Praiſe him, ye heaven of heavens, and ye wa- ters which be above the heavens. Let them praiſe the name of the Lord : for he commanded, and they were created : He hath alſo eſtabliſhed thern forever and ever. He hath made a decree which ſhall not paſs. | 4: ... Praiſe the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps : fire and hail ; ſnow and vapour; ſtormy wind fulfilling his word : mountains, and all hills : fruitful trees and all cedars. 15. Beaſts and all cattle; creeping things, and fly- ing tow's : kings of the earth, and all people : princes and all judges of the earth ; both young men and maid- ens ; old men and children. Let then praiſe the name of the Lord, for his name alone is excellent; . º is above the earth and heaven. Praiſe ye the ºr (i. BEAUTIES OF THE BIBLE, part III. NEW TESTAMENT. CHAPTER I. CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO THE BIRTH AND CHILDH00D OF 7ESUS CHRIST. A. M. 4oo4. P-TTº } s - 1 . . . . HE angel Gabriel was ſent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin eſ- pouſed to a man named Joſeph: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and ſaid, Hail, thou whº art highly favored, the Lord is with thee : bleſſed art thou among women. ** 2....And when ſhe ſaw him ſhe was troubled at his ſaying, and caſt in her mind what manner of ſalutation this ſhould be. And the angel ſaid unto her, Fear not, Mary : for thou haſt found favor with God : and, be- hold, thou ſhalt bring forth a ſon, and ſhalt call his name Jeſus. sº 3....He ſhall he great, and ſhall be called the ſon of the higheſt : and the Lord God ſhall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he ſhall reign o- ver the houſe of Jacob forever ; and of his kingdom there ſhall be no end. - 4....The Holy Ghoſt ſhall come upon thee, and the power of the higheſt ſhall over-ſhadow thee; therefore alſo that Holy Thing, which ſhall be born of thee, ſhall be called the ſon of God. THE BIBLE. 22 t . 3....And (after this) there went out a decree from . Caeſar Auguſtus, that all the world thould be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one in his own city. And Joſeph alſo went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (becauſe he was of the houſe and lineage of David.) to be taxed, with Mary his eſpouſed wife, being great with child. - 6....And ſo it was, that, while they were there, the days were accompliſhed that ſhe ſhould be delivered." And ſhe brought forth her firſt born ſon, and wrapped him in ſwaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger ; becauſe there was no room for them in the inn. 7....And there were in the ſame country ſhepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord ſhone round about them : and they were fore afraid. 8....And the angel ſaid unto them, Fear not : for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which, ſhall be to all people ; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a ſaviour who is Chriſt the Lord. And this ſhall be a ſign unto you : ye ſhall find the babe wrapped in ſwaddling clothes, lying in a manger. $9....And ſuddenly there was with the angel a multi- tude of the heavenly hoſt praiſiag God, and ſaying, Glory to God in the higheſt, and on earth peace, good.” will toward men.” - - - 10....And the ſhepherds came with haſte, and found * * At the time when jeſus, the Prince of Peace was horn, the temple of Żanuſ, in Rome, had been lately Jhut, by order of Auguſtus, the Roman Emperor, in taken of univerſal peace over the world. . . . . . . ‘. . . . . . . . T 2 - 222 BEAUTIES OF Mary and Joſeph, and the babe lying in a manger, And when they had ſeen it, they made known abroad the ſaying which was told them concerning this child, ... And all they who heard it, wondered at thoſe things which were told them by the ſhepherds. But Mary kept all thoſe things and pondered them in her heart. 1 1....And the ſhepherds returned glorifying and praiſing God for all the things which they had heard and ſeen. And when eight days were accompliſhed for the circumciſion of the child, his name was called Je. ſus, which was ſo named of the angel. 12...Now when Jeſus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wiſe men from the eaſt to Jeruſalem, ſaying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews P For we have ſeen his ſtar in the eaſt, and are come to worſhip him. When Herod the king had heard theſe things he was troubled, and all Jeruſalem with him. 13 ...And he demanded of the chief prieſts and ſcribes of the people, where Chriſt ſhould be born. And they faid unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea. Then Herod, when he had privately called the wife men, inquired of them diligently what time the ſtar-appeared. . And he ſent them to Bethlehem, and ſaid, Go, and ſearch diligently for the young child ; and when ye have found him bring me word again, that I may come and wor- ſhip him alio. ~ 14...When they had heard the king they departed ; and, ió, the ſtar which they had ſeen in the eaſt, went before them, till it came and ſtood over where the young child was. When they ſaw the ſtar, they re- joiced with exceeding great joy. 15....And when they were come into the houſe, they făw the young child with Mary his mother, and felk THE BIBLE. * - 2s2 down and worſhipped him : and when they had open- ed their treaſures, they preſented unto him gifts ; gold, and frankincenſe, and myrrh. And being warned of . God in a dream that they ſhould not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 16....And when they were departed, behold, the ar:- gel of the Lord appeared to Joſeph in a dream, ſaying, . Ariſe, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word, for Herod will ſeek the young child to deſtroy him. And he aroſe and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod. . . . . . - - 17....Then Herod when he ſaw he was mocked of the wiſe men, was exceeding wroth, and ſent forth and flew all the children who were in Bethlehem, and in all the coaſts thereof, from two years old and under, ac- cording to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wife men. - • * . . 18....Then was fulfilled that which was ſpoken by Jeremy the prophet, ſaying, in Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachael weeping for her children, and would not be comforted becauſe they were not. 19....But when Herod was dead, behold the angril of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joſeph in Egypt, ſay- ing, Arife, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Iſrael : for they are dead who fought the young child’s life. And he aroſe, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Iſrael: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth. - , 29....And the child grew, and waxed fironi, in ſpir. it, filled with wiſdom, and the grace of God was with 224 BEAUTIES OF him. Now his parents went to Jeruſalem every year at the feaſt of the Paſſover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jeruſalem, after the cuſtom of the feaſt. And as they returned, the child Jeſus. tarried behind in Jeruſalem : and Joſeph and his mo- ther knew not of it. ** 21....But they, ſuppoſing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they ſought him among their kindred and acquaintance. And when they found him not they turned back again to Jeruſa- lem, ſeeking him. And it came to paſs, that after three days they found him in the temple, fitting in the midſt of the Dočiors, both hearing them and aſking them. queſtions. • - - - 22....And all who heard him were aſtoniſhed at his underſtanding and anſweis. And when his parents ſaw him they were amazed : and his mother ſaid unto him, Son, why haſ thou thus dealt with us 2 Behold, thy father and I have ſought thee ſorrowing. 2 23.... And he ſaid unto them, How is it that ye. fought me 2 knew ye not that I muſt be about my fa- ther's buſineſs 2 And they underſtood not the ſaying which he ſpake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was ſubjećt to them. . And Jeſus increaſed in wiſdom and ſlature, and in favour with God and man. - - - REMARKS. tº One important end of the divine miſſion and com- ing of Jeſus into the world, was, that he might ſet be- fore fallen men a perfect example of moral excellence. This he has really done. His whole life upon earth was a tomplete and finiſhed portrait of true virtùe, We receive inſtrućtion from the example even of his childhood. At the age of twelve years, he was found in the temple, ſitting among the Doctors, both *... THE BIBLE, as : hearing them and aſking them queſtions. Let all chil- dren, who read this, “go and do likewiſe.” Let it be their early and earneſt care to have wiſe and under- ſtanding hearts. . There is alſo another reſpeči in which the exampfe of Jeſus, in his childhood, is particularly held up to view for imitation ; and that is, his ſubjećtion or obe- dience to his parents. This is a lovely feature in his divine charaćter. Obedience to parents is a moſt ami- able quality in youth, Children, obey your parents in the Lord : for this is right. . . Sºº, CHAP TER II. TESTIMONIES OF JOHN THE EVANGEL- IST, AND JOHN THE BAPTIZER, CON- CERNING JESUS ; WITH THE ACCOUNT OF HIS BAPTISM. - * . . A. D. 29. . ...In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The ſame was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him ; and without him was not any thing made, that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light ſhineth in dark- neſs : and the darkneſs comprehended it not. - 2....There was a man ſent from God, whoſe name was John. The ſame came for a witneſs, to bear wit- neſs of the light, that all men, through him might be- lieve. He was not that light, but was ſent to bear witneſs of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man who cometh into the world. . . . 226 BEAUTIES OF ... 3....He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as re- ceived him, to them gave he power to become the ſons of God, even to them who believe on his name. 4....Who were boro, not of bleod, nor of the will of the fleſh, nor of the will of man, but of God.' And the Word was made fleſh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father,) full of grace and truth. 5....John (the baptizer) bare witneſs of him, ſaying, This was he of whom, I ſpake, he who coming after me is preferred before ríº for he was before me. And of his fulneſs have all of is received even grace for grace. For the law was given by Moſes, but grace and truth came by Jeſus Chriſt. No man hath ſeen God at any time ; the only begotten ſon, who is in the boſom of the father, he hath declared him. - 6....[indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: . -: but he that coneth after me is mightier than I, whoſe ſhoes I am not worth. ..º.º. 4. • ***- §bear : He ſhall baptize you with the Hºly Ghoſt, #ereby ye ſhall be purified, as . metals are purifted, which paſs through the fire.) ... 7... In thoſe days john the Baptizer was preaching . in the wilderneſs of Judea, and ſaying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And the ſame John had his raiment of camei's hair, and a leathern girdle. about his loins ; and his meat was locuſts (a fruit ſo called) and wild honey. And there went to him Je- Inſalem and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, conſeſ- ſing their ſins. - º, 8....Then cometh Jeſus from Galilee to Jordan un- THE BIBLE. 227 tºjá him, to be baptized of him. But John forbade * him, ſaying, I have need to be baptized of thee," and comeſt thou to me f Jeſus arifvel ing, ſaid unto him, Suffer it to be ſo now; for thus it becometh us to ful- fil all righteouſneſs. " Then he ſuffered him. . - 9....And Jeſus when he was baptized, went up ſtraightway out of the water ; And, lo, the heavems were opened unto him, and he ſaw the ſpirit of God deſcending like a dove, and lighting upon him ; and, lo, a voice from heaven, ſaying, this is my beloved ion, in whom I am well pleaſed. 19....And John bare record, ſaying, I ſaw the ſpirit deſcending from heaven like a dove, and it abode up-. on hirn. And I knew him not : But he who ſent tie to baptize with water, the ſame ſaid unto me, Upon whom thou ſhalt ſee the ſpirit deſcending, and remain- jng on him, the ſame is he, that baptizeth with the Hig- Hy: Ghoſt. And I ſaw, and bare record that this is the fön of God. And ſeeing Jeſus coming unto him, john ſaid, Behold the lamb of God, that taketh away the fin of the world. - REMARKS. . . . . g The deſcent of the Holy Ghoſt upon Jeſus, in the %rmº a dove, was a lively ernblem of the temper and ; charaćter ºft. and of the nature and ſpirit of the . Chriſtian rāgion. A dove was the ſymbol of peace, as the eagle was of war. And Jeſus, upon whom the heavenly dove deſcended, is fitiy ſtiled, the Prince of.- Peace. . º . . . . . . At his birth, the angels proclaimed peace on earth, and good will among men. He was meek and lowly. in heart.—When he was reviled, he reviled not again ; When he ſuffered, he threatened not, . He was brought- as a lămb to the ſlaughter; and while he was murdered, #nd was ſuffering the keeneſt tortures of death, he pray- as BEAUTIES OF ed even for his murderers, ſaying, “Father, forgive them ; for they know not what they do.” • Alſo the doctrines of Jeſus expreſsly forbid all envy, revenge and malice, and inculcate a peaceful, hum- ble, forgiving and charitable tempera—hoſpitality to. ward ſtrangers—benevolence toward all men, and perſevering endeavors, whenever there is opportunity, to do good unto all. - CHAPTER III. A PART of THE SERMON of 7ESUS on - THE MOUNTAIN. A. D. 29 or 30, - 1.... T ROM that time ſimmediately after htt baptiſm and temptation in the wilderneſs) Jeſus began to preach and to ſay, Repent : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And Jeſus, walking by the ſea of Galilee, ſaw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, caſting a net into the ſea 1 for they were fiſhers. 2....And he ſaith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fiſhers of men. And they ſtraitway left their nets and following him. And going on from thence, he ſaw other two brethren, James the ſon of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ſhip with Zebedee their fa- ther, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately ieft their ſhip and their father, and followed him. - 3....And Jeſus went about all Galilee, teaching in their ſynagogues, and preaching the goſpel of the king- THE BIBLE, 229 rāom, and healitig all manner 6f ſickneſs, and all man- ner of diſeaſe among the people.—And his fame went throughout all Syria. And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jeruſalem, and from Judea, and from beyond jJordans, 1. . . . * . . . . - - 4. * .. 4 ...And ſeeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain; and when he was ſet, his diſciples came uri- to him; and he taught thern, ſaying, Bleſſed are the 'poor in ſpirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Bieſſed are they that mourn : for they ſhall be com- ºforted. Bleſſed are the meek ; for they ſhall inherit the earth. . . . . . . . . . . . - , “”º....Bleſſed are they who do hunger and thirſt after frighteouſneſs: for they ſhall be filled. Bleſſed are the amérciful: for they ſhall Óbtain mercy. Bleſſed are the ‘pure in heart: for they ſhall ſee God. Bleſſed are the peace-makers : for they ſhall be called the children of 2Göd. . . . . . . - - . . & 6...Bleſſed are they who are perſecuted for righteouſ- $neſs ſake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Bleſ- fed are ye when men ſhall revile you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evil againſt you falſely for my ſake. Re- joiée, and be exceeding glad : for great is your reward . in heaven tº for ſo perſecuted they the prophets which were before you. . . . . , 7....Yeare the ſalt of the earth,(Preſervingthe world from deſtrudton, as ſalt preſerves animal ſubſtances . from putrefaction.) Ye are the light of the world. Let your light ſo ſhine before men,that they may ſee your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven. ; 8....Think not that I am come to deſtroy the law or ‘the prophets : I am not come to deſtroy, but to felº" for verily I ſay unto yotº,tºll 'heaven and ear’. **- 230 BEAUTIES OF away, one jot or one tittle ſhall in no wiſe paſs from * the law, till all be fulfilled. 9....Ye have heard that it was ſaid by them of old time, Thou ſhalt not kill: and whoſoever ſhall kill ſhall be in danger of the judgment : but I ſay unto you, that whoſoever is angry with his brother without a cauſe ſhall be in danger of the judgment. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar,and there remembereſt that thy broth- er hath aught againſt thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, firſt be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. - 1o...Ye have heard that it was ſaid by them of old time, Thou ſhalt not commit adultery. But I ſay unto you,that whoſoever looketh on a woman to juſt after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 11....Again, ye have heard that it hath been ſaid by them of old timé, Thou ſhalt not for ſwear thy ſelf, but ſhalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths. But I ſay un- to you, ſwear not at all : neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne : nor by the earth; for it is his footflool. But let your communication be, yea, yea; nay, nay for whatſoever is more than theſe cometh of evil. 12....Ye have heard that it hath been ſaid, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; but I ſay unto you, that ye reſiſt not evil, (that is, that ye revenge not & 72 injury.) Give to him that aſketh thee : and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 13:...Ye have heard that it hath been ſaid, Thou ſhaft love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy : But I ſay unto you, love your enemies, bleſs them that curſe you, do good to them who hate you, and pray for them - that deſpitefully uſe you, and perſecute you ; that ye may be the children of your father, who is in heaven : for he maketh his ſufi to riſe on the evil and on the good, and ſendeth rain on the juſt and on the unjuſt. zHE BIBLE. 231 14....For it ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the ſame 2 And it ye ſalute your brethren only, what do ye more than - others 2 Do not even the publicans ſo 2 Beye, therefore, perfeół, even as your father who is in heaven is perfeót. 15....Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be ſeen of them ; otherwiſe ye have no re- ward of your father who is in heaven. When thou doeſt alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth; that thine alms may be in ſecret: and thy father, who ſeeth in ſecret, himſelf ſhall reward thee openly. 16....And when thou prayeſ, thou ſhalt not be as the hypocrites are : for they love to pray ſtanding in the ſynagogues, and in the corners of the ſtreets, that they may be ſeen of men : verily I ſay unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayeit, enter into thy cloſet, and when thou haſ ſhut thy door, pray to thy father, who is in ſecret, and thy father, who ſeeth in ſecret, ſhall reward thee openly. 17....Your father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye aſk him. After this manner, pray ye : “Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread : and forgive us eur debts, as we forgive our- debtors. And lead as not into temptation, bºgenº et us from evil : for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.” 18...For it ye forgive men their treſpaſies, you heavenly a her will alſo forgive you. But if ye for- give not men their treſpaſſes, neither will your father forgive your treſpaſſes. 19.Lay not up for yourſelves treaſures upon earth, where moth and ruſt doth corrupt, and where thieves breakthrough and ſteal : but lay up for your- 232 BEAUTIES on! ſelves treaſures in heaven, where neither moth nor ruſ: doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and ſteal. For where your treature is, there will your heart be alſo. 20....Take no ſanxious) thought for your life, what ye ſhall eat, or what ye ſhall drink; nor for your body, what ye ſhall put on. Behold the fowls of the air : for they ſow not, neither do they reap, nor gath- er into barns; yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they 21....And why take ye (anxious) thought for rai- ment 2 conſider the lilies of the field how they grow : they toil not, neither do they ſpin : and yet I ſay unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory, was not array- ed like one of theſe. Wherefore, if God ſo clothe the graſs of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is caſt into the oven, ſhall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith 2 22....Therefore, take no ſanxious) thought, ſaying, What ſhall we eat P or what ſhall we drink 2 or where- withal ſhall we be clothed 2 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all theſe things. But ſeek ye firſt the kingdom of God and his righteouſneſs; and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you. *3-….Judge act (raſhly and uncharitably) left ye be judged. For with what judgment ve.jūdge, ye ſhall be judged: and with what meaſure ye mée, it ſhall be meaſured to you again. And why beholdeſt thou the note that is in thy brother's eye, but conſid. ereſt not the beam that is in thine own eye?–6 That º, why dojº ſhow cenſure another /or a ſmall fauſt, whºſt thou thy/º/, in ſome other reſpº, art guilty ºf a much greater fauſt 20 THE BIBLE, 233 - 24....Aſk, and it ſhall be given you ; ſeek, and ye ſhall find ; knock, and it ſhall be opened unto you : for every one that aſketh, receiveth ; and he that ſeek- eth, findeth ; and to him that knocketh, it ſhall be o- pened. Or what man is there of you, of whom if his ſon aſk bread, will be give him a ſtone P Or if he aſk a fiſh, will he give him a ſerpent P 25....If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more ſhall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that aſk him Therefore all things whatſoeverye would that men ſhould do to you, do ye even ſo to them : for this is the law and the prophets. 26....Enter ye in at the ſtrait gate : for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to deſtrućtion, and many there be who go in thereat : becauſe ſtrait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto Tlife, and few there be that find it. Beware of falſe prophets, who come to you in ſheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 27....Ye ſhall know them by their fruits, £by their life and converſation.) Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thiſtles P Even ſo every good tree . bringeth forth good fruit : but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and caſt into the fire. Therefore by their fruits ye ſhall know them. 28....Not every one who faith unto me, Lord, Lord, fhall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my father, who is in heaven." Many will ſay, unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not propheſied in thy name 2 And in thy name have caſt out devils 2 and in thy name done many wonderful works P And then will I profeſs unto them, I never, knew you : depart º me ye that work iniquity. - g O - . dº 234 - BEAUTIES OF 20....Therefore, whoſoever heareth theſe ſayings of mine, and deeth them, I will liken him unto a wiſe inan, who built his houſe upon a rock : and the rain deſcended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that houſe, and it fel I not : for it was founded upon a rock, . go....And every one who feareth theſe ſayings of mine, and doeth them not,ſhall be likened unto a fooliſh man, who built his houſe, upon the ſand : and the rain deſcended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that houſe, and it fell ; and great was the fall of it. And when Jeſus had ended theſe ſayings, the people were aſloniſhed at his doétrines; for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the ſcribes. REMARKS.. The divine ferracn of Jeſus, on the mountain, is an epitome of Chriſtian morals. It diſcloſed a ſyſtem of morality, as pure and ſublime as it was new and aſlon- iſhing. The culture and government of the heart, in reſtraining 2íh argcrand every licentious thought ;— returning love for hatred, and rendering bleſſing for curfing, and kindneſſes for injuries ;-doing in all ca- fes to others as one would be done unto ;-pcriorming the duties of charity and devotion, in a manner that £hould ſhun rather than court public notice and ap- plauſé:...Theſe are ſome of the ſentiments which are no where taught, but in the ſchool of Chriſt. They are in direét of poſition to the depraved taſte of mankind, and to the maxims of the world : but they are noble and God-like, and would, if they were redu- ced to pračice, make a heaven upon earth. ... Were the precepts of the divine Jeſus reduced to u- niverſal praétiée, there would be an immediate and fi- mal end to war. National differences woukd be adjuſt- THE BIBLE, *35 ed by arbitration ; and the ſword would ceaſe to de- WOUT. . * + - It all might be taught to love their neighbors as them. " felves, and to do to others as they wouid be done unto, there would be no diſpoſition to lepeat the crime of him that flew his brother —and men would abhor to . imbrue their bands in the blood of men. - Thus Univerſal Chriſtianity, attended with the dif- fuſion of the ſpirit and temper of its divine author, would be infallibly produétive of univerſal peace. ... A general diffuſion of the ſpirit as well as the doc- trines of Jeſus would alſo put an end to the abominable traffic of human fleſh. . . . . . H2ve Chriſtian nations been engaged in this träßic, and ſanéſioned man-ſtealing by ſat 8 Have Chriſtians robbed their fellow-creatures of their liberty; ſnatch- ed them from the boſoms of their friends, and from ałł the nameleſs endearinents of country, and of home ; and forced thern to the houſe of bondage, there to conſume their miſérable exiſtence P - O my Saviour ! do men, who thus riot upon htman tears and miſery, preſume to call themſelves by thy fa. cred name 2–They do—But be it remembered that zeal Chriſtianity is utterly abhorrent to this injuſtice and cruelty, and reſpects the rights and happineſs, e- ven of the meaneſt human creature. . . . CHAPTER IV. THE MISSION as THE THELIZE APOSTLE3 AND SEPENTY DISCIPLES. A. D. 31. . . . . . . - . ºf . . . . W W HEN Jeſus had called unto him his : twelve diſciples, he gave them power to heal all man. :- 236 BEAUTIES OF ner of ſickneſs, and all manner of diſeaſe. Now the names of the twelve apoſtles are theſe : Simon Peter, and Andrew his brother; James, and John his broth- er; Philip and Bartholomew ; Thomas and Mat- thew ; James the ſon of Alpheus, and Lebbeus whoſe ſurname was Thaddeus ; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iſcariot, who betrayed him. - 2....Theſe twelve Jeſus ſent forth, and commanded them, ſaying, the kingdom of beaven is at hand. Heal the fick, cleanſe the lepers, raiſe the dead, caſt eut devils : freely ye have received, freely give. Pro- vide neither gold, nor filver, nor braſs in your purſes; nor ſcrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither ſhoes ; for the workman is worthy of his meat. 3....And into whatſoever city or town ye ſhall en- ter, inquire who in it is worthy ; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an houſe, a- jute it. And whoſcever ſhall not receive you, nor hear your words, it ſhall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gcmorrah in the day of judgment than for them. . 4....Behold, I ſend you forth as ſheep in the midſt of wolves : be ye, therefore, wiſe as ſerpents, and barmleſs as doves. But beware of men ; for they will deliver you up to the couhcils, and they will ſcourge you in their ſynagogues : and ye ſhall be brought be-- fore goverfio; and kings for my ſake. - - * *. 5...But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye ſhall ſpeak: for it ſhall be given you in that ſame hour what ye ſhall ſpeak : For it is not you that fpeak, but the ſpirit of your father that ſpeaketh in you. And the brother ſhall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child : and the children ſhall riſe up againſt their parents, and cauſe them to be put * . THE BIBLE. 237 to death. And ye ſhall be hated of all men for my name's ſake; but he that endureth to the end ſhall be ſaved. - 6...But when they perſecute you in this city, flee ye into another. The diſciple is not above his maſter, nor the ſervant above his lord : if they have called the maſter of the houſe Belzebub, how much more them of his houſehold P Fear not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the ſoul : but rather fear him who is able to deſtroy both ſoul and body in hell. 7....Are not two ſparrows ſold for a farthing P and one of them ſhall not fall on the ground without your Father. Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many ſparrows. Whoſoever ſhall conteſs me before men, him will I confeſs alſo before my Fath- er, who is in heaven. But whoſoever ſhall deny me before men, him will I alſo deny before my Father, who is in heaven. 8....He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth ſon or daugh- er more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his croſs (ſubmitteth not to reproach and ſufferings, when the cauſe of Chriſ requires it) and followetº, after me, is nºt worthy of ºne. He that fadeth his lite (ºy denying or forſaking ºne) ſhall loſe and he that loºth his is for my lake hall find it. ºve, rººtsteiyº me; and whe- - - * * * * in who ſent ºne. He that in the name of a pººl, ſhaft - reward ; and he tº rece, tº a in the name of a right cus ºn that iºus man's reward. A nº violaever ** to drink unto one of thºſe liºn ones. Clº ºr ºf -- . . . . . - *ter only in the name of a diſciple, verily I ſay ºciveth a proºt, *ceive a prophet’s fighteous man. sceive a right al g - old a r 238 BEAUTIES OF unto you, he ſhall in no wiſe loſe his reward. And the twelve apoſtles departed, and went through the towns, preaching the goſpel, and healing every where. 1o....After theſe things the Lord appointed ſeventy diſciples more, and ſent them two and two before his face, into every place and city whither he himſelf would come. Therefore ſaid he unto them, The har- weſt is truly great, but the labourers are few : pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harveſt, that he would ſend forth labourers unto his harveſt. 11....Go your ways ; behold I ſend you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purſe nor ſcrip; and into whatſoever houſe ye enter, firſt ſay, Peace be to this houſe. And in the fame houſe remain, it the ſon of peace be there, eating and drinking ſuch things as they give : for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from houſe to houſe. 12....And into whatſoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat ſuch things as are ſet before you : and heal the ſick who are therein ; and ſay unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto yºu. He that heareth you, heareth me ; and he that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me ; and he that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him that ſent me. 13....And the ſeventy returned again with joy, ſay- ing, Lord, even the devils are ſubjećt unto us through thy name. And be ſaid unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. *... I give ºil ow ºr to trea and ſcorniar: *** * : 5. ...] ºf *"º" Rºding, 1ſº *. joice not that the ſpirits are ſubjećt unto Yº ... in rather rejºice, becauſe your names ** ***. heaven. - ić, I 14. In that hour Jeſus rejoiced in ſpirit; º ... thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, tºº THE BIBLE. 239 thou haſt hid theſe things from the wiſe and prudent, and haſt revealed them to babes: even ſo, Father ; tor ſo it ſeemed good in thy ſight. All things are delivered to me of my Father : And no man knoweth who the ſon is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the ſon, and he to whom the ſon will reveal him. 15....And he turned him to his diſciples, and ſaid privately, Bleſſed are the eyes which ſee the things that ye ſee : for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have defiled to ſee thoſe things which ye ſee, and have not ſeen them; and to hear thoſe things, which ye hear, and * heard them. - - -- - ". V. 7ESUS GIVING SIGHT TO A MAN WHQ B9RN BLIND. 4. P. 32. ...As Jeſus paſſed by, was blind from his birth. And his di ſaying, Who did ſin, this man, or-Hºſsº was born blind Jeſus anſwered, Nºtherº man ſinned, nor his parents : but that the workº God ſhould be made manifeſt in him. I muſt work the works of him who ſefit me while it is day : the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 2....When he had thus ſpoken, he ſpat upon the ground, and made clay of the ſpittle, and he anointed the eves of the blind man with the clay, and ſaid unto him, Go, waſh in the pool of Siloam. He went his way, therefore, and waſhed, and catae ſeeing. The 246 BEAUTIES OF neighbours, therefore, and they who before had known the blind man, ſaid, Is not this he that ſat and begged 2 Some ſaid, This is he others ſaid; He is like him; but be ſaid, I am he. - -- | - - - 3.Therefore ſaid they unto him, How were thine eyes opened P. He anſwered and ſaid, A man who is called Jeſus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and ſaid unto me, Go to the pool at Siloam, and waſh : and I went and waſhed, and I received my fight. Then ſaid they unto him, whºſe is he He ſaid, I know not. - * - ºfees : and it was the Sabbath day when Jeſus e the clay and opened his eyes. Then again, the ſees alſo aſked him how he had received his fight. id unto them. He put clay upon my eyes, and I and do ſee. Therefore ſaid ſome of the Pha- is man is not of God, becauſe he keepeth not ay. Others ſaid, How can a man who unto the blind man again, What ſayeſ: gling his having opened thine eyes ºãprophet. But the Jews did not believe - germinghā. that he had been blind, and received his ſight, until they had called his parents. And they aſked them, ſaying, Is this your ſon, who ye ſay was born blind ; How then doth he now fee 6....His parents anſwered them and ſaid, `We know that this is our ſon, and that he was born blind ; but by what means he now feeth, we know not: he is of h miracles And there was a diviſion 4. They brough the man who had been blind to the agº. aſk him; he ſhall ſpeak for himſelf. Theſe words ſºake his parents, becauſe they feared the Jews; for the Jews had agreed already, that it any man did cº- THE BIBLE. 24t ſeſs that he was Chriſt, he ſhould be put out of the ſynagogue. Therefore ſaid his parents, He is of age, aſk him. 7....Then again called they the man who was blind, and ſaid unto him, Give God the praiſe ; we know that this man is a ſinner. He anſwered and ſaid, Whe- ther he be a ſinner or no, I know not : one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I fee. Then ſaid they to him again, What did he to thee P how | opened he thine eyes? He anſwered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would you hear it again Willye alſo be his diſciples 2 - 8....Then they reviled him, and ſaid, Thou art his diſciple, but we are the diſciples of Moſes. We know that God ſpake unto Moſes : as for this fellow, we know not whence he is. The man anſwered and ſaid unto them, Why, herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. ...Now, we know that God heareth not ſinners.; but if any man be a worſhipper of God, and doth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard, that any man opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. to....They anſwered, and ſaid unto him, Thou waſ: altogether born in ſins, and doſt thou teach us ' And they caſt him out. Jeſus heard that they had caſt him out; and when he had found him he ſaid unto him, Doſt thou believe on the ſon of God P. He anſwered and ſaid, Who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him P And Jeſus ſaid unto him, Thou haſt both ſeen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he ſaid, Lord, I believe, and he worſhipped him. w 242 BEAUTIES OF - * : * CHAPTER VI. THE RAISING OF Lazarus From THE 4. D. 33. : 1.... | OW a certain man was ſick, named Lazarus, or Bethany, the town of Mary and her ſiſler Martha. (It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, , whoſe brother Lazarus was ſick.) Therefore his ſiſters ſent unto Jeſus, ſaying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lov. eſt is ſick. When Jeſus heard it, he ſaid, This fick- neſs is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that ...theſon of God might be glorified thereby. . . * 2...Now Jeſus loved Martha, and her fiſter, and Lazarus. When he had heard, therefore, that he was ſick, he abode two days ſtill in the ſame place where he was. Then afterward he faith to his diſciples, Let us go into Judea again. His diſciples ſay into him, Maſter, the Jews of late ſought to flone thee; and go- eſt thou thither again 2 * - - - - 3....Jeſus anſwered, Are there not twelve hours in the day If any man walk in the day he ſtumbleth not, becauſe he ſeeth the light of the world. But if a man walk in the night be ſtumbleth, becauſe there is no light in him; Theſe things ſaid he and after that he faith unto thºn, Our friend Lazarus ſleepeth ; but i go that I may awake him out of ſleep. Then ſaid his diſciples, Lord, if he fleep, he ſhall do well 4....Howbeit, Jeſus ſpake of his death : but they thought that he bad-ſpoken of taking reſt in ſleep. Then ſaid Jeſus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your ſakes that I was not there, toº. THE BIBLE. 243' the intent ve may believe ; nevertheleſs, let us go un- . . to him. Then ſaid Thomas unto his diſciples, Let us alſo go, that we may die with him. Then when Jeſus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four davs. 5....Now Bethany being nigh unto Jeruſalem, ma-.. ny of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as ſoon . as ſhe heard that Jeſus was coming, went and met him ; but Mary ſat ſtill in the houſe. Then ſaid Martha un- to Jeſus, Lord, if thou hadſt been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatſoev- er thou wilf aſk of God, God will give it thee. . ... 6....Jeſus faith unto her, Thy brother ſhall riſe again. Martha faith unto him, I know that he ſhall riſe again in the reſurre&tion at the laſt day. Jeſus ſaid unto her, I am the reſurre&ion and the life: he that believeth on me, though he were dead, yet ſhall he live : and whoſoever liveth and believeth in me ſhal) never die. Believeſ thou this P. She ſaith unto him, Yea, Lord; . I believe that thou art the Chriſt, the ſon of God, who fhould come into the world. . . . . . 7 ...And when ſhe had ſo ſaid, ſhe went her way, and caiſed Mary her ſiſter ſecretly, ſaying, The Maſter is come, and calleth for thee. As ſoon as ſhe heard that, ſhe aroſe quickly, and came unto him. Now Jeſus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place. where Martha met him. The Jews then who were with her in the houſe, and comforted her, when they faw that Mary roſe up haſtily, and went out, followed her, ſaying, ſhe goeth, unto the grave, to weep there. 8....Then when Mary was come where Jeſus was and ſaw him, ſhe fell down at his feet, ſaying unto him, Lord, if thou had ſt been here my brother had not died, When Jeſus, therefore, ſaw her weeping,and the Jews ... ... " . ,” . * ..º.º. ... ... • * * 244 BEAUTIES OF alſo weeping, who came with her, he groaned in the ‘ſpirit, and was troubled, and ſaid, Where have ye laid him P. They ſay unto him, Lord, come and ſee. º, 9....Jeſus wept. Then ſaid the Jews, Behold, how be loved him And ſome of them ſaid, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have cauſed even that this man ſhould not have died ? Jeſus, there- fore, again groaning in himſelf, cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a flone laid upon it. Jeſus ſaid,Take away the ſtone. Martha, the ſiſter of him who was dead, ſaid unto him, Lord, by this time he ſcenteth ; for he hath been dead four days. º . . 10....Jeſus faith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that. if thou wouldeſt believe, thou ſhouldeſt ſee the glory of God? Then they took away the ſtone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jeſus lifted up his eyes, and ſaid, Father, I thank thee that Thou haſt heard me. And I knew that Thou heareſt me always : but becauſe of the people who ſtand by I ſaid it, that they may believe that Thou haſ ſent me. . . . 11....And when he had thus ſpoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave- clothes : and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jeſus faith unto thern, Looſe him, and let him go. REMARKS. The following remarks do, in this place, naturally occur : firſtly, as Jeſus appeared in the infinitely im- portant charaćter of the Meſfiah, whom the prophets foretold, it was neceſſary that there ſhould be an ex- traordinary divine atteſtation of his miſfion, and of the truth of his doćtrines. And for this end, namely, to evidence the reality of his Meſſiahſhip, was the variety of aſtoniſhing miracles, which were wrought in the be- ginning of the goſpel diſpenſation. … | THE BIBLE. 245 Accordingly, Jeſus, from time to time, appealed to his miracles, as ſufficient vouchers that he was the true Meſfiah. The works that I do (ſaid he) bear wit: neſs of me, that the Father hath ſent me. : 2ndly. All the miracles of Jeſus were of the bege- ficent kind; and were a diſplay, no leſs of divine good- neſs, than of power. When his frail diſciples, in their intemperate zeal, beſought him to call down fire from heaven upon the inhoſpitable Samaritans, he rebuked them, ſaying, Ye know not what manner of ſpirit ye are of. For the ſon of man is not come to deſtroy men's lives, but to ſave them. ... " The miraculous power, which Jeſus exerted, was that of a divine benefactor and Saviour. The dead he raiſ. ed, the ſick he healed, the lepers he cleanſed, and the hungry he fed. He unſtopped the ears of the deaf, and opened the eyes of the blind. Maniacs he reſtored to their reaſon, and the lame and maimed, at his gracious word, walked and leaped. 3dly. The miracles of our Saviour were wrought publicly; and many of them underſ, ch circumſtances as admitted of no poſſibility of deception. We wiłł inſtance the raiſing of Lázarus : he as ſick and died . —the corpſe was ſhrouded in grave clothes,and had lain in the grave four days. There conla have been no doubt concerning the reality of his death. And the reſtoration of Lazarus, not merely to life, but to health and vigor, was effected inſtantaneouſly. When Jeſus had cried, with a leud voice, “Lazărus, come forth,” the corps was inſtantly reanimated, and he wbó had been dead, aroſe, and came forth. This was done prºb- licly ; and it is ſurely impoſſible that the witneſſes of º the tranſa&tion could have been deceived. * , , As to the modern objećtion, that there is no ſtºicient evidence that the ſacred books in general are genuine; or in particular, that John the diſciple was really the • W, a . 246 BEAUTIES OF author of this book that bears his name, it muſt origi- nate, either in groſs ignorance, or in deſigned ſophiſtry. What evidence is there, that Homer was the author of the Iliad, and Virgil of the AEneid P. The only evidence, is,that theſe immortal poems have, by general conſent, been aſcribed to thoſe authors. - From the very nature of the ſubjećt, no other proof is poſſible : this proof, by univerſal conſent, is judged ſufficient ; and the man who ſhould ſeriouſly deny that Homer was the author of the Iliad, or that Virgil was the author of the AEneid ; and ſhould call for other proof would deſervedly be thought an impertinent blockhead. - . . . Now, there is fully as much prošf that John the diſ- ciple was really the author of the gopel, which bears his name, as there is that Virgil was the author of the AEneid : for it has, irom the earlieſt ages of Chriſtani- ty, been aſcribed to John by general conſent. Nay, I may ſay, the proof is much ſtronger in the former caſe than in the latter ; becauſe it did not much con- cern mankind to kgow who compoſed the AEneid. The poem was equally excellent, whether compoſed by Virgil, or by any other man. Whereas in the firſt ages of Chriſtianity, thouſands of people, and ſome of them endowed with ſhining talents, and great learning, muſt. neceſſarily have felt themselves deeply interested to examine critically into the genuineneſs of the New- Testament, and to aſcribe every book to its real author. 4thly. It is infinitely abſurd to ſuſpect that John the narrator, and eye-witneſs of this aſtoniſhing miracle, has attempted to deceive mankind by a parration, which he knew to be falſe. For, in the firſt place, he could have had no inducement to aſſert and publiſh a falſhood of this ſort. Every kind of wordly intereſt was in the other ſcale. What could John have expećted, and what did he really obtain for his ſteadfaſt teſtimony con- THE BIBLE, ~ : . . $47. cerning the miracles, reſurre&tion and Meſſiahſhip of Jeſus 2. Nothing but reproaches, ſtripes, impriſon- ment;baniſhment, &c. And is it poſſible that any man ſhould knowingly publiſh a falſhood and perſiſt in it, in certain expećtation, not of any profit, but of deep diſgrace and injury, even in a worldly view P. : But beſides the aforementioned argument,there are, in the very recital of the ſtory, ſuch marks of truth as could not have been counterfeited. If the writer had defigned to impoſe upon the world by tilis ſtory, he would have dreſſed it out in the gaudy attire of an har- lot : conſcious of relating a fałſhood, he would have uſed the thick daubing of art, in order to gain belief. Whereas the whole flory is related, as with the art- leſs ſimplicity of a child. The fact is circumſtantially recited, in plain, ſimple, Hanguage ; and then diſmiſſed, without a ſingle comment or remark. The whole nar- ration, as to the ſtile and manner, has impreſſed upon it the very portrait of truth. - : - And if John was neither deceived himſelf in this mat- ter, nor attempted to deceive others, the conſequence is, that the miracle was really wrºhr. It follows from the premiſes,that Jeſus did certainly raiſe Laza- , rus from the dead; and, that the ſame Jeſus, accord- ing to his own declaration, will raiſe all the dead at the laſt day. º Indulge me to remark 5thly, That the narration of the raiſing of Lazarus is admirable for its beauties. It is genuine nature, in her ſimple dreſs. The account of the holy friendſhip that ſubſiſted between Jeſus and the afflićted family, the meſſage of the fiſters to Jeſus, “Behold, he whom thou loveſt is fick.” The pathet- ic exclamation of Martha, and eſpecially of Mary, fall- ing at the feet of Jeſus, and ſaying, “ Lord, if thodºhadſ, been here my brother had not died.” The inward groan- ings of Jeſus,and his weeping at the tomb of his friend ; 348 BEAUTIES OF and the remark of the Jews who ſtood by, “Behold, how he loved him " are delicate and affecting touch- es of nature, which every ſentimental heart muſt feel, and every perſon of taſte will admire. , * - But arriving at the cloſe of the ſcene,the moſt affett- ing emotions—the moſt afloniſhing ideas are excited. Before us lies the ſhrouded corpſe—on every ſide are ſeen the ſpećtators, leaning forward with anxious ex- pečiations, attentive, ſilent as the tomb itſelf. On ei- ther ſide of the Saviour, behold the afle&tionate weep- ing ſiſters In the countenance of Jeſus are blended. divine majeſty and love. He calls aloud, “ Lazarus coms forth ; ” and the dead hears his voice. The cold and ſtiffened clay is reaninated—the vital heat returns—the ghaſt y prints of death are wiped from his countenance; and Lazarus ariſes, and ſtands forth a living man. . . Aſtoniſhment is inſtantly pićtured in every face : in the facts of the diſciples,and eſpecially of the two ami- able ſºilers, this aſtoniſhment is mixed with lively joy, gratitude and devotion. . . . CHAPTER VII. MISCELLANEOUs ExtRACTs. 3 - , , , HAT ſhall it profit a man, if he ſhall gain the whole world, and loſe his own ſoul ? or what ſhall a man give in exchange for his ſoul? Whoſoever ſhail be aſhamed of me, and of my words, in this adul- tereus and ſinful generation, of him alſo ſhall the ion of man be aſhamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels. 2,...A good man, out of the good treaſure of his THE BIBLE. 249 heart bringeth forth good things : and an evil man, out of the evil treaſure, bringeth forth evil things. But I ſay unto you, that every idle word that men ſhall ſpeak, they ſhall give an account thereof in the day of judgment. ....Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye ſhall find reſt unto your ſouls : for my yoke is eaſy, and my burden is light. : 4....If thy brothe, ſhall treſpaſs againſt thee, go and teh him his fault he ween thee, and him alone : if he ſhall hear thee, thou haſt gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more : and if he ſhall negle&t to hear them, tell it unto the church : but if he neglećt to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 5...Be not ye called Rabbi : for one is your maſter, even Chriſt ; and all ye are brethren. Whoſoever will be great among you, let him be your miniſter; and whoſoever will be chief among you, let him be yeur ſervant : even as the ſon of man came not to be miniſtered unto, but to miniſter, and to give his life a railſom for many. * - 5....When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, . ſit not down in the higheſt room, leſ; a more honour- able man than thou be bidden of him ; and he that bade thee and him come and ſay to thee, Give this man place ; and thou begin with ſhame to take the loweſt room. But when thou art bidden, go and fit down in the loweſt room ; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may ſay unto thee, Friend, go up higher : for whos foever exalteth himſelf ſhall be abaſed ; and he that humbleth himſelf ſhall be exalted. 256 BEAUTIES OF 7....Take ye heed, watch and pray : for ye know not when the time is ; leſt coming ſuddenly, he find you ſleeping. And what I ſay unto you, I ſay unto all, watch. Bleſſed is that ſervant whom his Lord, when he cometh, ſhall find watching. - 8....God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten ſon, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh but have everlaſting life. For God ſent not his ſon into the world to condemn the world ; but that the world through him might be ſaved. He that believeth on him is not condemnea ; but he that believ- eth not is condemned already ; bºcauſe he hath not be- lieved in the name of the only begotten ſon of God, 9....And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkneſs rather than light, becauſe their deeds were evil. For every one who doeth evil, hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, leſt hisdeeds ſhould be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifeſt that they are wrought in God. The dead ſhall bear the voice of the ſon of God, and ſhall come forth ; they who have done good unto the reſur- e&ion of life, and they who have done evil unto the reſure&tion of damnation, : - , 10.....A certain ſcribe came, and ſaid unto Jeſus, Maſter, I will follow thee whitherſoever thou goeſt. And Jeſus ſaid unto him, the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have neſts ; but the ſon of man hath not where to lay his head. And when jeſus was en- tered into a ſhip, his diſciples followed him ; and, be- hold, there aroſe a great tempeſt, inſomuch that the ſhip was covered with the waves : but he was aſleep. 11,...And his diſciples came to him, and awoke him, ſaying, Lord, ſave us : we periſh, And he THE BIBLE, 25 tº faith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little taith ? Then he aroſe, and rebuked the winds and the ſea; and there was a great calm. But the men mar-, velled, ſaying, What manner of măm is this, that even the winds and the ſea obey him . . . . 12...Now as Jeſus ſat at meat in a houſe, behold, many publicans and ſinners came and ſat down with him and his diſciples. And when the Phariſees ſaw it, they ſaid unto his diſciples, Why eateth your maſter with publicans and finners ? But when Jeſus, heard that, he ſaid unto them, They that be whole need not a phyſicial%, but they who are ſick : I came not to call the righteous, but finiſters, to repentance, * 13....Jeſus ſpake this parable unto certain who truſt: ied in themſelves that they were righteous, and deſpiſed. others ; two men went up into the temple to pray ; the one a Phatiſee, and the other a publican. The phari- ſee ſtood and prayed thus with himſelf ; God I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, un- juit, adulterers, or even as this publican. I faſt twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I poſſeſs. . 14,...And the publican ſtanding a far off, would not liſt up ſo much as his eyes unto heaven, but ſmote up- on his breaſt, and ſaid, God be merciful to me a ſin- ner. I tell you that this man went down to his houſe juſtified rather than the other : for every one who ex- alteth himſelf ſhall be abaſed ; and he that humbleth himſelf ſhall be exalted. . 15....Now when John had heard in priſon the works of Chriſt, he ſent two of his diſciples, and ſaid unto him, Art thou he that ſhould come, or do we look for another P Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto them, Go, and : ſhew John theſe things which ye do hear and ſee : The blind, receive their fight, and the lame walk ; the le- pers are cleanſed, and the deal hear ; the dead are raiſe *~. age BEAUTIES OF ed up, and the poor have the goſpel preached to them * and bleſſed is he, whoſoever ſhall not be offended in ºn €. • . - --- 16....And Jeſus began to ſay unto the multitudes, Whereunto ſhall I liken this generation ? It is like un- to children ſitting in the markets,and calling unto their fellows, and ſaying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced ; we nave mourned unto you, and ye * This phraſe, “The poor have the goſpel preach- ed to them,” is peculiarly ſignificant. The moral in- ſtrućtion which ancient philoſophy ºundertook to ſup- ply, being ſhut up in ſchools and academieś, was con- fined to the rich and learned. Poor people,:ánd, in- deed the general maſs of mankind, were veryºlittle bºn: But 7eſus the divine teacher came into the world, as the friend of the friendleſs. His own birth and life were in the dreary ſhades of poverty"; all his compan- ions he choſe from the claſſes of the poor and the mid- dling ſort ; and his goſpel brought relief to the wreigh- ed and deſpiſed, by bringing life and immortality to light, and giving aſſurance that the very pooreſt peo- ple, in point of acceptance with God, are on equal ground with the richeſt. - - . - 7eſus was probably the firſt moral and religious teacher in the world (his immediate forerunner 70hn the Baptiſt excepted) who º travelled from place to place, gathering together and inſtruding the common people and the poor ; and adapting his ºn- fºručions even to the ſimpleſ: minds. - . And it is worthy of remark, that all the benevolent inſtitutions which are known to be in the world, for the relief of the poor, have originated ſince the Chriſt- ian ara, and are confined principally to Chriſtian countries. THE BIBLE, 253 have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they ſay, He hath a devil. The ſon of man came eating and drinking, and they ſay, Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine-bibber, a friend of pub- licans and ſinners: but wiſdom is juſtified of her chil- dren. - . . - , , 17....Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein- moſt of his mighty works were done, becauſe they re- pented not. . . Woe unto thee, Chorazin Woe unto thee, Bethſaida ſ for if the mighty works which were done inºxnu had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in ſackcloth and aſhes. But I ſay unto you, it ſhall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 18....Jeſus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by themſelves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became ſhirling, exceeding white as #. ſo as no fuller on earth can white them. And here appeared unto them Elias and Moſes; and they were talking with Jeſus. . . . -19....And Peter ſaid to Jeſus, Maſter, it is good for us to be here : and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moſes, and one for Elias. For he knew not what to ſay ; for they were ſore afraid. ...And there was a cloud that overſhadowed them : and a voice came out of the cloud, ſaying, This is my be- loved ſon ; hear him. * - go....And ſuddenly, when they had looked about, they ſaw no man any more, ſave jºi; with them- ſelves. And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they ſhould tell no man what things they had ſeen, till the ſon of man were riſen from the dead. And they kept that ſaying with them- 254 BEAUTIES OF ſelves, queſtioning one with another what the rišng from the dead ſhould mean. - 21....The diſciples came unto Jeſus, ſaying, Who is the greateſt in the kingdom of heaven P And Jeſus called a little child unto him, and ſet him in the midſt of them, and ſaid, Verily, I ſay unto you, except ye be ºëonverted, and become as little children, ye ſhall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whoſoever, there- fore, ſhall humble himſelf as this little child, the ſame is greateſt in the kingdom of heaven. And whoſo ſhall receive one ſuch little child in my flame recº ºth me. 22....But whoſo ſhall offend one of theſe little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a mill- ſtone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the ſea. Take heed that ye deſpiſe not one of theſe little ones; for I ſay unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. For the ſon of man is come to ſave that which is loſt. - 23....How think ye 2 If a man have an hundred fheep, and one of them be gone attray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the moun- tains, and ſeeketh that which is gone aſtray ? And if ſo be that he find it, verily I ſay unto you, he rejoiceth more of that ſheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not a ſtray. Even ſo, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of theſe little ones ſhould periſh. - 24....Peter came to Jeſus, and ſaid, Lord, how oft ſhall my brother fin againſt me, and I forgive him 2 till feven times P. Jeſus faith unto him, I ſay not unto thee, till ſeven times; but until ſeventy times ſeven. My heavenly Father (will exati your debts of you, and not forgive) if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their treſpaſſes, s' THE BIBLE. 255 25....They brought young children to Jeſus, that he ſhould touch them ; and his diſciples rebuked thoſe who brought them. But when Jeſus ſaw it he was much diſpleaſed, and ſaid unto them, ſuffer little chil- dren to come unto me, and forbid them not : for ot ſuch is the kingdom of God. Verily I ſay unto you, whoſoever ſhall not receive the kingdom of God as º. little child, he ſhall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them and bleſſed them. - . . . . 26....Gne of the ſcribes came, and aſked, Which is tº e firſt commandment of all 2 Jeſus anſwered him, The firſt of all the commandments is, Hear, O Iſrael the Lord our God is one Lord : and thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy ſoul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy ſtrength. This is the firſt commandment. And the ſecond is like, namely this, thou ſhalt love thy neighbor as thyſelf. There is none other commandment greater than theſe. 27....And the ſcribe ſaid unto him, Well, Maſter, thou haſt ſaid the truth ; for there is one God ; and there is none other but He. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the underſtanding, and with aff the ſoul, and with all the ſtrength, and to love his neigh- bour as himſelf, is more than all whole burnt offerings and ſacrifices. And when jeſus ſaw that he anſwered diſcreetly, he ſaid unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. - . - - 28....Now it came to paſs that Jeſus entered into a certain vij}age ; and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her houſe. And ſhe had a ſiſter call- cd Mary, who alſo ſat at the feet of Jeſus, and beard his words. But Martha was cumbered about much ſerve. ing, and came to him and ſaid, Lord, doſt thou not 256 BEAUTIES OF care that my fiſter hath left me to ſerve alone. Bid her therefore that ſhe help me. 29....And Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful; and Mary hath cho- ; that good part, which ſhall not be taken away from • er. - e - - 3o....Jeſus entered and paſſed through Jericho; and behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, who was chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he fought to ſee Jeſus who he was ; and could not for the crowd, becauſe he was little of ſtature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a ſycamore-tree to ſee him : for he was to paſs that way. And when Jeſus came to the place he looked up, and ſaw him, and ſaid unto him, Zaccheus, make haſte, and come down ; for to-day I muſt abide at thy houſe. 31,...And he made haſle, and came down, and receiv- ed him joyfully. And Zaccheus ſtood, and ſaid unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken any thing from any man by falſe accuſation, I return him four, fold. And Je- ſus ſaid unto him, this day is ſalvation come to this houſe; for the ſon of man is come to ſeek and to ſave that which is loſt. 32....Jeſus went into a city called Nain ; and many of his diſciples went with him, and much people. Now, when he came nigh to the gate of the city, be- bold, there was a dead man carried out, the only ſon of his mother, and ſhe was a widow ; and much peo- ple of the city were with her. And when the Lord {2w her, he had compaſſion on her, and ſaid unto her, Weep not. - - 33 ...And he came and touched the bier; and they *HE BIBLE, . . 257 - who bare him flood ſtill. And he ſaid, Young man, I ſay unto thee, ariſe. And he that was dead ſat up, and began to ſpeak. And there came fear on all ; and they glorified God, ſaying, That a great prophet is riſ- en up among us. - - - . ' , 34....There came one running, and kneeled down to Jeſus, and aſked him, ſaying, Good Maſter, what ſhall I do to inherit eternal life 2 And Jeſus ſaid onto him, Why called thou me good P There is none good but ". one, nam, ty, God. Thou knoweſt the commandments, Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not ſteal, do not bear falſe witneſs, defraud not, honour thy father and mother. And he anſwered and ſaid unto him, Maſter, all theſe have I obſerved from my youth. 35....Then Jeſus, beholding him, loved him, and ſaid unto him, Oile thing thou lackeſt ; Gothy way, ſell whatſoever thou haſt, and give to the poor, and thou. . . ſhalt have treaſure in heaven; and come, take up thy croſs, and follow me. But when the young man heard that ſaying, he went away ſorrowful : for he had great poſſeſſions. And Jeſus looked round about and iaith unto his diſciples, How hardly ſhall they that have rich- es enter into the kingdom of God REM&RK. _ It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God; becauſe it is hard for ſuch an one to become meek and lowly in heart, and to lead a life of goſpel humility. It is plain from the concurrent teſtimony of feripture and experience, that great wealth has a tenden- cyºto excite and cheriſh a haughty and diſdainful ſpirit, and to become the idol of its poſſeſſor ; and thereby it indiſpoſes one for embracing the humble and ſelf-deny. ing religion of Jeſus. . . " Though there be ſome rich people of a God-like - X 2 . * 238 BEAUTIES OF beneficence, whoſe charaćters are encompaſſed with a glorious ſplendour ; whoſe liberal hearts deviſe liberal things; and who like benevolent ange's, do miniſter for good to the needy family of man; we muſt never- theleſs, in a general view, yield to the ſentiment of an inſpired apoſtle; They who, will be rich fall into tempt. aſion, and a ſnare, and many hurtful lu/ls, which drown men in deſiru &lion and perdition. & * & ºf Men who are ſtruggling with inceſſant ſolicitude, to heap up immenſe riches, which they can erjoy but a ſhort time, do not ſeem to conſider that they are not on- ly indiſpoſing their own minds for a better-ſtate of ex- iſtence; but alſo that the great treaſure, which they ſhall leave to their children, will be likely to render thoſe children haughty, idle, enervated, and debauch- ed. Wiſe was that prayer of Agur, Give me neither poverty nor riches. . -- ". * CHAPTER VIII. THE PRO DIGAL SON. 1.... I HERE is joy in the preſence of the angels of God over one ſinner that repenteth. A cer- tain man had two ſons: and the youngeſt of them ſaid to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto him his living. And not many days after, the younger ſon gathered all together and took his journey into a far country, and ºthere waſted his ſubſtance with riotous living. - 2....Arid when he had ſpent all, the e aroſe a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And ke went and joined himſelf to a citizen of that country: and he ſent him into his fields to feed ſwine. And he THE BIBLE, 259 would fain have filled his belly with the huſks that the ſwine did eat; and no man gave unto him. - 3....And when he came to himſelf he ſaid, Hºw ma- ny hired ſervants of my father have bread enough, and to ſpare, and I periſh with hunger | I will ariſe and go- to my father, and will ſay unto him, Father, I have ſin- ned againſt heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy ſon ; make me as one of thy hired ſervants. And he aroſe and came to his father. 4...But when he was yet a great way off his father ſaw him, and had compaſſion, and ran and fell on his neck and kiſſed him. And the ſon ſaid unto him, Fa- ther, I have ſinned againſt heaven, and in thy fight, and am no more worthy to be calied thy ſon. - 5...But the father ſaid to his ſervants, Bring forth the beſt robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and ſhoes on his feet; and bring hither the fatted calf and kill it; and let us eat and be merry ; for this my ſon was dead, and is alive again ; he was loſt, and is found. And they began to be merry. - REMARK. This parable, taken altogether, has a primary refer- ence to the calling in of the Gentiles, and to the diſ- pleaſure and envy of the Jews on that occaſion. But in another view, it teaches the benevolence of the Dei- - ty;—the degrading nature of vice;—the mean and for. did pleaſures of a vicious perſon;–the ſtarving and periſhing condition of a mind that is totaly eſtranged, from the divine nature;—the readineſs of our heaven- ly Father to receive returning penitents, and the joy among good beings on the event of a finner being re- claimed and brought home to God. The whole is af. feaing and indeſcribably beautiful, 260 BEAUTIES OF CHAPTFR IX. THE KIND SAMARITAN. 5. A CERTAIN lawyer ſtood up, and tempted Jeſus, laying, Maſter, what ſhall I do to inhe- rit eternal life. And he ſaid unto hirn, What is writ- ten in the law P. How readeſt thou ? And the lawyer, anſwering, ſaid, Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy ſoul, and with all thy {trength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbonr as thyſelf. And Jeſus ſaid unto him, thou haſt anſwered right; this do, and thou ſhalt live. But he, willing to juſtify himſelf, ſaid unto jeſus, And who is my neigh- bour 2 , - . 2....And Jeſus, anſwering, ſaid, A certain man went down from Jeruſalem to jericho, and fell among thieves who ſtripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain prieſt that way; and when he ſaw him he paſſed by on the other fide. And like- wiſe a Levite, when he was at the place, came and look- ed on him, and paſſed by on the other ſide. 3...But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was ; and when he ſaw him, he had compaſ- fion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and ſet him on his own beaſt and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the hoſt, and ſaid unto him, Take care of him ; and whatſoever thou ſpendeſt more, when I come again I will repay thee. - 4....Which now of theſe three, thinkeſt thou, was neighbor unto, him that fell among thieves 2 And the lawyer ſaid, He that ſhewed mercy on him. Then ſaid: Jeſus unto him, Go, and do thou likewiſe. - THE BIBLE. 26, REMARKS, The expounders of the Moſaic law, of which num- ber this lawyer was one, taught, ſaying, Thou ſhalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy ; or in other words, thou ſhalt love Jews and proſelites, and deſpiſe and abhor all the reſt of mankind : Jeſus, on the other hand was a teacher of univerſal benevolence; and the lawyer deſigning to enſnare and confute him, in regard to this point, and to juſtify his own explanation of the law, aſked, Who is my neighbour P . . - Now, if jeſus had anſwered dire&ly and explicitly, that he extended the meaning of the word neighbour, to Gentiles as well as to the Jews, and even to the whole world of mankind, he might have incurred the furious reſentment of ſome that were preſent ; there- fore, with divine wiſdom, he replied in a parabolical Way. ' The ſcene was laid between Jeruſalem and Jericho, a road frequently infeſled by robbers, A Jew travel- ling this dangerous road, was robbed, wounded, and left in a helpleſs and forlorn condition. Two Jewiſh teach- ers, a prieſt and a Levite, happened to travel the ſame road : and caſting on the wounded man who lay welter- ing in his blood, a cold and diſtant look of contempt, rather than of pity, they both paſſed by on the other ſide of the way. - ! Next, came along a Samaritan, belonging to a nation of all others, the moſt abhorred by the Jews. This Sa- maritan beheld the condition of his fellow-creature, and his compaſſions were inſtantly moved. He never iaid in his heart, This is a Jew, mine enemy, and let him lie there, and periſh. He did not ſay, Why ſhould I be hindered on my journey, and waſte my money in attending to this worthleſs obječa 2 But, with warmth of affe&tion, he flew to his relief, and did him all the kindneſs in his power. - 262 BEAUTIES OF Theſe circumſtances having been ſtated, Jeſus made an appeal to the lawyer, by aſking him, Who was neigh. bour to this diſtreſſed Jew. He replied, The Samari- tan. And thus he was made to anſwer his own queſ- tion. The lawyer's queſtion was, Who is my neigh- bour P. His own anſwer to the queſtion, was, The Sa- maritan is my neighbour. . - - Jeſus then made this pungent application, Go, and do thou iikewiſe. As if he had ſaid, Thou acknowledg- eſt that the Samaritan was neighbor to the Jew : and be thou alſo a neighbour to the Samaritan, in like circum- 2. ſtances. If thou can ſt benefit a fellow-creature, readi- ly do it, whatever be his nation or religion. - The manner in which the captious lawyer was forced, as it were, to aſſent to truth, even in ſpite of violent pre- judice, is extremely beautiful and worthy of admira- $10ſ). - - CHAPTER x. THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR, AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. . . . . 1.... HERE was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared ſumpte. oufly every day. . And there was a certain beggar nam- •ed Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of ſores, and deſiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell irom the rich man's table; moreover, the dogs came and licked his ſores. , And it came to paſs, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham's boſom. 2....The rich man alſo died, and was buried; and in hell he litted up his eyes, being in totinents, aed THE BIBLE. 263 feeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his boſom." And he cried, and ſaid, Father Abraham, have mercy on me ; and ſend Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in *..." cool my tongue ; for I am tormented in this flâme. 2....But Abraham ſaid, Son, remember that thou in thy life time receivedſt thy good things, and likewiſe Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beſides all this, between us and you there is a great gulph fixed : ſo that they that would paſs from hence to you cannot ; neither can they paſs to us who would come from thence. 4....Then he ſaid, I pray thee, therefore, Father that thou wouldſt ſend him to my father's Houie : for I have five brethren, that he may teſtify unto them, leſt they alſo come into this place of torment. Abra- ham ſaith unto him, they have Moſes and the prophets; let them hear then.—And he ſaid, Nay Father Abra. * ham ; but if one went unto them from the dead, they º will repent.—And he ſaid unto him, If they hear not Moſes and the prophets, neither will they be perſuaded though one ariſe from the dead. - 5....When the ſon of man ſhall come in his glory, and all the bcly angels with him, then ſhall he ſit upon the throne of his glory ; and before him ſhall be gath- ered all nations ; and he ſhall ſeparate them one from another, as a ſhepherd divideth the ſheep from the goats : and he ſhall ſet the ſheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 6.Then ſhall the king ſay unto thoſe on his right hand, Come, ye bleſfied of my Father, inherit the kingāom prepared for you before the foundation of the world : for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat ; I was thirſty, and ye gave me drink; I was a #ranger, and ye took me in ; naked, and ye clothed ‘. .” 264 BEAUTIES OF “me : I was ſick, and ye viſited me : I was in priſon, and ye came unto me. 7....Then ſhall the righteous anſwer him, ſaying, Lord, when ſaw we thee an hungered, and fed thee P or thirſty and gave thee drink 2 When ſaw we thee a ftranger, and took thee in 2 or naked, and clothed thee P Or when ſaw we thee fick, or in priſon, and came un- to thee P And the king ſhall anſwer, and ſay unto them, Verily I ſay unto you, inaſmuch as ye have done it un- to one of the leaſt of theſe my brethren, ye have done it unt O II) e. - - 8....Then ſhall he ſay unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye curſed, into everlaſting fire pre- pared for the devil and his angels : for I was an hun- gered, and ye gave me no meat : I was thirſty, and ye , gave me no drink : I was a ſtranger and ye took me not in : naked, and ye clothed me not : ſick, and in pri- ſon, and ye viſited me not. 9....Then ſhall they alſo anſwer him, ſaying, Lord, when ſaw we thee an hungered, or athirſt, or a ſtranger, or naked, or ſick, or in priſon, and did not miniſter unto thee P Then ſhall he anſwer them, ſaying, Verily I ſay unto you, inaſmuch as ye did it not to one of the leaſt of theſe, ye did it not to me. And theſe ſhall go away into everlaſting puniſhment : but the righteous into life eternal. 4. - REMARKS. The ſolemn and tremendous ſcenes repreſented in the foregoing paragraphs, are infinitely intereſting to every one ; and muſt arreſt the ſerious attention of any human mind that is not entirely ſtupid and unfeeling, - Omitting other remarks, which crowd into view, it is obvious that habitual covetouſneſs, or hard-heartedneſs toward indigent, and diſtreſſed fellow-creatures, is ut- terly inconſiſtent with the chriſtian charatter. THE BIBLE, $8.5 Łove is the fulfilling of the goſpel-law, and is in- deed the moſt conſpicuous mark of a diſciple of Jeſus: and whoever truly receives his religion, will have his heart opened thereby to charity, and to deeds of bro- therly-kindneſs. - CHAPTER XI. AN ABSTRACT of THE FAREWEL DIS. COURSE OF 7ESUS To HIS DISCIPLES. . ...Little children, yet a little while H am with you. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye alſo love one another. By this ſhall all men know that ye are my diſciples, if ye have love one to another. Let not your heart be troubled : ye believe in God, believe alſo in me. - - - 2....In my Father's houſe are thany manſions; if it were not ſo, I would have told you, I go to prepare à place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myſelf; that where I am, there ye may be alſo. ...And whither I ‘go ye know, and the way ye know. Whatſoever ye. ihail aſk in my name that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 3....If ye love ine, keep my commandments; and I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, becauſe it ſeeth him not; neither knoweth him : butye now him; for he dwelleth with you, and ſhall be in you. I will not leave you comfortleſs ; I will come to you, ... * * * * 266 BEAUTIES OF , 4....Yet a little while, and the world ſeeth the no more; but ye ſee me: becauſe I live, ye ſhall live al- ſo. At that day ye ſhall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He that hath my com- “mandments, and keepeth them, he it is who loveth me : and he who loveth me ſhall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifeſt myſelf unto him. 5....If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my ſayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who ſent me. The Com- forter, which is the Holy Ghoſt, whom the Father will fend in my name, he ſhall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatſoever I have ſaid unto you. . . 6....Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I ſaid unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me ye would rejoice, be- cauſe I ſaid, I go unto the Father : for my Father is greater than I. - 7....If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ve ſhall aſk what ye will, and it ſhall be done unto you. . Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; io ſhall ye be my diſciples. As the Father bath loved me, ſo have I loved you : continue ye in my love. It ye keep my cornihandments, ye ſhall abide in my love ; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love, ** • * 8....Theſe things have I ſpoken unto you, that my jóy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye Hove one another, as I have loved you. Greater love THE BIBLE. 267 hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are iny friends, if ye do whatſoever [. command. Henceforth I call you not ſervants ; for the ſervant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things which I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. . . . 9....Ye have not choſen me, but I have choſen you, and ordained you, that ye ſhould go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit ſhould remain. Theſe things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated fine before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own : but becauſe ye are not of the world, but I have choſen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 1o....Remember the word that I ſaid unto you, The ſervant is not greater than his lord. If they have per- ſecuted me, they will alſo perſecute you : it they have kept my ſaying, they will keep yours alſo. But all theſe things will they do unto you for my name's ſake, becauſe they know not him that ſent me. They ſhalf put you out of the ſynagogues : yea, the time corneth, that whoſoever killeth you will think that he doeth God ſervice. And theſe things will they do unto you, be- cauſe they have not known the Father nor me. He that hateth me, hateth my Father alſo, - - 11....I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away : for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you : but if I depart I will ſend him unto you. I have yet many things to ſay unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide, you into all truth: for he ſhall not ſpeak of himſelf; but whatſoever he ſhall hear, that ſhall he ſpeak: and he will ſhow you things to come. 12....He ſhall glority me: for he ſhall receive of 968 - BEAUTIES OF mine, and ſhew it unto you. All things that the Fa- ther hath are nine : therefore ſaid I, That he ſhall take of mine, and ſhew it unto you. A little while, and ye ſhall not ſee me: and again, a little while, and ye ſhall ſee me; becauſe I go to the Father. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, that ye ſhall. weep and lament, but the world ſhall rejoice : and ye ſhall be ſorrowful, but your ſorrow ſhall be turned into joy. ** . 13....Ye now have ſorrow; but I will ſee you again, and your heart ſhall rejoice, and your joy po man tak- eth from you. . Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, whatſo- ever ye ſhall aſk the Father in my name, he will give it you.' Aſk, and ye ſhall receive, that your joy may be full. * * . * - 14....The Father himſelf loveth you, becauſe ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world : again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. Tneſe things I have ſpoken unto you, that in me ye - might have peace. In the world ye ſhall have tribu- lation : but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. REMARK. The foregoing diſcourſe breathes heavenly conſola- tion, and is tender and ſoothing beyond parallel. While reading the pathetic and affectionate farewel of the Sa- viour, our hearts burn within us ; the tear of ſenſibili- ty falls; we perceive that grace was poured into his lips, and feelingly exclaim, that never man ſpake like him. THE BIBLE. 269 CHAPTER XII. 0UR SAWIOUR's PREDICTION OF THE DE- STRUCTION OF 7ERUSALEM, AND OF THE DISPERSION OF THE ZEWS. A. D. 33. 1 - - - - HEY ſpread their clothes in the way, (for 7e/us to paſs over them.) And when he was come nigh, even now at the deſcent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the diſciples began to rejoice, and praiſe God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works that they had ſeen, ſaying, Bieſſed be the king who cometh in the name of the Lord ; peace in heaven, and glory in the higheſt. 2....And when he was come near he beheld the city, and wept over it, ſaying, if thou badít known, ever, thou, at leaſt in this thy day, the tbings which belong unto thy peace —but now they are hid from thinc eyes. For the days ſhall come upon thee, that thine C- nemies ſhall caſt a trench about thee, and compaſs thee round, and keep thee in on every fide, and ſhali lay thee evan with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they ſhall not leave in thee one ſtone upon another; becauſe thou knoweſt not the time of thy viſitation. 3....And as ſome ſpake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly ſtones and gifts, he ſaid, As for theſe things which ye behold, the days, will come, in which there ſhall not be left one ſtone upon another, which ſhall not be thrown down. And they aſked him, ſaying, Maſter, but when ſhall theſe things be P And what ſign will there be when theſe things ſhall come to paſs 2 & - r 4....And he ſaid, Take lsº ye be not deceived : - 3: . . . . - *: - 27° BEAUTIES OF for many hall come in my name, ſaying, I am Chriſt, and the time draweth near : go not ye therefore after them. But when ye ſhall hear of wars and commo- tions, be not terrified: for theſe things muſt firſt come to paſs; but the end is not by and by. 5....Then ſaid he unto them, Nation ſhall riſe againſt nation, and kingdom againſt kingdom; and great earth- quakes ſhall be in divers places, and famines, and peſt- ilences; and fearful fights, and great ſigns ſhall there be from heaven. But before all theſe they ſhall lay their hands on you, and perſecute you, delivering you up to the ſynagogues, and into priſons, being brought before kings and rulers, for my name's ſake. 6....And ye ſhall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends, and ſome of you £hall they cauſe to be put to death. And ye ſhall be hated of all men for my name's ſake; but there ſhall not an hair of your head periſh. In your patience pof- ſeſs ye your ſouls. And when ye ſhall ſee Jeruſalem. compaſſed with armies, then know that the deſolation thereof is nigh. Then let them that are in Judea, flee to the mountains ; and let them that are in the midſt of it depart out; and let not them who are in the coun- tries enter thereinto. - 7....For theſe be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to thern who give fuck, in thoſe days for there ſhall be great diſtreſs in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they ſhall Hall by the edge of the ſword, and ſhall be led away captive into all nations : and Jeruſalem ſhall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times, of the Gentiles be ful- #lled. - - - - RKMARKs, * x - This, awful predićtion, at the end of thirty-eight THE BIBLE, 27.1 years, was moſt remarkably accompliſhed. While the city was crowded with people (it being the time of the paſſover), a Roman army beſieged Jeruſalem, and caſt a trench about it. At the approach of this army, the few chriſtians who were in the city, left it, and retired to a place named Pella : which they were led to do. by the warnings and dire&tions of Jeſus, in the forego- ing paragraphs. * During the ſiege, and at the capture of Jeruſalem, no leſs than eleven hundred thouſand people miſerably periſhed by the ſword and famine, according to Joſe- phus the Jewiſh hiſtorian. The city and temple were burned, and the foundations thereof were completely raſed and demoliſhed'; nay, the ground-upon which the city ſtood was ploughed up with a plough; ſo that not one ſtone was left upon anotheft. After this, the wretched Jews who remained alive, were ſold into ſlav- ery, and diſperſed over the earth. - Indeed this predićtion of our Saviour was fulfilled. ſo completely and circumſtantially, that Voltaire, in order to evade the unanſwerable argument in favour of chriſtianity which this circumſtance affºrded, had the impudence to aſſert that the account was written after the event, and is a hiſtory, rather than a prophecy. Porphyry, of old, had recourſe to the ſame ſubter. fuge, with reſpect to the ſeventy prophetic weeks, in the book of Daniel. Thus when a propheſy is fulfilled exačtly, in all its minute circumſtances, it has been pretended that it is, in faët, no propheſy, but has been. fabricated and impoſed upon the world, after the event had come to paſs. - …” On the other hand, when a ſcripture propheſy is fulfilled in a leſs circumſtantial manner, the ſame men have denied that there were any remarkable coincidence between the predićtion and the event; and ſo pretend- ad that the propheſy had not been fulfilled at all, 272 BEAUTIES OF They knew, indeed, that it was eaſy to cut the knot, which they could not untie ; and neither they, nor their diſciples have been delicate in the choice of ways and means to accompliſh their ends. - The preſent number of the Hebrew race, according to the opinion of one of their own nation, is not leſs than ſix millions. They have been diſperſed over the world more than ſeventeen hundred-years, and all that time have been without any government of their own ; and ſtill they remain a diſtinči people, having never been blended and incorporated with the nations among whom they have lived. - This is an event ſo ſingular, ſo contrary to the com- mon courſe of things,.. that it may be eſteemed, as it were, a permanent miracle ; and it is doubtleſs intend- ed to anſwer ſome great and important purpoſe. And this very event was plainly predićted more than two thouſand years ago; particularly in the 9th ch. of Amos, 9 h verſe : For lo, I will command, and, I will ſºft the houſe of Iſrael amºng all nations, like as corn is ſºft- ed in a ſieve, yet ſhall not the left grain fall upon the earth, • - As it belongerh to God alone to declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times, the things which have not yet been ; it follows, that the ſcriptures, which foretell future and diſtant events whh ſuch exaëtneſs, are from Him. - 2. - - CHAPTER XIII. THE ARRAIGNMENT,CRUCIFIXION, RESUR- RECTION, AND ASCENSION, 0F 7ESUS. 4. D. 33. - .. ...Now. the firſt day of the feaſt of un- leavened bread, the diſciples came to Jeſus, ſaying THE BIBLE. 275 unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the paſſover ? And he ſaid, Go into the city to ſuch a man, and ſay unto him, The Maſter faith, my time is at hand; I will keep the paſſover at thy houſe with my diſciples. And the diſciples did as Jeſus had appointed them.; and they made ready the paſſover. 2...Now, when the even was come, he ſat down with the twelve ; and as they did eat, he ſaid, Verily I ſay unto vou, that one of you ſhall betray me. And they were exceeding ſorrowful, and began every one of them to ſay unto him, Lord, is it I ? 3....And he anſwered and ſaid, He that dippeth his hand with me in the diſh, the ſame ſhall betray me. But woe unto that man by whºm the Son of Man is be- trayed f It had beer, good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas who betrayed him, anſwered and ſaid, Maſter, is it I ? Jeſus iaid unto him, Thou haſt ſaid. ' { i 4....And as they were eating, Jeſus took bread, and bleſſed it, and brake it, and gave it to the diſciples, and ſaid, Take, eat, this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, ſaying, Drink ye all of it : for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is ſhed for many for the remiſſion of fins. • And when they had ſung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Oiives. 5....Afterward cometh Jeſus with them unto a place called Gethſemane, and ſaith unto the diſciples, Sii ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two ſons of Zebedee, and began to be ſorrowful and very heavy. Then ſaid be unto them, My ſoul is exceeding ſorrowful, even unto death: tap- ry ye here, and watch with me. - 6....And he went a little further, and fell on his face, e/4 BEAUTIES OF and prayed, ſaying, O my Father, if it be poſſible, let this cup paſs from me : nevertheleſs, not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the diſciples, and findeth them aſleep, and faith unto Peter, What I could ye not watch with me one hour P Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the ſpirit indeed is will- ing, but the fleſh is weak. - 7....He went away again the ſecond time, and pray- ed, ſaying, O my Father, if this cup may not paſs away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them aſleep again : for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, ſaying the ſame words. And being in an agony, he prayed more earneſtly : and his fweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 8....Then corneth he unto his diſciples, and ſaith un- to them, Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of finners. And while he yet ſpake, Jo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with hin a great multitude, with ſwords and ſtaves, from the chief prieſts and elders of the people. 2...Now, he that betrayed him gave them a ſign, ſaying, Whomſoever I ſhall kiſs, the ſame is he ; hold him faſt. And forth with he came to Jeſus, and ſaid, Hail, Maſter, and kiſſed him. And Jeſus ſaid unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come P Betrayeft thou the Son of Man with a kiſs 2 Then came they and laid hands on Jeſus, and took him. 10... And, behold, one of them who were with Jeſus ſtretched out his hand, and drew his ſword, and ſtruck a ſervant of the high prieſt, and ſmote off his ear. Then ſaid Jeſus unto him, Put up again thy ſword into his place; for all they that take the ſword ſhall periſh with THE BIBLE, 273 the ſword. And they who had laid hold on Jeſus led him away to Caiaphas the high prieſt, where the ſcribes. and the elders were aſſembled. 11...Now, the chief priefs, and elders, and all the council, ſought falſe witneſs againſt Jeſus, to put him, to death. At the laſt came two falſe witneſſes, and, ſaid, This fellow ſaid, I am abie to deſtroy the temple of God, and to build it again in three days. And the high prieſt aroſe, and ſaid unto him, Anſwereſt thou. nothing 2 What is it that theſe witneſs againſt thee? But Jeſus held his peace. 12....And the high prieſt ſaid unto him, I adjure. thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Chriſt, the Son of God. Jeſus ſaith unto him, thou haſ ſaid: nevertheleſs I ſay unto you, hereafter, ſhall ye ſee the Son of Man ſitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 13....Then the high prieſt rent his clothes, ſaying, He bath ſpoken blaſphemy ; what further need have we of witneſſes P. Behold, now ye have heard his blaſ- phemy. What think ye 2 They anſwered and ſaid, He is guilty of death. Then did they ſpit in his face, and buffeted him; and others ſmote him with the palms of their hands, ſaying, Propheſy unto us, thou Chriſt; who is he that ſmote thee ? And when they had bound Jeſus, they led him away, and delivered him to Ponti- us Pilate the governor. . . . . . 14....Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he ſaw that be was condemned, repented himſelf, and brought again the thirty pieces of ſilver to the chief prieſts and elders, ſaying, I have ſinned, in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they ſaid, what is that to us 2 ſee thou to that. And he caſt down the pieces of filver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himſelf. a78 BEAUTIES OF 15....And Jeſus ſtood before the governor; and the governor aſked him, ſaying, Art thou the king of the Jews F And Jeſus ſaid unto him, Thou ſayeſt. And when he was accuſed of the chief prieſts and elders, he anſwered nothing. Then faith Pilate unto him, Hear- eſt thou not how many things they witneſs againſt thee P And he anſwered him never a word; inſomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 16...Now, at the feaſt the governor was wont to re- leaſe unto the people a priſoner, whom they would. And they had then a notorious priſoner, called Barab- bas, who had been caſt into priſon for ſedition and murder. Therefore, when they were gathered toge- ther, Pilate ſaid unto them, whom will ye that 1 re- leaſe unto you ? Barabbas, or Jeſus, who is called Chriſt For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. ” - 17....When he had ſat down on the judgment ſeat, his wife ſent unto him, ſaying, Have thou nothing to do with that juſt man : for I have ſuffered many things this day in a dream becauſe of him. But the chief prieſts and the elders perſuaded the multitude, that they ſhould aſk Barabbas, and deſtroy Jeſus. The govern- or anſwered and ſaid unto them, Whether of the two will ye that I-releaſe unto you ? They ſaid, Barabbas. 18....Pilate faith unto them, What ſhall I do then with Jeſus, who is called Chriſt P They all ſay unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor ſaid, Why What evil hath he done P But they cried out the more, ſaying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate ſaw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tu- mult was made, he took water, and waſhed his hands before the multitude, ſaying, I am innocent of the blood of this juſt perſon; ſee ye to it. Then anſwered all the people and ſaid, His blood be on us, and snout children. THE BIBLE, sy, 19....Then releaſed he Barabbas unto them : and when he had ſcourged Jeſus, he delivered him to be a crucified. Then the ſoldiers of the governor took Je- ſus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the wholei band of foldiers ; and they ſtripped him, and put on him a ſcarlet robe. • '20....And when they had platted a crown of thorns they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand : and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, ſaying, Hail, king of the Jews. And they ſpit upon him, and took the reed, and ſmote him on the head- And after they had Înocked him, they took the robe from off him, and put his own raiment on him, and ied him away to be crucified. * * 21....And Jeſus bearing his croſs, (that is, the piec- *s of wood upon which he was crucifted.) went forth. And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who alſo bewailed and lamented him. And Jeſus turning unto them, ſaid, Daughters of Jeru- ſalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourſelves, and for your children. For; behold, the days are coming, in which they ſhall ſay, Bleſſed are the barren, who i. bare children, and the breaſts which never gave uck. . . . - 22....And when they were coine unto a place called Uolgotha, that is to ſay, A place of a ſculi, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall : and when he had taſted thereof, he would not drink it. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, caſting lotst and ſitting down, they watched him there ; and 4et up over his head his accuſation written, This is jº/us, the king of the Jews. - 23....There were two thieves crucified with him ; one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And they that paſſed by revie, him, wagging their heads, *78 BEAUTIES OF and ſaying, Thou that deſtroyeſt the temple, and build- eſt it in three days, tave thyſelf. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the croſs. . . . . . . . 24....Likewiſe alſo the chief prieſts, mpcking him, with the ſcribes and elders, ſaid, He ſaved others, him- ſelf he cannot ſave. If he be the king of Iſrael, let him now come down from the croſs, and we wiſh 'be- lieve him. He truſted in God; let him deliver him ngw, if he will have him : for he ſaid, I am, the Son 25....And one of the malefaāors, who were cruci- fied with Jeſus, railed on him, ſaying, If thou be the Chriſt, ſave thyſelf and us. But the other anſwering, rebuked him, ſaying, Doſt not thou fear God, ſeeing thou art in the ſame condemnation ? And we indeed juſtly ; for we receive the due reward of our deeds ; but this man hath done nothing amiſs. And he ſaid un- to Jeſus, Lord, remember me when thou comeſt into thy kingdom. And Jeſus ſaid unto hirn, Verily I ſay unto thee, to day ſhalt thou be with me in Paradiſe. 26...Now there ſtood by the croſs of Jeſus his mo- ther, and , his mother's ſiſter, and Many Magdalene. When Jeſus, therefore, ſaw his mother, and the diſci- ºple flanding by whom he loved, (namely john, J he faith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy ſon 1 Then faith he to the diſciple, Behold thy mother And from that hour that diſciple took her unto his own houſe.” • * This is the moſt ſublime and aftoniſhing inſtance of ſocial affection or friendſhip that was ever exhibit- ed to the admiration of mankind. Indeed it is impoſ. ſible that this example ſhould be ſurpaſſed even by ºn- agination itſelf. - . . . . . While 7:/us was feeling the moſt agonizing tortureſ, as if he were unmindful of his own inexpreſſible ſuffer. THE BIBLE. . 279 , 27...Now, fram the ſixth hour ºthere was darkneſs oveſ all the land unto the ninth hour. And, about the ninth hour, Jeſus cried with a loud voice, ſaying, My God, my God, why haſt thou-forſaken me And Je- fuş ſaid, Father, forgive them; for they know abt what - tº, do.”. Father, into thy hands I commend, my ſpi- rit; and having ſaid thūs, he gave up the ghoſt. . . . 28....And, behold, the vail of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom ; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent, and the graves were opened ; and malay bodies of the faints which ſlept aroſe, and came oat of their graves after his reſurre&tion, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion ſaw what was done, he glorified God, ſaying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people who came together to that fight, behold- ing the things which were done, ſmote their breaſis, and returned.3 . . . . . . . y * ings, he turned his attention to his friends. Behold- ing his beloved diſciple" john, and his own mother Mary, overwhelmed with anguiſk, ſtanding both to- gether by his croſs, he tenderly commended them to each other's confidence and kindneſ; : he pathetically bade them to ač toward ahe another in the ſame man- war as if they were connaiſed together by the endearing relation of mother and/on. & * This was probably the firſt inſtance the world eyer /a:9, of any one, who in the Keeneſ tortures of death, prayed for thoſe who were not merely murder- § him, but were ſºftng and mocking at his anguiſh. Hºwever, there haveºn many perſºns in after times, #69 enº aged and ſkrengthèned by the example and ſpirit of Chriſt, have prayed for their murderers with their dying &reash. - . . . . . . . \ . . '. - - - a80 BEAUTIES OF 29...Now the Jews, that the bodies might not remain upon the croſs on the Sabbath-day, befought º: that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the foldiers, and brake the legs of the firſt, and of the other who was crucified with him. But when they came to Jeſus, and ſaw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs ; but one of the ſoldiers with a ſpear pierced his fide, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” 3o....And, behold, there was a man named Joſeph, a counſellor ; and he was a good man, and a juſt. This man went unto Pilate, 2nd begged the body of Jeſus. And he took it down and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a ſepulchre that was hewn in ſtone, wherein never man before was laid. And the Sabbath drew on. 31....And the women alſo, who came with Jeſus from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the ſepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared ſpices and ointments; and reſted the Sabbath day, according to the commandment. 32...Now, the chief priefls and phariſees came to- gether unto Pilate, and ſaid, Sir, we remember that that. deceiver ſaid, while he was yet alive, After three days I will riſe again. Command, therefore, that the ſepul- chre be made ſure until the third day, left his diſciples come by night and ſteal him away, and ſay unto the people, He is riſen from the dead : ſo that the laſt er- sor ſhall be worſe than the firſt. Pilate ſaid unto them, * As the water (according to the opinion of anato- miſts) came from the pericardium, which contains the heart, the blood muſt have come from the heart itſelf; and as the ſpear pierced the very heart of Žeſus, it is from hence evident that his body was not taken down from the croſs till it was entirely dead. - THE BIBLE, 281. Ye have a watch: ; goiyodr way, make it as:ſure as you can. So they went, and made the ſepulchre-ſure, put- ting a ſeal upon the ſtone; and ſetting a watch. 33....In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the firſt day of the week, came Mary Magda- lene, and the other Mary to ſee the fepulchre. . . “And, behold, there was a great earthquake : for the angel of the Lord deſcended from heaven, 2nd came and rolled back the ſtone from the door, and ſat upon it. … His countenance was like lightning, and his rainent white as ſhow ; and for fear of Liſa the keepers did ſhake, and became as dead men. - - - , * 34,...And the angel ſaid unto the women, Fear not ye : for I know that ye ſeek jeſus who was crucified. He is not here; for he is riſen as he ſaid. Come, ſee the place where the Lord has lain: and go quickly, and tell his diſciples that he is riſen from the dead. And they departed quickly from the ſepujebre with fear ar:4 great joy, and did run to bring his diſciples word. 35....Then Peter went for th; and the other diſciple where Jeſus laid, and came to the ſepulchre. So they ran both together : and the other diſciple did cut un Peter, and came firſt to the ſepulchre. And he flooped down, and looking in, ſaw the linek cloth; biºg $. yet went he not in. Then cometh Sanon Peter Soi. lowing him, and went into the ſepulchre, and feeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his. head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped to- gether in a place by itſelf. Then went in alſo that 6- ther diſciple, who came firſt to the ſepulchre, and he ſaw, and believed. For as yet they knew pot the ſcrip- ture, that he muſt wife again from the déd. * , 36,...Now f fas, after he was riſen from the dead, early the firſt day of the week, appeared firfl to Mary Magdalgººd the other Mary: after that he was ſeen, - º º - . . . • . 2. 3: - & - 882 BEAUTIES or of Cephas: (Peter: ) after that he appeared to two dif. ciples as they were going to Emmaus. Afterwards, when the eleven diſciples were gathered together, Jeſus fiood in the midſt of them, and ſaid unto them, Peace be unto you. - . 37....But they were terrified and affrighted, and ſpp. poſed that they had ſeen a ſpirit. And he ſaid unto them, Why are ye troubled and why do thoughts a- riſe in your hearts P Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myſelf. Handle me, and ſee : for a ſpirit hath not fleſh and bones, as ye ſee me have. - , , 38....And when he had thus ſpoken, he ſhewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he aid unto them, Have ye here any meat f And they gave him a piece of broiled fiſh, and of an honey comb. And he took it, and did eat before them. - - . . 39....And he ſaid unto them. Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Chriſt to ſuffer, and to riſe from the dead the third day : and that repentance and remiſſion, of ſins ſhould be preached in his name among all na- tions, beginning at Jeruſalem. And ye are witneſſes. of theſe things. - - 40....And after eight days, Jeſus again ſtood in the midſt of the elever, diſciples, and ſaid, Peace be unto. you. Afterwards he ſhe wed himſelt again to the diſci- ples at the ſea of Tiberius: (namely, to Peter, Thomas, James and Zohn J. . 41....Jeſus ſhºwed himſelf alive after his ſufferings by many infallible prºofs, being ſeen of his ...; forty days, arid ſpeaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God : and being aſſembled together with them, he ſaid, All power is given unto ºne in heaven. and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and * - r" * ºš. THE BIBLE. . 283 baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt; teaching them to obſerve all things whatſoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. 42....Ye ſhall receive power, after that the Holy Ghoſt is come upon you : and ye ſhall be witneſſes un- to me, both in Jeruſalem, and all Judea, and in Sāma- ria, and unto the uttermoſt parts of the éarth?’ And when he had ſpoken theſe things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their fight. 43....And while they looked fledfaſtly toward hea- ven as he went up, behold two men, ſtood by then in. white apparel ; who alſo ſaid, Ye men of Galilee, why #and ye gazing up into heaven This ſame, Jeſus, who is taken up from you in heaven, thall ſo coine in like: manner as ye have ſeen him go into heaven. * . REMARKS. ‘. . . The foregoing piece of hiſtory, while it has all the charms of native ſimplicity, is crowded with incidents the moſt affe&ing and aſtoniſhing, and which are infi. nitely intereſting to all the children of men. The moſt glowing ſcenes of Shakeſpeare are faint and inanimat- ed, in eompariſon with the ſimple and artleſs deſcrip- tion of the ſcene that was aéted on Mount Calvary. But, (be aſtoniſhed, O heavens !), many read this de- ſcription with a cold, unfeeling heart ; who, in the mean time, will weep over the fićtious ſorrows of a filly and extravagant novel. The preternatural events, which are affirmed to have happened at the crucifixion, were of a public na- ture ; and unleſs they had been real, their falſity would immediately have been known, and the hiſtorian ex- ploded as a moſt impudent impoſtor. The aſtoniſhing darkneſs at the crucifixion, is mentioned by the pagan ** writer, Phlegon Tralianus: and that this darkneſs was not cauſed by an ordinary eclipſe, has been: proved by aſtronomical calculations; particularly by the celebrat- ed Engliſh aſtronomer, Ferguſon. . - *... . . . .” duringtº aſſºgiº * } examined ti *::::Fhe ºf ſurrººtiºn, of Jéſus, from the dead, which is a *ſºngii: the chriſtian ſyſtem, has been avouch- xxº~ * sº sº. # * * * * s ‘. . . . - - te . º • . º: ºated by moſt ſubſtantial teſtinony. 2. #ºjº, ław and converſed with him, º: orty days that he continued on earth. They he prints of the nails in his hands and feet, and the mark of the ſpearin his ſide. . He gave them ſever; important inſtrućtions and di- *: ; :S º; . ... . . . ." ... ºf # * * * * es’ • *. ... : * :- 33. . . . . . * - *}. sº." - réétions. Hºwa §§eśh: of: more than five hundred Biethren at otitéºùbhin the greater part were alive, . . 3 ºrº t. i. 3.} is: ºt-3-2. G.' 4 - - : ſº i < * , , ” •. ... & • *. 3 . . . . . ; when 'Path wrºëthis firſt epiſtle to the Corinthians, in ‘. . . . . * ***. . . . ...A'ſ . Sº, ºr $4 tº: $, . ." ºf: -i-. - * . . . . z_1 * the year 36 ºn the preſence éfa number, and while he was cºnverſing with them; he was taken up into the air, and a cloud received him orit of their ſight.” The diſciples cottid not have been deceived reſpe&ting theſe fačišć, And they went about from town to town, and from one country to another, teſtifying the reſurre&ion. of Jeſus, in the moſt poſitive and confident magner..... ºf Now; if they had done this with any proſpe&t of worldly, intereſt or honour, it might have, ifivalidated their teſtimony. But when it is conſidered that Jeſús their Małer had foretold them, that a faithful adherence to his cauſe would caſt them, their intere?, their repu- tation, and.their very lives : When it is conſidered that they fiedfaſtly adhered to their teſtimony concerning the reſurre&tion of Jeſus, though; reproaches; impriſon- ment and death itſelf, in all: its dreadful forms, were known to be the certain conſequences of their ſtedfaſt- aneſs, a powerful convićtion is impreſſed, that Jeſus has. ºgertainly riſen from the dead; as the firſt fruits, or as an earneſt of the reſurrečtion of all who fleep in the duſt. I, deſerves to be noticed that our Sabbath expreſs); THE BIBLE. 285. commemorates the reſtirreſſion of Jeſus. The gene- ºrality of chriſtians have changed the Sabbath-day, from the ſeventh to the firſt day of the week, by reafon that: Jeſus aroſe from the dead on the morning of the firſt: day. And in the apoſtolical age, the firſt day of the week was called the Lord's day. . . . . . . . . . . . . CHAPTER XIV. PENTECOST. . . . 4. D. 33. . . - 1.... W W HEN the day of Pentecoſt was ful- ly come, they (the apoſtles) were all with one accord in one place. And ſuddenly there came a ſound from . heaven, as of a ruſhing mighty wind, and it filled all the houſe where they were ſitting. And there appear- ed unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it ſat . upon each of them: and they were all filled with the Holy Ghoſt, and began to ſpeak with other tongues, as the ſpirit gave them utterance. 2....And there were dwelling at Jeruſalem Jews, de- wout men, out of every nation under heaven. ... Now when this was noiſed abroad, the multitude came to- gether, and were confounded, becauſe that every man. heard them ſpeak in his own’language. 3,...And they were all amazed, and marvelled, ſay. ing one to another, Behold, are not all theſe who ſpeak Gali'eans ? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born ? And they were alk amazed, and were in doubt, ſaying one to another, What meaneth this 2 ... 4. . . ..But Peter, ſtanding up with the eleven, lified up, his voice, and ſaid unto them, Ye men of Iſrael, hear 286 BEAUTIES OF theſe words; Jeſus of Nazarethjea maa approved of , God among you; by miracles' and wondeis, and ſigns, which God, did by him in the midſt of you, as ye your- felves alſo know ; him; being-delivered by the deter-, minate coincit, and foreknuwêdge of Göd, ye bave taken, and with wicked hands have crucified, and ſlain, 6.....This Jeſus hath God raiſed up, having looſed the pains of death : becauſe it was not poſſible that he ſhould be holden of it. And of his reſurrećtion we are all witneſſes. Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promiſa of the Holy Głoż, he haſh ſhed forth this, which ye now ſee and hear. Let all the houſe of Iſ. rael, therefore, know aſſuredly, that God hath made that-tame Jeſus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Chriſt. , - . . . . “6...Nºw. When they heard this, they were pricked in their fieś, and ſaid unto Peter, and to the reſt of the apoſtles. Mea º ... what ſhall we do Then Peter ſaid, into them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jeſus Chriſt, for the remiſſion of ſins, and ye ſhall receive the gift of the Ho- ly Ghoſt, for the promiſe is onto you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the Lond out God ſhałłicah. 7....Then they who gladly received his word were baptized : and the ſame day there were added unto them ābout three thouſand ſouls. And they continued: #édiaſtly in the doćtrine and fello wſhip of the apoſtles, and in breaking bread, and in prayer. And fear came upon every ſºul: , and many wonders and ſigns were done by the apófiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8....And all who believed were together, and had all things common; and ſºld their poſſeſſions and goods, * , º, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .” - . . . . . . . . . - * # THE BIBLE, #87 &nd parted.them to all men, as every man had need. And they continued daily with one adcord in the tem- ple, and breaking bread from houſe to houſe, did eat their meat with gladneſs and ſingieneſs of heart ; praiſ- ing God; and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily ſuch as ſhould be ſaved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * t * J & ; : y : . . . . . . . *The chrºßhüreligiöfi was originally ſpread, not by human power gr policy, but by the inſtrumentality of plain, inléârned men, who had no perſonal influence, or ſuperior talents. The firſt goſpel ſermon, after the crucifixion, was preached by Peter, a fiſherman, be- longing to Galilee, which was the moſt deſpiſed diſtriël ih, Judea. The ſubjećt of that ſermon was a plain and ‘ſimple teſtimony, that Jeſus, whom the Jewiſh nation delivered up and crucified, had riſen from the dead ‘āhdºwāšîhē Chriſt. . . . . . . ... fše teſtimony of Peter was believed : the audience were pricked in their hearts; and three thouſand of thern were converted to chriſtianity at once. And by the like feeble means, as it reſpečied human power, the chriſtian religion, bearing down mºſt violent oppoſition, ſpread ſwiftly over the vaſt Roman empire; and hun- dreds of thouſands were inflüenced to renounce their inveterate prejudices of education, their beloved idola- try, and their darling vices; and embraced a religion which enjoined upon them a life of ſelf-denia!, and opened to their no wo; .3]y proſpečt, but that of loſs, reproach and ſuffering. Asdali this happened, not in an ignorant age, but at a time when human learning was in the zenith of its glory. . ºf - Now the wonderful ſpreads of chriſtiánity, by ſuch feeble human, means, can be ratiénakly accounted for only.upon the principle of a remarkable divine agency; 288 BEAUTIES of and the voice of reaſon, as well as of piety, exclaims, “This was the Lord's doings ; the finger of God was in this thing.” . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... Unleſs the firſt preachers of the chriſtian religion Had been endowed with power#rom on high; unleſs their preaching had been attended with ſuch miracu- lous operations as are recorded by the ſacred writers, they would have been confidered as madmen ; their report would have obtained no credit, and all their feeble efforts would have ended in deriſion, and con- tempt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... People who are capable of believing that the fimple fiſhermen of Galilee, travelling from country to coun- try and proclaiming the reſurre&tion of one of the Jew- iſh nation that had been crucified, could have been a- ble to effe& the eſtabliſhment of the chriſtian religion, without any ſupernatural aſſiſtance, diſcover in this inſtance, a ſurpriſing degree of credulity. With much leſs abſurdity, they might believe, that, by ſending an embaſſy of poor ſimple men, as political miſſionaries to China, the Chineſe would be induced to aboliſh their monarchy and to eſtabliſh a republican form of government. - - - - CHAPTER xv. THE MIRACLE of RESTORING A LAME A. D. 33. 1,... AN OW. Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man, lame from his #irth, was THE BIBLE. 289 carried, whom they lay daily at the gate of the temple which is called beautiful, to aſk alms of them who en- tered into the temple ; who ſeeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, aſked an alms. - 2....And Peter, faſtening his eyes upon him, with John, ſaid, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expe&ting to receive ſomething of them. Then Peter ſaid, Silver and gold have I none ; but ſuch as I have give I thee: in the name of Jeſus Chriſt of Na- zareth, riſe up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up ; and immediately his feet and ancle-bones received ſtrength. . . . 3....And he, leaping up, ſtood, and walked, and en- tered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping and praiſing God. And all the people ſaw him walk- ing, and praiſing God : and they knew that it was he who ſat for alms at the beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened ul, to them. - * 4....And when Peter ſaw it, he anſwered unto the people, Ye men of Iſrael, why marvel ye at this P or why look ye ſo earneſtly on us, as though by our own power or holineſs we had made this man to walk. The God of our fathers hath glorified his ſon Jeſus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the preſence of Pi- late, when he was determined to let him go. 3....But ye denied the Holy One, and the Juſt, and deſired a murderer to be granted unto you ; and killed , the Prince of Life, whom God hath raiſed from the dead; whereof we are witneſſes. And through faith . in his name, this man is made ſtrong, whom ye ſee and know. And now, brethren, I know that through ig- norance ye did it, as did alſo your rulers. 6....Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your fins may be blotted A." when the times of res . . - #A 3 - * 290 BEAUTIES of freſhing ſhall come from the preſence of the Lord ; and He ſhall ſend Jeſus Chriſt, who before was preached unto you : whom the heaven muſt receive until the times of reſtitution of all things, which God hath ſpok. en by the mouth of all his holy prophets ſince the world began. . Unto you firſt, God having raiſed up his ſon Jeſus, ſent him to bleſs you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. - - 7....And as they ſpake unto the people, the prieſts, and the captains of the temple, and the ſadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jeſus the reſurrečtion from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in confinement unto the next day : for it was now eve- ning. Howbeit, many of them who heard the word believed ; and the number of the men was about five thouſand. ' - - - 8....And, on the morrow, when the high prieſ, and rulers and elders had ſet them in the midſt, they aſked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghoſt, ſaid unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Iſrael, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impo- tent man, by what means he is made whole ; be it known unto you all, that by the name of Jeſus Chriſt of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raiſed from the dead, even by him doth this man ſland here before you whole. • . - 9....This is the ſtone, which was ſet at naught by ou builders, which is become the head of the corner Šiš. is there ſalvation in any other: for there is nont other name under heaven given among men whereby we muſt be ſaved, 10...Now, when they ſaw the boldneſs of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and igno; \ THE BIBLE, - 291 rant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jeſus. And behold- ing the man who was healed ſtanding with them, they could ſay nothing againſt it. - 11....But when they had commanded them to go 2 ſide out of the council, they conferred among themſelves, ſaying, What ſhall we do to theſe men P for that in- deed a notable miracle hath been done by them is ma- nifeſt to all them who dwell in Jeruſalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it ſpread no further amongſt the people, let us ſtraightly threaten them, that they ſpeak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to ſpeak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jeſus. 12....But Peter and John anſwered and ſaid unto them, Whether it be right in the fight of God to heark- en unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but ſpeak the things which we have ſeen and heard. So, when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might pu- niſh them, becauſe of the people : for all men glorified God for that which was done. - . . 3....And being let go, they went to their own corn- pany, and reported all that the chief prieſts and elders had ſaid urto them. And when they heard that, they litted up their voice to God with one accord, Aná when they had prayed, the place was ſhaken where the were aſſembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghoſt, and they ſpake the word of r G d with bo!dgeſs. 14....And the multitude of them who believed were of one heart and of one ſoul.: neither ſaid any of them that aught of the things which he poſſeſſed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great pow: £r gave the apoſłłes witneſs of the reſurrečjor of the Lord Jeſus: and great grace was upon therſ, ali. 992 BEAUTIES OF -CHAPTER XVI. THE MIRACULOUS cox/ERSION of SAUL. 3 ' - 4. D. 35. s ... Stephen. full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there aroſe certain of the ſynagogue, which is called the ſynagogue of the Libertines, (that is, free-think- - ers) diſputing with Stephen. And they were not able to reſiſt the wiſdom and the ſpirit by which he ſpake. 2,...Then they ſuborned men, who ſaid, We have heard him ſpeak blaſphemous words againſt Moſes, and againſt God. And they ſtirred up the people, and the elders, and the ſcribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, and ſet up falſe witneſſes, who ſaid, ‘This man ceaſeth not to ſpeak blaſphemous words againſt this holy place, and the law. 3....For we have heard him ſay, that this Jeſus of Nazareth ſhall deſtroy this place, and ſhall change the euſtoms which Moſes delivered us. And all who ſat in the council, looking ſtedfaſtly on him, ſaw his face as it had been the face of an angel. 4....Then ſaid the high prieſt, Are theſe things ſo P And when they heard (the anſwer of Stephen) they were cut to the heart, and they gnaſhed on him with their teeth. . But he, being full of the Holy Ghoſt, looked up ſtedfaſtly into heaven, and ſaw the glory of God, and Jeſus ſtanding on the right hand of God, and ſaid, Behold, I ſee the heavens opened, and the Son of Man ſtanding at the right hand of God. 5.....And they cried out with a loud voice, and ſtop: ped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and THE BIBLE. - -203 eaſt him out of the city, and ſtoned him : and the wit- neſſes laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whoſe name was Saul. And they ſtoned Stephen, call- ing upon God, and ſaying, Lord Jeſus, receive my . ſpirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this ſin to their charge. And when he had ſaid this he fell aſleep. * ~ 6....And Saul was conſenting unto his deat'). And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he madéha- voc of the church, entering into every houſe, and haul- ing men and women, committed them to priſon. 7....And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and ſlaughter againſt the diſciples of the Lord, went unto the high prieſt, and deſired of him letters unto Dumaſ. cus to the ſynagogues, that if he found any, this way, he might bring them bound to Jeruſalem. And as he journeyed he came near to Damaſcus; and ſuddenly there ſhined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice ſaying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me P 8....And he ſaid, Who art thou, Lord 2 And the Lord ſaid, I am Jeſus whom thou perſecuteſt. It is hard for thee to kick againſt the points of ſharp ſpikes. And he, trembling and aſtoniſhed, ſaid, i, ord, what witt thou have me to do P And the Lord ſaid unto him, Arife, and go into the city, and it ſhall be told thee what thou muſt do. 9....And the men who journeyed with him good fpeechleſs, hearing a voice, but ſeeing no man. And Saul aroſe from the earth ; and when his eyes were opened he ſaw no man; but they led him by the hand, and brought him into D maſcus. And he was three days without fight, and neither did eat nor drink. A a 2 * , 234 BEAUTIES OF - 1o....And there was a certain diſciple at Damaſcus, named Ananias; and to him ſaid the Lord in a viſion, Ananias. And he ſaid, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord ſaid unto him, Arife, and go into the fireet which is called Straight, and inquire into the houſe of Judas for one called Saul of Tarſus : for, be- hold, he prayeth ; and hath ſeen in a viſion a man nam- ed Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his fight. . 11....Then Ananias anſwered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy ſaints at Jeruſalem : and here he hath authority from the chief prieſts to bind all who call on thy name. . But the Lord ſaid unto him, Gothy way; for he is a choſen veſſel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Iſrael: for I will ſhew him how great things he muſt ſuffer for my name's fake. e 12....And Ananias went his way, and entered into the houſe; and putting his hands on him, ſaid, Bro- ther Saul, the Lord ſeven Jeſus who appeared unto thee in the way as thou comeſt) hath ſent me, that thou mighteſt receive thy ſight, and be filed with the Holy Ghoſt. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been feates; and he received fight förth with, and aroſe, and was baptized : and when he had received treat he was ſtrengthened. -- - 33....Then w is Saul certain days with the diſciples who were at Damaicus. And ſtraightway he preached Chriſt in the ſynagogues, that he is the Son of God. But ail who heard hitº were amazed, and ſaid, is not this he who deſtroyed them that called on this name in jeruſalem, and came hither with intent to bring thern bound unto the chief prieſts P Bat Saul increaſed the store in ſtrength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt 2: Camaſcus, proving that this is very Chriſt. THE BIBLE, 255 Rºmanks. Saul, (afterwards named Paul) verily thought, that in purſuing the objećt of his journey to Damaſcus, he was doing his duty ; and, therefore, he was not, at that time, liable to a ſudden fit of remorſe, which might have diſordered his imagination. The viſion happen- ed to him, not while he was alone and abſorbed in ſoli- tary reflečtions; but when he was in the midſt of the company of his friends ; it happened uot at the gloomy hour of midnight, but at noon day. - - - He not only ſaw a light that was above the brightneſs of the meridian ſun, and which ſtruck him to the ground ; but he alſo heard a voice from above, declar- ing that it came from Jeſus whom he perſecuted, and diſtinčily communicating to him expreſs inſtrućtions and direétions. All this was not a tranſient ſcene which might have left him in doubt, as to its reality; but the glory of the light was ſuch that it totally blind- ed his eyes : and in this ſtate of blindneſs he remained three days. - - The change in Saul's dispoſitions and purſuits was ... as wonderful as the viſion itſelf. From being a bloody perſecutor of Jeſus, he inſtantly became his devoted follower. He, at once, relinquiſhed all his worldly proſpe&s, and incurred the hatred and contempt of the Jewiſh rulers, and of his 2cquaintance in general; and, even till bis death, he continued to be a moſt abłive, dauntleſs, and able champion in the cauſe of Jeſus; abounding both in labours, and in ſufferings, and ex- poſing himſelf to cruel Inockings, to impriſonment, firipes, and death itſelf. - The aforementioned fa&s, with all their natural de- dºrétions and conſequences, being duly weighed and conſidered, do irreſiſtably lead to this concluſion, that Saul was neither deceived, nor a deceiver. And if the &cºnſtances of his miraculous converſion did really 296 BEAUTIES or happen as he has related them, it amounts to an unan- iwerable proof of the truth and divine origin of the chriſtian ſyſtem. - . - .* - CHAPTER XVII. coRNELIUS THE CENTURIow. A. D. 35 or 36, 1 . . . . HERE was a certain man in Ceſarea, called Cornelius, a centurion, of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with ali his houſe, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway : he ſaw in a viſion evident- ly, about the ninth hºur of the day, an angel of God coming to him, and ſaying unto him, Cornelius. 2....And when he looked on him he was afraid, and faid, What is it, Lord P And he ſaid unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial be- fore God. And now ſend men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whoſe ſurname is Peter; he ſhall tell thee what thou oughteſt to do. And when the angel who fpake unto Cornelius had departed, he called two of his houſehold ſervants, and a devout ſoldier of them that waited on him continually ; and when be had de- clared all theſe things unto them, he ſent them to Joppa. 3....On the morrow as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the houſe-top to pray, about the fixth hour. And he be- came very hungry, and would have eaten : but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and ſaw heaven opened, and a certain veſſel deſcending unto him, as it had been a great ſheet knit at the four corners, and let THE BIBLE. 297 down to the earth; wherein were all manner of four- footed beaſts of the earth, and wild beaſts, and creep- ing things, and fowls of the air. - . 4....And there came a voice to him ſaying, Riſe, Pe- ter; kill and eat. But Peter ſaid, Not ſo, Lord ; for I have never eaten anything that is common or un- clean. And the voice ſpake unto him again the ſecond time, What God bath cleanſed call not thou common. This was done thrice; and the veſſel was received up again into heaven. 5....Now, while Peter doubted in himſelf what this viſion which he had ſeen ſhould mean, behold, the rnen that were ſent from Cornelius ſtood before the gate, and aſked whether Simon, who was ſurnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vi- fion, the ſpirit ſaid unto him, Behold, three men ſeek thee. - + - 6....Ariſe, therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have ſent them. Then: Peter went down to the men who were ſent unto him from Cornelius, and ſaid, Behold, I am he whom ye ſeek: what is the cauſe wherefore ye are come 2 7....And they ſaid, Cornelius, the centurion, a juſt man, and one who feareth God, and of good report a- mong all the nation of Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to fend for thee into his houſe, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodg- ed them. And on the morrow, Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied 8....And the morrow after, they entered into Ceſa- . rea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinſmen and near triends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and feil down at . 298 - BEAUTIES OF his feet, and worſhipped him. But Peter took him up, faying, Stand up ; I myſelf alſo am a man. And as he talked with him he went in, and found many that were come together. 9....And he ſaid unto them,aye know how it is un- lawful for a man who is a Jew, to keep company, or eome unto one of another nation : but God hath ſhew- ed me that I ſhould not call any man common or un- clean. Therefore came I unto you without gainſay- ing, as ſoon as I was ſent for : I aſk, therefore, #. what intent ye have ſent for me 2 - . 10....And Cornelius ſaid, Four days ago I was faſt- ing until this hour ; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my houſe, and, behold, a man flood be!ore me in bright clothing, and ſaid, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the ſight of God. 11....Send, therefore, to Joppa, and call hither Si- mon, whoſe ſurname is Peter ; who when he cometh fhall ſpeak unto thee. Immediately, therefore, I ſent to thee : and thou haſ done well that thou art come. Now, therefore, are we all here preſent before God, to bear all things which are commanded thee of God. 12....Then Peter ſaid, Of a truth I perceive that God is no reſpetter of perſons: but in every nation he that * him, and worketh righteouſneſs is accepted of ! In , - . 13,...The word which God ſent unto the children of lºrae), preaching peace by Jeſus Chriſt; (He is JLord of all;) that word, I ſay, ye know, which was publiſhed throughout all Judea, and began from Gali- lee, after the baptiſm which John preached ; bow God arointed Jeſus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghoſt, and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppreſſed of the devi; : for God was with him. THE BIBLE, 299 14....And we are witneſſes of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jeruſalem ; whom they ſlew and hanged on a tree : him God raiſed up the third day, and ſhewed him openly; not to all the people, but to witneſſes choſen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he roſe from the dead. * * 15....And he commanded us to preach unto the peo- ple, and to teſtify that it is he who was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead. To him gave all the prophets witneſs, that through his name, whoſoever believeth in him ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins. 16....While Peter yet ſpake theſe words, the Holy Ghoſt fell on all them who heard the word. And they of the circumciſion that believed, were aſtoniſhed, as many as came with Peter, becauſe that on the Gentiles alſo was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghoſt. For they heard them ſpeak with tongues, and magnify God. . 17....Then anſwered Peter, Can any man forbid wa- ter, that theſe ſhould not be baptized, who have receiv- ed the Holy Ghoſt as well as we ? And he commande ed them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. —-a- CHAPTER xviii. THE AWFUL DEATH OF HERO.D. - 4. D. 44. - ...Now Herod the king ſtretched forth his hand to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the ſword. And bes cauſe he ſaw it pleaſed the Jews, he proceeded furthef sco BEAUTIES OF to take. Peter alſo. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in priſon, and delivered him to four Quarternions of ſoldiers to keep him ; intending after Baſier to bring him forth to the people. - 2....Peter, therefore, was kept in priſon; but prayer was made without ceaſing, of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the ſame night Peter was ſleeping between two foldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers be. fore the door kept the priſon. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light ſhined in the priſon : and he ſmote Peter on the ſide, and raiſed hith up, ſaying, Ariſe up quickly. 3:...And his chains fell from his hands. And the angel ſaid unto him, Gird thyſelf, and bind on thy ſan- dals : and ſo he did. And he ſaid unto him, Caſt thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that it was true which was done by the 2ngel: but thought he ſaw a viſion. 4....When they were paſt the firſt and the ſecond ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them of its own accord : and they went out, and paſſed on through one freet, and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when , Peter was come to himſelf he ſaid, Now I know of a ſurety, that the Lord hath ſent his ange), and hath de- livered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expečiatioſ of the people of the Jews. 5....And when he had confidered the thing, he came to the houſe of Mary the mother of John, whoſe fur- name was Mark; where many were gathered together, praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damſe! came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when The knew Peter's voice ſhe opened not the gate for glad. weſt, but ran in, and told bow Peter ſtood before the gate. THE BIBLE. 30% 6....And they ſaid unto her, Thou art mad. But ſhe conſtantly affirmed that it was even ſo. Then ſaid they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking : and when they had opened the door, and ſaw him, they were aſtoniſhed. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the priſon. 7....And he ſaid, Go, ſhew theſe things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. Now, as ſoon as it was day, there was no ſmall ſtir among the ſołdiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had ſought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and-coni- manded that they ſhould be put to death. 8....And Herod was highly diſpleaſed with them of Tyre and Sidon : but they came with one accord to him; and having made Blaſtus, the king’s chamber- lain, their friend, deſired peace; becauſe their coun- try was nouriſhed by the king's country. And upon a ſet day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, ſat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. . . 9....And the people gave a ſhout, ſaying, It is the voice of a God, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord ſmote him, becauſe he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghoſt. - REMARK. -- The hand of God has been viſible in the puniſhment of bloody perſecutors; who have ſometimes been cut off in a very ſingular and awful manner. They alſo, who had been ſcoffers at religion, or had diſtinguiſhed themſelves by their zeal in ſpreading infidel principiš, have often left the world in fearful horrors of mind. B b goa BEAUTIES OF. CHAPTER xix. THE 7AILER. A. D. 53- ...It came to paſs, as we went to prayer, a certain darn tel, poſſeſſed with a ſpirit of divination, met us, who brought her maſters much gain by footh- * {aying : the ſame followed Paul and us, and cried, ſay- ing, Theſe men are the ſervants of the moſt high God, who ſhew unto us the way of ſalvation. And this ſhe did many days. But Paul being grieved, turned, and ſaid to the ſpirit, I command thee, in the name of Jeſus Chriſt, to come out of her. And he came out of her the ſaete hour. - 2....And when her maſters ſaw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market-place unto the rulers, and brought them to the magiſtrates, ſaying, Theſe men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach cuſtoms which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to obſerve, being Romans, 3....And the multitude roſe up together againſt them : and the magiſtrates rent off their clothes, and command- ed to beat them. And when they had laid many ſtripes 'upon them, they caſt them into priſon, charging the jailor to keep them ſately : who, having received ſuch a charge, thruſt them into the inner priſon, and made their feet taſt in the flocks. 4....And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and ſang praiſes unto God; and the priſoners heard them. And ſuddenly there was a great earthquake, ſo that the found: ations of the priſon were ſhaken ; and immediately all the docrs weie opened, and every one's bands were looted, And the keeper of the priſon awaked oº: THE BIBLE. 3-3 his ſleep, and ſeeing the priſon doors open, he drew out his ſword, and would have killed himſelf, ſuppoſing that the priſoners had been fled. 5...But Paul cried with a loud voice, ſaying, D thy ſelf no harm ; for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and ſprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and ſaid, Sirs, what muſt I do to be ſaved 2 And they ſaid, Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be, ſaved, and thy houſe. - a 6....And they ſpake unto him the word of the Lord, 2nd to all that were in his houſe. And he took thern the ſame hour of the night, and waſhed their ſtripes ; and was baptized, he and all his, ſtraightway. And when he had brought them into his houſe, be ſet meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his houſe. - . . . . . 7....And when it was day, the nagiſtrates ſent the ſergeants, ſaying, Let thoſe men go. And the keeper of the priſon told this ſaying to Pau), The magiſtrates have ſent to let you go : now, therefore, depart, and go in peace. - 8...But Paul ſaid unto them, They have beaten as openiy, uncondemned, being Romans, and have caſt us into priſon; and now do they thruſt us out privily P. Nay, verily ; but let them come themſelves and fetch us out. And the ſergeants told theſe words unto the magiſtrates : and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and beſought them, and brought them out, and deſired them to de- part out of the city. - . goº - BEAUTIES OF - “ CHAPTER xx. PAUL's DEFENCE BEFORE THE ARE0P4. GUS, OR HIGH COURT AT ATHENS, 1… W W HILE Paul waited at Athens his ſpirit was flirred in him, when he ſaw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore diſputed he in the ſyna- gogue with the Jews, and with the devout perſons, and in the market daily with them who met him. 2....Then certain philoſophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And ſome ſaid, What will this babbler ſay ” Other ſome, He ſee meth to be a ſetter forth of flrange gods: becauſe he preach- ed unto them Jeſus and the reſurrećtion. 3....And they took him, and brought him unto Areo- pagus, ſaying, May we know what this new doćirine, whereof thou ſpeaketh, is P For thou bringeſt certain ſtrange things to our ears : we would know, therefore, what theſe things mean. (For all the Athenians, and firangers who were there, ſpent their time in nothing elſe, but either to tell or to hear ſome new thing.) 4....Then Paul flood in the midſt of Mars-hill, and ſaid, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too ſuper flitious. . For as I paſſed by and be- held your devotion, I found an altar with this inſcrip- tion : TO THE UNKNOWN. GOD. I, therefore, declare Him unto you, whom ye ignorantly worſhip. 5....God who made the world, and all things therein, ſeeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worſhip- ped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, ſeeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; THE BIBLE. 305 and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their ha- bitation : 6....That they ſhould ſeek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we jive, and move, and have our being ; as certain alſo of your own poets have ſaid, For we are alſo his offspring. For- aſmuch then as...we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or filver, or ſtone, graven by art or man's device. 7....And the times of this ignorance God winked at ; but now commandeth all men every where to repent : becauſe he hath appointed a day in the which he wiłł judge the world in righteouſneſs by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he bath given aſſurance unto. a!! men, in that he hath raiſed him from the dead. 8....And when they heard of the reſurre&tion of the dead, ſome mocked ; and others ſaid, We will hear thee again of this matter. Howbeit, certain men clave unto him, and believed : among whom was Dionyſius the Areopagite, (that is, a judge ºf the Athenian court J. CHAPTER xxi. THE CITY MOB, or Tom'N MEETING AT - - EPHESUS. A. D . 36. - * - 1.... | TAUL purpoſed in the ſpirit, when he had paſſed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to: Jeruſalem, ſaying, After I have been there, I muſ!, alº - * - - - - b 2. - - - - - 3-6 BEAUTIES OF ſee Rome. So he ſent into Macedonia two of them who miniſtered unto him, Timotheus and Eraſtus; but be himſelf ſtayed in Aſia for a feaſon. And the fame time there aroſe no ſmall ſtir about that way. , 2....For a certain man named Demetrius, a ſilver- ſmith, who made filver ſhrines for Diana, brought no ſmall gain unto the craftſmen ; whom he called toge- ther with the workmen of like occupation, and ſaid, Ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 3....Moreover, ye ſee and hear, that not only at E- pheſus, but almoſt throughout all Aſia, this Paul hath perſuaded and turned away much people, ſaying, That they be no gods who are made with hands : So that not only this our craft is in danger to be ſet at nought; but alſo that the temple of the great goddeſs Diana #hould be deſpiſed, and her magnificer ce ſhould be deſtroyed, whom all Aſia and the world worſhippeth. 4....And when they heard theſe ſayings they were full of wrath, and cried out, ſaying, Great is Diana of the Spheſians. And the whole city was filled with confuſion : and having caught Gaius and Ariſtarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they ruſhed with one 2 ccord into the Theatre. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the diſci- pies ſuffered him not. 5....And certain of the chiefs of Aſia, who were his friends, ſent unto him, deſiring him, that he would not adventure himſelf into the Theatre. Some, therefore, cried one thing, and ſome another : for the aſſembly was confuſed ; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. - 6....And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him for ward. And Alexander beck- oned with the hand, and would have made his defence THE BIBLE, so, unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with cne voice, about the ſpace of two hours, cried out, Great is Diana of the Epheſians. 7....And when the town clerk had appeaſed the pec. ple, he ſaid, Ye men of Epheſus, what man is there who knoweth not how that the city of the E. heſians is a won ſhipper of the great goddeſs Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter. Seeing then that theſe things cannot be ſpoken againſt, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing raſhly. For ye have brought hither theſe men, who are neither rebbers of churches, nor blaſphemers of your goddeſs. 8....Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftſmen who are with him, have a matter againſt any man, the law is open, and there are deputies; let them implead one another. But if ye inquire any thing concerning o- ther matters, it ſhall be determined in a lawful affem- bly. For we are in danger to be called in queſtion for this day's uproar, there being no cauſe whereby we may give an account of this concourſe. And when he had thus ſpoken he diſmiſſed the aſſembly. s *— -º-º: CHAPTER XXII. PAUL's FAREIPELL TO THE CHRISTIANS OF EPHESUS, - \ A. D. 56. ... 1.... [' ROM: Miletus Paul ſent to Epheſus, anç called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him he ſaid unto them, Ye know from the firſt day that I came into Aſia, after what manner I have been with you at all ſeaſons, ſerving the Lord with zos BEAUTIES OF all humility of mind, and with many tears and tempta- tions which beſel me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 2....And how I kept back nothing that was profita- ble unto you, but have ſhewed you, and have taught you. publicly, and from houſe to houſe, teſtifying both to the Jews, and alſo to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. And row, behold, I go bound in the ſpirit Brito Jeruſalem, not knowing the things which ſhall befail me there : ſave that the Holy Ghoſt witneſſeth in every city, ſay. ...ing, That bonds and afflićtions abide me. - - 3. ...But none ºf theſe things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myſelf, ſo that I might finiſh my courſe wil; jºy, and the miniſtry which I have receiv- ed of the Lond Jeſus, to teſtify the goſpel of the grace of God. * - - 4....And now, behold, I know that ye all, 2nong whom I have gone preaching the kingdoin of God, fhall ſce my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For i Hºve not ſhunned to declare unto you all the counſel of God. 5....Take heed, therefore, unto yourſelves, and to ał: the flock over the which the Holy Ghoſt hath made yeu overſeers, to feed the church of God, which he Hath purchaſed with his own blood. For l know this, that after my departing ſhall grievous wolves enter in among you, not ſparing the flock, Aiſo of your own felves ſhall men ariſe, ſpeaking perverſe things, to draw away diſciples after them. - . . . w 6....Therefore watch, and remember, that by the ſpace of three years I ceaſed not to wain every one, Hight and day, with tears. And now, brethren, I.com- mend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which THE BIBLE. - 339 is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are ſanétified. - - 7....I have coveted no man's filver, or gold, or ap- parel. Yea, ye yourſelves know, that theſe hands have miniſtered unto my neceſſities, and to them that º were with me. I have ſhewed you all things, how that ſo labouring ye ought to ſupport the weak; and to remember the words of the Lord Jeſus, how he ſaid, It is more bleſſed to give than to receive. . . . 8....And when he had ſpoken he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. . And they all wept ſore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kiſſed him : ſorrowing moſt of all for the words which he ſpoke, That they ſhould ſee his face no more. And they accompanied him un- to the ſhip. '• - REMARKS. If we except the farewell of Jeſus to his diſciples, it is believed that nothing of the kind can be found, either ancient or modern, which is ſo perfe&ly natur. al, pathetical or moving as this farewell diſcourſe of St. Paul. Every word comes warm from the heart; every ſentence tends to awaken our ſympathy ; and while the whole ſhows the benevolent and diſintereſted charaćter of the apofile, and his noble arder in the cauſe of Chriſ, it alſo gives us a lovely jample of the pure and lively friendſhip that ſubſ; fled between the firſt chi iſtians. - - - _*. CHAPTER xxIII. PAUL's DEFENCE BEFORE KING ACRIPPA, A. D. 63. 1.... W W/ HEN Feſtus (governor of 7udea) . was come into the province, after three days he aſcend- 310 BEAUTIES OF sd from Caeſarea to Jeruſalem. Then the high prieſ, and the chief of the Jews, informed him againſt Paul, (who was then a priſoner at Caſarea) and beſought him, and deſired favour againſt him, that he would ſend for him to Jeruſalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. - - - 2....But Feſtus anſwered, that Paul ſhould be kept at Caeſarea, and that he himſelt would depart ſhortly thither. Let them, therefore, ſaid be, who among you are able, go down with me, and accuſe this man, if there be any wickedneſs in him. And when be had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caeſarea ; and the next day, ſitting in the judgment ſeat, commanded Paul to be brought. 3....And when he was come, the Jews who came from Jeruſalem, ſtood round about, and laid many grievous complaints againſt Paul, which they could not prove ; while he anſwered for himſelf, Neither 2gainſt the law of the Jews, neither againſt the temple, nor yet againſt Caeſar, (that is, the Roman Emperor) have I offended any thing at all, 4....But Feſtus willing to do the Jews a pleaſure, anſwered Paul, and ſaid, Wilt thou go up to Jeruſa- lem, and there be judged of theſe things before me * Then ſaid Paul, I ſtand at Caeſar's judgment ſeat, where I ought to be judged : to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knoweſt. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, H refuſe not to die : , but if there be none of theſe things whereof theſe accuſe me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caeſar. - 3....Then Feſtus, when he had conferred with the council anſwered, Haſt thou appealed unto Caeſar P. Unto Caeſar thou ſhalt go. And after certain days, king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caeſarea, to £a- THE BIBLE. st \ lute Feſtus. And when they had been there many days, Feſtus declared Paul's cauſe unto the king, ſay- ing, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix; a- bout whom, when I was at Jeruſalem, the chief prieſts and the elders of the Jews informed me, deſiring to have judgment againſt him. - 6....To whom I anſwered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he who is accuſed have the accuſers face to face, and have licenſe to anſwer for himſelf concerning the crime laid againſt him, • * - . . . . 7....Therefore when they were come hither, with- out any delay on the morrow I ſat on the judgment feat, and I commanded the man to be brought forth ; againſt whom, when the accuſers flood up, they brought none accuſation of ſuch things as I ſuppoſed ; but had certain queſtions againſt him of their own ſu- perſtition, and of one Jeſus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. . . . 8....And becauſe I doubted of ſuch manner of queſ- tions, I aſked him whether he would go to Jeruſalem, and there be judged of theſe matters. But when Paul had appealed to be reſerved unto the hearing of Auguſ- tus, I commanded him to be kept till I might ſend him to Caeſar. Then Agrippa ſaid unto Feſtus, I would alſo hear the man myſelf. To-morrow, ſaid he, thou ſhalt bear him. , • - 9....And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and prin- çipal men of the city, at the commandment of Feſtus, Paul was blaught forth. And Feſtus ſaid, King Agrip- pa, and all men who are here preſent with us, ye ſee this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jeruſalem and alſo here, crying, That he ought not to live any longer, , 9te BEAUTIES OF 10....But when I found that he had committed no- thing worthy of death, and that he himſelf hath appeal- ed to Auguſtus, I have determined to ſend him. Of whom I have no certain th;6g to write unto my Lord. Wherefore I brought him forth before you, and ſpe- cially before thee, O king Agrippa, that after examin- ation had, I might have ſomewhat to write. For it ſeemeth to me unreaſonable to ſend a priſoner, and not- withal to ſignify the crimes laid againſt him. 11....Then Agrippa ſaid unto Paul, Thou art per- mitted to ſpeak for thyſelf. Then Paul ſtretched forth his hand, and anſwered for himſelf. - 12....I feel myſelf happy, king Agrippa, becauſe I fhall anſwer for myſelf this day before thee, touching ail the things whereof I am accuſed of the Jews: eſpe- cially becauſe I know thee to be expert in all queſtic ns, which are among the Jews : wherefore I beſeech thee to hear me patiently. 13 ...My manner of life from my youth, which was at the firſt amºng mine own nation at Jeruſalem, know all the Jews; who knew me from the beginning, (if they would teſtify) that after the ſtraiteſt ſett of our re- ligion, I lived a Phariſee. And now I ſtand and and judged for the hope of the promiſe made of God unto our fathers : unto which promiſe our twelve tribes, conſtantly ſerving God day and night, hope to come : for the ſake of which hope, king Agrippa, I am accuſ- ed of the Jews. . . . º 14....Why ſhould it be thought a thing incredible with you. that God ſhould rai fe the dead P I verily thought with myſelf, that I ought to do thany things contrary to the name of Jeſus of Nazareth. Which thing I alſo did in Jeruſalem : and many of the ſaints did I ſhut up in priſon, having received authority from the chief prieſts; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice againſt them, . THE BIBLE. 313. ... 15....And I puniſhed them oft in every ſynagogue, and compelled them to blaſpheme, and being excee *- ingly mad againſt them, I perſecuted them even unto ſtrange cities. Whereupon, as I went to Damaſcus with authority and commiſſion from the chief prieſts, at mid-day, O king ! I ſaw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightneſs of the ſun, ſhining round about me, and them who journeyed with me. - - 16....And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice ſpeaking unto me, and ſaying, in the He- brew tongue, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me It is hard to kick againſt the points of ſharp ſpikeſ. And I ſaid, Who art thou, Lord P And he ſaid, I am Jeſus whom thou perſecuteſt. - • { 17...But riſe, and ſtand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpoſe, to make thee a miniſter and a witneſs; both of theſe things which thou haſt ſeen, and of thoſe things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I ſend thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveneſs of fins, and inheritance among them who are ſam&tified by faith that is in me. & • 18....Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not diſos bedient unto the heavenly viſion : but ſhewed firſt un- to them of Damaſcus, and at Jeruſalem, and through- out all the coaſts of Judea, and then to the Gentiſes, that they ſhould repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For theſe cauſes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill 'me. - . 19....Having, therefore, obtained help of God, I. * continue unto this day, witneſſing both to ſmall and great, ſaying none other things than thoſe which the C c 314 BEAUTIES OF prophets and Moſes did ſay ſhould come ; ‘That Chriſt *ould ſuffer, and that he ſhould be the firſt that ſhould riſe from the dead, and ſhould ſhew light unto the peo- ple, and to the Gentiles. w 20....And as he thus ſpake for himſelf, Feſtus ſaid with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beſide thyſelf; much learning doth make thee mad. But he ſaid, I am not mad, moſt noble Feſtus ; but ſpeak forth the words of truth and ſoberneſs. For the king knoweth of theſe things, before whom alſo I ſpeak treely : for I am per- ſuaded that none of theſe things are, hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 21,...King Agrippa, believeſt thou the prophets P I know that thou believeſt. Then Agrippa ſaid unto Paul, Almoſt thou perſuadeſt me to be a Chriſtian. And Paul ſaid, I would to God, that not cnly thou, but alſo all who hear the this day, were both almoſt, and altogether ſuch as I am, only with this exception, that ye may never experience my ſufferings, as a pri- Joner bound with chains. - - REM A. R.K.S. - The only Apoſtle, who appears to have been diffin- guiſhed either for learning or natural talents, was Paul. He was a profound reaſoner, and an eminent ſcholar; and was capable of writing with maſterly eloquence. Longinus, a heathen author, who flouriſhed in the fe- cond century, wrote a celebrated treatiſe on the Sub- lime ; where in he expreſsly mentioned Saul of Tar- ſus, that is, Paul the Apoſtle, among the ſublime writ- ers whom he enumerated in that work. - It is plain, however, that Paul's eloquence conſiſted rather in nobleneſs of thought, and elegance, ſtrength and ſublimity of ſtyle, than in the fluency or graceful- reſs of his ſpeech : for his enemies acknowledged that his letters were powerful; but they alledged that his bor ‘dily preſence was weak, and his ſpeech conteirºptible. , THE BIBLE. 315 Moreover, Paul himſelf declared that he came not with excellency of ſpeech, and that his ſpeech, and his preaching was not with the enticing words of man's wiſdom ; for, feeling himſelf to be a debtor to the un- learned, as well as to the learned, he addreſſed his au- dience in ſuch plain language as might be eaſily under- ſtood, even by the moſt ſimple. . But when this great Apoſile made his defence before Agrippa, an accompliſhed prince, and in the preſence of Feſtus, the governor of Judea, and other rulers of the nation, there was an occaſion for him to diſplay his brilliant talents, in the ſtyle of an orator; and the ſpeech which he made crl that occaſion is a noble ſample of eleguence, that will bear a compariſon with the moſt celebrated orations of antiquity. King Agrippa gave the higheſt poſſible commendation of Paul's ſpeech, when he exclaimed with ſeeming aſtoniſhment, “ Al- moſt thou perſuadeſt me to be a Chriſtian.” *— CHAPTER xxiv. PAUL's Voyage AND SHIPWRECK. A. D. 63. * . 1 ... VW HEN it was determined that we ſh buld ſail into Italy, they delivered Paul, and certain other priſoners, unto one named Žučius, a Centurion of the band of Auguſtus. And entering into a ſhip of Airamyttium, we launched, meaning to ſail by the coaſts of Aſia. And the next day we touched at Si- - don. And Julius courteouſly entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refreſh hiºn ſelf. ...'. 2....And when we had launched from thence we failed unto Cyprus, becauſe the winds were contrary. 3.6 BEAUTIES OF And when we had ſailed over the ſea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Mvra, a city of Lycia. . And there the Centurion found a ſhip of Alexandria ſailing into Italy; and he put us therein. . . . . . . 3....And when we had ſailed ſlowly many days, and fcarcely were come over againſt Cnidus, the wind not fuffering us, we ſailed under Crete, over againſt Sal- mone: and hardly paſſing it, came unto a place which is called the Fair-Havens, nigh whereunto was the city of Laſea. - - - 4...Now, when much time was ſpent, and when failing was now dańgerous, becauſe the Faft was now already paſt, Paul admoniſhed them, and ſaid unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ſhip, but alſo of our lives. Nevertheleſs, the Centurion believed the maſter, and the owner of the ſhip, more than thoſe things which were ſpoken by Paul. 3....And becauſe the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part adviſed to depart thence alſo, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete. And when the ſouth wind blew ſoftly, ſuppoſing that they had ob- tained their purpoſe, looſing thence, they ſailed cloſe. by Crete. But not long after, there aroſe againſt it a tempeſtuous wind called Euroclydon. __6....And when the ſhip was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain iſland, which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: which, when they had taken up, they uſed helps, undergirding the ſhip ; and fearing leſt they ſhould tall into the quickſands, ſtrake ſail, and ſo were driven. , 7....And we being exceedingly toſſed with a tempeſt: the next day they lightened the ſhip; and the third day. THE BIBLR. 317 we caſt out with our own hands the tackling of the ſhip. And when neither ſun nor ſtars in many days appeared, and no ſmall tempeſi lay on us, all hope that we ſhould be ſaved was then taken away. . 8.... But after long abſtinence, Paul ſtood forth in the midſt of them, and ſaid, Sirs, ye ſhould have hearkened unto me, and not have looſed from Crete, and to have incurred this harm and loſs. And now, I exhort you to be of good cheer : for there ſhall be né, loſs of any man's life among you, but of the ſhip. 9....For there ſtood by me this night the angel of God, whoſe I am, and whom I ſerve, ſaying, Fear not, Paul; thou muſt be brought before Cacſar : and, lo, God hath given thee all them who ſail with thee. Wherefore, Sirs, be of good cheer : for I believe God, that it ſhall be even as it was told me. Howbeit, we muſt be caſt upon a certain iſland. 10....But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the ſhipmen deemed that they drew near to ſome ceantry ; and ſounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and, when they had gone a little further, they ſounded again and found it fifteen fathons. Then fearing leſt we ſhould have fallen upon rocks, they caſt four anchors out of the ſtern, and wiſhed for day. -- 11....And as the ſhipmen were about to flee out of the ſhip, when they had let down the boat into the ſea, under colour as though they would have caſt anchors out of the foreſhip, Paul ſaid to the Centurion and to h a ſºlº ide in the ſhip ye cannot ha-A 3.18 BEAUTIES Oº fourteenth day that ye have tarried, and continued faſt. ing, having taken nothing, (that is, no regular meal.) Wherefore I pray you to take ſome meat; for this is for your health : for there ſhall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus ſpoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God, in preſence of them all ; and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 13.Then were they all of good cheer, and they al- ſo took ſome meat. And we were in all in the ſhip two hundred, three ſcore and ſixteen ſouls. And wheri. they had eaten enough they lightened the ſhip, and caſt out the wheat into the ſea. And when it was, day they knew not the land: But they diſcovered a certain creek with a ſhore, into the which they were minded, it it were poſſible, to thruſt in the ſhip. 14....And when they had taken up the anchors they committed themſelves unto the ſea, and looſee the rud- der bands, and boiſted up the main-ſail to the wind, and made toward the ſhore. And falling into a piace. where two ſeas met, they ran the ſhip aground: and the fore-part ſtuck faſt, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder-part was broken with the violence of the waves. 15....And the counſel of the ſoldiers was to kill the priſoners, left any of them ſhould ſwim out, and eſcape. But the Centurion, willing to ſave Paul, kept them from their purpoſe, and commanded that they who could ſwim, ſhould caſt themſelves fin ſt into the ſea, and get to land ; and the reſt, ſome on boards, and forme on broken pieces of the ſhip._And ſo it came to paſs, that they gººd alsº – -º- " ". THE BIBLE: 3 tº: t becauſe of the bundle ºf fli t W * * '* * = & f *ss cold. And when Paul had gathered a :ks, and laid then on the fire, there came. a viper out of the wood, asid faſtened on his hånd. 17.... An i when the barbarians ſaw the veſſion: Gus repliſe hang on his hand, they ſaid among themſelves, No doubt this man is a murderer,' whom, though he hath eſcaped the ſea, yet vengeance ſuffer eth not to, live. And he ſhook off the reptile in the fire, and feſt no harn. How Deit, they looked when he ſhould have ſwoln, or fallen down dead, ſuddenly ; but after they had looked a great while, and ſaw no harm cºrne to him,. they changed their miads; and ſaid that he was a god. 2–r - sº CHAPTER xxv. # * DUTIES OF CHRISTIA Aſ Piº - F. . . . . H with all thy hea. God, and him, and they v.z. and in i 320 BEAUTIES OF any of you lack wiſdom, let him aſk of God, who giv- eth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not ; and it ſhall be given him. But let him aſk in faith, nothing wavering. • * * 4....Let ſupplications, prayers, interceſſions, 2nd giv- ing of thanks be inade for all men ; for kings (that is, all rulers of the government under which Chriſtians dive) and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godlineſs and honeſ y : for this is good and acceptable in the ſight of God our ſaviour. . . . . . . 5....Continue ſhou in the things, which thou haſt learned, and haſ been aſſured of, knowing cf whom thou haſt learned therii ; and that from a child thou baſt known the holy ſcriptures, which are able to make thee wife unto ſalvation, through faith which is in Chriſt sºils ſcriptures; and whoſo readeth, rºl) in you'richly in all ing one another in s, ſinging with thatſoever ye * Land Je- [I] . THE BIBLE. - 32 t 9....Let us draw near with a true heart, in full afſar- ance of faith, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil conſcience, and our bodies waſhed with: pure water. Let us hold faſt the profeſſion of our faith without wa- vering, And let us conſider one another to provoke unto love, and to good works: not forſaking the aſ- ſembling of ourſelves together, as the manner of ſome is ; but exhorting one another ; and ſo much the ſaore, as ye ſee the day apprêaching. . . . . 10....Let every man be ſwift to hear, ſlow to ſpeak, ſlow to wrath. ... Receive with meekneſs the engrafted. word, which is able to ſave your fouls. Beye dpers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yº, ſelves. . . . . . . . . . º, 11....Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promiſe. Be patient unto the corning of the Lord ; ; and let paz tience have her perfett work, that ye may be perfe&t and entire, wanting nothing. Behold, we count them hap- py, who endure. Ye have heard cf the patience of Job, and have ſeen the end of the Lord , that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. - - 12....Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to. you. Submit yourſelves to God. Húmble yourſelves in the fight of the Lord, and be ſhall lift you up. My, Son, deſpiſe not thou, the chaſtening of the Lord, nor faint, when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth he chaſeneth, and ſcourgeth every ſon whom he receiveth. . . If ye endure chaſtening, God dealeth with you as with ſons. * . . . . 13....The grace of God that bringeth ſalvation hatti appeared to all men ; teaching us, that denying ungod- lineſs, and worldly lufts, we ſhould live ſoberly, right- eouſly and godly in the preſent world -looking for that bleſſed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great gas Beauties q God, and our ſaviour Jeſus. Chriſt: who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himſelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14....Mortify, therefore, your members which are pon the earth : fornication, uncleanneſs, inordinate affection, evil concupiſcence, and covetouſneſs, which is idolatry; for which things' ſake the wrath of God cometh on the children of diſobedience. ' … 15....The works of the fleſh are manifeſt, which are theſe, Adultery, fornication, uncheanneſs, laſciviouſ- neſs, idolatry, hatred, variance, wrath, ſtrife, ſeditions, envyings, murders, drunkenneſs, revelling, and ſuch like; they who do ſuch things ſhall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the ſpirit is love, joy, peace, long-ſuffering, gentleneſs, goodneſs, faith, meekneſs and temperance. - * . - ... 16....Ye have been called unto liberty: only uſe not liberty for an occaſion to ſenſuality, but by love ſerve one another. Be not deceived; God is not mocked : for whatſoever a man ſoweth, that ſhall he alſo reap. For he that ſoweth to his fleſh (or lives a carnal, ſen- ſual life) ſhall of the fleſh reap corruption : but he that ſoweth to the ſpirit (or lives a ſpiritual, holy life) . £hall of the ſpirit reap life everlaſting. , 17...Evil communications corrupt good manners.” * No le/3 corrupting to the young mind is the read. ing of vicious books. When they are plauſibly and artfully written, they are like the peſtilence that walk- eth in darkneſs: they ºff. their poiſon unperceived, and the inexperienced mind is debauched before it knows its danger. Books of this peſtilent kind, are, at the £reſent day, ſpread over our country; and among them. £5 to be claſſed a large part of faſhionable novels, THE BIBLE. 323 Abſtain from the very appearance of evil. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. - A- venge not yourſelves; render not evil for evil, or rail- - * ing for raiſing: but contrativiſe, bleſfing.” 18....Provide things honeſt in the ſight of all men. Be not ſlothful in buſineſs; be fervent in ſpirit, ſerv- ing the Lord. Whether ye eat, or drink, or whatſo- ever ye dé, do all to the glory of God. Our rejoicing is this, The teſtimony of our conſcience, that in ſim- plicity and godly ſincerity, not with carnal wiſdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our converſation in the world. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19....Let your moderation be known unto all men. Let your converſation be without covetouſneſs ; and be content with fuch things as ye have : for. He hath ſaid, I will never leave thee, nor for ſake thee. 'Godli- neſs with contentment is great gain. We brought no- thing into this world, and it is certain we can carry no- thing out ; and having food and rainent, let us there- with be conterit. * I 20....See that ye walk circumſpećtly, not as fools, but as wife, redeeming the time, becauſe the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwiſe, but underſtanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is exceſs ; but be filled with the ſpirit. Study to be quiet, and to do your own buſineſs, and to work with your own hands, that ye may walk honeſtly, and that ye may have lack of nothing. . . . º 21....Mind not high things, but condeſcend to men of low eſtate. Let the ſame mind be in you which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus ; who hath ſet us an example, that we ſhould follow his ſteps. Be clothed with humili. ty ; , for God, reſiſteth the proud, and giveth grace to . the humble. ...Y our adorning, let it be the hidded gº BEAUTIES OF frame of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet ſpirit, which is; in the fight of God, of great price. . . . . . . 22....Where envying and ſtrife is, there is confuſion, and every evil work." But the wiſdom that is from a- bové is firſt pure, then peaceable, gentle, and eaſy to be - * entreated, full otºmercy and good fruits, without par- tiality; and without hypocriſy. . . . . 23...Puttin g away lying, fpeak the truth every one to his neighbour. J-et no corrupt communication pro- ceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the uſe of edifying, that it may miniſter grace unto the hearers. He that will love life, and ſee good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they ſpeak no guile. ". . . . . . . . , 24,...If any man ſeem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled, before, Úod, even the Father, is this, to viſit the fatherleſs and widows in their afflétion, and to keep himſelf unſpot- ted from the world, * 25....Have not the faith of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Lord of glory, with reſpećt of perions. For if there come unto your aſſembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in alſo a poor man in vile rainent; and ye have reſpe&t to him who wear- eth the gay clothing, and ſay unto him, Sit thou there in a good place: and ſay to the poor, Stand thou there, or fit here under my footſtool; are ye not then partial P Heatken, iſy beloved brethren, hath not God choſen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promiſed to them that love him? 26....Fitially, brethrén, whatſoever things are true, whatſoever things aré honèſt, whatſoever things are juſt, THE BIBLE. . . . .325. whatſoever things are pure, whatſoever things are love- ly, whatſoever things are of good report : if there be any virtue, and if there be any praiſe, think on theſe things. - - 27....We muſt all appear before the judgment ſeat of Chriſt. The day of the Lord will come unexpečiedly : in the which the heavens ſhall paſs away with a great noiſe, and the elements melt with fervent heat, and the earth alſo and the works which are therein ſhall be burnt up. Seeing then that all theſe things ſhall be diſſolved, what manner of perſons ought ye to be in all holy con- . verſation and Godlineſs. - ~, - –A– -—r— CHAPTER XXVI. 4. CIVIL, SOCIAL, AND RELATIVE BUTIES. *º - 1 . . . . Y. love ſerve one another ; for all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou ſhalt love thy neighbour as thyſelf. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another. By this fhall all men know that ye are my diſciples, if ye love one another. 2....Whoſo faith, He is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkneſs even until now. He that low- eth his brother abideth in the light; but whoſo hateth his brother is in darkneſs, and walketh in darkneſs. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whoſo- *ver hateth his brother is a murderer ; and ye know that no murderer hath eternal lite abiding in him. 3....Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one who loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; D d 326 . BEAUTIES OF for God is love. Let love be without diſfimulation. My little children, let us not ſove in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and ſhall aſſure our hearts before hiên. - º 4...Be kindly affe&tioned one to another with broth- erly love, in honor preferring one another ; diſtribut- ing to the neceſſity of ſaints; given to hoſpitality, Re- joice with them who do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Condeſcend to men of low eſtate. Re- compenſe to no man evil for evil. It it be poſſible, as much as tieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 3.... Be of the ſame mind one towards another. It there be any conſolation in Chriſt, it any comfort of love, if any fellowſhip of the ſpirit, if any bowels of mercies ; fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like, minded, having the ſame love, being of one accord, of one ſinds Let nothing be done through flrife, or vain giory, bot in low lineſs of mind ſet each effeem others better than themſelves. Look not every mat on his own things; but every man alſo on the things tº others. - 6....Do all things without rurmurings and diſput- ings ; that ye may be harmleſs and blameleſs, the ſons of €36, withºut rebuke in the midſt of a crocked and perverſe people, among whom ye hine as fights in the world. Speak evil of no man. Why doſt then judge thy brother ? Or why doſi thou ſet at nought thy bio- ther P For we ſhall ali ſtand before the judgment feat of Chriſt. 7....Put on (as the eleēt of God, holy and beloved) . bowels of mercies, kindneſs, hu rnbleneſs of mind, meek- neſs, long-tuffering; forbearing one another, and for- giving orie another, if any man have a quarrel with any ; even as Chriſt forgave you, ſo alſo do ye. An above all theſe things put on charity, which is the bond THE BIBLE. 327 of perſe{ineſs. We who are ſtrong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to pleaſe ourſelves. Let every one of us pleaſe his neighbour for his good to edification. 8...Brethren, it a man be overtakº in a fault, ye that are ſpiritual reſtore ſuch an one in the ſpirit of meekneſs; conſidering thyſelf, left thou alſo be tempt- ed. Bear ye one another's burdens, and ſo fulfil the law of Chriſt. And let us not be weary in well-doing ; for in due ſeaſon we ſhall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, ſet us do good unto all men, eſpecially unto them who are of the houſehold of iaith. 9....Let all bitterneſs, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil ſpeaking, be put away from you. with all malice : and be ye kind one to another, ten- der hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Chriſt's ſake hath forgiven you. Beye therefore fol. lowers of God as dear children ; and walk in love, as Chriſt hath alſo loved us. Warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, ſupport the weak, be pa. tient towards all men. 1...be not forgetful to entertain ſtrangers. Re- member them who are in bonds, as bound with them : and them that ſuffer adverſity, as being your teives alſo in the body. Uſe hoſpitality one to another, without grudging. As every man bath received the gift, even ſo miniſter the ſame one to another, as gºod ſtewards of the manitoid grace of God. 1. Cºnfeſs your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may to healed. Let no man go beyond, and deºrand his brother: becauſe that the Lord is the avenger of all ſuch. Le none of you ſuf- fer as a murderer or a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a buſy-body in other men’s matters : yet if any man ſuffer as a Chriſtian, let him not be aſhamed. sº BEAUTIES or 12....Lie not one to another : but ſpeak the truth in love, that ye may grow up into him in all things, who is the head;even Chriſt. Let him who ſtole, ſteal no more ; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him who needeth. If any man provide not for his own, and eſpecially for thoſe of his own houſe, he hath denied the laith, and is worſe than an infidel. 13....We ſhould remember the poor. To do good, and to communicate forget not : for with ſuch ſacri- fices God is well pleaſed. Every man according as he purpoſeth in his heart, ſo let him give : not grudging- lv, or of neceſſity : for God loveth a cheerful giver. Ye ought to ſupport the weak ; and to remember the words of the Lord Jeſus, how be ſaid, It is more bleſſed to give than to receive. 14....Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor truſt in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy ; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to diſtribute, willing to communicate, ſaying up in ſtore for themſelves a good foundation againſt the time to come, that they may hay held on eternal life. Whoſo hath this world’s good, and feeth his brother have need, and ſhutteth up his bowels of compaffion from him, how dwellêth the love of God in him 2 - 15....Owe no man any thing, but to love one anoth- er.* Render to all their dues; tribute to whom trib- * This caution againſt running into debt is of a mo- ral as well as a prudential nature : for the embarraſſ- ments of debt have powerful temptations, and frequent- iy lead to falſehood and to the loſs of honeſty and in- tegrity. A young man that would ſupport the ineffima- THE BIBLE. 323- ute is due, cuſtom to whom cuſtom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. Hoflour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 16....Let every ſoul be ſubjećt unto the higher pow- ers, and obey magiſtrates. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then be not afraid of the power P Do that which is good, and thou ſhalt have praiſe of the ſame: for he is the miniſter of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid ; for he beareth not the ſword in vain : . for he is the miniſter of God, a revenger to execute puniſhment upon him that doeth evil. . 17....Wherefore ye muſt needs be ſubjećt, not only for fear of puniſhment, but alſo for conſcience ſake. For, for this cauſe pay you tribute alſo : for they are God’s miniſters, attending continually upon this very thing. Submit yourſelves to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's ſake. - - 18....We beſeech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admoniſh you : and to eſteem them very highly in love for their work's fake : and be at peace among your- ſelves. Let him who is taught in the word, commu-, nicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things. 19....The elders I exhort ; Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the overſight thereof, not by conſtraint, but willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords ovex God’s he- ritage, but being examples to the flock. And when ble charaćier of truth and honeſty, and who duly prizes his own independence, ſhould carefully avoid contračling debts, any further than he has a mora! certainty of being able to make punčiual payment, 336 BEAUTIES of the chief ſhepherd ſhal I appe ar, ye ſhall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 20....Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed un- defiled. Wives, ſubmit yourſelves unto your Own. huſbands, as unto the Lord. For the huſband is the head of the wite, even as Chriſt is the head of the church. Therefore as the church is ſubjećt unto Chriſt ſo let the wives be to their own huſbands. 21....Huſbands, love your wives, even as Chriſt alſo loved the church, and gave himſelf for it. So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies : Whoſo, loveth his wife, loveth himſelf. For this cauſe ſhall a. man leave his father and mother, and ſhall be joined un- to his wife, and they two ſhall be one fleſh. 22....Children, obey your parents in the Łord : for this is right. Honour thy father and nº other (which is the firſt commandment with provnife) that it may be: well with thee, and that thou mayeft live long on the earth. And ye fathers, provoke list your children to, wrath : but bring them up in the nurture and admoni- tion of the Lord. . . . • 23....Servants, be obedient to your maſters in ſincer- #y of heart, as unto Chriſt : not with eye-ſervice, 2s. tner-pleaſe, s, but as the ſervants of Chriſ, doing the will of God from the heart : knowing that whatícever, good thing any man doth, the ſame he ſhall receive cł. the Lord, whether he be bond of free. 24....And ye maſters, do the ſame thing unto them, forbearing threatering : knowing that your maſter alſo is in heaven; neither is there reſpett of per ſons, with. God. Ye younger, ſubmit yourſelves, unto the elder : yea, all of you be ſubjećt one to another, and be cloth- ed with humility. . .* - . . REMARKS.. " 4. Under the head of relative duties it may be proper. º THE BIBLE, 33r to remark, that women are indebtºd to the Chriſtian re- ligion for the reſpe&able rank in ſociety, which their ſex has deſervedly obtained. Before the Chriſtian acra, woman, in every clime, and under every government, was comparatively in a degraded condition. And the condition of woman is ſtill degraded, amorg. Mahometans, and all other nations, whici are not un- der the auſpices of the Chriſtian religion. She is more the obječk of appetite than affe'étion, and is rather the ſlave than the ſocial friend and coropanion of man. Jeſus €hriſt, by prohibiting polygamy, and concu- binage, 2nd confining every bufb ind to one womat, ef- fe8ted a great and happy revolution in ſociety, as it reſpe&ted the commerce between the ſexes. And in. conſequence of this eſtabliſhment of the Chriſtian law- giver, the condition of the female ſex is happily ime. proved. y " . Wherever Chriſtianity prevails, ſºme degree of re- ſpe&t and deference is yielded to womankind. To. #rike her is eſteemed ºutal. Her mind is cultivated, and her company is ſought from ſentiment. To her is, conceded the honour of giving ſociety its higheſt poliſh. She is the companion and ſolace of man ; and even the weakneſs of her ſex does but the more endear her to: him, as it renders her dependent cn his protećtion. In this view, ſcarcely any thing would be more aſ- #Gniſhing than to find a woman, of real ſenſe, ifleming. not only with patieńce, but with pieaſure, to fibertine ſcoffs at the Chriſtian religion : becauſe ſuch a woman beſides manifeſting an impious heart, does implicitly conſent to the degradation of the whole ſex. For if the powers of hell might prevail to the total. abolition of Chriſtianity, the indulgence of polygamy. and concubinage, and a diſregard for the ſacred bond. of marriage, would again reduce the whole female ſex. to the ſame abjećt and ſervile ſtate, from which the Chriſtian ſyſtem has relieved and raiſed them. -- - 332 BEAUTIES OF . CHAPTER xxVII. PORTRAIT OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY. 1 . . . . Though I ſpeak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am be- come as tounding braſs, and as a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophety, and underſtand all my ſteries, and 211 knowledge; and though I have all faith, ſo that I céâld remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. - . . 2....And though I beſtow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it prºfiteth me mething. Charity ſuf- fereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not herſelf, is not puffed up. - - 3... Doth not behave itſelf unſeemly, ſeeketh not her own, is not eaſily provoked, thinketh no evil; re- joiceth not in iniquity, but in truth ; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. - ** - - 4...Charity never faileth : but whether there be prophecies, they ſhall fail; whether there be tongues, they ſhall ceaſe; whether there be knowledge, it ſhall vaniſh away. For we know in part, and we prophecy in part : but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part ſhall be done away. - * * 5....When I was a child, I ſpake as a child, I un-- derſtood as a child, I thought as a child ; but when I became a man, I put away childiſh things. For now we ſee through a glaſs darkly ; but then face to face : now I know in part; but then ſhall I know even as ai- ſo I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, chari- ty, theie three; but the greateſt of theſe is charity. THE BIBLE, sº CHAPTER xxviii. THE CHRISTIAN's PROSPECT BEYoMD THE GRAVE. & ...N OW is Chriſt riſen from the dead, 2nd become the firſt fruits of them who ſlept. For ſince by man came death, by man came alſo the refur- rečtion of the dead. For as ingºdam all die, even ſo in Chriſt ſhall ali be made alive. But every man in his own order: Chriſt the firſt-fruits ; afterwards they who are Chriſt's at his coming. 2....But ſome men will ſay, How are the dead raiſed up 2 And with what body do they come 2 Thou fool, that which thou ſoweſt is not quickened except it die. And that which thou ſoweſt, thou ſoweſt not that body that ſhall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of ſome other grain : but God giveth it a body as it hath pleaſed him, and to every ſeed his own body. 3....All fleſh is not the ſame fleſh: but there is one kind of fleſh of men, another fleſh of beafts, another of fiſhes, and another of birds. There are alſo celeſtiah bodies, and bodies terreſtrial : but the giory of the ce- eſtial is one, and the glory of the terreſtrial is another. 4....There is one glory of the ſun, and another glory. of the moon, and another glory of the ſtars ; for one- flar differeth from another ſtar in glory. So alſo is the reſurre&tion of the dead : it is ſown in corruption, it is raiſed in incorruption : it is ſown in diſhonour, it is, raiſed in glory : it is ſown in weakneſs, it is raiſed in power : it is ſown a natural body, it is raiſed a ſpiritur. al body. . .” - . - . . .” * 5....There is a natural body, and there is a ſpiritual body. And ſo it is written, The firſt man Adam was . ** * 324. BEAUTIES, &c. made a living ſon!, the laſt Adam was made a quicken- ing ſpirit. Howbeit, that was not firſt which is ſpirit- ual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is ſpiritual. 6....The firſt man is of the earth, earthy; the ſecond man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, ſuch are they alſo who are earthy; and as the heavenly, ſuch are they alſo who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we ſhall alſo bear the image of the heavenly. - 7...Now this I ſay, brethren, that flºſh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth cor- ruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I ſhew you a myſtery; we ſhill not all ſleep, but we ſhall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the laſt trump; (for the trumpet ſhall found ;) and the dead ſhall be raiſed incorruptible, and we ſhall be chang- ed. For this corruptible mºſt put on incorruption, and this mortal mºſt put on immortality. 8....So when this corruption ſhall have put on incor- ruption, and this mortal ſº have put on immortality, then ſhell be brought to paſs the ſaying that is written, Death is fºllowed up in visiony. O death where is thy ſting º O gravel where is thy victory P. The ſting of death is ºn ; and the ſtrength of fin is the law. But thanks be to Gºd who given us the victory, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. 9....Therefore, my beloved brethren, be yeſtedfaſt, unrºoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foraſºuch as ye know that your labour is got in vain in the Lord. - ſittrºpºrt: A BRIEF REpº/Epº of THE WHOLE. - * HE internal marks and features of the Chriſtian re- ligion plainly manifeſt its divine origin, even as the fun is diſtinguiſhed from all other bodies by its own º is a ſyſtem of religion ſo ſingular, ſo contra- ry to wºrld'y craft, and to the prevailing ideas of man- kind; and withal, ſo pure, ſo excellent and divine, that one cannot, without very great abſurdity, aſcribe it to human invention. - Some of the internal evidences of the divine origin and excellent nature of the Cºriſtian religion, are brief- ly comprized in the follºwing heads: Firſtly. The goſpel aiſlºy bears the marks of plain, ſimple, undiſguiſed truth. Leº any tenſible, unpre- judiced perſon read the Evangeliºs, containing ſketch- es of the actions and diſcourſes of Jeſus Cºnſt; and alſo the acts of the apoſtles, which give an account of the firſt ſpread of the Chriſtian religion, and he will perceive that the whole narration is remarkably ſim- ple; and without the leaſt appearance of any art, in- trigue, deſigned impoſture, or wilful miſrepreſentation. Secondly. A leading doctrine of the goſpel, name- ly, Salvation by the Cro/G, is a doćtine, which (as the ſtate of the world was) no mortal could ever have thought of inventing. The Gentiles, while they dei- fied their heroes and conquerors, thoſe ſhedders of hu- man blood, poured contempt upon the poor, and the unfortunate. The Jews, on the other hand, miſtaking their ſcripture prophecies, expeted their Meſſiah to be a mighty earthly prince, who ſhould found his fame upon conqueſt. 336 RETROSPECT. Under thoſe circumſtances, remote from every hu- man mind muſt have been the expe&tation, that the Saviour of men ſhould be born in poverty ; ſhould live a life of reproach and ſuffering ; ſhould be executed as a vile malefactor ; that the ſhedding of his blood ſhould be for the remiſſion of ſºns ; and that he awho died on a croſs ſhould judge the world. This was a myſtery, which the apoſtles themſelves, even after it was told them, were very hard to believe and compre- hend. And to ſuppoſe that this was a piece of human invention, or a fićtion, by which mankind were cheat- ed into a belief of the Chriſtian Religion, is to ſup- poſe as great a miracle as any that the Goſpel itſelf records. - - Thirdly. The Chriſtian Morality, being moſt pure and ſublime, tends to ennoble the human nature, and to render us better and happier in all the relations of life. Compare the Chriſtian laws with the [rigid pre- cepts of philoſophy; compare the Chriſtian ſcheme of relative and ſocial duties, with Cheſterfield's maxims of politeneſs, profeſſedly founded on diſſimulation and hypocriſy of heart; how ſtriking is the contraſt ! You immediately ſee the divine origin of the one : and that the other is the mean and ſelfiſh offspring of that wiſ- dom which is from beneath. . The Chriſtian laws are addreſſed to the heart: they reach and bied us even as to our thoughts, and the ſe- cret motives of a&ion. They inculcate Love as the great principle of human condućt. Supreme love to God, and univerſal benevolence to men, are the great commandments in the Chriſtian code. This love, like the influence of the magnet, would attract mankind to one another, and cauſe each to eſteem the intereſt of another, as if it were his own. And if this love might be univerſal,injuries of every kind would RETROSPECT. 337. ceaſe; all the ſocia! and relative duties would be will- ingly performed, and this world, in a moral view, would become a Paradiſe. - ~ - Fourthly. The doćtrines of the goſpel throw light, upon the dark and confuſed ſcenes which paſs before us in the preſent ſtate of things. Particularly, the fre: quent triumphs of vice over depreſſed virtue; the proſs. perity of the wicked, and the poverty and oppreſſion of the good, are dark events which the goſpel elucidates, by bringing immortality to light, and giving aſſurance of a general judgment, and a future ſtate of retribution. Fifthly. The Chriſtian religion gives a hope, that ſweetens the troubles of life, and removes the ſting of death. Whatever weight of trouble lies upon Chriſ- tians, they are ſupported by the conſideration that it is a diſcipline, ordered by their heavenly Father, and de- ſigned for their good. And when Chriſtians die; or, when they are affečtionately bending over the beds of their expiring, or the graves of their expired friends, they are relieved and comforted by the proſpeč, that this corruption will put on in corruption, and that this mortal will put on immortality. . . Now, it ſhould ſeem, we are clamorouſly urged {C}- renounce this divine religion, which thus purifies and ennobles our nature, and gives us comfort in trouble, and hope in death. . This heavenly religion we ſee at. tacked on every ſide; not indeed with ſerions and man- ly argument, becoming a ſubjećt of ſuch vaſı imper- tance; but with the poiſoned arrows of ridicule'ang burleſque ; with malicious ſcoffs and ſcornful ſneers, But we would ſay to our opponents, Since you urge us to renounce the goſpei, be pleaſed to ofter us 3 bet- ter, religion, as a ſubſtitute. Have you invented any ſyſtem of morality, or any ſcheme of ſocial and relative duties that is better than what the goſpel give us 2 This you have not attempted. Your ability ſeems to configº Ee ‘888 RETROSPECT. * : * ~ * • . . . altogether in demoliſhing ; and you are like one who ſhºuld boaſt of puſing down a magnificent palace, while at the ſame time, be would be incapable of build- ing even a cottage. - - ...And what Hope do you offer us after death P. The i fidel's hope is ſeen in the modern inſcription on the #ate of a burying; yard ; “ Deoſh is an eternal ſleep.” He hopes that death will put an end to his coriciouſ- iſs, and extinguiſh his being. - And is it for this, that we are urged to renounce our #eligion, and the pleaſing proſpeći of immortality which the goſpel ſets before us P Is it that we may die like the brutes; loſing all hope, excepting the forlorn hope of annihilation ? Is it that our laſt agonies ſhould be fupported with no better proſpect than that of being wiped off from the face of creation, and expunged for- ever from the beck of life 2 Ab, barbarous men you would robus of our bread, and inſtead of it, would give us a ſerpent. - And what is the objeć of your reſtleſs and vehe- ment zeal againſt Chriſtianity P Would ſeciety be benefitted by your ſucceſs P Would you diſcourage vice and encourage virtue by perſuading people to deſpiſe and renounce the obligations and ſančiors of the Chriſtian religion ? Would you hereby ender them better citizens, and more faithful and aff:élion- até in the relative departments of huſbands and wives, and of parents and children P ...No : you will take off neceſſary reſtraints from the mińds of the vicious : you will deſtroy, or weaken the ſacred bands of ſociety; and your influence, wherever it reaches, will be deadly, like the effluvia from the Bohon. Upas, or paifen-tree of Java. F INIS. Tºº ºf Conſºn's. - --~~~~~~~~~~~~ PART I. |Chºp. - 1. History of the Creation, - - - \!. The Fall; or innocence and Cult contrasted, - ºiſ. The Flood, - - - v. The conciliating Corduct of Abram: - - v. ºran's Heroism and Disinterestedness, - v1. Abram's Hospitality, Courtesy and Benevolence, VI: The Lºstruction of Sºdom, - - viºſ. An ancient specimen of Politeress, - IX. A remarkable Dream, - - X. The meeting and friendly interview ºf Jacob and Esau, XI. The Story of Joseph, - - XII. The bondage and deliverance of the Israelites, X111. The , en Conan, andments, - - XIV. Manna, - - - - - XV, a Błasn't emer stored, - - - - X v1. The noble actions of Gideon, - - - XVII. Concerning Jotham and Abimelech, - - XVIII. Story of Ruth, - - - XIX. History of Samuel, - - - XX. A young Shepheld and a Giant, - - XXI. The friendship of David and Jonathan, - XXII. The Story of Absalom, - - XXIII. Solomon's politeness to his Mother, XXIV. The wise choice of Solºmon, - - XXV. Cºncerning Elijah and Elisha, - - XXVI. The patriotism of Nehemiah, - XXVII. The afflictions and patience of Jºb, - XXVIII. The Story of Jonah, - - XXIX Nebuchadnezzar's Furnace, - - XXX. The impious feast of Belshazzar, - - XXXI. Daniel cast into a den of Lions, - - - PART II. I. A virtuous Woman, - - 11. Virtue exemplified in Job, - - Ill. The Idol maker, - - IV. Extracts from the Laws of Moses, - - V. Miscellaneous Extracts, VI. Specimens of the * * Scripture, VII. Divine Attributes, - - VIII. The efficacy of Prayer, - º, Sºlomºn's Prayer, - - / - _ º … TABLE OF CONTENTS. ºrii. The Christian's Prospect beyond the Grave, N Cººp. Page. º, ºne shortness of human Life. - - 175 XI. Expostulations of Gºd with Job, - - 178 XII. David's Elegy, - - - 183 XIII. The words of Agur, - - - 185 XIV. The Royal Preacher, - - - bul XV. The excellency, and the calls of Wisdom, - 1-9 XVI. Cautions against rejecting the calls of Wisdom, gº XVII. Industry and idleness contrasted, - º XVIII. A cautic ºcainst Guttony and Drunkenness, 94 XIX. On Sabbath keeping and Public Worship, 95 XX. A caution against Seretiship, - - º XXI. Select Proverbs of Solomon, - - 198 XXII. Beauties of the descriptive kind, 205 XXIII. Babylon Streams, - - 2.11 XXIV. Elegy on the Babylonish captivity, bid. XXV. Divine Odes, - - - 217 PA, RT III. 1. The birth and childhood of Jesus Christ, - 220 II. Testimºnies concerning Christ, and his Baptism, 225 III. Christ's Schmon on the Mountain, " 228 IV. The mission of the Apºstles, - -- 235 v. Sight given to a blind Man, - . 239 VI. The raising of Lazarus, - - - 242 v II. Miscellaneous Extracts, - - 248 v11.1. The Prodigal son, - - - 258 lº, ºne kind Samaritan, - - 250 X. The rich Mau and the Beggar; and the Day of Judgment, 262 ºxi. Christ's Farewell to his bisciples, - 255 XII. A prophetic description of the Destruction ºf Jerusalem, 269 in The ºl, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of Cºist, - - - 27- XIV. Pentecosº. - - - 285 Pºv. A ſame Man restored, - - S88 Avi. The conversion of Saul, - 292 Exvii. Cornelius the Centurion, - - 29 Aviii. The awful Death of Herod, - 299 Lºx. The Jailer, - - 302 XX Paul's Defence before the Areopagus, 394 Dº I. The City-mob, - - 305 Xx11, Paul's Farewell to the Ephesians, - 507 XXIII Paul's Defence before Agrippa, - 309 XXIV. Paul's Shipwreck, - - 315 ºv. Duties ºf Christian Piety and Morality, 3.19 XXVI. Cººl, social and relative Dºties, - 3.25 ºil. Portrait of Christian Charity, § º GA º | l l I C 5 EC2 L- O i. | i. ‘-* : · * ...,y :