lation, and the brightest hopes: but the object most prominently brought forward will be the alternate power of the principles of attraction and repulsion, shown forth in its effects upon every relation of Israel with the nations of the world. There has long been a gulf fixed between the two, but, reconciled and united by the cross of Christ, they will one day enjoy together their respective privileges, united for ever, yet never confounded.

Israel, promises of blessing for Egypt, from whence 3300 years since the Lord brought forth his people, and "out of which" also 1800 years ago "He hath called his Son." "In that day," saith the Prophet Isaiah (of a time to which no past epoch can refer)—" in that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of Hosts in the land of Egypt; for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a Saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it. And the Lord shall smite Egypt; he shall smite and heal it, and they shall return even to the Lord, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt, and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land. Whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless,

saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of mine hands, and Israel mine inheritance.” (Isa. xix. 19–25.)

With a strong hand, and a stretched-out arm, God led his people out of Egypt. Soon after their departure thence, the Israelites received the pledge of their existence as a people in the Divine Law given from Mount Sinai; they then began their forty years' wanderings in the wilderness. How striking must have been the appearance of the twelve tribes of Israel, encamped in the desert, each around its own banner, their four sides facing the four quarters of the world, whose salvation and glory were represented by the tabernacle, with its holy vessels and symbolic services! Yet the people were destined to undergo many chastenings at the hand of God; as the vine branch is purged that it may bring forth more fruit, so were the murmurers cut off from the midst of Israel, till a fresh generation arose, to whom the promises were fulfilled.

Moses witnessed the first victory of the children of Israel beyond the Jordan, when Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, took possession of the land of Basan and of the Amorites. The passage of the river, so striking an event in the history of Israel, was

reserved for Joshua. With him began the Heroic age, which comprehended four hundred and fifty years, including David, and his contemporaries in age and war.

The relations between Israel and the surrounding nations in the times of Moses, Joshua, the judges, and the kings, were appointed by God himself, and made a part of the laws and constitution of the state. The land promised to their fathers was given to the Israelites on the condition of their keeping it and themselves free from idolatry, and thus continuing the people of the only living and true God. From the beginning they neglected this charge; they spared the nations God had sent them to punish, and even joined with them in serving their gods. Thus were Canaanites left in the midst of Israel, who became, in the hand of God, a pricking brier and a rod of chastisement for his unfaithful and disobedient people. Jerusalem remained in possession of the Jebusites till the time of David, who, with his valiant men, took the fortress of Zion, and established there the royal residence and the abode of the Ark of God.

Even the evil of a permanent remnant of the nations of Canaan existing in the land, after its conquest by Israel, was turned to

good by the hand of God, and made use of for their benefit, "that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as knew nothing thereof before." (Judges iii. 2.) The Israelites were destined from the first to become a warlike people; this character is implied in the whole Mosaic code, and it continued to belong to the Jewish people until their complete downfall, at the final destruction of their city and temple. This character disappeared for many centuries, when Israel became a homeless wanderer over the face of the globe.

The peaceful reign of Solomon brings us both to the height of Israel's prosperity and grandeur, and to the commencement of its decline. The evil influence of strangers and idolatrous nations, which the ever-drawn sword of the man after God's own heart had kept for a time at bay, then began its work of destruction. By imitating these nations in many ways, and especially in their varied idolatries, the children of Jacob drew down upon themselves all those misfortunes and judgments, which the wrath of God inflicted for their punishment. Their princes set the example of dangerous and unhallowed connexions,

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