writers, and indeed our Saviour himself, frequently appropriating the predictions of the Psalms as apposite to the circumstances of their lives, and intentionally preconcerted to describe them.

The Books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes were both written by Solomon; the former embraces a variety of subjects of the didactic kind. The first 24 chapters are undoubtedly the work of Solomon; the remainder are supposed to have been selected after his death, by collectors, from his writings; and the whole (being all that now remain of his numerous works) were admitted into the sacred canon by Ezra. The Book of Ecclesiastes is confined to one subject, viz. an "inquiry into the chief good;" and it is thought that Solomon wrote it after he had repented of his idolatry.

The Song of Solomon was an Epithalamium composed by that monarch, on his marriage with the daughter of Pharaoh; but is considered also as typical of the intimate union between Christ and his Church. It is a species of sacred drama.

It is universally allowed that the remaining books of the Old Testament, viz. the Books of the sixteen Prophets, and the Book of Lamentations, were written by the persons whose names they bear.

* Matt. xxii. 43, 44; and xxvii. 35.

Isaiah, the earliest of the four great prophets, was of the tribe of Judah, and a supposed descendant from the royal family. He began to prophesy about 758 years before Christ, in the last year of Uzziah's reign; and it is uncertain how long he continued: some think till the 15th year of Hezekiah; but it is more probable he was put to death by order of Manasseh, in the first year of his reign in the former case he would prophesy 45 in the latter 61 years. He is a very sublime writer, and (amongst various predictions connected with the Jewish History) he speaks so particularly and circumstantially of the Messiah and his kingdom, that he is called, by way of eminence, the Evangelical Prophet.

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Jeremiah was of the sacerdotal family. He was born at Anathoth, a village three miles from Jerusalem; he commenced his prophetical functions in the 13th year of Josiah's reign, 628 years before Christ, and continued in it 41 years. He retired into Egypt after his countrymen were carried away captive by Nebuchadnezzar; and some think he returned to Judæa, and died there. Jerome, however, thinks he was stoned at Talpesha, a city in Egypt, 586 B.C, Amongst his prophecies there are many relating to the Messiah, as to His miraculous conception, His atonement, the spiritual nature of His religion, &c. The last chapter is supposed to have been written by Ezra.

Jeremiah's Lamentations by some are thought to have been written on the death of Josiah; by others more probably, subsequent to the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar : though written on present calamities, they may be considered as prophetically applicable to the future miseries of the Jews.

Ezekiel was contemporary with Jeremiah, and was of the sacerdotal race. He was carried captive with Jehoiachim, king of Judah, to Babylon, 598 years B.C. He began to prophesy in the fifth year of his captivity, and continued in his prophetical functions 21 years. Ezekiel may be compared, as to his style, to the Grecian Eschylus, being bold, vehement, and though not so elegant as some other prophets, yet unequalled in force and grandeur. In his writings are clear intimations of the glorious redemption under the Messiah.

Daniel, a descendant of the kings of Judah, was born at Upper Bethoron, in the territory of Ephraim. He was carried captive to Babylon when about 18 or 20 years old, 606 B.C., and was raised to great honour in the courts, both of Babylon and Persia. As he was 90 years old when the captivity ended, it is probable he did not return to Judæa. His writings contain a mixture of history and prophecy. In the latter are predictions as to the Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman Empires; the

time at which Christ was to appear; the rise and fall of Antichrist; the future restoration of the Jews; and the consummation of all things here below.

Hosea flourished 800 years before Christ, and continued in his prophetical office 60 years.

Joel flourished 800 years B.C. It is not known how long he continued in his office.

Amos flourished 800 years before Christ: he was a herdsman, and is said to have been put to death by Uzziah, for censuring his vices.

Obadiah flourished 585 years B.C. His prophecy comprises only one chapter.

Jonah was the most ancient of the Prophets; he flourished 840 years B.C. He was of the tribe of Zabulon, and born at Gathepher, in Galilee. He was sent by God to prophesy at Nineveh; fearing the difficulties, he fled from the presence of God, and in his voyage met with the remarkable circumstances of the storm, &c. as described in his own book.

Micah flourished 750 years B.C. He was born at Morasthi, in the southern part of Judæa.

Nahum flourished probably 715 years B.C. He was born at Elcosha, in Galilee. He was of the tribe of Simeon. His prophecies relate solely to Nineveh's destruction.

Habakkuk flourished, as is supposed, 605 years

B.C. He is thought to have been alive at the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, and to have remained and died at Judæa.

Zephaniah flourished 630 years B.C. He was of the tribe of Simeon, of a noble family, and lived in the reign of Josiah.

Haggai flourished 520 years B.C. He is supposed to have been born during the Captivity, and of sacerdotal race; it is also thought that he returned to Jerusalem, under Zerubbabel, in consequence of the edict of Cyrus. It was this prophet who predicted that the glory of the second Temple (though inferior in outward splendour) should exceed that of the first; which prophecy was fulfilled when Christ entered it.

Zechariah flourished 520 years B.C. He was the son of Barachiah, and grandson of Iddo; he was born in captivity, and returned when Cyrus permitted the Jews to return to their own country. He exercised his office about two years.

Malachi flourished 400 years B.C. He was of the tribe of Zabulon, and a native of Sapha: he predicts Christ's Advent, and John the Baptist's preaching. He closes the Sacred Canon with enjoining the strict observance of the Mosaic Law, till the forerunner should appear in the spirit of Elias, to