thee, wrest it out of thine hands; even that life, to the hope of which thou hast been called. 34 And for the testimony of truth hast borne Universal reproach,

Christ came to bear witness to the truth; and a careful attendance to his testimony will be the best proof we can give that we love the truth, and the best method we can take to make ourselves acquainted with it. And of so great importance is the truth, that it surely deserves the attentive inquiry and the zealous patronage of the greatest and the busiest of mankind. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. John xviii. 37.

36 To stand approved in sight of God

Study to show thyself approved unto God. 2 Tim. ii. 15. Diligently endeavour, whenever thou comest to present thyself before God in any of the duties of thine office, that whatever men may judge of thee and thy services, thou mayest be approved of him as a workman who hath no cause to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, distributing with prudence, as well as fidelity, to each his proper share.

54 Of Tartarus,

The infernal regions, the place of punishment. 55 So spake the sov'reign voice, and clouds began

On the third day in the morning there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because Jehovah descended upon it in fire. Exod. xix. 16. 18.

57

88

Ethereal trumpet

nor with less dread the loud

The voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder. Exod. xix. 19.

and on his throne

To set the envier of his state,

The tenth commandment may here be applicable; Thou shalt not covet anything that is thy neighbours. First, as forbidding a crime of an extensive nature, the crime of coveting; the crime here forbidden is coveting the property of another person, of which there are three degrees; first, a simple desire, secondly, a violent passion, and thirdly, an evil disposition breaking out into evil designs and attempts. When a man considers an object that is useful, pleasant, and alluring, of which he is deprived, and which another possesses, may say to himself, it would be better for me if I . had such things, my neighbour who has them is in a happier condition than I am. This simple and almost involuntary wish, carried no farther, may deserve to fall under the name of weakness rather than crime, which reason and religion teach us, we ought to restrain and check in its rise. But, secondly, such wishes, like bad seed sowed in the mind, are apt to take root, and bring forth evil fruits. When they have been long indulged, and frequently repeated, they produce a fretful uneasiness, and are transformed into a restless passion and a continual discontent; the blessings which he enjoys, he slights and overlooks with base ingratitude; the persons who possess what he wants are the objects of his envy, and in some

degree of his aversion.

From this distempered

state of mind an easy step is made to unwarrantable actions, to the laying base projects and evil schemes, with a view to defraud others, and to obtain the things which are coveted, as far as it can be done with impunity, and without falling under the correction of human laws. JORTIN. 167 Minist'ring Spirits,

Is it not a known and delightful truth? are they not indeed all ministering spirits, who officiate before the throne of God, and are sent out to attend on those who shall inherit salvation? and always willing to undertake the offices he shall assign them for the safety and good of his people? And, therefore, far from thinking of them in any view of comparison with him, let us humbly adore him, for the benefits which, by his authority and favour, we daily receive from these benevolent creatures. And as our obligations to him are infinitely superior to theirs, let us emulate their fidelity, vigour, and zeal, in the steadiness and cheerfulness of our obedience; till we join them in services like their own, in that world where they dwell, and to which, if we prove ourselves his faithful servants, he will ere long give them a charge safely and joyfully to convey us.

1

and the faithful armies rung

Hosanna to the Highest ;

An Hebrew word, signifying, Save we beseech thee.

357 Of Moloch furious king;

A king; an idol of the Ammonites.

365 Vanquish'd Adramelech

And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burn their children in fire to Adrameleck and Anammaleck, the gods of Sepharvaim. 365 Asmadia

A rebel angel.

369 Nor stood unmindful of Abdiel.

An holy seraph who zealously opposed Lucifer in the revolt.

371 Ariel and Arioc

Ariel, a devouring and ferocious captain of the fallen angels, a name given to Jerusalem, from the great brazen altar erected there by Solomon, which devoured the sacrifice like a lion, Solomon offered a thousand burnt sacrifices upon it at one time. Arioc another leader of the rebellious spirits. 372 Of Ramiel

A proud aspiring chief among the rebels. 380 Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.

Thou hast destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. Isa. xxvi. 14.

447 Nisrock, of principalities the prime ;

Another of the fallen angels. As the king of Assyria was worshipping in the house of Nisroch, his god, his sons smote him with the sword. 2 Kings, xix. 37.

535 Zophiel, of Cherubim the swiftest wing,

One of the chiefs under Michael, who sounds the alarm to battle.

564 Heaven witness thou anon, while we discharge Freely our part;

Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. Prov. xxi. 24.

which none of us can pretend to have deserved; and adore his goodness in choosing to exercise mercy and compassion on any of the children of men. Who art thou that replied against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus ? Rom. ix. 20. 836 As by his Word the mighty Father made

His nature has a transcendent excellency, infinitely superior to anything that is made; for by him were all things created, things in heaven and things on earth. From him were derived the visible splendour of the celestial luminaries, the sun, the moon, and the stars, even all the beings who dwell and reign above, by whatever names and honours distinguished; and he is before all, both in the duration and dignity of his nature, and in him all things which constitute this universal system do continually subsist in that harmonious order of being which renders it one beautiful whole; whereas, unsupported by him, it would immediately run into confusion, or fall back into its original nothing.

846 And tempt not these, but hasten to appease Th' incensed Father,

Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve Jehovah with fear; Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Ps. ii. 10, 11, 12.

872 He said, and as the sound of waters deep

And I heard a sound which was the voice of a great multitude, and loud as the voice of many