same distant period. These prophecies, beyond all doubt, were shewn to Cyrus and Darius, as soon as they became masters of Babylon: and the miracle just wrought by Jehovah in favour of Daniel, brought additional conviction to the mind of Darius, that the Messiah's reign should be such as had been predicted.
This is a glorious view, of which we should never lose sight. It was this which Abraham delighted to contemplate6, and which has filled the saints of all succeeding ages with unutter- able joy. To us, no less than to those of former ages, it yet remains as an object of hope. The predicted kingdom is indeed established; but it is as yet but very limited in its extent: nevertheless we believe that the word of God re- specting it shall stand, and that " all the kingdoms of the world shall in due time become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ" ]
3. His miracles of love and mercy towards his believing people —
[Here also Darius speaks in general terms : the deliverance of Daniel from the lion's den is considered by him as a single instance only of the innumerable interpositions which God vouchsafes to his people, and of the wonders which he works in their behalf. The whole history of the Jewish people, from their departure out of Egypt to their final dispersion by the Romans, is one continued record of stupendous miracles and gracious deliverances.
True it is, that miracles are ceased : but wonders, if we may so speak, are quite as common as in the days of old. Wherein is the deliverance of a soul from death and hell inferior to the deliverance of the Hebrew youths from the fiery furnace ; or the preservation of Daniel in the lions' den, to the preservation of believers from the assaults of that roaring lion that is ever seeking to devour them ? This view then of the Deity is still to be ever kept in mind, in order that we may never give way to fear, or doubt a moment but that He who hath hitherto delivered us, will go on to deliver, and will preserve us safely to his heavenly kingdom ]
Such being his views of the Deity, we are no longer surprised at,
II. His decree founded upon them —
An external worship was deemed sufficient for senseless idols ; but not so for the God of heaven and earth : the decree before us required much more than that. Let us distinctly notice,
e John viii. 56.