pnmllel with, but indefinitely above, the orrlinary lines of (so-called)" natural religion " and constitute a distinct revelation, of which the core is reached in the miracles ~f Jesus Christ. As this moral or Divine side of miracle is increasingly sturlied, the riches of the Word made flesh will grow upon us, fascinate and convert the Aoul. At the tribunal of Jerusalem the old, old question is asked anew, and again in effect is the answer returned, "My name is \Vonderful." III. ASSERTIVE OD' JEHOVAH AS THE SUPERNATURAL CAUSE OD' THE DELIVERANCH OD' ISRAEL. It is not Moses, or any judge, or David even, who is able to save. Jehovah is the great Deliverer, and he works above nature in a realm in which he can have no co-worker. Samson even is a" child of the promise," and no product of the influences of his time. His strength is to be from above, and its great exercises and feats are distinctly miraculous. IV. PREPARING MEN FOR THE MESSIAH, IN WHOM IT WAS MOST PERFECTLY MANI- FESTED. The depths of the world's consciousness, in seer and saint, are ceaselessly stirred until the look of the ages fastens itself on him whose name is " Wonderful, Counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa. ix. 6). And as we look back on the brief episode of his life, ever new wonders declare themselves, and we feel that his example, his sufferings, hie sacrifice, his resurrection, and ascen- sion are potent to save and to sanctify, &c. Truly "his name is Wonderful."-M.
Vere. 22, 23.-Reassurance of Divine favour. Manoah is now uncertain whether to consider himself blessed or miserable. He has the deep-rooted superstition of a fleshly age strong within him, and is alarmed. But this arises from a defective spiritual education. He does not consider sufficiently the method and the manner of God's approaches to him. I. FEAR REGARDING Goo's VISITATIONS IS A NATURAL FEELING. The consciousness of sin is easily roused to alarm, and the unknown is ever awe-inspiring. Our own littleness too is me.de the more manifest: " What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Pe. viii. 4). II. How IT MAY BE OVERCOME. Considering, 1. The character of God; 2. His continuous scheme of redem?,tion; 3. The blessings he has already bestowed; 4. The voice of Chrut (" Fear not '), and the witness of the Spirit(" Abba, Father"). III. Goo WILL NOT LEAVE HIS CHILD IN UNCERTAINTY OF HIS MEANING. "Two are better than one." How often in life is the husband, wife, parent, child, brother, sister, or friend, close beside us, the witness of God and the spiritual help-meet I The simple soul teaches the more complex and experienced, being itself taught of God. And so, somewhere or other, he is never without a witness.-M.
Vere. 24, 25.-Fulfilment of promue. The history of this promise to the worthy pair reads like an unbroken tale. Outwardly it was with them only as it was with. numberless others of their neighbours. The circumstance is woven into the web of contemporary village life. The birth is as any other, the child as any other, up to a certain point; and then the true character and destiny begin to declare themselves. J. THE ORDINARY ASPECT OF DIVINE FULFILMENTS IN THEIR BEGINNINGS. II. PRIVATE JOY AND SATISFACTION ACCOMPANYING THE GIJ.l'T OF A PUTILIC BENE- FACTOR AND FULFILLER OF THE DIVINE PUnPOSE. "The Lord blessed him." III. THE GRADUAL DIFFERENTIATION OF THE DIVINE AGENT FROM THE MERELY HUMAN RELATION. It soon appears thnt the lad is not meant for the mere solace of his parents' age and light of their home. 11 The Spirit of the Lord began to movo him at times." Like Christ, the time comes when he II must be about his Father's business." -M.
Ver. 5.-Samson the Nazarite. I. THERE ARE MEN WHOM Goo CALLS To ms SERVICE FROM THEIR BIR'fH, This is seen in the £net that the earliest events of their lives are made to train them for their subsequent mission in the world. Parents should consecrate their children to God in infancy, and not wait for later years before using those means which will fit them for the work of life in God's service. Manonh and his wife ore tnuo-ht these lessons with special reference to the condition of 11, Naznrite. Other voc~tions may require external varieties of training, but th" esson- JUD0ES, L 146 THE BOOK OF JUDGES. [OH, XIII, 1-25.