henrts. As soon as God had begun to fulfil his part of the covenant man must fulfil his. 'fho people wero to writo " 11111" the precepts; for not one ~f them however minute, w~s needless. What was sufficiently important for God to reveal, ,~c may be sure wns 1rnportnnt enough for man to preserve. These stones, when inscribed with Divine legislation, were to be set up on a mount central in the land, to indicate the universal honour to which they were entitled. And probably Ebal was selected that the people might be awed by the curses which sprang from disobe<lience. To ma,,,nil'y the Law of the King is the loyal subject's delight. "Oh, how I love thy Law!"~ II. AN ODEIJIENT SPIRIT IS QUALIFil!:D TO ENTER UPON A LARGER nmF:RITANCE. (Ver. 3.) '!'he language is significant. Having passed over Jordan, they were to select and prepare these monumental stones, to the end" thou mayest go in unto the land.'' Various measures of success were possible. They might destroy the Canaanites, an,! yet find littlo advantage or comfort from the inherita11ce. God could give with one hand and blast with the other. Though in the land, it might not yet open out it~ resources to them as a" land flowing with milk and honey." Every day they tarried in the land, they might pass into an inner circle of blessing. New waves of sunshine ancl blessing might sweep over them, so that every morning the inheritance might be to them new. Nature, in _its beauties, its wonders, its products, is inexhaustible. With God as our Friend and Teacher, we may :find accessions of good and gladnrs~ perpetually. Obeying his voice, we enter in; and still, as obedience grows, we enter into fuller possession increasingly. III. AN OBEDIENT SPIRIT ODTAms QUICKENING AND STRENGTH AT Goo's ALTAR. It was forbidden the Hebrews to erect an altar for burnt offering anywhere except the place which God should choose for his abode. So vital, however, to the interests of the nation was this act of proclaiming the Law, that an exception was made in its favour. In the presence of the Law, men would feel their deficiencies and offences; hence provision was specially made for the confession of sin, for the presentation of sacrifice, and for the assurance of mercy. At the altar of burnt offering God and guilty man could meet ; here reconciliation could be effected, and here new grace could be obtained, In the sombre light of the burnt offering, men would read the august mean- ing of the Law, and learn to cover that Law with honour. But why must the altar be built of unhewn stones? We can only conjecture. Was it to symbolize the fact thnt God can allow no human interference or co-operation in the work of atonement? ,vas it to indicate that every part of God's will and Law must be kept perfectly intact, if man would be the friend of God? Was it to prevent any kind of graven work, the craft of human imagination, from adorning the altar of God; by which the minds of worshippers might be diverted from the one solemn act to be performed? There may be an element of truth in all these surmises. IV. AN OBEDIENT SPIBIT FINDS UNEXPECTEDLY A BAKQUET OF JOY. "Thou shalt eat, and shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God." On all sides God has provided the materials for a splendid repast, where every desire of the soul may be satisfied; but the pathway to that sumptuous feast is the p,'1.thway of hearty obedience. We can secure the annual harvest only by acting along the line of God's law in nature; and active co-operation with the Divine will is essential to our soul's satisfaction. The joy that thrills the heart of God he desires to share with us, but self-will too often robs us of the boon. " 'l'he meek shall eat and be satisfied." V. AN OBEDIENT SPIRIT RECEIVES iNSPIRATION FROM THE mGHEST SOURCE. "Thou art the people of the Lord thy God; therefore thou shalt obey" his voice. Service which is done from motives of advantage-to gain favour or promotion from God-is mercenary. A selfish end is in view. The favour of the Most High is not merely the end we seek; it is the source whence all right desire and exertion spring. Thou art tho Lord's: this is the chief inspiration of effort. Thou art the Lord's; therefore live as becometh such royal rank. 'fhou art the Lord's; therefore all his stores of help are at thy commo.nd." "Greater is he that is for us than all who can be agaiust us."-D.
Vers. 11-26.-The Decalogue nationally reciprocated. It is obvious that the sa.me God who prescribed its Jewish Law is the Creator also of the human conscience; !'or, just RB the sword fits its scabbard, or as cog corresponds with cog in the mechanical wheel, so Record Mosaic Law and human conscience. They are natural counterparts. 4 '.![j THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. (ou. txvn. 1-28..