Christ the human and Divine natures were and are united does. The best proof of this lies in the number of the theories of the Incarnation. 3. The contents of the atonement, That Christ, as a matter of fact, bore the sins of men so as to expiate their guilt and destroy their power, one can tell from the general tenor of Scripture declarations on the subject (Matt. xxvi. 28; Rom. iii. 24; 2 Cor. v. 21; 1 Tim. ii. 6; 1 Pet. ii. 24 • 1 J obn ii. 2); but what it was in Christ's "obedience unto death" that constituted th~ propitiation is one of those "secret things" that belong to God. 4. The movements of the Spirit. "Thou canst not tell whence it [the wind] cometh, or whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit" (John iii. 8). That the Holy Spirit is the Author of regeneration and of inspiration is perfectly patent to the understanding of the Christian. The theory that shall adequately explain how the Spirit renews or inspires the soul has not yet been elaborated. 5. The events of the future. "Who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?" or even what shall be on the morrow (Prov. xxvii. 1)? . II. THINGS THAT LIE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. 1. The character cif God. The Ninevites could not tell whether Jehovah would be gracious to them (Jonah iii. 9); we can tell from the revelation of Scripture, and especially from the teaching of Christ, that God is Love, and willeth not the death of any. 2. The Divinity of Ghrist. Human reason is perfectly competent to decide upon the question whether Jesus of Nazareth belonged to the category of common men, or whether he was a new order of ruan broken in upon the ordinary line of the race. The evidence for such a decision has been provided, and any one who seriously wishes can arrive at :i. just conclusion. 3. The work of the Saviour. This also bas been fully discovered in the Scripture. Christ came to reveal the Father (John xiv. 9), to atone for sin (Matt. xx. 28), to exemplify holiness (1 Pet. ii. 21), and to establish the kingdom of heaven upon earth (Rev. i. 6). 4. Thefruits of the Spirit. If a man cannot always judge whether the Spirit is in his own or another's heart, he should be at no loss to tell whether the Spirit's fruits, which are love, joy, peace, etc. (Gal. v. 22), are discernible in his or bis neighbour's life. 5. The goals of the future. If the separate incidents that shall hereafter occur in any individual's life be concealed from view, the two termini, towards one or other of which every individual is moving-heaven or hell -have been clearly revealed.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AU'l'HORS. Vere. 1, 2.-The u11satisfactoriness and transitoriness of earthly good. Men are prone to be guided, in the conclusions they form regarding human life, by their own personal experience, and by the observations they make in their own immediate circle of acquaintance. So judging, they are prone to be one-sided in their estimate, and to take a. view either too gloomy or too roseate. The author of Ecclesiastes was a man who had very large and varied opportunities of studying mankind, and who was in the habit of forming impartial conclusions. Thie accounts for what may perhaps seem to some readers opposed and inconsistent representations of the nature of man's life on earth. In fact, a more definite and decisive representation would have been less correct and fair. I. MEN LOOKING UPON THEIR FELLOW-MEN ARE PRONE TO GIVE TOO LARGE A MEASURE OF ATTENTION TO THEIR OUTWARD CIBOUMBT.ANCES. 'l'he first question that occurs to many minds, upon forming a new acquaintance, is-What has he? i.e. what property? or-What is be? i.e. what is his rank in society? A man to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honour, who lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, is counted fortunate. He is held in esteem; his friendship and favour are cultivated. II. l{EFLECTING OBSERVERS BEAR IN :MIND THAT THERE ARE OTHER ELEMENTS IN HUMAN WELFARE. For instance, it cannot be questioned that health of body and a 6ound and vigorous mind are of far more importance than wealth. And there may be family trouble, which mare the happiness of the most prosperous. The wise man had observed cases in which there was no power to enjoy the gifts of Providence; and other cases in which the-re were no children to succeed to the possession of accumulated wealth, so that it t;ame into the hands of strangers. Bodily afflicLion and domestio OH, VI, 1-12,] ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER, 14'1'
disappointment may cast a shadow over the lot which seems the fairest and most desirable. "This is vaRity, and it is an evil disease." Ill, THESE IMPERFEOTIONB IN THE HUMAN LOT OFTEN GIVE RISE TO MELANCHOLY REFLEOTIONB AND DISTRESSING DOUBTS. '!'hose who not only remark what happens around them, but reflect upon what they witness, draw inferences which have a certain semblance of validity, If we judge only by the facts which come under•our cognizance, we may be led to conclusions inconsistent with true religion. Men come to doubt the rule of a benevolent Governor of the universe, simply because they cannot reconcile certain facts with such convictions as Christianity encourages. Scepticism and pessimism often follow upon bitter experiences and upon frequent contact with the calamities of this mundane state. IV. WISDOM SUGGESTS A REMEDY FOR SUCH DIFFICULTIES AND DOUBTS. 1. It should be remembered that what any individual observes is but an infinitesimal part of the varied and protracted drama of human life and history. 2. It should not be lost sight of that there are moral and spiritual purposes in our earthly existence. It is a discipline, a proving, an education. Its end is not-as men too often suppose that it should be-enjoyment and pleasure; but character-conformity to the Divine character, and submission to the Divine will. The highest benevolence aims at the highest ends, and to secure these it seems in many cases necessary that lower ends should be sacrificed. If temporal prosperity be marred by what seems misfortune, this may be in order that spiritual prosperity may be promoted. It may not be well for the individual that he should be encouraged to seek perfect satisfaction in the things of this world. It may not be well for society that great and powerful families should be built up, to gratify human pride and ambition. God's ways are not as our ways, but they are wiser and better than ours.-T.