eumple; (2) of wise teaching; (3) of gracioufi healings; (4) of heroic suITerings; (5) of eternal triumph over sin. Moral and spiritual fruitnge answering to the needs of thirsting and hungry men. Fruit which was the" Bread of life." The despised tree of David at last sent forth a sucker, which swiftly grew into a tree, whose leaves were for 'the healing of all the nations, and whose fruit was for the spiritu:i.l quickening of a world that was "dead in trespasses and eins."-R. T. Ver. 2.-0hrist's end'Ullments by the Spirit. The prophetic conception of Messiah ~ of a man, specially endowed and fitted for his mission by God's Spirit. 'l'he figures tha\ help prophetic vision are David, endowed with the spirit of rule and of s0ng; and Solomon, endowed with the spirit of wisdom. And the New Testament bi,ls us think of Christ as having the Spirit, not by measure, but without measure-the fulness of God dwelling in him (Col. i. 19 ; ii. 9). Compare the beginning of our Lord's sermon at Nazareth:" The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" (Luke iv. 18). The point suggested is that God's enduements are always in precise adaptation to a man's work. Here, in relation to Christ, the "qualities are arranged in three pairs, but all spring from one Source, the Spirit of Jehovah, which rests permanently upon him. They are (1) moral and intellectual clearness of perception ; (2) the wisdom and bravery which befit a ruler; (3) a knowledge of the requirements of Jehovah, and the will to act agreeably to this knowledge" (Cheyne). Christ was a Teacher, Healer, Example, Saviour, Head of a spiritual kingdom. As fitting him for these positions and offices, he was endued with- I. W1soo1i1. 'l'he special gifts ofthe ruler, as called to judge difficult, complex cases. In its highest form implying comprehension of the secret things of God. II. UNDERSTANDING. Or keen, quick discernment; the sagacity which discovers the right thing to do, and the right word to say, in all human relationships. III. COUNSEL. The power to form wise plans; the clear purpose which fits a king for the exercise of sovereignty. "He shall know how to administer the affairs of his spiritual kingdom in all the branches of it, so as effectually to answer the two great enas of it-the glory of God, and the welfare of the children of men." IV. MIGHT. The ability to carry plans into execution. With men we often find a divorce between the skill to plan and the power to execute. V. FEAR OF Goo. The disposition which keeps us ever anxiously watching for, and resolved to do, God's will. The reverence. and faith which is the beginning of all wisdom. Illustrations of each- may readily be fonnd in the life of the Lord Jesus; and it may be urged that all these:enduements brought him the power that lies in righteousness- the power (1) to wither all evil; (2) to nourish all good.-R. T. Vers. 3-5.-The principles of Messianic rule. These are exemplified in the actual administration of the head of the Messianic kingdom. The picture presented here is designed to be in sharp contrast with that of the unjust judges refemd to in eh. i. 23; ii. 14, 15; x. 1, 2. 'l'he figure of clothing one's self, or being clothed, with moral attributes is not unfrequent in the Scriptures. The girdle is mentioned as an essential part of Oriental dress, and that which keeps the other garments in their proper place and qualifies the wearer for exertion. The rules, or characteristics, of the Messianic or spiritual kingdom may be illustrated under the following headings. • I. RIGHTEOUSNESS AS BEFORE Goo. The absolutely right is to be sought; and it will be found in what (1) God is; (2) what God commands; (3) what God approves. Matthew Henry says, "He shall be righteous in the administration of his government, and his rigbteousness shall be his girdle; it shall constantly compass him and cleave to him, shall be his ornament and honour; he shall gird himself for every action, shall gird on his sword for war In righteousness; his righteousness shall be his strength, and shall make him expeditious in his undertakings, as a man with his loins girt." Com- pare the kingdom ruled by considerations of righteousness with the kingdoms ruled by considerations of ~pediency. IJ, EQUITY BETWEEN MAN AND MAN. The determination that every man shall get his due, and bear his due.' Many cases arise in which strict justice must be toned by conijideration of circumstances. Ju view of human infirmity, the equitable must some• times be put instead of the right. THE BOOR OF 'l'RE PROPHET ISAIAH. [ OH, Xl, 1--16,
III. EFFICIENT PUl\'TllHMENT oF THE WICKED. The strong hand on the ,vrong-doer is ever an essential of good government. IV. FArrHFULNESS TO DUTY. Duty being distinguished from right In this, that it is something we are bound to do, upon the authority of some one who hRB the right to command us. "Faithfulness" is closely kin with "loyalty." And Messiah is a theocratic King, a Yicegerent of Jehovah. V. PEACE EVERYWHERE. Because, if righteousness prevails, nobody will wrong otbe~, and nobody will have. wro1;1gs to avenge. Je.'\lousies, envyings, violence, covetmgs, all fade before advancrng righteousness; and when Jesus, the righteous King reigns over mind and heart and life, then the glory-day will have oome, and "no wa; {lr battle-sound" will then be "heard the world around."-R. T.