The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 357

side of God 11nd truth. The forces of life are unseen; thoy aro made visible only in their effects. Il. WHEN THE SEASON IS OPPORTUNE, THE TRUTB SHALL BB REVEALED. "Now" (RB.id Gabriel to Daniel) "will I show thee the truth." It is evident that the 11nsinning angels 11re not in possession of all knowlenge. They are evel' learning. They " learn from the Church the manifold wisdom of God." Into many things" the angels desire to look." In the ratio of their knowledge is the service they render, Now Gabriel is at the Babylonian court, strengthening the purpose of Darius, and now he is at the river Hiddekel, revealing to Da.niel the events of the future. For a. season it is better for us to remain in ignorance, There are other possessions to be gained beside knowledge. When we have reduced to practice all we know, then we mt\y expect further revelation. A spi1it of generous benevolence towards men fills the angels. They delight to relieve our anxieties and to incresse our knowledge. We may conclude that they would gladly proclaim the tidings of the gospel to the nations, if God bad eeen it to be good, III. MATERU.L BI0RES ABE NOT ESSENTIAr,LY BLESSINGS. The kings of Persia seized with an ambition to subrlue the world, extorted from their subjects the largest measure of taxation, and hoarded their revenues year hy year, only to carry sword and fire into the continent of Europe. To expend riches in invading other kingdoms, in devastating lands and cities, is a criminal waste of God's treasure. Not for such purposes did God create gold and silver, brass and iron. Fallen man perverts and degrades many of God's possessions. Mental and mnterial gifts are but talents entrusted to our keeping, and a day ofreckoning comes on apace, when, as stewards, we must render an account to our Lord. A sad and woeful day will that be to kings and statesmen who have squandered a nation's wealth in war and bloodshed. In the case of Xerxes, great riches were a snare-a trap which involved him and hie empire in ruin. Had he been a poor monarch, or only moderately rich, be and hie people might have dwelt in safety; his name might have escaped reproach. Hie wealth fed thP. appetite of ambition. His ponderous army was a source of weakness. His ostentatious display invited the invasion of the Greeks. Riches are not real strength. IV. EMPmE, BUILT ON DESPOTI0 POWER, IS EPHEMERAL, A king, however mighty, becomes utter weakness in the presence of disease, age, or death, Either of these forces is mightier than he. God permits, for hidden reasons, unscrupulous men to rise to the very summit of imperial power; but he does not guarantee their continu- ance; and if he does not uphold their power, it soon wanes and disappears. Nor can man secure that his authority and rank shall descend to his posterity, through the channels of ordinary law and custom. God is above all law, and often disappoints our fondest expectations. Despotic power is not a human virtue. It is a quality of doubtful character, and usually becomes dangerous to the public weal. Rapid as is the rise of some men to fame and power, their fall is usually more rapid et ill. At the moment of their greatest glory they are on the brink of ruin. When richest ripeness is on the fruit, rottenness is not far distant. Alexander's victorious march was unpre- cedented; he speedily reached the highest pinnacle of. empire; ye~ the king of terrors struck him down at a blow, and sudden collapse of hts vast empire followed. As he bad not honoured God, neither did God honour him. Had Alexander been pious and devout, how great a blessing migh_t his pow?r have be~n ~ the world I How efi?cient and useful he mi"ht have been m advancmg the pnnc1ples of truth and godlmess I But his vast kingdom, not being founded in righteousness, was soon plucked up by the roots.-D. Vers. 6-20.-The chequeredfortunes of r,arthly empire. There ie but one condition of permanence in any kingdom, viz. righteousness. Success, founded on military power collapses as quickly as it rose. As night succeedl! to day, so misfortune succe:ds to fortune. If God be not recognized, the onll element of durability is a-wanting. I. Goo GOVERNS OUR WORLD DY !Ill.PERFECT BUMAN AGEN0[EB. If men express their astonishment at tLis, our reply is that it is the best on the whole, and if be did not use impeifect instruments, he must not employ men at all. This allowance of evil n.ien to be mol.larchs brings to light the evil that is in me~ j t~mls to impress the OR. XI. 1-15.] THE ROOK OF DANrnr,, 331