Vers. 5-13.-0ertainty among many uncertainties. Among many shifting factors in the great problem of human life, one factor at least is fix:ed, viz. that the interests of the righteous a.re secure. Their fate is linked to God's. All events shall have but one effect on them. This is the granite rock that retains its stable glory a.mid the restless, seething sea. L IT IS A CONSOLATION TO KNOW TH.AT THE ANGELIC BAOEB ABE INTERESTED IN BOMAN WELFARE. As Daniel Jookcd with a. more intent gaze, he perceived other angelic forms in close proximity. So when God opened t.he eyes of Elisha's servant, he saw a host of heavenly cavalry encircling his master. Devout research is ever well rewarded. The angels have not attained one common level of knowledge. They inquire one of another; become each other's teachers and each other's helpers. The same topics that interest good men interest angels also. The same impatience to penetrate future ev:ents, w~ich men feel, angels also in some meas_ure c!ierish.. T~ey especially take an rnterest 1D the Church of God. They sympathize with us rn trial, persecution, and suffering. They desire to see God, in the progressive revelations of himself. II. FonMS OF SOLEMN ASSEVERATION ARE EMPLOYED BY THE ANGELS TO GIVE us STno~:G ABSURANCE. Thie illustrious angel raised himself to a particular posture, employed special gesticulation, and uttered a special form of words, with this one view, viz. to persuade his auditors of the authority witl1 which he spake, !l'nd ?f the ,:,ertainty that his words should be perforrned. 'l'hus God commands his lnghest 11ervants to accommodate themselves to human infirmities. Nothing on bis part shall be wantin« to enliahten and ennoble men. The eternity of God is pledged for the 0 fulfilment of prophecy. All the eternal God Jives, it shall be done. - III. OllEDlENCE ENLARGES THE 0APACITY TO RECEIVE. To hear and to undcr- staIJd art 1,ot identical. Perhaps we really understand nothing. We see not things as tl,ey are, but only as they are related to us. Feeling, affection, inclination, a~sist greatly the UI1derstanding. It is p'.lssible that God might tell us fully and luc1dly the future course of thill world, and still we might be only bewildered. It is the voice of fatherly kindness tha.t says to his child, "Go thy way." Perform a.11 thy common OR, XII, 1-18.) THE BOOK OF DANIEL. 34.9
duties. Tho Cut11re is "closecl and sealocl." "A good understanding have all they that keep l,is commandments." There is solid happiness for every man who can calmly wait the larger unfoldings of God's will. Food for real hunger there always shall be; but provision for imaginary wants will not be forthcoming. IV. TRIALS HAVE TilE MOST OPPOSITE EFFECTS ON THE RIGHTEOUS AND ON THE WICKED, No amouut or severity of outward trial is, in itself, competent to improve or sofLon men. "Though a fool be bruised in a mortar, yet will not his folly depart;" "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?" The hottest fire of suffering cannot. Hence God saith, " Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more." Notwithstanding exile, bondage, defeat in war, desolations of every kind," the wicked will still do wickedly." The voice Divine at laet will speak. "He that is filthy, let him be filthy still." But the effect upon the righteous is the very re1'ersc af this. The fire, that hardens clay, melts the wax:. Not a few shall discover that the fire only removes the dross-separates vile elements from the sterling-and produces lustre and renown. Under this severe and searching discipline, true Israelites shall be purified and made whiter than snow. Purity of character shall bring with it greater clearness of vision ; wbile, on the other hand, persistence in sin will tend to darken intellect more and more, until it shall be submerged '' in the blackness of darkness for ever." v. Loss OF RELIGIOUS ORDINANCES IS THE GREATEST OF EXTERNAL CALAMITIES. This is, in reality, a greater calamity than the desolations of a war or the ravages of a plague. God's calculations of human epochs date from his withdrawal from his temple. The suspension of the daily sacrifice-this marks the commencement of an era. Men a.re wont to reckon epochs from the rise or fall of human dynasties. Not so God, His interest in human affairs centres in the temple. The profanation of the temple by setting up idol-worship there-this marks the opening of a dark and tempestuous day. This chastisement is a fitting type for a yet greater woe. The number seven has long time been a signature and symbol for perfection and rest; therefore the broken period of three times and a half betokens the very opposite- disquietude, turmoil, woe. VI. ASSURANCE TO THE RIGHTEOUS OF PERSOlUL AND PERFECT SECURITY. Wbat- ever disasters shall befall the wicked, or whatever tempests may roll over the heads of the righteous man, this is certain-" Thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.n This is a fixed and definite end, which the Divine Being has set before him, and every arrangement of Providence is adjusted with a view to this end. This is the inheritance which God himself has chosen for us, 110.d secured by promise, oath, and blood. If Israel, in possession of the earthly Canaan, could sing-, "\Ve have a goodly heritage," much more can the redeemed in heaven chant that j,1yous strain. The lot is already apportioned unto us. The Divine attributes are pl2d::;ed to us for its enjoyment. No event, nor force, nor personal being, in the broad universe, can prevent the grand consummation, "Thou shalt stand in thy lot." The kingdom has been prepared for us "before the foundation of the world." "If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jeaus Christ."-D. NoTB.
To be added after the word11 "foreign yoke," page 264, col. ii.:-