r,forrnce, nn<l the whole has an ultimate spiritual fulfilment. This comes: 1. Generally, in the breaking of every yoke by Christ. Siu is bondage----enthra.hnent by the devil, tho world, and the flesh. Oeremonialism was bondage-subjection to "weak and beggarly elements" in symbolic nnd wearisome observance. From both Christ comes a Liberator, He" makes an end of sin" in every aspect; "destroying the devil," "del1vering from this present e,·il world" (Gal. i. 4), and fulfilling his righteousness in men "who walk not arter the flesh." He abolishes type, substituting for it the thing typified: for the shadow, the substance; for the Law, "grace and truth." 2. For individuals, when the Son makes them free. Spiritual bt1nda.1!:e cannot survive believing union wiLh Chri~i. His blood dissolves the chains of guilt. His Spirit breaks the bonds of indwell- ing sin. Acceptance with God is not conditioned on an imr,ossible obe<lience to the whole Lnw, "for we are not undet the Law, but under grace ' (Rom. vii. 6). Tho life of self-surrender is not made burdensome by a carnal nature, "for the law of the Spirit of lire in Christ Jesus bath made us free from the law of sin and death." '!'he conditions of the life of _joyous fellowship are presented in the inwrought spirit of adoption, and the "Abba, Father" of the free, on Spirit-opened lips (Rom. viii. 15, 21; John iv. 18). They are free indeed, whom, trebly loosing thus, the Son makes free. 3. For the 'llation, when brought into the (Jh:urch. during the millennial era. Their conversion in the latter days is distinctly and repeatedly foretold (Hos. iii. 4, 5; Rom. xii. 12, 15, 23; 2 Cor. iii.16). National restoration this may not strictly be, but it is more than equivalent to it. When the long-wandering return, when the hearts cold and embittered for ages glow with heavenly love, when the veil drops that hung on mind and ~ense, when the broken-off branches are set again in the good old olive tree, a spiritual fulfilment will have come of A.mos's words, more glorious than any literal or local one, as the glary of the second temple exceeds the glory of the first. III. A TlllE OF RESETTLEMENT IN THEIR OWN LAND. (Ver. 15.) In three classes «;>f event.", come or coming, we have as many steps in the fulfilment of this promise. 1. The return from the Babylonish e:r;il,e, 'l'he captivity was God's final, because effective, disciplinary measure. Israel was thoroughly sickened with heathen gods and heathen ways. Osiris an<l Isis in Egypt, and Baal and Ashtaroth in Palestine, had won, almost without wooing, an attachment which, in Babylon, Bel and Nebo could not so much as stir. The last and bitterest prescription had succeeded, and soon the patient, cured abroad, was ordered home. Amidst tremendous difficulties, Jerusalem was repaired, the temple rebuilt, and the land in a measure resettled, and so an approximate fulfilment of Amos's glowing prophecy realized (Ezra vii. 13, etc.). 2. The calling of the Gentiles. They are the spiritual Israel, the true children of Abraham (Gal. iii. 7-9). 'l'hey throw off the yoke of the mystic Babylon; "possess the kingdom for ever" (Dau. vii. 8-22); "inherit the earth," as their own land ; repair the ruins, and restore the spiritual wastes left by sin; and they revel in "the feast of wines on the lees," etc. "Throughout the world Churches of Christ have arisen which, for the firmness of faith, may be called cities; for the gladness of hope, vineyards; and for the sweetness of charity, gardens" (Pusey). 3. The future restoration of the Jews to Palestine. This is foretold (Ezek. xxviii. 25; :u.xvi. 28; xxxvii. 25). God does the work (Ezek. xxxiv.11-13) through Gentile agency (Isa. xlix. 22; lxvi. 20). "They are to be nationally restored to the favour of God, and their acceptance publicly sealed by their restoration to their land" (David Brown, D.D.). Converted Israel will be eminent alike in character and influence in the millennial Church (Isa. lix. 21; lxvi. 19; Ezek. xxxix. 29; Micah v. 7). Held again by the old people, her cities rebuilt, her grandeur restored, her broad acres reclaimed and fertile, and, above all, Jesus Christ on the throne of the nation's heart, Palestine will be indeed " the glory of all lands." IV. ALL TBIS SECURED BY INFALLIBLE GOAR.ANTEE. '!'here is no romancing with in.spired men. What they say is coming, as God is true. The pledge of this is: 1. God', character, "Saith Jehovah," i.e." the One who is." He is Reality as against the seeming, Substance as against the typical, Veracity as against the deceiving, Faith- fulness as against the changeful. As being Benevolent he is true, hum~n happiness depending on confidence in Lis character. As lndepen<lent he is true, hem~ above all possible temptation to deceive. As Unchangeable he is true, falsehood bemg essen- tially a change of character. As Omnipotent he is true, the use of moral agentH in In,<.; &lid yet infallible <lxecution of his purposes being possible onlf as his Word i11 a on. 1x. 1-15.J 'fllE BOOK OF AMOS. 1H7
revelation of bis thought 2. His ezisti1t,q relation. "Thy God." Not a God unknown. Not a God apart. Not a God untried. In bis present attituiie, his covenant relation his past deeds, in all such facts is "confirmation strong." The God they connect them: selves with is a God to trust. His perfections are the strands, and his relation their twining together, in the cord of confidence not quickly broken, which binds the soul to bis eternal throne,