history of every pmying man? Ever as we attempt to approach the everlaRting Father in devout thought and worship, do we not find some opposing force like thiR Satan, or rather, this Satan himself, "standing" "at our right hand to resist" us? What is to be done? Are we to retire ?-cease all endeavour to commune with the loving Parent of our souls? God forbid I Our doom is sealed in midnight and ane:uish, should this be so. There is no happiness for any finite spirit but that which flows from inter- course with the eternal Fountain of good. Our only hope is in getting him, the great Mediator, with us, who shall repel our foe-drive him from our presence with the words, "The Lord rebuke thee, 0 Satan I "-D. T. Ver. 7.-The Bible and true greatness. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among the~o that stand by." The words direct us to the Bible and true greatness. I. THE BIBLE DIRECTS us TO THE SPHERE OF TRUE GREATNESS. The promise made to Joshua here is, "Thou shalt also fudge my house, and shalt also keep my courts." The words convey this idea: Great authority. By the house of God is here probably meant the people of Israel; and the keeping of God's courts, the regulation of the temple. The literal meaning here is that Joshua's piety should be rewarded by the long continuance of his exalted office of High Priest. Godliness raises: (1) To dignified positions. It makes us "kings and priests unto God." (2) To high fellowship. "I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by." With the general consent of commentators, the angels of God are meant by "these that stand by." The angels of God minister in his house. 'l'hey are "ministering servants." We a.re come "to an innumerable company of angels." Good men are brought by religion into fellowship with those lofty intelligences. II. THE BIBLE PRESENTS TO us THE PATH OF TRUE GREATNESS. "If thou wilt walk in my ways," etc. Two things are stated here as the conditions of elevation. 1. Obedience. "If thou wilt walk in my ways." God bas ways for men to walk in. His ways are his laws. "Blessed are they who walk in the Law of the Lord." Walking in his ways implies: (1) The abandonment of our own ways. "Let the wicked forsake his way." (2) The entrance on God's ways. Walking in them implies that we are on them, and the way into them is by faith in Christ. He is the "Door." (3) Progress in God's ways. We must add to our faith, virtue; to virtue, knowledge, etc. (2 Pet. i. 6). 2. Fidelity. "Keep my charge." ·we have all a trust committed to us. Our time, talents, and possessions are all given in trust. We are not owners f them, but stewards. "It is required of a steward that he be found faithful." l'aul felt, as he was leaving the world, that he bad finished bis course, and kept the faith. Such is the path to greatness-the only path, the sure path. IIL THE BIDLE GIVES us A GUARANTEE FOR TRUE GREATNESS. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts." The word of God is the pledge. 1. His word has been fulfilled in the eQJJJerience of the good in all ages. All who have walked in God's ways and kept his charge have reached this sublime elevation. They are the illustrious ·heroes of the ages; and they have high authority in the empire of God. 2. His word can never fail of its accomplishment. "Heaven and earth shall pass away," etc. Brother, art thou walking in the ways of God? If so, grand distinctions await thee. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."-D. T.
Vers. 8---10.-The world's wants and God's provisions. 11 Hear, now, 0 Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee : for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my Servant the BRANCH," etc. It is admitted by most acknowledged expositors of Holy Scripture that the sacerdotal institutions of the Mosaic system were typical of gospel realities; they were, as St. Paul has it, the 11 shadows of good things to come." This passage undoubtedly points to the Messiah and his times. Joshua, here called "the high priest," is a type of Christ, who is represented as "'my Servant the BRANCH." A name by which be is designated in other purts of the Bible. Thus, for example: "There shall come forth a rod Ottt of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots," etc. Agaiu, "In tbi\t day shall 38 THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH. [cm. m. 1-10.