the creation and preservation of the world by His power, a particular Providence, the corruption of man, atonement through sacrifice, efficacy of prayer, human responsibility, the necessity of personal holiness, were as plainly stated at first as last. The whole being-not a human science, but a system of objective truth revealed by God, with subjective counterpart in man; not a growth of opinion, but an immediate revelation of Him who

"Shapes our ends,

Rough hew them how we will."

Verification of the whole, even to demonstration, may be obtained by any candid intelligent mind who reverently searches Scripture to discover those continuous lines of thought, of prophecy, of doctrine, of morals, of revelation, which run through the whole, making it one piece; the entire pattern of which was evidently foreseen from the beginning.

One line of prophecy, the Messianic, may be taken as example of the wonderful simplicity, accuracy, yet complexity of the prophetic portion. So soon as man falls by means of woman, restoration is promised even through that weak one (Gen. iii. 15). After the Flood, lest men think the ancient blessing has departed, the kingdom of God is re-established in Shem; and Japheth is to be received into holy community, and dwell in the tents of Shem (Gen. ix. 26, 27). Abraham and the Patriarchs are told that through them will come the Benediction of Nations (Gen. ix. 18-27, xii. 1-3, xlix. 8-10). Balaam's Prophecy (Num. xxiv. 17-19) is of a Star-the symbol of splendour in Divine Rule, and of a Sceptresymbol of dominion. Against his own will, the man said concerning his enemies-" the Lord is amongst them." Moses' Prophecy, of a Prophet like unto himself, gave yet greater definiteness of view (Deut. xviii. 15-19). Afterwards, we learn that this Messiah is not only to be of Judah's tribe, but of David's family (2 Sam. vii. 12-16). The predictions in the Psalms are too numerous to mention. These may be profitably studied—ii., viii., xvi., xxii., xxiv., xl., xli., xlv., lv., lxviii., lxxii., lxxxvii., lxxxix., xc., cx., cxviii. Then, passing on, we find the Man of Sorrows (Is. liii.), the Lord our Righteousness (Jer. xxiii. 6), the Shepherd of Ezekiel (xxxiv. 23

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24), Messiah the Prince (Dan. ix. 24-27), the Lord and His Goodness (Hosea iii. 4, 5), the Builder of David's Tabernacle (Amos ix. II, 12), the Saviours of Obadiah (i. 21), the Salvation and Resurrection typified by Jonah, the Ruler in Israel (Micah v. 2), the Giver of Peace (Hag. i. 9), The Fellow of the Lord of Hosts (Zech. xiii. 7), and the Messenger of the Covenant (Mal. iii. 1). These are but a few out of many predictions which critical investigation, application and fulfilment in the New Testament, manifest as a light shining in dark places and in ancient times to testify of the Lord's Dominion.

This one line of investigation, well wrought, will bring conviction to any, possessed of acuteness and learning, who may wish to have understanding as to the reality of prophecy, the Inspiration of Scripture, and the establishment of God's kingdom. The truth will be found to deepen in meaning with the profoundness of his capacity. Sacred, like physical science, enlarges with the growth of human intelligence; and prophecy is, specially, a continual and an abiding revelation. It is like the speaking of God afresh to us in every fulfilment ; and, with reference to Jesus, predictions in the psalms and the prophets as to His character and work, do, by the peculiar power of Scripture, so translate themselves into the believer's heart and mind that they continually renew his nature, and render his life Christ-like.

Doctrinal truths were not vague and indeterminate, but definite in their expression and transcendent in their sublimity. These truths did not hold the world in amazement by means of Jewish genius, the Jew holds little place, apart from Scripture, in the world's mental history; yet, the Jew had the sublimest system of spiritual truth, the purest morality, the clearest knowledge of God. He brought a new life into the heart of the world. Deeper and deeper the truth struck its roots, wider and wider became its influence. The science of Babylonia, Egypt, Arabia; the subtle genius in philosophy, speculative intellect, vividness and vigour of thought amongst the Greeks; the wisdom of all other nations in the world; have failed: where they fell, the Jew rose; and soared with a flight true and lofty to the knowledge of God. He declared

that to be wrong which heathendom declared to be right, and that right which heathendom pronounced wrong. Centuries of thought had not advanced one step nearer to the solution of problems with which, child-like, it began-began with child-like question, ended with aged doubt. Jesus solved those problems. In what school had the Jew been taught that he, naturally a most bigoted fanatic, should nevertheless possess highest wisdom and purest faith? The greatest minds have seen no further, nor added one truth to religion, since John, the Jew, wrote of Love to God and man. Sin, Ruin, Redemption, Sanctification, Eternal Life, do now and will for ever form the great matters on which profound minds meditate: all that we know of these things has been learned from the Jews. We look at human science, and trace its hesitating course through ages of uncertainty and imperfection; but, turning to the Bible, we find it plainly stated that man is connected with the Infinite by place and authority; is related to the Eternal in origin; if he falls, it is to rise higher; if he dies, it is that he may live again. Brought down to the depths of humiliation, tried and tempted, the servant of God is nevertheless destined to highest glory. In his spirit, in the depths of his heart, a Divine voice proclaims the final overthrow of evil, the lasting triumph of goodness and righteousness among men.

There are other surprising facts which should not be neglected.

The great and wise of the world stood amazed, while prophets and fishermen did a work which they confessed was not their own-but by the power of the Spirit of God. They appealed to signs and wonders, marvels and miracles, as proof of their Supernatural authority; that powers of the world to come accompanied them, that the continual presence of God and the all-prevailing wisdom of the Holy Ghost gave them the victory.

During many ages we have not seen outer material miracles; but they may be evidenced and tested by the inner and spiritual. In the prophets' days and in time of the fleshly Christ, and in the times of those who had seen. Him, visible signs were given; but signs having been given,

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and the world having received a manifestation of the Divine Nature by Personal Presence, further proof was to be that of holy influence. Miracles have never ceased, but their sphere of action has been somewhat changed: they are now wrought within, not without the man. Every regeneration, every conversion from unfaith to faith, is a miracle; Creation is repeated in a new form (Gal. ii. 20).

Nor is that all-the "curiosa felicitas" of the Book has not vanished-no not even in its feeblest translations. It fits almost naturally into every language; it is easiest of all books to translate without great loss of energy, of beauty, of specific character; yet let any one who thinks that he can cast it in any mould but its own, endeavour to submit David's Psalms to our metre or rhyme; and his words will be as notes of a whistle to the majestic roll of an organ, or as the trickling of a rill in comparison with the "voice of many waters."

The Hebrews, in this Book, have embalmed the spirit, thought, laws, history, all that constitutes the life of a nation; while the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, whom the world account greater and cleverer people, have no such memorials and should we at any time discover records, and bring them from out the tomb of centuries, it will be through a spirit of investigation excited by the Bible.

This race have done more for pure literature and true science, both as to God and man, than did the Greeks -celebrated for genius, than the Romans-renowned for government. The paradox is not diminished by their alleged. insignificance and obscurity, but is explained when viewed as part of a Divine Plan. No fortuitous collection of tractswritten by men of unaided powers; could win the homage of mankind, and extort the passionate love of ten thousand times ten thousand?

The Book has become universal. It has evoked more literature than all other books in the world. Well-nigh every other book, that works any good, seems connected with this either for or against; and, in the more than two hundred languages into which it has been translated, it reigns as king. Not only do children love it, the dullest of our race delight in it; the

feminine mind becomes more graceful and womanly by it; the masculine, more manly; and all the troubled find by means of of it a "peace which passeth all understanding." Men, in the front of all science learning and civilization, are everlastingly poring over it, illustrating, interpreting, translating, defending, or attacking. No pains are too great to make plain even its insignificant parts; and the greatest of wicked men, the Lucifers of ungodliness, will shout and roar if they find a mote in the light, or a spot on the face of this Sun. More than any other book it is quoted, it lives a manifold life in every School of Thought, is the delight of Painters, and suggests to Poets their most gorgeous conceptions. "There never was any book like the Bible, and there never will be such another." It is the Book for all men and for all time: as a phenomenon it is unique. Like an old oak, in its days and under its branches, the harvest of thousands of years sprang, ripened, and fell beneath the sickle of Time.

It is of no avail to say-" many sacred books have received admiration and reverence, there are always ignorant people, and nations in a low stage of civilization "-no book is like this: no other book contains so many writings all written by men of an obscure and illiterate people during the course of many ages, so full of variety as to events, so inimitable in style, and rich in mysterious endowment of the writers. No other book has been received, by power of moral persuasion, amongst nations and races of every conceivable variety as to origin, position, tradition, belief, language; and that, in days when men of loftiest minds guided public opinion. No other book has been so sifted, as to its evidence; so tested, as to its power; so tried, as to its purity. Its errors, if any exist, are not consecrated by law; its doctrines, when opposed, are not fenced in against hostile criticism; its principles, even enemies declare, can never be uprooted from our nature; it alone seems capable of raising a succession of men heroically bent on making it universal. No other book so vividly sets forth the doom of guilty men; and yet, the guilty are wont to read, admire and obey. Men weary and heavy laden, the sick, and those about to die, find rest-healing-life.