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and greatest of their kings, are related with a degree of minuteness and simplicity which render them exceedingly interesting. We then come to the two books of Chronicles, which form a kind of abridgement of the whole history of the chosen people,—accompanied with a series of genealogies-statements of the order and succession of the priests-abstracts of the division of the lands, among the different tribes and families, so precise and circumstantial, as to set all idea of forgery out of the question-coinciding with, and confirming the separate narration contained in the other historical books, with just such variations as might naturally arise from the mistakes and errors of transcribers.

The thread of history is continued in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which record the return of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin from Babylon-their re-establishment in Jerusalem, and the building of the second Temple.

The book of Esther relates an important event in the history of the nation, which took place during the captivity, the authenticity of which is proved by an institution connected with it, (the feast of Purim,) observed by the Jews to this day. Here is also inserted the book of Job, an ancient poem, relating the trials of an eminent servant of God;-his virtues in prosperity-his patience under severe affliction-his devout submission to the divine will, and

his final reward. Though, in point of historical connection, this book stands somewhat apart from the rest in the sentiments and reflections which it records, and in the just and sublime views it gives of the greatness, power, and majesty of God, and his mode of dealing with his creatures, it bears the most undoubted marks of inspiration, and of an entire consistency with other parts of the sacred writings.

To this follow the Psalms, composed by King David and others-being the sacred poems and songs used in the public solemnities of the Jewish Church-rehearsed by the priests and Levites, with all the splendour of processions and dances,* and all the aids and resources of music, vocal and instrumental. These compositions stand, as it were, in the midst— between the proper historical and the purely prophetical parts of Scripture, and are indissolubly connected with both. Some of the psalms are themselves historical, others are prophetical; some are purely devotional, others didactic and moral. Some of them record in exalted strains the great deliverances which God in past times wrought for the nation, and the triumphs which he afforded them over their enemies," for his mercy endureth for ever." Others contain prophecies of their future destinies, and particularly of the advent, power, and greatness

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of the Messiah. With these are interspersed songs of praise and thanksgiving-earnest prayers for deliverance from danger and distress-fervent outpourings of the heart in affliction-joyful anticipations of good things to come, and expressions of confidence in the divine protection. The Psalms have been said to contain an epitome of the whole Bible, and a complete manual of devotion. In every variety of situation and circumstances-in every state and condition of mind, the devout worshipper may find here appropriate terms wherein to give vent and expression to his most ecstatic feelings. The ethical and didactic part of the Psalms is properly followed up by the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, composed by Solomon, "the wisest of mankind." The devotional and prophetical part finds an echo in the glowing imagery of the Canticles, the work of the same writer, bearing the impress of the warm and luxuriant imagination of the East. To these follow the more severe and oracular writings of the prophets of Isaiah, whose predictions of the appearance, character, and offices of the Messiah, both in his state of humiliation and exaltation, seem, when compared with their fulfilment, almost like an anticipated history of Jeremiah, sadly bewailing the sins and backslidings of his countrymen, and indicating the grievous punishment which awaited their continued disobedience of Ezekiel, whose severe and scorch

ing denunciations of wrath, announced the downfal of their state, and that of many other powerful nations and of Daniel, who carried forward his view of the revolution of empires to the latest periods of the Roman power. To these are added the writings of the twelve minor prophets-minor as regards the length and number of their predictions, but in point of matter rising one above another in sublimity, and opening views of the future with advancing clearness, until in announcing the coming of the Messiah, one of them* states the very place where he was to be born, and another† describes the manner of his appearance, and that of the forerunner who is to " prepare his way;" and even specifies the very subjects on which that forerunner is to preach. These writings are totally unlike any thing of human composition. The subjects of them are not separated by any marked divisions, or any apparent or correct method; but are thrown out with a rich and careless exuberance, and the whole woven together in one gorgeous web of prophecy. Denunciations of the wickedness and idolatry both of the Jews and of the neighbouring nations, followed up by the most awful threatenings of divine vengeance, are mixed every now and then with gleams of compassion and forbearance. Though the heathen idol

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aters seem to be devoted to irretrievable destruction, all the threatenings of wrath against Israel are delivered with the reservation, that, of that favoured people "a remnant should be saved." With these are every where mingled promises of a Saviour" line upon line, line upon line,-here a little, and there a little ;"—but delivered in a style so dark and enigmatical, that no one could before the event understand the nature of the mysterious Being they foretold. He is sometimes announced as a Prince and a Conqueror, accompanied by every circumstance of pomp and splendour, yet he was to be "despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." He was to come "travelling in the greatness of his strength," yet-he was to be "brought to prison and to judgment." His "blood was to be poured out like water, and you might tell all his bones;" yet he was to be "a King, and of his kingdom there was to be no end." Until Christ actually appeared, no one could possibly understand or conceive how these opposite, and apparently contradictory characters were to be united in one person— how all the individual traits could possibly unite to form one entire and beautifully harmonious portrait.

After the canon of the Old Testament was closed by Malachi, the spirit of prophecy seems to have lain dormant for four hundred years. It may be thought that there is here a division and a gap between the

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