that was counted unto him for righteousness, unto all generations for evermore.'

By Balaam's advice, Numb. xxxi. 16. the Moabites and Midianites sent their daughters among the people of Israel, who soon yielded to the temptation, and fornication ended in idolatry; nay, perhaps it might be a part of the Moabitish ritual; as we know it was among the religious services paid by the latter Heathens to some of their deities. By the sacrifices of the dead,' may be meant sacrifices which were offered either to dead idols, or to men deified after death. To punish this apostasy, the wrath of Jehovah went forth, and 24,000 perished by the plague, which at length ceased, when Phinehas had 'executed judgment' on Zimri and Cosbi, who seemed, indeed, to call aloud for it, by indulging their lawless passions in the midst of so grievous a calamity, at a time when the whole congregation were humbling themselves before God at the door of the tabernacle. Wherefore,' saith God, behold I give unto him my covenant of peace and he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel:' Numb. xxv. 12. It is most probable, as Dr. Hammond observes, that Phinehas, being the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was one of the judges of Israel; and if so, he had a clear commission for what he did, from Moses, who had said to the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his man, that were joined to Baal-peor: Numb. xxv. 5. The case of Phinehas, therefore, is no precedent for uncommissioned zealots. In general we learn from this part of the sacred history, how acceptable to God is a well-timed zeal for his service; as also, how dangerous it is to converse too freely with those of the other sex, especially when they have been educated in a false religion, or in no religion at all.

32. They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:' 33. Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.'

This instance of disobedience was, in point of time, prior to that mentioned in the preceding verses, It is

related, Numb. xx. 2-13. The spirit of Moses, though he was the meekest man on earth, was so exasperated and imbittered by continual murmurings and rebellions, that he is charged with not having believed God, to sanctify him in the eyes of the children of Israel:' and he was, on that account, denied the honor of bringing them into the land of promise. He had been commanded to smite the rock, that water might come forth. In anger he smote it twice, thus upbraiding the people: Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?' He showed not that affiance in God, that disposition to glorify him before his people, which became him in the execution of his office. The wrath of man' found admission, and that 'worketh not the righteousness of God.' Thou, blessed Jesus, art the only perfect pattern of patience and love; O grant to all, but above all, to the pastors of thy flock, a 'spirit' not easy to be provoked,' and lips not hasty to speak unadvisedly.'

34. They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:' 35. But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works." 36. And they served their idols; which were a snare unto them.'

When the iniquity of the Canaanites was full, it pleased God to extirpate the race, and Israel was com missioned to execute on them the vengeance determined. But the conquerors suffered themselves frequently to be seduced into all the abominations of the conquered, and spared their idolatrous altars, till themselves came to bow down before them. Judg. ii. 2, 3. The Canaanites, against whom we Christians militate, are our lusts, which, if they are spared and treated with, will prove 'a snare' to us, and in time become our masters. Mercy shown to them is cruelty to ourselves, and will always be found so in the end.

6

37. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils:' 38. And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.'

It is plain, that the devils,' mentioned in the former

.

of these two verses, are the idols of Canaan,' mentioned in the latter. The word translated 'devils,' is D', literally, the pourers forth;' by which it is highly probable, that the idolaters meant the great agents of nature, or the heavens, considered as giving rain, causing the earth to send out springs, and to put forth her increase, vegetables to yield and nourish their fruit, and animals to abound with milk, for the subsistence of

their young. Idolatry being a work of the devil, it is true, in fact, that what is offered to an idol, is offered to the devil; though the word, pw, doth by no means imply it. We stand astonished, doubtless, at this horrid, barbarous, and unnatural impiety of offering children by fire to a Moloch: but how little is it considered, that children brought up in the ways of ignorance, error, vanity, folly, and vice, are more effectually sacrificed to the great adversary of mankind!

39. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.' 40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people; insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.' 41.' And he gave them into the hand of the heathen, and they that hated them ruled over them.' 42. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.' 43. Many times did he deliver them, but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.' 44. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry.' 45. 'And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.' 46. He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.'

This is an epitome of the history of the Israelites, from the time when they took possession of Canaan, downwards. Transgressions brought on chastisements; chastisements produced repentance; and repentance obtained mercy. For their last and grand rebellion against the Son of God, and their King Messiah, whom they

1 See the account given of the word by the learned and ingenious Mr. Parkhurst, in his excellent Hebrew-English Lexicon,

murdered, the sore burden of Heaven's displeasure hath now rested on the nation these seventeen hundred years; but their eyes are not yet opened; their hearts have not, hitherto, relented. How hath the wrath of Jehovah been kindled against his people, insomuch that he hath abhorred his own inheritance!' How hath he 'given them into the hand of the Heathen, and caused them that hated them to rule over them!' How have their enemies oppressed them:' how have they been brought into subjection under their 'hand! Nevertheless, O Lord, regard their affliction, when thou hearest their cry;' grant them repentance first, and then pardon; remember for them thy covenant;' let them change their mind, and do thou change thy purpose, according to the multitude of thy mercies; make them also to be pitied of all those that have carried them captives;' cause them, on their conversion, to find favor in the eyes of the nations; and do Thou, who hast so long been a light to lighten the Gentiles,' become once more the glory of thy people Israel.'

47. 'Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.'

It appears from this verse, that the Psalm was written at a time when Israel was in captivity among the Heathen.' Such will be the petition of the Jews hereafter to him whom they crucified and such is now the petition of the Christian church, that the elect may be finally gathered together, and, united in one congregation, give thanks unto the name, and triumph for ever in the praises, of JESUS.'

48. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting; and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.'

At all times, in all places, and by all persons, on earth and in heaven, in prosperity and adversity, peace or persecution, the LORD God of Israel,' the Saviour and Redeemer of his church, is to be 'blessed;' nor can any situation exempt a believer from saying, Amen, Hallelujah,' that is, from blessing God, himself, and exciting others to do the same.

Div.

No. XXIV.

N

TWENTY-SECOND DAY.-MORNING PRAYER.

PSALM CVII.

ARGUMENT.

[The redeemed of the Lord are exhorted in this Psalm, 1-3. to praise him for his goodness in redeeming, and gathering them from the four quarters of the world. Their danger and their deliverance are represented under the four striking images, 4-9. of travellers lost in a wilderness, but directed and conducted home; 10-16. of prisoners rescued from captivity; 17-22. of sick and dying men restored to health; 23-32. of mariners preserved in a storm at sea, and brought safe into port. 3341. Some other instances of God's providence in the government of the world, and of the church, are adduced and insisted on, for, 42. the consolation of the righteous, and, 43. the instruction of all.]

1. O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.' 2. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.' 3. And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north and from the south.'

Eternal mercy is the theme here proposed; and they who have tasted its sweets, are invited to join in setting forth its praises. The members of the Christian church are now, in the most proper and emphatical sense of the words, the redeemed of Jehovah, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and gathered them,' by the Gospel, out of all lands, and from all the four quarters of the world, to form a church, and to supply the place of the apostate Jews; whose forefathers experienced, in type and shadow, the good things prepared for them and for us, in truth and substance. Many,' saith our Lord to the Jews, shall come from the east and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God-and ye yourselves shall be thrust out:' Matt. viii. 11. Luke xiii. 29. We, converted Gentiles, are the happy people; and we are taught in this Psalm to celebrate that mercy which made us so.