a day of rest, a relaxation took place of that law by which he was ordained to unceasing labour; by which he was ordained to eat bread in the sweat of his brow; and by which he is still doomed to labour during the remaining six days of the week-But instead of being a rest from labour and care, the Pharisees had made their Sabbath a day of slavish restraint and superstitious observances, in which they would deprive the Lord,-him to whom they owe the blessings of that institution-the liberty of ministering on his own day to the wants, bodily or spiritual, of his afflicted creatures. The Lord therefore in the lecture which he has just delivered, has merely restored that day to the footing whereon it was placed in the tables of the law, and on which it is intended permanently to rest for the benefit of the church.

XVII.

JOHN VII. 37.

It was on "the last day,—that great day of the feast," that, sorrowing in our hearts because of the griefs of our Lord, and the blindness of the people, we ascended from the valley after a long and wearisome journey, and were toiling up the lofty flight of steps which form the approach to the vast terrace, upon which is built Solomon's porch we followed our blessed Lord and Master from place to place, and were witnesses,how that he is indeed "despised and rejected "-" oppressed "_" afflicted."

of men

My companions as well as myself had long journeyed on in quiet contemplation, yet by the words of one who first breaks the long silence, it would seem that our spirits had held communion. He bursts forth thus,-" Where shall

wisdom be found? Man knoweth not the place thereof, it cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof— the gold and the chrystal cannot equal it—no mention shall be made of coral or pearl,—the price of wisdom is above rubies, the topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it. Whence cometh wisdom, seeing it is hid?" (Job xxviii.)

"Yes," I replied, "it is far off and exceeding deep;" but have we not " applied our heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom. Behold this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account,one man among a thousand have I found." (Eccles. vii.) The compass of the knowledge given to Solomon by God, was beyond the attainment of man by any labour of his own, and in the "largeness" of his heart he saw the essential wisdom of God, in Him who was with God" before his works of old, or ever the earth was." And the upright and afflicted man, whose words thou hast just made thine own, foresaw what is now placed before our eyes. Yes, companion of my pilgrimage, have we not

found that these treasures are all hidden in him who goes before us in the path of tribulation? rest assured he will smooth the rugged and toilsome way. The veil which has covered our eyes, and the eyes of our fathers, he is uplifting. As yet the day-star is but rising upon us; let us fix our eyes stedfastly upon this glowing point, until it bursts into the full glory of day"to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Thus communing, we dispelled in some measure our sadness, as we ascended, step by step, and were at length guided into the court of the Gentiles. Here a voice is heard which animates and comforts us; the voice of one crying aloud in words fraught with mercy and wisdom. Surely, I exclaimed, our end is accomplished, our search is rewarded; we hear the voice of the Lord Jesus, and wisdom, righteousness, and mercy flow from his lips. And all have just heard the joyful proclamation, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.

He

that believeth on me, (as the scripture hath said)

out of his heart1 shall flow rivers of living water." And these words find ready acceptance, and many exclaim, "Of a truth this is that Prophet," and others, " This is the Christ." But alas, we are destined to disappointment, in the encouraging hope that the full time had arrived, when we need not any more to teach "every man his neighbour and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest, saith the Lord." We must yet wait for this promise to be accomplished-the painful rejections of the Man of Sorrows we now behold. He who is come a Saviour to Israel is received but by a few; the multitude led by their rulers desire to persecute the Son of God; but their power is as yet limited : no man laid hands on him, though in their hearts they sought to take him.

It is the time of the holy convocation, and from golden vessels, those appointed to the office are pouring water, from the pool of Siloa, mixed with wine.

1 So the word may be rendered.