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their country a province of the empire, but at last took away their place and nation, and sold and dispersed them over the earth.

It appears then, that Balaam was a prophet divinely inspired, or he could never have foretold so many distant events, some of which are fulfilling in the world at this time. What a singular demonstration in favour of Israel, that a prophet called from a distant country, and at the same time a wicked man, should be obliged to bear testimony to their righteousness, and holiness! Commendations from an enemy, must be commendations indeed. Moses did justice to himself, as well as to his nation, in recording these transactions. They are not only a material part of his history, but are likewise a strong confirmation of the truth of his religion'.

From what we have already seen of the fulfilment of prophecies, we may compare the Scriptures to a vast machine, erected for the carrying on of the Lord's work, to which, in every age, some addition has been making. When we behold only some parts of it, we may be at a loss to conceive their utility; or may have very erroneous ideas concerning them; but when we are placed in a situation to take a comprehensive view of the plan, we see that every section of it

has a place to which it is adapted and fitted, in a particular manner. This may teach those who have been too idle, or careless, to take the pains of examining the curious structure of its machinery, to beware of judging of what they do not understand. It is for want of serious inquiry and patient investigation, that there can be any unbe lievers of the truths of Christianity.

Prophecy serves to raise a general expectation of the event predicted, to excite attention, and inquisitiveness; and, thereby, to prepare the minds of men for that full conviction which it finally hath in view.

"This intercourse between heaven and earth," saith Bishop Hurd, in his introduction to the study of prophecy, "can be carried on only with the sublime view of preserving an awful sense of Providence, in an impious and careless world.— Nothing less than the maintenance of His supreme authority, over his moral creatures, could be an object worthy of his interposing in the affairs of men, in so remarkable a manner.- -To keep alive a prevailing sense of their dependance upon Him, is then the ultimate end of prophecy; and what is more suitable to the best ideas we can form of Divine Wisdom, than that this celestial light should be afforded to such ages and nations,

as are most in want of that great and salutary principle?"

In no instance is the assertion of the apostle Peter more strikingly verified, than in the case of Balaam: "Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man." And if one of his description was thus wrought upon, we may be the more disposed to believe, that "holy men of God, spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

CHAPTER XXIV.

MOSES.

WE have pursued the history of Aaron, and of Balaam, in a continued series, that we might prosecute the remainder of the history of Moses, without any further interruption. Moses had lately descended from Mount Hor, after performing the last offices of humanity, to Aaron his brother.

Immediately after this, we have an account of the king of the Canaanites fighting against the Israelites; and they utterly destroyed the Canaanites and their cities. But notwithstanding this, on encompassing the land of Edom, the people spake against God and Moses; "Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt, to die in the wilderness; for there is no bread, neither is there any water, and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people; and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died."

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Divine intention, in punishment, is correction and amendment, not ruin; returning mercy therefore meets the first symptoms of repentance. Moses is commanded to make a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole; and the Lord said: "It shall come to pass that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live."

The interpretation of the mystery is furnished by Christ himself, in his conversation with Nicodemus, the Jewish ruler: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life." From this it is evident that many particulars in the Jewish history and political economy, had an interest and importance, which extended far beyond the time which gave rise to them, and also beyond the sensible and obvious appearance. Our Lord was instructing Nicodemus in the objeet and end of his own mission; was deducing the nature and tendency of the Gospel dispensation, from the established rites of the Mosaic, and the received facts of the Jewish history; with which Nicodemus was perfectly well acquainted.

He appeals from the noted event to one, which was shortly to take place; betwixt

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