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1. TITLE. To appreciate rightly those portions
of Scripture which are most contrary to modern
experience, we must always take into considera-
tion the object of the plan of Revelation, and
the circumstances of the day when the events
recorded took place. The Israelites arrive, at
the forty-first encampment, in sight of the Pro-
mised Land. The inconsistencies of the be-
lievers in the God of Israel generally arise
from their attempts to reconcile Divine truths
with human errors. The character and con-
duct of the prophet Balaam. The cause of his
miraculous reproofs by the mouth of his ass.

2. INTRODUCTION.

3. PORTION OF SCRIPTURE. NUMBERS xxxiii.

48. xxii. 1-35.

4. PRAYER. That we never be guilty of the
folly which makes the experience of the day in
which we live, the criterion of the truth of the
events recorded in Revelation. That we never
be tempted by the rewards and honours of the
world, to oppose the will, or deny the truth, of
God. That we never confound the inventions
and additions of men with the actual Revelation
of that truth. That we especially guard our
hearts against "the love of money, the root of
all evil."

5. NOTES. On the country of Balaam.-On the

king of Moab's needless apprehension of being

harmed by the children of Israel. On the

force of the term rendered, "rewards of divina-

tion."

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SECTION 160.—p. 661.

Patriarchism, Judaism, and Chris-

tianity, are but as the bud, the flower, and the
fruit of the tree of life, which shall eventually
satisfy the earth with its spiritual food. All
the prophets, and Balaam amongst them, spake
under the same influence, on the same plan, for
the same end. The third and fourth prophecies
of Balaam are a declaration of the power of
ancient Israel, and the final establishment of
the spiritual kingdom of Christ. The fifth and
last prophecy of Balaam is the summary of all
prophecy in its regular history and order from
his own day to the day of judgment. He alone
is wise who receives Christ as the Prophet to

teach him, the Priest to atone for him, and the

King to rule over him.

2. INTRODUCTION.

3. PORTION OF SCRIPTURE.

NUMBERS xxiii.

27, to the end. xxiv. xxxiii. 49.

4. PRAYER. That as the angels of heaven learn
from the Church the manifold wisdom of God,
we may also now begin the contemplations
which shall form a part of the happiness and
employment of our immortality, by surveying
the past, the present, and the future dispensa-
tions of the Providence of God. That we be-
come the members of the spiritual Church of
God, as well as of the visible Israel. That

Christ be our Star and Sceptre, our Prophet,

Priest, and King; the Way in which we should
walk; the Truth in which we believe; and the

Life which we begin to live now, and hope to

live for ever.

5. NOTES. On Balaam's prediction respecting

the "Star" and the "Sceptre," and its double

reference to David and to the Messiah.-On

the prediction of Balaam, "He shall smite the

corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of

Sheth."-On the fulfilment of the prophecies

respecting the destruction of the Amalekites, in

the reigns of Saul and David.-On “ Chittim,"

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2. INTRODUCTION.

3. PORTION OF SCRIPTURE. NUMBERS xxv. 1-13. 16-18. xxvi. 1, 2. 64, 65. xxxi. 1, 2. 7-9. 16. xxxiii. 50, to the end.

4. PRAYER. That we never believe ourselves to be exempted from the possibility of the greatest sins. That we give the whole heart to God. That we be zealous to reprove sin in others, and watchful to restrain it in ourselves. That we ever remember the certainty of the approaching death of the body, and resolutely contend against every inordinate affection that may divide the heart with God. That we never forget the difference between the gifts and the graces of the Holy Spirit; but, putting on the whole armour of God, contend against all our spiritual enemies, till we rest in heaven.

SECTION 162.-p. 678.

1. TITLE. All the circumstances of a man's life may be summed up under these five divisions:The knowledge he has acquired; the sins he has committed; the sorrows he has suffered; the mercies he has received; and the last hours he anticipates. Moses reminds the Israelites of all these at the end of their journeyings through the wilderness. Obedience to God's law being imperfect, cannot render the soul of man fit for heaven. Joshua, not Moses, is appointed to lead the people into Canaan.

2. INTRODUCTION.

3. PORTION OF SCRIPTURE. DEUTERONOMY i. 1-8. 19. ii. 1. 8. 14. 16—18. 24, 25. iii. 1, 2. 21, to the end.

4. PRAYER. That we be enabled, both now, and at the hour of death, when we look back on all the way which the Lord our God has led us through the wilderness of life, to remember that our knowledge has been blessed to the benefit of our souls. That we have repented of our sins, have been resigned to our sorrows, have been thankful for the mercies we have received, and are prepared to die. That we have no dependence on our own excellencies as the foundation of our hope of God's favour, but that God's mercy through Christ is the basis of our faith and hope.

SECTION 163.—p. 686.

1. TITLE. God is unchangeable, and therefore the spirit, the object, though not the letter, of His Law is also unchangeable. One object of that Law is to make nations as well as individuals, and the world as well as its separate nations, religious and united. The summary of the Law of Moses. The observance of the Divine Law is a proof of national wisdom, and a pledge of national greatness. Past mercies are the reasons for the perfect love of God. Universal religious education solemnly commanded. Obedience the token of gratitude. Political influence the consequence of national religious obedience. Great Britain will preserve and extend her political influence, if she employs her power to the honour of God and the good of man. 2. INTRODUCTION.

3. PORTION OF SCRIPTURE. DEUTERONOMY iv. 1-10. 32-36. vi. 4-9. vii. 6. ix. 4, 5. x. 1214. 21, xi. 2225.

4. PRAYER. For the blessing of God upon the empire of Great Britain. That as we possess the Bible, freedom, and the Church, and have experienced many and great political and national mercies, we may prove our gratitude to God by becoming the spiritual leaven of the world in the latter days. That we promote national religious education at home. That we remember our own unworthiness. That we

keep God's law; and that our Government and our Church, our nobles and our clergy, our merchants and our people, be all zealous for the glory of God.

5. NOTE. On the extent of the dominions of Israel in the reigns of David and Solomon.

SECTION 164.—p. 694.

1. TITLE. Idolatry is the alienation of the heart from God. In addition to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, four great temptations entice and influence the heart-false philosophy, pride of reasoning, morbid sentimentality, and inordinate affection. All these were condemned by the laws against idolatry in the altars, pillars, groves, and images of the heathen. God is to be honoured in that way alone which He Himself has commanded; and all sacrifices to Him are to be without known blemish. Obedience and duty are the foundation of acceptable prayer.

2. INTRODUCTION.

3. PORTION OF SCRIPTURE. DEUTERONOMY xii. 1-3. xiii. 1–11. xvi. 21, 22. xvii. 1. xxvi. 12, to the end.

4. PRAYER. That we be guided to God and to heaven by the Revelation of God alone. That we never be perverted from the Faith by the Philosophy which corrupts the simplicity of the Truth, by the objections of pride and false reasoning, by the influence of kindred, or by the pretensions of the corrupt Church of Rome. That we give the heart, without wilful blemish, to God. And that we aspire to the best privileges of the Christian, by fulfilling our humble duties, and offering our humblest prayers.

5. NOTES. On the meaning of the word nie, rendered "their pillars," by our translators. On the meaning of the word m a grove," Deut. xii. 3.

translated "

SECTION 165.—p. 702.

1. TITLE. The history of the Holy Land and of the family of Abraham is the key to unlock the whole mystery of the Providence which governs the world. Not only are general blessings promised to the obedience of the Jews, and general curses denounced against their disobedience, but the peculiar points of their history are foretold, the miseries of the sieges of Jerusalem by the Chaldæans and the Romans, and their present dispersion. The exile of the Jews from Judea was the consequence of their rejecting a spiritual Messiah. The sight of a Jew is an evidence of the past, the present, and

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3. PORTION OF SCRIPTURE. DEUTERONOMY

xxviii. 1-6. 15-19. 49, to the end.

4. PRAYER. That, as we know the promises and
the threatenings of God respecting the condition
of the soul of man in a future state, we may
ever avoid the sins which bring down the curse,
and live the life of God, which shall be attended
with a blessing. That in this our day of trial
we be delivered from the misery of the spiritual
diseases of remorse without repentance; sorrow
for sin, without change of heart; and the dread
of future punishment, without forsaking sin.
And that in the world to come we be delivered
from banishment from the spiritual Jerusalem,
and from the presence of God in the true
Canaan.

5. NOTES. On the prophetic description of the

"nation" which Jehovah threatens to bring

against the Jews for their disobedience and

apostasy. "The Lord shall bring a nation

against thee from far," &c.-On the punctual

fulfilment of the prediction of unexampled

calamities denounced against the rebellious

Jews, in Deut. xxviii. 53-57.-On the words,

"The Lord shall bring thee into Egypt again

with ships."-On the complete and exact

accomplishment of all the predictions of Moses,

respecting the fate and fortunes of the Jews, in

the book of Deuteronomy.

5. NOTE. On the interpretation of "The secret
things belong unto the Lord our God: but
those things which are revealed belong unto

1. TITLE.

The Lord God of the Old Testament
is the Jesus Christ of the New Testament. The
will of God is known by the actions and laws
of God. It is the will of God that all to whom
the knowledge of Revelation is granted should
die at peace with God, and be happy with Him
in their immortality. That there should be a
constant succession of spiritual teachers, and
political rulers. That the Holy Scriptures be
read and studied by all, of all ranks. And that
every political society be also one religious
society. The knowledge of the will of God is
the best guide to modern theological contro-
versialists.

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DEDICATION.

ΤΟ

THE PRELATES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

I. THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, IN ITS PRIMITIVE FORM, IS THE CHIEF REMEDY FOR ALL POLITICAL AND MORAL EVILS, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE EVILS OF REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS.

II. THE BISHOPS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAVE BEEN THE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF THE FAILURE OF THE SUCCESS OF CHRISTIANITY.

III. THE RESUMPTION OF THE APOSTOLIC OFFICE IS THE CHIEF REMEDY FOR EPISCOPAL NEGLIGENCE; AND AFFORDS THE BEST HOPE OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE PROPHECIES, WHICH PREDICT THE TRIUMPH OF JESUS CHRIST, AND THE GREATEST EARTHLY HAPPINESS OF MAN.

I. The Sacred Volume which contains the revelation of God's will, and of man's duty and destiny, is received by all professing Christians of every Church as the principal foundation of their common faith and hope. It predicts also the complete and final destruction of evil by means, which, however apparently diversified or fortuitous, constantly and undeviatingly tend to one point,—the transforming of the kingdoms of this world into the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. II. Our hope of the final and complete triumph of good over evil is founded upon the solid and immovable basis of the written word of God, which testifies that the wickedness, and consequent misery, which degrades and afflicts mankind, can be removed by Christianity alone; the only source of holiness among individuals, morality among societies, and peace among nations.

III. Review of the present state of the Catholic Church throughout the world. The high pretensions of the Clergy not borne out by the fruits of their The word CHURCH substituted by them for the word

ministrations.

CHRIST.

IV. Theology a science capable of indefinite enlargement by an assiduous and reverential study of the Word of God, which is its source and foundation. The impiety and arrogance of the papal interdiction of the general perusal, and study, of the whole Volume of Scripture.

VOL. II. PART VI.

I

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