faults of the other two are often fallen into by those who mean well. Dwell on these things, and pray, for the judgment is at hand. Time is short, and these things "are written for our admonition."

LXXXII.

Old Testament Contrasts and Parallels.

FAITH AND FEELING.

ISA. XLI. 8.

"BUT THOU, ISRAEL, ART MY SERVANT, JACOB WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN, THE SEED OF ABRAHAM MY

FRIEND."

I. THERE is in Scripture a hidden truth which we gradually become acquainted with, and which we may not thoroughly know for years. Truth which has been by degrees revealing itself, by the aid of the Spirit, so that, perhaps, what at first sight seems to have scarce any meaning at all, at last appears to be clothed with an importance, which we could not have before conceived. And surely remarks we find scattered here and there, through the Word of GOD, have a holy meaning, which it is our duty to discern.

The fact of their being at first obscure is no sign that they are not the casket of a jewel, whose value is priceless. Their obscurity is no sign that they are not needful for us to know here; their very obscurity is meant for our probation and moral discipline. We are not told many things in Scripture, which we still know to be true, and should value as truths; and we feel sure we were meant to value them. We are not told that the whole history of the Jews in their journey from Egypt to Canaan, was an exact picture of the Christian life, yet it was so, and we feel that we are meant to look at it as so; a slight clue is given for our guidance; Moses said, "A prophet shall the LORD your God raise up unto you of your brethren. Him shall ye hear in all things." Again; we are not told that there is a sanctity in the numbers three and seven. But we feel there must be. We are not told that the intended sacrifice of Isaac was a type of that of CHRIST, but it was. Nor that the history of CHRIST's sufferings was to be a likeness of the fall of Adam in its smaller particulars, such as the drops of Agony falling on the ground, which Adam tilled with sweat; the crown of thorns removed ere He was buried

in the garden, which from Adam should bring forth thorns, so removing the curse. While we see these things we take comfort from them, and feel certain they were written for our good.

Surely there is a great hidden meaning in many other things which we perhaps have seldom considered. It was the way of speaking of old; hiding great truths at first; such were our LORD's parables; the old prophecies; the Old Testament history; and such we find the custom among all men; all proverbs are part of the same system of hiding great truths at first.

GOD has attached certain names and titles to men in the Bible, which seem to have some great hidden meaning, as showing what character GoD approves.

There are certain men to whose characters He has attached a distinct approval which is most striking.

Abraham is called "the friend of GOD."
David, "the man after GOD's own heart."
S. John, "the beloved disciple."

There is some deep meaning in each of these titles not to be passed by casually. Again: Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

False prophets speaking peace where there is no peace.

The peculiarly strong way in which Saul and Ahab are spoken of as trifling in sinfulness.

I will look into the cause and see what were the features in the character of the first three to whom such especial names are given.

1. Abraham is called the friend of God, thus, Art Thou not our God who gavest this land to the seed of Abraham Thy friend for ever?" "But thou, Israel, art the seed of Abraham My friend."

And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, "Abraham believed GOD; and he was called the friend of GOD." Again GOD says, "Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do?" Such words must have some deep hidden meaning.

2. Again: speaking of David, "The LORD hath sought a man after His own heart." "He raised up David to whom He gave this testimony: I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, who shall fulfil all My will." Again: "He found favour before GOD and built Him a temple."

3. And of S. John: "Now there was leaning on JEsU's bosom, one of His disciples whom