works, from the beginning to the end; all creatures, and all events, are subject to His control, and He will make all subservient to His glory, and the ultimate good of His church. We are all, in some way or other, fulfilling the purposes of God, even though, like Cyrus, we have not known Him. (Isa. xlv. 5.) Happy for us, if we are His intelligent, willing, faithful servants; His grateful, obedient children, whose interests He has graciously united with His own.

Daniel was living in the third year of the reign of Cyrus, but probably died not long after. The remainder of his book is prophetical, chap. viii. predicting very distinctly the destruction of the Persian, and the accession of the Macedo-Grecian empire; the heavy calamities which were to befall the Jewish nation, from the fourth great empire of the world, that of Rome, amounting indeed to the final dispersion of the Jewish nation, and the utter abolition of its church, denoted by the cessation of the daily sacrifice, and the profanation of the temple; with the final restoration of the Jews, and calling in of the Gentiles. Chap. ix. contains one of the most striking and distinct prophecies of the Messiah, that is anywhere to be found in the Old Testament. It fixes the precise time of His appearance, and His death as an atonement for sin. The closing chapters go far into the future destinies of the Christian church; and the book concludes with foretelling the general resurrection, and announcing the time when all these events are to have their full accomplishment.

204

X.--FROM THE TERMINATION OF THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY TO THE COMPLETION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON.

536 to about 400.

§. The Return of the Jews, under Zerubbabel and Joshua; their Progress, Opposition, and Encouragement, Ezra i-vi.

THE proclamation of Cyrus gave permission to all the Jews to return to their own land, and rebuild the temple; but some only went, those whose spirit God had raised to go up. In like manner, all who hear the gospel are invited to go up, and partake of the salvation treasured up in Christ Jesus; but, like the Jews of old, we are all too much inclined to settle down in the land of our captivity, as if it were our home and our rest; and it is only as God pours upon us His Spirit from on high, and makes us willing in the day of His power, that we are truly inclined to accept the gracious offer.

On receiving this permission, the principal men of the tribes of Judah, Levi, and Benjamin, prepared to return, under the conduct of Zerubbabel, as their governor, and Jeshua (or Joshua) the high priest. They received of Cyrus the vessels for the sanctuary,

and themselves offered willingly towards there building of the temple. A list of those who returned to Jerusalem is preserved, but no list of those who remained in Babylon. Thus the Lord will honour those who renounce their own ease or interest for His service and glory; their names shall be recorded with honour in the Lamb's book of life, whilst others shall be written in the dust of oblivion and disgrace. The providence of God was over this large company, and they were safely and mercifully brought to Jerusalem. Some very pleasing traits are further noticed concerning them: (1.) "The people were as the heart of one man." Without this unity of heart and soul, there can be no true peace and happiness in society; and that unity is the most solid, pure, and lasting, which begins in union with God.

(2.) When they arrived at Jerusalem, their first concern was to restore the daily worship of God. Accordingly, Zerubbabel and Joshua set up the altar, offered the appointed sacrifices, and kept the regular feasts, even before the foundation of the temple was laid. Thus, let all our engagements and pursuits as Christians, be sanctified by the word of God and prayer;" let these be our daily shield, our nightly canopy. Thus shall we have engaged the best company for our solitude, the best counsel for our perplexities; the best solace for our trials and sorrows; the constant presence of a Friend, with whom we hope to be happy for ever. (3.) They did things regularly, according as the duty of every day required. This

is the only way to discharge our duties pleasantlyto perform them punctually.

In the second year after their arrival at Jerusalem, the foundation of the second temple was laid; when an affecting scene ensued. The shouts of the younger part of the congregation, for joy at their present circumstances, mingled with the weeping of the elder men, who remembered the former temple in its splendour and glory, and who were discouraged at the comparative meanness of the new structure. All, however, united in celebrating the mercies of God towards His people.

As the work proceeded, adversaries opposed it. The Cushites had been sent by the kings of Assyria, to people Samaria, whose inhabitants they had carried away captive, and having acquired some knowledge of the Jewish religion, desired to join that people in building the temple: this was declined; and the Samaritans being much incensed, interfered to hinder the work, by misrepresentations, and false accusations against the Jews to the court of Persia ; in consequence of which, the building of the temple was suspended for fourteen years. The worst of enemies are false brethren, who creep in unawares, professing to be engaged in the same design, actuated by the same motives, and desiring to unite in one common interest. If they prevail, like the Gibeonites they become snares and thorns; if their true character is detected, and their friendship declined, they become the most bitter, crafty, and malignant foes,

and, by base arts or open violence, endeavour to frustrate the designs which they once professed to love.

From the circumstances here recorded, arose that bitter enmity between the Jews and Samaritans, that existed so long, and prevailed to so unreasonable an extent. (See John iv.) From this evil, however, much good has arisen to the church; the Jews and Samaritans became hostile, and therefore unsuspected, guardians of the purity of the sacred text, especially of the Pentateuch.

In the second year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes, another king of Persia, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were sent of God to reprove and stimulate the Jews. The difficulties that impeded their progress had now become obsolete, yet they returned not to building the house of God, but occupied themselves in building and adorning their own houses, saying that the Lord's time was not come. On account of this negligence, God smote the land with barrenness, so that both the harvest and the vintage failed. Haggai was commanded to inform the Jews of the true cause of this judgment: and they, in obedience to his exhortation, returned zealously to the work. About two months afterwards, Zechariah began to prophesy; and both these prophets encouraged the people with assurances of the Divine blessing upon them, the completion of their sacred undertaking, and the superior glory of the second temple, which was to be honoured with Messiah's presence.