and, with attention, be prepared to understand the figurative language of the Scriptures.

Various classes of metaphorical expressions are employed by the inspired writers, and in frequent combinations, a notice of the principal of which will be given here, with some examples.

I. METAPHOR. This is a figure of speech founded on some analogy between the similitude and the object with which it is compared; as, "The LORD GOD is a sun and shield." Psal. lxxxiv. 11. GOD is here declared to be as a sun to enlighten his people, and as a shield to protect them against their spiritual enemies. CHRIST is also called the "Sun of righteousness," Mal. iv. 2, as his gospel enlightens all the nations of the world. Every reader will understand what is meant by "bridling the tongue," Jam. i. 96, and the "sword devouring flesh," Deut. xxxii. 42; perceiving the force of these expressive metaphors.

II. ALLEGORY.-This figure is a continued metaphor; a remarkable example of which we have in the apostle's comparison between a Christian teacher and a builder, 1 Cor. iii. 9-13; in our SAVIOUR's discourse concerning the eating of his flesh, John vi. 35, 65; and in the description of old age by Solomon, Eccles. xii. 2-6.

III. PARABLE. This is a kind of comparison in a narration of a fictitious event, applied to convey forcibly, or to illustrate some moral truth or spiritual doctrine: such is the ingenious similitude given in our SAVIOUR'S description of the "Sower," Matt. xiii. 2-23; in that of the "Prodigal son," Luke xv. 11-32; in that of the "Ten virgins," Matt. xxv. 1-13; and in that of the "Rich man and the traveller," addressed by the prophet Nathan to king David, 2 Sam. xii. 1-9.

IV. PROVERB. This is a concise, sententious, instructive saying, founded on a discriminating observation of human policy and manners. Brevity and elegance are regarded as essential to a proverb: thus, "The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty." Prov. x. 15. "Physician, heal thyself." Luke iv. 23. All nations have their proverbs; and the Israelites had very many, especially those of divine inspiration by king

Solomon.

V. METONOMY.-This is a figure of speech in which the cause is put for the effect, or the effect for the cause; the subject for the adjunct, or the adjunct for the subject. This figure is variously used; as, "They have Moses and the prophets," Luke xvi. 29; by which our LORD meant, the writings, not the persons, of those holy men. The earth and the world are also frequently used, not only for the ground, but for the persons of men. Gen. vi. 11; John i. 19; iii. 16. VI. ANTHROPOPATHY.-This is a kind of metaphor in which the powers or members of human beings are ascribed to GoD: hence that Infinite Spirit is said to have eyes, Psal. xi. 4; Heb. iv. 13; ears, Psal. xxxi. 21; fingers, viii. 3; an arm, Exod. xv. 16; and a right hand, xvi. 6. Hence also, GOD, who is immutably holy, is represented as angry and furious, because of his severe judgments on the wicked, Mic. v. 15; Nah. i. 2; and He with whom "there is not the shadow of turning," is said to "repent," and to "be grieved at heart.” Gen. vi. 6.

VII. PROSOPOPOEIA or PERSONIFICATION.-This figure of speech attributes personal actions to fictitious, irrational, or even to inanimate things: as the trees speaking, in the parable of Jotham, Judg. ix. 8-15. The Psalmist's personification of the Divine attributes, "Mercy and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other," Psal. lxxxix. 60, is regarded as truly beautiful, whether applied to the restoration of the Jewish nation from captivity in Babylon, or to the method of redemption by the atoning sacrifice of

the Son of GOD. Solomon's personification of wisdom is admirable, Prov. viii. 22-31.

VIII. SYNECDOCHE.-This figure puts a part of a thing for the whole, or the whole for a part; as, "All the world," Luke ii. 1; means the land of Judea, a small province of the Roman empire. "Throughout the world," Acts xxiv. 5, means, by an exaggeration of the orator, different places where the apostle Paul had preached. "Souls," xxvii. 37, evidently means living persons.

IX. HYPERBOLE.-This is a figure which represents things as being far greater or much smaller than they really are: thus, Abraham's posterity, which was to be exceedingly numerous, is promised to be as the particles of sand or dust of the earth; and as the stars of heaven, Gen. xiii. 16; thus also the ten infidel deputies of Israel described themselves as appearing smaller than grasshoppers, when compared with the Canaanites, Num. xiii. 33; and thus Saul and Jonathan, on account of their activity and courage, are described by David, as "swifter than eagles, and stronger than lions." 2 Sam. i. 23.

X. IRONY. This figure employs words which express a different thing from that which is intended; though the examples of its use are not very numerous, there are some in the Scriptures. Thus Job rebukes his censorious friends: "No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." Job xii. 2. Elijah also, in his reproaching of the idolatrous priests of Baal, employs severe irony: "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing; or he is on a journey; or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked." 1 Kings xviii. 27. Irony, in its superlative asperity, is called sarcasm; thus the Roman soldiers mocking, insulted our Saviour, “ Hail, king of the Jews." Matt.

xxvii. 29.

DISSERTATION XXVI.

GEOGRAPHY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

Geography of Scripture embraces the whole earth-especially part of Asia-Ancient monarchies in Asia-Existing ruins prove their greatness-Asia surpasses in climate and fertility both Africa and Europe-Eden, Armenia, Assyria, Mesopotamia, Syria, Phenicia, Arabia, Canaan, EgyptCanaan the land of promise to Abraham-The land of Israel-The scene of our Saviour's ministry-Christianity opened a new field of geography-Asia Minor-Europe-The world.

SCRIPTURE Geography may be said to include generally the whole surface of the earth; as all its regions are comprehended in the book of Genesis. Moses refers to its antediluvian continents and mountains, in his brief records of the creation; while he relates the original re-peopling of the different countries by the descendants of Noah. But the principal countries, except Egypt, that are described or mentioned in the Old Testament, are situated on the south and western borders of the continent of Asia. Egypt, however, is near to that sacred division of the earth, being separated from Asia only by the Red Sea, and the small isthmus of Suez, and forms the north-eastern corner of the continent of Africa.

Asia is the most honored region of the globe. There, it is believed, GoD created our first parents; in its most fertile districts dwelt the ancient, long-lived patriarchs. Asia was the cradle of the arts and sciences; and there are the valleys and hills made sacred by the ordinances of GOD, whose favored servants received there the original communications of the Divine revelation recorded in the Holy Scriptures. Noah and his sons sojourned in Asia; thence origina

ted the primitive colonies, who overspread the earth, and formed the ancient nations; and there were the centres of the famous universal monarchies of Assyria, Babylon, and Persia.

Prodigious ruins of stately palaces, and of various other magnificent edifices, are even now to be seen in many places throughout those regions that formed the celebrated seats of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian empires; and of the mighty cities which flourished under the power of Greece and Rome. Those vast remains sufficiently attest the multitude and the riches of the former inhabitants of these countries, and corroborate the surprising descriptions of them which have been transmitted to us in the writings of different historians, both ancient and modern.

Inspired and uninspired writers have celebrated Asia, not only as the birth place of man, but as being far superior to Africa, and even to Europe, both in the salubrious serenity of its air, and in the exuberant fertility of its soil; affording the richest pasture for flocks and herds; producing abundance of corn, and the most delicious fruits; and abounding with the most fragrant and balsamic plants, gums, and spices; supplying, with comparatively little labor, everything adapted to meet the necessities and to promote the gratification of mankind.

Eden and its Paradise, the divinely-prepared residence of our first parents, supposed to have been in Armenia, situated near to the famous river Euphrates, Assyria, Mesopotamia, Arabia, Persia, Syria, including Phenicia, Canaan, and Egypt, constitute the principal countries, the history of whose inhabitants is contained in the Old Testament. Sacred geography, however, relates chiefly to the land of Canaan-the Holy Land-so called, as being the land of promise to Abraham, where the venerable patriarchs sojourned; where the kingdom of Israel flourished under David; where GoD manifested his glory in the temple, which had been erected after his own inspired model by king Solomon; where the greater part of the Divine oracles were written; where the Son of GOD became incarnate, and accomplished the glorious work of human redemption; and where the apostles of CHRIST were endowed with supernatural qualifications to go forth as missionaries of eternal mercy among all nations, preaching the gospel of salvation to every tribe of men, bringing them into the church of Messiah, to inherit eternal life in the kingdom of GOD.

Canaan received this name from its being the possession of Canaan, the son of Ham, and grandson of Noah. Gen. x. 6, 19. Its situation, on the west of Asia, near to Africa, and not far from Europe, renders it peculiarly favorable for intercourse with those countries which were most celebrated in antiquity. Canaan has the Mediterranean Sea on the west, and the mountains of Arabia Deserta on the east; extending from Egypt, Idumea, and Arabia Petræa on the south, to the mountains of Lebanon in Syria on the north. Canaan is about two hundred miles long, from the city of Dan, which stood at the foot of mount Lebanon, to the city of Beersheba, near Idumea; and between eighty and ninety miles broad, from its eastern boundary to the Mediterranean. Palestine is an appellation which was given to Canaan in the time of Moses, Exod. xv. 14, derived from the Philistines, who had emigrated from Egypt, expelled the original inhabitants, and settled on the borders of the Mediterranean Sea. It was afterward called the "Land of Israel," the "Land of Judah," and "Judea," from the surviving kingdom of Judah and the Jews; and the Holy Land," from the sacred ministry and great redemption of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.

แ

Christianity being designed, not like the Levitical institutions, for the people of Israel only, but for all the nations of the world, into the whole of which the apostles were commissioned to prosecute their evangelical labors, a new field

of geography was opened by their ministry, far beyond the boundaries of the Holy Land, Babylon, Assyria, or Egypt. They traversed the regions of Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, Rome, and various other parts of Europe. These countries and the islands of the Mediterranean might, therefore, seem to demand some particular notice in this place; but the design and limits of this dissertation will not allow of extensive enlargement. The reader, however, is referred to the volumes of the Pictorial Illustrations of the Bible, recently published, for more minute and particular information respecting the various places mentioned throughout the Scriptures.

DISSERTATION XXVII.

SACRED HEBREW AND JEWISH FESTIVALS.

Sacred festivals numerous among the Israelites-Computation of their time-Civil and sacred year-Sabbath-day-New moons-New year-Sabbatical year-Jubilee-Its wise and beneficial provisions-Daily sacrifice-Annual day of atonement-Passover-Pentecost-Tabernacles→→→ Purim Dedication.

DIVINELY instituted festivals and sacred seasons being numerous among the Hebrews and Israelites, some correct knowledge of them must be necessary to the intelligent reader of the Scriptures.

Time has been computed by days, weeks, months, and years, from the beginning of the world; but somewhat differently in different nations. Time began with the creation, which is believed to have been wrought about the latter part of September; and hence the Hebrew year commenced in the month Tisri, corresponding with that and the former part of October: but at the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, it was ordained by Moses, Exod. xii. 2-18; xiii. 4, that the people should commemorate their wonderful redemption by computing their year from the month Abib, corresponding with parts of March and April: Hence the Israelites had two modes of reckoning their year; one sacred, beginning in Abib, or the latter part of March; and the other civil, beginning in Tisri, or the latter part of September.

I. SABBATH-DAY.-This was the first of all the religious festivals, and so denominated, as being divinely ordained at the beginning of the world, to be observed as a holy rest every seventh day, in commemoration of GoD resting from his finished works of creation. Gen. ii. 1-3. This day was appointed to be perpetually observed by our first parents and by all their posterity, in devout and joyful acknowledgment of GoD as their CREATOR, being alone entitled to religious worship. This sacred festival was especially enjoined upon the Israelites, for themselves and servants, in a summary of duty in the ten commandments, under the additional consideration of their emancipation from Egyptian slavery. Some have supposed that the religious observance of the sabbath was first enjoined upon the Israelites, because Sabbaths, or sacred festivals, generally so called, were given as signs of their being in covenant with God, Exod. xxxi. 13-17; Ezek. xx. 20, 21: but such divine institutions were then peculiarly appropriated at the first writing of the Divine will, as memorials of the authority and claim of GoD the Creator, Preserver, and Judge, from all ordinary labor, and religious worship, both public and private, were required on the sabbath, Exod. xx. 8-11; xxxi. 13, 18; Isa. Iviii. 13.

II. NEW MOONS.-These were festivals observed monthly on the first days of the appearance of the new moons. On those occasions, in addition to the

daily sacrifice, two bullocks, a ram, and seven sheep, together with the meatoffering and a libation, were offered as a burnt-offering to GOD, besides a goat for a sin-offering; and these festivals were observed with joy and the blowing of trumpets, Num. x. 10; xxviii. 11, 14.

III. NEW YEAR.-This was observed as a sacred festival at the new moon of Tisri: it was the commencement of the civil year, commemorating the beginning of time; it was proclaimed by the blowing of trumpets, and kept with the sacrifices on ordinary new moons, besides the addition of a bullock, a ram, seven lambs, and a meat-offering and libation of wine, and a goat for a sin-offering, Lev. xxiii. 24; Num. xxix. 1, 10.

IV. SABBATICAL YEAR. This festival was kept every seventh year, and called the Sabbath of the land, and Year of release, Lev. xxv. 2-4. Two ordinances peculiarly distinguished this festival from which it was so designated : 1. The land lying fallow, called Keeping a Sabbath, verse 6; and, 2. Debtors being released from their debts, whence it was regarded as the "LORD's release," Deut. xv. 2, 9. As the weekly sabbath was designed to teach that the people were the LORD's, under obligation to glorify him, this sabbatical year was intended to indicate that the land was his and lest any should fear want by such a neglect of the land, GoD promised his blessing that the produce of the sixth year should be equal to that of three years, Lev. xxv. 20, 22: besides, no inconsiderable portion of their food the people derived from trees which produced spontaneously, as the fig, the sycamore, the vine, and the date, whose fruits were preserved. Religious instruction was enjoined to be specially imparted to servants, strangers, and the poor during the year of release, that the additional leisure might be properly improved, and the people advanced in the saving knowledge of GoD, Deut. xxxi. 10, 13.

V. JUBILEE. This was the Grand Sabbatical Year, appointed to be celebrated every fiftieth year, and to be announced by sound of trumpet, on the evening of the great day of Atonement, which was held on the tenth day of the seventh month of the sacred or the first of the civil year, Lev. xxv. 8–13. sides the ordinances relating to the Sabbatical year, there were some peculiarly wise and merciful appointed for the jubilee.

Be

1. All Hebrew servants or bond-slaves, and prisoners, obtained their freedom in the year of jubilee. Lev. xxv. 10, 39, 46; Jer. xxxiv. 8, 17.

2. All lands, whether sold or mortgaged, and the houses of the priests and Levites, which had been sold, were given back to their original proprietors or their families, Lev. xxv. 14-17: except lands which had been consecrated to GOD, and redeemed within a year, xxvii. 6, 21.

3. Debtors who were unable to pay their creditors, or to return borrowed money, were released from their debts. Lev. xxv. 10-16.

Divine wisdom shines conspicuously in the institution of the jubilee, as it conferred numerous and important benefits upon the whole community, and it is scarcely less manifest in the time of its proclamation; this took place at the close of the solemn ceremonies on the day of atonement. That season appears to have been wisely chosen, because the rich and selfish might be expected to be more disposed to comply with the requirements of the law in remitting their claims upon their brethren, and in restoring their property after themselves had been engaged in a solemn sacrifice for sin, and in supplicating pardon from GOD. The season was appropriate also to proclaim the jubilee of universal liberty when the people were rejoicing in the assurance of peace with Heaven by means of the divinely-appointed atonement. Viewed politically, this national jubilee was of great importance; as it was intended to secure the poor from perpetual slavery and from oppression by the nobles: for through this re