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in state; and this we are assured was a custom in Persia, as it is with the Ethiopians to this day; and so with the Romans, horses drawing triumphal chariots were Growned.

For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek, from generation to generation.

Exodus xvii. 16.

SAURIN says, *that the Hebrew of this text is equivocal: it signifies literally, "because of the hand on the throne of God, war of God against Amalek from generation to generation:" and from Patrick he observes, That it is pretended that, in some countries, to put the hand upon the throne was a ceremony that attended a solemn oath; as laying it on the altar was in other places. This was as much as our laying the hand on the Bible: a principal external character of an oath. Whence Juvenal says, Atheists do intrepidos altaria tangere, touch the altars boldly without trembling; that is, make no conscience of an oath.

Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray.

Psalms lv. 17.

THE frequency and the particular seasons of prayer are circumstances chiefly connected with the situation and disposition of such persons as habituate themselves. to this exercise; but from a singular conformity of practice, in persons remote, both as to age and place, it * Dissertations, vol. i. p. 333. † Satire xiii. v. 8..

appears probable that some idea must have obtained generally, that it was expedient and acceptable to pray three times every day. Such was the practice of David, and also of Daniel;* and as a parallel, though as far as connected with an idolatrous system, a different case, we are informed, that "It is an invariable rule with the Bramins to perform their devotions three times every day: at sun-rise, at noon, and at sun-set."†

REFLECTIONS.

As an oath is for confirmation, and is a solemn appeal to an omniscient God, particular care should be taken so to administer it, as to make a due impression on the mind, of its sacred nature and obligation. God himself has, by this means, ratified the most important engagements, and has secured to us the most valuable blessings. By this means an inexhaustible source of consolation is opened to the heirs of promise. For the enjoyment of these privileges, they should pray without ceasing, ever remembering that it is the command of Christ that men should always pray, and not faint. The returns of prayer, while they reflect praise upon God, convey to the soul the rich blessings of grace and peace; and that sacred intercourse which he maintains with Heaven, will be found powerfully conducive in promoting his meetness for that glorious state.

See chap. vi. verse 10.

See Maurice's Indian Antiq. vol. v. p. 129. Heb. vi, 16.

A certain man made a great supper, and bade many; and sent his servants, at supper-time, to say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready. Luke xiv. 16, 17.

THERE is a striking conformity between the circumstances intimated in the introductory part of this parable, and the ceremonies attendant upon a Chinese entertainment. Among this people, "an invitation to an entertainment is not supposed to be given with sincerity, until it has been renewed three or four times in writing. A card is sent on the evening before the entertainment; another, on the morning of the appointed day; and a third, when every thing is prepared."* The invitation to this great supper is supposed to have been given when the certain man had resolved upon making it; but it is again repeated at supper-time when all things were ready. Now, as it does not appear that the renewal of it arose from the refusal of the persons invited, of which no hint is yet given, we may suppose it was customary thus to send repeated messages. The practice was very ancient among the Chinese; and if admitted to have prevailed among the Jews, certainly gives a significancy to the words not usually perceived.

REFLECTIONS.

The repetition of gospel-invitations does not arise from the want of sincerity, but from the earnest solici tude of the Founder of the feast to bring sinners to partake of it. How happy are they to whom these calls

* Sce Goldsmith's Geography, page 117.

are addressed! But how is that felicity augmented when they effectually reach the heart, and are followed by a believing approach to the Lord Jesus Christ! Let the men of the world enjoy its vain delights: such as have tasted that the Lord is gracious, can no longer relish them. Let the religious formalist satisfy himself with customary duties and services, the lively Christian seeks to obtain the provisions of God's grace, through the medium of ordinances. He is not satisfied to neglect the means, but he cannot be comfortable till he enjoys the blessing promised to be thereby communicated.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF VARIOUS SCRIPTURES,

Genesis vi. 2.

By the sons of God, are here meant sons of princes or sovereigns; as when it is said, I have said ye are gods, Psalm 1xxxii. 6. And by daughters of men, is to be understood, the daughters of inferior persons. So that the sense of the verse will be this; the sons of the great and powerful men saw the fair daughters of their inferiors; and took them wives, by force, of whom they pleased.

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If this verse be made one period, without a point after the word divineth, it will take off the charge of Joseph's using unlawful practices.

Is not this it in which my lord drinketh? and whereby indeed he divineth that ye have done evil in so doing.

Genesis xlix. 6.

In their anger they slew a man. Man is here put for men; meaning the Shechemites. See chapter xxxiv. 26. One is often, in Scripture, put for many: as Exodus xxiii. 38, the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite; for the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites. Digged down a wall, is otherwise read smote a prince; or rooted out a chief; namely, Hamor; or Shechem his son; as before.

Exodus viii. 26.

The meaning of sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians, is this. The Egyptians worship the ox, and the sheep, as gods: and the Israelites feared they would fall upon them, when they saw them kill those beasts for sacrifice which they worshipped as gods: therefore they desired to go three days journey into the wilderness, to sacrifice to the Lord.

Judges ix. 13.

Wine is here very improperly said to cheer both God and man. It should be gods; that is, the heroe gods of the Heathen: for Jotham was speaking to men of an idolatrous city. Or it might be translated, cheer both high and low, both prince and people; for the meaning is, all conditions of men find themselves refreshed by wine.

2 Kings v. 18.

It has been proved, that the true translation of the verse should be; In this thing, the Lord pardon thy servant; that when my master WENT into the house of Rimmon to worship there; and he LEANED upon my hand; and I

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