תמונות בעמוד
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OF PETER-see Acts i., il., iii., iv., v., viii., ix., X., their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall and xii. not sorrow any more at all.'

was in Jerusalem at Paul's first visit:-Ga. i. 18,' Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.'

the gospel of the circumcision was committed unto him: -Ga. ii. 7, But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.'

met Paul at Antioch:-Ga. ii. 11-see below. Paul withstood him:-Ga. ii. 11-6. 11, 'But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12, For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13, And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14, But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15, We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.'

1. THIRD DAY.-See Scripture Illustrations,' p. opp. A MARRIAGE.

represents the union which shall have taken place between Christ the Bridegroom and his chosen people, previous to their restoration-see Je. iii. 14, Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.'

a betrothment in faithfulness:-Ho. ii. 14-20-see ch. ii. p. (31), Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring

her,' &c.

upon which the word shall be fulfilled to Zion:-Is. lxii. 5-see Scripture Illustrations.'

see as to what the Lord hath done to accomplish the marriage:-Ep. v. 25-33.

ye shall be satisfied therewith:-Joel ii. 18, .9. 18, Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. 19, Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen.'

the mountains shall drop sweet wine:'-Am. ix. 13, 'Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that "soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop b sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.'

PSALM XXII. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, 2 and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night 3 season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou 4 that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver 5 them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: 6 they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and 7 despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the 8 head, saying, d He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted 9 in him. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon 10 my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb thou art my God from my mother's belly. 11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is 128 none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong 13 bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped

upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roar14 ing lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is 15 melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to 16 death. For dogs have compassed me; the assembly my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my 17 hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they 18 look and stare upon me. They part my garments 19 among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste 20 thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword;

and the importance of obeying the call to the marriage: 21 h my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from -Mt. xxii. 1-14, § 84; xxv. 1-13, § 86.

CANA.

there was a Kanah' in the north of Asher, as well as this, Cana the lesser, in Galilee:- Jos. xix. 28, And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon.'

the word may mean zeal,' or 'possession. It was predicted that the prom. Seed, referred to above:-Is. lxii. 5. would inherit the Gentiles:-Is. liv. 3, 'For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.'

they were to be given possession of the gates of their enemies-Ge. xxii. 17, That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his ene

mies.'

Cana' is again introduced at Jno. iv. 46, § 14, p. 100, and xxi. 2, § 97, in connection with the name Nathanael; the two names together express the truth, God gives possession,' as:-Ps. xliv. 3, For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.'

2. DISCIPLES.-See Scrip. Illus.,' page opposite.

3. THEY HAVE NO WINE.

the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the 22 horns of the unicorns. I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I 23 praise thee. Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye 24 the seed of Israel. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, 25 he heard. My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear 26 him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live 27 for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the 28 nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the na29 tions. All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him and none can keep alive his own soul. 30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the 31 Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

wine had been promised in connection with the Lord's espousing a people to himself:-Ho. ii. 19-22. 19, And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. 20, I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. 21, And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; 22, and the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.'-Je. xxxi. 12, Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and a Heb. draweth forth. b Or, new wine. Heb. from Or, if he delight in him. Or, keptest me in safety.

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PSALM III.

The security of God's protection.

A Psalm of David, when he filed from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many 2 are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. 3 Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my 4 glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his 5 holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I 6 awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set them7 selves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the 8 teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belong eth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

my salvation. d Heb. he rolled himself on the LORD. 6 Heb. not a helper. A Heb. my only one.

PSALM V.

1 David prayeth, and professeth his study in prayer. 4 God favoureth not the wicked. 7 David, professing his faith, prayeth unto God to guide him, 10 to destroy his enemies, 11 and to preserve the godly.

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Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my medi2 tation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, 3 and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will 4 look up. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest 6 all workers of iniquity. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody 7 and deceitful man. But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy; and in thy 8 fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine 9 enemies; make thy way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepul10 chre; they flatter with their tongue. Destroy thou

them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; 11 for they have rebelled against thee. But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them 12 also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

PSALM VI.

1 David's complaint in his sickness. 8 By faith he tri umpheth over his enemies.

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ledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ.'-He v. 9, And being made
perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto
all them that obey him.'-1 Pe i. 14, As obedient chil-
dren, not fashioning yourselves according to the former
lusts in your ignorance.'
6. PURIFYING.
[ing:-Mk. vii. 2—5, § 44.
the Jews were very particular as to ceremonial cleans-
it was the subject of dispute between them and John's
disciples:-Jno. iii. 25, § 13, p. 89.

'divers washings'... had been imposed on them :-He. ix. 10, Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.'

9. WHICH DREW THE WATER KNEW:- If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God,' Jno. vii. 17, § 55-comp. ver. 5.

GENESIS XLIX. And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell 2 you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

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Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and 4 the excellency of power: unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruel6 ty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. 7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

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Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy 9 father's children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an 10 old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between gathering of the people be. Binding his foal unto the his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed grapes: his eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of white with milk.

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither 2 chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for 3 my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but 4 thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver 5 my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave 6 who shall give thee thanks? I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; 111 7 water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all 8 mine enemies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my 9 weeping. The LORD hath heard my supplication; 10 the LORD will receive my prayer. Let all mine euemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

4. WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH THEE?

an expression betokening a dislike at interference; used by David to the sons of Zeruiah:-2 Sa. xvi. 10, And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?'-xix. 22, And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?'

and to Jesus himself by two possessed with devils:-Mt. viii. 29, § 35. [—Mk. i. 24, § 17, p. 110. also by a man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue: Jesus taught in the place were he had been brought up, that the exercise of spiritual power was not under the direction of natural relationships :-Lu. iv. 23.9, § 15, p. 104.

MINE HOUR IS NOT YET COME

frequently in language like this is the time of his being delivered up unto death referred to; the hour is at hand?' -Mt. xxvi. 45, § 88.

'your hour:-Lu. xxii. 53, § 88.

'his hour was not yet come:-Jno. vii. 30; viii. 20, § 55.
'the hour is come:'-Jno. xii. 23, § 82.
'save me from this hour:'-ver. 27, § ib.

'Jesus knew that his hour was come:'-Jno. xiii. 1, § 87. 'being put to death,' &c.:-1 Pe. iii. 18, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.'

he thereby procured the means of cleansing his people from their sins, so that his church might be espoused to him in holiness:-Ep. v. 25-7. 25, Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,' &c.

not until which is the hour for his providing the promised abundance of joy and rejoicing, &c. :-Mt. xxvi. 29, § 87.

5. WHATSOEVER HE SAITH UNTO YOU, DO:-Lu. vi. 46-.9, § 27, Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?'-Ac. ix. 6, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?'-2 Co. x. 5, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the know

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Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.

Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two 15 burdens: and he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

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Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his 18 rider shall fall backward. I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

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Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by 21 Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. 23 a well; whose a branches run over the wall: the archers

have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated 24 him: but his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone 25 of Israel:) even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the 26 womb the blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

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Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them. And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a pos[Continued-see next page.]

a Heb. 'daughters.'

THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED, AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER:

JOHN ii. 5-9.

saith unto-her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Teμo kai σol. mine hour 5 is-not-yet-come. His mother saith unto-the servants, Whatsoever he-saith unto-you, 6 do it. And there-were set there six water-pots of-stone, after the manner-of-the7 purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto-them, 8 Fill the water-pots with-water. And they-filled-them-up to the-brim. And he-saith unto-them, Draw-out now, and bear unto-the governor-of-the-feast. And they-bare it. 9 When the ruler-of-the-feast had-tasted the water that-was-made yeyevnuevov wine, and knew not whence it-was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governorSCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

4. woman-see Note' below.

rejoicing, of which he will himself partake, as is imwhat have I to do with thee?-an expression betoken- plied in his saying, I will not drink henceforth of ing a dislike at interference; used by David to the this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it sons of Zeruiah, 2 Sa. xvi. 10; xix. 22-and to Jesus new with you in my Father's kingdom,' Mt. xxvi. 29, himself by two possessed with devils, Mt. viii. 29, § 35 § 87.. -also by a man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue, Mk. i. 24, § 17-Jesus taught in the place where he had been brought up, that the exercise of spiritual power was not under the direction of natural relationships, Lu. iv. 23-.9, § 15.

mine hour is not yet come-frequently in language like this is the time of his being delivered up unto death referred to: the hour is at hand,' Mt. xxvi. 45, § 88 your hour,' Lu. xxii. 53, § 88-'his hour was not yet come,' Jno. vii. 30; viii. 20, § 55- the hour is come,' xii. 23, § 82- save me from this hour, ver. 27, § ib. Jesus knew that his hour was come, xiii. 1, § 87-being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit,' I Pe. iii. 18, he thereby procured the means of cleansing his people from their sins, so that his church might be espoused to him in holiness, Ep. v. 25-.7-not until which is the hour for his providing the promised abundance of joy and

5. whatsoever he saith unto you, do- why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Lu. vi. 46-.9, § 27- Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Ac. ix. 6-bring every thought to the obedience of Christ,' 2 Co. x. 5- the author of eternal salvation children, not fashioning yourselves according to the unto all them that obey him,' He. v. 9-' as obedient former lusts in your ignorance,' 1 Pe. i. 14.

6. purifying-the Jews were very particular as to ceremonial cleansing, Mk. vii. 2-5, § 44-it was the subject of dispute between them and John's disciples, Jno. iii. 25, § 13-divers washings'... had been He. ix. 10. imposed on them until the time of reformation,'

9. which drew the water knew-if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God,' Jno. vii. 17, § 55-como. with ver. 5. NOTES.

4. Woman. This was a mild reproof of Mary for attempting to direct him in his power of working miracles. But it is evident that no disrespect was intended by the use of the term woman instead of mother. It is the same term by which he tenderly addressed Mary Magdalene after his resurrection, 'Woman, why weepest thou? ch. xx. 15, § 93, and his mother, when he was on the cross, xix. 26, § 91; comp. also Mt. xv. 28, § 45; Jn. iv. 21, § 13.

Mine hour is not yet come. pa here signifies the seasonable time,' or, the time for doing what you suggest is not yet come,' implying that he alone was the proper judge of that season, and would seize it, thus mixing comfort with mild reproof. The time would be when the wine was quite exhausted, whereby the reality of the miracle would be undoubted.

6. Waterpots. spiai. These were large vats or urns, from which the water was poured or drawn into lesser vessels for washing the hands and feet, see Lu. xi. 38, § 62. The guests washed their hands before they made their meal, which is still the constant practice of the Jews. The Jews had always in their houses vessels in which they kept water constantly ready for the ceremonial washings prescribed by the law and also for the observance of the purifications enjoined by the traditions of the elders.

Of the purifying. Of the washings or ablutions of the Jews. They were placed there after the usual manner of the Jews, for the various washings and minute rites of purifying themselves at their feasts, Mt. xv. 2, § 44, and for the formal washing of vessels and even articles of furniture, Lu. xi. 39, § 62; Mk. vii. 3, 4, § 44.

Containing two or three firkins, &c. μerpnтas, baths,' rendered by the same word in the Septuagint, 2 Ch. iv. 5. The firkin is about seven and a half gallons. We are not obliged to suppose that all the wine was drunk up; what was left would be acceptable to the new-married couple.

7. With water.

It was done by the servants, so that there might be no opportunity of saying that the disciples of Jesus had filled them with wine to produce the appearance of a miracle.

To the brim. To the top; full; so that no wine could be poured in to give the appearance of a mixture. Further, vessels were used for this miracle in which wine had not been kept. These pots were never used to put wine in, but simply to hold water for the various purposes of ablution. And again, if any wine had been left in the waterpots, the mixture. of water therewith would have deteriorated it, and it would have been worse than at the beginning.

8. Draw out now. This command was given to the servants. It shewed that the miracle had been immediately wrought. He willed it, and it was done. Unto the governor of the feast. Or, the director of the feast; namely, the person appointed to superintend the preparations for, and management of a feast; to examine the provisions and liquors brought forward, and pass among the guests to see that they were in want of nothing, and to give the necessary orders to the servants. He usually tasted the wine, to see if it were worthy of being set before the company.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

3 ver. Let us not rejoice in the embarrassments of others, but, having a sympathy with them, endeavour to procure the supply of their wants.

[4 ver. Let us beware of thinking that our natural relationships give us any claim to direct spiritual persons, in the exercise of supernatural gifts.]

Let us learn to ask God for things according to his will, patiently waiting his appointed time, which we shall always find the best.

5 ver. Whilst waiting his bestowment of the needful supply, let us at the same time be diligent in the use of whatsoever means he may appoint.

[6 ver. Let us cultivate both cleanliness of body, and purity of mind, whilst we eschew mere cere

monial washings, according to the traditions of the elders.]

[7 ver. May we, by the washing of water, by the word, be speedily prepared for sitting down as acceptable guests at the marriage supper of the Lamb, where the same truth which was for cleansing, we shall find to be cheering and invigorating-where we shall find that which was water changed into wine.]

7,8 ver. What we do, let us do it faithfully as unto the Lord, in whatsoever station of life we are, and we shall find a correspondent reward through grace.

9 ver. Those who are lowest in station, and have most to do under the direction of Christ, are likely to become the greatest witnesses of the power of Jesus.

CONSIDER YOUR WAYS.-Haggai i. 5—7.

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FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HATH SPOKEN IT.-Isaiah xl. 5.

THE LORD SHALL GO FORTH AS A MIGHTY MAN, HE SHALL STIR UP JEALOUSY LIKE A MAN OF WAR:

JOHN ii. 10-.2.

10 of-the-feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto-him, Every man at-the-beginning doth-set-forth good wine; and when men have-well-drunk μe@vo@wo, then that which 11 is worse eλasow: but thou hast-kept the good wine until now. This beginning ofmiracles Tny aрXY TWV ONLELWv did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested-forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

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Jesus goes down to Capernaum. John ii. 12.-[See Line from Cana to Capernaum.] After this he-went-down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they-continued there not many days.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

10. kept the good wine- we will remember thy love more than wine,' Ca. i. 4- drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved,' v. 1-the best wine for my beloved,' vii. 9-wines on the lees well refined,' Is. xxv. 6.

until now-great joy reserved for his people in the latter time, Ps. xiv. 7; Is. xii.; xxv. 9; xxx. 23-.6; xlix. 7-13; lii. 8-10; 1x. 5, 15; lxii. 8, 9; lxiii. 7; Ixiv. 4, 5: lxvi. 8-14; Je. xxxi. 3-5; xxxiii. 9-11, .4;

Zec. ii. 10-2; ix. 15-7; and comp. 1 Co. xiii. 9, 10,

with 2 Co. iii. 8-18-then shall the new song be sung, as in Ps. xxxiii. 3; xl. 3; xcvi.; xcviii.; cxlv.; Is. xlii. 9-12; Rev. v. 9, 10; xv. 3.

11. miracles-the power of performing works out of the ordinary course of nature was given to Moses, to attest the truth of his mission; first to Israel, Ex. iv. 1-9; and afterwards to Pharaoh, vii. 19-21-miracles also attested the truth of Jesus' mission, Jno. ii. 23; iii. 2, § 12; v. 36, § 23-but the greater witness remains to be given in the promised witness of the Spirit, when shall be the great joy already referred to, Jno. xvii. 20-.3, § 87-comp. with 1 Jno. i. 3, 4according to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things,' Mi. vii. 15.

manifested forth his glory-behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory,' De. v. 24-the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,' Is. xl. 5-it shall be revealed in his people, Is. xliii. 7, 21; xlv. 25; xlvi. 13-the manifestation of the sons of God greatly to be desired, Ho. i. 10, .1; Rom. viii. 19.

his disciples believed on him-see Jno. vii. 31, § 55; viii. 30, §ib. xi. 45, § 58; xiv. 11, § 87; xx. 30, .1, $100-his being glorified in his people is to be accompanied with increase of faith, greater submission to the Divine teaching, Is. xxix. 18-24, and with the universal proclamation of the everlasting gospel, Rev. xiv. 1-7-oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men !' Ps. cvii. 1-3, 8, 15, 21, 31, 42, .3.

12. his brethren-Jesus had brethren who did not believe in him, Jno. vii. 5, § 54-his disciples were more dear to him than his mother or his brethren after the flesh, Mt. xii. 46-.9, § 31; Lu. viii. 21, § 33his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas,' Mt. xiii. 55, .6, § 37-he sent to apprise the disciples, his brethren, of his resurrection, Jno. xx. 17, § 93, and appointed to meet them in Galilee, Mt. xxviii. 10, § 95-fulfilm., 1 Co. xv. 6 NOTES.

10. And when men have well drunk, &c. This is a general observation of what is customary when men have drunk freely, and the hilarity consequent incapacitates them for the nice discernment of the quality; and then they more easily take up with bad wine. Although the word usually denotes intoxica tion, it would be unjust and absurd to suppose that these guests had transgressed the rules of temperance. Good wine. This is a proof that no wine could have been in the water pots.

11. This beginning of miracles. This his first public miracle. This is declared by the sacred writer to be a miracle; that is, an exertion of Divine power, producing a change of the substance of water into wine, which no human power could do.

[Miracle. A miracle may bring forth certain phenomena, not at variance with the laws of nature, but operating in a new way; and it may, by a direct agency or omnipotence, produce phenomena which the common laws of nature never could produce. A miracle may be defined Every sensible deviation from, and every seeming contradiction to the laws of nature, so far as they are known to us.'-See ADDENDA, 'Miracle,' p. 80.]

Manifested forth his glory. Exhibited, shewed his power, and proper character as the Messiah; shewed that he had Divine power, and that God had certainly commissioned him. This is shewn to be a real miracle, by the following considerations: 1st. Real water was placed in the vessels. This the servants believed, and there was no possibility of deception. 2nd. The water was placed where it was not customary to keep wine. It could not be pretended that it was merely a mixture of water and wine. 3rd. It was judged to be wine without knowing whence it came. 4th. It was a change which nothing but a Divine power could effect. He that can change 10 ver. Jesus gives increase of blessing. They lose nothing who bid Jesus and his disciples to the feast. When he comes, he may come with trial and difficulty, but he will leave behind an abundant evidence of his goodness and power.

water into a substance like the juice of the grape must be clothed with Divine power.

His disciples. These were Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael. They were not yet called to be apostles. Probably James was among them, Believed on him. This does not mean that they did not before believe on him, but thus their faith was confirmed or strengthened. They saw a miracle; and it satisfied them that he was the Messiah. They believed on the testimony of John and from conversation with Jesus, ch. i. 35-51, § 10, pp. 70-.3. Now, they saw that he was invested with almighty power, and their faith was established.

There is no evidence that any who were present on that occasion drank too freely. Nor can an argument be drawn from this case in favour even of drinking wine, such as we have. The wine of Judæa was the pure juice of the grape, without any mixture of alcohol, and commonly weak and harmless. It was produce intoxication, commonly. Our wines are a the common drink of the people, and did not tend to mixture of the juice of the grape and of brandy, and often of infusions of various substances to give it colour and taste, and the appearance of wine. Those wines are often little less injurious than brandy: and the habit of drinking them should be classed with the drinking of all other liquid fires. Yet to the pure juice of the grape, in moderate quantities, the Scriptures make no objection. But after all, the experience of the world has shewn that water, pure water, is the most wholesome, and safe, and invigorating drink for man.'-Barnes.

12. On the brethren of our Lord, see § 37, ADDENDA.'

Not many days. The reason why he remained there no longer was that the passover was near. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

[Let us look forward to that anticipated hour of happiness and glory, when the marriage supper for the King's Son being come, his power to do wondrous things will indeed be made to appear, and the poor of his people will be abundantly fed and made joyful in the Lord.]

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If the Lord wrought so wondrously for an ordinary marriage in Galilee, how much more when his glory shall be revealed, and all flesh see together, when he shall provide on his mountain a feast for all people! Then shall there be wine on the lees well refined, and it will in truth be said, Thou hast kept the good wine until now.'

11 ver. Let us learn, as the disciples of Jesus, to trust in him that he knows his own set time best; and let us manifest our trust in him by our being ready, in preparation for that joyous solemnity, to do all his whole will.

LO, THIS IS OUR GOD.-Isaiah xxv. 9.

HE SHALL CRY, YEA, ROAR; HE SHALL PREVAIL AGAINST HIS ENEMIES.-Isaiah xlii. 13.

[GENESIS XLIX. continued.]

31 session of a buryingplace. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and 32 Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein 33 was from the children of Heth. And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

10. KEPT THE GOOD WINE UNTIL NOW:-Is. xxv. 6, And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.'

we shall be saved.'-lxvi. 8-14. 8, Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 9, Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. 10, Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11, that ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the & abundance of her glory. 12, For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye great joy reserved for the people in the latter time: shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her Ps. xiv. 7, Oh that the salvation of Israel trere come knees. 13, As one whom his mother comforteth, so will out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivi- I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. ty of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be 14, And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and glad.'-Is. xii.-see p. (33).-xxv. 9, And it shall be said your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have indignation toward his enemies.'-Je. xxxi. 3-5-see p. waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salva- (39). 3, The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saytion.'-xxx. 23-6. 23, Then shall he give the raining, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 4, bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virplenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pas- gin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabtures. 24, The oxen likewise and the young asses that rets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath merry. 5, Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mounbeen winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. 25, tains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon them as common things.'-xxxiii. 9-11, .4. 9, And it every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour beof the great slaughter, when the towers fall. 26, More- fore all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the over the light of the moon shall be as the light of the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremsun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the ble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up procure unto it. 10, Thus saith the LORD; Again there the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desowound.'-xlix. 7-12. 7, Thus saith the LORD, the Re- late without man and without beast, even in the cities of deemer of Israel, and his Holy One, a to him whom man Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desodespiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a serv- late, without man, and without inhabitant, and without ant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall beast, 11, the voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. 8, Thus voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the people, to bestablish the earth, to cause to inherit the de- captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.' solate heritages; 9, that thou mayest say to the prison- 14, Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I ers, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew your will perform that good thing which I have promised selves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.'shall be in all high places. 10, They shall not hunger Zec. ii. 10-2. 10, Sing and rejoice, O daughter of nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even thee, saith the LORD. 11, And many nations shall be by the springs of water shall he guide them. 11, And I joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: will make all my mountains a way, and my highways and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt shall be exalted. 12, Behold, these shall come from far: know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and 12, And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the these from the land of Sinim.'-lii. 8-10. 8,Thy holy land, and shall choose Jerusalemn again.'-ix. 15—7, watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice to- "The LORD of hosts shall defend,' &c.-see ch. ix. p. (29). gether shall they sing for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. 9, Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeem--with 2 Co. iii. 8-18. . . . ed Jerusalem. 10, The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.'-lx. 5, 15. 5, Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the d forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.' 15, Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.'-lxii. 8, 9. 8, The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: 9, but they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.'-lxiii. 7, I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.xiv. 4, 5. 4,For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for hin. 5, Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and "Or, to him that is despised in soul. b Or, raise up. d Or, wealth. Or, seen a God beside thee, which doeth so for him, &c. hOr, have I extended lovingkindness unto thee. i Heb. a kingdom of all ages. Р

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compare 1 Co. xiii. 9, 10. 9, For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10, But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.' 'How shall not

the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious ?' &c. then shall the new song be sung, as in:-Ps. xxxiii. 3, Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.'-xl. 3, And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.'-xcvi.-see p. (80); xcviii. see p. (50).

PSALM CXLV. I will extol thee, my God, O king; 2 and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for 3 ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be 4 praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall 5 declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible 7 acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, 8 and shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and 9 of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his 10 tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless 11 thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, 12 and talk of thy power; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his 13 kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, [Continued-see next page.]

Or, noise of the sea shall be turned toward thee. /Or, beget. B Or, brightness.

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