often identical in nature to the above; while I have no doubt that the air of the ancient chant of 'Maneros' is still preserved in the plaintive notes of modern Egyptians." It is, however, more to our purpose to find in this threshing-song, which may have been heard by Moses himself, one reason for the command, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn."

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth, which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak" (Heb. vi. 4–9). By means of this striking figure, the apostle presents very boldly before us the danger of neglecting privileges. Those who receive line upon line of doctrine, and who stand in the midst of blessings-hearkening to the former, enjoying the latter-are compared to the earth, whose fruitfulness is the answer to the fertilizing rays of the sun, the distilling of the dew, and the dropping of the clouds. It answers the Creator's purpose, and thus receives blessing from God. But those who as partakers of the same revelation, admitted to the same privileges, and summoned to the enjoyment of the same hope, do nevertheless meet all this with ingratitude or open sin, and bring forth fruits to themselves, are likened to the well-watered earth whose only return is briers and thorns. Its end is to be burned. This last thought leads to the very earnest and heart-sprung cry-" Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you."