of the LORD, saying, 26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for 1a witness against thee. r vites, which bare the ark of the covenant || speak these words in their ears, and a ca heaven and earth to record against them. 29 For I know that after will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn my death ye aside from the way which I have commanded you: and evil will befal you in the latter days, because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. 27 Form I know thy rebellion, and thy " stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death? 28 P Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may i See on 9. k 1 Kings 8:9. 2 Kings 22:811. 2 Chr. 34:14,15. 1 See on 19.-2 Kings 22:1319. Rom. 3:19,20. Gal. 2:19. m 32:20. n See on 9:6.-Ex. 32:9. 2 Chr. o See on 9:24. P See on 12.-29:10. Ex. 18:25. Moses repeated to him the very words of God, and in his name. (14.-Notes, Josh. 1:1-8.) t 30 And Moses "spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended. q 4:26.-See on 30:19.-32:1. Is. r 32:5. Judg. 2:19. Is. 1:4. s 28:15,&c. 29:18-28. Lev. 26: 14,&c. Luke 19:42-44. 21:24 t 4:30. Gen. 49:1. Job 19:25 Ez. 38:8. 1 Tim. 4:1. 2 Tim 3:1. Heb. 1:2. 2 Pet. 3:3. u See on 4:5.-John Acts 20:27. Heb. 3:2,5. V. 14-29. 12:49. Not only the bulk of mankind, but even the charges, to engage them steadily in the work of best of men need repeated encouragements and God, especially in arduous and perilous services V. 26. In the side of the ark.] In a coffer, or box, without the ark. (Marg Ref. k.)-This appears to have been a correct and authentic copy of the five books of Moses, probably written within his own hand; which would be reserved, that, in case of errors or disputes, or defect of other copies, it might be referred to, and would be a witness against the sins of Israel, whenever it was examined. This is an express declaration, that Moses himself was the writer of the whole law, in that very form, in which it was kept by the priests in the sanctuary. (Note, 2 Kings 22:8-14.) V. 29. These repeated declarations were in fact prophecies, which have been accomplishing ever since. (Marg. Ref.) PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-13. It is very profitable for us to consider how life passes; and how much of our day is spent, in proportion to the progress made in the work allotted us; that we may be the more earnest in preparing for our final account, and in rendering our remaining services to the church and to the world. -Even when old age is healthy and vigorous, we should remember, that the limits of human life are fixed, by him who hath denounced the sentence of death against us. Nor need we, if believers, desire to live in this world; for we must feel pain, experience conflict and temptation, and witness iniquity, while we continue here: and when our journey is ended, and our victory completed, God will raise up other instruments by which to carry on his great designs; and be himself the everliving Guardian of those, about whom we are most affectionately anxious. We have only to do our work, and if able, to be doubly active when the shadows of the evening approach; and, with all our influence and zeal, endeavor to impress divine truths upon our survivors, confirming our living profession with our dying testimony.-Satan constantly aims to embolden men in sin, and intimidate them from duty: we should therefore animate ourselves and each other to obedience, and awe our minds from sin, by meditating on the promises and denunciations of God's word.-But the human heart is so insensible, that every method should be tried, to keep up a due attention to the truths, precepts, and worship of God among men: and all opportunities should be embraced, and every avenue to the heart seized, to excite some useful conviction, and to stir up the remembrance of some forgotten doctrine or neglected duty. (Note, 2 Pet. 1:12—15.) this evil world.-But the Lord will never fail fore be strong and of a good courage, however nunor forsake such as trust in him: they may theremerous, malicious, or powerful their enemies are; shall certainly triumph over all opposition, till for in such a cause, and with such a Helper, they every promise in the book of God has been accomplished. Every former mercy, to the church successes, and they are "encompassed with a or to themselves, warrants the assurance of future cloud of witnesses" who unitedly testify the achievements of faith.-To the priests, the Lord's ministers, is the written word of God especially committed, to be by them preserved and delivered uncorrupted unto the people; and men, women, children, and strangers should be diligently instructed from it, that they may learn to fear and serve God in the obedience of faith. Every ordinance, every copy of the Scriptures, every faithful sermon, every pious book, every psalm or hymn, which is printed, read, or sung, nay the very words of men's own mouths, will rise up in judgment and bear witness for God against those, who, notwithstanding all, forsake him and commit iniquity. And to his holy abhorrence of sin we must ascribe all the miseries which are endured on earth, as well as the torments which are reserved for the wicked in hell.-Alas! that the liberality of the Lord should occasion increasing ungodliness; and that prosperity should generate ingratitude! Hence it becomes necessary for the Lord to correct those most, whom he loves best; and hence we have all need to fear prosperity more than the severest affliction, and to be doubly watchful and instant in prayer under the smiles of Providence. (P. O. 6: latter part. P. O. 8: ibid.)-The more accurately wise and holy men have studied, and the longer they have observed human nature, comparing it with the word of God, the more they have perceived and lamented its proneness to rebellion: and when the most powerful restraints fail to deter men from sin, with what impetuosity will they rush into it when left to follow their own inclinations! But if we grieve to see the present prevalence of wickedness, and entertain gloomy apprehensions of yet increasing ungodliness; let us remember that thus it was with Moses, with the apostles, and with most of those who have served God, and their generation: and having used our influence, and poured out our prayers, to prevent it as much as we can; let us leave the matter with him who will maintain his own cause, and who is "able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” NOTES. CHAP. XXXII. V. 1. This bold and poetical invocation of the heavens and the earth, or the whole creation, to attend to what was about to be spoken, and to judge between the Lord and his worshippers, was adapted, and intended, to convey a strong idea of the vast importance of the subject, and to awaken the seriousness and attention of all who should hear or read it. (Marg. Ref.) d Ex. 3:13-16. 6:3. 20:24. 34: e 5:24. 1 Chr. 17:19,21. 29:11. f 18,30,31. 1 Sam. 2:2. 2 Sam. g Gen. 1:31. Ps. 18:30. 19.7 138:8. Matt. 5:42. Jam. 1 17. h 10:18. Gen. 18:25. 1 Sam. 2. 3. Job 8:3. 35:14. Ps. 9:15 97:2.99:4. 101: 1. 1636. ks. sh 18. Jer. 9.24. Dan. 4.37. Ja 5:22,23. Rom. 1:22. 2.3.5. Jam. 4:12. Rev. 15:3,4. i Ex. 34:6. Ps. 31:5 61.7.16 10. 98:3. 100:5, 146.6. Is. 21 Jer. 10:10. John 1:14,17. 146 k Job 34:10-12. Ps. 92.5. Hab. 1:13. Rom. 3:5. and is complete, in its kind and for its use, and to fill its appointed station in the grand scale of ex istence. Every providential dispensation is perfectly expressive of his divine justice, truth, goodness, and wisdom. His law is perfectly holy, just, and good; and is exactly suited to answer the ends which he proposed in giving it: his gospel is perfect also, and suited to answer still nobler and more important ends. The Mosaic dispensation was perfectly adapted to its purpose for the appointed period. The New Testament dispensa tion has a higher and more enlarged kind of per fection. Every part of the universal plan is per fectly fitted to the station which it occupies, and V. 2. As the rain and dew, gently distilling, the whole is a perfect plan, and will at length be soften the earth and produce a beautiful verdure perfectly executed; as will every work which and fertility; so this song tended, and the inspired God has begun: nor could any alteration be made writer aimed, to soften the Israelites into repent-in any of his works, without proportionably deance, and gently to insinuate into their minds those good instructions, which, by the divine blessing, might render them fruitful in good works, and prosperous in the LORD's favor: and such would be the effect as to many. (Marg. Ref.) -Some interpret the former clause of the judgments of God which like torrents of impetuous rain sweep down all before them; and observe that the effect of this song was to hasten and aggravate the miseries of obstinate sinners, by rendering their conduct more inexcusable. ducting from their excellency. All real defect arises from another quarter, from apostasy and rebellion, and their consequences. Much imagined defect is real excellence; and the objections made to it are the offspring of pride and ignorance. If that which suits its place, and answers the intention of its Maker, were advanced to a higher rank of beauty and dignity, its relative excellence would be destroyed. So long as the distinction between the infinite and absolute perfection of the Creator, and the finite capacities of the creaV. 3. To "publish the name of the LORD," is ture, remains, there can be no end of such vain to delineate the glorious perfections and charac-attempts of increasing created perfection by adter of JEHOVAH, even of that God whom the Israelites forsook for their worthless idols. (Notes, Ex. 34:5-7. Matt. 11:25-27. 28:19,20. John 1:18. 17:25,26.)-To "ascribe greatness unto our God," is to acknowledge his self-existence, eternity, omnipresence, omniscience, almighty power, and universal absolute authority. (Marg. Ref.Notes, 1 Chr. 29:10-19. Dan. 4:1-3,34-37. Matt. 6:13. Rom. 11:33-36.) vancing it to superior dignity: and the idea leads to the supposition of a perfect kingdom, where all are rulers and none subjects. These things should not be overlooked by those on the one hand, who are continually discovering supposed defects in the works of God, without knowing the intention of the great Contriver; nor on the other hand by those, who speak of reason and of the law of God, when distinguishing them from revelation and V. 4. "He is the Rock." This is the first time from the gospel, in such degrading language, as God is called a Rock in Scripture: and the ex- seems to imply, either that God is not the Giver pression seems to denote, that his unchangeable of them, or that things opposite to each other may power, faithfulness, and love, as revealed in the proceed from the same immutable Fountain of promised Savior, form an immoveable foundation, light, truth, and holiness. These were intended, on which we may build our hopes of felicity; and and are calculated, for distinct purposes; and that under his protection we may find refuge from man's perversion of them is alone to be found fault all our enemies, and in all our troubles: as the rocks with.-"All his ways are judgment." All the in those countries frequently sheltered the inhab-dealings of God with his rational creatures are itants from the heat of the sun, from impetuous regulated by infallible wisdom and perfect justempests, and from hostile invasions. (Notes, 30, tice. "He is a God of truth," of entire veracity, 31. 1 Sam. 2:1,2. 2 Sam. 22:2,3. Ps. 61:1,2. Is. sincerity, and fidelity:-"and without iniquity:" 32:1,2. Matt. 16:18.)--"His work is perfect." Ab- never using his power or authority to oppress or solute perfection is in God alone: relative perfec-injure any; never requiring more than his due; tion is all that belongs to creatures; and it belongs never punishing any of his innumerable subjects to them all, as he at first made them; to a worm as who have not deserved it, or above their deserts. much as to an archangel. Every work of God is And "just and right is he:" none therefore can the result of perfect goodness, the contrivance of have any cause to revolt against him, as the world perfect wisdom, and the effect of perfect power; in general, and as Israel in particular, had done 604]. * m 5 They have 'corrupted themselves; || 8 When the Most High divided to their spot is not the spot of his children: the nations their inheritance, when he they are a perverse and crooked gene-separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. ration. 6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy Father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? 8 с 9 For the LORD's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He a found him in a desert land, 7 Remember the days of old, consid- and in the waste howling wilderness: he er the years of many generations: ask led him about, he instructed him, he thy father, and he will shew thee; thy el-kept him as the apple of his eye. ders, and they will tell thee. 11 As an eagle stirreth up d her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings; Heb. He hath corrupted to himself. 1 See on 4:16, 31:29. Gen. 6:12. -Ex. 327. Judg. 2:19. Is. 1: 4. Hos. 9:9. Zeph. 3:7. 2 Cor. 11:3. p Ex. 4:22,23. Is. 63:16. Mal. 1:6. Luke 15:18-20. John 8: 41. Rom. 8:14,15. Gal. 3:26. 4:6. 1 John 3:1. q Ex. 15:16. Ps. 74:2. Is. 43:3, 4. Acts 20:28. 1 Cor. 6:20. 7: 23. 2 Pet. 2:1. r 15. Job 10:8,9. Ps. 95:6. 100: 3. 149:2. Is. 27:11. 43:7. 44:2. s Job 20:4. Ps. 44:1. 77:5. 119: 52. Is. 63:11. Lam. 5:21. Heb. generation and generation. Ps. 10:6, 77:8. marg. t 4:32. Ex. 13:14. Judg. 6:13. Job 8:9-10. Ps. 44:1. 77:5,6, 11,12. 78:3,4. Is. 46:9. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Ps. 25:8,9. Is. 45:20-25. Mic. 7:18-20.) V. 5. "The work of God is perfect:" so that sin and its effects cannot originate from him. The rebellious Israelites therefore "corrupted themselves," and must bear the blame of their perverse ingratitude. (Notes, Jam. 1:13-18.)-The worshippers of God are in general called his children. But the wickedness of Israel, notwithstanding the many judgments and mercies, and the warnings and encouragements, which concurred to deter them from sin and bring them to repentance, frequently manifested that they were indeed the children of another father, whose hateful image they bore.-The marginal reading implies, that it was their blot, or disgrace, that they were not the children of God; these indeed have their spots and blemishes, but habitual unrepented sin is not one of them. The words of John the Baptist, of Christ, and of his apostles, to the Jews who rejected the gospel, form an instructive comment on this verse. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Matt. 3:7-10. 23:13-33. John 8:37-47. Acts 7: 51-53. 13:38-41.) V. 6. God had acted as a Father to Israel, though they had renounced the relationship of children to him by their apostacy and idolatry, and were "not worthy to be called his sons." (Noles, Is. 63:7-10,15-19. 64:6-8.) He had created them men; he had ransomed them from Egypt by desolating that country; and he had formed them into a church and nation incorporated with special privileges: so that the folly of their rebellions was equal to the ingratitude of them; for they could not injure the Lord, but would inevitably ruin themselves. V. 7. This song would be in the mouth of great numbers who were unacquainted with the books of Moses, or had not access to them: they were therefore called upon in it to inquire of their fathers and elders, concerning their original many ages before; who would inform them of the distinguishing kindness which God had shewn to their progenitors, and to the children for their sakes. This might both stir them up to the study of the Scriptures, as far as they had opportunity; and discover to them, in general, their obligations, both of gratitude and interest, to adhere to the worship and service of JEHOVAH. (Note, 31:19.) V. 8. When, according to the purpose of "the u Num. 24:16. Ps. 7:17. 50:14. 82:6. 91:1,9. 92:8. Is. 14:14. Dan. 4:17,24,25. 5:18. Acts 7: 48. x Gen. 10:25,32. 11:9. Ps. 115: 16. Acts 17:26. y Gen. 10:15-19. 15:18-21. z 26:18,19. Ex. 15:16. 19:5,6. 1 Sam. 10:1. Ps. 135:4. Is. 43: 21. Jer. 10:16. 51:19. Eph. 1: 18. 1 Pet. 2:9,10. Heb. cord. Mic. 2:5. Ps. a 8:15,16, Neh. 9:19-21. 107:4,5. Cant. 8:5. Jer. 2:6. Hos. 13:5. || Or, compassed him about. b 4:36. Neh. 9:20. Ps. 32:710. 147:19,20. Rom. 2:18. 3:2. c Ps. 17:8. Prov. 7:2. Zech. 2:8. d Ex. 19:4. Is. 31:5. 40:31. Rev. 12:14. Most High," the earth was divided in the days of Peleg among the descendants of Adam and Noah; (Note, Gen. 11:1,2.) JEHOVAH SO over-ruled it, according to his secret designs of love to Israel, that the posterity of accursed Canaan should have that land, which he had selected as the suitable and sufficient portion of the descendants of Abra. ham, Isaac, and Jacob: foreseeing that, by the time these would multiply into a nation, the Canaanites would fill up the measure of their iniquities, and merit utter extirpation. Thus Israel received their portion in a high state of cultivation, and replenished with cities, towns, and villages, prepared for their reception. V. 9. That part of the human race which the Lord peculiarly values and cultivates, as a man does his own estate, and from which he receives his whole revenue of spiritual worship and willing obedience, was typified by Israel, and was under that dispensation chiefly found among that people. (Marg. Ref. Jer. 10:16. 1 Pet. 2:9,10.) V. 10. Israel was first formed into a nation, in a desolate wilderness, where nothing was heard before but the howling of the beasts of prey. Here the Lord chose that people, covenanted with them, and became their King; and under his government, guidance, and protection, they were preserved and provided for: and though he led them about in the desert during forty years, the time was not lost; for there he instructed and trained them for the conquest and possession of the promised land. And when the Amalekites, Arad, Balak, and others, attempted to injure them, his power enclosed them about and kept them safe; even as the apple, or pupil, of the eye is preserved, both by the wise contrivance of the Creator, and by the jealous care of the possessor, from external violence. (Marg. Ref.)-It is remarkable that in the original of this sublime specimen of ancient poetry, the future and past tenses are so interchanged, that the reader is sometimes led back to the times of the patriarchs, and views the deliverance of Israel and the transactions that followed as future:-"He shall find, &c." At others, he is suddenly carried forward to distant ages, and witnesses the predictions as already accomplished. Thus he is made as it were a spectator of all the events which are spoken of, and a witness of the divine glory, and of Israel's perverseness, in every part of them. fine, the sacred writer calls it "the fat of kidneys of wheat:" and the production of the red or purple grape, resembling the color of blood, is call ed "the pure blood of the grape." Butter, &c.] The use of butter was very an 'cient among the Hebrews; though but lately known to the Greeks.' Bp. Patrick. (Marg, Ref. i.) V. 11, 12. The eagle is remarkable for her tender care of her young, and for the pains that she uses, and the methods which she employs, in teaching them to fly; stirring them up out of the nest, fluttering in the air over them to shew them how to use their wings, and even carrying them upon her own wings: so that in order to destroy the young eagles, the body of the old one must on some occasions first be pierced. Thus the Lord, V. 15. The word "Jeshurun" seems to mean, by the message of Moses and Aaron, excited and|| The upright one; and Israel was such by profesencouraged the enslaved Israelites to leave||sion, and comparatively so in reality, for some Egypt, and effectually assisted and protected time: but when greatly prospered, the people dethem in so doing. And by the gospel, and the in-generated, and grew untractable and rebellious; fluence of the Holy Spirit, he excites sinners to leave Satan's bondage, and instructs, defends, and effectually assists them. The last circumstance of the eagle's tender care of her young is beautifully emblematical of his love, who interposed between divine justice and our guilty souls, and "bare our sins in his own body on the tree." In both Testaments, young birds, taken care of by the old one, are emblems of the church's safety under the Redeemer's protection: but in the Old Testament the eagle is selected as descriptive of his power; in the New, the hen is substituted, as most expressive of his condescension and grace. (Notes, Ex. 19:4. Matt. 23:37—39.)|| None of the gods of the nations had the least share in those wonderful works of love, which JEHOVAH Wrought for Israel: how absurd and base then was it to join them with him, or prefer them to him, as the objects of their worship! V. 13. The Lord caused Israel, as a triumphant conqueror riding in grand procession, to possess the fortified cities and inaccessible mountains, which the Canaanites thought secure from their assaults. In this fertile land, the rocky parts which were the least valued, and which in other countries are generally unproductive, by the peculiar blessing of God afforded them great quantities of the finest honey and oil. (Marg. Ref.)The preceding verses referred to previous events: but here prediction evidently begins; being written in the past tense by way of anticipation, but expressly for the use of future ages. like the cattle that kick against the goad, instead of being excited by it to labor. (Note, 1 Sam. 2: 29.) They used their abundance intemperately, and grew proud and luxurious. This rendered them forgetful of God and ungrateful to him, and indisposed them for his spiritual worship and boly service: (Note, Is. 6:9,10.) in proportion, they became attached to the sensual worship of filthy idols, to which they apostatized, forsaking and lightly esteeming their great and gracious Benefactor: and when they were reproved by the prophets, or corrected by the Lord, they were fired with indignation and revolted more and more. (Note, Is. 1:5,6.) V. 17. The word, rendered devils, means destroyers: and such the false gods proved to their worshippers, instead of benefactors. Thus Satan is called by the apostle Abaddon and Apollyon, the one of which in Hebrew, and the other in Greek, signifies a destroyer: (Note, Rev. 9:11.) and our Lord says "he was a murderer from the beginning." (John 8:44.) Apostate spirits therefore are evidently meant: and indeed the whole system of idolatry, and of every species of false religion, ultimately centres in the worship and service of Satan; who, as the proud rival of God, ambitiously aspires to be the god and king of this world. Not only were the evil genii of the heathens in reality devils; but their good genii also, and all their demons or gods, as far as they had any distinct existence. Whether a mere phantom, or some peculiar demon under the naine of V. 14. The language of this song, according to|| Baal or Jupiter, or some deceased hero, or the the genius of poetry, especially the Eastern poe-virtues and vices, were worshipped under these try, abounds with bold metaphors which some-images; the things which were sacrificed unto times obscure the meaning: but this verse may serve as a specimen, according to which others less perspicuous must be interpreted. A grain of wheat, being shaped somewhat like the kidney, which is surrounded in cattle with the choicest fat, and the wheat of Canaan being remarkably || them, "were sacrificed unto devils:" and it is reasonable to suppose, that the same word should in an idolater's vocabulary be used in a good sense, as signifying a deity, which in the word of God, and in the language of his worshippers, signifies a demon, or devil. (Marg.Ref.-Note, 1 Cor. 10 18 Ofy the Rock that begat thee thou|| voke them to anger with a foolish naart unmindful, and hast forgotten God tion. that formed thee. 22 For a fire is kindled in mine an k 19 And when the LORD saw it, heger, and shall burn unto the lowest abhorred them, because of the provok- hell, and shall consume the earth with ing of his sons and of his daughters. her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. b 20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. 21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people, I will pro y See on 4,15. z 6:12. 8:11,14,19. Ps. 9:17. 44: *Or, despised. Lam. 2:6. b Ps. 82:6,7. Is. 12. Jer. 11:15. c See on 31:17,18.-Job 13:24. 34:29. Ps. 104:29. Is. 64:7. Jer. 18:17. Hos. 9:12. d See on 5.-Is. 65:2—5. Matt. e 2 Chr. 20:20. Is. 7:9. 30:9. n m 23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. 24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send P the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of 4 serpents of the dust. 29:20. Num. 16:35. Ps. 21:9. 83:14. 97:3. Is. 66:15,16. Jer. k 29:23. Is. 24:6,19,20, 1 Job 9.5,6. Ps. 46:2. 144:5. m 28:15,&c. Lev. 26:18,24,28. Is. 24:17.18. Jer. 15:2,3. Ez. 14:21. Matt. 24:7,8. a Ps. 7:12,13. Lam. 3:13. Ez. 5:16. o 28:53-57. Jer. 14:18. Lam. 4:4-9. 5:10. Heb. burning coals. Ps. 18:12 -14. 120:4. Hab. 3:5. p Lev. 26:22. Jer. 15.3. 16:4. tion is disowned. (5)--Having received their natural and national existence, and all their peculiar advantages, from the Lord, they so provoked him by multiplied idolatries, that he abhorred, or disdained them, and as it were turned them out of his house; and declared that he would withdraw his protection and withhold his wonted interposition in their favor: and even afterwards, whilst they groaned under their miseries, that he would look on as an unconcerned spectator, until they were brought to the utmost extremities; because they were a froward and perverse generation, destitute alike of faith and faithfulness. (Marg. Ref.Notes, Lev. 26:30. Is. 63:10. Zech. 11:7-9.) 18--22.) In this system of Satan, old gods, or "new gods that newly came up," "(what a monstrous absurdity!) the deification of living as well as of deceased men, the change from one idolatry || to another in ceaseless variety, equally suited his purpose. This explains the secret of that intercommunity of gods and religions, which the liberal and candid Heathens (as many now affect to call them,) universally allowed of, but which the bigoted Jews would not conform to; who were therefore hated and despised for their uncharitable singularity, by which they condemned all their neighbors. The Jews were indeed faulty in despising and hating the Gentiles, and were really chargeable with bigotry in some respects: yet the V. 21. (Marg. Ref.—Notes, Ex. 20:5. 34:11worshippers of JEHOVAH Could not possibly have 17.) Many of the judgments inflicted on the ofany intercommunity with the worshippers of the fending Israelites, by the Canaanites, Philistines, devil; Satan himself would have aimed at no more,|| Midianites, Chaldeans, and others, might form a and the whole law of God forbad it. For the partial accomplishment of this prediction: but the same reason, different modes of irreligion, or false apostle applies it, no doubt most justly, to the religion, may admit of this candid intercommuni- calling of the Gentiles into the church. (Rom. 10: ty; but true Christianity cannot thus be warped: 19.)--The Jews, proud of their abused privileges, and therefore many, who pride themselves upon had not only treated the heathen as foolish and their candor and liberality of sentiment, can scarce- vile, which, as given up to base idolatries, they ly find words sufficiently to express their contempt doubtless were; but even as dogs compared with of those bigots, who explicitly declare that there themselves, to whom as children they supposed is but one way of a sinner's acceptance and sanc- that all spiritual blessings exclusively and unaltitication; and that no man, who is not interested terably belonged: (Note, Matt. 15:25-28.) and it in the merits and atoning sacrifice of the divine therefore provoked the jealousy of the Jews to a Savior, and a partaker of his regenerating Spirit, degree of indignant rage, to see them enter into can possibly obtain heaven, or escape condemna-the church, and admitted to equal privileges with tion, whatever be his moral character among men. Yet all Christians should maintain this scriptural ground: and then by shewing others all civil respect and tender kindness; by manifesting continually a disposition to sympathize with them, and a readiness to relieve them, with modesty and of God are here represented under the metaphor courteousness; they should endeavor to convince of a fire, which, kindled upon the surface of the them that, not proud bigotry and uncharitable severity, but regard to the truth of God's word, and earth, should burn even to its centre; and, accorda reluctance to do any thing to buoy up the ground-ing to a very general notion of the ancients, quite less hopes of those who neglect the great salvation of the gospel, influence them in making this profession. (Notes, 2 Cor. 6:14-18. 2 John 7-11.) V 18. God the author of thy being; who ""formed thee" into a kingdom of priests.' Bp. Patrick. (Notes, 4,30,31.) V. 19, 20. The Israelites are called "the sons and daughters" of JEHOVAH in respect to privilege; while, because of their character, that rela themselves. This eventually tended to their own entire exclusion; and has even to this very day exceedingly exasperated them against Christianity. (Note, 1 Thes. 2:13-16.) V. 22. The tremendous effects of the wrath through to the place of miserable departed spirits. The word here used, (. ¡ons, Sept.) signifying 'the unseen state,' seems to intimate that the wrath of God would pursue its objects, after death, to that place "where their worm never dieth, and the fire is not quenched." (Note, Ps. 16:8—11.) Lowest hell. Note, Ps. 86:12,13. V. 24. Serpents of the dust.] Or, serpents 'which crawl upon and lick the dust.'-(The word |