risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above; not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Col. iii. 1-4.) Now, mark what follows. The mortification of all earthly members, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Then follows the putting off, also, all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Then, in the next place, all lying is laid aside, because the old man is put off with his deeds, and the new man is put on, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him, where Christ is all and in all.

What shall we say to these things? Is not the gospel a most blessed provision indeed? Is it not as certainly calculated to promote the purity and happiness of men here in this world, as to ensure their blessedness and glory in the world to come? Let all, then, receive it. Let all welcome the Saviour. Let all rely on his grace. Let all seek the full enjoyment of his free and full salvation.

CHAPTER XXIII.

1 Who may or may not enter into the congregation. 9 Uncleanness to be avoided in the host. 15 Of the fugitive servant. 17 Of filthiness. 18 Of abominable sacrifices. 19 Of usury. 21 Of vows. 24 Of trespasses.

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E that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:

4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

5 Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy

God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee. 6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their 'prosperity all thy days for ever.

7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

8 The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.

9 ¶ When the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing.

10 ¶ If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:

11 But it shall be, when evening 'cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

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12 ¶ Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad: 13 And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:

14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no 'unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. 15 ¶ Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:

16 He shall dwell with thee, eren among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it 'liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.

17 There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

19¶ Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 21 ¶ When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it:

for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

24 When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.

25 When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn.

THE laws and regulations enjoined in this chapter are to be considered in their ceremonially typical character in accordance with all the rest. There can be no doubt that Israel was to be a holy people unto the Lord. They were to be holy in heart and life. This they were taught by a pleasing variety of rules, to be observed in their external demeanour, for the inward government of their heart in the sight of God. Thus we read every part of their observances for our own profit.

We may bless God that no bodily defect can exclude any man from the salvation of Christ and the service of God. Nothing but sin can destroy the soul. Nothing but unbelief can prevent its being saved. But, in seeking the Lord for his mercy, and in serving him for his love's sake, there must be an upright mind and a whole heart. Defect here is fatal. A maimed soul, in respect of sincerity and uprightness before God, cannot enter the congregation of the Lord's accepted people.

The same might be observed of the second case named in this chapter. Illegitimate intercourse is a great sin; but illegitimate offspring may be saved. Publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of heaven before many others. (Matt. xxi. 31.) But a spurious repentance, or a false faith, or a professed obedience not begotten according to the spirit and order of the gospel, will shut men out.

The ceremonies of the law looked at the outward act; the gospel reaches the state of the heart.

And why should not an Ammonite or Moabite enter the congregation of the Lord, even to the tenth generation? Was it because they were such by nation? No; the prohibition was founded on the spirit they evinced, namely, their unkindness to the people of God, and their anxiety to curse them. Ruth, who stands in the lineal genealogy of Christ, was one of that country; but she had another mind. She loved the people of God, and became one of the number. It is the feeling and action of the heart God looks at, and is guided by; and not by national distinction of kindred or people. (Matt. i. 5.)

Again: here is the case of the Edomite. Why was he not to be abhorred? and why might his children of the third generation enter into the congregation of the Lord? Two reasons are given. He is thy brother. They dwelt unmolested in his land, that is, by the way. There may be separations and divisions in some respects; and there may be union and concord in others. If any man be your brother in Christ, you are bound to receive, and not reject him. If any man shew kindness to you, the law of love demands a kind return (v. 7, 8).

Again, why were they enjoined to abstain from every wicked thing when they went forth against their enemies to battle? And why were they to be so circumspect in avoiding every approach to offensive uncleanness? Is not the reason plain? Can iniquity prosper? Does not God hate sin? Should you not avoid throwing stumbling blocks in the way of others; and be cautious and circumspect in all your demeanour? (v. 10-14.)

Further: Why was all oppression to be avoided? Why were wicked characters not to be countenanced? Why was no exaction to be exercised over the necessities of others? Why were they to be so careful in their solemn professions? Why so tender of their neighbour's property? Doubtless, that the law of truth and love may have its happy sway, and produce its lovely fruits. Let a sinner taste the pardoning love of God in Christ, and these lessons will soon be learnt and practised. That love will constrain the

happy believer to live unto him who died for him and rose again. That love will work no ill to his neighbour, but will seek to do him every good. God looketh at the heart and weigheth the spirits; and "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Rom. viii. 9.)

CHAPTER XXIV.

1 Of divorce. 5 A new married man goeth not to war. 6, 10 Of pledges. 7 Of manstealers. 8 Of leprosy. 14 The hire is to be given. 16 Of justice. 19 Of charity.

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HEN a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;

4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

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5 ¶ When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.

6 No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man's life to pledge.

7¶ If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.

8 Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do.

9 Remember what the LORD thy God did unto Miriam by the way, after that ye were come forth out of Egypt.

10 ¶ When thou dost 'lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge.

11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man

to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.

12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:

13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.

14 ¶ Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:

15 At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and 'setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.

16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

17 ¶ Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge :

18 But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

19¶When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.

20 When thou beatest thine olive tree, "thou shalt not go over the boughs again it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

22 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

were more especially adapted to their peculiar state and circumstances, as marking them out a singular people. All of them were especially designed to promote their comfort, peace, and welfare. The whole tenor of the Word of God is of this kind; and happy is he who has his mind imbued, and his heart filled with its heavenly truths. May such be the case with every reader and every hearer of these remarks!

This chapter relates to the law of divorce, recent marriage, pledges, man-stealers, the leprosy, the payment of wages, justice, and charity. What a variety of cases is here! What abundant matter for personal and practical improvement!

The law of divorce. Our Lord tells us this was occasioned by "the hardness of their heart;" and that "from the beginning," the case was not so. (Matt. xix. 8.) No man. may put asunder those whom God hath made one. Surely this should teach cautious deliberation in entering upon that important state. There ought not only to be mutual affection, but similarity of sentiment, taste, and pursuit, especially in the things of God. How, otherwise, can there be any prospect of happiness or comfort? (2 Cor. vi. 14.)

The law of recent marriages. This evidently regarded not merely the comfort of the parties concerned in the mutual enjoyment of each other's society; but it was, also, wisely framed in consideration of what parties so circumstanced might be able to endure; in other words, not laying too heavy or unnecessary burdens unsuited to

the time.

The law of pledges. A man who puts his goods to pledge must be in want. Now, he who took any part as security for money advanced, must not so take a man's goods in pledge as to take away the means of his subsistence. For, if this were done, how could he pay off his debt and redeem his pledge? Injustice was hereby prevented, and kind consideration of urgent necessities enforced.

Man-stealing is marked with peculiar abhorrence, and stamped as a very foul and deadly sin. What, then, must be the doom of all those who deal and traffic in human flesh and blood? Does not the law as certainly lie against all "man-stealers," as

against every other practice that is "contrary to sound doctrine ?" (1 Tim. i. 9, 10.)

Why such special caution respecting the due observance of the law of leprosy? Does it not teach us, that sin, which is the leprosy of the soul, will break out, more or less, in men's actions and pursuits; and that, for that reason, all men will constantly need mercy and forgiveness? (v. 8, 9.)

Again: Why such care taken to guard against hurting the feelings, and impairing the few remaining comforts of the poor and destitute? Why not delay to pay the hire of him that lives by his labour? Why shall every man die for his own sin? Why must not the judgment of the fatherless and widow be perverted? Why leave the forgotten sheaf in the field for the poor and needy? Why leave the gleaning of all their increase for them? Doubtless it was designed to shew their grateful love for all the Lord had done for them. And how speak these things to us? They teach us to be kind, pitiful, courteous; to be benevolent and just; to exercise bowels of pity and compassion, as need may require, on all around; and thus to shew that the Lord our God is with us of a truth (v. 10—22).

CHAPTER XXV.

1 Stripes must not exceed forty. 4 The ox is not to be muzzled. 5 Of raising seed unto a brother. 11 Of the immodest woman. 13 Of unjust weights. 17 The memory of Amalek is to be blotted out.

F there be a controversy between men, IF and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. 2 And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.

3 Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he 'treadeth out the corn.

5 ¶ If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.

6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

7 And if the man like not to take his 'brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.

8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;

9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.

10 And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

11 ¶ When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

12 Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.

13¶ Thou shalt not have in thy bag 'divers weights, a great and a small.

14 Thou shalt not have in thine house 'divers measures, a great and a small.

15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

16 For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

17 ¶ Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;

18 How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.

19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.

to the dictates of common observation to deny the fact. What can be of greater concern to the welfare of communities and nations than the due administration of justice, in the wise and wholesome exercise of the law? To do to our neighbours as we would be done by, would necessarily ensure this benefit; and how was this to be done? The innocent must be justified, and the guilty condemned. Even in the punishment of the guilty, care should be taken not to render him more vile by the correction than he already is by his own crime (v. 1—3).

Could we have thought that any regard was had to the preaching of the gospel, in the precept not to "muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn," if an inspired apostle had not told us otherwise? "Doth God take care for oxen? or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written that he that ploweth should plow in hope and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope." (1 Cor. ix. 9, 10.)

Or, again, could we ever have thought that the doctrine of the future resurrection of the dead, and the sure immortality of the soul, might be affirmed from the next incident recorded in this chapter, had we not the authority of our Lord himself, when he silenced his infidel adversaries, who adduced this peculiar circumstance of one brother taking his deceased brother's wife to raise up seed to his brother, to deny both? (Mark xii. 18-25.) How triumphant is the reply of the Lord! "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God." Let us always keep this in view. There is a day coming, when the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised; when the infidel will find the certainty of what he dreads, and the saint will realise the blessedness of all his hopes for ever.

If these truths be believed, must they not possess a powerful influence on the ways and works of men? Is the day of judgment a season to be trifled with ? Is the torment of hell to be regarded as a fable? Is the glory of heaven to be treated with scorn? Would not men wish to be found right in