only two women and five boys escaped, by hiding themselves in the aqueducts under ground.

Such another instance we have in our English history; for in the reign of Richard I. when the people were in arms to make massacre of them, 1500 of them seized on the city of York, to defend themselves; but, being besieged, they offered to capitulate, and to ransom their lives with money. The offer being refused, one of them cried in despair, that it was better to die courageously for the law, than to fall into the hands of the Christians. Every one immediately took his knife, and stabbed his

ife and children. The men afterwards retired into the king's palace, which they set on fire, in which they consumed themselves, with the palace and furniture.

Verses 36 and 64. "They should serve other gods, wood and stone; they should serve other gods, which neither they, nor their fathers had known, even wood and stone."

This hath been most remarkably fulfilled in the popish countries, where the Jews bow down to stocks and stones, rather than their effects should be confiscated.

"The Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions," saith Basnage, book 7, chap. 33, reduced them

to the dilemma of becoming hypocrites, or of being burnt. The number of these dissemblers is very considerable, and it is not to be concluded that there are no Jews in Spain and Portugal, because they are not known. They are so much the more dangerous for being not only very numerous, but confounded with the ecclésiastics, and for entering into all ecclesiastical dignities."

Verse 37: "They should become an astonishment, a proverb, and a by-word among all nations.”

And do we not hear and see this prophecy fulfilled almost every day? Are not the avarice, usury, and hard heartedness of a Jew, proverbial? And are not their persons generally odious among all sorts of people? Maliomedans, heathens, and christians, however they may disagree in other points, yet generally agree in vilifying, abusing, and persecuting the Jews. In most places where they are tolerated, they are obliged to live in a separate quarter by themselves; as they did here in the old Jewry. Their very countenances commonly distinguish them from the rest of mankind.

Verse 50: Their plagues should be wonderful, even great plagues, and of long continuance."

And have not their plagues continued now these 1800 years? Their former captivities were very

ehot in comparison. And Ezekial and Daniel prophesied in the land of the Chaldeans; but now they have no true prophet to foretel an end of their calamity. In their former captivities, they had the comfort of being conveyed to the same place; they dwelt together in the land of Goshen; they were carried together to Babylon; but now they are dispersed all over the face of the earth. What nation hath suffered so much, and yet endured so long? What nation hath subsisted as a distinct people in their own country, so long as these have done in their dispersion into all countries? And what a standing miracle is this, exhibited to the view and observation of the whole world!

Here are instances of prophecies, of prophecies delivered above 3000 years ago, and yet, as we see, fulfilling in the world at this very time.

What stronger proofs can we desire of the Divine legation of Moses? Here are instances which not only convince, but amaze and astonish, beyond expression. The Jews are truly, as Moses foretold they would be," a sign and a wonder forever."

Newton on the Prophecies.

CHAPTER XXVII.

JOSHUA AND THE JUDGES.

WE have seen that Joshua attended on Moses as his minister, and accompanied him into the mount when he ascended to meet God, and therefore was not implicated in the idolatry of the golden calf, which Aaron fabricated during their absence. He had traversed the land of Canaan as one of the spies, had brought up its good report, and stood firm with Caleb, in resisting the timid, discouraging representations of their colleagues.

He was a person of singular piety, undaunted resolution, and unshaken fidelity. But though Joshua possessed all the qualities, natural and acquired, which were requisite for the discharge of the important trust to which he was appointed; yet it was enjoined upon him, "to stand before Eleazer the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall

come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation of God."

We have seen before, that Joshua, like a servant, was confined to a lower region of the mount, whilst Moses went up to the summit, and was admitted within the dark vail. So now, Joshua being referred to a secondary means for instruction, his inferiority to Moses is pointed out, and the testimony confirmed: “There arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face."

It may be observed respecting Urim, that it generally, in scripture, is found in connexion with Thummim; both are terms which import light and perfection. They appear to have been an essential article of the high priest's dress. They were not, as it is alleged, the production of human skill, like the other particulars of his clothing, for there is no account of their fabrication by the hands of man; but when the breast plate was finished, Moses put into it the Urim and the Thummim, and, as is apprehended, immediately from God". And we cannot conceive, that prophetical qualifications, in any age of the world, could be derived from any other source than that Light which is divine, and that Wisdom which is perfect. But, as