sad experience, to show the vanity of all worldly pursuits, and the insufficiency of earthly enjoyment. Practical religion is the leading truth of this Book.

THE SONG OF SOLOMON.

587. THE Song of Solomon is the last of the writings of that great man. It is thought to have been composed by Solomon on the celebration of his Marriage with the beautiful 'Shulamite,' the daughter of Pharaoh. Some authors think he designed to render a ceremonial appointment descriptive of a spiritual concern; and this Song is also supposed to shadow the future intimate connexion between Christ and his Church, under the endearing relation of a bridegroom and his bride. (Eph. v. 23, 24. 32. Rev. xxi. 2. 9.). It is also called The Canticles.'

Prophetical Books.

588. THE Prophetical Books form the last portion into which the Bible is divided; and they are so termed from consisting chiefly of predictions of future events, though many Historical and Doctrinal passages may be found in them. The authors of these Books are by way of eminence termed Prophets, that is divinely inspired persons, raised up to be ministers of God's dispensation, and to foretell events to come.

589. Their division.-The Prophetical Books are 16 in number, the 'Lamentations' of Jeremiah being a kind of supplemeut to his predictions; they are usually divided into two classes, namely-the Greater Prophets, and the Minor Prophets; not from the one class possessing more authority than the other, but from the greater extent of their writings.

590. The writings of the Minor Prophets are

587. The Song of Solomon. phetical Books, and why so termed ? classes are they divided, and why? character of the writings of the Minor Prophets?

588. What are the Pro589. Into what 590. What is the

particularly valuable in explaining the reigns of the kings of Israel, and Judah; They also relate many most important predictions relative to the birth, death, and resurrection of our Saviour; the call of the Gentiles; abandonment of the Jews; the destruction of Jerusalem; and the dispensing with the ceremonies of the Mosaic Law.

591. Their order.-The arrangement in the Bible does not accord with the order of time in which the Prophets uttered their predictions. The following table will with considerable accuracy exhibit them in three distinct periods;

1st. Those before the Captivity;

2nd. Those during the Captivity ;
3rd. Those after the Captivity.

591. What prophets lived before the Babylonish captivity? and what kings of Israel and Judah were contemporary with each of them? What prophets lived during the Babylonish captivity? What prophets lived after the return from the Babylonish captivity? Who were the earliest, and latest of the Prophets? When did they live?

I. BEFORE THE BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY.

(Those in capitals are the Greater Prophets.)

from 612 Jehoiakim, and to near the end of

Habakkuk

to 598

the Captivity.

During all the Captivity.

From the taking of Jerusalem to the destruction of the Edomites. During part of the Captivity.

III. AFTER THE CAPTIVITY.

(from 520

to 518 } After the return from Captivity.

(from 520

to 518 from 436

to 420 S

The Greater Prophets.

ISAIAH.

From 810. B. C. to 698. B. C.

592. THE prophet Isaiah, who is the author of this Book, prophesied during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah;' he was the son of Amoz and died about 698. B. C., he is thought to have prophesied 60 years. Some say but 45 years.

593. The Evangelical Prophet-So much more copiously, and more clearly than any other prophet, does Isaiah predict the MESSIAH, and characterize His kingdom, that he has been styled the 'Evangelical Prophet,

594. His prophecies.-The chief prophecies of Isaiah are the Captivities of Israel, and of Judah (xxxix. 6, 7.); the ruin of Assyria, Babylon, Tyre, Damascus, Egypt, and other nations; (xiii. 19-22. xiv. 22-24. xlvii.). He threatens the destruction of Syria, Damascus, and of Israel, (Ephraim), for confederating against Judah; (vii. 1, 2. xvii.); which was accomplished by the king of Assyria (viii. 4.), Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings xv. 29.). He also calls Cyrus by name, and describes his conquests, and conduct towards the Jews, nearly 200 years before his birth (xliv. 28. xlv. 1-5.). But he foretells the greatest variety of events in respect of the Messiah.

595. Of Christ.—The particular prophecies in respect of our Saviour were :

(a) His Forerunner.-' The voice of him that crieth in 'the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make 'straight in the desert a highway for our God.' Isai. xl. 3.

(b) His Family.-That he shall be of the family of Jesse

592. Who was Isaiah ? When and how did he die? About how long B. c. did Isaiah prophecy? and under what kings? 593. Which of the prophets foretels the greatest number of events relating to the Messiah? 594. Mention some of the prophecies delivered by Isaiah? How was the prophecy in respect of the destruction of Syria and Israel accomplished? 595. What

or David-'In that day there shall be a root of Jesse which 'shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the 'Gentiles seek.' Isai. xi. 10.

(c) His Birth.-That he shall be born of a virgin—' A 'virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.' Isai. vii. 14.

(d) His Name and Kingdom.-His name shall be the mighty God, and His kingdom shall stand for ever-'Unto 'us a child is born, unto us a son is given; the government 'shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called 'Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting 'Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the 'throne of David and upon his Kingdom, to order it, and 'to establish it with judgment and with justice, from hence'forth even for ever.-Isai. ix. 6, 7.

(e) His Preaching, and Miracles.-His preaching of the Gospel-' He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, 'with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.' Isai. xi. 4. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the 'meek.' Isai. lxi. 1-3. That he shall work MiraclesThen the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears 'of the deaf shall be unstopped, then shall the lame man 'leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.' Isai. XXXV. 4.

(f) His Sufferings.-In Isaiah liii.

(g) His Rejection by the Jews.-' He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel; for a gin and for a 6 snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.' Isai. viii. 14. Of the Jews who rejected Christ, he says that-Ye shall leave 'your name for a curse to my chosen, for the Lord God 'shall slay thee, and shall call his servants by another name.' Isai. lxv. 15.

(h) His Reception by the Gentiles.-' He shall be a light to the Gentiles, and salvation to the ends of the earth.' Isai. xlix. 6, 7.

are the particular prophecies of Isaiah in respect of our Saviour?