the Apostle Peter testifies to the early believers, that they were redeemed "by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times." And the Apostle John, describing the heavenly visions which he beheld, when, in the isle of Patmos, he "was in the Spirit on the Lord's day," recites the anthem of glorified saints, who "fell down before the Lamb," and, with harps, sang the "new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." Thus is clearly indicated the blessed truth that, from the beginning to the end of time, every soul that has been admitted into the kingdom of God has been ransomed by the blood of Jesus. His propitiatory sacrifice was as effectual for the salvation of man before He came to suffer in our nature, as it is for those who are privileged to live in these glorious gospel days. And the antecedent efficacy of "the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all," is strikingly marked by the Apostle's testimony that He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

66

But how solemn is the infinitely important consideration, that, in order to experience the sprinkling of the blood of our Paschal Lamb, we must, by yielding to the convictions of the Spirit of Truth, come unto Christ in living faith, and, by the washing of regeneration and the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire,

become cleansed from sin, and "made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."

CHAP. XXXIII.-" And Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron," in that awful night when the angel of the Lord smote throughout the land, "and said unto them, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said." And the Egyptians were urgent upon them, to "send them out of the land in haste." Then the Hebrews went forth, and journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, and a mixed multitude went up with them, and flocks and herds, even very much cattle. "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years." This computation reckons the entire period included between the promise being given to Abraham, and the exodus of his descendants from Egypt:-two hundred and fifteen years were passed by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the land of Canaan, and the same space of time was spent by their children in Egypt. And when they had fulfilled the years which, according to the word of the Lord, they were to be strangers in countries that were not theirs, "all the hosts of the Lord" went forth from the land of Egypt: and the Lord went before them, by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them in the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light; to go by day and night." They continued their journey until they came to the border of the Red Sea. "And it was told the King of Egypt that the people fled:" and Pharaoh and his servants

said, "Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?" And Pharaoh made ready his chariot, and he and his people pursued after the Hebrews, with "all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamped by the sea, beside Pihahiroth." And when the children of Israel beheld the Egyptians, "they were sore afraid, and they cried unto the Lord;""And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show you to-day; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."-"And the Angel of God which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face and stood behind them, and it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel, and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these, so that the one came not near the other all the night." And the Lord said to Moses, "Lift thou up thy rod, and stretch thou out thine hand over the sea, and divide it." And Moses did so, and "the waters were divided, and the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground, and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea." And in the morning" the Lord troubled the host of the Egyptians, and took off their chariot wheels; and they said, Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fighteth

for them against the Egyptians."-"And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians." And Moses did so, "and the waters returned and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the Red Sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them." Jehovah, says the Psalmist, "overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea." (Psal. cxxxvi. 15.) "And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians; and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses." Then sang Moses and the children of Israel a song of triumph to Jehovah, and Miriam the prophetess,— the sister of Moses and Aaron,-with "all the women," celebrated their miraculous deliverance "with timbrels and with dances." In their devotional services the Hebrew people were accustomed to the use of both vocal and instrumental music. In this, as in their other external symbols of worship, they typified that joyful ascription of thanksgiving and praise, which is offered by the true believers in Christ-by such as the apostle addresses with the exhortation, "Be filled with the Spirit: speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God, even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

CHAP. XXXIV. In the beatific vision, through which the Apostle John beheld the glorified company

And

of those who "had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and who were standing on a sea of glass mingled with fire, having the harps of God," he heard the anthem which they sang, and which he rehearses as "the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints! Who shall not fear thee, oh Lord! and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." with solemn and reverential adoration, may we feel the force and application of this angelic hymn, while we contemplate the mighty acts of Jehovah, in the deliverances which He wrought for His chosen people. And not less powerful-not less gracious-are His dealings with us, who live under the gospel dispensation. But the manifestation of His love and care, towards His dedicated children, is not now, as it was in the days of old, addressed by visible signs and wonders to the external senses of man, but is experienced in the soul of the faithful believer in Christ. And although he sees not, with the outward eye, the pillar of the cloud by day, or the pillar of fire by night, yet is he favoured with that Holy guidance of which this miraculous column was an emblem: he is permitted, at seasons, to enjoy the conscious presence of his Lord; and, in the safe direction of the Holy Spirit-the Leader and Comforter of the true Israel of God-he is defended from the assaults and wiles of the enemy, and shown the way wherein he should walk, as he journeys through