which is in fact a branch of it, that as his sovereignty will be exercised, and his wisdom ought to determine, it becomes us to refer the time and mode of infliction or rescue implicitly, entirely, and devoutly to him. The interpositions of Providence are sometimes the most remarkable when they are the least anticipated. These devoted saints entertained, perhaps, some hope of deliverance; they knew it was possible, and they might think, from past manifestations, and the present good effects likely to follow in favor of the true religion, it might be deemed probable; but "if not," they were prepared for the worst. The Christian may not always be privileged like them, to walk untouched in the flames; but he will never walk in affliction, while faith is firm, unconsoled, unvisited, unsanctified! Was the form of the fourth indeed the Son of God, or was it some ministering spirit sent to these "heirs of salvation?" We attempt not to decide, but may observe, that the Redeemer, before his incarnation, was unquestionably interested in the progress of the true church, did in a marked manner evidently superintend its interests, in constant anticipation of the long predicted advent and atonement on the cross, and will never fail to bless, as their need and his own glory requires, his church collectively, or his saints individually, in their respective necessities. 4. The enemies of truth and of piety expose themselves to the present visitations of an avenging Providence, and the future miseries of unquenchable flames; a thought which demands our pity, our prayers, and our exertions on their behalf. How affecting, how awful, was the fate of those who were employed to cast Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego into the fiery furnace! "They were utterly consumed, in a moment." It was a signal exemplification of the fact, that "the wages of sin is death." Temporal sufferings are commonly the result of immoral actions; but "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord," and the "lake that burneth with brimstone and fire, which is the second death,” await also the servants of iniquity. "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men !" 5. Let us recur, again and again, to the sentiment, deduced from the conduct of Nebuchadnezzar after the miraculous escape of these persecuted servants of the most High,that conviction, however strong, if momentary, and an external change of conduct, however favorable to the interests of religion, if it be only impulsive, is not to be confounded with true piety. Conviction may induce men "to do many things," when the heart remains unregenerate; but real religion is a holy and steady principle, burning in its purity like a vestal usual style of oriental exaggeration, accompanied with the common salutation, " Peace be multiplied unto you." The reference to the most High God is solemn and impressive; the language is sublimely simple, and contains the confessions which repeated experience alone could have extorted. It is pleasing to see this mighty ruler impressed with the majesty of the Supreme; and with an implied consciousness both of his own insignificance and of the limitation in space and time of his and all other empires, celebrating, in exalted strains, the eternity of God's dominion. 4.-1 Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flour. ishing in my palace. 5.-I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6.-Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 7.—Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. It is one of the mysteries of providence, that peace and prosperity are often afforded to the wicked, while the righteous are involved in every species of adversity. His own account presents Nebuchadnezzar to our view in a state of the greatest worldly felicity, possessing at once domestic peace and public 116 REESE BREY UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA glory; feeling life to be at its highest tide of temporal enjoyment. We should be thankful for prosperity, but have no reason to confide in it. In this instance, however, the dream of joy was soon interrupted by a vision that excited foreboding, though perhaps indefinable apprehensions. He summoned once more the wise men of Babylon, who had before declared that, if he could have recalled his former dream, they would have given him the interpretation. But the futility of all their pretensions at length became manifest, in their obvious incapacity on this occasion. 8.-But at the last Daniel came in before me (whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods,), and before him I told the dream, saying, 9.-O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. 10. Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.. 11. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height there- 12.—The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit; let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches. 15. Nevertheless, leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 16.-Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17.-This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. 18.-This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now, thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof; forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. "The spirit of the holy gods" is a revolting phrase after the indication we have had of the king's knowledge of Jehovah; but some critics consider that the words are capable of a singular sense, which several versions assign to them. He speaks also of Belteshazzar as a namc conferred on Daniel after the name of Bel, whom he still denominates "our god." By the word watcher we are to understand an angel, so called, as being one of those exalted intelligences who are appointed both to guard important interests and to undertake important embassies in the administration of the divine government. "Bless the Lord, ye |