LECTURE III.

DANIEL II. 14―30.

Verse 14.-Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise MEN of Babylon : 15. He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king. Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

16. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time and that he would show the king the interpretation.

17.—Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his com panions;

18.-That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret, that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise MEN of Babylon.

Another proof is here supplied of Daniel's "counsel and wisdom." He first inquires of Arioch into the facts of the case, and then, by his judicious remonstrances, induces that officer to suspend the execution of the king's decree, till he had obtained an interview with Nebuchadnezzar.

When we compare the request that "the king would give him time," with the royal language to the assembled magicians, "I know

felt solicitude for the honor of his God. The preservation of life is an important good, and cannot be disregarded without palpable folly and sin; but even this is to be sought, as it is evident that it was in the present instance, as an instrument of advancing the cause of true religion. If duty had demanded its sacrifice, they were willing; if it required its preservation, they were thankful. Hence we should learn to estimate the value of life chiefly as a means of usefulness. Hear an apostle: "For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith."

Verse 19.-Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

That God should disclose the secrets of futurity to mankind, is an evidence of wonderful condescension. They might with perfect propriety have remained wrapt in the impenetrable mystery of his own conceptions and purposes, and no being, however exalted, could have possessed the right, or, independently of divine instruction, the capacity to explore the depths of inexistent time. The revelations of Deity respecting the events of

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ages yet to come when those revelations were given, furnish indubitable proof of the character of the individual who held a commission from heaven, and a permanent demonstration of the truth of religion when the prophetic statement is recorded. Posterity, to whom it is thus transmitted, have the opportunity of comparing the prediction with the event; and as none but the omniscient mind could know futurity, none but those to whom he might see fit to unfold it, could become acquainted with its transactions.

But this passage must be regarded particularly as an encouraging instance of answer to prayer. This is a subject of great interest in every point of view. It essentially involves our comfort, well-being. and hopes; but it has been much perplexed both by the plausible sophistries of the indevout, and the sincere and sometimes distressing scruples of the pious. It has been asked, whether the importunity of so insignificant and unworthy a being as man can change the previous determinations of an immutable being? In this supposed difficulty it is forgotten that God has inseparably connected the means with the end. If he has decreed that certain blessings shall be given, he has equally decreed they shall be sought for in prayer. Though no event can be casual with the Deity, all events are conditional to us. If I am diseas

ed or in adversity, the infinite being foreknows whether I shall recover from sickness, or rise from poverty; but this does not alter the obligation or the necessity of sending for the physician, or using vigorous efforts. The earth shall be productive, but the seed must be sown. It is the will of God that we should pray, and, whether we can explain or not the nature of the efficacy, it is real, promised and apparent.

It has also been inquired whether we may expect an answer to every prayer, and at once? This must depend on the nature of the case in both respects. We ought never to pray for any thing which we deem a good, especially for any temporal blessing, without an absolute surrender of our views, desires, and anticipations, to the divine will, with regard either to the blessing itself, or to the time and mode of its bestowment. If we solicit spiritual blessings in general, we may do so without reserve; but particular gifts, either piritual or temporal, can only be sought specifically and for special purposes, in the spirit of acquiescence in the decisions of perfect wisdom.

These are circumstances in which the honor of God is so obviously concerned, as well as the happiness of his people, that we may fully expect immediate answers to prayer.Of this we have many examples in Scripture,

besides that of Daniel in the instance before us. Living as we do under the Christian dispensation, let us constantly realize that name and those merits through which alone we can successfully apply to "the throne of grace ;" and let us continually cultivate that spirituality of mind which will prompt to unceasing pleadings with our heavenly Father, for blessings which Christ is exalted to be

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Verse 20.-Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are

his: 21.-And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22.—He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 23.-I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast Now made known unto us the king's matter.

In the preceding verse, Daniel is said to have "blessed the God of heaven ;" and this paragraph contains the form of words in which he expressed his adoration. The whole is characterized by great simplicity and fervor, and bespeaks a mind penetrated with awe, replete with devotion, and filled with emotions of grateful joy.

1. He adverts emphatically to the name of God. Although this, and similar language,