Проповеди и лекции

i with the description of the great thnisliin^of the nations lor which Ephioini i» pre- pared of old by tbat word of Moses, " Uin glory j« like the firstlingm of the bidlocks, and hU UuruK are like the horns of unicornB: with them he shall push ibepeoplestocetherto the ends of the earth;" — which (tncient designatioii of Epbraim to tbmnhing of Ihe nations is recognized in the sagi^^ before us: *^ Epbraim is a heifer that taught, and lovelh to tread out the corn/' N so with the judgment of Ariel, or Jernfalem contained in the followlo^ chapter of I&aiab, ivhose crime id if^norance of the book and tha soak- ing of the book» which, as the lawgivers of tbs earth, they ought to hare opened for the ioatruc- tion of mankind: and the rentoratiou of thene not to the treading nnd thrafihtog of the natio but to understanding, Ver. 34 : " They also emrd in speech «hall come to understanding : an they that murmured shall learn doctiine." ThiftSuggeHta an addition to the great idea uf Kpb raim's situation which we arc endeavouring to ua fold: IbatEphntiRi was originally set apart by oft THE TtV TKtBU. for vftlonr and strength, as Judatilbr law-^ivtng and wisdom ; thtt it wte a part of God'A purpose it should he sio : but Ephraim having, id the case of Gideon and Jcphtha, these heroic delivciers of Innte], flhcwo only contumacy and Aaucy dis- content ifijiteaci oF valour &nd prowesft for the good of tilt who1« nation; a»d having headed the insurrection of the Ten Tribes, and sought to cmhra) Judah and cut off the line of Oavid, because of her cowardice when there was need of valour, and of her envy when (here was need of unity, and herdtfacontent wheu.*«he should have we* joiced with the valiant; and her iDsurrection and her other braggart and boastful qualities ; because of this disuse and abuse of hor talent and inheri- tance, she was cut off and sent into ignoble and unknown captirity* until the Lord having «n8i- cicntly avenged himself upon her for his disap- pointmcttt in her, shall tnrn lo her again and make her indeed the Rlrength of his head, and that weapon of his rigfit Imod; and thiv cause is ex- presaly given for her rejection in the Ixxvtiith Psalm, *<That they turned back in the day of battle, and kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; and forgot hia works and his wonders that he had shewed ttiem/' This idea of Ephraim's proper and peculiar calling uniovalourand might in the defence of the Lord's glory against his enemies, is much con- firmed by the Ixsxlh i