15.-And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

Among others, the following points may be noticed, as hints for reflection.

1. The large proportion of this part of Daniel's intercessions. It was not a hasty and formal acknowledgment, but his sins and those of his people occupied a principal share of his thoughts.

2. The reiteration of phrases descriptive of sin, exemplifying the depth of his penitential sorrow. Though there may sometimes exist a pharisaical expectation of being heard for our "much speaking," yet there are other occasions when repetitions are truly expressive of a heart overwhelmed with a sense of the divine glory, and of personal guilt and unworthiness. When the mind is much affected, it naturally dwells upon an idea and repeats it.

3. The simplicity of the diction. There are no ornamented or rhetorical descriptions; and in devotion there should be nothing either self-flattering, studied, or to "please a fellow creature's ear."

4. The minuteness of the detail (v. 5, 6, 10.) Prayer should be specific as well as fervent. A particular enumeration of our sins is provo

cative of repentance, as the mention of mercies excites and renews gratitude.

5. The profound humility which is indicated in the language of the confession.

6. The vindication of God with regard to all his proceedings, and the spirit of self-reproach which pervades the whole.

7. The high estimation expressed of the mercy and forgiveness of God (v. 9,) notwithstanding the punishment inflicted, and during the continuance of the national calamities. With this is connected a reference (v. 15,) to the signal manifestations of the divine power and goodness in their previous history.-The third part of Daniel's prayer is the petition.

Verse 16.-O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are

about us.

17. Now, therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy_face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18, O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies.

19.-O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Although national blessings and deliverance are here especially solicited, yet it is only as subservient to religion. Daniel adverts indeed to the reproaches of their neighbours, the Edomites, Moabites, Philistines and others, and to the desolations they have suffered; still he was chiefly concerned for the injury which seemed to be inflicted on religion, and the disparagement of the divine glory which resulted from the suppression of its ordinances by the overthrow of the holy city. This prayer, therefore, was eminently spiritual in its character and objects. The glory of God, comprehensive indeed of their good, is nevertheless, the supreme desire-the all-absorbing wish of the righteous.

The supplications of this distinguished servant of God were also offered with great fervour and importunity. This is particularly exemplified in the nineteenth verse. To this important element of prayer our attention particularly is pointed in the New Testament. Compare Luke xviii.

The genuine faith evinced, and the right foundation upon which these earnest entreaties were presented, are also observable.. There is a most assiduous exclusion of all selfrighteous principles, and a distinct and powerful reference to the infinite compassion and grace of God. In the remarkable conclusion of the seventeenth verse, "for the Lord's

sake," reference appears to be made to the Messiah, propitiation. Here alone is hope; but it is all-sufficient for a fallen sinner, a fallen nation, a fallen world! Through the blood of Christ all sins are pardoned; to his atoning sacrifice let all eyes, all hearts, be confidingly turned. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

LECTURE XIV.

DANIEL IX. 20-27.

Verse 20.-And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God;

21.-Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

22.-And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

23. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

The first of these verses furnishes additional evidence of Daniel's solicitude for the ordinances of religion, whose interruption constituted, in his view, the dreariest feature in the desolations of Jerusalem. He presented the most fervent supplications for "the holy