most powerful states of Greece. Interpreting this reply to his own advantage, but anxious to put the case in another aspect before the oracle, he sent a third time, to inquire as to the duration of his empire. The answer on that occasion was, "When o'er the Medes a mule shall sit on high, O'er pebbly Hermus then, soft Lydian, fly, Still giving to the answers of the oracle the interpretation most favourable to himself, Croesus regarded the reign of a mule over Media as an impossibility, and thence inferred the stability of his own power. Under this impression he made war on Persia, and, as is well known, was soon vanquished, stripped of his dominions, condemned to death, but ultimately preserved and supported as a captive by Cyrus. Reference will be elsewhere made to the history of these events. In this place I have simply to investigate these oracular responses, with a view to ascertain their character. First, then, it cannot be denied that the first answer, which referred to the strange occupation. of Croesus at the time, exhibits remarkable accuracy. We may think ourselves very wise in dismissing such a case with the cry of "jugglery and cheating;" but it is doubtful whether by such conduct we do not evince great folly. The King of Lydia was a man of great energy and intellectual power: he was therefore competent to judge of the chances of imposition, and to guard against them, much better than we can now imagine. Yet he, by the presentation of gifts to the value of nearly one million sterling, gave ample proof that he regarded the whole as a bona fide transaction. Is it not, then, reasonable to ask, "By what means could the Pythoness have given such a reply? By what means could the priestess at Delphi have ascertained what the King of Lydia was doing at a given hour, in his palace at Sardis, hundreds of miles away, when he had determined to exercise his utmost care and ingenuity in order to test her ability?" Neither captious querulousness nor unmeaning sneering will meet the case. Here is an undoubted historical incident, which, I am bold to say, admits of no satisfactory solution, except on the principle of diabolical agency. But on this principle all is plain: the difficulty, otherwise insurmountable, immediately vanishes. But then it is asked in the most triumphant tone," Why were not all the responses given in language equally distinct and intelligible? Why the double meaning and equivocation of the other replies?" It is truly astonishing to see the confidence with which this objection is urged, when it is open to a very simple and rational solution. It is easy to conceive, that diabolical agency might enable the Pythoness to give a clear and distinct answer as to what was transpiring at the moment in a distant place, which to all merely human intelligence would have been wholly inscrutable; but it is far from certain that this agency could unravel the mystery of future contingent events. This is the exclusive attribute of Jehovah he challenges this power to himself alone: "I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning;" (Isa. xlvi, 9, 10;) while to the idols and their worshippers he says, "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen: let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." Isa. xli, 21-23. Diabolical aid, therefore, although it might give superhuman knowledge in respect of passing events, and afford a means of conjecture beyond all human wisdom as to the future, could not communicate the power of foretelling future contingencies. Obscure, conjectural, aud enigmatical expressions, in the communication of oracles, would consequently be as necessary under this agency as without it. The result of our inquiry, then, is,— 1. That we find the heathen oracles maintaining a high character and general confidence, to an extent, and for a period, beyond that which would be likely to result from continued and unaided human fraud and falsehood. 2. The accredited declarations of these oracles exhibit a measure of knowledge respecting passing events, and a sagacity in respect of futurity, far above all that merely human ingenuity or contrivance could produce. 3. Yet all this is found in such combined operation with wickedness, fraud and corruption, as clearly to prove that if superhuman knowledge was connected with the oracles, it must have been diabolical. 4. It is a certain fact, based on the authority of New-Testament revelation, that diabolical agency was used in ancient times for the purpose of giving forth superhuman oracular responses. From all these premises we conclude that the sagacity and general credit of heathen oracles was in some instances owing to diabolical agency. It only remains to offer a few brief observations on the entire system. 1. We see its unity of character. It did not set itself in positive collision with primitive truth; but, incorporating important elements of this truth into the system, it fell back on these for support and defence. It was by this means that a common ground of union was established between the old idolatrous nations. The truths which they had incorporated and perverted were at the same time so many links in the chain by which, notwithstanding the diverse names of their deities, they were united, and plates of the armour by which they were defended. 2. It will be seen how directly all the parts of this idolatrous system were pointed against the actual sovereignty of God, and his divinely appointed scheme of redemption. Whether we look to the origin, character, mysteries, or oracles of this idolatry, we find it specially hostile to the unity, providence, and religion of God. Moral truth, on some occasions, might be admitted; the fact of a future judgment could be conceded; a general but vague notion of providence might be taught: BUT GOD MUST BE DETHRONED; men, or beasts, or material elements, or heavenly bodies, or the foul serpent-form, MUST rule supreme, and receive divine adoration. Is not this a deeply instructive fact? It is the common badge of the system, the unmistakable evidence of the presence and power of the arch-destroyer. I cannot close this chapter without placing on record my strong and decided opinion, that this subject has been usually treated in such a manner as to palliate or conceal the enormous sinfulness of idolatry. I contemplate with the deepest regret the results flowing to the religion of our country from the tone of teaching imparted by men of the most respectable character. Let any enlightened Christian mind contemplate the learning of our colleges and academies, our treatises and manuals, on this subject. Charmed as we must be with the glitter of genius and heroism, the philosophy and learning, of classic times and persons, are we justified in allowing our children to rise up into life with merely sufficient instruction to enable them to infer that idolatry is an absurdity, when they ought to be distinctly taught that it is the most enormous sin? With unfeigned and deep veneration for the learned of our land, I feel bound, at any hazard, to assert my strong conviction, that the honour due alone to the Triune Jehovah, as the God and Governor of this world, is not made sufficiently prominent; and that the heinous evil and fearful sin of idolatry, as such, is not adequately enforced. On this point we cannot be too jealous-we cannot go beyond the requirements of our Bible-for the honour of our God. It was idolatry which, as a master-evil, blasted, and withered, and ruined the ancient world, despite all its learning, genius, arts, and arms: and it can only be by a general and devoted fidelity to the truth on the part of Christians that the kingdoms of this world can ever "become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ." THE HISTORY AND RELIGION OF THE GENTILE NATIONS. CHAPTER I. EGYPT: ITS HISTORY. GENERAL View of Egypt-Difficulties which oppose our Acquaintance with its Early History-Undoubted Evidence of High Civilization in the most Remote TimesProwess and Reign of Amosis-EIGHTEENTH DYNASTY-Death of Jacob-Wonderful Perfection of Mechanical Art-Death of Joseph-Moses-The Exodus-Canaanitish Nations weakened by Egyptian Invasion before the Israelites crossed the JordanSesostris-NINETEENTH DYNASTY-Sethos-His Conquests-The Absence of further Allusion to Canaan on the Monuments, a striking Proof of the Truth of ScriptureTWENTIETH DYNASTY-TWENTY-FIRST DYNASTY-Effect of the Commercial Policy of the Hebrews on Egypt-TWENTY-SECOND DYNASTY-Shishak-His Invasion of JudeaTWENTY-THIRD DYNASTY-Decline of Egyptian Power-TWENTY-FOURTH DYNASTY— Bocchoris TWENTY-FIFTH DYNASTY-Tarkus-TWENTY-SIXTH DYNASTY-The Dodecarchy-Triumph and Reign of Psammiticus-Pharaoh-Necho-His Victory over the Hebrews-Apries, the Pharaoh-Hophra of Scripture-Defeated and put to death by Amosis-Conquest of Egypt by a Persian Army-TWENTY-SEVENTH DYNASTY-Era of Persian Rule-Successful Government of Darius-Gallant Effort of Inaros-His Defeat and Death-Herodotus-TWENTY-EIGHTH DYNASTY-Amyrtæus-TWENTY-NINTH DYNASTY-THIRTIETH DYNASTY-Chronological Difficulties-Persian Invasion defeatedSlothful Habits and Ultimate Energy of Darius Ochus-THIRTY-FIRST DYNASTY— Persian Rule reëstablished-THIRTY-SECOND DYNASTY-Conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great-His profound and successful Political and Commercial PolicyAlexandria built-Ruin of the Macedonian House-THIRTY-THIRD DYNASTY-The Ptolemies-Lagus-His Successful Rule-Power and Cultivation of Egypt under Philadelphus-Euergetes successful in War-Intercourse between Egypt and Rome— Gradual Decline of Egyptian Power-Excessive Vices of the ruling Princes-Cleopatra, Cæsar, and Antony-Egypt a Roman Province. EGYPT must always hold a position of special prominence and interest in any investigation into the history and religion of ancient nations. In the earliest ages we find this country under a powerful political government, and possessed of all the advantages resulting from a knowledge of the arts and sciences, and consequent civilization. The colossal prowess, gorgeous magnificence, immense wealth, and extensive learning of Egypt, stand out in the dim haze of remote |