Godhead." It was also to show his wisdom and power to other worlds; for through the gospel we understand "the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."2

The history of the world therefore is only the fulfillment of God's purposes: even wicked men being sometimes used as instruments. This is clearly shown in such cases as His permitting the selling of Joseph into slavery by his brethren, and His sending the Assyrian king to chastise the Jews.3 The crucifixion of our Lord was also a wonderful instance of this: "Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain."4

We need, therefore, as provision for our journey through the world's history, the revelation God has made to us of Himself, and of his purposes; we must carry with us his promises, his threatenings, and his prophecies; they are all revealed to us in his word; and as his manifold wisdom is to be made known by the church, we must watch the progress of the church. We must be careful not to separate that I which God has joined together: the history of the world. and the coming of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ through his church.5

5

For a separate "History of the Work of Redemption" the reader is referred to Edwards' justly celebrated work with that title.

CHAPTER VI.

CREATION-THE AGE OF THE WORLD.

HE Bible history commences by revealing certain great

facts, and great truths, which, like immense foundation stones, underlie and are connected with all the future history of the world. The first chapters are thickly studded with wonderful facts, which unaided human reason could never have found out; and which can only be received by faith when thus received, they are simple and clear. "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.'

:

The doctrine that all things were created by one Eternal God is peculiar to the Bible; it is found nowhere else. It places God, as the One All-sufficient Creator, on a height infinitely above every other being; it shows us our entire dependence on him, our obligation to live to His glory, and the importance of seeking His favor. Let us prayerfully study out some of those great foundation facts and truths. which are found in the first chapters of the Bible. They show us the cause of all the crimes, the wars, and all the misery that have been in the world since it was made; and also the source of all the happiness, little as it has been, which the world has thus far enjoyed. They show us the Genesis, or the beginning, of the race of man, of laws, of government, and of religion.

While the great fact of how the world was made is so clearly stated, there is a difference of opinion among the learned as to the exact time when it was made. This can only be learned by adding together the years of the

lives of the patriarchs as recorded in the Bible. The Hebrew, in which the Bible was first written, differs in the number of years from the Greek or Septuagint version, when speaking of the birth or death of some of those patriarchs from the creation to the time of Jacob. The Septuagint version, made about 280 years before Christ, was in general use in the time of our Saviour; and its language was sometimes, not always, quoted by him and by the apostles, as our English version is used at the present day. The Septuagint version has always been highly esteemed; and some, following the dates given in it, make the world nearly 5,500 years old before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The time generally received is, according to the computation made in the seventeenth century by the learned Archbishop Usher, from the Hebrew, that the world was created 4,004 years before the Christian era.

In the account of creation we are told very plainly that "in six days God created the heavens and the earth :" not indefinite eras, or periods of time, but evenings and mornings, days. For wise reasons the Creator took that time; instead of speaking all things into being in one instant, which He could as easily have done. We are constantly reminded of this great fact in the fourth commandment, and by each returning Sabbath. Let us remember this that we may "avoid the oppositions of science, falsely so called." We must also remember that every thing when created was immediately complete in itself; trees, animals, and man, each when made were full grown, full size, and perfect. Each also having the wonderful faculty of perpetuating its species.

While describing the progress of creation the record states again and again, "God saw that it was good." God saw every thing that he had made, and behold it was very good." No wonder that at the completion of such a work, "the sons of God shouted for joy!"3

11 Tim. vi. 20. 2 Gen. i. 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31. 8 Job xxxviii. 7.

CHAPTER VII.

ANGELS.

BBS

ESIDE the things which are seen, the Bible reveals to us that God created a host of unseen beings; Spirits, active, intelligent and holy and also, that he has been constantly using these Spirits or, as they are called, Angels, in administering the government of the world. These wonderful beings have often appeared, taking an active part in the world's history and we are told they will continue to do so, till that history is closed. An immense host of them were created: "An innumerable company." When the angel announced to the shepherds that the Saviour was born, a multitude of them was with him praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.”2 John says, "I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands."3

1

Some of them were allowed to sin, and thus to fall "from their first estate; "4 and as they, also, take a prominent part in history, we shall speak of them hereafter. Those, kept holy by the power of God, are called "elect angels."5

There are different grades or ranks of them; and they are called by different names, as Gabriel, Michael, etc., and by various titles, such as, Angel, Archangel, Cherubim, Seraphim, thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, etc.o

Michael, the great prince, which standeth for the people

of God," is thought to be not a created angel, but our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; who is the angel of the covenant. The "Angel of the Lord" or the angel Jehovah, is also considered to be the same glorious Being; who took upon him the form of a servant; who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.

The Angels are messengers of God:

"Before His feet, their armies wait,

And swift as flames of fire they move,

To manage His affairs of state,

In works of vengeance or of love."

They are also "ministering spirits; sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."2 As such they frequently appear in history. Abraham, when sending his servant to get a wife for Isaac, tells him, "The Lord God shall send his angel before thee." Two angels were sent to deliver Lot out of Sodom. Daniel said, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouth, that they have not hurt me." Angels ministered to Jesus after his fasting and temptation: and an angel strengthened him while in his agony in the garden. An angel told Cornelius that his prayers were heard, and his alms had in remembrance in the sight of God and directed him to send for Simon Peter; that he might learn the way of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought the apostles forth, when shut up by the High Priest and those with him:9 and afterwards delivered Peter from prison; his chains dropping off and the iron gate opening of its own accord.10 Angels ministered comfort to the women at the sepulchre of Jesus; and to the apostles when Jesus ascended into heaven."1

'Dan. xii. 1.

2 Heb. i. 14.

8

* Gen. xix. 15.

Acts x. 3.

3 Gen. xxiv. 7.