"A cave cut in the side of a huge rock." Such was that of the famous oracle at Delphi; of which, says Strabo, lib.

ix., fasi dÆ einai to manteion antron koilon meta baqouv, ou mala eurustomon. "The oracle is said to be a hollow cavern of considerable depth, with an opening not very wide. " And Diodourus, giving an account of the origin of this oracle, says "that there was in that place a great chasm or cleft in the earth; in which very place is now situated what is called the Adytum of the temple. " aduton� sphlaion, h to apokrufon merov tou ierou. Mesych. "Adytum means a cavern, or the hidden part of the temple." I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right "I am JEHOVAH, who speak truth, who give direct answers."] This also is said in opposition to the false and ambiguous answers given by the heathen oracles, of which there are many noted examples; none more so than that of the answer given to Croesus when he marehed against Cyrus, which piece of history has some connection with this part of Isaiah's prophecies.

Let us hear Cicero's account of the Delphic answers in general, and of this in particular: Sed jam ad te venio, O sancte Apollo, qui umbilicum certum terrarum obsides, Unde superstitiosa primum saeva evasit vox fera.

Tuis enim oraculis Chrysippus totum volumen implevit, partim falsis, ut ego opinor; partim casu veris, ut fit in omni oratione saepissime; partim flexiloquis et obscuris, ut interpres egeat interprete, et sors ipsa ad sortes referenda sit; partim ambiguis, et quae ad dialecticum deferenda sint. Nam cum sors illa edita est opulentissimo regi Asiea, Croesus Halym penetrans magnam pervertet opum vim: hostium vim sese perversurum putavit; pervertit autem suam. Utrum igitur eorum accidisset, verum oraculum fuisset. De Divinat. ii. 56. Mountainous countries, and those which abounded in chasms, caves, and grottos, were the places in which oracles were most frequent. The horror and gloom inspired by such places were useful to the lying priests in their system of deception. The terms in which those oracles were conceived, (they were always ambiguous, or equivocal, or false, or illusory,) sometimes the turn of a phrase, or a peculiarity in idiom or construction which might be turned pro or con, contained the essence of the oracular declaration. Sometimes, in the multitude of guesses, one turned out to be true; at other times, so equivocal was the oracle, that, however the thing fell out, the declaration could be interpreted in that way, as in the above to Croesus, from the oracle at Delphi, which was: If Croeses march against Cyrus, he shall overthrow a great empire: he, supposing that this promised him success, fought, and lost his own, while he expected to destroy that of his enemy.

Here the quack demon took refuge in his designed ambiguity. He predicted the destruction of a great empire, but did not say which it was; and therefore he was safe, howsoever the case fell out. Not one of the predictions of God's prophets is conceived in this way.

Is. 45:1-4 Cyrus is called God's anointed; he was designed an qualified for his great service by the counsel of God. The gates of Babylon which led to the river, were left open the night that Cyru marched his army into the empty channel. The Lord went before him giving entrance to the cities he besieged. He gave him also treasures which had been hidden in secret places. The true God was to Cyrus a unknown God; yet God foreknew him; he called him by his name. The exac fulfilment of this must have shown Cyrus that Jehovah was the only tru God, and that it was for the sake of Israel that he was prospered. I all the changes of states and kingdoms, God works out the good of his church.

Is. 45:5-10 There is no God beside Jehovah. There is nothing don without him. He makes peace, put here for all good; and creates evil not the evil of sin, but the evil of punishment. He is the Author of all that is true, holy, good, or happy; and evil, error, and misery came into the world by his permission, through the wilful apostacy of his creatures, but are restrained and overruled to his righteou purpose. This doctrine is applied, for the comfort of those tha earnestly longed, yet quietly waited, for the redemption of Israel. The redemption of sinners by the Son of God, and the pouring out the Spirit, to give success to the gospel, are chiefly here intended. We must not expect salvation without righteousness; together the Lord hat created them. Let not oppressors oppose God's designs for his people Let not the poor oppressed murmur, as if God dealt unkindly with them Men are but earthen pots; they are broken potsherds, and are very muc made so by mutual contentions. To contend with Him is as senseless a for clay to find fault with the potter. Let us turn God's promises int prayers, beseeching him that salvation may abound among us, and let u rest assured that the Judge of all the earth will do right.

Is. 45:11-19 Believers may ask in prayer for what they need; if for their good, it will not be withheld. But how common to hear God calle to account for his dealings with man! Cyrus provided for the returnin Jews. Those redeemed by Christ shall be provided for. The restoratio would convince many, and convert some; and all that truly join the Lord, find his service perfect freedom. Though God be his people's God and Saviour, yet sometimes he lays them under his frowns; but let the wait upon the Lord who hides his face. There is a world without end and it will be well or ill with us, according as it shall be with us in that world. The Lord we serve and trust, is God alone. All that God ha said is plain, satisfactory, and just. As God in his word calls us to seek him, so he never denied believing prayers, nor disappointe believing expectations. He gives grace sufficient, and comfort an satisfaction of soul.

Is. 45:20-25 The nations are exhorted to draw near to Jehovah. Non besides is able to help; he is the Saviour, who can save without the assistance of any, but without whom none can save. If the heart i brought into the obedience of Christ, the knee will cheerfully obey his commands. To Christ men shall come from every nation for blessings; all that hate his cause shall be put to shame, and all believers shal rejoice in him as their Friend and Portion. All must come to him: ma we now come to him as the Lord our Righteousness, walking according to his commandments __________________________________________________________________

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