was much dreaded. Hence, the enemies of Jesus "agreed, that if any man did confess that he was the Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue," or excommunicated, - and accordingly, they "cast out" in this way the blind man, who persisted in believing Jesus to be of God. John ix. 22, 34. Through fear of the Pharisees in this respect, many who believed on Christ, dared not confess him openly, "lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men, more than the praise of God." John xii. 42, 43. Let us beware of this sin, and confess, and advocate what we believe to be the truth, regardless of the praise of men; and honor it with righteous lives, that we may have praise of God. It appears, also, from Matt. x. 17, that the rulers of the synagogues had power to inflict the punishment of scourging. For more respecting excommunication and scourging, see the chapter on Punishments.

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XVII.

1.2. When were synagogues first established? At what period were they very common? What appears from the New Testament respecting them? For what purposes were synagogues erected? What do they resemble among Christians? What is the literal meaning of synagogue? What is the literal meaning of church? Is it ever so used in the New Testament? What is said of

building a synagogue? Give an example of this. What was the result of this? How many synagogues do the Jews say were in Jerusalem? Is this probably correct? How many persons were required for a synagogue? Why could not a less number make a congregation? What is the language of Christ in Matt. xviii. 19, 20? What should we draw from this?

3. 4. 5. What was the probable form of the synagogue? Why? What part of the building was occupied by the congregation? Where was the ark placed? What was this ark? What was kept in it? What other piece of furniture is mentioned, and for what used? Where were the elders seated? What have you to say of these seats? In what Epistle is this probably referred to? What is said of the women? Who were the council of elders? What of the ruler of the synagogue, and his duty. Did more than one person at a time ever have this title? What further is said of these persons? Did they ever act as judges? Where does Paul probably allude to them, and what is the substance of his language? Why did he reprove the Christians at Corinth, for going to law before Pagan judges? What officer was next to the ruler of the synagogue? Why so called? What is the literal signification of angel? Where is this name borrowed, and applied to Christian ministers?

6. 7. What was the introductory service of the synagogue? What came next? What followed this? Then what? What followed the reading of the prophets? By whom was this? How were the services concluded? What was Christ's custom? On what occasion do you have an example? What did Christ read here? Can you repeat the passage? What followed? Why did Jesus stand up when he read? Why did he sit when he taught? Was this a universal practice? How do you

know? What other example of preaching in the synagogue is mentioned? What is the substance of the passage quoted? What is said of this invitation? What were the powers of the council of elders, touching the discipline of the synagogue? What of excommunication? What agreement did the enemies of Jesus make among themselves? Can you give an example of this casting out? What was the effect of this fear of excommunication upon many? What is said of their love of praise? What is our duty in this respect? What other punishment was probably inflicted by the synagogue? How does Christ speak of this?

CHAPTER XVIII.

Hebrew Poetry.

1. HEBREW POETRY is not distinguished by measure or rhyme, or any of the characteristics of Latin, Greek, or English verse. Many writers have attempted to point out several marks, or peculiar characteristics, by which it may be always known; but there seems to be only one clearly established, that which is termed parallelism.

2. Parallelism is a certain resemblance, or relationship, between the members of two or more verses. This correspondence is sometimes of words, sometimes of thoughts or sentiments, and sometimes of facts; and is so constructed, that the words or facts of one verse or line, answer to the words or facts of another; and this correspondence is of several kinds, three of which we shall notice, the Gradational, Antithetic, and Synony

mous.

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3. Parallel Lines Gradational. In this species of parallelism, each clause, or verse, rises above the preceding, or corresponding verse, in force or power; and sometimes the scale is a descending one, in regard to the value of the things mentioned. This kind of parallelism is more frequent than any other, and abounds in the Psalms and in

the Prophecies of Isaiah. An example is found in the first Psalm.

"Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor standeth in the way of sinners,

Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."

Here the ascending scale is distinctly marked, each verse rising in strength and significancy, and preserving a perfect correspondence of terms. Walk, in the first line, which implies only casual intercourse, is answered in the second, by stand, which is expressive of greater familiarity; and to this, answers sit, in the third line, which is a grade still higher, and marks a permanent companionship. So counsel, way, and seat. And so, also, ungodly, the negatively wicked, rises into sinners, the positively wicked; and, in the third verse, becomes the scornful, or scoffers at all good. See also Psalm xxi. 1, 2; Isa. lv. 6, 7; and especially Psalm xxiv. 3, 4, where the gradational parallel is equally marked.

4. Parallel Lines Antithetic or Antagonistic. This species of parallelism consists in an opposition of sentiments, or facts, the first verse being contrasted with the second. Sometimes this antithesis, or opposition, is only of the general sentiment expressed; at other times, it is very exact, word answering to word, singular to singular, &c. Several entire chapters of the Book of Proverbs, are written in this manner, especially x.-xv.