its cities, and the battles fought on its plains, Palestine might challenge a comparison with any other country under heaven. There, theism and polytheism met in fierce and frequent encounter; and its wars were truly "the wars of the Lord." There, pagan Rome-that monster power, "dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly, devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet," and sealed its own destruction by the deed. There, in later times, the armies of Mahomet and of a crusading Christianity fought their battles, and exhausted their strength. "Jews, Gentiles, Saracens, Crusaders, Egyptians, Persians, Druses, Turks, Arabs, and French, warriors out of every nation under heaven, have pitched their tents upon the plain of Esdraelon, and have beheld their banners wet with the dews of Tabor and of Hermon."

But far other and higher interest belongs to Judea than that which arises from "the battle of the warrior and garments rolled in blood." There, and in the parts immediately adjacent, piety reared its earliest altars and prepared its simplest rites. "There

they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife." There religion itself was localized, reared its first temple, and for ages possessed no other visible abode. "There the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for everIts mountains have smoked at the presence of the Lord, and echoed with the voice of his prophets. "God came from Teman, and the Holy

more."

One from mount Paran." Which of its paths was not trod by angel feet? and which of its ancient pillars was not a memorial of some miraculous event? There lived the men "of whom the world was not worthy ;" and whose example is one of the most precious gifts which the believers of one dispensation can bequeath to those of another.

But, more than all, it is the country which received the Saviour of the world. When "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us," it was there that his tabernacle was pitched! When his incarnation had rendered it no longer impossible nor improper to ask with reverence, "Where dwellest thou?" it was at Bethabara beyond Jordan, that he said, "Come and see. There are Bethlehem, and Nazareth, and Capernaum; and the lake whose storms he hushed, and the hills on which he taught, and the city over which he wept. There is "the place where Martha met him," when, with a voice whose tones went reverberating through the regions of the dead, he proclaimed, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." There is "the place," over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, to which he oftentimes resorted with his disciples ;" and where he poured out "strong crying and tears." is Calvary," the place where he was and "the place where they laid him." in heaven has not gazed on the scene of his expiatory death? and what eye on earth should not brighten with interest at the mention of it? If, on

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And, there, crucified"

What eye

looking forwards from the depths of eternity to the period when the globe should be peopled, he "rejoiced in the habitable part of the earth," surely that part which he himself should inhabit must have engaged his supreme regard. As the theatre of his redeeming work, it has become identified with all the great interests of the universe, and of eternity. And still the eye of prophecy is fixed on it in stedfast and expectant gaze; for, without supposing that it is to be the scene of a pre-millennial advent,” or of “a personal reign," there is ground to believe that parts of its prophetic destiny are yet unfulfilled.

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Biblical topography then is important as calculated to multiply our hallowed associations with the great facts of the Jewish and Christian religion. But there are considerations which exalt the study into a sacred duty. It belongs to the ever-enlarging department of the evidences of the divine authority of the Bible. Does it say nothing for the antiquity and credibility of the sacred history, that parts of the circuitous route and many of the stations of the Israelites, in their march through the desert, are still to be traced? that many of the descriptions of modern travellers are commentaries on the sacred text? and that numerous relics are still extant, which, from being associated with scripture facts, serve-like the marble pillars of "Tadmor in the wilderness as monuments of the truth of the

holy record, and of the providence which has kept them to answer that end?

Equally necessary is a knowledge of sacred topography to a correct acquaintance with the force and the fulfilment of several prophecies. Not only is the prophetic style highly figurative, its imagery is remarkably local. In its allusions to mountain scenery, for instance, the glory of Lebanon waves to the excellency of Carmel, and Tabor and Hermon rejoice. And, if a knowledge of what these places formerly were would give additional vividness and meaning to the descriptive language of prophecy, what solemnity and force do its denunciations acquire from a knowledge of what Tyre and Sidon and Jerusalem now are!

Incidents and allusions which we should otherwise pass unnoticed, sacred topography shows to possess special propriety and meaning. What locality can appear more proper for the scene of the parable of the man who fell among thieves, than that of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, when it is known that the whole country was rock and desert, infested with robbers?

Information on this subject might also have prevented the misapplication of portions of Scripture to doctrines with which they had no direct relation. Who, for example, would have cited the statement that our Lord, in going to Galilee, "must needs go through Samaria," in proof of the great doctrine of

sovereign grace, if he had been aware that the necessity spoken of was simply geographical?

Nor is the subject in question unconnected with Christian experience, and with the expectations of the church concerning the latter day glory. To understand his Christian security, the believer must understand how the guardian "mountains are round about Jerusalem;" for "so the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth, even for ever." To estimate aright the blessedness to be found in the communion of saints, he must be aware how copious and refreshing was "the dew of Hermon, and the dew that descended upon the mountains of Sion ;" for so "good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." While, in order to do justice to the predictions of spiritual abundance which shall distinguish the reign of Messiah, he must picture to himself a universal field of corn, whose every part, laden with fruit, should bend, and wave, and "shake like Lebanon."

But if such are some of the advantages derivable from sacred topography, to form an acquaintance with it, where the opportunity exists, constitutes a duty. He, therefore, who helps us to discharge it deserves our thanks. Such is the aim of the following treatise. It aspires not to compete with, or to supersede any other work on the same subject; but simply asks to take the place which it deserves; and that place, if the writer of these lines mistake not, is a respectable one. The author has evidently