had greatly honoured him as an instrument of his glory, and by whom he was still preserved and strengthened for every event and every trial. We must however take leave of him for the present, to notice what he has farther related of Belshazzar, whom he briefly mentions as being slain that same night. This account agrees with what the profane historians tell us. Daniel does not speak of Cyrus at this time; but says that Darius the Mede took the kingdom, which was actually the case; because Cyrus acted as military commander under his uncle, and would therefore take possession of all conquests in his name. I must beg you to read attentively all the chapters from which I have extracted the predictions; respecting Babylon. You will find in them many others on the same subject; but as these were not fully accomplished on the first taking of the city, I have forborne to notice them, till I can do so in refer ence to their completion. This conquest of Cyrus put an end to the Assyrian or Babylonian empire. "The head of gold was now broken to pieces, and become like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors."* I know of no comment on this subject equal to that you will find in the tenth chapter of Isaiah, from the fifth verse to the nineteenth, inclusively. I earnestly recommend you to read it with prayer for an understanding heart, that you may be enabled to perceive and know that, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell threin ;+" that "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations ;" and that "Whatsoever the Lord pleaseth, that doeth he in Heaven, and in the earth."§ *Daniel ii. 31-45. Psalm xxxiii. 11. + Psalm xxiv. 1. § Psalm cxxxv. 6. LETTER XII. WHEN Cyrus had settled his affairs in Babylon, he went into Persia to visit his father and mother, who│ were yet living. On his return he married the daughter of Cyaxares, and thereby became heir to the throne of Media, as she was the only child of his uncle. Cyax ares (or Darius the Mede, as Daniel calls him) accompanied Cyrus to Babylon, and there in concert with him, established the government of the mighty empire their united efforts had gained. They divided the whole into one hundred and twenty provinces, the government of which was committed to as many military commanders, in remuneration of their long and arduous services during the war. Over these governors three presidents were appointed, of whom Daniel was the chief. This preference was certainly extraordinary, and on the part of Darius and Cyrus, a proof of wisdom. The prophet himself tells us the cause of it, namely, that “ an excellent spirit was found in him ;" and from what he subjoins, it would appear that Darius thought of making him sole president. These accumulated honours conferred on him excited the envy of the other presidents and governors, who conspired against him ; determining to effect his ruin by some means. His wisdom, prudence, and integrity, were such, that no accusation could be laid against him on account of mal-administration in the government; his enemies therefore came to the conclusion, that their purpose could be effected only by finding occasion against him "concerning the law of his God.". Even on this account they durst not hazard an open impeachment, against one who was so deservedly an object of the king's particular regard. If they had, it is probable Darius would not have considered the matter so seriously as these worthless men desired; for he must have been devoid of religious feelings, or he would not so readily have fallen into the snare, which their impious flattery laid for him. When the decree was made known, the venerable servant of God doubtless understood the purport of it; but his faith was superior to the fear of man; and his hope was fixed, trusting in the Lord his God. He did not court persecution, by any unusual display of religious zeal; nor did he seek to avoid it by secrecy. "He went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber towards Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." The holy Scriptures abound with instances of God's merciful regard to the prayers of his people. More than a hundred and thirty examples are enumerated in a work extracted from the Bible, called "The Achievements of Prayer." And whenever any of the children of God become eminent in his service, the origin of their eminence is found to be a large measure of his Grace given in answer to fervent, persevering, faithful prayer. You know I have already adverted to Daniel's piety as the source of his eminence; but we must not forget that prayer is the foundation of piety; and we see in the example of this holy man, that he considered it as such; for though he attained to an unparalleled degree of honour and wisdom, he knew that daily communion with God, and daily communications of his grace, were absolutely needful to uphold him in body, soul, and spirit. The enemies of Daniel, who assembled to watch him, soon found the opportunity for accusing him to the king. Darius, now discovering the base motive of their adulation, was displeased with himself for having been the dupe of it; and earnestly sought to deliver Daniel. The princes, however, were not so mercifully inclined; they went in a body to the king, and insolently told him that the law he had made for others must not be broken by himself. Unable to deliver himself from the distress his rashness had brought upon him, and equally unable to rescue Daniel from the malice of his enemies, he was obliged to give him up to them. At the moment of consigning him to this unmerited infliction, a ray of hope seems to have cheered the king, who said to Daniel," Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee." This hope, however, was probably inspired by the undaunted calmness of Daniel; for it forsook the king on his return to the palace, where he passed the night fasting; refusing his customary recreations, and unable to find repose in sleep. "Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.” These few words express very fully the perturbed state of the king's mind; what then must have been the transition of his feelings, when his address to Daniel was answered from within the den; and the voice of his faithful minister assured him, that the Lord his God had sent his angel and shut the lion's mouths, so that they had not hurt him. The king gladly caused Daniel to be taken out of the den; and having submitted to the law, he was now at liberty to punish the conspiracy, by means of # * St. Paul manifestly refers to this in his Epistle to the Hebrews, xi. 33. "T which it had been enacted. The enemies of Daniel were consigned to the destruction they had intended for him; and he was advanced to great prosperity and honour, which seem to have been uninterrupted during the rest of his life. But the beneficial effects of Daniel's faith were not confined to himself alone; for Darius published a decree, that in every dominion of his kingdom, men should fear and tremble before the God of Daniel, who had delivered him from the power of the lions. This decree must have proved a great advantage and safeguard to the captive Jews; for though one of the same import had been made by Nebuchadnezzar, it is not likely that much regard would be paid to it by the Medes and Persians, who were now masters of the country. This is another wonderful instance of the faithfulness and mercy of God towards his people; while he chastened them in measure, according to their need, he would not make a full end of them; all his ways towards them were ways of mercy, preparatory to the fulfilment of his promise in their restoration. It appears from the testimony of ancient writers, that Cyrus was not at Babylon during the persecution and deliverance of Daniel; he is said to have been engaged in an expedition to Syria and Egypt, in which he had great success. In the first year of Darius, Daniel having computed the number of years, according to the prophecy of Jeremiah, understood that the term of the Jews' captivity had nearly expired. He had experienced the efficacy of prayer, and therefore, as he tells us, he "set his face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes." The beautiful confession and prayer, which are recorded |