The historical interval between the Old and New Testaments, by the author of 'A sponsor's gift'.

Nebuzar-adan sent to destroy Jerusalem. The priests and

nobles put to death at Riblah. Preservation of Jeremiah.

His choice. Treachery of Ishmael, who murders Geda-

liah. The remnant left in Judah resolve on going into Ɔ

Egypt. The Lord's declarations concerning them. Cha

racter of Jeremiah

LETTER VII.

Remarks on the character of Daniel. His piety and self-

denial. His wisdom and that of his three companions.

What the foundation of it. He interprets Nebuchad-

nezzar's dream. His advancement

LETTER VIII.

Miraculous deliverance of Daniel's three companions. The T

pride and haughtiness of Nebuchadnezzar contrasted

with the calm resolution of his intended victims. Result

of their faith advantageous to all the captives. Practical

inferences. Christians also in danger of idolatry

LETTER IX.

Fulfilment of God's promises to his people in captivity. Of

his threatenings also to other nations. Degradation of

Nebuchadnezzar. His restoration. His death. Evil

Merodach succeeds. He releases Jehoiachin from prison.

Deposition and death of Evil Merodach. Succeeded by

Nereglissar

LETTER X.

War between the Medes and Babylonians. Cyrus prince T

of Persia commands the forces of the Medes. Predictions

of him as the restorer of God's people. Nereglissar, killed

in battle, is succeeded by Laborosoarchod, whose vices

excite his subjects to rebellion. His death. Reign of

Belshazzar. Wisdom of Nitocris. Daniel's visions of

the four empires. Conquests of Cyrus. He defeats

Croesus, and lays siege to Babylon

LETTER XI.

Strength of Babylon. Stratagem of Cyrus. The city taken.
Belshazzar slain. End of the war. The account of these
facts as related in the Bible. Predictions respecting them
circumstantially fulfilled.

LETTER XII.

Cyrus and Darius settle the affairs of the empire. Advance-
ment of Daniel. Envy of the princes. Their conspiracy [
* miraculously frustrated. Daniel's faith rendered benefi

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cial to all the captives. His confession and prayer.

Revelations made to him respecting the coming of our

Lord Jesus Christ . .

LETTER XIII.

Cyrus establishes the Persian empire. His edict for the

restoration of the Jews, and for rebuilding the temple at

Jerusalem. Numerous and remarkable prophecies ful-

filled in this event

LETTER XIV.

. . 70

Number of the captives who returned. Proofs that many

from among the ten tribes of Israel also returned.

Courses of the priests. Offerings of the people. The

altar set up. Foundation of the temple laid

יזי

LETTER XV.

The enemies of the Jews seek to obstruct the rebuilding

of the city and temple. The Samaritans from whom

descended. The work hindered by their machination.

Accession of Darius Hystaspes. The Jews, admo-

nished by Haggai and Zechariah, resume the building.

Gracious and encouraging messages sent to them. . . 80

LETTER XVI.

Decree of Darius in favour of the Jews. Their inquiry

respecting the four fasts. The Lord's answer and pro-

mise. Farther fulfilment of God's denunciations against

Babylon. Prosperity of the Jews. Dedication of the

A temple. Celebration of the Passover at Jerusalem . . 86

LETTER XVII.

The Jews enjoy the blessings restored to them more than

fifty years. This period one of great interest to other

nations. Xerxes succeeds Darius. His conquest of

Egypt and invasion of Greece the subjects of prophesy.

He destroys the temple of Belus, and accomplishes the

predictions of the Lord against the idols of Babylon

LETTER XVIII.

Death of Xerxes. He is succeeded by Artaxerxes Longi-

manus, the Ahasuerus mentioned in the book of Esther.

Consideration of the wonderful narrative contained in

that book

LETTER XIX.

Ezra obtains a commission from Artaxerxes. He goes to

Jerusalem and begins a reformation there.

Remarks on Daniel's prophecy of the seventy weeks. Time

106

of their commencement

111

LETTER XXI.

Page

Nehemiah appointed governor of Judea, goes to Jerusalem,

and by unremitting zeal and exertion succeeds in re?

building the wall. He appoints a guard. At the feast...

of trumpets Ezra reads the word of God to the people.

The Levites expound it. Celebration of the feast of ta-

bernacles. A solemn fast observed. Reflections

LETTER XXII.

113

Nehemiah continues his reform. Opposition of some of the H

rulers. Degeneracy of Eliashib. Nehemiah's second

commission. He corrects the abuses which had been

allowed during his absence. Time of his death uncer-

tain. His character. Predictions of the prophet Malachi 123

LETTER XXIII.

Account of the scriptures of the Old Testament. Collected
and written in the Chaldee character by Ezra. The law
appointed to be read on the sabbath. Erection of syna-
gogues. Division of the sacred scriptures into verses.
First Concordance, Consequent division into chapters 1298

LETTER XXIV.

Death of Artaxerxes Longimanus. Xerxes, Sogdianus,

and Darius Nothus, successively reign in Persia. Death

of Eliashib. Building of the temple on Mount Gerizim.

Mutual hatred of the Jews and Samaritans. Fratricide

of Johanan. Declension of the Persian empire. Birth

of Alexander. Treachery of Bagoas. Invasion of Per-

sia by the Greeks

LETTER XXV.

134

Prophecies respecting Alexander of Macedon. Their li-

teral fulfilment. Predictions respecting Tyre and other

places. The Jews offend Alexander. His vengeance

miraculously averted. Siege of Gaza. Reduction of

Egypt. Chastisement of the Samaritans. Death of Da-

rius. Establishment of the Grecian empire. Alexander's M

design of restoring Babylon rendered abortive by his

death. Gradual decay of that place according to prophecy 141

LETTER XXVI.

Remarks on the character of Alexander. Death of Jaddua.

Steady adherence of the Jews to Laomedon. Jerusalem

besieged and taken by Ptolemy, who at first treats the

people with severity; but afterwards relents towards

them. Ptolemy dispossessed by Antigonus. Death of

Onias. Seleucus favours the Jews.

€150

LETTER XXVII.

Simon the Just completes the sacred canon begun by Ezra.

Sanhedrims, greater and less. Ptolemy Philadelphus

reigns in Egypt. Septuagint version of the Old Testa-

ment. Prophecy of Daniel respecting the kings of

Egypt and Syria remarkably fulfilled

LETTER XXVIII.

Page

156

Peace and prosperity of the Jews under Ptolemy Evergetes.

His favour nearly forfeited by Onias. Regained by

Joseph. War between the kings of Egypt and Syria, in

which the Jews suffer greatly. Ptolemy Philopator at-

tempts to enter the temple. He is miraculously prevented.

His rage against the Jews averted by Almighty God. 161

LETTER XXIX.

Antiochus the Great, king of Syria, makes himself master

of Judea. He shows great favour to the Jews. Prophe-

cies respecting his victorious career, and ignoble death 169

LETTER XXX.

Birth of Ptolemy Philometor. Unworthy conduct of Hyr-

canus son of Joseph, Contentions between him and his

brothers cause great disorder in Jerusalem. Treachery

of Simon. Sacrilegious attempt of Heliodorus miracu-

lously frustrated

LETTER XXXI.

174

Predictions of Daniel fulfilled in the life and death of Se-

leucus Philopator. Accession of Antiochus Epiphanes.

Jason supplants his brother Onias III. He introduces

heathen customs. Is supplanted by Menelaus. Apos-

tacy of the latter. He steals the sacred vessels. Pro-

cures the death of Onias. Invasion of Egypt by Antiochus 179

LETTER XXXII.

Disturbances oc-

Portentous appearances at Jerusalem.

casioned by Jason. Displeasure of Antiochus. His cru-

elty to the Jews. His impious rage against the temple.

Miserable end of Jason. Antiochus, disappointed in

Egypt, wreaks his fury on the Jews. Makes a decree

to establish idolatry. Base conduct of the Samaritans.

An idol set up in the temple

LETTER XXXIII.

Predictions of Daniel respecting the persecution of Anti-
ochus. Noble resistance of Mattathias. Constancy of
Eleazar. Of seven brethren and their mother. Matta-
thias with his little band drives out the persecutors, and
restores the worship of God in many of the towns and

186

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villages. His death. Judas Maccabeus succeeds hist

father. Gains repeated victories over the troops of An ̧

tiochus, and at length recovers Jerusalem, and restores

the sanctuary