place, 2 Kings iv. 42, but whether there was an idol there, is not said. Shalesh is the Hebrew for three. So that it may be read the lord of three. But the cause for the name is difficult to explain. BAAL-TAMAR. A place near Gibeah. (Judges xx. 33.) It might be famous for palm-trees; for so Tamar means. BAAL-ZEBUB. So called from Baal, lord, and Zebub, a fly. And this was the ridiculous idol worshipped at Ekron, to whom Ahaziah, king of Israel, sent to enquire concerning his recovery from a fall he had from his terrace. (See 2 Kings i. 2, 3.) How very sadly this weak prince answered to his name! The man that was called Ahaziah should have had better views of the Lord, Achaz and Jah, meant, vision of the Lord. Whereas, his was a vision of folly !

The Egyptians, it should seem, as well as the Philistines, being near neighbours, paid divine homage to this contemptible idol. It is possible, that the folly of this idolatry might take its rise from the plague of the flies, which Egypt suffered on account of Israel. (See Exod. viii. 20, &c.) But it is said also by historians, that the rivers of Egypt abound with flies whose sting is very painful. It is worthy remark, that the name of this idol changed only from Baal-zebub in Hebrew, to Beel-zebub in Greek, was given to the devil, in the days of our Lord's ministry upon earth. It doth not appear that he was worshipped at that time; but it is evident that he was so generally known and acknowledged by this name, that the Pharisees made use of it as a name well known, and in a daring blasphemy, ascribed the miracles of the Lord Jesus to his power. (See Matt. xii. 24.)

BAAL-ZEPHON. Some have thought that this was only the name of a place. And some have

concluded that it was the name of an idol. The words together may be read, the lord of secret, meaning one that inspects, and discovers what is hidden. One thing however is certain concerning it, that it was over against Baal-zephon, the Lord directed Israel to encamp, when the Egyptians were pursuing them after their departure from Egypt. I beg the reader to consult the Scripture concerning it, (Exod. xiv. 2.) Piha-hiroth it should seem was so called, because it formed the mouth or gullet of entrance to the sea. And Migdol, which means a tower, was a watch-place, where it is probable that this idol was placed to watch, or pretend to watch, at the extremity of the kingdom of Egypt, on this part to the sea, by way of deterring runaway servants, or slaves, like Israel, from attempting their escape. It was in this very spot, as if, at once, to shew Israel the folly of such ridiculous idols; and to shew Egypt of what little avail their dunghill deities were; Israel was commanded to encamp, from whence they should behold the arm of the Lord displayed for their deliverance, and at the same time Egypt's destruction. (See Exod. xii. 12, &c. Num. xxxii. 4.)

BABE. I should not have noticed this article, being so perfectly understood in its common sense and meaning, but for the peculiar use that is made of it, in reference to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to his church in him. There is somewhat very sweet and interesting in it, considered in these views. To contemplate the Ancient of days as the Babe of Bethlehem; and to behold the church in every individual member, as babes in Christ, the imagination finds large scope for the indulgence of the most solemn meditation, when the subject is opened to the believer by God the Holy Ghost. We enter upon hallowed ground, when the Lord

the Spirit leads us to behold by faith Him, whom the apostles called "the holy child Jesus." (Acts iv. 27.) And there is a most blessed and inexpressible sweetness in the soul's joy, when, at the same time, through the same almighty Teacher, we enter into an apprehension of our child-like union with him, and interest in him. (Luke ii. 12—16. Psal. viii. 2. Matt. xi. 25. 1 Pet. ii. 2. BABEL. This word is, what it is designed to be, babel, or confusion. And our English language, in the strong term of bablers, has very happily borrowed from the Scripture babel or babbel, to express confusion. It were unnecessary for me to add, that Babel was the name given to the tower which the impiety of men began to build after the deluge. (Gen, xi. 9.) And here also was the foundation of that city of Babylon laid, which in after ages became the confusion and sorrow of the church during the seventy years' desolation. (Gen. x. 10.) And to go farther still, mystical Babylon, in the error and follies by which it is distinguished, may well retain the name, as the Scriptures have given it, for nothing but confusion is in it, and in confusion must it end. (Rev. xvii. 5. and xviii. throughout.)

I cannot forbear adding one short, but I hope not unprofitable observation, by way of noting the wonderful grace and overruling power of God. By the confusion at Babel, in a diversity of tongues, and which ever since hath distinguished nations; the Lord rendered that miracle at Pentecost, of his poor servants speaking in every language then under heaven in a moment, and with the greatest fluency, a full proof of "the Lord speaking in them, and by them." But for this diversity of language the glory of this miracle would have been wanting; since, had all nations, as before

the confusion at the tower of Babel they did, spoken but one language; the disciples of Jesus would have needed the use of no other. But by this punishment in the plains of Shinar, the Lord laid the foundation of his own glory and his servants' honour; and the wonderful conversion of souls, at that season of Pentecost, demonstrated both the power of God, and the wisdom of God, in confirmation of the faith.

BABYLON. This eminent city, which was once the most noble and magnificent in the whole earth, the capital of the Chaldean empire: and concerning which the Scriptures themselves speak so highly, (See Dan. iv. 30.) is now so totally overthrown, that not a vestige remains. By Isaiah the prophet, the Lord declared this ruin, (Isa. xiii. 19. to the end ;) and every traveller that hath seen the ground it stood on confirms it. The approach to the ruins, on account of the venomous creatures which inhabit it, is so dangerous, that no man durst venture, and many parts for ages have not been explored. Who that considers this, and connects with it what the prophets declared concerning it, years before the event took place, but must be struck with wonder and praise! I beg the reader to look again at Isaiah's prophecy, chap. xiii. 19 to the end.

And when the reader hath duly pondered the subject, concerning the natural history of Babylon, thus desolated as the enemy of Christ and his church; he will do well to consider the subject in the spiritual sense of it, according to what the Scriptures have declared of mystical Babylon. Let him turn to the Revelations of John, and hear what the Spirit saith, concerning the awful close to all the enemies of Christ and his church. (See Rev. chap. xvii. and xviii.)

BACA, or BACHA. We meet with this word but once in Scripture, and that is in the book of Psalms, (Ps. lxxxiv. 6.) The meaning of it seems to be weeping; though some consider it as referring to the mulberry tree.

BACKSLIDING. I humbly conceive that this word, and which we often meet with in Scripture, is not so well understood, by the generality of readers, as it were to be wished. The common received opinion concerning backsliding is, that it is turning back, or going away, from the Lord. Whereas the very word itself implies sliding backward, and not turning round, and going away. The Lord himself, by his servant the prophet Hosea, makes use of a simile, which seems to explain the meaning, "Israel (saith the Lord) slideth back as a backsliding heifer." (Hosea iv. 16.) Now, how doth an heifer slide back? I apprehend not by turning back, and going another path; but like one on slippery ground, whose steps, so far from gaining ground, rather lose ground. But all the while the heifer is still with her face and feet the same way, only sliding back, and not getting forward. And what follows, in the same verse, seems to confirm this sense of backsliding. "Now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place." So that the Lord undertakes to preserve Israel from sliding back, by putting his people in a roomy place, where the ground shall not be slippery.

I do not presume to suppose, that I am right in this my conjecture concerning backsliding. I only venture to give my opinion upon it, as it strikes me. The Lord pardon me if I err. One thing, however, is certain, the recovery of all backsliding is of the Lord; and his promise to his people, on this subject, is most blessed. "I will heal their