wise of different figures, one perhaps oval, another triangular, or like an N or M, &c, so that every one knows by them his respective cotter. They are carried in the front, and set up in the place where the caravan is to pitch, before that comes up, at some distance from one another." (Harmer, vol. i. p. 472.) The meaning of the passage from these representations is obvious. Ye shine as elevated lights in the dark world about you, that ye may direct those that sail on this dangerous sea, and secure them from suffering shipwreck, or guide those who travel through this desert in their way to the city of rest. (Matt. v. 14. Luke ii. 32. John. v. 35. 2 Pet. i. 19.) No. 547-iii. 2. Beware of dogs.] This may very possibly be an allusion to Isaiah Ivi. 10, 11, 12. The Jews used to call the Gentiles dogs, and perhaps St. Paul may use this language, when speaking of their proud bigots, by way of retaliation. (Rev. xxii. 15.) L'Enfant tells us of a custom at Rome, to chain their dogs at the doors of their houses, and to put an inscription over them, Beware of this dog, to which he seems to think these words may refer. DODDRIDGE in loc. No. 548.-iii. 8. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.] In that tempest to which St. Paul was a witness, and by which he was exposed to such imminent danger, after long abstinence, he stood forth in the midst of them, and said, sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm or loss, Enuar, (Acts. xxvii. 21.) It is the same word which the apostle uses in this passage, from which we may accurately obtain his meaning, if it is not allowed to have such an allusion. What things were gain to me, these I counted loss, Car, for Christ, i.e. I threw them away as mariners do their goods, on which they before set a value, lest they should endanger their lives. - No. 549-iii. 12. I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.] Doddridge thus renders and paraphrases this last sentence for which also I am apprebended by Christ Fesus, whose condescending hand graciously laid hold of me in my mad career, in so extraordinary a manner as you have often heard, and has introduced me into that blessed race in which I am now engaged. To this he adds in a note, that candidates in the Grecian games, especially when they first presented themselves, were often introduced by some person of established reputation, who, at the same time that he spoke as honourably as might be of his friend, urged him to acquit himself with the utmost vigour and resolution; and it is possible that this clause may allude to that circumstance. I conclude that even on this interpretation, it further expresses the sense the apostle had of his obligations to the condescension and grace of Christ, in pursuing and seizing him while he fled from him, and so engaging him to aspire to this crown of life. No. 550.-iii. 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the bigh calling of God in Christ Jesus.] Here is all along a beautiful allusion to the Olympic games, and especially the foot-races, which made the most celebrated part of them. The prize was placed in a very conspicuous situation, so that the competitors might be animated by having it always in their sight. The word Space is considered by some as expressing the principal prize, whereas it is possible that some of the racers might come to the goal, and receive lower rewards. Doddridge says, that though such inferior prizes were common in funeral games, secondary prizes were not bestowed on the Olympic foot-race. (See WEST'S Dissert. on the Olympic Games, p. 63.) No. 551.-iii. 14. The prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.] L'Enfant thinks the apostle compares our Lord to those who stood at the elevated place at the end of the course, calling the racers by their names, and encouraging them by holding out the crown to exert themselves with vigour. No. 552.-iv. 3. The book of life.] This expression refers to the custom of those cities which had registers containing the names of all the citizens, from which the names of infamous persons were erased. Agreeable to this we read of names being blotted out of God's book. (Rev. iii. 5.) Those citizens who were orderly and obedient were continued on the roll, from whence they could easily obtain their title to all the immunities and privileges common to all the members of the city; and to be excluded from these was both disgraceful and in-. jurious. No. 553.-COLOSSIANS ii. 14. Blotting out the hand writing. THE hand writing, xupóypapor, signifies a bill or bond, whereby a person binds himself to some payment or duty, and which stands in force against him till the obligation is discharged. In these words the apostle alludes to the different methods by which bonds formerly were cancelled one was by blotting or crossing them out with a pen, and another was by striking a nail through them. In either of these cases the bond was rendered useless, and ceased to be valid. These circumstances the apostle applies to the death of Christ. : No. 554.-2 THESSALONIANS iii. 1. That the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified. SOME think that these words allude to the applauses given to those who made a speedy progress in the races, which constituted so important a part of the Grecian games. No. 555.-2 TIMOTHY ii. 15. Rightly dividing the word of truth. It is possible that this is an allusion to what the Jew. ish high-priest or Levite did in dissecting the victim and separating the parts in a proper manner, as some were to be laid on God's altar, and others to be given to those who were to share in the sacrifice; others think it refers to guiding a plough aright, in order to divide the clods in the most proper and effectual manner, and make strait furrows. But perhaps the metaphor may be taken from the distribution made by a steward, in delivering out to each person under his care, such things as his office and their necessities required. DODDRIDGE in loc. No. 556.-ii. 19. The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal.] Many critics have justly observed, that the word oppayıs often signifies an inscription, or the mark made by a seal, as well as the seal itself; and the expression is here used with peculiar propriety, in allusion to the custom of engraving upon some stones, laid in the foundation of buildings, the name of the person by whom, and the purposes for which the structure is raised; and nothing can have a greater tendency to encourage the hope, and at the same time to engage the obedience of christians, than this double inscription. No. 557.—ii. 26. That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.] In order to understand this beautiful |