82 



of this incident. It stands as an exponent of the- 

 divine economy, as it appertains to offences- 

 against God's government. 



The following excerpt is taken from the book 

 of Leviticus, as showing the divine attitude to- 

 wards a transgressing nation as surely as towards 

 an individual. "But if ye will not hearken unto 

 me. and will not do all these commandments; and 

 if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your souL 

 abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all 

 my commandments, but that ye break my cove- 

 nant: I also will do this unto you: I will even ap- 

 point over you terror, consumption, and burning 

 ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause 

 sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed ia 

 vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I wilL 

 set my face against you and ye shall be slain 

 before your enemies: they that hate you shall 

 reign over you. and ye shall flee when none pur- 

 sueth you. And if ye will not yet for all this 

 hearken unto me; then I will punish you seven 

 times more for your sins. And I will break the 

 pride of your power; and I will make your heaven 

 as iron, and your earth as brass: and your 

 strength shall be spent in vain: for your land 

 shall not yield her increase, neither shall the 

 trees of the land yield their fruits. And if ye 

 walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto- 

 me, I will also send wild beasts among you, which 



