what had happened, and to concert further measures for their safety.

In thus screening the spies from detection, Rahab uttered a direct falsehood. No attempt should be made to justify it. The Bible no where justifies it. We are told, indeed, in the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews, that "Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace," and that this was by her faith. Her friendly treatment of these men met the approbation of God, inasmuch as it proceeded from a cordial confidence in him, and a spirit of obedience to his will. It was the means, under his providential direction, of saving her from destruction. But while the prevailing temper of her heart, and the general course of conduct which she pursued, with regard to the spies, are thus attributed to her faith, and have received the divine sanction, it is a very false conclusion from such premises, that all that she said, or did, at the time, and especially that the falsehood which she uttered, was right in the sight of God.

In the same passage of Scripture, the general course of conduct which Moses pursued in choosing to connect his destiny with that of the Israelites, and to give up the pleasures of a court for the sake of doing the will of God, is attributed to his faith. But it, by no means, follows from

this that each specific act of his in taking this course was sinless. The best deeds of the most pious persons are often mingled with imperfection and sin. How much more should we expect this to be true in the case of a woman like Rahab, brought up among a heathen people ;—for a season, certainly, indulging in open and flagrant transgression; with a mind comparatively very ignorant of duty, and a conscience but little enlightened; and but just taking a decided stand on the Lord's side. To what extent these considerations may have served to lessen the guilt of her falsehood, that holy and just Being has decided, whose judgment is always an impartial and righteous one.

Rahab, so far as she told the messengers any thing, should have told them nothing but the truth. She might have declined making a reply. She might have offered her house to be searched. God has abundant resources to provide for the relief of those who are engaged in his service, in such emergencies. Let us always obey his commands, and do our duty, and he will take care of the rest.

CHAPTER III.

The spies promise security to Rahab. They return. The Israelites arrive on the banks of the Jordan. Joshua gives them directions about crossing it.

Rahab had an important object to attain in her interview with the strangers who were sharing her protection. For in their turn, they would soon be able to render her a still more signal favor. She was anxious to secure it, and thus addressed them:

"I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now, therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will

also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: and that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death."

The two spies felt deeply their obligations to Rahab. Their lives were precious not only to themselves, but to their whole nation, and she had already incurred the risk of losing her own in secreting them from danger. They perceived, too, her full belief in the true God whom they and the Israelites worshipped, and the implicit trust she was disposed to place in the assurance they might give her of protection, when the city should fall into the hands of Joshua and his army. She was, surely, entitled to their confidence and favor. They told her, that on condition of continued and entire secrecy on her part and that of her kindred, they would comply with her request. "Our life for yours," said they, "if ye utter not this our business." They were willing to forfeit their own lives, if they did not see to it that hers was preserved, in case the whole subject of their visit was kept concealed. "And it shall be," they added, "when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee."

It would not do to prolong the interview. Every moment was a critical one, as new inqui

ries might be prosecuted for the Israelitish strangers. Rahab advised them to make their way to the retirements of the mountainous regions in the neighborhood of Jericho, as speedily as possible, and there to hide themselves for three days, until their pursuers should give over the search and return. Then they might venture to proceed, and take their course back again to the other side of the Jordan.

Before going, they assured her, that they would scrupulously perform the promise which they had made. But, in order to this, she must be careful to follow their directions in one respect. Some mark would be necessary to designate her house, when the Israelites should take possession of Jericho, so that it might be recognized by the soldiery, and herself and those who were in it be secure against violence. For this purpose, they told her to bind a line of scarlet thread in the window, and bring her kindred within her dwelling, where if they were careful to remain they should be safe; but that if any one went out of it, his blood should be upon his own head, and they accounted guiltless. They, then, again reminded her that if she divulged their secret, they should leave her to her fate. Having assented to this, she let them down by a cord through the window, on the outside of the city wall, and they departed. Not improbably it