Page:The spirit of the Hebrew poetry 1861.djvu/42

 in his observation of conduct is conveyed in these expressions:—the dropping of the eyelid for the purpose of reflective scrutiny indicates a determination to look through disguises, and rightfully to interpret whatever may wear a semblance of falseness. This is a truth to be thought of by those who accustom themselves to repeat the prayer, "Search me and try me, and see what evil way there is in me:" it is a truth for those who submit themselves willingly to the severest conditions of the spiritual discipline. As for men of another class, who desire no such schooling, it is said of them that—"The Lord knoweth them afar off"—what they are it needs no careful observation to discern.

Parallel instances are abundant in the Psalms, and throughout the prophetic books; but this is not all that should be said, for instances of a contrary kind nowhere occur. The Hebrew writers, in long series, not only teach the same theology; but they teach it always, and only so, in metaphoric terms; and more than this—it is always under the condition of connecting their affirmations of the Divine attributes with the purposes and the needs of the spiritual training of the individual soul.

There is before us then a method—invariably adhered to;—there is a rule that is never violated; but it is a method and a rule of which we become cognizant only when we look back from the latest to the earliest of a long series of writers, each of whom has his own manner, his individual characteristic