Again, in Psal. ii. he speaks concerning the _rage_ of the _Heathen_, against Christ and his church, and that disappointment and ruin that they should meet with for it. And, in ver. 6. he represents God the Father as speaking concerning Christ; _yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion_. And, in ver. 7, 8. Christ is brought in as speaking or making mention of the _decree_ of God relating to his character and office, as Mediator, and the success of his kingdom, as extended to the _uttermost parts of the earth_, pursuant to his intercession, which was founded on his satisfaction. And, in ver. 10-12, the Psalmist turns his discourse to those persecuting powers, or the kings of the earth, whom he had spoken of in the former part of the Psalm, and instructs them what methods they should take to escape God’s righteous vengeance. Such-like change of persons speaking, or spoken to, may be observed in many of the Psalms, Psal. xvi. 1, _&c._ and cxxxiv. And throughout the whole book of Canticles, there is an inter-changeable discourse between Christ and his church, which is sometimes called his _spouse_, at other times his _sister_; sometimes he speaks to the church, and at other times of it. And, in other places, the church is represented as speaking to him, or to the _daughters of Jerusalem_, namely, those professors of religion, that had little more than a form of godliness.[37] Again, we often find, that there is a change with respect to the persons speaking, spoken to, or of, in the writings of the prophets, as well as in the poetical writings; as may be observed in Isa. lxiii. throughout the whole chapter. And, in Micah vii. 18, 19, 20. there is a change of persons in almost every sentence; _Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity_, &c. _He retaineth not his anger for ever; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old._ _4thly_, We are farther to consider the occasion of what is laid down in any chapter, paragraph, or book of scripture, which we desire to understand. Thus the particular occasion of the book of Lamentations, was the approaching ruin of Judah, and the miseries that they should be exposed to when Jerusalem was besieged by the Chaldeans; as appears by the subject-matter thereof; though, it may be, that which was the more immediate occasion of its being delivered at that time, was, that the prophet might lament the death of good Josiah, 2 Chron. xxxv. 25. which, probably, he had a peculiar eye to, when he says, _The crown is fallen from our head_, Lam. v. 16. as well as the destruction of the whole nation, which would ensue soon after it, in which their civil and religious liberties would be invaded by their enemies, who would oppress and lead them captive.