But there arise occasions when we cannot afford to be so trifled with.

An important change in the meaning of a sentence is sometimes effected by transposing its clauses; and on one occasion, as I venture to think, the prophetic intention of the Speaker is obscured in consequence.

I allude to St.Luke xiii.

9, where under the figure of a barren fig-tree, our Lord hints at what is to befall the Jewish people, because in the fourth year of His Ministry it remained unfruitful.

'Lo, these three years,' (saith He to the dresser of His Vineyard), 'come I seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none; cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground ?' 'Spare it for this year also' (is the rejoinder), 'and if it bear fruit,--well: but if not, next year thou shalt cut it down.' But on the strength of [Symbol: Aleph]BLT^{w}, some recent Critics would have us read,--'And if it bear fruit next year,--well: but if not, thou shalt cut it down':--which clearly would add a year to the season of the probation of the Jewish race.