against the body of the Jewish nation; but Chap. xii. contains a prophecy of their restoration, and is therefore called, The burden of the word of the Lord FOR Israel. Ver. 1.

The events of this and the foregoing prophecy, though wide asunder as to time, yet very properly follow each other. Paul takes but little notice of the state of the Jews during their long dispersion; but passing over that chasm, as included in their being broken off, proceeds to speak of their being graffed in again. Rom. xi.

The prophecy finds Jerusalem besieged by enemies, but very differently circumstanced from what she was in the foregoing chapter. Her enemies were then avenging the cause of God and of his Christ; and therefore, whatever might be their motives, were successful but in this siege God is on her side, and therefore she is a cup of trembling to her enemies. Of course, this must. refer to the period when she shall be restored.

The character which Jehovah assumes in the preface to the prophecy is worthy of notice. Thus saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundations of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Each of these mighty works relate to the first creation of the world, and intimate, that at the time of the prophecy being fulfilled, they shall in a manner be acted over again. That which he will then accomplish towards his ancient people shall be a kind of new creation.

It were presumptuous to be very positive as to the meaning of a prophecy which is yet to be accomplished; but, comparing it with other prophecies of the same event, the following particulars appear to be conveyed by it. First: That the Jews shall be restored to their own land prior to their conversion. Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem, ver. 6. This event may be accomplished in the ordinary course of Providence, by some of the great conquerors of the world, who shall find their interest in it, and be induced, as Cyrus was in a former in stance, to favour it. Secondly: That a grand combination will be formed against them with a view to dispossess them, ver. 2. 9. Thirdly That the nations engaged in this combination will be repulsed, and sorely punished for their presumptuous attempt,

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which, after witnessing the remarkable fulfilment of prophecy towards the Jews, must be against the light of their own consciences: Jerusalem shall be a cup of trembling, a cup as it were of poison, to those who go up against her; a rock falling upon their heads; a hearth of fire among the wood; and a torch in a sheaf, ver. 2-6. Fourthly: That the country and the city shall be united against the enemy, ver. 5. 7. Fifthly: That they shall be uarded by Providence, and strengthened to encounter the greatest lifficulties: The Lord will defend them, and he that is feeble among them shall be as David, &c. ver. 8. Sixthly: That after all these temporal interpositions, the Lord will pour upon them a spirit of grace and of supplications, and they shall lament over their sins, and the sins of their fathers, particularly in having crucified the Lord of glory, ver. 10.

This order of things seems perfectly to agree with what is said in Ezek. xxxvii. where the process is described, first, by a noise, then a shaking, a coming together bone to his bone, a being covered with sinews and flesh and skin, and last of all by their having breathed into them the breath of life, ver. 7-9. To the same purpose, they are described, in ver. 13, 14. as first brought out of their graves, and then as knowing their deliverer.

The only difficulty attending this statement, seems to arise from ver. 5. where, previous to the pouring out of the Spirit of grace upon them, the governors of Judah are supposed to strengthen themselves, and one another, in the Lord of hosts their God. But it is no unusual thing for the leaders of a people in time of war, though destitute of true religion, yet to have so much of a conviction of the dependence of all upon God, as to strengthen themselves and their armies by a hope of divine assistance. Joab could say to his brother, Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.* 2 Sam. x. 12.

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A few remarks on the spiritual part of the prophecy shall conclude this paper. First: The subjects of this great change these will be both princes and people. In the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, there were many of the latter, but few if any of the former; but now all descriptions of men shall

bow to our Redeemer's sceptre. Secondly: The cause of it; namely, the pouring upon them a spirit of grace and of supplications. The spirit of true religion is a spirit of grace in respect of its source, and of supplications in respect of its issue, iraportunate prayer. Looking at the state of these people at present, we are grieved for the hardness of their hearts; but when the Spirit of the living God shall take the work in hand, the heart of stone shall become a heart of flesh. Thirdly: The grand medium of it; namely, the remembrance of Him whom their fathers crucified, and whom they themselves have pierced by justifying them in it. A believing view of Jesus on the cross will dissolve the most obdurate spirit in godly sorrow. Fourthly: The intenseness of the grief: it shall be a great mourning like that of a father for the loss of an only son, or like the lamentations at the death of Josiah, in the valley of Megiddon. Fifthly: Its universality: the land shall mourn, and every family of every remaining tribe. Scarcely a house shall be found, but on entering it, you shall find them weeping over their former obstinacy and unbelief. Sixthly: The individuality and retirement of it: Every family shall mourn apart, and their wives apart. They will not only weep together when they meet, but retire to lament in secret over their own iniquity. Scarcely a closet or private place shall be found, but some one will be watering it with his tears. Finally: The remedy to all this grief: In that day, there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. By looking to Jesus they were wounded, and by looking to Jesus they are healed. The first fruits of this great work appeared on the day of Pentecost, when thousands were pricked to the heart, repented, and were baptized in that name which they had despised; but the lump is yet to appear. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!

ON THE MYSTERY OF PROVIDENCE, ESPECIALLY IN RESPECT OF GOD'S DEALINGS WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD IN DIFFERENT AGES.

IT has freqeuently been objected, that if the religion first taught among the posterity of Abraham, and afterwards among the Gentiles by the preaching of Jesus Christ, be of God, how is it that it has been so partial in its operations? The promulgation of a religion adapted to man, it is said, should be as extensive as the globe. The force of this objection has been felt; and Christian writers, in general, have acknowledged that there is a depth in this part of Divine Providence, which it is difficult, if not impossible, to fathom. There are hints to be found in the scriptures, however, which may throw some glimmerings of light upon the subject; and when the mystery of God is finished, we shall perceive that he has done all things well.

In general, we are given to understand that God is an absolute sovereign in the dispensation of his favours. He was under no obligation to any; and he will bestow his blessings in such a manner as shall cause this truth to be manifest to all. Man would fain put in a claim, and accuse the ways of Jehovah with being unequal; but this only proves the perverseness of his own way. The blessings of civilization are undoubtedly adapted to man; yet a large proportion of the human race are mere barbarians: even those countries which have, in past ages, ranked high in this respect, are now sunk far below mediocrity; while others, whom they were in the habit of treating with the greatest contempt, have been raised above them. It is thus that the valley is exalted, the mountain made low, and the glory of Jehovah revealed: but if God may act as a sovereign in dispensing the bounties of Providence, who shall call him to account for doing the same in the dis

tribution of the blessings of grace? He has, in all ages, manifested his determination, however, to act in this manner, let sinful creatures think of it as they may. With respect to individuals, the things of God have been hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes; and the same principle has been carried into effect with nations and continents. When the adversaries of sovereign grace meet with this doctrine in the scriptures, they endeavour to get rid of it by applying it in the latter sense only; but God's dealing with nations and continents are of a piece with his dealings with individuals: they are only different parts of the same whole.

It is observable, that in the dispensations of mercy, God has in a wonderful manner, balanced the affairs of men, so as, upon the whole, to answer the most important ends in the great system of moral government. In the early ages, for instance, mercy was shown to the posterity of Abraham and hereby the world was provoked to jealousy. On the coming of Christ, mercy was shown to the world; and the posterity of Abraham, in their turn were provoked to jealousy and there is reason to believe that before the end of time, and perhaps before many years have passed over us, God will show mercy to both; and each will prove a blessing to the other. The conversion of the Gentiles shall in the end effectually provoke them to jealousy ; and thus, through our mercy, they shall obtain mercy. On the other hand, their return to God will be a kind of moral resurrection to the world. Probably, the conversion of the great body of pagans and Mahometans may be accomplished by means of this extraordinary event. Their fall has already proved our riches; how much more their fulness ! If the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be but LIFE FROM THE DEAD? God's mercy towards them is, at present, righteously suspended, till the fulness of the Gentiles shall have come in. The Gentiles were as one behind in a race; let them first come up, and then all Israel shall be saved, and become as life from the dead to the world.

The fifty-second chapter of Isaiah appears to contain a prophecy of the restoration and conversion of the Jews; but in the last three verses it is intimated, that God's servant, the Messiah, by