as thorns in their neighbours' sides shall become steadfast and vigorous in the paths of righteousness; and the injurious, or, they who obstructed the happiness of others in the path of life, shall shed abroad the sweet fragrance of love and holiness. This glorious revolution in the hearts and sentiments of so large a portion of mankind will greatly advance the glory of God, and the Gospel of his dear Son; and will become an evident proof of the power and efficacy of that "incorruptible seed," of which they are "born again by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever,"-and which word shall now be speedily "published among all nations." Then shall the end (or, perhaps, the "time of the end,") come.

Isaiah XLII. 10-12. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.

In the address of those who shall be engaged in traversing the ocean, it is added, "and all that is therein,” (Heb. "the fulness thereof,") &c. So that we find the prediction is not confined to missionaries merely, but signifies that saints of every class and description, commercial and otherwise, will convey "the glad tidings of salvation" to distant lands; and that to effect so wonderful a change, both they, and the inhabitants of those remote regions, will extensively communicate with each other, presenting in themselves personal evidences and blessings of Divine grace.

Ver. 13-17. The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy as a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my

peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. T will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; (in contradistinction to trees, or good men bearing fruit;) and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

The Lord will greatly excite the jealousy or zeal of his people at this important period. He is himself "jealous for his land and for his people." "He will finish the work," (or, account,)" and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." He will waste the civil powers who oppose the prevalence of his Gospel; and annihilate "their herbs," those whom they have fostered and cultivated as propagators of their own erroneous perceptions. The flowing folly of multitudes shall be converted into stationary habits of righteousness; and the pools, the standing abodes of crime-of sordid wealth, cruelty, covetousness, and every species of idolatry -shall no longer be cherished and sustained. The Lord will bring sinners "to an acknowledgment of the truth,” in a way which to them was unknown; and lead them into paths of righteousness with which they were unacquainted. He will disperse the darkness of their moral atmosphere, and every apparent inconsistency in the ways of his providence shall be more clearly resolved. The Lord mercifully repeats, that he "will do these things unto them, and not forsake them." And, doubtless, the prayers of his people, from the most ancient times to the present period, have been in unison with such his most gracious purpose. Those

M

who still trust in the efficacy and utility of idolatrous worship shall be so effectually discountenanced, that they shall no longer possess the effrontery requisite to maintain its practice.

Isaiah LXVI. 10, 11. Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: that ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance (or, brightness) of her glory.

Multitudes of converted Gentiles will look up to Israel for consolation and spiritual instruction, deeply enamoured of their holy and heavenly example.

Ver. 12-14. For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck: ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LoORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

Spiritual peace shall reign. Israel will take the lead in gathering together the Gentiles to the church of Christ. This will be their highest glory. The Gentiles will, in every respect, be blessed and comforted through their instrumentality, receiving more than ordinary supplies of spiritual strength. But while the gracious interventions of the Lord are acknowledged by his servants, his enemies will be made sensible of his indignation!

Isaiah LX. 1-9. Arise, & shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For behold, Y the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but

8 Or, "be enlightened, for thy light cometh." XXIX. 9-16.

Y See Isai.

the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces (or, wealth) of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of a Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of b Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

The author of the Apology for Millennarianism observes: that "Tarshish is used for distant countries beyond the sea; and ships of Tarshish, for vessels employed in long voyages. Tarshish then manifestly refers to some remote maritime nation possessing peculiar facilities of naval transport: and what country more likely than our own, &c. . . . Great Britain, whose natives have been so long and so extensively engaged in sending "swift messengers" to the heathen, and by whom the poor neglected Jew has not been forgotten. God, who in his infinite mercy has put it into their hearts to do this, may, if they faint not, be pleased, in his further goodness, to preserve them for the acceptable service yet to be achieved to his glory." Read Isai. LXVI. 18-20.

a Gen. xxv. 4, 13.

b Gen. xxv. 13.

Ver. 10-12. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces, (or, wealth) of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

The Gentile nations in general will be ardent to complete the happiness of their Jewish brethren. Mutual blessings will abound. But those nations which refuse to aid the purposes of God in behalf of the latter, shall be utterly wasted by his judgments.

Ver. 13. The glory of Lebanon (the cedar) shall come unto thee; the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.

These symbols represent, in the most lively manner, the various descriptions of God's people who shall worship before him, and who will unite to beautify the church in their lives and conduct. Thence the Lord declares that he "will make glorious the place of his feet," probably Jerusalem, which may become the principal seat or centre of truth throughout the world.

Ver. 14. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

How grateful will it be to behold "the sons" of such as "afflicted" Israel among those who are most desirous to honour and imitate their righteous example!

Zechariah II. 10-13. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and