verfe. "And I will draw him, that he may come near unto me; for who (is) he that hath fet his heart to draw near unto me? faith the LORD." Here God promifes to difpofe the hearts of their kings to turn to him; as without his affiftance, none would be able to accomplish it: as the Pfalmift fays*, "Bleffed (is the man whom) thou chooseft, and caufeft to approach (unto thee.") And as he had promised would be the state of their kings; fo he affures us, will be the state of the people: verfe 22d. "And ye fhall be my people, and I will be your God." That is, he will circumcife their hearts; fo that they will all be inclined to serve him in truth and righteousness; and he will watch over them with paternal love and care. The Prophet then proceeds to inform us, that immediately after that dreadful war, whereby God will take vengeance on the nations; the falvation of Ifrael will take place: as in ver. 23. 24. & Chap. xxxi. 1. "Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD, it goeth forth with fury, (even) an accumulating * Pfalm. lxv. 5. whirl Or, A fettling whirlwind. i. e. It shall exert a continued or accumulated force on the head of the wicked, whirlwind; upon the head of the wicked fhall it fettle. The fierce anger of the LORD shall not turn back, until he hath wrought, and until he hath accomplished the purpose of his heart; in the latter days ye shall difcern it. At that time, faith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Ifrael, and they shall be my people.” According to the explanation here given of this prophecy; it contains the following feven fundamental principles. First, the future redemption of the nation; as mentioned verse 18th." Behold, I will reverse the captivity of Jacob's tents, and upon his dwelling places will I have compaffion;" &c, And which agrees with the third principle contained in the prophecies of Ifaiah. Second, that at the future redemption, the ten tribes which were carried captive to Asfyria &c, will again return; as in verse 3d, "And I will turn the captivity of my people, Ifrael and Judah." Again, verfe 4th. “And these (are) the words which the LORD hath fpoken concerning Ifrael, and concerning Judah." This agrees with the fourth principle of the prophecies of Isaiah. Third, that God will take vengeance on the nations, that have perfecuted and deftroyed Ifrael; as mentioned ver. 11. & 16. "When I fhall make a full end of all the nations," &c. All they that devoured thee, fhall be devoured," &c. And which will take place immediately preceding the redemption; as may be perceived from the explanation of ver. 23. &c. This agrees with the first principle of the prophecies of Isaiah. Fourth, that at the time of the future redemption, a king of the lineage of David, and called by his name, will reign over them: as mentioned verse 9th. "But they shall ferve the LORD their God, king, whom I will raise up and David their for them." A gain, verse 21st. "And his prince shall be of his own race, and his governor shall proceed from the midft of him." And which agrees with the tenth principle of the prophecies of Ifaiah. Fifth, that the redemption is not to take place, till after they had been in captivity, a very long time; and fuffered fo much, as almoft to despair of ever being redeemed; as mentioned verfes 10. & 12. "Therefore, fear thou not my fervant Jacob, faith the LORD; LORD; and be thou not dismayed, O Ifrael; for behold, I will fave thee from afar. For thus faith the LORD, Thy bruise (is) defperate thy wound (is) grievous &c." And which agrees with the Jeventh principle of the prophecies of Isaiah. Sixth, that after their future redemption, they will not be engaged in any wars; nor experience any other troubles; nor will they go into captivity more: as mentioned verse 8th. "And strangers fhall no more make (thee) ferve with it." And verfe 10th, "And Jacob fhall return, and fhall be at reft; he shall also be wholly at ease, and (there) shall (be) none (to) make (him) afraid." This agrees with the eleventh principle of the prophecies of Ifaiah. Seventh, that the visible symbol of the divine presence, and the spirit of prophecy, will then be restored to them; as may be perceived from the expreffion, "And I will be their God." And which agrees with the eighth principle of the Prophecies of Isaiah. Now, it is clear from all hiftory, that none of those great and glorious promises were ever accomplished: for they were not fulfil fulfilled at their return from Babylon; for then, the ten tribes did not return: God did not punish those that had oppreffed them: no king of the houfe of David reigned over them they were but a fhort time in captivity at Babylon: so that several who had seen the first temple*, alfo beheld the foundation of the second laid they were scarcely ever free from wars, and other troubles; and were at laft carried into this long and dreadful captivity; where they have remained to this hour: nor was the fymbol of the divine prefence, ever visible in the second temple. And it is equally clear, from the acts recorded of Jefus in the new Teftament, that they were not accomplished in his life time: confequently, they remain to be accomplished, at the time of the appearance of the true Meffiah; whom God in his mercy, may be pleafed to fend fpeedily, Amen, The fourth prophecy commences verfe 2d of Chap. xxxi. and is continued to the end of the last verse of the same. This prophecy is connected with the preceding one; and its purport is the fame * Ezra, iii. 12. namely |