and the he-goats." They fhall all be under the guidance of my particular providence ; and I will judge the wicked and the righteous, every one according to his works.

The Prophet then proceeds to speak of the shepherds of Ifrael, of whom he spoke at first, ver. 18—-19. (Seemeth it) a small thing unto you, that ye eat up the good pafture; but that ye tread down with your feet the refidue of your paftures? and that ye drink the clear waters*; but that ye foul with your feet what remaineth?" And (as for) my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet, and they drink what ye have fouled with your feet." By this allegory, the prophet fhews with what a despotick power these fhepherds bore rule over the people. He therefore tells them, that they shall no longer rule the nation; because they did not properly administer Justice; but cruelly oppreffed them, ver. 20-21, Therefore thus faith the LORD God unto them: Behold, I, (even) I, will judge between the fat cattle and the lean cattle,

*Heb. The depth of the waters.

Heb. And between.

Be

Because ye thruft with (your) fide and with (your) fhoulder, and push all the weak with your horns, till ye have fcattered them abroad." By this, the Prophet not only shews the defpotick power of thefe kings, in the oppreffion of the people; but that they, by their wickednefs, were alfo the cause of the people's captivity. He therefore tells them, that God himself will fave his people; &c. ver. 22d. "Therefore will I fave my flock, and they fhall no more be a prey and I will judge between fheep and fheep." That is, between the righteous and the wicked of the nation.

The Prophet goes on to inform us, that the kingdom fhall then return to the house of David. ver. 23d. "And I will raife up one thepherd over them, and he shall feed them, (even) my fervant David: he fhall feed them, and he fhall be their fhepherd."

And, as at the divifion of the kingdoms, when Ifrael withdrew their allegiance from the kingdom of David, they also withdrew it from the kingdom of heaven*; he there

* By making the molten calves. 1 King. xii. 28. &c. VOL. II. K k

fore

fore tells them, that both these fhall be reftored to them at once: ver. 24th. "And I the LORD will be their God, and my fervant David a prince among them: I the LORD have spoken it."

The Prophet then affures them, that they shall no more go into captivity: neither shall they experience any wars, or troubles &c. And that, although during the captivity, the land of Ifrael, (being under a curfe) is poor and barren; yet fhall it then be exceedingly fruitful. ver. 25—29. "And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beafts to cease out of the land : and they shall dwell fafely in the defert, and fhall fleep in the woods. And I will make them, and the places round about my hill, a bleffing; and I will cause the shower to come down in its season: they shall be showers of bleffing. And the tree of the field shall yield its fruit, and the earth fhall yield her increase, and they shall be secure in their land, and fhall know that I (am) the LORD, when I (fhail) break the bands of their yoke, and fhall deliver them from the hand of those that ferved themselves of them. And they fhall

hall be no more a prey to the nations, neither shall the beafts of the land devour them ; but they shall dwell fecurely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will raise up for them a plant of renown*, and they shall be no more confumed by famine in the land, neither bear the reproach of the heathen any more."

In verle 30-31. the Prophet affures them, that they fhall then be again blessed with the appearance of the divine prefence among them, as aforetime. "Thus fhall they know that I, the LORD their God; (am) with them, and (that) they, even the houfe of Ifrael, (are) my people, faith the LORD God. For ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, ye (are) men, (and) I (am) your

* By this, the Prophet fhewed that they were to continue in the land, and not be removed from thence; they then would become a plant of great Note; as not being liable to be plucked up, and caft away, as a plant of no worth: but on the contrary, they would be confidered as of great emiThus, the image made ufe of by the Prophet is clearly understood; and the fallacy of the Archbishop of Armagh's tranflation, together with the obfervation of his criticks, (Howbigant and Dathius) who would read D peace, for D for a name, is easily detected.

nence.

God, faith the LORD God." This fhews that, their exalted state will then be as far above what it is at present, as is that of man above the brute creation; for during this dreadful captivity, they were, "as a lamb led to the flaughter, and as a sheep before her fhearers*, is dumb." But at the restoration, they will enjoy the preeminence of

man.

The Prophet having thus prophefied of the future happiness of the nation, proceeds immediately to prophesy of Seir; which is the fourth beast mentioned by Daniel; and denotes the Romans, who deftroyed the temple, and carried us captive; and in which captivity, we remain to this day. And therefore, the downfall of Seir, is connected with the redemption of Ifrael: Chap. xxxv. "Moreover the word of the LORD

came unto me, faying; Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against

*How exactly this hath been fulfilled, will be fhewn at large in the fecond part of this work; when we come to confider those prophecies, which Chriftians only apply to the Meffiah; but which will be fhewn not to be applicable to the Meffiah.