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This state of invincible prejudice against christianity, in which the jews have so pertinaciously continued, is wonderfully set before their eyes by their own prophets, in a variety of very striking similitudes; which have been pointed out to them by our Lord and his apostles, and many able writers in this controversy, but still without effect. The time for the opening of the blind eyes, it seems, is not yet arrived. "The Lord hath poured out upon you the SPIRIT OF DEEP SLEEP, and hath closed your eyes," says Isaiah, "the prophets* and your rulers, the seers, bath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying read this I pray thec; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed. And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, read this I pray thee; and he saith I am not learned," (Isa. xix. ro.) Thus the learned amongst the jews reject the christian expositions of prophecy through prejudice, which is judicially confirmed and strengthened, till it be

*It appears from 1 Cor, xiv. 5, that expounders, or preachers, were called prophets, in a large sense,

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comes a spiritual blindness; while the unlearned will hearken to no reason, through as blind a dependence upon others, whom they account better judges than themselves.

It is evident that this is equally and exactly the case also with the church of Rome, but in a still more censurable manner; in as much as our Saviour and his apostles have unitedly pressed upon all christians a diligent searching of the scriptures, and declared that no dependance is to be placed upon any pretended infallible guide which should at times

say,

"Lo!

here is Christ, or lo! there." Yet the scriptures have been with-held from the people, because they were not allowed to be competent judges of what the church had previously determined to be christian truth, and they might be in danger of falling into heresy; or rather, "lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and be converted" from the dangerous errors of popery. "Where fore the Lord said, forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do bonour me, but have removed their heart

far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the PRECEPT OF MEN," by traditions and legends preferred before sacred scripture, both in the practice and by the doctrine of the jewish and romish churches," therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid*"

At the time when our Saviour appeared, the predisposing causes of unbelief in the jewish people, arising from philosophy falsely so called, and other motives of a corrupt nature, had been a long time in operation. So that in this state of spiritual torpor which the prophet has described, the preaching of our Lord, and his apostles after him had but little effect upon them; and when they could neither confute nor gainsay his arguments, they derided bim. From this spirit of slumber

*Isaiah xxix. 14; 2 Cor, iv. 2, 3, 4.

In imitation of this unsuccessful example, it has been a laboured point with modern infidels, to set up ridicule as the test of truth, and to substitute scoffing and blasphemy in the place of argument.

they have not yet awaked, but have adhered with undiminished bigotry to the gross errors of their fathers, and adopted all their antipathy to the faith of Christ.

"Hear, ye

God Almighty, reasoning with sinners after the manner of men,* thus stings the unfeeling minds of these blind guides with severe sarcasm, as our Saviour also, in his conferences with them, was wont to do." Bring forth the blind people, thot have eyes, and the deaf, that have ears." (Isaiah xliii. 8.) deaf, and look, ye blind, that ye may see. is blind, but my servant?-Or deaf, as the messenger that I sent ? Who is (so) blind, as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he beareth not." (Isaiah xlii. 18.) Yet even this blindness,

Who

* "Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord." (Isaiah i. 18.)

Perfect, by their own false measure of holiness, to which the same prophet alludes. (Isaiah lxy, 5,-Acts xxvi. 5.

For further allusions to the spiritual blindness of Israel, see Isaiah vi. 9, 10; viii. 14, 15.—Jeremiah v. 21.-Psalm 1xix. 22, 23.--Romans xi. 7, 8.-Matthew xiii. 14,-John xii. 40.-Acts xxviii, 26.

which hath proved hitherto an unconquerable obstruction to their conversion, is one day to be removed, and the veil which is upon their hearts is to be taken off.

Isaiah is deservedly called the christian or evangelical prophet, because he treats in so large a proportion of his prophecy, of Christ and his kingdom; and relates with singular perspicuity and clearness, although in figurative language, the principal occurrences of christian times, or the last days. Speaking, in chapter xlii. 16, &c. of the great revolutionary commotions, by which the affrighted world is to be shaken, previously to the restoration of Israel, and thereby in the event of things, a way opened for their return, he proceeds thus, Then "I will bring the BLIND by a way that they knew not, (faith in Jesus Christ.)" I will lead them in paths”—(of peace and comfort, that for many ages)" they have not known. will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight, these things will I do unto them, AND NOT FORSAKE THEM.'

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