flames; (183) but holding up high their own heads in arrogant claims of merit more than sufficient for salvation, and every way fortified, in a vain confidence in their refuge of lies, and their manifold spiritual enchant ments. In such circumstances of faith and hope, as to the two great bodies of mankind, to whom had been committed the sacred deposit of the oracles of divine revelation, but unprofitably to both of them, the sudden coming of the day of the Lord, or the prophetical session of his judgment, (184) is announced. "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence;" he will no longer forbear to judge and avenge his own elect, (185) and to chastise the presumptuous adversary. (186) A fire (183) The Jews have been frequently martyrs for their per severing testimony to the unity of God, and against the wor ship of idols. Instances too numerous to be cited here occur in history of the pious zeal of popery in destroying them by massacres and the flames, on the most frivolous and false pre tences. See Basnage, and Univ. Hist, Mod. vol. xiii. p. 360, 389, &c. (184) Daniel vii. 9, 22, 26. .VOL. III. (185) Luke xviii 7. Ff shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him." (187) When God cometh out of his place, to execute the vengeance he had long threatened in vain, (188) and to plead the cause of his people (189). "He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, (190) that he may judge his people." He will appeal to heaven to the churches of his faithful witnesses, (and the adulteress shall be judged in the sight of many women, (191)) to attest the full accomplishment of his justice, as they have all along prophesied and preached the certain truth of his word, that he would one day avenge the blood of his saints. To the earth likewise he appeals, the kingdom of the beast, the scene of his false miracles and cruelties; which shall now "disclose her blood, and no more cover her slain." (187) Isaiah xxix. 6 ;-xxiv 22 ;-Daniel vii, 22. (188) Isaiah xxvi. 21;-Rev. xviii. 24. (189) Isaiah li. 22 (190) The earth, or late Roman catholic empire, the seat of the Antichristian tyranny and apostacy. 1 (191) I zekiel xvi. 41. After this just retribution, decreed in a session of judgment, up.n the long prospering wickedness of the enemies and oppressors of God's people, both Jews and Christians, the gracious and awakening call is given to Israel, and the prophecy to the dry bones begins to take effect. And it is always in this order and connection that we find this double prophecy of the fall of Antichrist and the rising again of Israel. The removal of their judicial blindness at this time, and the free restoration of God's converting grace, now operate the great change or spiritual resurrection of this people, (equal in the impossibility of it by natural means alone, as time and repeated fruitless attempts have shewn, to a real resurrection of the dead,) with an effect and sud. denness like a voice from heaven, (192) saying, (192) The common prophetical emblem of a change of po. pular opinion, The conversion of the Jews has been a fruitless attempt from the earliest times of the gospel. Vast numbers of the early converts apostatized again to Judaism. with increased hatred of christianity, and credulity to false Christs. The same thing has often since attended their conversions, when God's own time is come their conversion will be sudden, and lasting, "Shail a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." Isaiah lxvi. 7, 8, 9, 10. "gather my saints unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." The particular saints here meant, are distinguished in the first instance, They are declared to be God's ancient people, the remnant of Israel, according to the election of grace, (193) the seed of Abraham his servant, which pertinaciously adhere still to the first covenant, having the seal of bloody sacrifices. “And the heavens (or true churches in Christ) shall declare bis righteousness; for God is Judge himself.”The effect of this distinguishable opening made for the reconciliation of the Jews, is a universal and joyful acclamation of praise to God, from the christian world, which have long and ardently expected this happy fulfil, ment of the promises. How beautifully is this expressed, and in the most sublime imagery, by the Psalmist, in Psalm xcvii.-" Clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the babitation of his throne. A fire goeth before bim, and burneth up his enemies round about. (193) Romans xi, 5, 22, 23. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw-and trembled." The course of the divine judgments at this season become so clearly manifest, that the object of them is incapable of being misapprehended. — Even the earth, or kingdom of the beast, is at last in a great degree convinced, if not converted, -and trembles with a well founded terror! "The bills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his rightcousness, and all the people see bis glory. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols, worship him all ye gods!"-Alluding to the double judgment to be distributed at this awful time, confusion to the worshippers of Mahuzzim, and acquittal and redemption to the oppressed captives of Israel. "Sion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of thy judgments O Lord. above all the earth; For thou, Lord, art bigh thou art exalted far above all gods. Ye that love the Lord, bate evil; be preserveth the souls of bis SAINTS, he delivereth them out of the band of THE WICKED." 1 |