was unquestionably the greatest and most beneficial change for mankind that ever did, or ever will take place in this world. It was therefore announced in prophecy by types and figures most singular and sublime. Haggai represented it by the shaking of heaven and earth, Isaiah by the creation of new beavens and a new earth; and St. Paul expounds these figures by the removal of the heavens thus shaken, that is, the jewish oeconomy; and the introduction of the regeneration of man's nature through the redemption by Christ. (Haggai ii. 6, 7 ;--Isaiah lxv. 17;— Hebrews xii. 26, 27;—2 Cor. v. 17.) The figures employed by the prophets were drawn from almost every object that the ample storehouse of nature could supply, in a miraculous transposition of form or place. The mountains are made low, and the crooked places straight, refreshing springs burst forth in the dry ground, and the parched desert blossoms like the rose. Even death and the grave yield up their conquests, to grace Messiah's coming, (Isaiah xxv. 8.) and the prophet Elijah is figuratively sent from the realms of the

dead to preach repentance, " and make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

It is not very much to be wondered at, if this kingdom of Christ, which was thus magnificently announced, (but yet opened under unfavorable circumstances, and struggling against the opposing powers of the world,) should be figuratively represented at the period of its highest advancement, by the emblem of a kingdom of saints; and the conversion and re-establishment of the long lost sheep of the house of Israel, should be prefigured by a resurrection from the dead, as it had been so before by Ezekiel and St. Paul. (321) And as the removal of the jewish oeco

(221) Upon the prophecy of Ezekiel ch. xxxvii, Mr Sharp remarks, that it will be figuratively fulfilled first by the restora. tion of Israel, and literally afterwards, by the real resurrection of the martyrs, whom he supposes meant by the words "these slain." Ezekiel xxxvii. 9. compared with Rev. xx. 4. But Ezekiel's prophecy can never be so applied, unless to converted christian Jews, so slain for Christ in the last persecution; because they are strictly confined to another meaning. ver. 11. "These bones are THE WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, behold they say, our bones are dry, and our hope is lost; we are cut off for our parts.” So that it can only apply to ISRAEL, and that only in the latest time, or end of the indignation. And the prophecy is

nomy and the introduction of the christian in its place, was effected by a gentle and imperceptible change, without any reversing of the laws of nature, (except by a temporary display of miracles merely in proof of the divine mission of Christ,) and without any alteration of the method of trial appointed unto man; it is reasonable to suppose that the same kingdom of Christ will be administered for ever by similar means of and second causes, working together the ends which God designs, of bringing many sons unto glory, and not by

grace

God's call to them to hearken to him, and at last believe, ver.

4. " Again be said unto me.e.—Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD!" Our Saviour, when he said to the paralytic" arise and walk," communicated the power along with the command. It will be so here. A spiritual slaying then will answer our purpose here very well, The Jews are now in that very state of " the slain of the Lord," for it was expressly said to them, "the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his people by another name”—Isaiah lxv. 15. And they have been slain by the sword which proceed. eth out of the mouth of Christ, (Rev. i. 16;-xix 15,) as the apostates are to be hereafter, "5 Thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle," said the prophet. Isaiah xxii. 2, The slaughter of them is of a spiritual nature. "Therefore have I HEWED THEM by the prophets, I have SLAIN THEM by the words of my mouth.” Hosea vi. 5,-compare with Hosea

any supernatural agency of a very long duration, and utterly uncongenial to the gospel system.

The millennium, conceive of it as highly as you will, must not be compared with the inestimable benefit of the gospel dispensation itself. But with respect to that, our blessed Lord (in reply to the pharisees, who expected some marvellous introduction of it by great sights in the heavens and prodigies upon earth) plainly declared he would not give them any such sign, but referred them to the signs given by the prophets, and by himself in correspondence with their predictions. Farther than such tokens as these would go, he said "the kingdom of God cometh not with observation." (322) It is chiefly an invisible and inward

(322) On this ground Wesley objected to the pretended revelations given to Mohammed, and with great justice Mr Hampson retorts the same argument against the conversions made by Wesley and most of his preachers, as being accompanied with signs of no favorable interpretation, and such as correspond not with the conversions in the gospel history, not excepting even that of St. Paul. See Hampson's Life of Wesley, vol. ii. p. 84, 70 and 78.

kingdom, by a secret and silent regeneration of human nature, through the indwelling of the spirit of God, and its progress is without pomp, and blowing of a trumpet before it. The kingdom of the saints, as being of a congenial spirit, will doubtless come on with a pace as silent and unnoticed, and its presence be distinguished by no prodigies. If it were otherwise, it would be utterly impossible to account for the obstinate infidelity of those which remain without during the whole 1000 years, if they beheld a city coming down from God, its priesthood, and the regal government of its dependent kingdoms, being also administered by saints raised from the dead, and distinguishable from mortal men by glorified bodies, shining like the burning flame!

The removal of the Mosaic dispensation was effected in a short time, yet not in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, but gradually by the gentle influence of the grace of God; the silent operations of which are compared to the winds, uncertain in their origin, but incoercible in their course. In like manner