fhould not go into captivity any more. And now, I must take the liberty to ask the most zealous defenders of Christianity, whether they dare affert that, thefe promifes were ever fulfilled by, or in the perfon of Jefus? Nay, fo far were they from being fulfilled in his time? that during his whole life, they were rent by faction: and being in subjection to the Roman power, great part of their policy was abolished, and the Roman established in* its ftead: the power of life and death was taken out of their hand†; and the High Priest changed year after year, at the arbitrary will of the Roman Procurator‡. Thus,

Ibid.

*Prideaux's Connect. Part. 2d. Book 9. page 305. Ibid. 312. Where we find that Valerius Gratus changed the high Priefts four different times in the small space of four years: for having first remov, ed Annas after he had been fifteen years in the office, he subtituted Ifmael, the fon of Fabus in his place. But the next year after, being difplcafed with this choice, he removed If mael, and promoted Eleazar the fon of Annas whom he had fo lately depofed. In about a year, he removed him alfo, and made Simon the fon of Camith High priest in his ftead: but he continued in this office no longer than his predeceffor. For, the next year, the fame Gratus appointed Jofeph fur_ named Caiaphas, the fon in Law of Annas above mentioned, to fucceed Camith. See alfo Jofeph, antiq. B. xviii. C. iiid.

they

they continued declining, till about for years after his death, Jerufalem was take and destroyed by the Romans: the nation ca ried into captivity, and an end put to the government and policy; and which they hav never been able to recover to this day. From all which, it is manifeft to demonftration that these great and glorious promises wer never fulfilled in his person; and that con fequently, he could not be the perfon pre dicted by the Prophet. And, it is equall manifest from the exprefs words of the Pro phet, as well as those of the other Prophets that the whole nation is to return from thei different difperfions in the latter days: bu as nothing of this hath ever taken place it is clear, that thefe promises remain to b fulfilled at the coming of the true Meffiah

As to what fome Chriftian Writers pretend, that these great and important promifes, are to be fulfilled at the fecond coming of Jefus, is futile; as I have fhewn at large, Vol. Ift. page 130. &c.

The third prophecy commences Chapter xxx, verfe ift, and is continued to the end of verse ist of chap. xxxi.

This prophecy anounces the future reftoration of the nation: for, as the Prophet in the preceding Chapter had foretold the deftruction of Jerufalem, by Nebuchadnezzar ; God now commanded him to write this in a book; that it might remain as a confolation for Ifrael; that they might be affured, that as well as the prophecy which foretold their captivity &c. was fully accomplished; fo fhall that of their future restoration. And, when we seriously reflect on the connexion of these different promises, we shall plainly perceive the finger of God, pointing out to us, the truth and verity of prophecy, to the utter shame and confufion of Deifts and infidels; for when that which was nearest at hand should be fully accomplished, it would afford the strongest and most fatisfactory kind of evidence of the accomplishment of the latter; and though ever fo remote, yet may we rest assured, that by the interpofition of Providence, it would be brought about in its due season; no matter how unfavourable circumstances may be against it.

4

And this very argument, the Prophet Isaiah made ufe of in support of what he had

VOL. II.

S

foretold;

foretold; when he faid*, "The former

predictions, lo! they are come to pass and new events I now declare: before they fpring forth, I make them known unto you." And, it is not a little remarkable that the Prophet of whom we are treating, bas in direct terms made ufe of this argument†, Chap. xxxii. 42. as will be seen in the explanation of that prophecy.

In verse 2d. and 3d. the Prophet informs us of God's command to him, "Thus hath the LORD God of Ifrael fpoken, faying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For, behold, the days are coming, faith the LORD, when I will turn the captivity of my people, Ifrael and Judah, faith the LORD; and I will bring them back to the land which I gave to their fathers, and they fhall poffefs it." And which is a manifeft proof, that this prophecy does not refer to their return from the Babylonish captivity; as will be shewn at large in the fequel.

In verfe 4th. the Prophet informs us,

* Ifai. xlii. 29. See alfo Vol. Ift. Introd. p. 12. & Diff. Vol Ift. p. 57.

+ Ibid. p. 66.

that

that he did according to the word of God; and therefore proceeds, "And these (are) the words which the LORD hath spoken concerning Ifrael and concerning Judah." He here mentions both Ifrael and Judah; because this prophecy foretels the restoration, and union of the two kingdoms.

In the three following verfes, the Prophet fpeaks of the vengeance which God will take of the nations; and which will be effected by the wars that they will wage against each other. "For thus faith the LORD, a voice of trembling have we heard, (there is) terror, and no peace. Ask ye now, and fee, if a male can bring forth? wherefore have I feen every man (with) his hand upon his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are changed into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that there is none like it: and a time of diftrefs, will it be to Jacob; but he shall be faved from it." This denotes the terrible havock that will be made among the nations, on that dreadful day of blood and flaughter; in which, Jacob will also in some measure be involved; but he shall be faved from it; that is, his falvation will arife from it; as the Prophet fays, verfe 8th. S 2 "And