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rufalem, faith the LORD; like as the children of Ifrael brought the oblation, in pure veffels to the house of the LORD. And of them will I also take for Priests, (and) for Levites, faith the LORD." That is, of those that shall be brought back from the far diftant countries, where they may have been mingled, and loft in name among the nations: and who being the real defcendants of the Priests and Levites; will be reinstated into their respective offices, although they may have been forced to apoftatize. But, as it may be asked, how is it to be known, that they are thus descended? I answer, By means of the spirit of Prophecy, which will then be restored to the nation; for then the tribe of Levi, will be diftinguished in a particular manner, as the Prophet Malachi faid*, "And he fhall fit as a refiner and purifier of filver; and he shall purify the fons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold and as filver: and they shall offer an offering to the LORD in righteousness. Then fhall the offering of Judah and Jerufalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in for

mer

* Malach. iii. 3.

mer years." And which is a manifest pr that none will then officiate as Priests Levites, but those that really belong to families of this tribe.

The Prophet then proceeds to inf them, that they fhall no more go into c tivity; but shall for ever remain in th land, as the eternal existence of heaven a earth; verfe 22d. "For as like the new h vens and the new earth, which I mal ftand (continually) before me, faith t LORD; fo fhall continue your feed, and yo

The Prophet next fhews, that they the will ever ftedfaftly adhere to the worth of the One true God: and that one gre motive thereto, will be the fight of the fu ferings of the wicked, that shall then arif to receive the punishment due to the enor mous crimes that they had committed; as have already obferved: (Vol. Ift. page 199. and which agrees with what the Prophe Daniel fays* ; "And many of those tha fleep in the duft of the earth fhall awake, fome to everlasting life, and fome to fhame (and)

* Dan. xii. a.

(and) everlasting contempt." This fight will operate as a strong incentive to the just, to continue stedfast in the pursuit of rightcoufnels; as in verse 23d, & 24th.

66

And

it fhall be from new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath; all flefh fhall come to worship before me, faith the LORD. And they fhall go forth, and fhall fee the carcafes of the men, who tranfgreffed against me for their worm fhall not die, neither fhall their fire be quenched; and they fhall be an abhorrence to all flesh.'

According to the real intent and purport of this prophecy, as here explained; it is manifeft, that the following important events. are to be accomplished at the restoration of the nation. First, the punishment of the different nations, that were enemies to the Jews, for their cruelty to the nation and alfo for their abominable practices; as likewife for the erroneous doctrines, that they promulgated concerning the divinity of the moft High. Second, the Refurrection of the dead, who are to rife, and rejoice with Jerufalem. Third the particular nations, that are to be punished, are clearly pointed out, according to the different principles and. VOL. II.

N

tenets

g

tenets held by them. Fourth, the cause will induce the nations, to bring the J from the far diftant countries, and the m ner in which they are to be brough Jerufalem. Fifth, the return of the spiri prophecy. Sixth, that they are not eve go into captivity more. Seventh, that t will never again fall off from the worship the One true God: neither will they be ty of any of thofe heinous crimes, wh they had committed aforetime. B none of these great events were accompli ed at their return from Babylon: for in first place, their enemies were not punis in the exemplary manner, here predicte the refurrection did not take place: the M hometan religion had no existence at th time: neither was the doctrine of the trini yet promulgated. They were not broug to Jerufalem, in the manner here described and they were again carried away captive, the most miserable condition; for the ab minable crimes that they were guilty of, d ring the time of the fecond temple; and which captivity, they have continued to th day all which, is a manifeft proof, that th

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is equally manifeft, that they were not ac complished, in the time of Jefus: confequently, he could not be the promised Meffiah; fo that it remains for thefe great events to be accomplished, in the latter days, when the true Meffiah fhall come to redeem the Nation.

Thus, have I explained, thefe fourteen great and important Prophecies of Ifaiah; the most fublime and elegant of all the Prophets; and who undoubtedly, delivered a far greater number of Prophecies, relating to the future redemption and falvation of Ifrael, than any of the other Prophets. Hence, (as the learned Abarbanal obferves,) was he called, as by the special appointment of Providence, www Ifaiah: which may be read, as com→

ישעיהו

pounded of two words y The falvation of the LORD and as he fays of himself, on this fubject*. "The LORD hath anointed me, to publish glad tidings to the meek: he hath fent me to bind up the broken hearted: to proclaim freedom to the captives; and to the bounden perfect liberty; To proclaim the year of acceptance with the LORD; and

* Ifai. lxi. 1. 2.

N 2

&C.

the