sure, decide the contest between the powers of light and darkness, for by the special judgments of heaven they are devoted to destruction.

A close attention to the 33rd chapter of Isaiah, ver. 1-16, will here be found peculiarly appropriate, viz., "Woe to thee that spoilest, &c." Amid "the noise, tumult, and scattering" of contending "nations, Zion," or, the people of God, are "filled with judgment and righteousness; and wisdom and knowledge are the stability of their times."

Here also we may properly mark the contrast which has subsisted between the penitent believer and the obstinate sinner, during the past awful visitations against Babylon; which is portrayed in the 26th chapter of Isaiah with that exquisite beauty and fidelity so peculiar to the Scriptures. From it we learn that the righteous or converted of Israel have patiently "waited for God in the way of his judgments,"-submitted with filial piety and awe to the chastisements which have been inflicted both on themselves and the nations,-for the advancement of his gracious designs in their behalf and that of his elect at large. "When the judgments of God are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness;" yet are we assured that even though favour be showed to the wicked at this terrific period, he will not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord."

66

"A common measure, then, it should seem, will unite the strenuous efforts of the three great political parties, although on many occasions they had been so hostile to each other. The infidel philosophy

of

many will unite" them" with their supporters in this war against

the Lamb.' The government of the Latin earth, relenting perhaps in the hatred of the harlot which had so lately induced them to make havoc of the ecclesiastical state, and, through some crooked scheme of policy, coalescing with the ... Infidel, will agree to give their power to some great leader of the day, who shall embark the western empire in this fatal expedition. This false prophet, the very same, it appears from Rev. xIx. 20, that had wrought the former deceptions before the beast, there being still a succession of the order or usurpation of its functions, will, in like manner, combine his influence both with his unsparing spoiler, and with his inveterate enemy, who sought his destruction, to bring about that order of things that shall arraign the kings of the Latin earth, and, in a manner, of the whole world, against a rising interest, of which at length God will manifest himself as the protector." *

"When the Lord's hand is lifted up, they will not see : but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy towards thy people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour

them."

We find that the Hebrew nation is now 66 increased," and that "God is glorified;" which excites the envious feelings of their adversaries. We find that they have "visited the Lord in their trouble; and poured out a prayer (Heb. secret speech,) when his chastening was upon them." They are conscious, and humbly confess, that heretofore, in their unconverted state, they have not wrought any deliverance in the earth," i. e., from the slavery of sin,—“ neither have the inhabitants of the earth fallen;" but many still continue to display its malignity, to reject the proffered

* Fry's Observations.

salvation, to oppose the dictates of revelation, and to despise the children of peace and holiness.

Isaiah LXIII. 1. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

During the gradual coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, his judgments on the spiritual Edom, of which Bozrah may represent the chief city, or defence, appear to be here signified and are represented in a peculiar strain of solemnity. He returns, after the completion of his wrath on this idolatrous people, and while "travelling in the greatness of his strength," he remarkably manifests his righteous word, and mighty power to save.

Ver. 2, 3. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

Here Christ indicates his exclusive sovereignty over his church, together with the fierce and consummate judgments which he will execute on his adversaries.

Ver. 4. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

These specific declarations, when in conjunction with the context, appear clearly to describe the period under present consideration.

Ver. 5, 6. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Divine wonder is expressed, to show, that notwithstand

ing the foundation on which Christ has built his church, even that "of the apostles and prophets, he himself being the chief corner stone,"-notwithstanding the immeasurable privileges which he has bestowed on her,—and more especially the "unspeakable gift" of himself,—she has opposed no effectual barrier against the power of the ungodly; nor does she even at this time possess sufficient strength or influence to preserve herself from their overwhelming rage. He will, therefore, signally display his own unaccompanied power; and through the fury of his wrath; will turn their designs into confusion and madness, and "bring down their strength to the ground." This will presently appear.

Joel 11. 1, 2. Behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

We do not conceive that this passage is in immediate connection with the latter part of the preceding chapter, as might at first appear, but that it is a continuation of the subject from the 27th verse.

This is an express assurance from God, that the destruction of those nations, at least, of their civil polity,-who have "scattered Israel, and parted his land,"-shall take place," when he shall bring again the captivity," &c., and which presents an impressive outline of the attendant cir

cumstances.

At this period, it may be supposed, God places the Israelites, already assembled in Judea, under his special protection. Accordingly, we find this emphatically expressed

in

Zechariah 11. 4, 5. Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns with

out walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

In the two following verses the Israelites are commanded to "flee from the north," and to "deliver themselves from the daughter of Babylon.”

Ver. 8. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations who spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

From which it would appear, that after having manifested his glory in their late previous deliverance, the Redeemer is sent by the Father to the nations now preparing to reestablish their power.

Ver. 9. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants, (the Israelites.) See Hab. III. 12-15.

At the 9th verse, the prophecy of Joel is resumed, viz.,

Ver. 9, 10. Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare (Heb. sanctify) war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks (or, scythes,) into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

Thus the Almighty calls upon the Gentiles, in a style of irony, to prepare for the mighty and decisive conflict.

Ver. 11. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

By the words "mighty ones," either the miraculous interposition of angels is signified, or, that the power of the Gentiles engaged in this conflict shall be cast down.

Ver. 12. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen

round about.

The call is repeated, to come up to the valley of the Judgment of the Lord, as the term Jehoshaphat denotes, in