NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

VERSE 2. Set thy face upon GOGUE, &c.]-The true design and force of this precept, is shown in the Greek interpretation of the words: σηρισον το πρόσωπον 08, i. e. “fix firmly, or steadily, thy face upon GOGUE," &c. This introductory command has respect to the rule prescribed to Ezekiel, when he first received his prophetical commission; by which he was peremptorily enjoined to discharge the peculiar and arduous duties which it imposed, with the most resolute intrepidity, and with an utter disregard of all the scorn, ridicule, or obloquy, which he might encounter in publicly proclaiming the threats

and denunciations of GOD.-"Thou, son of

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man, be not afraid of them, neither be "afraid of their words. Though briars and "thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell

among scorpions, be not afraid of their "words, nor be dismayed at their looks :— "and thou shalt speak My words unto "them. Behold, I have made thy face "strong against their faces, and thy fore"head strong against their foreheads: as "an adamant, harder than flint, have I "made thy forehead: fear them not, nei"ther be dismayed at their looks."Ez. ii. 6, and iii. 8, 9. This was a frame of mind, indispensably necessary to be possessed by those who were commissioned to declare the menaces of God's judgments to a rebelling and hardened people; and it is necessary that the same temper should be sought, in a competent measure, by all believers of the present day, who may perceive the predictions of GOD to be actually fulfilling in the world, and who may feel an obligation urgent upon their

minds, to call the attention of their fellowbelievers to the fact of that fulfilment.

Ibid. GOGUE,] ELECTED RULER of the FRANKS, or French.- See Preliminary Illustration, sect. vi.

Ibid. The land of MAGOGUE.] Prelim. Illustr. sect. iv.

Ibid. THE CLOUD of Ros, Mosc, and TOBL.] Prelim. Illustr. sect. ii. and iii.The figure of a Cloud, employed to describe a heavy calamity befalling, or threatening, a state or people, is familiar in the imagery of the Scriptures. Thus, of the downfall prophesied of Egypt, it was said: "When "I shall break the yokes of Egypt, the

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pomp of her strength shall cease; A "CLOUD shall cover her, and her daughters "shall go into captivity."- Ez. xxx. 18. And again: "How hath the Lord covered "the daughter of Sion with A CLOUD?"— Lament. ii. 1. These figures denoted the entire overthrow of those two states. But, with respect to Ros, Mosc, and TOBL, it is foretold, that "THE CLOUD," though it should ascend and threaten, should not dwell

G

upon them; because it should be opposed in its progress by the arm of GOD, and be driven back, and dispelled. But, for a short season, it was A CLOUD of the most tremendous and disastrous character; spreading desolation, fire, and blood, even to the heart of that great Empire. "WE address OURSELVES "to the ancient capital of OUR ancestors, "to the city of Moscow; (exclaimed the Emperor Alexander, in his sublime address of July, 1812); "it has always been "the sovereign city of all the RUSSIAS, " and the first in every case of public "danger to send forth from her arms her darling sons to defend the honour of the

Empire." Yet, within two months was the sanguinary INVADER, "the CLOUD" of that "sovereign city," enabled to declare from within its walls; "Moscow is now no "more! What was the city, is become a "depopulated region."

V.3. Behold I am upon thee.]

08, LXX. "upon thee, or over thee." This

fearful declaration, is explained by the figure in the next verse.

V. 4. I will turn thee about, &c.] auvakw, LXX.; @egiaw, Complut.; al. añosge↓w; “circumagam," Vulg. This figure is well illus trated by James, iii. 3. "Behold, we put BITS in the horses' mouths, that they may

obey us; and we TURN ABOUT their whole

body” όλον το σωμα αυτών μεταγομεν. The Prophecy, which occupies these two chapters, comprehends two amazing events: the Invasion of Ros, Mosc, and ToвL, by GOGUE; and the eventual Repulse of the INVADER. This first chapter is chiefly engaged, in predicting the Invasion under an impulse of the Divine vengeance, and adverts only generally, in the conclusion, to the ordained repulse; the following chapter resumes the subject of the invasion, but it is only in order to introduce the tremendous details, and the blessed consequences of the Repulse.

V. 5. As Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya, &c.] This is a very common form of comparison in the Hebrew idiom, in which the particle denoting the comparison is not expressed, but is understood; and the comparison is