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"and nation; but as A DIVINE JUDGMENT

upon the earth * ”

If such could be the immediate and simultaneous reflections of our daily journals upon the " JUDGMENT then EXECUTED," it is manifest, that there is evidence sufficient before mankind, to "give GoD the glory."

V. 23. The WHOLE HOUSE of ISRAEL.] The Sequel of this prophecy, which relates to the impending issue of God's purposes, after the final termination of HIS Church's calamities upon earth, appears to embrace, and to unite, the circumstances both of the figurative and the literal Israel, in the future Universal Church of the Messiah : according to the excellent observation of St. Augustine +. It is plainly applicable to both Churches. For, as the literal Israel were thrown into a state of captivity and oppres sion for their continued rebellions and iniquities; so have we ground of the fullest assurance to be convinced, that the depravity, irreligion, infidelity, and practical apostacy which had so generally infected the

* Times, Dec. 17, 1812.

+ See page 74.

nations denominated Christian, the figurative Israel, at the occurrence of the late "GREAT " COMMOTION" in Christendom, was the moral cause of all those nations being surrendered by the Divine Providence to the bondage and affliction, under which they have so bitterly groaned for many years past. But the termination of that bondage, opens the prospect of ultimate and proximate redemption to ALL, both Christians and Jews; in the manner, and in the order, which was always understood and expected by the Apostolic Church*. The designation, "My people My people"-"the people "of God"-"the children of Abraham," are ascribed to the former as well as to the latter; and the final scene of glory, bliss, and peace, which shall succeed to this present lapsing scene, is represented to both Churches under the same common figure, of "JERUSALEM," and "THE KINGDOM 'of DAVID."

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V. 26. And they shall forget their reproach.] Our version translates, “after

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* Preface, p. xlviii. li.; and "CHRISTIAN'S SURVEY," 2d edit. p. 137-189.

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they shall have borne their reproach.” cannot but understand the word w, as from sw, obliviscor, to forget, and not from sw, fero, sumo, to bear. As in Lamentations, iii. 17, na 'n'w, “I forget prosperity;" which the Lxx render, επιλαθόμην αγαθα. Ι I therefore suspect, that in this verse of Ezekiel we ought to read angola in the Greek, instead of andorra, especially as there is already a various reading of this word. Parallel in design with this verse of Ezekiel, appears to be that of Isaiah, liv. 4. "Thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, "and shalt not remember the reproach of thy "widowhood any more."

V. 29. Hide MY FACE any more.] This closing promise, derives the most complete elucidation from the conclusion of the book of THE APOCALYPSE: "I saw the HOLY CITY, "the NEW JERUSALEM: - and the throne "of GOD and of THE LAMB shall be in it, "and THEY SHALL SEE HIS FACE; and "there shall be NO NIGHT THERE, for the "LORD GOD GIVETH THEM LIGHT; and

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Ibid. For I have poured out Mine anger, &c.] i. e. I have exhausted all Mine anger. -Our translation renders, "when I have poured out My Spirit." The Greek seems to read better, ανθ' ών εξέχεα τον θυμον μετ And so the old Italic version; "Et non aver"tam amplius faciem meam ab eis, pro eo quod

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effudi iram meam in domum ISRAEL." In

.אשר שפכתי את רוחי" ,the Hebrew the words are

", signifies effundo, to pour out, either "in part or entirely." Here it appears to mean the latter, and to signify, to exhaust. Jerom says, "ruhi, m, proprie sonat spirit

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um meum, et nequaquam furorem meum.” But the more ancient Greek interpreters, together with our ablest lexicographers, find the sense of ira, furor, anger, in the word ; and so our own translators have rendered it in Judges, viii, 3.-“ then their 66 anger was abated towards him.”

The gracious declaration expressed in this concluding sentence of the prophecy, appears to intend the same with that conveyed in the evangelical assurances given by Isaiah: "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and

66 cry unto her, that her warfare is accom"plished, that her iniquity is pardoned! → "In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for "a moment; but with everlasting kindness "will I have mercy on thee, saith THE LORD thy REDEEMER! -For in My wrath I

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66 smote thee, but in My favour have I had mercy on thee." Which blessed promise assumes its most perfect and transporting form in the Apocalypse of St. John:—“And "I heard a great voice out of Heaven, saying; 'BEHOLD! the tabernacle of GOD is "with MEN, and He will dwell with them, "and they shall be His people, and GoD HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their "GOD. And GoD shall wipe away all tears

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66

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from their eyes; and there shall be no more "death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither "shall there be any more pain; for the former "things are passed away?' And He that sat upon the throne said, 'BEHOLD! I MAKE

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