sixth, which mentions the Redemption of the nation, &c. And it is very remarkable, that the prophet Jeremiah, hath clearly evinced the truth of this position, in the following words, Jerem. xxxii. 42. which he produces as an argument in support of what he had delivered as a prophecy foretelling the future restoration of the nation; "For thus saith the LORD, Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.” A A stronger proof than what is contained in these words of the prophet, in support of the spirit of prophecy, cannot be required; for the accomplishment of the evil predicted, is a sure pledge of the completion of the good promised: and, therefore, as it is allowed on all hands, that the first five parts of this Poem, hath been fulfilled in every particular fact; it consequently is manifest, that not the least doubt ought to be entertained of the full accomplishment of the last part.

t

DISSERTATION III.

The Prophecies of Isaiah.

THE third, who prophesied of the Redemption, and future restoration of the Jews, was Isaiah, the son of Amos, and who unquestion ably delivered a greater number of prophecies concerning the future restoration of the nation, than any other prophet, as will be shewn in the sequel. Of these, I mean to take notice of such only, as are clear, forcible, and unequivocal, in pointing out the character and coming of the Messiah; the restoration of the Jews; the punishment of their enemies, and the resurrection of the dead: these three great events are to take place in succession after each other, as already shewn from the words of Moses, and the arrangement of them by Ezekiel.

The first prophecy of Isaiah concerning the

future

future restoration of the Jews, is contained in the second, third and fourth verses of the second chapter of his book. Before I proceed to the explanation of this prophecy, it is necessary to premise, that the prophet Micah, chap.: iv. 1. 4. has delivered this same prophecy concerning the kingdom of the Messiah, with scarcely any material variation, save that he has embellished it, by the addition of a sentence, "And they shall sit, every man under his vine," &c. and which fully evinces, that this prophecy foretells the kingdom of the Messiah, as will clearly appear from the explanation.

For as the prophet makes use of the expression, in the latter days, it is clear, that he thereby meant the days of the Messiah; and thus says Abarbanal and Kimchi, "Wherever the latter times are mentioned in Scripture, the days of the Messiah are always meant." See also Nachmonides on Genesis, xlix. 1. And Bishop Lowth, in his notes on the second chapter of Isaiah, after having cited Kimchi's opinion on these words, viz. that the latter days denotes the days of the Messiah, adds, "And, in regard to this place, nothing can be more clear and certain." And Dr. New.

combe,

combe, Bishop of Waterford, in his notes on Micah, iv. 1. observes, "These four to be verses contain a prophecy which was fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah." So far he is right; but when he adds, that "Then the Gentiles were to be admitted into a covenant with God, and the Apostles were to preach the Gospel, beginning at Jerusalem: Luke xxiv. 47. Acts ii. 14, &c. When Christ was to be the spiritual Judge, and king of many people, was to convince many nations of their errors and vices, and was to found a religion which had the strongest tendency to promote peace;" it is plain that he errs, and has totally mistaken the true sense of the prophecy, and so hath Bishop Lowth, and all the Christian writers who have espoused that opinion: for no such universal peace, as is here foretold by the prophets, hath ever taken place yet: neither hath the mountain of the Temple of the LORD been established on the top of the mountains, &c. as will be shewn presently. For in this prophecy, the prophet has assured us of five things, or events, that are to take place, and be accomplished in the latter days, i. e. at the coming of the Messiah.

First, "That the Temple shall be rebuilt, and continue, so as not to be destroyed any more;" as he says verse 2d. "It shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established on the top of the mountains." By the word established, it is plain, that he meant, it was to be fixed unalterably. Of course, it was not to be destroyed any more.

Secondly. That it should be exalted above the hills;" but this exaltation will not be merely an exaltation of place, or consist in the greatness of the building; but in its holiness and sanctity, as mentioned, "And all nations shall flow unto it." For this is not to be effected by individuals only, but by whole nations, as the prophet says, "And many people shall go, and shall say: Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD; to the house of the God of Jacob."

Thirdly. That all nations will then açknowledge the true Unity of God, and freely confess, that the LORD alone is God, and that their fathers had inherited lies, Jerem. xvi. 19. and vanity, and things, wherein there is no profit. They, therefore, will all be desirous

of