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In the above instance CHRIST commands the sick of the palsy to walk, to prove to the scribes that he had the power to forgive sins, which it had been previously declared that GOD only could do. Well might the surrounding crowd glorify GoD, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

CHAP. IX.

V. 11. Then the disciples ask JESUS, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? He replies, 12. Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

ISA. Ch. liii. V. 3.-He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and we hid, as it were, our faces from him. He was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we esteem him stricken, smitten of ELOHIM, and afflicted.

Has not the use of ELOHIM, in the 4th verse, a wonderful import? CHRIST, or the MESSIAH, as one person of the Trinity, suffers to reconcile the justice and mercy of the whole Godhead, as is most beautifully described in the 45th Psalm :-I will hear what GOD JEHOVAH will say. 10. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12. Yea, JEHOVAH shall give that which is good. 13. Righteousness shall go before him, and show us in the way of his steps.

I cannot here resist giving what I conceive a more accurate translation of these very comprehensive and beautiful verses.

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'Surely his salvation is nigh those who fear him, causing glory to dwell in the land. Abundant mercy and truth have met together; justice and reconcilia

If we recollect the definition given to the phrase "Son of GOD," in the note affixed to v. 63, ch. xxvi. of St. Matthew, we shall be prepared to read the following Gospel with the attention the history so greatly deserves.

V. 38. Then said JESUS, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, for therefore came I forth.

ISA. Ch. Ixi. V. 1.-The Spirit of ADONI JEHOVAH is upon me, because JEHOVAH hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

How fully does the Gospel history show that our blessed Saviour, while on earth, did minutely fulfil this prophecy of Isaiah concerning the MESSIAH that

was to come.

CHAP. II.

V. 5.-When JESUS saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 7. (Then say the scribes,) Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies ?-Who can forgive sins but God only?

ISA. Ch. xliii. V. 15.—I am JEHOVAH your Holy One, the Creator of Israel-your King. 25. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

V. 9.-(Our Saviour says) Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed and walk? 10. But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, he saith to the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee, arise, and take up thy bed and go thy way into thine own house. And immediately he arose.

ISA. Ch. XXXV. V. 4.-Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not. Behold, your GOD will come with vengeance, even ELOHIM, with a recompense he will come and save you.

In the above instance CHRIST Commands the sick of the palsy to walk, to prove to the scribes that he had the power to forgive sins, which it had been previously declared that GOD only could do. Well might the surrounding crowd glorify GoD, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

CHAP. IX.

V. 11. Then the disciples ask JESUS, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? He replies, 12. Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

ISA. Ch. liii. V. 3.-He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and we hid, as it were, our faces from him. He was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we esteem him stricken, smitten of ELOHIM, and afflicted.

Has not the use of ELOHIM, in the 4th verse, a wonderful import? CHRIST, or the MESSIAH, as one person of the Trinity, suffers to reconcile the justice and mercy of the whole Godhead, as is most beautifully described in the 45th Psalm :—I will hear what GOD JEHOVAH will say. 10. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12. Yea, JEHOVAH shall give that which is good. 13. Righteousness shall go before him, and show us in the way of his steps.

I cannot here resist giving what I conceive a more accurate translation of these very comprehensive and beautiful verses.

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Surely his salvation is nigh those who fear him, causing glory to dwell in the land. Abundant mercy and truth have met together; justice and reconcilia

Here ADONI is addressed as ELOHIM and JEHOVAH, and the Great and Terrible God. In similar passages in the Old and New Testament references, this ought always to be kept in view, for it will tend greatly to confirm the divinity of Christ.

HOSEA.

CHAP. IV.

V. 1.—Hear the word of JEHOVAH, ye children of Israel, for JEHOVAH hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of ELOHIM in the land.

JEHOVAH is here represented as angry, because there is no knowledge of ELOHIM in the land; and this was awfully verified when the Jews rejected CHRIST; for, had they known the Law and the Prophets, they would not have denied CHRIST. Hosea, it may be perceived, preserves the distinction of persons.

CHAP. XIII.

V. 4.-I am JEHOVAH thy GOD, from the land of Egypt; and thou shalt know no ELOHIM but me, for there is no Saviour besides me.

Here is an express declaration of JEHOVAH himself, that our Saviour is no other than the ELOHIм himself.

JOEL.

CHAP. II.

Thus saith JEHOVAH, 12. Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting and with weeping, and with mourning. 13. And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto JEHOVAH your GOD, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Here the merciful JEHOVAH identifies himself with JESUS CHRIST, the promised MESSIAH. JEHOVAH declares he is gracious, and slow to anger, and our Blessed Saviour says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

AMOS.

CHAP. V.

V. 4.—Thus saith JEHOVAH unto the house of Israel. Seek ye me and ye shall live. 14. Seek good and not evil, that ye may live, and SO JEHOVAH GOD of hosts shall be with you.

JEHOVAH says, Seek Me, and if ye do, JEHOVAH GOD of hosts shall be with you. This future and conditional promise must refer to CHRIST, and yet when he did appear, they rejected him, although his abode on earth was foretold by their own received prophets.

CHAP. VIII.

V. 9.—And it shall come to pass in that day, saith ADONI JEHOVAH, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.

Recall to mind the supernatural eclipse of the sun on the day of the Crucifixion.

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