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31. ALL PEOPLE.

look unto me :-Is. xlv. 22, .3-see p. (22).-1 Ti. ii. 6, "Who gave himself a ransom for all,' &c.-Rev. xiv.

32. A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN, &c.

for an apocalypse, &c. .-Ge. xv. 5, 12-.7-see p. (5). the vail spread over all nations:-Is. xxv. 7, 8. 7, And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. 8, He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.'-xxix. 17-24 --see p. (41), ver. 47, ASTONISHED AT HIS,' &c.

recognition of Israel:-Ho. i. 10, .1-see p. (31). 10, "Yet the number of the children,' &c.-see 'Scrip. Illus.' Israel-Rev. xxi. 12, .3.

compare with Is. 1x.-see ch. Ix. p. (26).

In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory-Is. xlv. 25-see' Scrip. Illus.' opposite.

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EZEKIEL I. Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw 2 visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which 3 was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, the word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

4

And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearAnd every 6 ance; they had the likeness of a man. one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they And 8 sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and 9 their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went 10 every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the Thus were their faces: and their 11 face of an eagle. wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their 12 bodies. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they 13 turned not when they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth light14 ning. And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his 16 four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: 18 and they turned not when they went. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted 20 up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was 21 in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature 22 was in the wheels. And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their

23 heads above. And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. 24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: 25 when they stood, they let down their wings. And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

26

And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above 27 upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness 28 round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

EZEKIEL X. Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, 2 as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he 3 went in in my sight. Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; 4 and the cloud filled the inner court. Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the bright5 ness of the LORD's glory. And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh. 6 And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; 7 then he went in, and stood beside the wheels. And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and

8

went out.

And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a And when I looked, 9 man's hand under their wings. behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of 10 a beryl stone. And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the 11 midst of a wheel. When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; And their whole body, 12 they turned not as they went. and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the 13 wheels that they four had. As for the wheels, it was 14 cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel. And every

one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the 15 face of an eagle. And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of 16 Chebar. And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same 17 wheels also turned not from beside them.

When

they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the 18 living creature was in them. Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, 19 and stood over the cherubims. And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were | beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD's house; and the glory of the 20 God of Israel was over them above. This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the 21 cherubims. Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of 22 a man was under their wings. And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.

HE THAT IS ASSURED OF A LIFE WITHOUT END,

Luke ii. 27 And he-came by ev the Spirit into the temple: and when Kai ev T the parents 28 brought-in the child Jesus, to-do for him after the custom of-the law, then-took29 he him-up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest-thou-thy 30 servant -depart in peace, according-to thy word: for mine eyes have-seen thy salvation 31 το σωτηριον σου, which thou-hast-prepared before the-face of-all people; 32 a-light 33 to lighten els aπokaλ the-Gentiles, and the-glory of-thy people Israel. And Joseph b Now enfranchise thy slave, O master. • The peoples. d For an unveiling of the nations. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

MARGINAL READINGS:- In.

28. blessed God-see Ps. ciii.-bless the Lord who redeemeth,' &c., ver. 4-compare with Ep. i. 3-7blessed be the God and Father:' hath chosen us in him, ver. 6, 7.

29, 30. depart in peace... for mine eyes have seen thy salvation-see above, 25 ver., p. 24, Scripture Illustrations,' Jerusalem-so Paul, 2 Ti. iv. 6-8.

31. all people, Is. xlv. 22, 3-look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, ver. 22-a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, I Ti. ii. 6;

Rev. xiv.

32. a light to lighten-for an apocalypse, or revealing, or uncovering, the nations: for taking away the great darkness-see Ge. xv. 5, 12, .7- the vail spread over all nations,' Is. xxv. 7, 8-see also xxix. 17-24;

Ho. i. 10, .1-see, for our High Priest proceeding to unveil, Rev. i. 12-20-comp. with 2 Co. iii. 16-the unveiling, Re. v., and thereafter-see, as to the glory, ch. iv., xxi., ..ii.-Israel, Rev. vii., xxi. 12, 3-comp. with Is. lx. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2, For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people,' &c.-see on ver. 25, p. 24.

tion is by Christ. He says, by his holy prophet, Is. the glory-all redemption, blessing, and sanctifica. xlv. 22, .5. 22, Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 25, In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.'-See the glory described, Eze. i., x.; comp. with Rev. iv., &c.

NOTES.

Waiting for the consolation of Israel. That is, 32. A light to lighten the Gentiles. waiting for the Messiah, who is called The consolation of Israel' because he would give comfort to them by his appearing. This name was often applied to the Messiah before he actually appeared. It was common to swear, also, by the Consolation of Israel' -that is, by the Messiah about to come.

26. It was revealed. He was divinely informed, he had an express communication from God, by the Holy Ghost, concerning the subject.

Not see death. Should not die. To see death, and to taste of death, was a common way among the Hebrews of expressing death.-Comp. Ps. lxxxix. 48, What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.'

The Lord's Christ. Rather, the Lord's Anointed. The word Christ means anointed.-SeeChrist the Lord,' ver. 11, p. 21.

27. Temple. Place of prayer for all people, where sacrifices were offered for the whole nation, by the sons of Levi, as types of Him who hath offered the atonement for us, and is gone within the most holy place, now to appear in the presence of God for us.' -See He. ix. 24, and ADDENDA, Sect. i. p. 8, Temple. The custom of the law. That is, to make an offering for purification, and to present the child to God. 29. Now lettest. Now thou dost let, or permit. This word is in the indicative mood, and signifies that God was permitting him to die in peace, by having relieved his anxieties, as having given us his dear Son, the assured pledge that all would be fulfilled which God had promised.

Depart, &c. ároλVELS.] `ATOλwel sig. properly to let go from any place,' or fig. from any state which implies coercion.-See MARGINAL READINGS, Now enfranchise,' &c.

According to thy word. He seems to have understood, by the revelation made to him, that, as he should not die before he saw the Messiah, so, when he had seen him, he should speedily be removed by

death.

30. Thy salvation. The Saviour; or He who is to procure salvation for his people.

31. Before the face of all people. Whom thou hast provided for all people, or whom thou dost design to reveal to all people.

This is in

accordance with the prophecies in the Old Testament, [Ps. xcviii. 3; Is. xlix. 6; 1x. 1; Mal. iv. 2.] The Gentiles are represented as sitting in darkness, i. e., in ignorance and sin. Christ is a light to them, as by him they will be made acquainted with the character of the true God, his law, and the plan of redemption and salvation.

Glory. The manifestation of excellency, 2 Co. iii. 7; and is applied in Scripture variously.

NEED NOT CARE HOW SOON THIS LIFE HAS AN END.

The glory is eminently considered as the emblem of the divine presence, or rather the divine presence itself. [The church expresses her hope, Ps. ixxxv. 9, that glory may dwell in our land; and John bears witness, that this glory was displayed tabernacling in flesh, and they beheld it, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, &c., Jno. I. The ark of the covenant was called the glory of the Lord, because it represented God manifest in flesh; therefore said the mother of Ichabod, when the ark was taken, The glory is departed,' 1 Sa. iv. 21. The ark seems also to be the glory referred to in Rom. ix. 4. Therefore, when the tabernacle was completed, the Shechinah, or visible display of divine glory, filled the tent, and took up its residence upon the ark, beshould rest upon the man Christ Jesus; and hence, tween the cherubims, signifying that the divine glory Z the worship of the Old Testament church was addressed to him who dwelt between the cherubims, Ex. xxix. 43. When Solomon had dedicated the temple, the cloud of divine glory so filled the house, that the priests could not stand to minister in it, 1 Ki. viii. 11. We find the prophets who prophesied after the glory was indeed departed, promising that the glory of the second house should be greater than the glory of the first, Hag. ii. 3, 7, 9; and God promises in the latter day blessedness, in Jerusalem to be, a wall of fire round about, and the glory in the midst, Zec. ii. 5. Moses requested to see this glory, Ex. xxxiii. 18, but the time had not then come when it could be displayed, so as guilty man could see and live. Isaiah foretold the days when the glory of the Lord should be revealed, Is. xl. 5; and in Jesus Christ the brightness of the divine glory, and the express image of his person,' shone, He. i. 3. When Simeon took up his infant Lord in his arms, he called him a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.'-See ver. 32.]

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

23 ver. Let us bless God for the gift of his Son, in whom all new covenant mercy is secured; through faith in him he hath made us accepted in the Beloved; in whom we have redemption through his blood.

29 ver. Let our only desire of living be, that we may serve God and witness the development of his great salvation.

31 ver. Let us not only seek salvation for ourselves,

but that the manifestation of the prepared salvation may be made before the face of all people on the face of the whole earth.

[32 ver. Let us not forget that it is only by their looking unto Jesus, the light of life,' that the true unveiling of the nations can take place; and let us earnestly desire that soon, by the bright reflection of his image, his people Israel may indeed be to him for a glory.]

GOD IS LOVE.-1 John iv. 8.

25

EVERY SPIRIT THAT CONFESSETH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS COME

Luke ii. 34 and his mother marvelled at those-things which-were-spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is-set for the-fall and rising-again of-many in Israel; and for-a-sign which-shall-be-spoken35 against; (yea, a-sword shall-pierce-through thy-own soul also,) that the-thoughts diaλorious of many hearts may-be-revealed.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

34. fall and rising again-Christ predicted to be 'a rock of offence to both houses of Israel,' Is. viii. 14-7- to raise up the tribes of Israel,' xlix. 6, 8-13 all Israel made to stand upon their feet, an exceed ing great army,' Eze. xxxvii. 10, .1-an ensign upon his land, Ze. ix. 16-confirm., Mt. xv. 24, § 45; Rom. xi. 12, 25, .6-comp. Rev. vii. with xiv. 1-5.

sign spoken against, Is. lii. 14. .5; liii. 1-3; Ps. xxii. 6-8, 12. 3-fulfilm., Mt. xxvii. 39-44, § 91-the people, ver. 39, 40, § 91-the chief priests, scribes, and elders, ver. 41-.3-the soldiers, Lu. xxiii. 36, .7, § 91

- the crucified with him, ver. 39- both Jews and Greeks, 1 Co. i. 18-31.

35. thoughts of many hearts... revealed, Ps. 1. 19-21; Is. li. 7, 8; xli. 21, .2; lii. 15; Eccl. xii. 14-confirm.: when Jesus healed the sick of the palsy, the Pharisees reasoned within themselves, Mt. ix. 4, § 22-when he cast out the blind and dumb devils, the Pharisees blasphemed, xii. 36, .7, § 31when the disciples disputed who should be chief, Lu. ix. 47, § 52-when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, Rom. ii. 12, .6.

NOTES.

[Thy people Israel. This is spoken of the multi- | tudinous seed' that was to come of Abraham.-See Ge. xiii. 16; xv. 5; xxxii. 12: and De. xxvi. 18, .9. Simeon recognises the promise, (see Ge. xxii. 18.) that in the one seed,' Christ, all the nations of the earth should be blessed: and the time is fast approaching when the literal and spiritual Israel shall sing unto the LORD a new song.'-See Ps. xcviii. 1-3.] The glory of thy people Israel. The Glory is Jesus, rejoiced in by his people, as their Prophet, Priest, and King. The children of Israel and the children of Judah are to be gathered together, and make to themselves one head, and to come out of the land of the North into the land that he gave for an inheritance to their fathers.-See Ho. i., ii.; Je. xxx. 3; xxxi. 8,9. [For a description of the glory upon the heads of the living creatures, see Eze. i. and x. The four living creatures are supposed to represent the hosts of Israel, whose four leading standards, the Man for Reuben, the Lion for Judah, the Ox for Ephraim, and the Eagle for Dan, were correspondent to those mentioned in Ezekiel's vision. The ox of Ephraim was more particularly characteristic of the cherub. -Compare ch. i. 10 with x. 14. Over the heads of the living creatures was the glory, consisting of a bright firmament or platform, having placed on it a sapphire throne, and the appearance of a man above upon it. It is Christ, our High Priest, occupying his kingly throne, borne aloft on the body of glorious light supplied by Himself as our Prophet. It is Jesus rejoiced in as their Prophet, Priest, and King. Then shall be the great predicted return from the north country.-Comp. Je. xxiii. 7, 8, with Eze. i. 4. Then shall it be said, as in Ps. xlvii. 8, 9. 8, God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. 9, The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham; for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.']

31. For the fall, &c. Simeon implies that Christ would be the occasion of sin and offence to those who look for a temporal Messiah, and of reformation and forgiveness to those who are less prejudiced against him. Fall,' through infidelity; rising,' through faith. He will be the means of bringing aggravated ruin upon some, as well as salvation and recovery to

others.

[There is a plain reference here to the passage where it is said that he should be a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, Is. viii. 14, .5. The nation rejected him, and put him to death, and, as a judg.

ment, fell into the hands of the Romans; thousands were led into captivity, and thousands perished. The nation rushed into ruin; the temple was destroyed, and the people were scattered into all the nations.-See Rom. ix. 32, .3. 32, Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone; 33, as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.' 1 Pe. ii. 8, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.'-See also 1 Co. i. 23, .4.]

For a sign. A butt or mark to shoot at; which finely intimates the deliberate malice of Christ's persecutors. That he should be for a monument,' and 'a remarkable example of rejection and contempt.' He was despised and rejected, and his religion has been the common mark or sign for all the wicked and the profligate to ridicule and oppose.

[Compare Is. viii. 18, Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.' Lam. iii. 12-.4. 12, He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. 13, He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins. 14, I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day. Ac. xxviii. 22, But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.'-See also He. xii. 3.]

35. Yea, a sword, &c. A javelin or dart.' • She must expect to witness such things, from the cruelty and enmity of the people and rulers against her son, as would, like a sword, pierce her soul with the most exquisite anguish.' And Mary herself has not been free from cruel suspicion and reproach.-See Pr. xii. 18, There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.'

That the thoughts, &c. So that the thoughts,' &c. The ministry, miracles, and death of Jesus, will discover, or bring to light, the thoughts, designs, and dispositions of all characters. Nothing so brings out the feelings of sinners, as to tell them of Jesus Christ: many treat him with silent contempt: many are ready to gnash their teeth: many curse him:-all shew how much by nature the heart is opposed to religion, and thus are really, in spite of themselves, fulfilling the prophecies of the Holy Scriptures. So true it is, that none can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, 1 Co. xii. 3.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

[33 ver. Let us marvel at our own stupidity, who have inquired so little into the meaning of Simeon's words, at which even Joseph and Mary marvelledthey who had already heard and seen such marvellous things concerning Jesus.]

[34 ver. As truly as Jesus, the one Foundationstone laid in Zion, hath proved to be for the fall of many in Israel, so truly will he prove to be for the rising again of the people of promise, and only through him, and to him, can their lifting up be.]

Let us be careful in our judgments! He, who appeared as a poor and despised man, and who was put 26]

to death as one of the vilest malefactors-is the only true foundation of the world's peace and blessingwas a sign that God would prove most faithful to all his promises.

35 ver. Even Mary, the highly-favoured of the Lord, the mother of our blessed Redeemer, was not exempt from trial. Let us not expect that we can entirely escape.

Let us be careful as to what thoughts we have, or express about Christ, a3, according to this rule, we must be judged; and let us seek to be clean in heart if we would have right views respecting him. in Him see God. Let us

MARVEL NOT, MY BRETHREN, IF THE WORLD HATE YOU.-1 John iii. 13.

IN THE FLESH IS OF GOD.-1 John iv. 2.

34. FALL AND RISING AGAIN.

a rock of offence, c:-Is. viii. 14-7. 14, And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15, And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. 16, Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. 17, And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.'

to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel:-Is. xlix. 6, 8-13-see p. (23)..

an exceeding great army:-Eze. xxxvii. 10, .1-see p. (30).

12,

an ensign upon his land:-Zec. ix. 16-see p. (29). confirmation:-Mt. xv. 24, § 45.-Ro. xi. 12, 25, .6. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 25, For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26, And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.' compare-Rev. vii. with xiv. 1-5.

SIGN SPOKEN AGAINST.

Is. lii. 14, .5. 14,As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: 15, so shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.'-liii. 1-3. 1, 'Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2, For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 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.'-Ps. xxii. 6-8, 12, 3-see P. (76)

fulfilment :-Mt. xxvii. 39-44, § 91-see Scrip. Illus.' both Jews and Greeks:-1 Co. i. 17-31. 17, For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19, For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20, Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21, For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22, For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23, but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24, but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25, Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 25. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27, but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29, that no flesh should glory in his presence. 30, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31, that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.'

35. THOUGHTS OF MANY HEARTS REVEALED. Ps. 1. 19-21. 19, Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20, Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. 21, These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.'-Is. li. 7, 8. 7, Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. 8, For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.'1. 21, 2. 21, Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.

22, Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.'-lii. 15, So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.'-Ecc. xii. 14, For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

confirmation: When Jesus,' &c.-see' Scrip. Illus.' when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ:-Rom. ii. 12, .6. 12, For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. 16, In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.'

ISAIAH LX. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and 2 the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and 3 his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of 4 thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall 5 be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto 6 thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. 7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine 8 altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their 9 windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, 10 because he hath glorified thee. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. 11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their 12 kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations 13 shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and 14 I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the 15 Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many 16 generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy 17 Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy 18 officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call 19 thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy 20 God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy 21 mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I 22 may be glorified. A little one shall become a thonsand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

PSALM CXXXI. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in 2 great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned 3 child. Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

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36. ANNA, grace.'

PHANUEL, face of God;' same as Ge. xxxii. 30-see infra, under obtained,' &c.

ASHER, 'happy, or, blessed,' Ge. xxx. 13, And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed:

and she called his name Asher.'

salvation through the redeeming blood, is of grace:-Ep. ii. 7, 8. 7, That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.'

obtained in answer to earnest, persevering prayer:-as Ge. xxxii. 24-8. (Ver. 24-32.) 24, 'And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25, And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26, And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27, And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28, And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29, And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30, And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 31, And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. 32, Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.'-Is. xliii. 22, .5, .6.

ISAIAH XLIII. But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have 2 called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, 1 will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; 3 neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for 4 thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will 5 I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee I will bring thy seed from the east, 6 and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the 7 earth; even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the
9 deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered
together, and let the people be assembled: who among
them can declare this, and shew us former things? let
them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be
10gustified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are
my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I
have chosen that ye may know and believe me, and
understand that I am he: before me there was no God |
11 formed, neither shall there be after me. 1, even 1, am
12 the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have
declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when
there was no strange god among you; therefore ye are
18 my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Yea, be

fore the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it ? 14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, 15 whose ory is in the ships. I am the LORD, your Holy 16 One, the creator of Israel, your King. Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in 17 the mighty waters; which bringeth forch the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall be down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched as tow,

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Remember ve not the former things, neither consi19 der the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know so? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the 0000044 The beast of the Neli shail honour me, the dragons and the ow because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my ebaron This people have 1 formed for y shall show forth my praise

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have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor 24 wearied thee with incense. Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine 25 iniquities. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remem26 ber thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. 27 Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have 28 transgressed against me. Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches. Ho. xii. 3-6. 3, He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: 4, yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with us; 5, even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial. 6, Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.'

those who, sensible of their poverty, thus seek and obtain, are the truly blessed or happy:-Mt. v. 3-12, § 19.-2 Co. iv. 6, For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

38. LOOKED FOR REDEMPTION IN JERUSALEM.

waited for him:-Is. xxv. 9, And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'

blessed all they:-xxx. 18, 'And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.'

ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem:-lxvi. 13, As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.'

PSALM CXVIII. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy en4 dureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD 5 say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set 6 me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will 7 not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help ine: therefore It is 8 shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in 9 man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put All nations compassed me 10 confidence in princes. about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy 11 them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will They compassed me about like bees; 12 destroy them. they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the 13 name of the LORD I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD 14 helped me. The LORD is my strength and song, and 15 is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the 16 right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the 17 LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and 18 declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto 19 death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will 20 go into them, and I will praise the LORD: this gate 21 of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I

will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art be22 come my salvation. The stone which the builders reThis is 28 fused is become the head stone of the corner. 24 the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: 26 O LORD, i beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed yon out of the honse of the LORD. God is the Losn, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou ay, my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, O give thanks unto the LORD; for 291 will exalt thee. he is good: for his merey endureth for ever. Cont "ma'in Th. i. 10, And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which; d-Erered us from the wrath to come."-He. ix. 28, • Se Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and urte them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin anto salvation.'-Ti. ii. 13, .4. 18, 'Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God," &c.-M. xxiii. 37, .9, § 85.

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