the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jer. xxxi. 34.) "And I will

set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them, even my servant David; He shall feed them, and He shall be their Shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a Prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it." (Ez. xxxiv. 23, 24.)

IV. Lastly, it may be observed, that a right understanding of the principal prophecies, relating to the future glory of Israel, is a matter of interest and importance to the Christian, with regard to the concerns of his own soul. Some, perhaps, might imagine, that explaining so many passages of Scripture in reference to a particular nation, which have hitherto been generally regarded merely in the light of spiritual promises of undefined and unlimited application, would have a tendency to deprive the Church at large of the consolations and encouragements, which believers have hitherto been accustomed to derive from those passages. But the contrary is really the case. And, in this sense, as well as in reference to the blessings which will result to the world at large from the conversion of Israel, it may justly be said, that the cause of Israel is the cause of the Church. For, when the real meaning and prophetic reference of those passages is ascertained, then, and not till then, are we properly prepared to make a practical application of them to the concerns of our own souls, for comfort and edification. Then shall we have

before our eyes, not only the promise and declaration, but also the wonderful example of God's unchanging faithfulness and love, -of His tender compassion and boundless mercy. All this will be embodied, so to speak, when even rebellious and outcast Israel is restored to God, and to His covenant mercies, and made an example and monument of Redeeming Grace, before the eyes of all nations. And, if events clearly foretold in God's Word are as sure as those which are already past, then may we derive as wonderful consolation and encouragement from God's future mercies to Israel, as we have hitherto been enabled to derive instructive warnings from their abuse of His goodness, and the awful punishment and rejection which have ensued. "Behold, I will bring it health and cure,

and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against Me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against Me. And it shall be to Me a name of joy, A PRAISE

AND AN HONOUR BEFORE ALL THE NATIONS OF THE

EARTH, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and THEY SHALL FEAR AND TREMBLE FOR ALL THE GOODNESS AND FOR ALL THE PROSPERITY THAT I PRO

CURE UNTO IT." (Jer. xxxiii. 6-9.) Such will be the deep feelings of the nations on beholding these things!which we also are allowed to anticipate, as another prophet did, who, (in the prospect of these very events,) exclaims, "Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which Thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old." (Mic. vii. 18-20.)

Amsterdam, April, 1823.

The following Chapters are recommended for perusal, in reference to the Jewish Question; and will throw much light upon it, if taken in connexion with the preceding observations:

Isaiah xi. xii. xxiv.—xxvii. xxxii. xxxiv. xxxv. xlix. lix. lx. lxvi.

Jeremiah xxx, xxxi. xxxii. 37–44; xxxiii. l. li.

Ez. xvi. 60-63; xx. 33-44; xxxiv. xxxvi. xxxvii. xxxix. xlvii.

Daniel ix. compared with Ezra ix. and Nehemiah ix. will suggest suitable arguments to be used in prayer; as also several of the Psalms.

Hosea iii. xiv.

Amos ix.

Micah iv. v. vii.

Zephaniah iii.

Zechariah viii. x. xii. xiv.

Romans xi. and 2 Corinthians iii.

THE

ESSENTIALS OF RELIGION

Briefly Considered,

IN CONNEXION WITH THAT DIVINE HARMONY WHICH PERVADES THE WHOLE SERIES OF THOSE

REVELATIONS

WHICH GOD HAS MADE TO MAN.

"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the OLD PATHS, where is the GOOD WAY, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."-Jer. vi. 16.

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