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and the covenant of God shall be as firm with all christians as with 11 the Jews. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, [and] not com

forted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy 12 foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders, or walls, 13 of pleasant stones.* And all thy children [shall be] taught of the LORD; and great [shall be] the peace of thy children; an explanation of the figurative expressions before used, and which shows that the beauty of the church consists in knowledge, holiness, 14 and love. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear and from terror; for it shall not come near thee: thou shalt be delivered from thine enemies, from being overwhelmed with trouble, and even 15 from death. Behold, they shall surely gather together, [but] not by me they shall have no commission from me,as the church's enemies sometimes have: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake, out of the love I have for thee, that is, 16 shall come over to thy side. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy; the metal, the smith, and the instruments made by them, the hands that wield, are all my creatures; I have an absolute command 17 over them, and they can do no more than I permit. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn ; whether they attempt thy destruction by forcible assaults, or injurious calumnies, I will plead thy cause, and undertake to justify thee. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.

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ΤΗ

REFLECTIONS.

HE accession of the gentiles to the church claims our praise. We have reason to bless God for the gospel; that it extends to the gentiles; that it hath spread so wonderfully on the right hand and on the left; that many nations, once ignorant and barbarous, and our own in particular, are brought into covenant with God. Here the name of Christ is known, and pure religion set up. We have reason to sing for joy, that God hath so remarkably favoured us; and should pray that he may soon appear as the Lord of the whole earth.

2. God's gracious declarations concerning his church in general, are applicable to every true christian. They are often in an afflicte state; God seems to forsake them; but it is but for a moment;"

• These verses represent the church as a company of mariners tossed on the ocean, and afterward conducted to a haven of rest and joy, as much superior to any present scene. as the city here described would be to any thing the eve of man ever saw. This is ap plicable to the prosperity of the gospel church, which is built on the foundation of the pophets and the apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

↑ Doddridge and Lowth.

his wrath is comparatively little, to what they deserve. Observe the beautiful and comfortable opposition: his wrath is little, but his mercy great; desertion is but for a small moment, but his kindness everlasting. His covenant continues firm, and reaches through eternity. How wonderful is the goodness of God to his people ! What reason have they to trust him in the darkest scenes, and under every affliction! being sensible, that these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, shall work out for them a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory.

3. We see of how much importance it is that we be thankful for, and hearken to, divine teaching. We enjoy the means of instruction; but that is not all. Our Lord remarks, John vi. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God; applying this prophecy to the influences of divine grace. We are instructed to know God, are the children of christian parents, who exceed in knowledge the wisest heathen philosophers. But, beside this, we have a divine teaching, by which the mind is enlightened and opened, guided in the intricacies of life, and directed in the way of duty and happiness. No labours of ministers, no pains of our own in reading or hearing, will do without this. Let none despise it; let all value it, and seek it earnestly for themselves and their children, as they desire to obtain great and everlasting peace.

4. God's universal dominion is a great satisfaction and comfort to his people, therefore it should be often reflected upon; especially in times of war and desolation. It is he who gives sagacity to discover mines of coal, to temper metals, to form swords, and other instruments of destruction; he created the wasters to destroy: (a fine idea of gentlemen soldiers !) God gives them their strength and resolution, and therefore can easily restrain or confound them. It is pleasant amidst the commotions of the world, to think that all nature is under God's control; that he overrules all; will secure the interest of his church amidst national desolations; and that no weapon formed against it shall prosper.

CHAP. LV.

This chapter contains the substance of the covenant of grace; and gives merciful encouragement to sinners to return to God. It begins with a proclamation to this purpose.

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O, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price; water, wine, and milk, are emblems of spiritual blessings; there are offered to those who thirst, that is, who earnestly desire them, without money or price: a sense of their hoverty and unworthiness, is all that God demands, though the blessings are infinitelų 2 above all price. Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which

is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? that is, about the things of this world, in which there is no solid, lasting happiness to be found: hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness, and ye shall obtain what will satisfy and delight you, the 3 true knowledge of God and eternal happiness.* Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live, spiritually and happily, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David; that is, the mercies that were promised to David, which he set such a value upon, and which are given in Christ, the son of David; procured by his death, and 4 made sure by his covenant to all that believe. Behold, I have given him [for] a witness of God's mercy and faithfulness to the people, a leader and commander to the people; a prince and a lawgiver, to whose authority and commands all are to be subject. Behold, thou shalt call a nation [that] thou knowest not, and nations [that] knew not thee, that is, the gentile nations, shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee, by enabling thee to work miracles, raising thee from the dead, and setting thee at his 6 right hand. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near; before the time come when he will 7 not regard you: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; a little external reformation is not sufficient; let him entirely abandon his wicked ways, and his unrighteous thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, as his supreme ruler and good, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon; he will multiply pardons, though his sins are ever so many and aggravating.

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For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For, [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts; men are not ready to for. give, especially repeated offences; but my ways of faithfulness and mercy are quite above your comprehension, and infinitely be 10 yond what you had any reason to expect. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, for a crop another year, and bread to 11 the eater, for a present supply: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it; it shall not be wholly without effect, and 12 all its promises shall be amply fulfilled. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; ye shall be brought from a state of ignorance, sin, and misery, and proceed in religion with pleasure: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands; a face of de

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This verse is an emphatical form of speech; intimating that men take more pains about the world, than heaven would cost them.

light and joy shall spread over the creation, and even insensible 13 nature seem to rejoice. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle tree; those who before were wild and troublesome shall become good and useful and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off; all shall redound to the glory of God, and they shall be the eternal monuments of his grace.

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LET

REFLECTIONS.

ET us adore God for the riches and freedom of gospel grace. Under the beautiful images of water, wine, and milk, the most valuable blessings are offered; offered upon the most easy terms, and offered to all. There is enough to supply every want, and satisfy every desire. An everlasting covenant is proposed, and sure mercies; blessings quite suited to our needy, helpless state are promised. How admirable is the grace that freely offers them! and what folly is it in men to neglect them! to refuse solid satisfaction and everlasting good, and pursue that which can never satisfy! May we be wise; and labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth to eternal life.

2. Let us consider the Lord Jesus Christ as a witness, a leader, and a commander. He came to bear witness to the truth; and it becomes us to receive his doctrine, as worthy of all acceptation. He confirmed it by his miracles and death. Let us then obey his commands, and follow his steps; he will then guide us in the way of peace and happiness, and conduct us to everlasting glory.

3. Let sinners hearken to these gracious calls to repentance, and comply with them. We have here a most instructive view of the nature of repentance; it is to forsake every evil way, to put away all evil thoughts, and cleanse the heart from wickedness: It is to return to the Lord, as our rightful owner and sovereign good; then he vill forgive us; we shall find the noblest satisfaction and pleasure in his good ways; and be led to eternal happiness. But let sinners return immediately, and seek the Lord while he may be found; for it may soon be too late, and the day of grace and hope may be expired.

4. Let us encourage ourselves in that gracious promise concerning the word of God in v. 10, 11. We see the happy effects of snow and rain. We have already seen some of these promises fulfilled, in the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ, and the spread of his gospel among the gentiles. All God's other promises shall be accomplished, and his word have its intended ef fect. This is a great encouragement to ministers amidst their many discouragements, that some good shall be produced by their labours, and the word be a savour of life to some souls. If we desire that it should be so to ours, let us see that we value it, diligently attend to it, and receive it into good and honest hearts. And may God multiply the seed sown, and increase the fruits of righteousness in us all, to his glory and our eternal joy.

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CHAP. LVI.

Begins with an exhortation to God's people to prepare for that great deliverance prophesied of in the foregoing chapters.

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HUS saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice:

THUS saith the Lots near to come, and my righteousness

to be revealed; observe all my laws and commandments, for that dispensation is near to be introduced, which contains the brightest 2 display of my justice, faithfulness, and goodness. Blessed [is] the man [that] doeth this, and the son of man [that] layeth hold on it, that acts with steadiness and resolution in religion; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil; that does nothing unlawful on the sabbath day, 3 nor neglects any of the proper duties of it. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, that is, any strangers that might choose to go with the Jews from Babylon, and become proselytes to the worship of the true God, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people : neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I [am] a dry tree; I have no 4 offspring to be admitted into the covenant. For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose [the things] that please me, and take hold of my covenant; who accept the offers and comply with the terms of it, and who have truly 5 pious dispositions; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off; I will give them spiritual blessings, great honour and comfort there, and a name that shall not be cut off, 6 as that of the most numerous families may be. Also the sons of the stranger, the heathen, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, to become proselytes, every one that keepeth the sabbath from 7 polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people; their sacrifices shall be accepted, and they shall enjoy great delight in their approaches to God. The place of worship being called a house of prayer, and nɔt sacrifice, and being said to be for all people, intimates that this refers to the admittance of Gentiles into the gospel church, on the same terms as 8 the believing Jews. The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather [others] to him, beside those that are gathered unto him; the Gentiles as well as Jews, that is, many more Gentiles shall join with them after the captivity.

Some of the captive Jews, who were in these circumstances, hd need of this conselation when they came back to their own country; for they were deprived by the law of being priests and magistrates; it must therefore have been great self denial and piety in them to leave the Persian court, in which some of them had been preferred. But the passage may Likewise intimate, that there would be none of these restrictions under the gospel.

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