his possession. When this great High Priest of our profession, was for the suffering of death crowned with glory, the reins of universal empire were put into his hands. God highly exalted him with a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

While the Jewish nation therefore were taught to exult in the prospect of seeing their Messiah on the throne of his father David, they were also taught to look forward to that glorious period, as equally fraught with blessing to the rest of mankind. Was not this set forth in the most beautiful and inviting terms in the prophecies of Zechariah ix. 9-14, " Rejoice greatly O daugh"ter of Zion, shout O daughter of Jerusalem. "Behold thy King cometh unto thee; he is just "and having salvation, lowly and riding upon an "ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass. And "I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and "the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow "shall be cut off; and he shall speak peace unto "the heathen: and his dominion shall be from

"sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of "the earth. As for thee also by the blood of thy "covenant, I have sent forth thy prisoners out "of the pit wherein is no water. Turn ye to "the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope; even to"day, do I declare that I will render double un"to thee." Accordingly when this Divine Prince and Saviour actually appeared, though he came first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, he makes this most comfortable declaration, John x. 16, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; "them also must I bring, and they shall hear my "voice; and there shall be one fold and one "shepherd."

How appropriate then are the apostolic exhortations and instructions, 1 Tim. ii. 1—9, “I ex"hort therefore that first of all, supplications,

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prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be "made for all men, for kings, and for all that "are in authority, that we may live a quiet and "peaceable life in all godliness and honesty; for "this is good and acceptable in the sight of God "our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved, "and to come unto the knowledge of the truth: "for there is one God and one Mediator between "God and man, the man Christ Jesus: who

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gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified "in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a "preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in "Christ, and lie not,) a teacher of the Gentiles in "faith and verity, I will therefore that men pray 66 every where lifting up holy hands, without "wrath and doubting."

After so many express testimonies of the love of God to mankind in general, let us not say, nor whisper, nor for a moment harbour the thought, that it is a thing incredible that God should raise the heathen from spiritual death; these are the true sayings of God. Hath he spoken and shall he not do it? hath he commanded and shall he not bring it to pass? we believe and are sure, that he who raised up the tribes of Jacob, and restored the preserved of Israel, will also be the salvation of God, unto the ends of the earth, that his name shall endure for ever; that men shall be blest in him, and all nations shall call him blessed.

But when and how is all this to be brought to pass? I answer in general, just when the means of divine appointment are used in faith and with diligence, and accompanied with the divine blessing; upon all these this passage furnishes us

with clear and full information-let me request your serious and careful attention to the instructions given to the prophet Ezekiel in similar circumstances these appear to me to be a complete directory in this important work. They shew that three things must be united to ensure suc cess; the word of prophecy-the influence of the Holy Ghost, and prayer.

Dry as the bones were, Ezekiel must speak to them-must prophesy upon them; but not what his own mind might suggest, or worldly policy dictate, or the wisdom and sagacity of others advise. He is expressly ordered to speak the word of the Lord, and that alone; he must declare the grand and gracious purpose and promise of salvation, not only of deliverance from captivity, and removal from Babylon, but of restoration to their own land, and to all their former privileges, and means of improvement and happiness, as the peculiar, acknowledged people of God.—But while thus assured of the returning favour of their offended God and King, the manner of attaining that important object, is not referred to their individual or collected wisdom and exertions. Jehovah claims the exclusive direction and execution of the whole design. They are only required

to believe his word, trust his faithfulness, pray for the performance of the mercy promised, depend upon the power of his arm, and the grace of his Spirit, and follow his providence.-What else can be the meaning and design of verses 4, 5, 9.

Though Ezekiel prophesied as he was com. manded, it was necessary that he should speak the word of the Lord, not only unto the dry bones, but also to the wind; that is, should ask and depend on the accompanying influence of the power and Spirit of the Almighty-till this is divinely sent forth in all active energies, the full effect was not, and never would have been produced.The same view of things is given to the prophet Zechariah, in order to direct and animate the faith and perseverance of Zerubbabel in rebuilding the temple. Chap. iv. 1-8, particularly verses 6, and 7, "This is the word of the Lord unto Zerub"babel saying, not by might, nor by power, but "by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who "art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubba"bel, a plain, and he shall bring forth the head"stone with shoutings, Grace, grace unto it."

Now, my friends, is not this the precise plan of providence to be adopted and prosecuted in con