from an accomplishment in either of them at the return from Babylon, for then only Judah and Benjamin were partially restored. (Ezra i. 5. 4. 1.) It is admitted in any case, that only partial fragments of the ten tribes came back with Judah from Babylon.

In Hosea the Lord thus speaks concerning Israel: Thou shalt abide for me MANY DAYS; (observe the lengthened time); thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee. For the children of Israel shall abide MANY DAYS without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in THE LATTER DAYS; observe again, the clear note of time as to the prolonged delay in fulfilment they are to abide separately and as outcasts for a lengthened period, but are not wholly, not finally cast off.

It is true that Israel has been greatly hidden from our eyes, unknown and in darkness; the prophecy has yet to be fulfilled when the Redeemer shall say to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. (Is. xlix. 5.) But already many genuine parts of the ten tribes are beginning

to show themselves through the East: it is becoming more and more clear that remnants still exist in Persia, and on the borders of the Caspian. They will in due time all be brought forth, even as from their graves, as Ezekiel predicts, and at their restoration be united again with Judah, and made one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel. The envy between Judah and Ephraim is, as Isaiah predicts, for ever to cease. (xi. 13.) They are, as Jeremiah foretells, to resort to Jerusalem for worship. The watchman upon Mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord

our God.

Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. they shall come and sing together in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord. (Jer. xxxi. 6—12.)

The lengthened dispersion, the very loss of them from all our knowledge, their being so long hidden in darkness, and the degradation of their present state, will heighten their future joy and glory.

What triumphs of grace will this restoration and this reunion be in the face of the whole earth! What a recovery, revival, and unutterable increase of former glories and blessings! And,

O, what a monarch is yet to sit on the throne of David, and to reign over the house of Jacob for ever. (Luke i. 32, 33.) How emphatically will it then be said by all, a greater than Solomon is

here!

II. THE BLESSINGS PROMISED.

They are very full and comprehensive, and must be viewed as the results arrived at after God's previous dealings with them.

I do not here, as it is neither in my text nor in the immediate subject of my lecture, enter upon the preparatory steps and that commenced restoration and rebuilding of the temple in selfrighteousness (Is. lxvi.) which are brought before us in other parts of the prophecies. This more properly belongs to a beloved brother, who will have to treat of the last tribulation of the Jews before the advent of the Messiah. I will merely observe, that the Scriptures have given plain intimations, that a partial restoration to their own land precedes their conversion and sanctification. Thus Ezekiel predicts: I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. THEN will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean. (Ezek. xxxvi. 25; so xxxvii. 8-18.)

Nor shall I dwell on the miracles attending

their subsequent glorious restoration, for the same reasons. This belongs to my dear brother who follows me. It meets all the apparent difficulties with the full assurance, that what God has promised he is able also to perform. A miraculous dispensation has always been the characteristic of this nation. Every thing for 4,000 years about Abraham and his seed, including their existence in distinctness for the last 1,800 years, has been one grand miracle of Divine interposition, assuring us of the final accomplishment of all that is yet unfulfilled.

Most rich are the blessings which God in our text has promised-THE HEALTH AND CURE OF JERUSALEM-Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them.

Many passages of God's Word show us the diseased, sick, and degraded state of Jerusalem, and the Jews, in times past. (Isaiah i. 5-7, 21-23; Jer. v. 5. 31.) The prophecy of Malachi shows the same national sinfulness on their restoration from Babylon, and the New Testament exhibits their continued fallen state after our Lord had come. (Rom. xi. 9, 10; Acts xxviii. 26, 27.) The prophets describe also (in a prediction manifestly yet unfulfilled, Is. lxvi.) their rebuilding their temple at their yet future restoration in self-righteousness, and God giving

them this solemn warning: Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions The way

and will bring their fears upon them. in which health and cure is brought to them, is compared to the way in which the precious metals are refined, I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. (Zech. xiii. 9.) The healing and curing of such a lengthened and inveterate disease is painful and progressive: I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant, and I will purge out from among you the rebels. (Ezek. xxx. 7, 8.) This healing and cure will effectually restore the Jews to all the vigour and energy and full blessedness of a healthy state. It will include political welfare, social happiness, and spiritual prosperity. There can be no full health and cure to Jerusalem which does not include these diffused blessings.

PEACE AND TRUTH in abundance are also promised-I will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. Hitherto, in every land the Jews have been emphatically disquieted and troubled. That prediction has been openly fulfilled: Among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: