terpreted of the consummation of all things. (Notes, Matt. 24:29–41. Rev. 20:11–15.) Indeed the transgression of that land, especially in "crucifying the Lord of glory," was heavy upon it; and thus it fell and has never risen again to this day, as it did in comparatively a very short time, after the Babylonish captivity. The three Hebrew words, Pachad, Pa'chath, and Pach ... have an affinity of sound 'with each other, which cannot be translated into another language.' Louth. The form of expression seems to have been proverbial. (Jer. 48:43,44.) t 13:10. 30:26. 60.19. Ez. 32: 11:15. 19:6. x 12.6. Mic. 4:7. Heb. 12:22. Rev. 14:1. Or, there shall be glory be"fore his ancients. Job 36:4 7. Dan. 7:9,10,18,27. cerning the restoration of Israel; yet it seems implied. V. 23. When this victory has been won, the Millennium will be introduced: the Lord will set up his kingdom in its fullest glory on earth; and its splendor shall eclipse and put to shame, not only the borrowed light of the moon, but the light of the sun also; that is, all the majesty of the mightiest kingdoms, as well as that of the subordinate ones. He will then reign, as "LORD of hosts" upon his mercy-seat, and among his ancient people, or the elders or ministers of his church, in unrivalled and unclouded glory and majesty. (Notes, 60:15— 22. Rev. 19:1-8. 20:4-6. 21:22-27. 22:1-5.) The millennium seems especially predicted, but in language which also suits the heavenly PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1–12. They, whose treasures and felicity are laid up on earth, will soon be reduced to indigence and misery; for the Lord will make the whole of it "waste and empty;" nay, he will "turn it upside down, and shake all its inhabitants out of it." Even in great national convulsions, the superior orders are often first exposed to peril, alarm, and ruin: and in the great day of God, the ungodly priest, or prince, or wealthy man, V. 21, 22. Here a transition appears to be made, from the ruin of the Jewish nation for opposing the gospel, to that of the antichristiau powers, which will introduce a general prevalence of true religion: and such transi-state tions are common in the prophets. But the subversion of the idolatrous Roman empire, (after it had executed God's judgments on Jerusalem,) to make way for the firmer establishment of Christianity in the primitive ages, may also be intended, as a shadow of the other still more decisive events. However that may be, all the host of the high ones and the kings of the earth, who oppose the gospel, will be gathered as prisoners into a dungeon, deprived of power to do further mischief; and at fast produced to take their trial and receive their sentence. (Notes, Josh. 10:16-18,24-will have more to answer for, and will receive 27.) 'Some commentators understand, by "the deeper condemnation, than his inferiors: and 'host of the high ones which are on high," the this will be his only distinction. But the Lord 'devil and his angels, who are described by St. has spoken the word, and the earth, which has Paul by the names of principalities and pow-been defiled by man's sin, must wax old and 'ers, dwelling in high or heavenly places, and vanish away; and all the proud and haughty having power in the air, or lower region of inhabitants of it must perish. All the mise'the world; (Eph. 2:2. 6:12.) and then by "the ries, which in every age have been experienckings of the earth," must be meant those ed, are the effect of that curse, which is incur'earthly princes, who are influenced by them, red by transgressing the law of God, and vioand are their instruments in abetting idolatry, lating his righteous covenants. His wrath, 'or persecuting God's truth. ... The verse al- like fire, consumes all before it: it will burn 'ludes to the custom of kings who used to con- up the earth; (Notes, 2 Pet. 3:5-13.) and it 'fine the chief commanders of their enemies, forms a hell for the everlasting punishment of 'whom they took prisoners, and reserve them the wicked. There all mirth will cease; no 'to some extraordinary day of triumph, and joy can enter; even hope expires at the portal: 'then bring them out to public punishment. all is destruction and despair, "weeping, wail... I cannot find any explication of this verse ing, and gnashing of teeth" for ever. Let then 'so agreeable to the natural sense of the words, the merry-hearted, who now drink wine with 'as that of a late learned writer upon the Rev-festive songs, and add every incentive to senelation, 19:6. who explains it of the kings of 'the earth, who made war with Christ and his 'saints, at Armageddon, Rev. 16:16. 19:19. and 'being there discomfited, lay languishing un'der the sentence of condemnation, till after 'the battle of Gog and Magog, 20:8-10. when they were, together with Satan their leader, punished with everlasting destruction.' Louth. (Notes, Ez. 38: 39: Dan. 11:40-45. Rev. 16:12 —16, v. 16. 19:11-21. 20:7-10.) Events, yet in futurity, are doubtless predicted: but, probably, no man will distinctly know what events, till the prophecy has received its accomplishment. Nothing is spoken expressly con sual indulgence, pause, and reflect, and ask themselves, what they will do to eternity, when all such expedients fail. Even in this world an hour may come, in which "strong drink may be bitter to them that drink it,' and every enjoyment become irksome; and in deed such hours often occur in almost every man's experience: but at length carnal mirth must be turned into mourning and anguish of spirit; and how much better is it now to mourn with penitent sorrow, which makes way for holy hope and endless joy, than to spend eternity in hopeless lamentations!-No nation has ever been visited as the Jews were, after they 3 Therefore shall the strong people a 26:13. 61:10. Ex. 15:2. 1 b Ps. 40.5. 78:4. 98:1. 107:8,15, Eph. 1:11. Heb. 6:17,18. Kev. 19:11. d 12. 14:23. 17:1. 21:9. Deut. e 13:22. Rev. 18:2,3,19-23. had broken their covenant, and "crucified the V. 13-23. praise. His wonderful works to Israel in for- CHAP. XXV. V. 1. The prophet here praises God, not so much for mercies personal or national, already received, but in the prospect of the accomplishment of the prophecies, which he had just delivered: for even the vengeance to be executed first on the Jews, and then on other opposers of true religion, was inThere has in every age been a remnant, tended for the benefit of the church, and its which have escaped the contagion of impiety final complete triumph; to which every believand wickedness, and have been preserved from er is more nearly related, than to any man or general destruction; but alas! they have hither- body of men after the flesh.-Rejoicing in JEto been only as a gleaning. They, however, HOVAH, as his Portion, as well as his Governcan sing the praises of God and glorify his or, and penetrating into the remotest futuriname, in the hottest fires of persecution, and ty; the holy prophet conceived the most exaltin all places whither they can be driven. They ed ideas of the divine perfections, and detersee and adore his majesty, in those dispensa-mined to extol them in the loftiest strains of tions which overwhelm the wicked; and they should excite each other to abound more and more in his pleasant service.-Let us bless God, that "we have heard songs," ascribing glory "to the LORD our Righteousness," in this Isle of the seas, this uttermost part of the earth: but we have also reason buinbly to lament, that the number of true Christians among us is so small; and that our own graces and holy duties are so feeble and defective. The difference, however, between the weakest believer and every unbeliever is essential: the former shall surely be preserved, the latter cannot possibly escape "the perdition of ungodly men," when the windows of heaven shall be opened to pour down vengeance, and the foundations of the earth shall shake, and it shall sink under the weight of man's transgressions, to rise no more.-Happy then are they, who take warning by the sentences denounced against others, or executed on them! for as surely as the predictions against the unbelieving Jews took effect, and were exactly fulfilled; so will every impenitent sinner sink under the weight of his transgression, and rise no more. But the mystery of Providence is not yet finished: many kings with their armies must fall before the power of the divine Redeemer: the ruin of his enemies must make way for the universal establishment of his kingdom. Then the Sun of Righteousness will appear in his meridian glory; all other real or pretended luminaries will be eclipsed V. 2. Egypt had been desolated in order to Israel's deliverance; the cities of Canaan had been destroyed, that the Israelites might possess their inheritance; Babylon and Tyre, those defenced cities, full of palaces, ir habited by strangers to God and his worship, would be made a desolation, and never be rebuilt; and even Jerusalem would cease to be the holy city, and become "a palace of strangers," after the Jews had rejected Christ, and soon after it would be made "a ruinous heap." Rome also is doomed to be destroyed, to make way for the universal success of Christianity. (Notes, 13:18–22. 14:21-27. Rev. 18:) These, and other similar events, especially relating to the ruin of all Antichristian opposers of the gospel, in the latter days, seem to have been present to the prophet's mind, when he wrote these words. By "strangers," are meant, heathens, ""aliens from the cominonwealth of Israel," 'as St. Paul calls them, and enemies to it.' Louth. V. 3-5. These wonderful displays of divine power and justice, will induce many po 6 ¶ And in this mountain shall the|| LORD of hosts make unto Pall people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. 7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil 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. n 10. 2:2.3. 68. Ps. 72:14-16. 78: Mic. 4:1,2. Heb. 12:22. o 55 1,2. Ps. 63:5 Prov. 9:1 5. Cant. 2.3-5. 5:1. Jer. 31: 12,13. Zech. 9:16,17. Matt. 22: 1-10. Luke 14:16-23. 22:30. Rev. 19.9. p 49:6-10. Dan. 7:14. Matt. 8:11. Mark 16:15,16. q Cant. 1:2,4. Jer. 43:11. Matt. 26 29. Luke 5.39. r 60:1-3. Matt. 27:51. Luke 2: 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. b 10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill. 11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he x 12:1. Zeph. 3:14-20. Rev. Heb. swallow up. s Hos. 13:14. 1 Cor. 15:26,54. 2 Tim. 1:10. Heb. 2:14,15. t 35:10. Rev. 7.17. 21:4. u 30:26. 37:3. 54:4. 60:15. 61: 49:18. Ps. 27:14. 37.5-7. 62:1, b 11:14. 15: 16: Num. 24 17. Zeph. 2:9. Or, threshed. 41:15,16. Mic. 4:13. c 5:25. 10:6. 14:19. 26:6. Ps. 83.10. Lam. 1:15. tent, or fierce and terrible nations, to stand in was diffused through the nations of the earth. awe of God, and render glory to him. The Thus the ignorance, delusion, and idolatry, accomplishment of some of the prophecies which, like a veil, or covering, were spread against Babylon had this effect on the Persian over all the nations, would be removed, torn, kings: (Ezra 1: 6: 7:) and this was a shadow of and at length destroyed. (Notes, 29:9-12. 2 the future conversion of the nations unto Cor. 3:7-18.) This was begun by the converChrist. It will then appear most evident, that sion of the Gentiles in the days of the apostles, the Lord has, from age to age, protected his and has been in some degree carried on, by the Church of humble, poor, and despised believ-propagation of the gospel dispelling heathen ers, in all their distresses, and against every darkness, to this present day: and at length persecutor. When the fury of their enemies "the knowledge of the glory of God shall cover menaced their destruction, as the violent hail- the earth, as the waters cover the sea." This storm drives against the wall; his power pre- will continue almost to the day of judgment; served them, as in a strong tower, both safe when, by the glorious resurrection of all beand undismayed, till the tumult of their foes lievers to eternal life, and the final confinewas silenced in their destruction. And when ment of sin and misery to hell, "death will be temptations resembled the sultry heat of the swallowed up in victory." (Notes, 1 Cor. 15:50 sun, in the sandy desert; he interposed his pro- -54. Rev. 20:11—15, v. 14.) Then all tears will tection, as "the shadow of a cloud," till the be wiped away, by the Lord himself, from the heat was abated: and the flourishing prosperi- faces of all his people; every reproach will be ty of their most terrible assailants was at removed from their character; an end will be length brought low. The verse ... more fully put to all correction and rebuke; and from the 'expressed would run thus: "As a thick cloud whole earth they shall be gathered into his 'interposing tempers the heat of the sun on the kingdom. (Notes, 35:8-10.54:15-17. Rev. 7: 'burnt soil; so shalt thou, by the interposition 13-17. 21:1-4.) Israel is not here mentioned: of thy power, bring low and abate the tumult but the reproach, under which that people has 'of the proud, and the triumph of the formida- so long lain, and which will be turned into 'ble." Bp. Lowth. (Notes, 4:5,6. 26:1-6,20, honor, by their conversion and restoration, is 21. 32:1,2,16-20. Ez. 13:10-15. Matt. 7:24- supposed by some to be specially intended. 27. Rev. 19:1-6.) V. 6-8. These verses evidently contain a prophecy of the "sufferings of Christ, and the glory which should follow," (Note, 1 Pet. 1:10 -12.) from the coming of Christ to the end of the world. The Lord of hosts would make a feast; in "the mountain of the Lord's house," (2:2-5.) on mount Zion, the type of the true church. (Notes, Heb. 12:18-21. Rev. 14:1-5.) This feast would be provided for all people, or peoples, (plur.) Gentiles as well as Jews, and would consist of the choicest viands, in great variety and plenty, and of the richest wines well refined by continuing long upon the lees. (Marg. Ref. Note, Jer. 48:11.) Under these emblems all spiritual blessings, as conferred through his atonement and mediation, are shalowed forth. (Vues, Prov. 9:1-6. Matt. 22:1-14. P. O. 1–15. Note, Luke 14:15-24.) -At Jerusalem, the partition-wall between Jews and Gentiles was broken down by the crucifixion of Christ: and thence the gospel V. 9. When Immanuel appeared on earth, those who waited for him, welcomed him as their God and Savior: and as others became acquainted with him, they were ready, with Thomas, to confess to him, "My Lord, and my God;" (Note, John 20:24-29, v. 28.) and to rejoice in his salvation. The church yet waits for him to come and set up his kingdom, and to turn all her mourning into joy; being prepared to welcome that event with triumphant praise, "honoring him, even as the Father that sent him." Every believer expects his final appearance, as "the great God and our Savior." (Notes, Tit. 2:11-14.) And when he shall come, and "all the nations of the earth shall wai! because of him," (Vote, Rev. 1:7.) these words will express the very heart of every one of his redeemed people; as about to receive the completion of his salvation, and the fruition in body and soul of his expected fencity.-"In that day shall they say: Behold, this is our God; we have trusted in him, and he hath saved us. shall bring down their pride, together with the spoils of their hands. 12 And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust. CHAP. XXVI. A song of praise, with animating exhortations to trust in God, This is JEHOVAH; we have trusted in him; we V. 10-12. (Notes, 11:11-16. Num. 22:4. 24:16,17. Deut. 23:3-6. Jer. 9:25,26. Zeph. 2:8 -10.) Every enemy of the church, like Moab, shall be trodden down, as when the sheaves have been threshed the straw is trodden down upon the dunghill: a most energetic similitude to shew the contempt which will be poured upon them. (Marg. Ref. c.) The Lord shall also extend his powerful hands, on every side, to crush his obstinate foes; as the swimmer stretches forth his hands to their utmost extent, to support himself on the water. Thus he will abase their pride, and spoil them of their prosperity; and reduce to the dust all their strong holds, and their most determined opposition. "God shall bring down their pride, with the sudden gripe of his hands." Bp. Lowth. This seems the more accurate translation: the strong and powerful stroke of the hands and arms, used in swimming, is supposed, by some, to be alluded to. (Notes, 13:1922. 26:5,6. 32:16-20)-Perhaps an allusion to Christ, as lifted up on the cross, with his hands extended and nailed to it, might be intended, under the figure of the Lord's stretching forth his hands in the midst of his enemies. Then and there he spoiled and triumphed over the powers of darkness, and ensured the victory over every enemy for himself and his church. (Note, Col. 2:13-15.) tressed believers: and, having provided them a shelter from the storm of his righteous judgments, and taught them to flee to it, all the powers of earth and hell may in vain unite their force and fury: their tumult shall be silenced, their fury disappointed, and their pride and terrible power shall be brought low; whilst the poor servants of God shall enjoy inward consolation in the midst of trouble, and at length a triumphant deliverance.-When the Father "loved us, and gave his Son to be a propitiation for our sins," he prepared a feast for our souls: the believer finds that "the flesh of Christ is meat indeed, and his blood drink indeed;" (Notes, John 6:47-58. P. O. 47-59.) and deriving from him pardon, peace, and a joyful hope, his "soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness," and exhilarated as with the richest wines. (Notes, Ps. 63:5-8.) Yet this is only an antepast of that eternal feast which is intended for him: and there is no sinner of any nation, who should not be invited to this feast, and assured of a hearty welcome, if he come for it in the appointed way.--Blessed be God, the gospel has already rent in many places the thick covering, which was spread over the nations, and our land is favored with a glorious light: may all the inhabitants of it "walk in the light, and be the children of light!" and may the Lord destroy entirely the remains of this veil from every part of the Christian church, from the hearts of unbelieving Jews, and from the Mohammedan and Pagan nations! This will in due time be effected, and the Sun of Righteousness shall illuminate every corner of the earth.-At length the Lord will come to judgment, the dead shall be raised, the books shall be opened, believers shall be welcomed, as the children of God, to their eternal inheritance, "death will be swallowed up in victory," "God shall wipe away all thei tears" and rebukes, and they shall "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." In the day when they shall arise from the grave, and see their divine Redeemer come to perfect their felicity; with what energy of gratitude, love, joy, and triumphant exultation will they exclaim, "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he hath saved us: this is JEHOVAH, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!"-But the same almighty arm, which is engaged to save his Church, is stretched forth to destroy all despisers. He will then tread them under foot, with the utmost disdain and abhorrence. Those hands, which once were extended on the cross, to make way for our salvation, will be extended to destroy all impenitent sinners. Then his victory over the devil, and all his proud and potent servants, will be completed; every strong hold will be levelled; and the last enemy put under the Redeemer's feet. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch, as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (Notes, PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. True faith simply credits "the sure testimonies of God," as "a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation," and relies on his immutable truth to perform his promises: and thus the believer anticipates, and praises the Lord for future blessings, as if already in possession. This faith influences every possessor to holy obedience and spiritual worship: and if we can on this ground be confident that the Lord is our God and Portion for ever; this will animate us with the desire of exalting and praising him among our fellow Christians, and fellow sinners, here on earth.-All his wonderful works, of creation, providence, and redemption, accord to his eternal counsels and decrees. He has already proved many of these counsels, which he revealed to his servants the prophets, to be "faithfulness and truth;" and in due time all the rest will be evidently accomplished.Frequently he reduced powerful cities and splendid palaces into ruinous heaps, never to be rebuilt: because of the oppression of his people Israel. But since that nation crucified their Messiah, these interpositions in their favor have ceased; for ages they have been oppressed with apparent impunity; Jerusalem itself has been made a heap; and the Lord's care has been transferred from them to the Christian church: yet at the predicted time, he will again make of "the defenced city a ruin;" that "the strong people may glorify him," and reverence his holy name. The Lord ever was, and ever will be, the Refuge of poor and dis-1 Cor. 15:54—58.) strong city; salvation will God appoint for || dwell on high; "the lofty city he layeth it walls and bulwarks. low: he layeth it low even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. 2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is "stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. 4 k Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting Strength. 5 For he m bringeth down them that 48:12,13. Matt. 16: f 60.21. Ex. 19:6. *Heb. truths. Jude 3. ↑ Or, thought or imagination. i 1 Chr. 5:20. 2 Chr. 13:18. 16: k 12:2, 50:10. 2 Chr. 20:20. 32: 45:17,24. 63:1. Job 9:19. Ps. NOTES. 1 6 The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. 7 ¶ The P way of the just is uprightness thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. 8 8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 9 With my soul "have I desired thee n 25:12. 32:19. 47:1. Jer. 50: 3:5. 1 Cor. 4:5. r 64:4,5. Num. 36:13. Job 23: 10-12. Ps. 18:23. 44:17,18. 106:3. 119:102. Mal. 4:4. Luke 1:6. $ 25.9. 30:18. 33:2. Ps. 37:3-7. Mic. 7:7. Acts 1:4,14. 21. Rom. 8:25. 2 Thes. 3.5. Jam. 5:7-11. t 2 Sam. 23:5. Ps. 42:1,2, 63:1 -3. 73:25. 77:10-12. 84.2. 143; 5,6. Cant. 1:2-4. 2:3-5. 5:8. u Ps. 63:6,7. 77:2,3. 119.62. 190: 6. Cant. 3:1-4. 5:2-8. Luke 6:12. to the mind that leaneth on thee, &c." "This CHAP. XXVI. V. 1. The prophet seems 'is to be taken for a man, who with his whole still to keep in view the whole series of pre- thought and soul confidently leans on God, dicted events, which has been considered. through Jesus Christ, as it is explained at the The preservation of Jerusalem from the As- 'end of the verse.'--The man, of whom this syrians, the return of the Jews from Babylon, may be said, stays and rests his hope on the and their deliverance from the persecutions of wisdom, power, truth, and mercy of God, in Antiochus Epiphanes, if at all meant, could all his undertakings, difficulties, and perils; only be regarded as types, or earnests, of more and refers his concerns to him, expecting dispiritual and glorious events. For the day rection, assistance, success, and comfort from here especially intended, seems to be that fu- him. And thus the Lord keeps him in perfect ture season, when the New Testament-Baby-peace, or "in peace, peace:" in every kind of lon shall be laid low and levelled with the peace, peace of conscience, tranquillity, resigground. (25:2,12.) Then "this song shall be nation, confidence and cheerful expectation, sung in the land of Judah," in the church of proportioned to the degree in which the heart God: "We have a strong city," the "Jerusalem is thus stayed on God. Therefore an exhortafrom above," which is far stronger than Baby- tion is annexed: "Trust in the LORD for ever," lon or Rome. (Notes, 24:23. 60:15-22, v. 18. or perpetually and for eternity: for "in JAH Zech. 2:1-5, v. 5. Gal. 4:21-31, v. 26. Heb. JEHOVAH," the self-existent and unchangeable 12:22-25.) For "salvation hath God appoint- God, "is everlasting Strength:" He is "the ed for walls and bulwarks:" the power, truth, Rock of ages," or of eternity. (Notes, Deut. 32: and love of God, in Jesus Christ, render his 3,4. 2 Sam. 22:2,3. Ps. 62:1,2,8-10. 68:4. 112: church an impregnable fortress. (Marg. Ref. 7. John 14:1,27,28. 1 Pet. 1:17-21.)—This -Votes, 5,6. 12:4-6. 25:9-12.) It is highly seems addressed to the church, to encourage probable, likewise, that this prophecy will be her to wait patiently under her persecutions, literally accomplished, in the conversion of in full expectation of the glorious times preIsrael, and their re-establishment in the prom-dicted; and thus to every true believer as a ised land. part of the church. V. 5, 6. As the fall of Babylon was connected with the restoration of the Jews; so the total ruin of all antichristian powers, and of Rome, will make way for the established peace and of Israel. This the Lord will speedily accomplish: the poor and needy will soon trample on the ruins of the strong holds of every Antichrist: and the most despised instruments, the witnesses who prophesy in sackcloth, and their despised followers, shall be able to execute the Lord's purposes. (Notes, 25:10--12. Ez. 39:21--29. Dan. 12:1. Zech. 10:5--12. 1 Cor. 1:26--31. Rev. 11:3-14.) V. 2. The decisive victory, obtained over antichristian powers, will prepare the way for the immense enlargement of the church. Those who embrace and hold fast the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, become "a righteous na-prosperity of the church, and the restoration tion," incorporated under his government, united among themselves, obedient to his laws, and safe under his protection. (Notes, 1:25-27. 60:10-14. Ps. 106:4,5. 1 Pet. 2:9,10.) Every new convert is enrolled as a citizen of this strong city: and ministers and Christians should unite by every effort to open the gates; that new converts from every part of the earth may be admitted to dwell in it and share its franchises.-The calling of the Gentiles, in the primitive times, was a partial accomplishment of this prediction: but it will be more fully performed, when Judah and Israel shall be converted to the Savior, and "the fulness of the gentiles shall come in." (Notes, Luke 21:|| 20-24, v. 24. Rom. 11:16-32.) V. 3, 4. "Thou preservest continued peace V. 7. Whilst the ungodly "know not at what they stumble," the righteous Lord makes the way of his upright servants plain and level: he removes obstructions and stumbling blocks; he proportions their strength to their trials; he watches over their steps, and guides them in the way of uprightness. (Marg. Ref.) "Thou wilt make equal the path of the right |