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ND there shall come forth a Rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the LORD;

3 And shall make him of quick *understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

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NOTES.

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5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

[Practical Observations.]

6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion,

h 32:1. 2 Sam. 8:15. 23:2-4.1 30.33. Ps. 18:8. Acts 9:1.
1 Kings 10:8,9. Ps. 45:6,7. 72: m 59.17. Ps. 93:1. 2 Cor. 6:7.
1-4,12-14. 82:2-4. Jer. 23: Eph. 6:14. 1 Pet. 4:1. Rev
5,6. 33:15. Matt. 11:5. Rev.
19:11.

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1:13.

Heb. 2:17.

n 25:1. Hos. 2:20.
1 John 1:9. Rev. 3:14.

o 65.25. Ez. 34:25. Hos. 2
13. Acts 9:13-20. Rom. 14:
17. 1 Cor. 6:9-11. 2 Cor. 5:
14-21. Gal. 3.26,27. Eph.
4-22-32. Col. 3:3-8. Tit. 3:
3-5. Philemon 9-16. Rev.
5:9,10.

treasured up in him for his people. Every kind of divine knowledge and sagacity, of wisCHAP. XI. V. 1. The transition, from the dom and prudence, of piety and courage; of temporal deliverances of Israel to that spiritual holy affections and spiritual relish for heavenredemption from which they all originated, is ly things, and delight in them; of vigor and very common in the prophetical writings. strength of mind for obedience, and for sufferSennacherib's chieftains and army were like ing with unabated courage, zeal, and patience: the unnumbered stately cedars of Lebanon; whatever was requisite for the exercise of his but speedily cut down by a mighty one. But personal ministry, attended with numerous the extraordinary Person here predicted, would and extraordinary miracles on earth, or for resemble a tender shoot from the decayed root that of his mediatorial kingdom in heaven, to of a tree which had been cut down; and yet he the end of time, are comprised in the expresattained to the highest exaltation. Some think sions before us. So perfect would be his that the prophecy had reference to Hezekiah, knowledge, wisdom, and justice, that he would or Zerubbabel, as types of Christ. But Heze- in no case judge by appearances or report; kiah was born long before it was delivered; but would distinguish characters, and decide and there was nothing in the state of the Jews causes, with the most exact discernment and under Zerubbabel, answerable to the glorious impartiality. He would be the Protector of things spoken in the sequel of this chapter: so the poor and needy, especially of his poor and that it must be entirely a prophecy of Christ, humble people, and plead for them against opand can accord to no other. (Notes, 53:2,3. pressors: and, while he saved all those who Zech. 6:12,13. Rev. 22:16,17.)-The prophet submitted to him, he would destroy the enespake of the Messiah, as springing from the mies of his kingdom, by denouncing and exeroot of Jesse, rather than from that of David, cuting vengeance upon them; as if an iron rod because Jesse lived and died in a private sta proceeded from his mouth to dash them in tion; but David was a prosperous monarch: and pieces, or as if his breath were a flame of fire when all the glory of his family seemed to be to devour them. (Notes, 30:27,28. 2 Thes. 2:8 like the withered trunk or stump of a tree, a -12, v. 8. Rev. 19:11–16, v. 15.) His consumtender shoot or rod would spring forth, in mate righteousness and faithfulness likewise which that glory would revive, increase, and would establish him on the throne, prepare be established for ever; and which would in- him for filling it in the most perfect manner, deed become "a Plant of renown." (Marg. Ref. and be the ornament and glory of it. (Marg. -Notes, Jer. 23:5,6. Ez. 17:22–24. 34:23-31. Ref.-Notes, 59:16-19. Ps. 72:1-7,12—14.) Rom. 15:8-13.) 'We have here a remarkable The general character of the Redeemer, and instance of that method so common with the the manner, in which he would exercise his 'prophets, and particularly with Isaiah, of tak- authority, with the effects produced by it, to 'ing occasion from the mention of some great the end of time, are here stated; rather than 'temporal deliverance, to launch out into the any special events predicted.-The Spirit of 'display of the spiritual deliverance of God's knowledge, &c. (2) "Of the knowledge and fear 'people by the Messiah: for that this prophecy of the LORD." "Of knowledge and godliness.' relates to the Messiah, we have the express Sept.-Reprove, &c. (3) Note, Prov. 31:8,9.— "authority of St. Paul. Rom. 15:12.' Bp. Lowth."With equity shall he work conviction in the V. 2-5. The human nature of Christ was meek of the earth." Bp. Lowth. (Note, Ps. 25: formed by the operation of the Holy Spirit, in 8,9.) the womb of the virgin; and all his power, wisdom, and holiness, as Man, are ascribed to the same divine influence; for the Holy "Spirit was not given by measure unto him." (Notes, 42:1 -4.59:20,21. 61:1–3. John 1:30-34. 3:27-36, v. 34. Acts 1:1-3.) The varied expressions here used, denote the manifold endowments of the human nature of Christ, for the work which he had undertaken, and the fulness VOL. IV.

7

Faithfulness, &c. (5) "The expression implies 'here, that a strict regard to truth, integrity, 'and justice, will be the honor of Christ's king'dom. (Eph. 6:14.) On the contrary antichrist 'is described, as coming "with all deceivable'ness of unrighteousness," or all the arts of 'unrighteous deceit. (2 Thes. 2:9.) And without question, nothing has more tended to the 'corrupting the truth of the gospel, or weaken

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12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah, from the four corners of the earth.

13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. 60-56:

Zech. 5 11.

Zech 9:2

Gen. 10.5.

Lev. 26:40-42.1 8:2. Deut. 4:27-31. 30:3-6. Ps. d Gen. 10 10. 11:2. 68:22. Jer. 23:7,8. 30:8-11. e 10.9. Jer. 49:23. 31:36-40. 33:24-26. Ez. 11: f 24:15. 42.4. 66:19. Jer. 31:10. Ez. 27:6. Dan. 11: 16-20. 34:23-28. 36:24,&c. 18. Zeph. 2:11. 37: 48: Hos 1:11. 3:4,5. Joel 3: Am. 9:14,15. Mic. 7:14,15. Zech. 10:8-12. 12:14: Rom. 11:15,26. 2 Cor. 3:16.

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g 10. 59:19. 62:10.

Rev. 5:9.

h 43:6. 49:11,12. 56.8. Deut. $2 26. Ps. 68:22. 147:2. Zeph. 3. 10. John 7:35. Jam. 1:1. Heb. wings.

i 7:1-6. Jer. 3:18. Ez. 97:1624. Hos. 1.11.

dissimilar expressions, but inferior in beauty and energy, seem to have been taken from the scriptural account of Adam in paradise, and from the predictions of the Messiah's happy reign.-To suppose that the Holy Spirit, by this swerable to their exact meaning; and that they are merely highly wrought figures of speech, like those of uninspired eastern poets; and suited to raise expectations in simple hearted believers, which must be eternally disappointed, savors too much of infidelity, not to say blasphemy, to deserve a serious refutation. The earth has never yet been "full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea;" and therefore the grand accomplishment of the prophecy has not yet taken place. (Marg. Ref. q.-Notes, Hab. 2:12 -14, v. 14.)

'ing the power of it, than the giving encour- revolution is effected, in their propensities, 'agement to pious frauds and forgeries.' Louth. desires, affections, and pursuits: they become V. 6-9. (Marg. Ref.-Note, 9:6,7.) The "new creatures," "all old things pass away, effects of divine grace on the minds of men, in behold all things are become new;" and "they The emblem is the times of the Messiah, are here represented, walk in newness of life." with much beauty, under the most significant completely answered; the figurative descripemblems. Persons of the most dissimilar dis- tion realized. (Notes, John 3:3. 2 Cor. 5:17.) positions and pursuits, and by nature and cus- The fables and imaginations of the gentiles, of tom addicted to various kinds of wickedness, a golden age, and the return of it in the latter would be so changed by the grace of the gos-days, in which some of their writers use not pel, that they would become of "one heart, and of one way." (Notes, Jer. 32:39-41. Acts 2:44-47.) The selfish, the penurious, the rapacious, the contentious, the ambitious, the savage, the subtle, and the malicious, would lose their peculiar base dispositions, and be-decisive language, foretold events no way ancome harmless, sincere, peaceable, benevolent, and affectionate; they would live together in harmony, hearken to instruction, and be guided by gentle persuasions and entreaties. So that the change would be as evident and surprising, as if the wolf, the tiger, the lion, the bear, and other fierce carnivorous animals, should learn to be gentle and harmless as the lamb, the kid, the calf, or the cow; to associate with them, to graze the pasture as they do, or to feed on hay and straw; and should be so tractable that a little child could lead thein. Or, as if the asp and the cockatrice should no longer be disposed to bite with envenomed teeth; but should be so V. 10. (Notes, 1. 10:20.) When the gospel inoffensive, that infants might safely play by began to be publicly preached, the divine Satheir holes: for there would be no more a dis- vior, as springing from the root of Jesse, and position in the inhabitants of Zion, the true as crucified for sinners, ascended into heaven, church of Christ, to hurt or destroy: and the and, being exalted to the mediatorial throne, knowledge of the Lord, with all its sanctifying stood as an ensign to which the chosen people effects, should at length cover the whole earth, of God resorted. (Notes, 11-16. 59:16-19, v. "even as the waters cover the sea." (Notes, 55: 19. Gen. 49:10. Matt. 11:28-30. John 3:14, 12,13. 65:24,25. Lev. 1:1,2. 11:2. Acts 10:9-16.) 15. 12:27–33, v. 32.) The gentiles sought to -Such changes, as are here described, may him as their Lord and Savior; and "the rest of be imagined, but they never actually take soul," which they found by trusting in him, place, in the literal sense. Every creature on was connected with the glory and beauty of earth, man alone excepted, continues from holiness, and an earnest of the glory of heaven. first to last, of that disposition, and retains un-||(Marg. Ref.-Notes, 60:1–3. 66:19-23.) changed those propensities, which belong to its nature. But in those of the human race, who are "born of God," an entire change and

Or

rather, the Savior would rest with full compla cency in his redeemed people, chiefly from among the gentiles, in whom his name would

m

B. C. 738.

14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders his mighty wind shall he shake his hand of the Philistines toward the west: they over the river, and shall smite it in the shall spoil them of the east together: seven streams, and make men go over diy they shall lay their hand upon Edom and shod. Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.

15 And the LORD shall "utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with the children of Ammon their

k Ob. 19. Zeph. 2:5. Zech. 9:

5-7.

1 59:19. 66:19,20. Matt. 8:11. m 33:1. Jer. 49.28. Ez. 38: 39: Heb. the children of the east. Heb. Edom and Moab sball be the laying on of their hand;

obedience. 25:10. 54.5,6. 00:14.
Num. 24.17. Dan. 11:41. Joel
3:19. Am. 9:12. Ob. 13.

n 50:2. 51:9,10. Zech. 10:11.
o Ex. 14:21.

be exceedingly glorified. (Ps. 132:8,13. Note, Rom. 15:8-13, v. 12.)-Root of Jesse.] Notes, 53:2,3. Rev. 5:5–7, v. 5. 22:16,17, v. 16. V. 11-16. The Lord recovered a remnant of his people from Assyria and Babylon, by the same power with which he had brought the whole nation out of Egypt: and it is here predicted, that he would "set his hand again the second time," to gather those, who would be left of them, from all nations whither they had been scattered; and several of the adjacent countries, and some very distant ones in different directions, are specified. By "the islands of the sea," all the regions separated from Asia are generally meant; and here the British isles are included. (Note, Gen. 10:2--5.)--The crucified Savior, doubtless, as held forth in the preaching of the gospel, is that Ensign to which he will assemble "the outcasts of Israel, and the dispersed of Judah," from the four corners of the earth. United in dependence on "the Prince of Peace," and in obedience to him, that envy, competition, and enmity, which so long kept the Jews and Israelites at variance, shall be finally terminated; (Notes, Jer. 3:16-18, v. 18. Ez. 37:15-28. Hos. 1:11. Zech. 11:12-14, v. 14.) their adversaries shall be cut off, and many of their former enemies shall be subjected, or willingly submit and become tributary to them, or powerfully assist them, which seems implied in the expression, "they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards the west." (14) For the Lord will then remove all obstacles, by the same powerful interposition, which he vouchsafed in behalf of Israel, when he separated "the Tongue," or Bay of the Egyptian or Red Sea, and destroyed that hindrance to their departure: and, "with a mighty wind, he will so separate the waters of the river, (Euphrates,) in all its streams, that men may pass over dry shod. (Notes, Dan. 11:40-45. Zech. 10:5--12. Rev. 16:12-16.) Thus a highway shall be made for Israel's return, as there was for their ancestors to pass from Égypt unto Canaan.This part of the chapter contains a prophecy, 'which certainly remains yet to be accomplished.' Bp. Lowth.-"This chapter contains a general prophecy of the advancement Christ's kingdom should make in the world. But as this advancement is made by different steps 'and degrees; so the several parts of the prophSecy may be supposed to point at different ages and periods of time. ... And I take this part of the chapter... to foretel those glorious times of the church, which shall be ushered in by the restoration of the Jewish nation; when they shall embrace the gospel, and be restor'ed to their own country from the several dis'persions where they are scattered. This remarkable scene of Providence is plainly foretold by most of the prophets of the Old Testament, and by St. Paul in the New.'

S

16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

p 19:16.

q 19:5-10. Ex. 7:19-21. Ps. 74.13-15. Ez. 29:10. 30:12. Heb. in shoes.

r 11. 19:23. 27:13. 35:8-10. 40: 3,4. 49:12. 57:14.

$ 42:15,16. 48:20,21. 51:10. 63:12 Ex. 14:26-29.

Lowth. (Marg. Ref.)--How far the more particular explications of the manner in which, and the powers by whom, these predictions will be accomplished, that have of late years been attempted, are well grounded, the events will shew to posterity. I presume not to prophesy from the prophecies: but the literal restoration both of Israel and Judah is clearly predicted.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-5.

The descent, from the summit of earthly grandeur to the abyss of misery, is not uncommon. But heavenly honor and prosperity advance gradually from small beginnings, and will increase for ever: (Notes, 9:6,7, v. 7. Dan. 2:44,45.) and the cause of God is not rendered triumphant by human power, but "by the Spirit of the LORD." (Note, Zech. 4:4--7.) Thus the great Head of the Church sprang up as a tender shoot; and was scarcely observed at first, or observed only to be disdained: but, through his external meanness, when "in the form of a servant," a divine glory shone forth. His holy life, his stupendous miracles, his boundless knowledge and heavenly wisdom, and all his words and works proclaimed, that "the Spirit of the LORD rested upon him," for all the purposes here predicted by his holy prophet. And now in human nature he reigns upon a glorious throne, the Lord and Judge of his church, and of the world; and all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and truth, of power and might, yea, "all the fulness of the Godhead dwell in him." (Notes, Col. 2:1-9.) Thus gloriously exalted, and qualified most completely to fill up the mediatorial throne, he is the Patron of the poor and oppressed; for the lowly and broken hearted alone truly submit to him, and value his salvation: and, while he pleads their cause, he will execute his severest threatenings on all the workers of iniquity; yet with exact discrimination and strict justice: for "righteousness is the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins."-"From his fulness all" his people "receive, and grace for grace." (Note, John 1:16.) So that the same Spirit is communicated to each of them in their measure: and thus they too learn sound wisdom and discretion; they become acquainted with God and themselves, with his truths, and their own duty, interests, dangers, and security; they are rendered prudent to shun, or strong to resist, the temptations of Satan; they learn to fear and love the Lord; and, with increasing experience and spirituality, they become "of quick understanding" in "discerning good and evil: they are formed to the same judgment with him, whose Spirit they receive; they learn to follow his example of goodness, truth, and purity; and, in a subordinate sense, righteous

CHAP. XII.

thou wast angry with me, thine anger is

▲ hymn of praise for the church, on the accomplishment of the turned away, and thou comfortedst me.

preceding prophecies, 1-6.

ND in that day thou shalt

say,

2 Behold, God is my Salvation: I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD

A LORD, I will praise thee: though JEHOVAH is my Strength and my Song;

e 10:4,25. 40: 1,2.51:3. 54:8. 57:15 he also is become my Salvation.

a 2:11. 11:10,11,16. 14:3. 26:1. 3.4. 19:1-7.
27 1-3,12,13. 95:10. Zech. 14:
9,20,21.

b 25:1,9. 49:13. 60:18,19. Ps. 67:
1-4.69:34-36. 72:15-19. 149:
6-9. Rom. 11:15. Rev. 15:

-18. 66:13. Deut. 30:1-3.

Ps. 85:1-3.
Ez. 39:24-29.
4-9.

Jer. 31:13-20.
Hos. 11:8. 14:

ness and faithfulness become their girdle also.
(Notes, Rom. 8:28-31. 2 Cor. 6:3-10. Eph. 5:
10-17.) Let us seek diligently for more and
more of this heavenly wisdom and good un-
derstanding; and be contented to want that
knowledge and discernment, which the world
admires and idolizes.
V. 6-9.

d 7:14. 9.6,7. 45:17,22-25. Ps.
27:1. Jer. 3:23. 23:6. Jon. 2:
9. Matt. 1:21-23. Luke 2:
30-32. Rom. 1:16. 1 Tim.

3:16. Rev. 7:10

e 26:4. Ex. 15.2. Ps. 118:14. Hos. 1:7.

that by our profession of his truth, by our good works, and our fervent prayers, we may obtain peaceful conquests over our enemies, by winning them over to our side, and inducing them to have fellowship with us. (Note, 1 John 1:3,4.) Of old "the banner" was displayed, and both Jews and Gentiles sought to it, and found a glorious rest to their souls, by trusting As far as we are taught by the Spirit of and obeying the King of saints. For us the Christ, the predominant obliquities of our same ensign is erected and exhibited: may we fallen nature will be corrected; and those also thankfully flock to it, and share these hateful and mischievous vices, by which men blessings. And while we expect the Lord to resemble the most pernicious of the animals in set to his hand again, to gather his ancient their worst qualities, will be subdued and people from their dispersions, and to bring mortified; and we shall be rendered harmless, them home to his church; and also to bring in peaceable, sincerc, kind, liberal, and ready to the fulness of the Gentiles, when all parties renounce our own interest or pleasure, in or-will cease from envy and strife, and be united der to do good to others. For, the grace of in holy love: let us trust in his glorious power Christ is a sovereign remedy for every one of to remove out of the way all the hindrances to our mental disorders: and though none of our complete salvation; let us tread in the them are here perfectly healed; all of them are highway of holiness, which he has made for dethroned, hated, opposed and crucified, and his redeemed; (Note, 35:8-10.) let us "wait for no one habitually prevails: but the believer's the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eterdesires, pleasures, and leading aims are totally nal life;" and let us expect that the Lord will changed; and thus they, who before conver-prepare our way through death, that river sion were of the most opposite characters, now which separates this from the eternal world, assimilate to each other, and learn to concur that we may "pass over dry shod;" even as he in the same purposes and endeavors, and live dried up the Red Sea and Jordan, when "he in holy peace and love. Every one of them led forth his people with joy, and his chosen becomes teachable and forgiving: they no lon-with gladness," to give them the land of Cager are disposed to hurt, or destroy, or deceive; naan for their inheritance. but they learn to forbear and to forgive, their hearts are enlarged, and they become the friends of mankind, because they are the re- CHAP. XII. V. 1. (Marg. Ref.) Whatever deemed servants of Jesus Christ. But alas! accommodations may be made of this sacred how many professors of evangelical truth, by hymnn; as it is immediately connected with their avarice, contention, pride, and ferocity, the prophecy in the former chapter, it evidentevince, that they are strangers to this graciously predicts, that the converted nation of Israel, change; and that they still continue wolves, reflecting upon their past condition for so long tigers, or serpents; and have not been "trans-a time, because of the anger of God against formed in the renewing of their minds" into lambs and doves! How many leave the matter doubtful both to themselves and others, and often disgrace that doctrine which they should adorn! How little has this tendency of the gospel yet appeared in the world! We cannot then entertain a doubt, that far more conspicuous and glorious effects are to be expected; when "the earth shall be filled with the knowl-'ed edge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea;" when wars and furious contests shall cease, and all nations shall know the power of the gospel, to teach men to love God and one another. In the mean time let us aim to manifest this spirit and conduct in our narrow circle, as far as we are able; that our example and endeavors may in some feeble measure promote the honor of Christ, and stop the mouths of gainsayers. And, as few Christians are able to do much good by engaging the enemies of the gospel, in a way of disputatious reasoning; let us all aim to convince men by the powerful rhetoric of a holy, useful life, that ours is the true doctrine of the word of God.

V. 10-16.

By embracing the Christian religion, we enlist under the standard of the cross of Christ;

NOTES.

them for their obstinate rejection of their Messiah; and exulting in the glorious change which had taken place; shall break out in the language of the prophet, "O LORD, I will praise thee, &c." (Notes, G3:15—19.64:1–12.)

'I will give thanks unto thee, O JEHOVAH, for though thou hast been angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou hast comfort

me. ... The Hebrew phrase... is exactly the same with that of St. Paul, Rom. 6:17. "Thanks be to God, that ye were the slaves of sin; but 'ye have obeyed from the heart, &c." Lowth. (Note, Rom. 6:16-19, v. 17.)—Thine anger is turned away.] 9:12,21. 10:4. Note, 5: 24,25, v. 24.

Bp.

V. 2. The deliverance of Israel, from oppression and misery, was only a shadow of the redemption of the church from sin and Satan This whole salvation results from the infinite love and mercy of God the Father: it was contrived by his infinite wisdom; and rests on his infinite power, and truth. It is altogether communicated through the person and mediation of Immanuel; and it is applied by the newcreating power of God the Spirit: so that in every sense, God is the Salvation of his church. Thus JAH-JEHOVAH, the eternal God, is become the Savior of the world: and is, "in

3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

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h 66:19. Ps. 9:11. 22:31. 40:5.
71:16-18. 73:28. 96:3. 107:22.
145:4-6. Jer. 50:2. 51:9,10.
John 17:26.

i 2:11,17. 25:1. 33:5. Ex. 15:2.
1 Chr. 29:11. Neh. 9:5. Ps.
18:46. 21:13. 46:10. 57:5. 97:9.
113:5. Phil. 2:9-11.

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Christ" the Support, Protector, and Friend of with God, was once exposed to his righteous the church, and of every believer; as he be-anger; and most of them experienced many comes his Salvation, from the moment, when painful effects from it, and dreaded others far he is enabled to receive and rely on him, as more tremendous. But when the awakened and such. (Notes, 7:14. 9:6,7. 45:15-17,20-25. humbled sinner finds pardon and peace, through Ps. 27:1-3. 68:4. Luke 1:46–55, v. 47. Tit. 2:|| the atoning blood of Christ, he with thankful 9-14. 3:4-7.) heart exclaims, "O LORD, I will praise thee: V.3. The purifying, fertilizing, and consola-though thou wast angry with me, thine anger tory influences of the Holy Spirit are common- is turned away, and thou hast comforted me." ly denoted, under the emblem of springing --Yet alas! we are prone to relapse into transwater. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, 49:9-13. Ex. 17:gression: and then our heavenly Father is 5,6. John 4:10-15. 7:37-39.) This water angry with us and frowns upon us; he beflows through the mediatory work of Christ,|| and is conveyed to the souls of men by the ordinances of God's worship. When the gospel is preached in any place, "wells of salvation" are opened, which communicate with the Fountain of life in Christ: and in the predicted times, this Fountain of life and these "wells of salvation" though long hidden from Israel, will be discovered to them, and they will praise God with joyful hearts. (Note, Zech. 13:1.)--The 'Jews themselves seem to have applied it to 'the times of the Messiah. On the last day of 'the feast of tabernacles, they fetched water in a golden pitcher, from the fountain of Siloah, 'springing at the foot of mount Zion, without the city: they brought it through the watergate into the temple, and poured it, mixed 'with wine, on the sacrifice as it lay upon the 'altar, with great rejoicing. ... Our Savior ap-|| 'plied the ceremony, and the intention of it, to himself, and to the effusion of the Holy Spirit, 'promised, and to be given, by him.' Bp. Lowth.

reaves us of our comforts, and inflicts sharp corrections. When these bring us to mourn for our sins, and to renew repentance and humble faith, his "anger will be turned away," our comforts will be restored, and our hearts again tuned to celebrate his praises. All these our hopes and comforts are vouchsafed to us sinful creatures, because “God is become our Salvation:" and when we rest all our hopes on this Foundation, "we may trust, and not be afraid." For as God was inanifested in the flesh; and as Immanuel died for our sins, when we were enemies; he will doubtless be the Strength and complete Salvation of all, who believe in him, and love, and obey him, and whom he now numbers among his friends. Having JEHOVAH, the eternal God, for our "Strength and Song," we may bid defiance to all our enemies: and though we must encounter difficulties, endure hardships, and experience sharp conflicts; we have "wells of salvation" opened on every side; and, drawing from them the waters of life and consolation, by V. 4--6. In the day, when the Lord shall do faith and prayer, we may rejoice in the midst so great things for his church; his people shall of tribulation, and find some foretastes of excite each other to praise him for the past, heaven, in communion with the Lord in this and to call on him for all that yet remains to outward sanctuary. (Notes, Rom. 5:1--11.) be done: or, they will "proclaim his name" The more diligently we attend on the means and perfections, as well as "declare his doings of grace, and the larger supplies we derive among the people," and expatiate on his won- from the Fountain of salvation; the more ferders wrought in their behalf, that "his name vent will be our praises of God our Savior. may be exalted." (Note, Ex. 34:5--7.) Thus The glories of his character, and the excelthe excellent things done for the Jews and Is- lency of all his wonderful works, especially raelites, being celebrated and made known to that of our redemption, will be our favorite all the earth, will, probably, be one grand theme. We shall ardently desire that his means of bringing in "the fulness of the Gen-name should be universally extolled; and that tiles:" while the inhabitants of Zion, the church converted from that chosen race, will cry aloud and shout for joy; and all shall see the triumphant power of the Holy One of Israel, in the wonders wrought in their behalf. (Notes, 30:20--26. Zeph. 3:14--20. Zech. 2:10 -13. Rom. 11:11-15,22--36.) "When ye shall draw waters with joy from the fountains of salvation; in that day ye shall say: Give ye thanks to JEHOVAH; Call upon his name, make known among the peoples his mighty deeds." Bp. Lowth. The peoples," plural; that is, the nations of the earth.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Every one of those, who now have peace

his inestimable salvation should be known to all the earth. Whilst our hearts rejoice, that the Holy God "dwelleth in Zion" upon a mercy-seat, the Friend of sinners who seek unto him, and the almighty Protector of his church; we shall be ready to shout for joy as victors, even when we are "fighting the good fight of faith." We shall not only anticipate our own complete salvation, and that of every believer, through him who loved us; but the prevalence also of his truth and cause over all opposition: whilst numerous accessions will be made continually to those, who celebrate his praises with joyful hearts; and every one will, with increasing alacrity, seek to recommend his salvation and service to all around him.

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