be expected to take place. But they are fo divided in their judgments, and with regard to feveral of the most eminent, who thus differ, the support their opinions derive from the character and abilities of the propofers is fo nearly equal, that those who confult them are more likely to be embarraffed, than fatisfied. For myself, I think it becomes me to confefs my ignorance, and my inability, either to reconcile the conjectures of others, or to determine which is the more probable, or to propose better of my own. I do not, therefore, undertake to give the precise sense of this paffage, as it ftands connected with the rest of the chapter. Nor fhould I, perhaps, have attempted to preach from it, but upon this occafion. It is introduced, with great propriety, in the Meffiah, as a close to the fecond part, which begins with a view of the Lamb of God taking away the fins of the world, by the power of his priestly office; and concludes with an account of his glorious fuccefs as the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

My business is only to lead you to some pleafing and profitable reflections, upon this subject, now it comes in my way. There

are many prophecies in the Old Testament, that speak in magnificent strains of a kingdom, which God would, in his appointed time, establish upon the earth; the sense of which is greatly weakened and narrowed, if restrained, as fome commentators would reftrain it, to the restoration of Ifrael to their own land, from their captivity in Babylon. Yet it must be allowed, that the highly figurative language in which many of these prophecies are expreffed, a great part of which cannot be understood literally, renders the interpretation difficult.

What we read in the twentieth chapter of this book, of a period in which the faints fhall reign with Chrift during a thousand years, has given occafion to almost a thoufand conjectures, concerning a millennian state. Some perfons. fuppofe, that the prefent frame of nature shall be diffolved and changed, and expect a proper refurrection of the dead; after which, the Lord will perfonally reign with his people upon the earth, when purified by fire, and restored to its primitive perfection and beauty. If so, earth will be heaven; for the state of happiness believers are taught to hope for, depends

not

not upon local circumftances, but chiefly confifts in the enjoyment of his unveiled immediate prefence, and in beholding his glory. Others, feem to conceive of the millennium, nearly in the fame manner as the Jews formed their expectations of MESSIAH's kingdom. They think that temporal honours, dominion, profperity, and wealth, will then be the portion of believers; the very portion, which they are now called upon to renounce and defpife. But, as I have hinted, large allowances must be made, for the metaphorical language of prophecy. We read that the streets of the New Jerufalem are paved with gold, and that the twelve gates are twelve pearls *; but no perfon of found judgment can fuppofe, that this description is to be understood ftrictly, according to the letter. The perfonal prefence of MESSIAH with his people, is not peceffary to such degrees of happiness, as are compatible with the present state of mortality and imperfection. It is fufficient, if he vouchfafes to dwell with them by his Spirit. Much lefs are temporal dominion and wealth, neceffary, to the profperity and honour of his spiritual * Rev. xxi. 15, 21. 03

kingdom.

kingdom. But what then are we encouraged to expect, beyond what has been hitherto known, with regard to this point? Let us confult the fcriptures, which alone can guide and determine our enquiry. I will felect fome exprefs paffages, a few out of many which might be adduced, but fufficient, I hope, by the rules of fober interpretation, to lead us to a fatisfactory answer.

The glory and happiness of MESSIAH'S kingdom, is defcribed by the prophets, in terms, which cannot be justly applied to any period of the church already paft. They fometimes reprefent it by a variety of beautiful paftoral images, and sometimes in plainer language. Thus Isaiah, And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's boufe, fhall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the bills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go up and fay, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerufalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and

hall

fhall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their fwords into plough-fhares, and their Spears into pruning books: Nation shall not lift up fword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more *. Again, The wolf also fball dwell with the lamb, and the leopard fhall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child fhall lead them. And the cow and the bear fhall feed, their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion fhall eat straw like the ox. And the fucking child fhall play on the hole of the afp, and the weaned child fhall put his hand in the cockatrice-den. They Shall not hurt nor deftroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the feat. I might likewise transcribe the whole of the fixtieth chapter, but fhall only offer you the latter part of it. of it. more be heard in thy land,

Violence shall no

wafting nor de

ftruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The fun fhall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness fhall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord fhall be unto thee an + Ibid. xi. 6-9.

*Ifa. ii. 2-4.