ting, idolatrous nations through which they pass or from whom they are now to be delivered. Rahab, throughout which the destroying angel wounded the pride and strength of the Egyptians by the destruction of their first-born, while he passed over the houses of the Israelites, seems to represent both the downfal of Papal Rome, and the wondrous preservation of his people.

The ransomed of the Lord will have found a passage to their own land through depths of misery and persecution, and the oppressive dominion of their enemies shall be gradually "dried up," or extinguished, through the fierceness and obstinacy of their mutual devastations.

Ver. 11. Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

As the holy apostles and prophets are called upon to rejoice over fallen Babylon, so shall the redeemed Israelites rejoice over her, and return, and come with singing, &c.

Isaiah xxvi. 1-8. In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the 8 truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is (Heb.) the Rock of ages: For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city (Babylon) he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for

8 Heb. "truths." Y Heb. "

peace, peace."

thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remem→ brance of thee. See also Isai. XII.

In these beautiful addresses to the Almighty, we are reminded of those who proudly and triumphantly sit above their brethren, or "who dwell on high," i. e., of the lofty city, or the continuance of Papal influence which must now be humbled and extinguished for ever.

Many of the foregoing passages afford proof of the sufferings which the Israelites shall experience during their exodus from the mystical Babylon, and their return from various distant regions of the earth; yet their adversaries shall be ashamed, confounded, and become as nothing, and their irreconcileable foes shall perish. A mighty impulse is now afforded, through God's assurances, that they shall be his instruments for renovating the moral face of the earth; instigating such beneficial revolutions by their energy and example, as the wicked will not endure, and who will thus of necessity effect their own destruction. Simultaneous judgments will fall on the impenitent and incorrigible among their own body. See Ezek. xxxiv.

17-22.

Micah iv. 13. Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass; and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the LORD of the whole earth.

Isaiah XLI. 15-20. Behold, I will make thee Ya new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the moun

γ

"Lo, I have made thee a threshing wain,

A new corn-drag, armed with pointed teeth.

And thou shalt thresh the hills and reduce them to dust,

And thou shalt make the mountains as chaff."-Bishop Lowth.

8 Heb." mouths."

tains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree: I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together; that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

What an appropriate metaphor is here employed! By what language could we be led to form a more correct idea of the annihilation of corrupt earthly powers than this? Both great and tributary states shall be alike fanned; their principles, conduct, and actions proved and exposed; and the wind, or, as we conceive, the violence of war, dissipate their power; and the whirlwind-the more special, rapid, and weighty complication of judgments-scatter or confound all their unhallowed desires. Israel will then rejoice, and glory in their omnipotent Redeemer! God who hears" the poor and needy," who faithfully supplicate him, and who now become anxious to follow Christ, but find no water, no adequate instruction, neither due supply of temporal necessities, the God of Israel will not forsake them. He will permit them to endure these trials for a season; but he will open to them rivers in high places, fountains of true doctrine, living waters, even from the midst of the higher orders of mankind; and springs of spiritual consolation shall flow from among the lowest or most humble classes. The wilderness of the people, the mixed but dis

united multitudes, he will make pools of water, or convert into settled communities of holiness and praise; and the dry land, such souls as were hitherto the most alienated from the delights of social religion, will now become springs of water, their hearts issuing forth the streams of eternal life.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON: OR, ANNIHILATION OF THE GRAND APOSTACY.

FROM the period of the destruction of Mystic Babylon, the abettors of tyranny, superstition, and infidelity are represented as maintaining, with unabated obduracy, their former hostility to vital religion; and the same features of opposition continue, as formerly, to mark their design of acquiring universal dominion. Since the seat of the Papacy was destroyed, we should scarcely have imagined that they would again presume on the full re-establishment of their power. It appears, then, that though partially defeated, their armies have been again in motion, and are now numerously assembled. Compelled to relinquish their ancient capital, they, as their forefathers the Crusaders, undertake a general assault against the Holy Land, and probably with the same view as theirs,—of establishing the seat of empire at Jerusalem. Ardent to overthrow, and, if possible, destroy the Jews, who seek to complete their restoration, they dread the opposing progress of their principles, and view their advancing prosperity with jealousy, hatred, and the most hostile opposition.

The Lord permits them to proceed in their iniquitous career, and their numerous forces are collected in the plains of Jehoshaphat. This event will, in a great mea