phecies; but no fuch thing, hath ever y come to pass; not at their return from th Babylonish captivity; nor yet, at the ap pearance of Jefus; whence, it is manifeft that it remains to be fulfilled at the futur restoration of the nation, by the true Meffi ah.

The thirteenth principle is, that then peace will reign in all the earth; and that fo completely, as to induce them to deftroy the very weapons of war: as fhewn at large in the explanation of the firft, fecond, and thirteenth prophecies. But as no fuch univerfal peace, has ever yet been enjoyed by the world; but on the contrary, the sword hath fcarcely been sheathed fince the delivery of this prophecy; as I have fhewn at large in the explanation of the fecond prophecy. Whence it is demonftrable, that this promise remains to be fulfilled at the coming of the true Meffiah.

The fourteenth principle is, that about the time of the future redemption, the refurrection of the dead will take place; as fhewn in the fourth, fifth, and fourteenth prophecies more especially in the fifth; where I have pointed out, not only the form and

manner of the resurrection; but also the end and purpote that is to be effected by this great and ftupendous miracle. But no one, will be so hardy, as to presume to assert that, this hath at all been accomplished: not at their return from Babylon; nor yet at the time of Jefus whence it is manifest, that this important principle, as well as all the others above mentioned, remain to be fulfilled at the future restoration of the nation, by the hands of the true Meffiah.

DISSERTATION IV.
The Prophecies of Jeremiah.

THE fourth who prophecied concerning
the future redemption, happiness, and
falvation of the nation, was, Jeremiah the
fon of Hilkiah; and from whose writings, I
fhall felect fuch prophecies, as fpeak in a
clear, and unequivocal manner, of their re-
storation; and the happiness they are to
enjoy under a prince of the house of David,

&c.

The first prophecy commences verfe 14th,

of

of Chapter iiid. and is continued to the er of the second verfe of chapter ivth.

The Prophet having been commanded addrefs the ten tribes, as in verfe 12. I "Go and proclaim these words towards th north*, and fay, Return, O thou backflidin Ifrael, faith the LORD; (and) I will not le my wrath fall upon you; for I am mercifu faith the LORD; (and) I will not reserv wrath for ever," &c. Now proceeds to fpeal of their future redemption; verfe 14, "Re turn, O ye backfliding children, faith the LORD; for I am married to you :" The Pro phet here reminds them of that special contract, that folemn covenant, which God had made with them aforetime; whereby he engaged to be their God, and to take them for his peculiar people: and, as he had faithfully fulfilled the covenant on his part, he earnestly defires them to return to their duty, when they thall find him as kind to them, as heretofore, as in the latter member of the verfe, and

verfe

• This denotes Affyria and Media, which lay to the north of Judea, where the ten tribes were difpofed of by the king of Affyria, who carried them into captivity.

e end

ed to

13.

the

ding

t let

ciful

rve

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Re

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d

verse 15th.
"And I will take you one out
of a city, and two out of a family, and I will
bring you to Zion. And I will give you
fhepherds after mine own heart, and they
shall feed you with knowledge and under-
standing." Not like Jeroboam, Ahab, and
the other wicked kings of Ifrael; who taught
them all manner of wickedness: but they
will be of the feed of David; of whom it is
said, (1 Sam. xiii. 14.) "The LORD hath
fought him a man after his own heart, and
the LORD hath appointed him (to be) ruler
over his people." Such will these rulers be:
and therefore, they will not lead the people
to the commiffion of idolatry, as did those
wicked kings, that were not of the house of
David; but they will teach them knowledge
and understanding; fo as to ferve the LORD
faithfully.

The Prophet proceeds, verfe 16th, "And it shall be, when ye shall have multiplied and increased in the land, in those days faith the LORD, they shall no more say, the ark of the covenant of the LORD, nor fhall it come to mind*, nor shall they remember it, neither

*Heb. It fhall not afcend on the heart.
P

VOL II.

fhall they vifit it, nor fhall (that) be d any more." This paffage has greatly plexed the Commentators, fome* of wh have fuppofed, that it denotes, that the is not to be restored at the future redempt of the nation; and which feems to be fou ed on that false and abfurd hypothefis, t this prophecy relates to their call into Christian Church, than which, nothing be farther from the real intent and purp of this prophecy; as will be fhewn in fequel. I fhall now take the liberty to sta what to me appears to be the real fenfe the paffage. From the language of the Pr phet, it is clear, that it was not his intenti to inform us that at the future redempti the ark would not be restored; but to fhe that as the nation during the continuance the first and second temples, were exceedin ly wicked; and that their fanctity whol confifted in the oaths which they took the temple, before the ark, or the altar Solomon fays, 1 King. viii. 31. &c, "If a ny man trespass against his neighbour, an

Dr. Blaney, in his Notes on Jerem. in Loc.

;

a