apoftle from Ifa. lxi. 20. confirms our explanation: where the Hebrew words properly denote; the Redeemer fhall come to Zion? or according to the Septuagint, ExEV Ziav, on account of Zion, and unto them that turn from defection in Jacob. Paul, generally following the Septuagint, has rendered the words fomewhat differently, but to the fame purpose and meaning. SVEXEY XXV. Observe. 1ft, That the apostle here very justly explains Zion and Jacob of the Jews; for, these are the natural fons of Jacob, natives, citizens of Zion; the others are only naturalized, that name therefore primarily and of itself agrees to them. And then alfo he speaks of those, with whom the covenant was made; as it is faid in the text ver. 21. this is my covenant with them; but that teftament and covenant belong to Ifrael: "whofe are the covenants and promifes," Rom. ix. 4. fee Lev. xxvi. 44, 45. Moreover, Zion and Jacob denote not fome few of Ifrael, but the whole body of that notion, as Gen. xlix. 7. For in Zion all the tribes had a right, Pfal. cxxii. 4.. XXVI. 2dly, The Goel is promifed to Zion, that is, the Kinfman-Redeemer, who can juftly fay, these are mine, and that in right of confanguinity, for I am the nearest kinsman, True it is, Chrift may be called the Goel and near kiusman of all nations, on account of his being of the fame human nature with them, which he affumed: yet he is chiefly and first of all the Goel of Ifrael, because of them are the fathers, of whom as concerning the flesh Chrift came, Rom. ix. 5. And therefore, perhaps, the apostle faid, the Redeemer fhall come out of Zion: for as the relation, which is expreffed by the term Goel, could not be fet forth by the Greek, guvos he was willing, by this means, to make up the imperfection of the Greek language, by intimating, that the Redeemer was in fuch a manner to come to Zion, as at the fame time, with respect to his human nature, to come out of Zion. The advent of the deliverer fuppofes alfo fuch a time, in which other Lords, be fides Jehovah, were to rule over Zion, Ifa. xxvi. 13. from whofe illegal dominion he was, with a ftretched out arm, to fet free and deliver his people. XXVII. 3dly, The work of this Redeemer will be "to turn away iniquity from Jacob." In the Hebrew it runs, "He fhall come to thofe that return from defection." The meaning is the the fame: he will impart his grace and falvation to those, who, by a true faith and repentance, fhall return unto God. And as they cannot give this repentance to themfelves, the Redeemer will bestow it upon them, fee Acts v. 31. Not only the Greeks have thus rendered the words of the prophet, but also to to the law." And to this purpofe is what follows in Isaiah, chap. lix. 21. concerning giving the Spirit of God in Ifrael, and the putting his word in their mouth. The fum of the whole is, that, by the efficacy of the Redeemer, the Jews are in due time to be converted from their rebellion and tranfgreffions. XXVIII. 4thly, As this not yet accomplished, as to the whole body of the Ifraelites, and yet the scripture must be fulfilled, the apoftle has justly inferred, that in the last times, it will be perfectly fulfilled. For, feeing the foundation thereof is God's covenant with Ifrael, and this a firm covenant, ftable, immutable, and fufpended on no ambiguous condition (for what condition could that covenent admit, which allots both remiffion of fins and repentance to Ifrael? it is not poffible but that every thing fhall happen exactly, according to the promise and pre diction. And this is my covenant with them faith God. But concerning this covenant he speaks as follows, Ifa. liv. 10. "For the mountains fhall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither fhall the covenant of my peace be removed faith Jehovah that hath mercy on thee." And again Jer. xxxiii. 25, 26. “ Thus faith Jehovah, if my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth: then I will caft away the feed of Jacob, and David my fervant." Add Pfal. cv. 8, 9. and Deut. iv. 31. All this being addreffed to the whole body of the nation, it must of neceflity be fulfilled at the appointed time. XXIX. 5thly, But because fome perhaps might think, that thofe horrid crimes, of which the Ifraelites had been guilty, might hinder that blefling of God from coming to them: the apostle adds a teftimony whereby God promises to take away their fins; which cannot but be accompanied with repentance and faith in the Meffiah, and the communication of his grace. True, indeed, it is, we have not those words in Ifa. liv. But yet they are in Ifa. xxvii. 9. where the Greek version has the very words οταν αφέλωμαι τας αμαρτίας αυτων. It is not unufual with the apostle to collect several testimonies into one, and to explain the words of one paffage by thofe of another. And indeed this obfervation was of great importance: for, if any thing should seem to stand in the way of the restoration of the Jews, it was their extreme impiety. Wherefore there are frequent promises concerning the expiation of the crimes they had committed, as Deut. xxxii. 43. Jer. xxxiii. 8. and Jer. 1. 20. XXX. Some perhaps may fay, are there not clearer expreffions in proof of this matter in the prophets? Why then does the apostle pitch upon thefe, the force and cogency of which VOL II. does 3 G does not at first fight appear? I anfwer, there are fuch, which we fhall presently produce: but here the fupreme and admirable wisdom of the Holy Spirit fhines forth, partly, because by selecting these, he would bring us to confider entire prophecies, which as it were, he points out to us, and of fuch a nature, as to give full conviction of this matter. Partly, that by arguing from prophecies lefs evident, he might constrain us to give credit to fuch as are more clear and exprefs. For, who will take upon him to wreft to a different meaning such evident teftimonies, as by the very found of their words lead to this fenfe, when he observes, that Paul draws his reafons from fuch as feemed much more remote from the purpose ? XXXI. Should any one defire clearer teftimonies, we offer the following to his confideration from Mofes, Lev. xxvi. 41-45. Deut. iv. 30, 31. Deut. xxx. 1-6. and Deut. xxxii. 43. From the Pfalms, Pfal. cii. 14-18. and Pfal. lxxxv. 9, 10. From Ifaiah, Ifa. xi. 11, 12. Ifa. xix. 24, 25. Ifa. xlix. 14, &c. Ifa. Ixii. throughout. From Jeremiah, Jer. iii. 18, &c. Jer. xxxi. 1. and from ver. 31. to the end. Jer. xxxii. 37, &c. Jer. xxxiii. 24-26. From Ezekiel, Ezek. xxxvi. 24. to the end. Ezek. xxxvii. throughout, especially from ver. 15. Ezek. xxxix. 25. to the end. Add Hof. iii. 5. All these promises are more sublime, than that the time can be affigned, in which they can be fuppofed to have been as yet fulfilled. From the New Teftament, add Mat. xxiii. 29. Luke xxi. 24. 2 Cor. iii. 16. The reader may please to see what we have faid on this head in a particular book concerning the ten tribes of Ifrael, from chap. ix. to the end; where he will find most of those prophecies carefully, and at greater length explained. XXXII. As from all this it is evident, we are to expect the general converfion of the Ifraelites in time to come, not indeed of every individual, but of the whole body of the nation, and of the twelve tribes. We choose not to multiply minute quef. tions, either out of curiofity, or incredulity, concerning the time, place, manner, means, and the like circumftances of this mystery, which God has referved in his own power. Let us maintain the thing itself, and leave the manner of it to God. We shall then beft of all understand thofe obfcure prophecies which defcribes it, when we shall be able to compare the event with them. Our Calvin, as his manner is, fpeaks with prudence and gravity. "When ever the longer delay is apt to throw us into defpair, let us recollect the name mystery, by which Paul clearly puts us in mind, that this converfion is not to be in the ordinary or usual manner; an therefore they act amifs, who attempt to measure it by their own private fenti ments. ments. For, what more perverfe, than to account incredible what falls not in with our opinion? Being therefore called a mystery, because incomprehenfible, until the time of its revelation. Moreover, it is revealed to us, as it was to the Romans, that our faith, acquiefcing in the word, may fupport our expectation, until the effect itself be made manifeft," We fhall conclude these things with the with and words of Maimonides at the end of his More Nevochim. "But may the great and good God himself purify all Ifrael, according to his promise; then the eyes of the blind will be opened. The people fitting in darkness have seen a great light to those who fat in the fhadow of death, the light is arisen." XXXIII. Lastly, To this restoration of Ifrael fhall be joined the riches of the whole church, and as it were, life from the dead, Rom. xi. 12. "Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?" and ver. 15. " For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world; what fhall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?" The apostle intimates, that much greater and more extenfive benefits shall redound to the Chriftian church from the fulness and restoration of the Jews, than did to the Gentiles, from their fall and diminution; greater, I fay, intensively, or with respect to degrees, and larger with refpect to extent. XXXIV. As to intenseness or degrees, it is fuppofed, that, about the time of the converfion of the Jews, the Gentile world will be like a dead person, in a manner almost as Christ describes the church of Sardis, Rev. iii. 1, 2. namely, both that light of faving knowledge, and that fervent piety, and that lively and vigorous fimplicity of ancient Chriftianity, will, in a courfe of years, be very much impaired. Many nations, who had formerly embraced the gofpel with much zeal, afterwards almost to be extinguished by the venom of Mahometanifm, Popery, Libertinism and Atheism, would verify this prophecy : but upon the restoration of the Jews, thefe will fuddenly arife, as out of the grave a new light will fhine upon them, a new zeal be kindled up; the life of Chrift be again manifested in his myftical body, more lively, perhaps, and vigorous than ever. Then, doubtlefs, many fcripture-prophecies will after their accomplishment, be better understood, and fuch as now appear dark riddles, fhall then be found to contain a most distinct defcription of facts many candles joined together give a greater light; a new fire laid near another, gives a greater heat. And fuch will the acceffion of the Jews be to the church of the Gentiles. XXXV. And not only fo, but also many nations, among whom the name of Chrift had long before been forgotten, fhall be feen to flock again to the ftandard of falvation then erected. For there is a certain fulnefs of the Gentiles, to be gathered together by the fucceffive preaching of the gospel, which goes before the reftoration of Ifrael, of which ver. 25. and another richness of the Gentiles, that comes after the recovery of Ifraèl. For, while the gofpel, for many ages, was published now to this, then to that nation, others, gradually departed from Chrift: but when the fulness of the Jews is come, it is altogether probable, that thefe nations will in great numbers, return to Chrift. An almost innumerable multitude of Jews refide in Afia, and Africa, among the Persians, Turks, Indians, Chinese, Japanese, and Tartars. When therefore, by the almighty hand of God, these fhall be brought to the communion of the Meffiah, their love to him will be the more ardent, as their hatred against him had been formerly more bitter. And is it not more than probable, that the nations, among whom they live, being excited by their example and admonitions fhall come into the fellowship of the fame faith? Certainly the words of the apoftle lead us to this. XXXVI. Agreeably to which James has faid, Acts xv. 15— 17. "And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, after this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called, faith the Lord, who doth all these things." The reparation of the fallen tabernacle of David fignifies the reftoration of true and fpiritual worship, among the Ifeaelites. And when that fhall come to pafs, the reft of mankind, who never gave up their names to Chrift, and the nations, upon whom his name was formerly called, but who, by their thoughtleffness, loft the benefit of the gospel, will then with emulation feek the Lord. XXXVII. And what is more evident than that prophecy in Ifaiah? the prophet, chap. lix. 20, 21. having foretold the reftoration of Ifrael, according to the apoftles commentary, immediately, chap. Ix. 1. exclaims, " Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is rifen upon thee: ver. 3. and the Gentiles fhall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rifing," &c. Moreover, the riches of the church at that time are defcribed ver. 17. " for brafs I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring filver, and for wood, brafs, and for ftones ron" the most magnificent words to the fame purpose, follow thefe, |