and the glory of the Lord be revealed, and all flesh see it to- gether : " yes, " by a voice crying in the wilderness shall all this be done: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken itf."
Is it asked then, What shall we do to advance this glorious work? I answer, God has already gone out before us, and shewn us what to do. The Societies which, by his gracious providence, have already been established, shew in what line we may direct our efforts to the best advantage. The Bible is now translating into the different languages of men, and circulating to the ends of the earth: that is obviously the first and most important method of diffusing the knowledge of of salvation through the world. Mission Societies also are in full activity, sending forth pious men to preach the everlasting Gospel, and to explain to the benighted nations of the earth the glorious mysteries which are there revealed. At last, too, attention begins to be paid to that " people, wonderful from their beginning hitherto," the lost sheep of the House of Israel. They are the people spoken of more especially by the pro- phet, in the preceding context ; and they are the people whom God will make use of for the bringing in the period described in our text : " the fulness of the Jews will be the riches of the world;" and " the receiving of the Jews will be to the whole world as life from the deadg." To aid these Societies, there- fore, and to unite our efforts with them, and especially by prayer to bring down the Divine blessing upon them, is the most effectual way we can take to accelerate the arrival of that glorious day. And, if we should not live to see the temple raised ourselves, we shall at least have the satisfaction of having provided materials for it, and contributed towards it to the utmost of our power.]
2. To seek the foretaste of it in our own souls —
[All these blessings are to be enjoyed now, as well as at the period before referred to. They are all promised to us under the very same images : " Ho ! every one that thirsteth, come to the waters, and he that hath no money ; come ye, buy and eat ; yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money, and without price11 !" This invitation is given to all without ex- ception : " Whosoever will, let him come, and take of the water of life freely1." Nor is it in small measure only that these blessings may be now possessed : for our Divine Master says, " If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink ; and out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water k." Let those who desire these blessings be in as unfavourable a state as " the vale of Shittim," they have no need to be discouraged on
f Isai. xl. 3 — 5. with Ixii. 10 — 12. s Rom. xi. 12, 15.
h Isai. lv. 1. * Rev. xxii. 17. k John vii. 37, 38.