for all the wonders of redeeming love. This will do more than any thing else to counteract our natural depravity, and to make us " live in all things, not unto ourselves, but unto Him who died for us, and rose again'."]
i 2 Cor. v. 14, 15.
Zech. viii. 3 — 8. Thus saith the Lord : I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem : and Jeru- salem shall be called a city of truth ; and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts : There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man ivith his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes ? saith the Lord of Hosts. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts ; Behold, I voill save my people from the east country, and from the west country ; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem : and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
THE restoration of the Jews from their present dispersion forms a very principal subject of all the pro- phetic writings ; and one cannot but be amazed that it should occupy so small a share of attention amongst the ministers of religion, as scarcely to be noticed by them. Indeed those who do notice the passages re- lating to that event, pervert them for the most part, by applying them to the Church of Christ, and giving them an interpretation which they were never designed to bear. From whatever cause this proceeds, it tends exceedingly to keep out of view the mercy of God towards his once-favoured people, and to foster in our bosoms an indifference to their welfare. But let us indulge a more benevolent disposition towards them, and contemplate with pleasure, I. Their interest in this prophecy —
In its primary sense, it was applicable to the Jews of that day —
VOL. x. I I