Vers. 21-25.-Our great hope: a missionary sermon. The view of the prophet is "exceeding broad." He sees that which is "afar off." He looks a.cross the countries and across the centuries, anrl he has a mor~ glorious vision than statesman ever pictured, than poet ernr dreamed. We look at th!S- 1. OUR SUPREME HOPE FOR THE HUMAN WORLD. Isaiah has before his mind a time when "all the ends of the earth will be saved;" when" every knee will bow" to God, end every ton!lue solemnly invoke his holy Name; when men shall "come to him" in adoration and in thHnks6iving. This is our heart's most profound desire, our soul's hh:h(•st hope. We do not want our nation to subdue every other to s,·rvitude and subsidy. We do n'>t want our form of faith or polity to swallow up every other form. We do want mankind to kuow God, to approach him in pure worship, to bless him for his fatherly love, to glory in his goodnes.s, to submit to his righteous sway, to rejoice in him as the One that saves from sin and restores to righteousness. When, beneath every sky, speaking every language, with all possible varieties of custom and civilization, men everywhere shall honour the one hol_v Lord and rejoice in the same righteous Redeemer, the supreme hope for the world will be fulfilled. But we have to consider- 11 THE DELAY IN ITS FULFILMENT. The Israelites returned from captivity, and entered again on a course of national freedom and Divine worship in the holy place; the Lord "did great things for them, whereof they were glad." But nothing happened then or in subsequent days in Jerusalem or in Judaia. which could be said to be a realization of this glorious vision. Jerusalem perished and Israel was scattered, while the proph cy remained unfulfilled. Jesus Christ came and fol'med his Church; that 0
Church i;:rew and throve, overturning the idolatries with which it contended. It has been making its way in the world, and, during the last century, has made substantial progress. But the world is very far indeed from having attained to the condition which is here foretold. The prophetic word waits to be fulfilled; there is a long delay in the n·alization of our snpreme hope. But Jet us gladly tum to- JII. Otra CONFIDENCE IN A VICTORIOUS RESULT. It rests on three things. 1. The triumphs which have been already gained. These are very great, and they are exactly proportionate t-0 tLe purity of the doctrine which has bren taught and the zeal of the, Churches which has been shown. ·with Christ's truth taught as it came from him anti from his inspired apostles, and with the Churches of Christ as much in earnest as they have been during tbiB century, the advance will be sure and swift. 2. The strong word <1 Divine promise. " I have sworn by myself . . . that unto me," etc. ; "I, if I he lifkd up from the earth," etc.; "All power is given unto me . . . go ye therefore," etc. 3. The fitness of the _qospel of 0/,rist for the necessities of men. It provides: (1) A sense of forgiveness of sin. "Be justified." (2) The possession of moml excellency ou. XLV, 1-25.J 'l'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAII. 1H9