in this age of wonders, almost every coming year presents us with.

In whatever manner the application of such an apostle be made to the people of the jews, in such altered circumstances, and such a state of mind as I have supposed, (and which ne cessarily must be the case, whenever their su pernatural prejudice gives way;) it will have a great and sudden effect. If he addresses them by a personal ministry, and shews them their present forlorn condition so clearly represent→ ed in their own prophets as it is, together with the causes to which they have attributed their sufferings, how can they any longer refuse to admit the truth of his premises? Or if by epistles, in the manner of the apostles

The effect of the Epistles sent to the christian churches, in aid of the personal ministry of the apostles, must have been very great, and such a method of exciting the expectation and attention of the jews at the critical time may be equally so. The prophet Isaiah, xviii. 2, seems to allude to something of this sort, upon that occasion of blowing the trumpet to Israel: "sending embassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, go ye swift messengers," c. These swift messengers Bishop Lowth, in a note, thinks

of Jesus, he reasons the case with them more at large; how can they deny the prudence of the exhortation he will give them, to re-consider the matter in solemn conference together, with unanimous and earnest supplication to the God of their fathers, for his peculiar illumination and grace in so serious a conjuncture?

The happy effect of such a well-timed application cannot be doubted, even if we suppose the gift of miracles, or other prophetic tokens of a divine inspiration and commission

may mean not any embassadors specially appointed, but the ordinary conveyers of news. But it seems more probable that letters, or circular and general epistles to the jews, are meant there; since no other messenger could be conveyed upon the sea, though they might be upon the Nile, in vessels of bulrushes, or papyrus. But as this was the only material of which paper for writing was anciently made, it may be a very sufficient vessel, or infolding material, for the conveyance of news either by sea or land. The jews being dispersed in all nations, the communication must reach them by sea, as well as by land. The epithet "swift," is peculiarly applicable to an epistolary messenger; and being sent upon the waters, (a common figure of people and nations,) intimates, in figurative language, their being forwarded from nation to nation. The figurative expression, riz Tpóra, winged words, in Homer, is more bold than this of "intelligencers conveyed in vehicles of paper," in Isaiah.

out of the question; provided the circumstances in which the messenger shall be placed, be providentially such, as shall vindicate his humane and pious attempt from the obvious suspicion of interested or ambitious views; from which even the meekness and modesty of Moses could not exempt him, though armed with the majesty of a divine Power.

"So I prophesied as I was commanded, and as I prophesied, there was a noise." Seasonable and sound reasoning, backed by divine grace with a peculiar force of impression, at this time begins to take effect upon their minds, awakening from their long and deep sleep. A communication of their altering sentiments and new hopes, spreads with the rapidity of lightning, which may give a second fulfilment to our Saviour's words,"so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt. xxiv.) A noise and bustle, unusual amongst that palsied people, begins to arise. "And behold! a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone."

The effect is soon encreased by political meet

R

ings and associations, perhaps permitted bý the civil governments under which the jews live, or if otherwise, yet by divine Providence brought about in opposition to their unjust restraint. For thus at first the faith of Christ made its way, and the blood of the martyrs' was the seed of the church. In this state of forwardness, the holy cause advances with rapid progress, and the dry bones are soon covered with sinews, for the cementing of their union, and flesh, or means of support, and power of motion. This figure seems to intimate the regular systematic organization of corresponding societies, and congregated bodies of jews, and the liberal subscription of their own wealth and power, and that of all the well-wishers to their cause, with the like disinterestedness and holy enthusiasm to that which distinguished the christian religion, in its first efforts for self-preservation. "They had all things in common, and sold houses and lands, and laid down the money at the apostles feet." "The skin also," (says the prophet,) "covered them above, but there was yet no breath in them."-The jews had been all

along a nation, (and not merely a religious sect,) distinct and separate from every people among whom they sojourned; but scattered, and without any political union or concert, or any connecting ties except those of religion alone, like dry and separated bones. But now, by the almighty fiat, bone had come to his bone, and there wanted no property of a living body, but the breath or soul, which as in the original creation of man, so here also, is the last act of this spiritual creation, and the perfecting of the work of God.

In this wonderful prophecy, there is a marked, and (perhaps slowly) progressive advancement, of the mysterious process of regeneration, by several steps; perhaps unobserved, or deemed of trivial importance at the time. Thus often in the course of God's providential government of the world, mighty revolutions are beforehand preparing in secret, and from small beginnings events of the utmost magnitude originate. When all things are in a state of suitable arrangement, then, suddenly and irresistibly, the great