storation may be applied to both facts. For the restoration from the Babylonian captivity was in EVERY RESPECT the very reverse of this circumstantial description of their return in the LATTER DAYS. They therefore admit, that the prophecy has indeed by some been applied as above, and is capable of such a sense, because the prophecies of the scripture are so contrived as to comprehend more than one event, and often admit of a double accom→ plishment.

But the probability or rather certainty, arising from its own internal evidence, that this is the only true application of this prophecy, is supported by other prophecies which coincide with it. There are many which declare in the plainest terms, that the remnant of Israel, that is, the whole body of that nation (which shall be remaining, in the period of the latter days alluded to, and which is still future;) shall come to a general and penitential sense of their own and their fathers sins, the one in rejecting, the other in crucifying the Lord of glory. (1 Cor. ii. 8.-James ii. 1.):

S

The prophet Jeremiah, (1. 4.) after describ ing the destruction of mystical Babylon, or the hierarchy and religious confederacy of the anti-christian church, which is to take place in the latter days, by tremendous revolutions in all the kingdoms into which the roman empire was divided; proceeds to relate one happy effect that shall eventually result from those dreadful convulsions, which are to be the scourge, and at last to inflict the deaths wound of popery. "In THOSE DAYS, and at THAT TIME, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together,* going and WEEPING, they shall go and SEEK THE LORD THEIR GOD." That Christ is the Lord their God, whom they are now inclined to seek, and acknowledge with tears of penitential sorrow, is plain; because from the time of Jeremiah, the jews have never otherwise apostatized from the true God, than by their "refusing to hear that pro

*The distinction of the tribes of Israel is thought to be how lost, though this is not certain, and that of Judah is, no doubt, kept in the ancient manner, after which they are indiscriminately called Jews.

phet like unto Moses, whom the Lord their God raised up unto them of their brethren."— Jesus Christ, the Messias of the prophets, the Lord of glory and the God of Israel. They shall ASK THE WAY TO ZION, with their faces thitherward. Come, say they, and let us join ourselves to the Lord (Christ) in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten."Their faces being turned towards Zion, or the church and truth of God, let it be found wherever it may; with altered minds, and a sincere desire of instruction in the path-way of life, they even ask and gladly accept of religious instruction from without. They heretofore deemed the mosaic covenant a perpetual one, and alledged this as one of their arguments against the admission of any other new covenant, after that hand writing of ordinances which, as being now cancelled, "Christ hath nailed to his cross." 22 But now their eyes and hearts are opened to a more correct view of the prophecies, and they long for nothing so ardently as to join themselves to their God, in his "new covenant, "which he promised he

Jer, xxxi, 31, 33,

would “put in their inward parts, and write upon their hearts."

The prophet then proceeds to give a very affecting view of their miserable condition, previous to this happy change. "My people hath been lost sheep, their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten THEIR RESTING PLACE."-They have wandered in vain from one false hope to another, have been the dupes of false Christs in almost every age, and tamely given themselves up for the general direction of their faith, to "blind leaders of the blind." Their resting place, the temple and altar of God, have been abolished for so many years, that even the remembrance of them is become evanescent, and their restoration utterly hopeless. And of the Messiah, the true rest, and constant hope and expectation of their fathers, they have no longer any distinct idea, or reaşonable expectation; but have discharged him from their minds altogether, by an anathema

upon any future discussions of the time of "All that found them have de

his coming.

voured them, and their adversaries said we offend not," (in any cruelties we inflict upon the jews,)" for they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, even the Lord, the hope of their fathers." (Jer. 1.) That is manifestly, against the Messiah or Christ.

This prophecy of Jeremiah was written not less than 2400 years ago, yet the description it gives of the miserable situation of that deluded people, is so accurate and just, that we have every reason to infer an equal agreement with fact, in the account it gives of their repentance and reconciliation, and the time when, and the manner in which, their long sufferings will be terminated.