to surrounding countries and cities, such as Babylon, Assyria, Persia, Egypt, and Tyre, all of which have been wonderfully and strikingly accomplished; those which refer to our Saviour, many of which have long since been fulfilled; others are now fulfilling, and many yet remain to be accomplished. These have been treated with great perspicuity by Mr. Gibbon, and admirably by Bishop Newton. The third class are those which relate to the Jewish nation, to their treatment of the Messiah, and their consequent sufferings and dispersion; to their present situation, and to their final restoration, their conversion to Christianity, and return to their own land. It is to this latter class of prophecies that the subject now before us belongs.

The Jewish nation, whether we consider their former splendour, or their present degradation, must awaken various feelings in our breasts; and if we carry our views forward, and reflect on the glorious periods to which they are reserved, it must excite in our minds peculiar interest.

Addison has an admirable paper in the Spectator, (495,) on the present state of the Jews.

In treating on this subject, I shall divide my remarks under five general heads.

I. We have every reason to suppose, that the Jews, at some future period, (probably at one time,) will be converted to Christianity, and will acknowledge the true Messiah.

II. It is also probable, that they will then be restored to their own land.

III. Though they will meet with difficulties, they will be enabled, finally, to triumph over all their enemies, and will be established in security and peace.

IV. It is probable that some of their ancient rites and ceremonies will be restored.

V. The conversion of the Heathen will follow that of the Jews.

I. We have every reason to suppose, that the Jews, at some future period, (probably at one time,) will be converted to Christianity.

In the chapter succeeding that from which my text is taken, you have this remarkable prediction ; "Thus saith the Lord God, behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the Heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land; and David my servant shall be king over them; and they shall all have one shepherd;" (the very expression used by our Saviour, in reference to himself;) "there shall be one fold

and one shepherd." "And my servant David shall be their prince for ever." This striking prophecy can refer to no one but the Messiah, for the former David had slept with his fathers for ages before this prediction was penned. That this will be effected at one period, that it will form one grand epocha, one signal æra in their history, may, I think, be gathered from the very tenor of the prophecy. Far be it from me to discourage any private attempts which have been formed, and are now carrying on for the conversion of the Jewish people. Sermons delivered every week for their benefit, must, in this sense, be called private; and I do suppose, that in the course of twelve years, scarcely more than twelve Jews have been converted to Christianity by these means; but I honour every such attempt. If we here and there gather a few ears, as the disciples of old did, when walking on a sabbath day, through a cornfield, it is commendable, and will be accepted ; but this is not the harvest: nor can we suppose that the great body of the nation will be converted in this manner. The present tyrant of France, and scourge of Europe, has lately caused an account to be taken of all the Jews now living upon the earth, and their number is stated to be three millions, one

third of which number are settled in his own immense dominions.

The conversion of so large a body must therefore be effected by very signal means. Many commentators, and other learned men, who have deeply studied the subject, are of opinion, that this great event will be accomplished through the previous conversion of their Rabbies, and the heads of the nation. How much power they have over the lower orders of the people, may be gathered from the very plea which was urged by the Pharisees to the officers who were sent to apprehend our Lord, "Have any of the rulers believed on him?"

One such instance of faith in Christ would go further towards softening prejudices, and removing objections, than the preaching of a christian ministry for years. It has also been supposed, that miracles will be again employed in accomplishing this grand purpose. It seems, indeed, to lie far beyond the present stretch of human ability, but whoever be the agents employed, (as some have supposed,) John the Baptist will be raised from the dead, (the Elias of the last chapter of Malachi,) whether rivers will be dried up, or any other miraculous interference take place, of this we may be certain, that the time will come, when all the house of Israel, however they

may be at present scattered and dispersed, will be brought within the christian fold. Inspiration assures us, that " a nation shall be born in a day," and though this expression is used in the figurative language of scripture, and may include a period of many years, yet it is certainly intended to convey the idea of one signal epocha, one grand event, when, flocking to the standard of the Redeemer, they shall fulfil the declaration of the inspired Psalmist, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power."

II. It is also probable, that the Jews will at that time be restored to their own land. Here we must use caution with respect to the passages we quote, as many of the prophecies were written previous to the Babylonish captivity, consequently, many of the prejudices, alluding to their restoration, may only bear a reference to that event; we must beware, therefore, lest we bring forward those which were accomplished four hundred years before the Christian Era; but if we closely examine, we shall, I think, clearly trace in some a more extensive meaning. Read the words of the text, "I will take you from among the Heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land." Mark the phrase here used, the return from cap