earthly state, to those heavenly things thus clearly promised.

Let us now, in conclusion, consider the practical uses of these truly scriptural hopes. And be assured that the scriptures would not have said so much on this subject, if it had not been eminently important for our instruction and edification, and practically beneficial to our souls.

1. DISCERN THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. They are so distinct that he may run that reads them. The Turkish empire is wasting; the unclean spirits of Popery, lawlessness, and infidelity, are stirring up and gathering the kings of the earth to the last war. The way of the Jews is preparing. It is even now seen that Palestine is to be the battle-field of Europe. Popery, in its vast resources of political power and riches, has been wasting and consuming, and the signs of the last infidel Antichrist are appearing. Any day may remove the remaining obstacles of the return of the Jews to their own land. Surely these things are as the blowing of a trumpet, to prepare the people of God for all that God has predicted.

BE DELIVERED FROM A WORLDLY SPIRIT. The peculiar snare and temptation of Great Britain in these days is worldliness, either in its pleasure-loving form, or more generally in its money-trusting, moneyloving, money-getting, money-exalting spirit. Nothing is more calculated to enable us to overcome boasting and glorying in riches, and being puffed up by them, than a clear and scriptural view of the nearness of those great events of the tribulation of the Gentiles, and the personal coming of Christ, which are connected with the restoration of the Jews to their own land. This will shew us the day of tribulation at hand; the return of our Saviour near; that riches profit nothing in the day of wrath; that the true riches are being rich towards God and having treasure in heaven.

BE READY FOR THE LORD'S COMING. It takes place immediately after this completion of the Jewish Tribulation. Matt. xxiv. 29, 30. See what that coming is. It is a day of vengeance and a day of salvation. Do not imagine it to be only joy and glory, and ignorantly wish for it without any preparation. Amos v. 18. warns such-Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, not light. Let then all that is now taking place in the shaking of the nations; the interest about the Jews, and the steps towards their return; be to you as a beacon and an ensign, stirring up these purposes in your soul-" Now I must prepare for my Lord's return; I must get the oil of divine truth in my vessel; I must watch and pray; I must take heed that my heart be not overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon me unawares; I must put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of salvation; and prove thus that I am among the children of light and the children of the day, and not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

TAKE A DEEP INTEREST IN THE JEWISH NATION. They have not been preserved in their dispersion, apart and distinct from all other nations; they do not occupy so large a part of God's own word, without an end corresponding to the peculiarity of God's providential dealings with them. They are as seed sown in the earth, and shall at length be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Nor can you shew mercy and love to them, without obtaining clusters of rich promises, full of benefit to yourself. I will bless them that bless thee-they shall prosper that love thee. Seeing what God has yet to do by this people, cease the maddened folly of scoffing at, despising, or neglecting the Jew, and rejoice in aiding each effort the people of God make for their

spiritual welfare. Remember that Rahab and her family escaped from the general destruction of their country by shewing kindness to the people of God. They now seem to be thrown in the way of all Christians by this Society thus to aid them.

5. ANTICIPATE BY FAITH THE PRECIOUS HOPE THE BIBLE GIVES OF THE RESURRECTION GLORY OF THE CHURCH AND THE FULL BLESSEDNESS OF THE EARTH.

In that period, while the Jewish restoration is going on, the Saviour raises the dead, changes the living saints, and translates his church to their heavenly glory. To belong to his true church now then is the highest wisdom and the truest glory of all, whether Jew or Gentile. Every converted Jew as well as Gentile, now counted worthy of the kingdom of God (2 Thess. i. 5), attains, by believing in Jesus, a greater glory than it is possible for him afterwards to attain. But while the church of Christ has thus pre-eminent glory in the heavens, the new earth is also preparing to be a scene first of millennial, and then of everlasting blessedness. In that new earth God calls his people, Be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create, for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing and her people a joy. Isaiah lxv. 17, 18. In short, righteousness finally and for ever dwells and triumphs over all opposition, filling the habitable globe with love, and peace, and joy, under the happy and never-ending dominion of Christ and his saints.

DISCOURSE IX.

THE REDEEMER COMING FROM THE HEAVENLY ZION.

[PREACHED AT TRINITY CHURCH, DUBLIN, JUNE 14, 1840, AND IN ST. JAMES CHURCH, MANCHESTER, AUGUST 9, 1840.]

ROMANS XI. 26.

There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.

WHATEVER doubts might have been entertained respecting the fulfilment of this prediction as it is contained in the prophecies of Isaiah, those doubts are to us, who believe the New Testament to be the inspired writing of the Holy Ghost, all removed. We have infallible evidence that the prediction is yet unfulfilled.

In the 9th, 10th and 11th chapters of this epistle, written to the Romans, who then possessed the ruling Gentile empire of the world, the apostle gives a most instructive and practical view of the dispensations of God towards Jew and Gentile: illustrating continually thus the great doctrine of his epistle, salvation by the grace of God in Christ through faith ;—Christ being the end of the law for righteousness to every one

that believeth. He then shews how the Jews stumbled at this stumbling-stone, and because of unbelief were broken off; and thence exhorts us not to be high-minded, but fear.

He farther declares that they, if they abide not in unbelief, shall be grafted in; God being able to graft. them in again; and after shewing the probability of it, proceeds to assure us that all Israel shall be saved, grounding it on the prediction of Isaiah, quoted in my text, As it is written, there shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.

May the Holy Spirit graciously assist us, while we consider,

I. The glorious title of Christ.

II. The Zion from which he comes.

III. The Resurrection of his saints as connected with his return.

IV. The mighty work which he will perform for Israel.

I. THE GLORIOUS TITLE OF CHRIST. He is the Deliverer of his people.

In the passage quoted in Isaiah, he is called Redeemer; here it is, Deliverer. The apostle uses a word comprehended in Redeemer; but having a more special reference to a deliverance yet to come; not only from their lengthened unbelief and hardness of heart, but also from the last great tribulation through which they have yet to pass.

In considering this title of Deliverer, notice the grounds which he has to this title. They are many.

1. THE GREAT ATONEMENT WHICH HE HAS MADE. There is one Mediator between God and Man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Here is the great and fundamental truth on which all the hopes