_THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH IN THE ABUNDANT ACCESS OF THE GENTILES, AND THE GREAT BLESSINGS AFTER A SHORT AFFLICTION._ _Before Christ 698._ THE state of the church is here exhibited in a perfection which approaches nearest to the divine, the most beautiful and glorious imaginable; though we are yet t... [ Continue Reading ]
ARISE, SHINE— "Arise from your state of darkness and mourning, and enter into a state of light and happiness; that thou mayest be able to enlighten others: shew thy native beauty; suffer thyself to be so strongly illuminated by the glory of the Lord, that thou mayest be a light to others." For this... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, BEHOLD, &C.— The design of the Holy Spirit in this clause seems to be, to describe the state of the nations of the world at the time when God should illuminate the church with this light, as a new advent of his Son, and a repeated manifestation of his divine kingdom. Many have thought from this... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THOU SHALT SEE, &C.— _Then shalt thou fear, and overflow with joy; and thy heart shall be ruffled, and dilated,_ &c. Lowth. The prophet here shews first, that the nations who were to be added to the church should not come empty-handed, but prepared to give not only themselves but all their poss... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ARE THESE THAT FLY? &C.— Vitringa understands by this new crowd of believers hastening to the church, the Greeks and Asiatics, and those of the west, groaning under the Ottoman empire, who, having long sat in a state of ignorance and superstition, at this period shall be freed from their yoke, a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SONS OF STRANGERS, &C.— The discourse here rises, and will continue to rise, till the end of the section, that the blindest may discern spiritual things involved in these corporeal figures and emblems. It is not sufficient that the _nations_ only, with their wealth and possessions, shall be... [ Continue Reading ]
THY OFFICERS— _Thine inspectors._ Lowth.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SUN, &C.— Every body must perceive that this sublime passage is to be understood metaphorically; and the meaning is, that at the period here spoken of, the church shall be illuminated much more brightly by the divine Glory and Majesty, than the sun and moon illuminate and adorn with their lustre... [ Continue Reading ]
THY PEOPLE ALSO SHALL BE ALL RIGHTEOUS— It was proper that the prophetic discourse, big with such excellent promises, should set forth the quality of the citizens of this blessed and fortunate city; for so many and excellent privileges cannot belong to any but the most faithful through divine grace.... [ Continue Reading ]