with what follows, plainly fhews the Divine good pleasure that the bufinefs prefcribed fhould be executed with the utmost promptitude and alacrity, notwithstanding the difficulties, oppofitions, and dangers, that lay in the way. In this expreffion, there is an obvious allufion to the reparation of a high way, that, being long neglected, hath funk and become uneven, and which requires to be laid with hard materials, to render it fmooth and easy to travellers. In mending public roads, the first thing to be done is, to throw up the earth that hath fallen into the gutters by the way-fide, and to remove every obstruction that might hinder paffengers in their journey. In allufion to this well-known practice, the way required to be repaired comprises all that is neceffary to be believed and performed, in order to attain eternal falvation.-The rule of faith and obedience, which fhews what is to be avoided, and what is to be done, in the worship and service of God by his people, who are preffing forward in their journey toward the heavenly and better country— The way of truth, whereby faith must be regulated; the way of God's precepts, in which the Church muft proceed in acceptable worship and good difcipline.

This road of duty is required to be caft up, which intimates, that it had fallen into difrepair, and become disagreeable and tedious, fo that it needed to be reftored to its former ftate, and new made, that travellers might not err therein, and that it might ferve the purposes for which it was intended. Much labour and pains were to be bestowed by thofe called to this arduous work, in arranging, explaining, and illuftrating the doctrines, the precepts, the worship, and difcipline contained in the Scriptures, that they who walk according to that rule might make the greatest progress with ease and fatisfaction.-Take up the Stumbling-block out of the way of my people, which ignorance, tyranny, fuperftition, and prejudice, hath laid in the way of God's falvation-clear it of the

errors

errors which have been introduced, of the rubbish wherewith it is clogged, and of thofe occafions of people's falling into fin, and lofing their integrity, that juftly give offence. By fuch measures render the way fmooth and plain, take heed that every thing be confiftent with the new economy of grace, and the teftimony of Jefus Chrift and his apoftles; that fo no impediment may hinder the fervants of God from advancing in the way of truth and holinefs. If you wish to be acquainted with the fulfilment of this prophecy, read the hiftory of the Reformation, effected by means of thofe eminent men that the Lord God raised up, and qualified for accomplishing this great work, whofe aftonishing exertions he crowned with glorious fuccefs, infomuch that from the time of the apoftles, nothing comparable to it had ever been done in the world or the Church. At this momentous epoch, to which our prophet feems to refer, when the moft illuftrious of all the revolutions that happened in the state of Chriftianity, fince the days of its Divine, immortal Founder, was introduced that happy change into religion, which is known by the name of the glorious Reformation. By this memorable event, which adorns the records of the fixteenth century, the way of the Lord was prepared, occafions of ftumbling were taken away, truth was cleared from those mistakes whereby it had been obfcured, the worship of God was refcued from idolatry and fuperftition, the Scriptures were brought into ufe, explained and applied, and the way of falvation, through faith in the obedience of Jesus Christ, was freed from the incumbrances with which it had been loaded. The prefent age fenfibly feels, and future ages will continue to perceive the ineftimable advantages produced by this grand revolution, which extended its influence not only to the kingdoms of Europe, but the moft diftant empires on the earth.

15. For

15. For thus faith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whofe name is holy, I dwell in the high and holy place; with him alfo that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Thefe words contain a magnificent defcription of the infinite grandeur of jehovah, and an amiable representation of his adorable condefcenfion and grace, which are intended to adminifter confolation to the humble and broken fpirit. The fentiment, which is truly fublime, may be confidered either in reference to what preceded, as a reason why the Moft, High foretold the reformation of the Church, that thofe who deeply lamented the prevailing corruption of the times might be affured of the presence and confolations of God.-Or, it may be viewed as connected with what is fubjoined in the following verfes, and defigned to comfort their hearts, who, having abandoned the errors they had embraced, and returned from their iniquities into the way of truth, with the reviving affurance that Jehovah would dwell in them, and vouchfafe to bless them with the communications of his grace. Though this, like the other prophecies, came not of old by the will of man, but the fervants of God fpake as they were moved by the Holy Ghoft,' it is remarkable, that, when they uttered things of peculiar moment and intereft, which might be credited with difficulty, to give the more authority to what they deliver, the fubject is introduced with words of fimilar import to those before us.

For thus faith the high and lofty One, who, in respect of exiftence, perfection, dominion, and glory, is greatly exalted above all who are called gods. As Solomon acknowleged, rie is righer than the higheft of the

* Eccl. v. 8.

creatures

creatures he hath made, who are infinitely inferior to him in excellence, dignity, and glory. He is the first and the last, the fame yesterday, to-day, and for ever. He alone, who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach, hath immortality; though angels, and men also after the refurrection, fhall never die, it is the peculiar prerogative of Jehovah, that he hath immortality, which is an effential property of his nature-Whose name is holy. He is perfectly free from all manner of impurity, being infinitely and immutably holy, in his nature and attributes, in his word and works, of which he hath exhibited the most ftriking proofs and demonftrations. He calls his people unto holiness, he actually renders them holy, declaring that he himself is the fource, the pattern, the rule, and motive of all the fanctity they poffefs. -I dwell in the high and holy place. The bleffed God hath his peculiar refidence in the highest heavens, which are emphatically denominated the habitation of his holiness; where he is contemplated, adored, and served by all the celestial hofts. Though his prefence fills heaven and earth, he affirms that he dwells on high; because he there affords the brightest manifeftations of his tranfcendent glory, and his exalted worshippers are admitted to delightful intercourfe with him. By this very fublime defcription, he afferts his infinite exaltation above the whole creation, and their entire dependence on his fovereign pleasure.

With him alfo that is of a humble and contrite spirit. He who dwelleth not in temples made with hands,. whose throne is the heaven, and whose footstool is the earth; amid all the fplendors of his glorious habitation, the great God condefcends to look, with gracious regard and tender compaffion, on the humble and contrite, whofe minds are grieved, and whose hearts are broken, on account of their depravity, imbecility, and innumerable tranfgreffions-Whofe fpirits are depreffed with an afflicting fenfe of their

fpiritual

fpiritual poverty, of the weakness of their graces, of the deficiencies attending their best services, of the ftrength of their corrupt paffions, and their unspeakable need of the righteousness and grace of the great Redeemer. With perfons of this character the eternal Jehovah is pleased to dwell. He not only visits, but he takes up his abode with them, he takes poffeffion of their hearts, he erects his throne in their fouls, he converfes with them as one does with his intimate friend. He beautifies them with Divine grace, he imparts to them the eblightning, fanctifying, and comforting influences of his Spirit; by his power, he affords them protection and establishment; by his wisdom, he fupplies them with inftruction and direction; by his tender compaffion, he relieves them under all their troubles; and from his goodness, he enriches and abundantly fatisfies them. Those who are thus highly favoured of the Lord, admiring and adoring his wonderful condefcenfion, adopt with pleasure the exclamation of the fweet Pfalmift of Ifrael, What is man that thou art mindful of him *' • Though God be high he hath respect to the lowlyt'. -How generous the defign which Jehovah effects by this gracious difpenfation! intended

To revive the Spirit of the humble. To adminifter fuccour, and to pour divine confolations into the heart dejected by an afflictive sense of the awful displeasure of the Almighty, manifefted against fin-To folace the difconfolate mind, depreffed by difquieting grief, and langurthing under penitent convictions of the malignity and guilt of tranfgreffion-To grant deliverance from diftrefs and dreaded calamities, and by his quickening Spirit to render lively, vigorous, and cheerful. The expreffion is repeated, to intimate the abfolute certainty of this happy effect, which fhall not fail to refult from the refidence of the Lord God in the humble heart. He will fupport and animate the contrite, in all their sharp difquietudes

and