_CHRIST PERSUADETH THE CHURCH TO BELIEVE HIS FREE REDEMPTION, TO RECEIVE THE MINISTERS THEREOF, TO JOIN IN THE POWER THEREOF, AND TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM BONDAGE. CHRIST'S KINGDOM SHALL BE EXALTED._ _Before Christ 719._... [ Continue Reading ]
AWAKE, &C.— This second apostrophe is again directed to the church, about the time of the manifestation of the kingdom of God. The prophet, by the Spirit, beholds this church, heretofore brought out of Egypt, and delivered from the Assyrians, again, to its great grief, mixed with the profane and imp... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD— In the third verse, which sets forth the true redemption of the church of Christ, we have the foundation of the preceding exhortation; of which this redemption was the true and proper cause. When the time of redemption was at hand, it became the church to assume the dress pr... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW BEAUTIFUL, &C.— While the Son of God manifested himself in the flesh to his people, the prophet, immediately rapt into ecstacy, beholds first the evangelists, chosen by the Lord throughout Judaea; then the apostles, and their contemporaries, departing by the Lord's command from Jerusalem; announ... [ Continue Reading ]
BREAK FORTH INTO JOY— See chap. Isaiah 44:23 Isaiah 49:13. The figure here used is single, designed to set forth the greatness and excellence of the benefit of redemption. This address first animates the restored church to celebrate the divine praises with its utmost power; and secondly sets forth t... [ Continue Reading ]
DEPART YE, &C.— They who compose the true church are set forth in this apostrophe, as in the communion of a certain polluted people and state. They are commanded to separate themselves from this people and its communion, and, being properly purified, to depart thence upon a certain expedition, to be... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, MY SERVANT SHALL DEAL PRUDENTLY— The prophet having proceeded thus far in setting forth the redemption designed for true believers, and the manner and means of manifesting this great work, as well as the success of it, in the conversion of the Gentiles; he now introduces God the Father decla... [ Continue Reading ]