The doctrine of the Gospel pierced the hearts of its hearers, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. " The metaphor of the sword and the arrow, applied to powerful speech, is bold, yet just. It has been employed by the most ingenious heathen writers, if with equal elegance, not with equal force. It is said of Pericles by Aristophanes, (see Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, xii. vi. )] outwv ekhlei, kai monov twn rhtorwn to kentron egkateleipe toiv akrowmenoiv. Apud. Diod. lib. xii.

His powerful speech Pierced the hearer's soul, and left behind Deep in his bosom its keen point infixed.

Pindar is particularly fond of this metaphor, and frequently applies it to his own poetry:- epece nun skopw toxon, age, qume. tina ballomen ek malqakav aute fre� nov eukleav oistouv �ientev; Olymp. ii. 160.

"Come on! thy brightest shafts prepare, And bend, O Muse, thy sounding bow; Say, through what paths of liquid air Our arrows shall we throw?" WEST. See also ver. 149 of the same ode, and Olymp. ix. 17, on the former of which places the Scholiast says, tropikov o logov� belh de touv logouv eorhke, dia to oxu kai kairion twn egkwmiwn. "He calls his verses shafts, by a metaphor, signifying the acuteness and the apposite application of his panegyric." This person, who is (ver. 3) called Israel, cannot in any sense be Isaiah.

That name, in its original design and full import, can only belong to him who contended powerfully with God in behalf of mankind, and prevailed, Gen. xxxii. 28. After all that Vitringa, Bp. Lowth, and others have said in proof of this chapter speaking of the Messiah, and of him alone, I have my doubts whether sometimes Isaiah, sometimes Cyrus, and sometimes the Messiah, be not intended; the former shadowing out the latter, of whom, in certain respects, they may be considered the types. The literal sense should be sought out first; this is of the utmost importance both in reading and interpreting the oracles of God.

Is. 49:1-6 The great Author of redemption shows the authority for his work. The sword of his word slays the lusts of his people, and all a enmity with them. His sharp arrows wound the conscience; but all thes wounds will be healed, when the sinner prays to him for mercy. But eve the Redeemer, who spake as never man spake in his personal ministry often seemed to labour in vain. And if Jacob will not be brought bac to God, and Israel will not be gathered, still Christ will be glorious This promise is in part fulfilled in the calling of the Gentiles. Me perish in darkness. But Christ enlightens men, and so makes them holy and happy.

Is. 49:7-12 The Father is the Lord, the Redeemer, and Holy One of Israel, as sending the Son to be the Redeemer. Man, whom he came to save, put contempt upon him. To this he submitted for our salvation. He is a pledge for all the blessings of the covenant; in him God wa reconciling the world to himself. Pardoning mercy is a release from the curse of the law; renewing grace is a release from the dominion of sin both are from Christ. He saith to those in darkness, Show yourselves Not only see, but be seen, to the glory of God, and your own comforts Though there are difficulties in the way to heaven, yet the grace of God will carry us over them, and make even the mountains a way. Thi denotes the free invitations and the encouraging promises of the gospel, and the outpouring of the Spirit.

Is. 49:13-17 Let there be universal joy, for God will have mercy upo the afflicted, because of his compassion; upon his afflicted, becaus of his covenant. We have no more reason to question his promise an grace, than we have to question his providence and justice. Be assure that God has a tender affection for his church and people; he would no have them to be discouraged. Some mothers do neglect their children but God's compassions to his people, infinitely exceed those of the tenderest parents toward their children. His setting them as a mark of his hand, or a seal upon his arm, denotes his being ever mindful of them. As far as we have scriptural evidence that we belong to his ransomed flock, we may be sure that he will never forsake us. Let u then give diligence to make our calling and election sure, and rejoic in the hope and glory of God.

Is. 49:18-23 Zion is addressed as an afflicted widow, bereaved of he children. Numbers flock to her, and she is assured that they come to be a comfort to her. There are times when the church is desolate and fe in number; yet its desolations shall not last for ever, and God wil repair them. God can raise up friends for returning Israelites, eve among Gentiles. They shall bring their children, and make them the children. Let all deal tenderly and carefully with young converts an beginners in religion. Princes shall protect the church. It shal appear that God is the sovereign Lord of all. And those who in the exercise of faith, hope, and patience, wait on God for the fulfilmen of his promises, shall never be confounded.

Is. 49:24-26 We were lawful captives to the justice of God, ye delivered by a price of unspeakable value. Here is an express promise Even the prey of the terrible shall be delivered. We may here vie Satan deprived of his prey, bound and cast into the pit; and all the powers that have combined to enslave, persecute, or corrupt the church are destroyed; that all the earth may know that our Saviour an Redeemer is Jehovah, the mighty One of Jacob. And every effort we make to rescue our fellow-sinners from the bondage of Satan, is, in some degree, helping forward that great change __________________________________________________________________

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