In most of Isaiah's prophecies there is a primary and secondary sense, or a remote subject illustrated by one that is near. The deliverance of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon is constantly used to shadow forth the salvation of men by Jesus Christ. Even the prophet himself is a typical person, and is sometimes intended to represent the great saviour. It is evident from Luke iv. 18 that this is a prophecy of our blessed Lord and his preaching; and yet it is as evident that it primarily refers to Isaiah preaching the glad tidings of deliverance to the Jews.

The opening of the prison "Perfect liberty"] jwq jqp pekach koach.

Ten MSS. of Kennicott's, several of De Rossi's, and one of my own, with the Complutensian, have jwqjqp pekachkoach in one word; and so the Septuagint and Vulgate appear to have taken it: not merely opening of prisons, but every kind of liberty- complete redemption.

The proclaiming of perfect liberty to the bound, and the year of acceptance with JEHOVAH. is a manifest allusion to the proclaiming of the year of jubilee by sound of trumpet. See Lev. xxv. 9, &c. This was a year of general release of debts and obligations, of bondmen and bondwomen, of lands and possessions which had been sold from the families and tribes to which they belonged. Our saviour, by applying this text to himself, (Luke iv. 18, 19,) a text so manifestly relating to the institution above mentioned, plainly declares the typical design of that institution.

Is. 61:1-3 The prophets had the Holy Spirit of God at times, teachin them what to say, and causing them to say it; but Christ had the Spiri always, without measure, to qualify him, as man, for the work to whic he was appointed. The poor are commonly best disposed to receive the gospel, James 2:5; and it is only likely to profit us when receive with meekness. To such as are poor in spirit, Christ preached goo tidings when he said, Blessed are the meek. Christ's satisfaction i accepted. By the dominion of sin in us, we are bound under the power of Satan; but the Son is ready, by his Spirit, to make us free; and the we shall be free indeed. Sin and Satan were to be destroyed; and Chris triumphed over them on his cross. But the children of men, who stan out against these offers, shall be dealt with as enemies. Christ was to be a Comforter, and so he is; he is sent to comfort all who mourn, an who seek to him, and not to the world, for comfort. He will do all thi for his people, that they may abound in the fruits of righteousness, a the branches of God's planting. Neither the mercy of God, the atonemen of Christ, nor the gospel of grace, profit the self-sufficient an proud. They must be humbled, and led to know their own character an wants, by the Holy Spirit, that they may see and feel their need of the sinner's Friend and Saviour. His doctrine contains glad tidings indee to those who are humbled before God.

Is. 61:4-9 Promises are here made to the Jews returned out of captivity, which extend to all those who, through grace, are delivere out of spiritual thraldom. An unholy soul is like a city that is broke down, and has no walls, like a house in ruins; but by the power of Christ's gospel and grace, it is fitted to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. When, by the grace of God, we attain to holy indifference as to the affairs of this world; when, though our hand are employed about them, our hearts are not entangled with them, but preserved entire for God and his service, then the sons of the alie are our ploughmen and vine-dressers. Those whom He sets at liberty, he sets to work. His service is perfect freedom; it is the greates honour. All believers are made, to our God, kings and priests; an always ought to conduct themselves as such. Those who have the Lord for their portion, have reason to say, that they have worthy portion, an to rejoice in it. In the fulness of heaven's joys we shall receive mor than double for all our services and sufferings. God desires truth, an therefore hates all injustice. Nor will it justify any man's robbery to say, it was for burnt-offerings; and that robbery is most hateful whic is under this pretence. Let the children of godly parents be such, tha all may see the fruits of a good education; an answer to the prayer for them, in the fruit of God's blessing.

Is. 61:10,11 Those only shall be clothed with the garments of salvatio hereafter, that are covered with the robe of Christ's righteousnes now, and by the sanctification of the Spirit have God's image renewe upon them. These blessings shall spring forth for ages to come, as the fruits of the earth. So duly, so constantly, and with such advantage to mankind, will the Lord God cause righteousness and praise to sprin forth. They shall spread far; the great salvation shall be publishe and proclaimed, to the ends of the earth. Let us be earnest in prayer that the Lord God may cause that righteousness to spring forth amon us, which constitutes the excellence and glory of the Christia profession __________________________________________________________________

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