For, if it was intended, that the Jews fhould NOT understand it, then this is in itfelf a PROPHETIC PROOF, that THEY MUST BE WRONG, who have interpreted it, as foretelling THAT event, which the JEWS THEMSELVES CONCEIVED.This, therefore, muft neceffarily be efteemed an indifputable argument, fo far as it applies. And, as it equally reaches ALL FORMER COMMENTATORS, it must neceffarily involve in it, a refutation of ALL their interpretations. But, exactly in proportion as it deftroys theirs, it gives a fanction and authority to mine.

Let

Let it be remembered alfo, that this is not a partial observation, relative only to a particular prophecy,

but a GENERAL PRINCIPLE;which, if health and time be allowed me, I may, perhaps, hereafter fhow, affords a clue to a much clearer knowledge of the prophecies in general, than the world feems as yet to have received.-But, fhould it not be my lot to develope the principle, the HINT, I hope, will be taken; and whether it be, or be not acknowledged, from whom it fprung, will be purfued, I truft, to the conversion of Jews, as well as Gentiles, and the univerfal eftablifhment of the religion of Jefus.

In what year of Ahaz's reign, this fiege of Jerufalem, of which the prophet speaks, was begun, we cannot exactly ascertain from fcripture; but that it was undertaken in the very beginning of it, is the general opinion, and it feems to admit of no doubt. For, from the fecond book of Kings, xv. 37. we learn, that in the latter end of his father's reign, "God began to fend

up against Judah, Rezin, the king "of Syria, and Pekah, the fon of "Remaliah." Though it appears, that Jotham himself worshipped the true God, yet, we are told, "he "did not remove the high places ;" therefore, it seems extremely pro

bable,

bable, that the united armies of Syria and of Ifrael invaded Judea, as foon as Ahaz, who himfelf committed every kind of idolatry, was feated on the throne. That these combined forces did not take Jerufalem, is evident, both from the words of Ifaiah, and of the fecond book of Kings. Though, in our English verfion of the latter, the tranflators are certainly mistaken, in faying, "they could not overcome HIM." When all which is meant, is, that they could not TAKE JERUSALEM. For, by comparing the account of Ahaz's reign, as recorded in the fecond book of Chronicles, with Jofephus's Hiftory,*

History, it is most probable, that it was at this time, (notwithstanding the elegant tranflator of Isaiah thinks it was before, and the learned author of the Connections, thinks it was afterwards) when the Ifraelites flew one hundred and twenty thousand of the men of Judah, (all valiant men) in one day,-when Zichri flew Maaseiah, the king's fon,-and when they took two hundred thousand captives, and carried them away to Samaria. On what authorities, these two learned authors built their refpective opinions, fo totally adverse

to

* See Jofephi Antiq. Jud. vol. 1. lib. 9. c. 12. ed. Hudfon. p. 423.