they have been followed by the principal deistical writers, Collins, &c. while the generality of Christian divines and expositors steer a middle course; maintaining a double sense of the prophecy, as primarily applicable to Solomon, the immediate son of David: and secondarily, to JESUS CHRIST, his remote son, or descendant:- an ambiguous mode of interpretation, which, (in the present instance, at least,) I apprehend, is equally unsatisfactory to believers and infidels, and ruinous to the rational interpretation of Holy Writ, and, consequently, to the cause of genuine CHRISTIANITY.

The supposed reference of this noble prophecy to Solomon, in the first instance, rests, 1. On the general resemblance of this prophecy to another, recorded 1 Chron. xxii. 7-13, and again, 1 Chron. xxviii. 2-7, whose appropriation to Solomon is unquestionable; and with which Josephus plainly blended the former, Antiq. 7, 4, 4. p. 290. Hudson. And so seems Solomon also, 1 Kings viii. 19. 2. On the authorized translation of the 13th verse of the former prophecy,

If he commit iniquity I will chastize him

"with the rod of men, and with the stripes of "the children of men"-which is supported by all the ancient versions, the Septuagint, the Syriac, the Vulgate, the Arabic, and the Chaldee paraphrase :—And if so, it is justly contended, applies not to CHRIST," who did

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no sin, neither was guile found in his "mouth." 1 Pet. ii. 22. Whereas it fully corresponds to Solomon, who "did evil in the

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sight of the Lord," 1 Kings xi. 1-6, and "with whom THE LORD was angry” and threatened “to rend the kingdom from him." -9.

But however specious these arguments, they will be found wanting in solidity, upon a more critical translation, and more careful comparison of the two prophecies; to which I now proceed:

THE FORMER PROPHECY.

2 SAM. vii. 1-15. And it came to pass when the king dwelt in his house, and THE LORD had given him rest from

1 CHRON. xvii. 1-14. And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said unto

Nathan the prophet:

F

2 SAM. vii. 1-15.

that I brought up the

children of Israel out of Egypt even to this day; but have sojourned in a tent, and in a tabernacle: wheresoever I SOjourned with all the children of Israel, spake I a word to any of the tribes of

1 CHRON. xvii. 1-14. brought up. Israel unto this day; but have been from tent to tent, and from tabernacle [to tabernacle]: nacle]: wheresoever I sojourned with all the children of Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying: why do ye not build me a house of cedar?

Israel whom I com-
manded to feed my
people Israel, saying:
why do ye not build
me a house of cedar?
Now therefore, thus
shalt thou say unto
my servant David;
Thus saith THELORD
OF HOSTS: I took
thee from the cote,
from following the
sheep, to become sheep,
leader over my peo-

Now therefore, thus shalt thou say unto my servant David; Thus saithTHELORD OF HOSTS: I took thee from the cote, from following the sheep, to become leader over my peo