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ing to the nations generally received , ( which points 1 mean not now to discuss , ) and he quotes this prophecy as applied to Christ , and by the virgin supposes that the Virgin Mary , the mother of our Lord , is intended . Still there is not any sufficient evidence
adduced to set aside the interpretation given . Matthew , even if inspired , and this part genuine , might quote it not as a direct prophecy of the birth of Christ ; but allusively , as a saying which might be applied to him with propriety , though the prophecy did not at all refer to him . He was the
first child of his mother , and he was Immanuel , for in him it was manifested , or he was a sign , that God was with us mankind , and would by him deliver us . Agreeably to this the Greek of St . Matthew raigljt be rendered , " All this was done ; in which was accomplished what the Lord had
spoken by the mouth of the prophet /' &c . ; that is , these are events similar to those spoken of from the Lord , by the mouth of the prophet , &c . The Greek particle , * Iva , when taken adverbially , signifies ubi 9 where , in which , by which . In a similar way we miglrt translate and interpret several other
such passages , in this Evangelist particularly . Thus , ch . ii . ver . 16 , is quoted from Hosea xi . 1 ; where the words of the prophet evidently refer to the calling-of the children 6 f Israel out of Egypt , in the time nrid by tfee hand of Moses . And again , dh . ii .
vers . 17 , 18 , is quoted from Jeremiah xxxi . 15 ; where the words evidently refer to the desolation of Jddah at the time of the captivity to Babylon . But it may be asked , Would it not l ) e more coexistent with the words of
the Evangelist , and the general scope of propliecy , to ^ understand these predictions as referring to more than one distinct , definite event , as paintingout two sittriktfr evettts hap'pening at different and distant times ? By nb means . It would fovlroduce sxrch
confusion and unevttti&my into 4 fce prophecies , as VePy iiefcHy resenflbles tfefc double-meatiing ^ ananws ^ i ? tfcte awdieiit heathen ometes , 'This opeas a wide door to the cavils and aS&e&tions of
infidelity , agfrkfcrt"whidk * #$ trne Ohii 8-tians Should purtfouktrly <** uat * d tfhemeelves and 'tkfci * feate * £ G ^ ritfngs . K this confusion and tfnw ** ft « Vty be ad-
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mitted , why should we not give credit to , and acknowledge the authority of , ancient heathen oracles , whifch , in some ambiguous , similar manner , could aad actually did foretell future exeats ? Than thus to expose our holy religion to eontenipt , and weaken one of the very strong proofs of its divinity and
• m » & * m -m -a -m _ « T truth in the fulfilment of prophecy , it would be better even to suppose a sacred historian mistaken in his application of prophecies ; for inspiration to guard him from the misapplication of these is by no means necessary to enable him to write authentic history . This , however , is not supposed in the
interpretation we have just now given . III . The fulfilment of the prophecy in the event , is what was next proposed to be considered and pointed out . J . The accomplishment of the former part of the prophecy , delivered as a sign unto Ahaz , has been already shewn in the birth of
Maher-shalathash-baz . Of the other part , the land of Syria and Ephraim being left desolate of both her kings before this-child knew to refuse the evil and choose the good , a more particular consideration is required . It fe necessary to refer to notes of time given in the history of these transactions . Before Ahaz came to
the throne , even in the time of Jotham im father , Pekah and Rezin were making preparations for war against Judah and Jerusalem . Ahaz came to
the throne at twenty years of age . Two or three verses after mentioning 4 ; his , without giving any intermediate note of time , in 2 Kings xvi . 5 , it is said , " Then Rezin and Pekah came up to war against Jerusalem . " it may hence be justly inferred , that this
was very soon after Ahaz was seated on the throne ; most probably in the first year of his reign . In Isa . vii . 2 , we are informed , when Ahaz heard of the confederacy of Syria and Ephraim , his heart was moveu . Upon this the prophet is commanded to go to him ,
as related in the foikming verses . Probably , then , Isaiah migfet speak to Ahae , before Regin and ^ Pekak were actually come up against Mm , even -wtdle they were on the &arcli , if not even previously to'their getting out op * t . ft this be supposed < then can ithwe be fi ! o flfrpearahce crf ^ wtetiirig to luvour uhe « wphecy > * as ^ tfie € v < M * t nuifit , in
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ifar . lS . Freeman on the Prophecies of Iwtiah ^ ch . vfi . 505
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vol . xvur . 3 t
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1823, page 505, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1788/page/9/
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