a figurative sense, to denote that by the preaching of the Gospel of CHRIST, the minds and tempers of Men would be reformed, and the most untoward difpofitions would become meek and gentle. But, whether this prophecy is to be interpreted in a literal, or in a figurative fenfe; whether it is to be applied to the natural or to the moral world; if it is a good method to judge of the time of the accomplishment of a prophecy by the coincidence of the event, we fhall find it hard to determine how this has as yet been fulfilled. For favage Brutes continue to be favage; and Men are not much better. Either then, we have mistaken the day of his coming; or, (as the Jews tell us,) he would have appeared at the appointed time, but the fins of Men withheld him; or, (and which as a Chriftian I conclude to be the cafe,) he hath appeared, the root hath long fince fhot forth the Branch, and the bleffed event would long fince have taken place, both literally and figuratively, in the natural world as well as in the moral world, if men would permit the Branch to grow; that is, if Chrif tians would become Chriftians indeed, and by their good example engage all the kingdoms of this world to become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chrift. Rev. xi. 15. But natural Evil is fo closely connected with moral evil, that until fin be taken away, the effect of fin muft continue. 3 If men would would learn to fear GOD, and to obferve his laws; if the Earth were full of the Knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the Seas*, Nature herself would wear another face. All would be peace, harmony, and love. Men would become merciful; Savage Brutes would become tame; and the tame Brutes would no more groan under the lash, and bear the weight of the fins of Men; but all, both Men and Brutes would experience the bleffing of the renovating change. When the LION fall eat straw like the OX, as he once did +, the Lion will be as tame as the Ox; * Ifaiah xi. 9. † And God faid-To EVERY BEAST of the Earth-I have given every green Herb for Meat. Gen. i. 30. but fo long as there is a difobedient Prophet in Bethel*, fo long muft the Lion retain his fiercenefs as a terror and executioner of GOD's judgment; and fo long muft his fiercenefs be fupported and fed with the invigorating blood of the flain. But thefe SHEEP what have they done? Why fhould innocent CATTLE fuffer because of the fins of Men? I anfwer, by a fimilar queftion; Why fhould innocent Children fuffer for the fins of wicked parents? When the House is overthrown, the whole family muft perish. For though GOD may spare Nineveh for a while for the fake of the innocent 1 Kings xiii. 24. Children 3 Children and Cattle; yet, if Nineveh will not repent, the innocent CATTLE must fall in the general ruin, but as guiltless as the innocent Children which cannot difcern between their right hand and their left hand. Jonah. iv. 11, Till we are able to account why innocent Children fhould fuffer for the fins of others, let it not be particularly alledged as an objection to the Mercy of GOD towards the Brutes, that the Brutes fhould fuffer likewife. His Mercy ought no more to be called in question in the one cafe, than in the other; nor to a confiderate mind will it be questioned in either cafe. For, indeed, it can hardly be avoided in public diftress, but |