both of which people he had rendered himself obnoxious by the terrify

ing prophecies which he had uttered. The chronicle of Alexandria relates that the Prophet had incensed the Egyptians by predicting that their idols should be overthrown by an earthquake, when the Saviour of the earth should be born and placed in a manger. His prophecies however that are still extant concerning the conquests of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, the servant of God, must have been sufficient to excite the fears and hatred of those against whom they were uttered. added to this account which Ptolemy

It was

received, that Alexander the Great

visiting the tomb of Jeremiah, and hearing what he had predicted con

cerning his person, ordered that the

Prophet's urn should be removed to Alexandria, and built a magnificent monument to his memory. Other accounts, however, relate that the Prophet returned into his own country; and travellers are still shewn a place in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem, where, as they are told, Jeremiah composed his prophecies; and where Constantine erected a tomb to his memory.

EZEKIEL.

EZEKIEL was the son of Buzi, a

descendant of Aaron, of the tribe of

Levi, that is, of the sacerdotal race. He is said to have been a native of Sarera, and to have been carried away captive to Babylon with Jehoiachin king of Judah, A.M. 3406. He settled, or was placed, with many others of his captive countrymen, on the bank of the Chebar, a river of Mesopotamia, where he was favoured with the divine revelations which are described in this book. He is supposed to have prophesied during the period of twenty-one years. He appears to have been mercifully raised up to animate the despondence of his contemporaries in their sufferings and afflictions, and to assure them that they were deceived

in supposing, according to the representations of false prophets, that their countrymen who remained in Judæa were in happier circumstances than themselves; and with this view he describes that melancholy scene of calamities which was about to arise in Judæa; and thence he proceeds to predict the universal apostacy of the Jews, and the total destruction of their city and temple; adverting also, occasionally, to those punishments which awaited their enemies; and interspersing assurances of the final accomplishment of God's purpose, with prophetic declarations of the advent of the Messiah, and with promises of the final restoration

of the Jews. The name of Ezekiel was happily expressive of that inspired confidence and fortitude which he displayed, as well in supporting the adverse circumstances of the captivity, as in censuring the sins and idolatrous propensities of his countrymen. He began to deliver his prophecies about eight or ten years after Daniel, in the fifth year of Jehoiachin's captivity; and as some have supposed, in the thirtieth year of his age. In addition to several popular traditions, it is reported that his countrymen were so incensed by his reproaches as to put him to a cruel death. In the time of Epiphanius it was generally believed