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vailed among the heathen nations to owe its origin to the difperfion of Daniel's Prophecy by the Jews, or he will trace it to the patriarchal ages. The univerfality of this expectation would alone render it highly probable that the knowledge of Prophecy confirmed and corrected tradition, rather than produced it. But if it be granted, and I fee not how it can be denied, that the hope of a Redeemer was given in the very earliest times, and continued to exift throughout the world, though obfcured and deformed by allegory and idolatry, probability rises almost into certainty.

The confidence and eagernefs with which the Pagans looked for this " mighty Prince, who was to restore the golden age," is fcarcely to be accounted for upon the fuppofition, that they received the first intimation of this great event from the Jews, who were too much accustomed to interpret the promise of the Meffiah as exclufively beneficial to themfelves. But when, by the translation of the inspired writings into a language very generally understood, and by the increased intercourse among the learned of all countries, it was found that the Prophecies contained in the writings of this fingular people (whose

VOL. I.

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wonderful history must add authority to their Scriptures) perfectly agreed with a tradition which had exifted from the most remote antiquity, hope would gradually gain strength, and fpread itself among the people. The particular information given by Daniel concerning the time when "the Defire of all nations" was to appear, would animate enquiry, and the general ftate of the world was calculated to heighten expectation. Thus the common belief afferted by the historians who wrote concerning this remarkable period, becomes clearly explicable-the worship of the Magi will cease to excite furprise,—and the dying injunction of Confucius in the diftant regions of China, will no longer appear credible." A great Legislator "A mighty Conqueror, who was to deliver the world. from evil-establish the kingdom of peace and blifs-renew the happiness of the golden age, and extend his aufpicious dominion over the whole earth," are terms in which this expectation is expreffed by many very antient authors. And we find this subject particu

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Prideaux, vol. ii. p. 492. 1 Macc. iv. 46. xiv. 41. Kidder's Demonftration of the Meffiah, part i. p. 13. Chandler's Defence, c. i. The Indian Vedas.

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larly mentioned by the hiftorians who wrote near the time of our Lord's appearance.

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Julius Marathus, quoted by Suetonius in his Life of Octavius, mentions a Prophecy which then prevailed, that "Nature was about to bring forth a fon, that should be King of the Romans." It is true, Flattery applied this Prophecy to the Emperor; but the borrowed it from Public Opinion, drawn from a higher Source. Tacitus affirms*, "that a perfuafion prevailed with great numbers, that it was evident from the antient books of the priests, that at the time when Titus conquered the Jews, the Eaft fhould have the pre-eminence, and that those who came from Judea fhould obtain the empire of the world." "An antient and general opinion (fays Suetonius") had very much prevailed over all parts of the Eaft, that it was ordained by the fates, for those who came from Judea to obtain the fupreme dominion." It fhould be ob

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This phrafe expreffes fomething more than ordinary both in the cause and the effect; for here nature herself, or the God of nature, is made the immediate agent of his birth; and he must far exceed the condition of mere humanity, who was to derive his origin from fuch a parent. Prideaux, vol. ii. p. 492.

Taciti Hift. c. xiii.

"In Vefpafian, c. 4.

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ferved,

ferved, that Suetonius, Tacitus, and Jofephus, were by no means inclined to favour the Christian caufe; and that their opportunities of being well informed rendered them fully competent to speak to the Fact—that this expectation did generally prevail at the precise time when Jefus Chrift, the Meffiah-the Prince-fo particularly defcribed by Daniel, was manifefted to the world.

CLASS

CLASS I.

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.

The Promife of John the Baptift, the MefSenger, or Forerunner of the Meffiah, given 400 Years before his Birth.

BEHOLD, I will fend my messenger, and he Shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye feek, fhall fuddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, faith the Lord of bofts. But who may abide the day of bis coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's fope: and he shall fit as a refiner and purifier of filver: and he shall purify the fons of Levi, and purge them as gold and filver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteoufnefs. Then fhall the offering of Judah and Jerufalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

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