of what has been tranfacted, is now tranfacting, and will hereafter take place upon the great theatre of the world, as far as they relate to the concerns of true religion. Many of thefe predictions are delivered with the greateft degree of accuracy, precifion, and minutenefs; and all of them refpect one par-. ticular train of events, either directly or ultimately-many of them relate to one particular perfon, and to one only.—and one particular period of time, and one only; but more contain a first and secondary reference to particular objects of a fimilar kind, at different points of time, which, far from rendering them of vague and uncertain fignification, more fully establishes their title to our faith and admiration. Founded upon the bafis of eternal truth, no human device can undermine, no human effort can overturn them. The declarations of Prophecy, confidered with respect to their design, as well as their extent, are the most fublime that can be imagined the most gracious for the Supreme Being to impart, and moft beneficial for man to receive. The feed of the woman is ordained to bruise the serpent's head, as foon as man had fallen from his original ftate of innocence and happiness. Preparations are made for the Redeemer, and a more diftinct profpect - is is given of his perfon, office, and dignity, à3 the fulness of time for his appearance approaches; and the progrefs of his Religion-the fufferings and triumphs of his Church—and his conqueft over Satan, and his attendants, fin and death, gradually extend to the confines of the world, and finish the mystery of God."-Such is the outline of the wonderful scheme of Prophecy! which is harmonious and complete in all its parts, and be traced through almost every page of the Old and New Teftaments. may It is fcarcely poffible to contemplate Prophecy as a regular system, without perceiving its direct tendency to prove the constant overruling providence of God, and the truth and certainty of divine Revelation, which must be confidered as its most important use. The evidence arifing from Prophecy is a The divine defign, unigrowing evidence. formly purfued through a feries of fucceffive generations, opens with a greater degree of clearness, in proportion to the lapse of time and the number of events. An increase of age is an addition to its ftrength; and the nearer we approach the point, towards which the difpenfations of God unvaryingly tend, the more clearly fhall we difcern the wonder ful - ful regularity, confiftency, and beauty of this ftupendous plan for univerfal good. Of the great ufe of Prophecies which have been fulfilled, as a direct and ftrong argument to convert unbelievers to Chriftianity, and to establith Chriftians in the Faith, we have the most ample proofs. Our Lord himself made very frequent appeals to Prophecy, as evidence of his divine miffion; he referred the Jews to their own Scriptures, as most fully and clearly bearing witnefs of himself. Upon them he grounded the neceffity of his fufferings; upon them he fettled the faith of the Disciples at Emmaus, and of the Apostles at Jerufalem. The fame fource fupplied the eloquence of St. Peter and St. Paul, and the means with which Apollos "mightily convinced the Jews." This was a powerful inftrument of perfuafion in the fucceeding ages of the Church, when used by the primi tive apologists. Upon this topic were employed the zeal and diligence, not only of Juftin Martyr, but Tertullian, Cyprian, and Auguftine. It would never have been so frequently employed, if it had not been well adapted to the defired end: and that it did most completely answer this end, by the converfion of unbelievers, is evident from the accounts VOL. I. D accounts of Scripture, and the records of the primitive Church. -- Prophecy keeps the attention of Chriftians alive to the truth and importance of their holy Religion to its truth, becaufe Prophecy and Chriftianity had one and the fame origin, both being derived from the fame Fountain of perfection; it keeps them alive to its importance, becaufe Prophecy fhews that the Supreme Being has vouchfafed through a long fucceflion of ages to prepare mankind, by gradual revelations of his will, for future bleffings; and has proved, by fending chofen meffengers to ufher in this final difpenfation, that the teftimony of Jefus is the fpirit of Prophecy." -It cons firms the general belief of a God, and points out to a careless world the plain traces of his watchful providence. It displays the counfels of infpiration inceffantly directing the courfe of events, without violating the order of reafon and of human action.- Such knowledge is too wonderful for us! fuch power is above our comprehenfion! But the fact is placed before our eyes. We fee, or may fee, a regular train of Prophecies tending towards one declared end, accurately fulfilled and fulfilling amidft all the confufion and oppofition of this tumultuous world and we fee that thefe Prophecies are clear, both in prediction and accomplishment, in proportion to their importance in fixing our belief in the providence of God, and in the great truths of divine Revelation. Thus it appears, that the chief defign of Prophecy is to bear conftant witness to religious truth-But though to convince gainfayers of this truth, is juftly confidered as its principal ufe, it has another very important object, to which it well becomes us to pay attention, from motives of gratitude, as well as from fear of incurring the blame, which Scripture invariably imputes to thofe who neglect to take advantage of the light afforded them. -It is defigned to protect believers in the word of God from the dangers arifing from the prevalent corruptions, errors, and vices of the age in which they live. The due confideration of Prophecy will adminifter confolation amidst prefent diftrefs, and enliven faith and elevate hope, whilst paffing through thofe dark depreffing scenes, which, without this gracious aid, might lead through the intricacies of doubt to the gloom of despair. |