OR THE MESSIAH AS REVEALED IN THE TYPES AND BY PROPHETS AND EVANGELISTS. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: BELFAST: SHEPHERD AND AITCHISON. LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. EDINBURGH: SHEPHERD AND ELLIOT. MDCCCLVI.> PREFACE. THE visible and audible communications from heaven were continuously and chiefly made to particular persons; and sometimes to large assemblies on the small portion of the earth called Judea, or the Holy Land, and the wilderness between it and the Red Sea; or when there were interpositions on behalf of the race of Abraham whilst dwelling in other lands, In this way the Scriptures have been completed; and they are a vast treasury of truth given in concise language-subjects of richness and importance sufficient to fill volumes, are condensed into a few sentences; and although they were communicated from time to time, over a space of more than four thousand years, harmony pervades them-the power, glory, intelligence, decision, and love, that shine in the first of Genesis, are equally to be found in the last of Revelation; but although that is so, the revelations were made at times and in ways most various; and it is left to them to whom they are given, to trace the doctrines, to unite the facts and circumstances that unfold the character and form the history, or any part 277294 of it, of each individual whose name has a place in the sacred pages. All the human characters made known in them, who feared and served the Lord, have passed from earth, and are now in their heavenly home. One alone, whose words and actions are more minutely described than any-the delineation of whom commences at the beginning, and is not completed till the end of the Holy Book-takes the same interest in earth as he did when he walked upon it. A biography of him is of one who is ever near us, and ever beholding us, intercepted only from our view-not taken away-by the heavens into which he has ascended. The Jewish nation were often favoured with signs from heaven-sensible appearances- -from the eternal and invisible throne; besides the period when Immanuel associated with them, their land was often as a presence-chamber of the Great King, from whence his will issued to rule the remotest ends of the earth. Knowledge about the works of creation is much desired; to ascertain the materials of which the earth is formedthe manner in which they are arranged-the structure of the innumerable creatures that inhabit it-the order and dimensions of the heavenly bodies, &c. But the human intellect is left to its own industry and wisdom to make discoveries of these; no supernatural aid is given; and it is rewarded by success after patient toil. All the communications from heaven are regarding the way of acceptance of the human race with their Creator, and the regulation of their conduct.. In this work, large use has been made of Scott and Doddridge, as will be immediately perceived by all who are conversant with these noble commentators. Many of the prophecies of Messiah, equally instructive, have not been touched on; the subject is so vast, it was impossible to include all, or to do justice to any. An unbroken line of quotation from the Scriptures is given, so that the life of Messiah, by the inspired penmen, can be read in that way—the uninspired part by itself, or the latter compared with the former. |