ness is depicted by the serenity and dictions for the amusement and confidence of peaceful life. This entertainment of the world: there allegorical language being founded must be some end worthy of the in ideas universally prevalent, and author." Now, what end could adhered to with invariable re- this be but to keep alive in the lation and regular analogy, has minds of those to whom it was furnished great ornament and el- given a sense of religion, and a egance to the sacred writings. hope of a future deliverance from Sometimes, however, the inspired the curse of the fall through Jesus penmen drew their allusions from Christ? "The uses of prophecy," local and temporary sources of says Dr. Jortin, "besides gradumetaphor; from the peculiar ally opening and unfolding the scenery of their country; from things relating to the Messias, and the idolatries of heathen nations; the blessings which by him should from their own history and circum-be conferred upon mankind, are stances; from the service of their many, great, and manifest. temple, and the ceremonies of "1. It served to secure the betheir religion; from manners that lief of a God, and of a Providence. have faded, and customs that have "As God is invisible and spielapsed. Hence many appropriate ritual, there was cause to fear, beauties have vanished. Many that, in the first and ruder ages descriptions and many representa- of the world, when men were bu

tions, that must have had a solemn importance among the Jews, are now considered, from a change of circumstances, in a degraded point of view. Hence, likewise, here and there a shade of obscurity. In general, however, the language of Scripture, though highly sublime and beautiful, is easy and intelligible to all capacities."

sier in cultivating the earth than in cultivating arts and sciences, and in seeking the necessaries of life than in the study of morality, they might forget their Creator and Governor; and, therefore, God maintained amongst them the great article of faith in him, by manifestations of himself; by sending angels to declare his will; by

2. Of the use and intent of pro-miracles, and by prophecies. phecy.

"2. It was intended to give As prophecy is so striking a men the profoundest veneration proof of a supernatural commu- for that amazing knowledge from hion with the Deity, and is of so which nothing was concealed, not early a date, we may rest assured even the future actions of creait was given for wise and im-tures, and the things which as "It cannot be sub- yet were not. How could a man portant ends. hope to hide any counsel, any design, or thought, from such a Being?

posed," says bishop Sherlock, "that God delivered prophecies only to satisfy or employ the curiosity of the inquisitive, or that 3. It contributed to keep up he gave his Spirit to men merely devotion and true religion, the to enable them to give forth pre-religion of the heart, which con

VOL. II.

U u

sists partly in entertaining just and honourable notions of God, and of his perfections, and which is a more rational and a more acceptable service than rites and ceremonies.

"The Divine design, uniformly pursued through a series of successive generations, opens with a greater degree of clearness, in proportion to the lapse of time and the number of events. An in"4. It excited men to rely crease of age is an addition to its upon God, and to love him, who strength; and the nearer we apcondescended to hold this mutual proach the point towards which intercourse with his creatures, and the dispensations of God unvaryto permit them to consult him, ingly tend, the more clearly shall as one friend asks advice of an- we discern the wonderful reguother. larity, consistency, and beauty "5. It was intended to keep of this stupendous plan for unithe people, to whom God re-versal good. Of the great use of vealed himself, from idolatry; a prophecies which have been fulsin to which the Jews would be inclined, both from the disposition to it which they had acquired in Egypt, and from the contagion of bad example.

filled, as a direct and strong argument to convert unbelievers to Christianity, and to establish Christians in the faith, we have the most ample proofs. Our Lord himself made very frequent appeals to prophecy, as evidence of his Divine mission: he referred the

most fully and clearly bearing witness of himself. Upon them he grounded the necessity of his sufferings; upon them he settled the faith of the disciples at Em

"The people of Israel were strictly forbidden to consult the diviners and the gods of other nations, and to use any enchant-Jews to their own scriptures, as ments and wicked arts; and that they might have no temptation to it, God permitted them to apply to him and to his prophets, even upon small occasions; and he raised up amongst them a suc-maus, and of the apostles at Jerucession of prophets, to whom they might have resort for advice and direction. These prophets were reverenced abroad as well as at home, and consulted by foreign princes; and, in the times of the captivity, they were honoured by great kings, and advanced to high stations."

salem. The same source supplied the eloquence of St. Peter and St. Paul, and the means with which Apollos mightily convinced the Jews.' This was a powerful instrument of persuasion in the succeeding ages of the church, when used by the primitive apologists. Upon this topic were employed As it respects us, prophecy con- the zeal and diligence not only nected with miracles affords a of Justin Martyr, but Tertullian, considerable evidence of the truth Cyprian, and Augustine. It would of revelation, as well as of a super-never have been so frequently emintending Providence. This evi-ployed, if it had not been well denee, too, is a growing evidence. adapted to the desired end; and

that it did most completely answer this end, by the conversion of un believers, is evident from the accounts of scripture, and the records of the primitive church.

vices of the age in which they live. The due consideration of prophecy will administer consolation amidst present distress, and enliven faith and elevate hope, whilst passing through those dark. depressing scenes, which, without this gracious aid, might lead through the intricacies of doubt to the gloom of despair."

|| truths of Divine revelation. Thus it appears that the chief design of prophecy is to bear constant witness to religious truth: but hough to convince gainsayers of "Prophecy keeps the attention his truth is justly considered as of Christians alive to the truth and its principal use, it has another importance of their holy religion; very important object, to which it to its truth, because prophecy and well becomes us to pay attention, Christianity had one and the same from motives of gratitude, as origin, both being derived from well as from fear of incurring the the same Fountain of Perfection: blame which scripture invariably it keeps them alive to its import-imputes to those who neglect to ance, because prophecy shews take advantage of the light affordthat the Supreme Being has vouch-ed them. It is designed to protect safed through a long succession of believers in the word of God from ages to prepare mankind, by gra- the dangers arising from the predual revelations of his will, for valent corruptions, errors, and future blessings; and has proved, by sending chosen messengers to usher in this final dispensation, that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' It confirms the general belief of a God, and points out to a careless world the plain traces of his watchful Providence. It displays the counsels of inspiration, incessantly directing the course of events, without violating the order of reason and of human action. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us! such power is above our comprehension! But the fact is placed before our eyes. We see, or may see, a regular train of prophecies tending towards one declared end, accurately fulfilled and fulfilling amidst all the confusion and opposition of this tu-phets were sometimes positive and multuous world; and we see that these 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

Objections, however, have been raised against the prophecies from their obscurity. But to this it is answered, that they have often a first, or partial, and an ultimate completion, of which the former may be generally considered as an earnest of the latter. It is principally this double sense of prophecy which renders it obscure; fer though the predictions of the pro

exactly descriptive, and delivered with an accurate and definite designation of names and times, prophecy was not generally designed to be clear before its accomplishment. It is, however, always suf

ficiently exact in its descriptions all brought about in the very same to authenticate its pretensions to manner, and with the very same a Divine authority; to produce, circumstances, as the prophets had when it comes to pass, an ac-foretold. "We see," says bishop knowledgment of its unerring cer- Newton, "the descendants of tainty; and to demonstrate the wis- Shem and Japheth ruling and endom and power of God. As bishop larged in Asia and Europe, and Newton observes, prophecies are perhaps in America, and the the only species of writing which curse of servitude' still attending is designed mere for the instruction the wretched descendants of Ham of future ages than of the times in Africa. We see the posterity of wherein they are written. In this Ishmael multiplied exceedingly,' respect, as the world groweth old-and become er, it groweth wiser. Time, that detracts something from the evidence of other writers, is still adding something to the credit and authority of the prophets. Future ages will comprehend more than the present, as the present under-pendent and free people, in the stands more than the past; and the perfect accomplishment will produce a perfect knowledge of all the prophecies.

a great nation' in the Arabians; yet living like wild men,' and shifting from place to place in the wilderness; their hand against every man, and every man's hand against them;' and still dwelling an inde

presence of all their brethren,' and in the presence of all their enemies. We see the family of Esau totally extinct, and that of Jacob subsisting at this day; 'the sceptre departed from Judah,' and the people living no where in authority, every where in subjection;

the nations, while the remembrance of Amalek' is 'utterly put out from under heaven.' We see the Jews severely punished for their infidelity and disobedience to their great prophet like unto Moses; plucked from off their own land, and removed into all the kingdoms of the earth; oppressed and spoiled evermore;' and made a proverb and a byword among all nations.' We see

3. Of the fulfilment of prophecy. Our limits will not permit us to give a copious account of the various prophecies which have been remarkably fulfilled; but who-the Jews still 'dwelling alone among ever has examined profane history with any degree of attention, and compared it with the predictions of scripture, must, if he be not blinded by prejudice and hardened by infidelity, be convinced of the truth of prophecy by its exact accomplishment. It is in vain to say that these prophecies were delivered since the events have taken place; for we see the prophecies, the latest whereof were delivered about 1700 years ago, and some. of them above 3000 years ago, fulfilling at this very time; and cities, and countries, and kingdoms, in the very same condition, and

Ephraim so broken as to be no more a people,' while the whole nation is comprehended under the name of Judah; the Jews wonderfully preserved as a distinct people,

escaping out of their hand.' We see the Jews led away captive into all nations, and Jerusalem trodden down of the Gentiles,' and likely to continue so until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled," as the Jews are by a constant miracle preserved a distinct peo

while their great conquerors are every where destroyed; their land lying desolate, and themselves cut off from being the people of God, while the Gentiles are advanced in their room. We see Nineveh so completely destroyed, that the place thereof is not and cannot be known; Babylon made a deso-ple for the completion of other lation for ever, a possession for the prophecies relating to them. We bittern, and pools of water;' Tyre see one who opposeth and exbecome like the top of a rock, a alteth himself' above all laws, diplace for fishers to spread their vine and human, sitting as God nets upon;' and Egypt a base in the church of God, and shewkingdom, the basest of the king-ing himself that he is God, whose doms,' and still tributary and sub-coming is after the working of ject to strangers. We see, of the Satan, with all power, and signs, four great empires of the world, and lying wonders, and with all the fourth and last, which was deceivableness of unrighteousgreater and more powerful than ness.' We see a great apostacy in any of the former, divided in the the Christian church, which conwestern part thereof into ten lesser sists chiefly in the worship of dekingdoms; and among them a mons, angels, or departed saints, power' with a triple crown diverse and is promoted through the hyfrom the first,' with a mouth pocrisy of liars, forbidding to marspeaking very great things,' and ry,and commanding to abstain from with a look more stout than meats.' We see the seven churchhis fellows, speaking great words es of Asia lying in the same forlorn against the Most High, wearing and desolate condition that the out the saints of the Most High, angel had signified to St. John, and changing times and laws.' We their candlestick removed out of see a power cast down the truth its place,' their churches turned into the ground, and prosper, and to mosques, their worship into supractise, and destroy the holy perstition. In short, we see the people, not regarding the God of characters of 'the beast and the his fathers, nor the desire of wives, false prophet,' and 'the whore of but honouring Mahuzzim,' gods- Babylon,' now exemplified in every protectors, or saints-protectors, particular, and in a city that is and causing' the priests of Ma- seated upon seven mountains ;' huzzimto rule over many, and so that, if the bishop of Rome had to divide the land for gain.' We sat for his picture, a greater resemblance and likeness could not have been drawn.

see the Turks stretching forth their hand over the countries,' and particularly over the land of Egypt, the Libyans at their steps, and the Arabians still

"For these things we have the attestation of past and the experience of present times; and we