Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

fages in the New, that there was a general Expectation amongst the Jews, that the MESSIAH was about that Time to appear.

THE Jews fent Priefts to John the Baptift, to inquire whether he was the Prophet foretold by Mofes: He confeffing that he was not the CHRIST the MESSIAH; they ask him why he baptized, if he were not the Christ, nor Elias, neither THAT PROPHET?

THIS is alfo evident from many of the Difcourfes which our Saviour had with the Jews. Befides, both the Jewish and Roman Hiftorians, relate the general Expectation that then prevailed, of the Birth of a Great PRINCE in the EAST; fo that the Flatterers of Herod and the Emperor Vefpatian, gave them the Title of the MESSIAH.

TO this may be added, that about the time of our Saviour's Birth, the Heathen Oracles, which had fo long deluded the World, became filent; of which Mr. J. Mead gives the following Account out of Eufebius and Porphyry.

"It is reported of Auguftus, who confulted "the Oracle of Apollo, who fhould reign after I him, received this Answer:

Παῖς ἙβραῖΘ κέλεται με, Θεοῖς μακάρεσσιν ἀνάστων,
Τόνδε δόμον προλιπεῖν, καὶ αἰδίω αὖθις εκέθαι.

Λοιπὸν ἄπιθι σιγῶν ἐκ βωμῶν ἡμερέων.

The Meaning whereof is this:

"The Hebrew Child, which rules the blef "fed Gods, bids me leave this Houfe, and prefently go to Hell. From henceforth depart "thou with Silence from our Altars.

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

"Whereupon it is faid that Augustus reared an Altar in the Capitol, with this Infcrip

❝tion.

..

ARA PRIMOGENITI DE I.

"The Altar of the Firft-begotten of God.

Porphyry, though an Enemy of Christians, reports three farewel Oracles of Apollo. And to the Priest who laft confulted him, his "Demand being, Which was the true Religion? "He answered in this Manner:

"THOU unhappiest of the Priests, Oh "that thou wouldst not have asked me (being now at my laft) of the Divine Father, "and of the dear Begotten of that famous

[ocr errors]

King, nor of the Spirit which comprehend"eth and furroundeth all Things. For wo is "me! He it is, that whether I will or not, "will expel me from thefe Temples; and full "foon fhall this Divining-Seat become a Place " of Defolation.

See Mr. J. Mead's Works, pag. 193.

THE History recorded by the Evangelifts, manifefting the exact Accomplishment of the Prophecies relating to the MESSIAH's first coming.

THE REFERENCES are fet in the oppofite Column; that the Prophecies and their Accomplishment might be feen in one view.

THO

THO' the Evangelifts agree in the relation of many of the Facts and Difcourfes, yet as fome Circumftances are more fully fet forth in one, than in another of the Gofpels, I have taken notice where they differ, by diftinguishing the feveral Evangelifts by the Letters [M.] for Matthew; [Mr.] for Mark; [L.] for Luke; and [7] for John.

THESE Differences are a great Confirmation of the Sincerity of the Evangelifts, that every one of them wrote what they certainly knew from whence it is evident, that this History was not compiled by any Combination or Contrivance, to impofe Fables upon the World.

THE Matters of Fact next to be confidered, are the many MIRACLES Wrought by our Saviour; in the Relation of which, the Evangelifts have fet down the most minute Circumftances with refpect to Time, Places, Things,

and Perfons.

IN compofing this ESSAY, I have not obferved the Method commonly taken by those that have writ the Harmonies of the Gofpels; who have inferted the Facts according to the several Paffovers and Times in which they fuppofe they were tranfacted; and wherein they often differ: But have rather chofe to put down all the Miracles of the fame Nature under diftinct Heads.

IT begins with thofe that relate to many Difpoffeffions of Unclean Spirits from the Bo

DIES and SOULS of Men. The Dæmons acknowledging that DIVINE and ALMIGHTY POWER with which our Saviour was endued.

[blocks in formation]

FROM whence may be justly inferred, That the PROMISE made to Adam, that the Seed of the Woman should break the Serpent's Head, and thereby free Mankind from the Tyranny of the Prince of Darkness, was herein ACCOMPLISHED; as appears by the References annexed.

MOST of the other Miracles wrought by our Saviour, were the Cure of Diseases or Defects in Nature: which, as they were Acts of the greatest Mercy and Compaffion, fo they moft fully manifeft the DIVINE POWER by which they were effected; fome by a Word, fome only by the touch of his Garment.

THE Fame of these Miracles was spread through the Land of Judea, Syria, and the adjacent Countries; from whence came Multitudes of Perfons afflicted with various Diseases and Infirmities, who were all healed.

THE Pharifees charging our Saviour with the Violation of the SABBATH, by the Cure he did on that Day, he thereupon avows his DEITY in these Words, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews fought to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but faid alfo, that GOD was his FATHER, making himself EQUAL with GOD.

WHEN our Saviour had in a miraculous Manner fed five thousand, He tells them, that they should not LABOUR for the Meat which perifheth, but for that GRACE which should endure to EVERLASTING LIFE; and that whofo eateth his FLESH, and drinketh his BLOOD, bath ETERNAL LIFE; and he would raife them up at the last Day.

WHEN

WHEN he gave Sight to the Man that was born Blind, he tells the Jews, that he was the Light of the World; that whofoever BELIEVED in him should not walk in DARKNESS, but fhould have the LIGHT of ETERNAL LIFE. And when the proud Pharifees contemned this Doctrine, he tells them, That they who were fo elated with a vain Conceit of their own Knowledge, fhould for ever continue in their BLINDNESS; but those who were humbly fenfible of their Want of this DIVINE LIGHT, fhould receive it.

WHEN he raised Lazarus from the Grave, He profeffes himself to be the RESURRECTION and the LIFE; that whofoever BELIEVETH in him, though he were DEAD, yet shall he LIVE; which relates to that DEATH of SIN, which came upon the Soul by Adam's Fall; as is clearly reprefented in the Epiftle to the Romans, and other Epiftles: For as in Adam all DIE, even fo in Christ shall all be made ALIVE.

OUR Saviour took occafion from the Miracles wrought upon the Bodies of Men, to inftruct his Difciples of much greater Miracles that should be effected upon the SOULS of those that BELIEVE in him.

IT may here be observed, that most of these Miracles were wrought in the fight of Multitudes of People; and many of them at Jerufalem, at the Time of their great Festivals, where the Jews from all Parts resorted.

MOST of the Perfons that were miraculously fed, healed, and rais'd from the Dead, lived many Years after our Saviour's Afcenfion; to atteft the Truth of what is recorded by the

« AnteriorContinuar »