in all the main particulars, there was an apparent improbability which was overcome, step by step, by an evident arrangement of divine providence; and thus the marks of a supernatural agency, both in the prediction and the fulfilment of them, are multiplied.

The birth of the Messiah was to be at Bethlehem; but Joseph and Mary were inhabitants of Galilee. In what manner, then, is the event brought to answer the prediction? A decree issues from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. The blessed virgin and Joseph go up to Bethlehem, the royal city, because they were of the house and lineage of David. And so it was, that whilst they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. By this arrangement of providence, the birth of Messiah at Bethlehem is more distinctly marked, and the lineage of the virgin noted; whilst the publicity of the taxing fixes the date of the nativity; and the whole displays a divine foreknowledge and wisdom, first unfolding in prophecy the events which it afterwards accomplished. Similar remarks may be made on other parts of our Lord's history, and especially on his last sufferings.

2. But the accumulation of prophetical inspiration is yet more striking: for there is not only an arrangement in the accomplishment of the prophecies of the Messiah, but a new prophetical inspiration attending that accomplishment. Not only is John Baptist the precursor of the Messiah, but, lo! an angel appears to his father Zacharias, foretels his birth of Elizabeth, who was barren as well as advanced in age, expounds the prophecy of Malachi, adds new circumstances, announces the name of the Baptist, and inflicts a punishment on the unbelieving and astonished father. This is what I term an accumulation of prophetical inspiration. In like manner, an angelic message announces to the favored virgin, that she should be the mother of our Lord, and predicts the circumstances and manner of the miraculous nativity: a similar message relieves Joseph from his perplexity, designates the name which the divine babe was to receive, and describes before-hand his future office.

When our Lord entered upon his ministry, his doctrine and miracles, as we have already noticed, not only fulfilled the required terms of the ancient predictions, but were in themselves independent proofs of a divine mission. But what shall we say, when we further find an accumulation of prophetical inspiration, in his teaching and predictions? He has himself an original prophetical spirit, which marks him out as commissioned of God. The Holy Ghost rests upon him without measure. He reads the hearts of men, he predicts their thoughts, he foresees their motives and conduct. His wonderful prophecy of the destruction of the Jewish metropolis, temple, and polity, we shall consider in our second part. But his life is pregnant with the word of prophecy, and that as to events not immediately connected with the predictions of the Old Testament. He declared to the weeping penitent, that wherever his gospel should be preached throughout the world, there what she had done should be told for a memorial of her. He foretold the resurrection of Lazarus. He predicted the circumstances attending the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, as well as those of the preparation for the last paschal festival.

Then, as to his own character as Messiah, what superhuman prescience is apparent in his comment on the ancient oracles! The sermon at Nazareth, we have mentioned in another view. His exposition of the mission of John Baptist, and of the types-the brazen serpent, the manna, and the passover; his appeal to Moses; his assertion of the joy of Abraham at the prospect of his advent; his declaration concerning Jonah; his explanation of the stone which the builders rejected, to say nothing of many of his parables, prove his prophetical inspiration, and his knowledge of the whole scheme and force of the predictive scriptures.

The same is apparent, from our Lord's prophecies of his own sufferings and death, which are in such detail, and with the addition of so many particulars not at all necessary arising from the language of the Old Testament, as to show his own prophetical character. Did he not declare, that the temple after three days should be reared again? Did he not foretel the minute circumstances of his sufferings before

there was the slightest probability of such events occurring; his death by crucifixion, contrary to the Jewish mode of punishment; the treachery of Judas; the very day on which he should be put to death; and the additional and new fact, not deducible from any ancient prophecy, that he should be delivered to the Gentiles? Did he not predict explicitly his resurrection on the third day, and fix the spot where he would meet his disciples? Did he not, in a word, re-announce in literal and express terms, what the prophets had uttered in figurative and general language; thus furnishing the clue for unravelling the whole mystery of prophecy concerning the Messiah as David's son, and yet, David's Lord; and reconciling all the apparently contradictory attributes of the promised Saviour, the character of his kingdom, and the purposes for which he was manifested?

Even during his most cruel sufferings at the tribunal of the Jews, and the bar of Pilate, he knew all things that should come upon him, and acted accordingly; and on the cross, that the scriptures might be fulfilled, he said, I thirst; and, when all things were accomplished, uttered those memorable words, It is finished; and then commended his soul in the words predicted, into the hands of his heavenly Father.

But it was after the resurrection, that the prophetical spirit appeared most conspicuous in our Lord. Joining the sorrowing friends as they walked to Emmaus, he urged the predictions of the ancient sacred scriptures, and inquired whether the Christ ought not to have suffered what he had endured, and to enter into his glory; and then, beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Yet, more complete was his instruction to the assembled company, when he delivered his last commission. He then referred, in the first place, to his own prophecies, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning me. In these expositions, he had repeatedly shown that his sufferings and death would

not annul the other prophecies accomplished in his birth, miracles, and doctrine, but establish and complete them. He then opened their understandings, that they might understand the scriptures; leading them to see one consistent and ever growing testimony to his character, office, and proceedings, as the Messiah, in the prophetical writings. He next said unto them, Thus it behoved Christ-the Christ,-to suffer, and to rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem: that is the Messiah was to rise, not in order to be exalted to an earthly throne, but to be a Saviour-Prince, giving repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. This it behoved the Christ to do. The original promise of a deliverer from evil, the succeeding prediction of the patriarchal age, the typical observances of the law, the prayers, promises, and predictions, found in the latter prophets, all asserted these spiritual blessings of the Messiah's kingdom. Lastly, he added, And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Upon the fulfilment of this express prediction, our Lord rested the truth of his Messiahship, and with this prophetical assurance ascended up into heaven.d

I know not how it may strike the minds of others, but I confess it strikes my own most forcibly, that this accumulation of prophetical inspiration in the accomplishment of the predictions of our Lord, adds an incomparable force to the whole proof of prescience in the scheme of prophecy with respect to him. It seems to crown the argument. It displays before the eyes of mankind, not only unnumbered distinct particulars fulfilled in the person of Christ, and these particulars foretold by various independent messengers during four thousand years, but this accomplishment attended with a new exhibition of the spirit of prophecy in the very person in whom they were fulfilled.

(d) These predictions evince, indeed, divine omniscience in our Lord; but I use them only for what my present argument demands, the proof of prophetical inspira

tion.

The Messiahship of our Lord thus stands out radiant with the beams of the divine glory, and combines not only the fulfilment of all the predictions which went before of him, but the fulfilment of them with such circumstances of divine conduct, and such overwhelming attestations of an immediate mission from heaven, as to astonish every considerate mind.

But in what way, it may be asked, are the effects of the accomplishment of these prophecies of the Messiah apparent before our eyes in the present day? This leads me to consider,

IV. The SPIRITUAL OFFICES predicted of the Messiah, which our Lord fulfilled, and is now fulfilling, in the church.

His bodily presence is indeed no longer amongst us. We cannot witness his miracles nor hear his doctrine. These we receive by the means of undoubted testimony. But the spiritual offices and functions of the Saviour and Redeemer of mankind, grounded on his personal sufferings and obedience unto death, and committed to him by the Father as the reward of those sufferings, are exercised by him in every age, and are the hope and joy of his church. He has been with it always, according to his promise, and he will continue to be so, till the end of the world. The great blessing of the Holy Ghost, on the mission of which he rested all the truth of his Messiahship, was vouchsafed on the day of Pentecost; and, endued with the powers of that divine Spirit, the apostles went forth to preach the gospel which has reached us, and brought us out of darkness into God's marvellous light. These effects we witness every day. All who are truly sincere in their Christian faith, are receiving constantly the benefits resulting from them; whilst to others, the external position of the church, its extension, and solemn celebrations, are sufficient evidences of the truth of what we assert. What office, I ask, of the Messiah, has not and does not the Son of God, in his state of exaltation, fulfil?

Did he not, and doth he not, bruise the serpent's head? Did he not spoil principalities and powers, and make a shew of them openly, triumphing over them on his cross? Has he not, and doth he not, destroy the works of the devil?