aim, under all the circumstances of guilt, indigence, and misery, which present themselves to our view. See BENEFICENCE, CHARITY, LOVE.

said, merere stipendia, to merit, or earn their pay; which they might properly be said to do, because they yielded in real service an equivalent to the state for the stipend they received, which was therefore due to them in justice. Here, then, we come at the true meaning of the word merit; from which it is very clearly to be seen that there can be no such thing as merit in our best obedience. One man may merit of another, but all mankind together cannot merit from the hand of God. This evidently appears, if we consider the imperfections of all our services, and the express declaration of the divine word, Eph. ii. 8, 9. Rom. xi. 5, 6. Tit. iii. 5. Rom. x. 1, 4. The Doctrine of Merit stated, ser. i. vol. iii. South's Sermons; Toplady's Works, p. 471, vol. iii. Hervey's Eleven Letters to Wesley; Ro

MERITS OF CHRIST, a term used to denote the active and passive obedience of Christ; all that he wrought and all that he suffered for the salvation of mankind. See articles ATONEMENT, IMPUTATION, RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST.

MERCY OF GOD is his readiness to relieve the miserable and to pardon the guilty. 1. It is essential to his nature, Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7; not, indeed, as a passion or affection, as it is in men, but the result of his sovereign will, and guided by his infinite wisdom.-2. It is free, as nothing out of himself can be the cause of it; for then there would be a cause prior to him, the cause of himself. The misery of the creature is not the cause of mercy, for he is not wrought upon as creatures are, nor are the merits of the creature the cause, Tit. iii. 5; nor are even the sufferings of Christ the cause, but the effects of it; but it arises from the goodness of his nature, and from his sovereign will and plea-binson's Claude, vol. ii. p. 218. sure, Exod. xxxiii. 19. Rom. ix. 18.3. His mercy is infinite; it pardons offences committed against an infinitely holy Being, and bestows an infinite good on all who believe, even Jesus Christ, Luke i. 78.-4. It is immutable; nothing| can change it; it is invariably the same, Mal. iii. 6. Luke i. 50.-5. Shall be for MESSIAH signifies anointed, the tiever celebrated in a future state, Psal. tle given by way of eminence to our Salxxxix. 2. ciii. 17.-6. It is only display-viour; meaning the same in Hebrew as ed in and through Christ, Eph. ii. It has Christ in Greek, and alludes to the aubeen farther distinguished into, 1. Pre- thority he had to assume the characters venting mercy, Psal. lix. 10.-2. For- of prophet, priest, and king, and that of bearing mercy, Rom. ii. 4.-3. Comfort- Saviour of the world. The ancient Jews ing mercy, 2 Cor. i. 4.-4. Relieving had just notions of the Messiah, which mercy, Psal. cxlv. 8, 9.-5. Pardoning came gradually to be corrupted, by exmercy, Is. lv. 6.-6. Universal or exten-pecting a temporal monarch and consive mercy. It extends to all kinds of beings and fallen creatures. The brute creation share in it, Psal. cxlv. 9. xxxvi. 5,6. The ungodly are the objects of it in a general way, Matt. v. 45. 1 Tim. iv. 10. The saints on earth are continual monuments of it, Rom. ix. 23; and the spirits of just men made perfect in glory are always praising God for it. Finally, it is enjoyed in an especial manner by all who are true believers, of every nation, in every age, in every circumstance, in all places, and at all times. See GRACE, PARDON; Gill's Body of Div. vol. i. p. 124. oct. ed. Saurin's Ser. vol. i. ser. 8. Dr. Goodwin's Works, vol. v. part 2. Tillotson's Ser. ser. 147. Hill's Ser. ser. 10.

MERIT signifies desert, or to earn: originally the word was applied to soldiers and other military persons, who, by their labours in the field, and by the various hardships they underwent during the course of a campaign, as also by other services they might occasionally render to the commonwealth, were

queror; and finding Jesus Christ to be poor, humble, and of an unpromising appearance, they rejected him. Most of the modern rabbins, according to Buxtorf, believe that the Messiah is come, but that he lies concealed because of the sins of the Jews. Others believe he is not yet come, fixing different times for his appearance, many of which are elapsed; and, being thus baffled, have pronounced an anathema against those who shall pretend to calculate the time of his coming. To reconcile the prophecies concerning the Messiah that seemed to be contradictory, some have had recourse to a twofold Messiah; one in a state of poverty and suffering, the other of splendor and glory. The first, they say, is to proceed from the tribe of || Ephraim, who is to fight against Gog, and to be slain by Annillus, Zech. xii. 10; the second is to be of the tribe of Judah and lineage of David, who is to conquer and kill Annillus; to bring the first Messiah to life again, to assemble all Israel, and rule over the whole world.

That Jesus Christ is the true Messiah, and actually come in the flesh is evident, if we consider (as Mr. Fuller observes) that it is intimated that whenever he should come, the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Mosaic law were to be superseded by him, Ps. xl. 6-8; 1|| Sam. xv. 22; Dan. ix. 27; Jer. xxxi. 31, 34; Heb. viii. 13. Now sacrifice and oblation have ceased. They virtually ceased when Jesus offered himself a sacrifice, and in a few years after, they actually ceased. A few of the ancient ceremonies are indeed adhered to, but as one of the Jewish writers acknowledges, "The sacrifices of the Holy Temple have ceased." Let every Jew therefore, ask himself this question. Should Messiah the Prince come at some future period, how are the sacrifice and oblation to cease on his appearance, when they have already ceased near 1800 years.

in a chariot of state, but in a much humbler style; Zech. ix. 9; this was really the case, Matt. xxi. 6. It was predicted that he should suffer and die by the hands of wicked men; Is. xlix. 7; liii. 9; Dan. ix. 26. Nothing could be a more striking fulfilment of prophecy than the treatment the Messiah met with in almost every particular circumstance.— 7. It was foretold that he should rise from the dead; Is. liii. 11. Ps. lxviii. 18. xvi. 10, his resurrection is proved by indubitable evidence.-8. It was foretold that the great body of the Jewish nation would not believe in him, and that he would set up his kingdom among the Gentiles; Is. liii. 1. xlix. 4-6. vi. 9-12. Never was a prophecy more completely fulfilled than this, as facts evidently prove.

Lastly, it is declared that when the Messiah should come, the will of God would be perfectly fulfilled by him, Is. xlii. 1, 49. Is. 3-5. And what was his whole life but perfect conformity to him? He finished the work the Father gave him to do: never was there such a character seen among men. Well therefore may we say, Truly this was the Son of God. See article CHRISTIANITY, JESUS CHRIST.

There have been numerous false Messiahs which have arisen at different times. Of these the Saviour predicted, Matt. xxiv. 14. Some have reckoned as many as twenty-four, of whom we shall here give an account.

Again, it is suggested in the Scripture, that the great body of sacred prophecy should be accomplished in him; Gen. iii. 16; xxii. 18; Is. xlix. 10. liii. 1. The time when he was to come is clearly marked out in prophecy: Is. xlix. 10; Hag. ii. 6-9; Dan. ix. 24. He actually came according to that time.-2. The place where Messiah should be born, and where he should principally impart his doctrine is determined; Mic. v. 2; Is. ix. 2; and was literally fulfilled in Jesus.-3. The house or family from whom he should descend is clearly ascertained. So much is said of his descending from David, that we need not refer to particular proofs; and the rather as no Jew will deny it. The genealogies of Matthew and Luke, whatever varieties there are between them, agree in tracing his pedigree to David. And though, in both it is traced in the name of Joseph, yet this appears to be only in conformity to the Jewish custom of tracing no pedigree in the name of a female. The father of Joseph, as mentioned by Luke, seems to have been his father by marriage only; so that it was, in reality, Mary's pedigree that is traced by Luke, though under her husband's name; and this being the natural line of descent, and that of Matthew the legal one, by which, as a king he would have inherited the crown, there is no inconsistency between them.-4. The kind of miracles that Messiah should per-ed money inscribed with his own name, form is specified; Is. xxxv. 5, 6. He actually performed the miracles there predicted, his enemies themselves being judges.-5. It was prophesied that he should as a King be distinguished by his lowliness; entering into Jerusalem, not

1. Caziba was the first of any note who made a noise in the world. Being dissatisfied with the state of things under Adrian, he set himself up at the head of the Jewish nation, and proclaimed himself their long expected Messiah. He was one of those banditti that infested Judea, and committed all kinds of violence against the Romans; and had become so powerful, that he was chosen king of the Jews, and by them acknowledged their Messiah.However, to facilitate the success of this bold enterprise, he changed his name from Caziba, which it was at first, to that of Barchocheba, alluding to the star foretold by Balaam; for he pretended to be the star sent from heaven to restore his nation to its ancient liberty and glory. He chose a forerunner, raised an army, was anointed king, coin

and proclaimed himself Messiah and prince of the Jewish nation. Adrian raised an army, and sent it against him. He retired into a town called Bither, where he was besieged. Barchocheba was killed in the siege, the city was ta

ken, and a dreadful havoc succeeded. The Jews themselves allow, that, during this short war against the Romans, in defence of this false Messiah, they lost five or six hundred thousand souls. This was in the former part of the second century.

8. In the year 1138 the Persians were disturbed with a Jew, who called himself the Messiah. He collected together a vast army. But he, too, was put to death, and his followers treated with great inhumanity.

9. In the year 1157, a false Messiah stirred up the Jews at Corduba, in Spain. The wiser and better sort looked upon him as a madman, but the great body of the Jews in that nation believed in him. On this occasion almost all the Jews in Spain were destroyed.

10. In the year 1167, another false Messiah rose in the kingdom of Fez, which brought great trouble and persecution upon the Jews that were scattered through that country.

2. In the reign of Theodosius the younger, in the year of our Lord 434, another impostor arose, called Moses Cretensis. He pretended to be a second Moses, sent to deliver the Jews who dwelt in Crete, and promised to divide the sea, and give them a safe passage through it. Their delusion proved so strong and universal, that they neglected their lands, houses, and all other concerns, and took only so much with them as they could conveniently carry. And on the day appointed, this false Moses, having led them to the top of a rock, men, women, and children, threw them-made for him, his followers fled, and selves headlong down into the sea, without the least hesitation or reluctance, till so great a number of them were drowned, as opened the eyes of the rest, and made them sensible of the cheat. They then began to look out for their pretended leader, but he disappeared, and escaped out of their hand.

11. In the same year an Arabian set up there for the Messiah, and pretended to work miracles. When search was

he was brought before the Arabian king. Being questioned by him, he replied, that he was a prophet sent from God. The king then asked him what sign he could show to confirm his mission. Cut off my head, said he, and I will return to life again. The king took him at his word, promising to believe him if his 3. In the reign of Justin, about 520, prediction came to pass. The poor another impostor appeared, who called wretch, however, never returned to life himself the son of Moses. His name again, and the cheat was sufficiently was Dunaan. He entered into a city of discovered. Those who had been deArabia Felix, and there he greatly op-luded by him were grievously punished, pressed the Christians; but he was ta- and the nation condemned to a very ken prisoner, and put to death by Eles-heavy fine. ban, an Ethiopian general.

4. In the year 529 the Jews and Samaritans rebelled against the emperor Justinian, and set up one Julian for their king; and accounted him the Messiah. || The emperor sent an army against them, killed great numbers of them, took their pretended Messiah prisoner, and immediately put him to death.

5. In the year 571 was born Mahomet, in Arabia. At first he professed himself to be the Messiah who was promised to the Jews. By this means he drew many of that unhappy people after him. In some sense, therefore, he may be considered in the number of false Messiahs. See MAHOMETANISM.

6. About the year 721, in the time of Leo Isaurus, arose another false Messiah in Spain; his name was Serenus. He drew great numbers after him, to their no small loss and disappointment, but all his pretensions came to nothing,

7. The twelfth century was fruitful in false Messiahs: for about the year 1137, there appeared one in France, who was put to death, and many of those who followed him.

12. Not long after this, a Jew who dwelt beyond Euphrates, called himself the Messiah, and drew vast multitudes of people after him. He gave this for a sign of it, that he had been leprous, and was cured in the course of one night. He, like the rest, perished in the attempt, and brought great persecution on his countrymen.

13. In the year 1174, a magician and false Christ arose in Persia, who was called David Almusser. He pretended that he could make himself invisible; but he was soon taken and put to death, and a heavy fine laid upon his brethren the Jews.

14. In the year 1176, another of these impostors arose in Moravia, who was called David Almusser. He pretended that he could make himself invisible; but he was soon taken and put to death, and a heavy fine laid upon his brethren the Jews.

15. In the year 1199, a famous cheat and rebel exerted himself in Persia, called David el David. He was a man of learning, a great magician, and pretended to be the Messiah. He raised an

army against the king, but was taken and imprisoned; and, having made his escape, was afterwards seized again, and beheaded. Vast numbers of the Jews were butchered for taking part with this impostor.

16. We are told of another false Christ in this same century by Maimonides and Solomon: but they take no notice either of his name, country, or good or ill success.

Here we may observe, that no less than ten false Christs arose in the twelfth century, and brought prodigious calamities and destruction upon the Jews in various quarters of the world.

17. In the year 1497, we find another false Christ, whose name was Ismael Sophus, who deluded the Jews in Spain. He also perished, and as many as believed in him were dispersed.

tudes marched from unknown parts to the remote deserts of Arabia, and they were supposed to be the ten tribes of Israel, who had been dispersed for many ages; that a ship was arrived in the north part of Scotland with sails and cordage of silk; that the mariners spake nothing but Hebrew; that on the sails was this motto, The twelve tribes of Israel. Thus were credulous men possessed at that time.

Then it was that Sabatai Sevi appeared at Smyrna, and professed himself to be the Messias. He promised the Jews deliverance and a prosperous kingdom. This which he promised they firmly believed. The Jews now attended to no business, discoursed of nothing but their return, and believed Sabatai to be the Messias as firmly as we Christians believe any article of faith. A right reverend person, then in Turkey, meeting with a Jew of his acquaintance at Aleppo, he asked him what he thought of Sabatai. The Jew replied, that he believed him to be the Messias; and that he was so far of that belief, that, if he should 19. In the year 1509, one whose name prove an impostor, he would then turn was Plefferkorn, a Jew of Cologne, pre- Christian. It is fit we should be partitended to be the Messiah. He after-cular in this relation, because the hiswards affected, however, to turn Chris- tory is so very surprising and remarkatian. ble; and we have the account of it from those who were in Turkey.

18. In the year 1500, Rabbi Lemlem, a German Jew of Austria, declared himself a forerunner of the Messiah, and pulled down his own oven, promising his brethren that they should bake their bread in the Holy Land next year.

20. In the year 1534, Rabbi Salomo Malcho, giving out that he was the Messiah, was burnt to death by Charles the Fifth of Spain.

21. In the year 1615, a false Christ arose in the East Indies, and was greatly followed by the Portuguese Jews, who were scattered over that country.

22. In the year 1624, another in the Low Countries pretended to be the Messiah of the Family of David, and of the line of Nathan. He promised to destroy Rome, and to overthrow the kingdom of Antichrist, and the Turkish empire.

23. In the year 1666, appeared the false Messiah Sabatai Sevi, who made so great a noise, and gained such a number of proselytes. He was born at Aleppo, imposed on the Jews for a considerable time; but afterwards, with a view of saving his life, turned Mahometan, and was at last beheaded. As the history of this impostor is more entertaining than that of those we have already mentioned, I will give it at some length.

Sabatai Sevi was the son of Mordecai Sevi, a mean Jew of Smyrna. Sabatai was very bookish, and arrived to great skill in the Hebrew learning. He was the author of a new doctrine, and for it was expelled the city. He went thence to Salonichi, of old called Thessalonica, where he married a very handsome woman, and was divorced from her. Then he travelled into the Morea, then to Tripoli, Gaza, and Jerusalem. By the way he picked up a third wife. At Jerusalem he began to reform the Jews' constitutions, and abolish one of their solemn fasts, and communicated his designs of professing himself the Messias to one Nathan. He was pleased with it, and set up for his Elias, or forerunner, and took upon him to abolish all the Jewish fasts, as not beseeming, when the bridegroom was now come. Nathan prophesied that the Messias should appear before the Grand Seignior in less than two years, and take from him his crown, and lead him

in chains.

The year 1666 was a year of great At Gaza, Sabatai preached repentexpectation, and some wonderful thing ance, together with a faith in himself, was looked for by many. This was a so effectually, that the people gave fit time for an impostor to set up; and, themselves up to their devotions and accordingly, lying reports were carried alms. The noise of this Messias began about. It was said, that great multi-to fill all places. Sabatai now resolves

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