"1. It served to secure the belief of a God, and of a providence.

"As God is invisible and spiritual, there was cause to fear, that, in the first and ruder ages of the world, when men were busier 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 miracles, and by prophecies.

genius, to surpass, in every variety of || fy or employ the curiosity of the inqui composition, the most admired produc- sitive, or that he gave his Spirit to men tions of Pagan antiquity. If the imagery merely to enable them to give forth employed by the sacred writers appears predictions for the amusement and ensometimes to partake of a coarse and tertainment of the world: there must .ndelicate cast, it must be recollected, be some end worthy of the author." that the Eastern manners and languages Now, what end could this be, but to required the most forcible representa- keep alive in the minds of those to whom tions; and that the masculine and in- it was given, a sense of religion, and a dignant spirit of the prophets led them hope of future deliverance from the to adopt the most energetic and descrip- curse of the fall through Jesus Christ' tive expressions. No style is, perhaps, "The uses of prophecy," says Dr. Jorso highly figurative as that of the pro- tin, "besides gradually opening and unphets. Every object of nature and of folding the things relating to the Mes art which could furnish allusions is ex- || siah, and the blessings which by him plored with industry; every scene of should be conferred upon mankind, are creation, and every page of science, many, great, and manifest. seems to have unfolded its rich varieties to the sacred writers, who, in the spirit of Eastern poetry, delight in every kind of metaphorical embellishment. Thus, by way of illustration, it is obvious to remark, that earthly dignities and powers are symbolized by the celestial bodies; the effects of moral evil are shown under the storms and convulsions of nature; the pollutions of sin are represented by external impurities; and the beneficial influence of righteousness is depicted by the serenity and confidence of peaceful life. This allegorical language, being founded in ideas universally prevalent, and adhered to with invariable relation and regular analogy, has furnished great ornament and elegance to the sacred writings. Sometimes, however, the inspired penmen drew their allusions from local and temporary sources of metaphor; from the peculiar scenery of their country; from the idolatries of heathen nations; from "3. It contributed to keep up devotheir own history and circumstances; tion and true religion, the religion of the from the service of their temple, and the heart, which consists partly in enter ceremonies of their religion; from man-taining just and honourable notions of ners that have faded, and customs that have elapsed. Hence many appropriate beauties have vanished. Many descriptions and many representations, 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 Scrip- "5. It was intended to keep the peoture, though highly sublime and beauti-ple, to whom God revealed himself, ful, is easy and intelligible to all capaci- from idolatry; a sin to which the Jews ties." would be inclined, both from the dispo 2. Of the use and intent of prophecy.sition to it which they had acquired in As prophecy is so striking a proof of Egypt, and from the contagion of bad a supernatural communion with the example. Deity, and is of so early a date, we may rest assured it was given for wise and important ends. "It cannot be supposed," says bishop Sherlock, "that God delivered prophecies only to satis

"2. It was intended to give men the profoundest veneration for that amazing knowledge from which nothing was concealed, not even the future actions of creatures, and the things which as yet were not. How could a man hope to hide any counsel, any design or thought, from such a Being?"

God, and of his perfections, and which is a more rational and a more acceptable service than rites and ceremonies,

"4. It excited men to rely upon God, and to love him who condescended to hold this mutual intercourse with his creatures, and to permit them to con sult him, as one friend asks advice of another.

The people of Israel were strictly forbidden to consult the diviners and the gods of other nations, and to use any enchantments 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 succession of prophets, to whom they might have recourse for advice and direction. These prophets were verenced abroad as well as at home, and consulted by foreign princes; and, in times of the captivity, they were ho- || noured by great kings, and advanced to high stations."

rived from the same fountain of perfection; it keeps them alive to its importance, because prophecy shows that the Supremne Being has vouchsafed, through a long succession of ages, to re-prepare mankind, by gradual revelations of his will, for 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 As it respects us, prophecy connect-general belief of a God, and points out ed with miracles affords a considerable to a careless world the plain traces of evidence of the truth of revelation, as his watchful providence. It displays the well as of a superintending Providence. counsels of inspiration, incessantly diThis evidence too, is a growing evi-recting the course of events, without dence. "The divine design, uniformly violating the order of reason and of hupursued through a series of successive man action. Such knowledge is too generations, opens with a greater de- wonderful for us! such power is above gree of clearness, in proportion to the our comprehension! But the fact is lapse of time and the number of events. placed before our eyes. We see, or may An increase of age is an addition to its see, a regular train of prophecies tend strength; and the nearer we approaching towards one declared end, accuratethe point towards which the dispensa- ly fulfilled and fulfilling amidst all the tions of God unvaryingly tend, the more confusion and opposition of this tumultuclearly shall we discern the wonderfulous world; and we see that these proregularity, consistency, and beauty of phecies are clear, both in prediction this stupendous plan for universal good. and accomplishment, in proportion to Of the great use of prophecies which their importance in fixing our belief in have been fulfilled, as a direct and the providence of God, and in the great strong argument to convert unbelievers truths of divine revelation. Thus it apto Christianity, and to establish Chris- pears that the chief design of prophecy tians in the faith, we have the most am- is to bear constant witness to religious ple proofs. Our Lord himself made truth; but though to convince gainsayvery frequent appeals to prophecy as ers of this truth is justly considered as evidence of his divine mission: he re- its principal use, it has another very ferred the Jews to their own Scriptures, important object, to which it well beas most fully and clearly bearing wit- comes us to pay attention, from motives ness of himself. Upon them he ground-of gratitude, as well as from fear of ined the necessity of his sufferings; upon them he settled the faith of the disciples at Emmaus, and of the apostles at Jerusalem. 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 the zeal and diligence not only of Justin Martyr, but Tertullian, Cyprian, and Augustin. It would never have been so frequently employed, if it had not been well adapted to the desired end; and that it did most completely answer this end, by the conversion of unbelievers, is evident from the accounts of Scripture, and the records of the primitive church.

curring the blame which Scripture invariably imputes to those who neglect to take advantage of the light afforded them. It is designed to protect be lievers in the word of God from the dangers arising from the prevalent corruptions, errors, and 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."

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 for mer may be generally considered as an earnest of the latter. It is principally this double sense of prophecy which renders it obscure; for though the predictions of the prophets were sometimes positive and exactly descriptive, and de

cies.

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 Jews still dwelling alone among the nations, while the remembrance of Amalek is utter

livered 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 sufficiently exact in its descriptions to authenticate its pretensions to a divine authority; to produce, when it comes to pass, an acknowledg-ly put out from under heaven.' We see ment of its unerring certainty; and to the Jews severely punished for their indemonstrate the wisdom and power of fidelity and disobedience to their great God. As Bishop Newton observes, pro- || prophet like unto Moses: 'plucked phecies are the only species of writing from off their own land, and removed which are designed more for the instruc- into all the kingdoms of the earth; option of future ages than of the times pressed and spoiled evermore;' and wherein they are written. In this re- made a proverb and a by-word among spect, as the world groweth older, it all nations.' We see Ephraim so brogroweth wiser. Time, that detracts ken as to be no more a people,' while something from the evidence of other the whole nation is comprehended unwriters, is still adding something to the der the name of Judah; the Jews woncredit and authority of the prophets. derfully preserved as a distinct people, Future ages will comprehend more while their great conquerors are every than the present, as the present under- || where destroyed; their land lying destands more than the past; and the solate, and themselves cut off from beperfect accomplishment will produce a ing the people of God, while the Genperfect knowledge of all the prophe- tiles are advanced in their room. We See Nineveh so completely destroyed, 3. Of the fulfilment of prophecy. that the place thereof is not and cannot Our limits will not permit us to give a || be known; Babylon made a desolacopious account of the various prophe- tion for ever, a possession for the bitcies which have been remarkably ful- tern, and pools of water;' Tyre become filled; but whoever has examined pro- like the top of a rock, a place for fane history with any degree of atten- fishers to spread their nets upon;' and tion, and compared it with the predic- Egypt, 'a base kingdom, the basest of tions of Scripture, must, if he be not the kingdoms,' and still tributary and blinded by prejudice, and hardened by subject to strangers. We see, of the infidelity, be convinced of the truth of four great empires of the world, the prophecy by its exact accomplishment. fourth and last, which was greater and It is in vain to say that these prophecies more powerful than any of the former, were delivered since the events have divided in the western part thereof into taken place; for we see the prophecies, ten lesser kingdoms; and among them the latest whereof were delivered about a power with a triple crown differs 1700 years ago, and some of them above from the first,' with 'a mouth speaking 3000 years ago, fulfilling at this very very great things,' and with a look time; and cities, and countries, and more stout than his fellows, speaking kingdoms, in the very same condition, great words against the Most High, and all brought about in the very same wearing out the saints of the Most manner, and with the very same cir- High, and changing times and laws.' cumstances, as the prophets had fore- We see a power cast down the truth told. "We see," says Bishop New- to the ground, and prosper, and prac ton, "the descendants of Shem and tise, and destroy the holy people, not reJapheth, ruling and enlarged in Asia garding the God of his fathers, nor the and Europe, and perhaps in America, desire of wives, but honouring Mahuzand the curse of servitude,' still at- zim,' gods-protectors, or saints-protec tending the wretched descendants of tors, and causing the priests of MaHam in Africa. We see the posterity huzzim to rule over many, and to diof Ishmael, multiplied exceedingly,' vide the land for gain. We see the and become a great nation,' in the Ara- Turks stretching forth their hand bians; yet living like 'wild men,' and over the countries,' and particularly shifting from place to place in the wil-over the land of Egypt, the Lybians at derness; their hand against every their steps,' and the Arabians still man, and every man's hand against them; and still dwelling an independent and free people, in the presence of all their brethren,' and in the presence of all their enemies. We see the

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 ful

filled,' as the Jews are by a constant characterizes Jesus Christ; yet, taken miracle preserved a distinct people for as a whole, this grand system refers to the completion of other prophecies re- him; for the testimony of Jesus is the lating to them. We see one who op- spirit of prophecy. "All the revoluposeth and exalteth himself' above all tions of divine providence have him for laws, divine and human, sitting as God their scope and end. Is an empire, or in the church of God, and showing him- kingdom erected? that empire, or kingself that he is God, whose coming is af- dom is erected with a view, directly or ter the working of Satan, with all power, indirectly, to the kingdom of the Mesand signs, and lying wonders, and with siah. Is an empire, or kingdom, suball deceivableness of unrighteousness.' verted or overthrown? that empire, or We see a great apostacy in the Chris- kingdom, is overthrown in subserviency tian church, which consists chiefly in to the glory of his kingdom and emthe worship of demons, angels, or de- pire, which shall know neither bounds parted saints, and is promoted through nor end, but whose limits shall be no the hypocrisy of liars, forbidding to mar- other than the limits of the universe, ry, and commanding to abstain from and whose end no other than the days of meats. We see the seven churches of eternity. Jesus Christ, then, is the only Asia lying in the same forlorn and deso- person that ever existed in whom all late condition that the angel had signi- || the prophecies meet as in a centre." fied to St. John, their candlestick re- In order, therefore, to oppose error and moved out of its place,' their churches confront the infidel, we must study the turned into mosques, their worship into prophecies not as independent of each superstition. In short, we see the cha- other, but as connected; for "the arracters of the beast and the false pro-gument from prophecy," says Bishop phet,' and 'the whore of Babylon,' now exemplified in every particular, and in a city that is seated upon seven moun- | tains;' so that, if the bishop of Rome had set for his picture, a greater resemblance and likeness could not have been drawn.

Hurd, "is not to be formed from the consideration of single prophecies, but from all the prophecies taken together, and considered as making one system; in which, from the mutual dependence and connection of its parts, preceding prophecies prepare and illustrate those "For these things we have the attes- which follow; and these, again, reflect tation of past, and the experience of light on the foregoing: just as in any present times; and we cannot well be philosophical system, that which shows deceived, if we will only believe our own the solidity of it is the harmony and coreyes and observation. We actually see respondence of the whole, not the apthe completion of many of the prophe-plication of it in particular instances. cies in the state of men and things around us; and we have the prophecies themselves recorded in books, which books have been read in public assemblies these 1700 or 2000 years, have been dispersed into several countries, have been translated into several languages, and quoted and commented upon by different nations, so that there is no room to suspect so much as a possibility of forgery or illusion."

4. Rules for understanding the prophecies.

In order to understand the prophecies, and to form a right judgment of the argument for the truth of Christianity, we must not consider them singly and apart, but as a grand whole, or a chain reaching through several thousand years, yet manifestly subservient to one and the same end. This end is no other than the establishment of the universal empire of truth and righteousness under the dominion of Jesus Christ. We are not, indeed, to suppose that each of the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament expressly points out, and clearly

"Hence, though the evidence be but small from the completion of any one prophecy taken separately, yet that evidence, being always something, the amount of the whole evidence resulting from a great number of prophecies, all relative to the same design, may be considerable; like many scattered rays, which, though each be weak in itself, yet, concentrated into one point, shall form a strong light, and strike the sense very powerfully. Still more; this evidence is not merely a growing evidence, but is indeed multiplied upon us, from the number of reflected lights which the several component parts of such a system reciprocally throw upon each; till, at length, the conviction rises unto a high degree of moral certainty."

Farther, in order to understand the prophecies, we must endeavour to find out the true subject of prophecy; that is, precisely what the prophets speak of, and the characters that are applied to that subject. The literal sense should be always kept in view, and a know

their secular affairs by repairing to these meetings which filled their heads with notions, and might occasion dis

ledge of oriental customs attended. The beginning and end of the prophetic sermons must be carefully observed. The time, as near as possible, of the predic-putes and sedition in the state; that it tion, should be ascertained. An ac- was good for the church to have but quaintance with the method of salvation few preachers, three or four in a counby Christ will greatly assist us in this ty being sufficient. She further declar work. The mind must be unprejudiced, ed her dislike of the number of these and we should be well acquainted with exercises, and therefore commanded the Scriptures at large. These rules, him peremptorily to put them down. with dependence on the divine teaching, The archbishop, however, instead of will assist us in understanding the pro- obeying the commands of his royal misphecies. See Bishop Newton's Distress, thought that she had made some sertations on the Prophecies; Bishop infringement upon his office, and wrote Sherlock's Use and Intent of Prophecy; the queen a long and earnest letter, deBishop Hurd's Sermons on the Prophe-claring that his conscience would not cies; Sir Isaac Newton's Observations suffer him to comply with her comon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse; Gray's Key to the Old Testament; Simpson's Key to the Prophecies; Illustrations of Prophecy; Vitringa's Typhus Doctrine Propheticæ; Gill on the Prophets; Ettrick's second Exodus, or Remarks on the Prophecies of the Last Times; Kett's History the Interpreter of Prophecy. See also the works of Mede, Smith, Halifax, Apthorp, and Faber, on the subject.

her majesty being always of opinion that knowledge and learning in the laity would only endanger their peaceable submission to her absolute will and pleasure."

PROPHET, a person who foretels future events. It is particularly applied to such inspired persons among the Jews as were commissioned by God to declare his will and purposes to that people. See PROPHECY.

mands. The queen was so inflamed with this letter, that the archbishop was sequestered from his office, and he ne ver afterwards recovered the queen's favour. Thus ended the prophesyings; "a useful institution," says Neale, "for promoting Christian knowledge and piety, at a time when both were at a very low ebb in the nation. The queen put them down for no other reason, but because they enlightened the people's minds in the Scriptures, and PROPHESYINGS, religious exer-encouraged their inquiries after truth; cises of the clergy in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, instituted for the purpose of promoting knowledge and piety. The ministers of a particular division at a set time met together in some church of a market or other large town, and there each in their order explained, according to their abilities, some portion of Scripture allotted to them before. This done, a moderator made his observations on what had been said, and determined the true sense of the place, a certain space of time being fixed for dispatching the whole. These institutions, like all others, however, it seems, were abused, by irregularity, disputations, and divisions. Archbishop Grindal endeavoured to regulate the prophesyings, and cover them from the objections that the court made against them, by enjoining the ministers to observe decency and order, by forbidding them to meddle with politics and church government, and by prohibiting all non-conformist ministers and laymen from being speakers. The queen, however, was resolved to suppress them; and having sent for the archbishop, told him she was informed that the rites and ceremonies of the church were not duly observed in these prophesyings; that persons not lawfully called to be ministers exercised in them; that the assemblies themselves were illegal, not being aliowed by public authority; that the laity neglected

False Prophets. See IMPOSTORS; and Josephus's Hist. of the Jews.

Sons of the Prophets, an appellation given to young men who were educated in the schools or colleges under a proper master, who was commonly, if not always, an inspired prophet in the knowledge of religion, and in sacred music, and thus were qualified to be public preachers, 1 Sam. x. 1 Sam. xi. 2 Sam. xix. 2 Kings, ii.

PROPITIATION, a sacrifice offered to God to assuage his wrath, and render him propitious. Among the Jews, there were both ordinary and public sacrifices, as holocausts, &c. offered by way of thanksgiving; and extraordinary ones, offered by persons guilty of any crime, by way of propitiation. The Romish church believe the mass to be a sacrifice of propitiation for the living and the dead. The reformed churches allow of no propitiation, but that one offered by Jesus on the cross, whereby divine jus