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SERMON IV.

ON THE INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY.

REVELATION xix. 10.

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy.'

IT is natural, that man should be anxious about his fate; and eagerly listen to any expedient, that may enable him to draw the curtain of futurity, and behold, at one glance, the whole period of time, in which he is concerned. The impatience, which prompts him to anticipate the catastrophe of an interesting story, without submitting to the gradual tenor of narration, must stimulate him still more to snatch the book of destiny, and greedily devour the pages, which contain the secrets of his future life. Though this desire is natural, and often indulged to an extravagant excess, it is by no means clear, that a full gratification of it, would add to the sum of human happiness. A distant view of prosperity might aggravate the evils of affliction; and, in

stead of enhancing, greatly diminish, the long expected enjoyment. If, on looking into the volume of infallible and irreversible destiny, we should find a decree of endless distress and sorrow, hope, which now cheers the darkest gloom of misery, and never forsakes us in our misfortunes, would at once desert us. That faithful friend, who would have led us from one stage of affliction to another, beguiling the way with flattering promises, and affording the most grateful consolation to our grief, would abandon us to the horrors of despair. Notwithstanding, therefore, the avidity of men, to pry into futurity, and their apparent credulity in impostors, there is, perhaps, no person of common reflection, who would venture to ask the fatal question, if sure of an infallible reply; but the most credulous in fortunate omens, are armed with a degree of incredulity against inauspicious prognostics.

From these observations we may reasonably conclude, that Prophecy was never intended to enlarge our knowledge of future personal events. Neither does a distinct foreknowledge of such public transactions, as affect the condition of states and empires, seem to have been the intention of Prophecy. Its true design was explained by our Lord, when he said: "I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe." Its object is, to evince the operation of a superintending Providence,

and, more especially, the truth of revelation. "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy."

That the spirit of Prophecy bears testimony to Jesus is a truth, which gives the sincerest satisfaction to every pious mind. It is one of those arguments, which have been prepared by infinite wisdom for the perpetual support of serious Christians, and reserved for the final confusion or conversion of unbelievers; "a light, that shineth in the dark, till the day dawn." During the progress of the divine dispensations, it shines with increasing splendor on the watchful disciple; like the star, which guided the wise men to the birth place of Christ, alternately obscured, and emerging from a cloud; and in their consummation, it will flash irresistible conviction on the most obstinate and thoughtless. From the nature of Prophecy, however, it must necessarily be exposed to cavil, until it be completely fulfilled, for if sooner intelligible it would influence the conduct of men, and seem to contribute to its own completion. Even those predictions, which have been accomplished, may be liable to the attacks of scepticism, till the whole plan be developed: but they will, in every age, sustain the faith of candid inquirers, and make continual additions to the evidence for Christianity.

When a devout mind takes a general view of Seripture, it is struck with astonishment at the

novelty and vastness of the plan, which the sacred writings unfold. We perceive a consistency among Books, composed at intervals of many ages, which convinces us of the superintendence of that Being, "who sees the end from the beginning, from ancient days the things that are not yet done," and "is the same yesterday, to day and for ever." We feel, that neither the narrative of past events, nor the intimations of futurity are subjects for minute and partial criticism. The whole edifice must be seen from such a distance, and with such a comprehensive glance, that its magnitude, design and grandeur shall be manifest, and the proportions of all its parts clearly discerned. We may then descend from this general view to a particular examination of the members: but it would be preposterous to begin with a nice inspection of minute ornaments; for the fitness of these may depend on a survey of the whole.

The sacred writings are entirely different from every other composition; and the language and sentiment, narrative and prophecy are perfectly consistent, though they were composed by a variety of hands, at distant periods, in a series of 1500 years. Since the completion of the canon, the Jews have remained in a state, corresponding with their history and prophecies. No one can read the Bible throughout, with attention and candour, without being struck with the novelty of the matter and the harmony of the plan; nor

can any one recollect the history of the Jews and of the Christian Church, without feeling a conviction of the truth and authority of that uniform stream of Prophecy, which may be traced throughout the sacred volume. The whole train of events tends to one object, and is evidently conducted by an almighty hand; and the current of Prophecy runs steadily in one direction under the same guidance; while nations and kings, and heroes and prophets are unconscious actors in the grand and diversified drama.

As the Almighty lavishes life and the means of enjoyment with a profusion, which defies the efforts of the most wanton destroyer; so, from the stores of his wisdom he scatters the evidences of his existence and providence, in such abundance as to set at nought the "disputer of this world." While the atheist sneers at the continual destruction, that is going on in the animal creation, the utmost industry and ingenuity of the human race could not extirpate a single insect; and while the sceptic thinks, he has overthrown the whole scheme of Prophecy by detecting a misapplication of one prediction, the pious Christian sees the whole Bible interspersed with proofs of providence and prospects of futurity. If a human author wish to prove the truth of an opinion, or illustrate the value of a discovery, he labours to arrange his arguments, and display his proofs with a degree of ostenta

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