was hailed, as that "Sun of righteousness, who should arife with healing in his wings.' It is obvious, that if the Prophecies in the antient Scriptures relating to the first advent of the Meffiah were fulfilled in Chrift-and if "the wall of partition between the Jews and Gentiles was then thrown down," many of the principal fubjects of the Prophecies under the Law can have no place in the Prophecies under the Gofpel. We accordingly find the kingdom of Chrift to be the fole great object of Prophecy in the New Teftament; and this diftinction gives fresh evidence to the unity of defign, which pervades both cove nants-especially as it is certain that many of the Prophecies in both upon this ever important fubject exactly correfpond: and none can be found, in which there is the fhadow of contradiction. Of the prophecies which are contained in the New Teftament, I fhall only briefly remark, that they extend to the end of the world, and particularly defcribe the state of the Church-its trials, increase, profperity, corruption, fufferings, and purification-from the time of its lowly origin (for lowly did it feem to mortal eyes) to its universal prevalence and triumphant entrance into gloryand conclude this sketch of the history of Prophecy phecy with obferving, that fince the Revelation by St. John clofed the New Testament, 1700 years have elapfed without the appearance of any Prophet in the world. It may be obferved of the Prophecies themfelves, that they were not only neceffarily miraculous, but of that fpecies of miracles which is the most lafting, and confequently the most convincing to the later ages, as well as peculiarly adapted to the keeping up among a people difpofed, as the Jews were, to idolatry and rebellion, that conftant dependence upon their God and King, which was necessary to preserve them distinct and separate from the reft of the world, according to the declared purpose of God.--They appear to be fometimes plain, and fometimes metaphoricalthey have often a firft or partial, and an ultimate completion, of which the former may generally be confidered as an earnest of the latter they having often an immediate reference to prefent circumftances, or to things that were very foon to happen, and yet being in their nature predictive of remotely future events." It is this double character of Prophecy, which occafions thofe unexpected transitions and fudden interchange of circumtances, fo obfervable in the prophetic books. Hence Hence different predictions are fometimes. blended together, temporal and spiritual deliverances are foretold in one Prophecy, and great and smaller events are combined in one point of view. Hence likewise one chain of connected defign runs through the whole scheme of Prophecy; and a continuation of events fucceffively fulfilling, and fucceffively branching out into new predictions, continued to confirm the faith, and keep alive the expectations of the Jews." It is principally this double sense of prophecy which renders it obfcure: for though "the predictions of the Prophets were fometimes positive and exactly defcriptive, and delivered with an accurate and definite defignation of names and times, Prophecy was not generally defigned to be clear before its accomplishment. Had it been more clear, it must have controlled the freedom of human actions, or have appeared to have produced its own accomplishment, furnishing finners with a plea of neceffity. It is however always fufficiently exact in its defcriptions to authenticate its pretenfions to a Divine authority, to produce, when it comes to pafs, an acknowledgement of its unerring certainty, and to demonftrate the wisdom and the power of God"." Gray's Key to the Old Teftament, p. 343, 345, For For let it not be imagined that the obfcurity which arifes from the double fenfe of Prophecy, at all resembles the ambiguity of the Pagan oracles. The Pagan oracles.commonly related to tranfactions, that were carrying on at the fame time in no very distant place; or to fome event a fhort time before it happened, when the caufes which were to produce it had begun to operate: and it is certain, that they were in general fo expreffed, as to admit of double and even contradictory interpretations, in order to correfpond with events of a totally oppofite nature. Whereas the double types of genuine Prophecy conftantly referred to events of the fame nature, though occurring at different periods of time. It has been already faid, that Prophecy was fometimes delivered in diftinct and positive terms; as for example, the fifty-third chapter of Ifaiah, containing the history of our Saviour's fufferings; and it may also be obferved, that when it was delivered in highly metaphorical language, the fymbols and figures admitted of the cleareft explication, which was fometimes given at the same time. Thus for inftance, the four great empires of the world and their revolutions were were represented to Daniel, under the form of certain animals, and by allufions to their nature and properties; but thefe fymbols are interpreted in the plaineft language poffible. I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of clofing this part of the fubject, by quoting a moft admirable defcription of the language of Prophecy." The language of Prophecy is remarkable for its magnificence. Each prophetic writer is diftinguished for peculiar beauties; but their ftyle in general may be characterized, as ftrong, animated, and impreffive. Its ornaments are derived not from accumulation of epithet, or laboured har mony; but from the real grandeur of its images, and the majestic force of its expreffions. It is varied with striking propriety, and enlivened with quick but easy tranfitions. Its fudden bursts of eloquence, its earnest warmth, its affecting exhortations and appeals, afford very interefting proofs of that lively impreffion, and of that inspired conviction, under which the Prophets wrote; and which enabled them, among a people not diftinguifhed for genius, to furpass in every variety of composition the most admired productions of Pagan antiquity. If the imagery employed |