cles: but when Moses had proved his own commission by these immediate credentials, he delivered predictions of a greater Prophet; which, concurring with those of the patriarchs, and leading on to the whole series of predictions which designated the person of the Saviour, and the nature of his kingdom, made the evidence from prophecy essential to the future ages of the Church. The Jews being in possession of a religion attested by miracles, would have still adhered to it, unless something in that very religion had taught them to look for a new dispensation at the coming of their Messiah. To them, therefore, prophecy was indispensable; and accordingly our Lord not only performed miracles as a prophet of God, but professed to be the Messiah foretold in the Jewish scriptures. The fulfilment of the predictions, therefore, relating to the Messiah, furnished the appropriate confirmation of all those claims which rested on our Lord's miracles and doctrine. Thus, as our text observes, the word of prophecy is more sure-a more certain and infallible proof.

Prophecy also is important to the Christian church, as a perpetual testimony to the truth of divine revelation, both in the predictions accomplished already in the person of Christ, and in the history of the Jewish people

and neighbouring nations; and in the gradual fulfilment of those extended chronological predictions which embrace all the succession of events to the end of time.

The prophetical argument of course requires a more patient attention than that derived from miracles. Miracles were palpable, instant, direct appeals to the omnipotent God, subject to the immediate senses, the eyes, and ears of man: prophecy requires time, and a cautious and minute comparison of the language of the sacred oracle with the correspondent fulfilment.

The argument is of a slower growth and a longer period; but when fairly established, brings in all the perfections of Deity in attestation of a divine revelation: it is a standing miracle.

And if the prophecies are found to be pronounced by the same persons, and for the support of the same doctrines and no other, as were supported by the miraculous operations-that is, if those who wrought the miracles delivered the predictions; and those who delivered the predictions performed the miracles, the result in point of evidence is the more triumphant.

Let us now proceed to consider this evidence of scriptural prophecy, in two principal divisions; first, in its GENERAL CHARACTER AND PLAN; and secondly, in the ACTUAL AND

CLEAR FULFILMENT OF IT BEFORE THE EYES

OF MANKIND.

We shall confine ourselves to the first of these divisions on the present occasion. After laying down a broad and distinct definition of prophecy, we shall endeavour to point out its vast extent the harmony of all its parts, in the person of the Saviour-the infinite wisdom apparent in the contrivance and arrangement of these parts-the holy character of the persons who delivered the several predictions-and the important practical uses to which they were, and are applicable.

I. SCRIPTURAL PROPHECY IS THE DECLA

RATION BEFOREHAND OF SUCH

EVENTS AS

CAN BE KNOWN ONLY TO THE OMNISCIENT

GOD. It implies the undoubted prediction of future and often remote occurrences, dependent on the contingencies of human affairs, and frequently on the character and conduct of persons at the time unborn; so as distinctly to mark the foresight and sovereignty of the infinitely wise and powerful Creator and Governor of the world.

The conjectures which the most sagacious of mankind may venture to indulge with respect to futurity, are, as we all know, few and hazardous; and are only rarely confirmed, and then

very partially, by events. The oracles of the heathen were of this kind; they were merely, as our text expresses it, cunningly devised fables, designed to soothe the immediate apprehensions of men as to some pending concern, calculated to gratify the depraved passions of earthly rulers and conquerors, and aiming at the advancement of those who delivered them, to wealth, authority, or reputation. They were couched moreover in loose and ambiguous language; were very seldom accomplished; and then, perhaps, by some disgraceful play upon terms. They were little more than the guesses of jugglers and fortune-tellers.'

Divine prophecy is no cunningly devised fable; it came not at any time by the will of man. It is the clear prediction of important events connected with the salvation of mankind; events so numerous, so circumstantially marked out, so entirely beyond the reach of human conjecture, and delivered by persons designated by

1 When Croesus consulted the oracle at Delphi, relative to his intended war against the Persians, he received the following reply: Κροισος "Αλυν διαβας μεγαλην αρχην καταλύσει ; "Crœsus crossing the Halys, shall destroy a great empire." This he naturally interpreted of overcoming the Persians. He was conquered, however, and lost his own empire. The juggling oracle, however, by the ambiguity, saved its credit.— Herod. lib. i. c. 53; Suidas, iii. 382; H. Horne, i. 4, § 3.

such undoubted credentials to the sacred function, as to carry upon it the impress of divine prescience and wisdom-Prophecy came not of old time (margin, at any time) by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

II. The EXTENT of scriptural prophecy is vast in various points of view. Its records occupy a large portion of the volume of inspiration. It began to be uttered when man fell; and ceased not till the close of the Jewish dispensation. At the birth of our Lord it broke forth again, and sunk only with the last accents on the lips of the last of the apostles.

Its parts are distributed over the various dispensations of religion for four thousand years. Guilty man was not thrust out of paradise, till prophecy had whispered some hope of a future Saviour. Predictions of the flood preceded that tremendous judgment; and a prophetic declaration that the deluge should not return, accompanied its cessation.

The call of Abraham was attended with a prophetical annunciation of the land of promise, and the seed in whom all nations should be blessed.

Jacob, on his dying couch, foretold the increase of his sons, the twelve patriarchs; and