Jews, the Papists, the Protestants; Nineveh, Babylon, Tyre, the Seven Churches of Asia, Jerusalem, and Rome. And this is not a transient miracle, ceasing almost as soon as performed; but is permanent, and protracted through the course of many generations. It is not a miracle delivered only upon the report of others, but is subject to your own inspection and examination. It is not a miracle exhibited only be fore a certain number of witnesses, but is open to the observation and contemplation of all mankind; and, after so many ages, is still growing, still improving, to future ages. What stronger miracle, therefore, can you require for your conviction? or what will avail, if this be found ineffectual? Alas! if you reject the evidence of prophecy, neither would you be persuaded though one rose from the dead. What can be plainer? You see, or may see, with your own eyes, the Scripture-prophecies accomplished; and if the Scripture-prophecies are accomplished, the Scripture must be the word of God; and if the Scripture is the word of God, the Christian religion must be true. It is hoped, therefore, that the same address may be applied to you, which St. Paul made to King Agrippa: "Believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest." And God dispose your hearts to answer again, not only "almost," but "altogether thou persuadest me to be a Christian."-Bishop Newton. The NOBLEST evidences of our Lord, ARE THE PROPHECIES WHICH PRECEDED HIM; and, accordingly, it has pleased God to exercise a peculiar care in this behalf-the full accomplishment of them being a PERPETUAL MIRACLE, which reacheth from the beginning to the end of the Church.-Pascal. The scheme of Prophecy considered in its first opening, its gradual advance, and its final completion in the Advent, the Ministry, the Death and Resurrection of the Messiah, and the extensive progress of His Gospel among the Gentiles; together with its blessed influence on individuals, societies, countries, and the whole race of mankind; is an object the greatest and most sublime that imagination can conceive, and the most pleasing and important that the human mind can contemplate.-Professor White. The great object of the Prophecies of the Old Testament, is the REDEMPTION OF MANKIND. This, as soon as Adam's fall had made it necessary, the mercy of GOD was pleased to foretell. And, as the time for its accomplishment drew nearer, the predictions concerning it became gradually so clear and determinate, as to mark out with historical precision almost every circumstance in the life and character of infinitely the most extraordinary Personage, that ever appeared among men.-Eveleigh, Bampton Lecture. 17. THE ADVENT OF CHRIST. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace." -Luke ii. 14. When marshall'd on the nightly plain, The glitt'ring host bestud the sky; Can fix the sinner's wand'ring eye. Hark! Hark! to God the chorus breaks, It is the star of Bethlehem. H. K. White. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid. Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining, Maker, and Monarch, and Saviour of all. Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean, Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gold would his favour secure; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid. Bishop Heber. 18. THE CONDEMNATION AND DEATH OF CHRIST. "Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe; and Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, Crucify Him, Crucify Him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye Him, and crucify Him; for I find no fault in Him."-Luke xix. 5. 6. Thou wert alone in that fierce multitude, Whose lightest whisper'd word, The Seraphim had heard; And adamantine arms from all the heav'ns broke out. They bound thy temples with the twisted thorn, Was the unapproached light, The sandal of whose feet the rapid hurricane. Low bow'd thy head, convuls'd, and droop'd in death; Slow struggled from thy breast the parting breath, That head, whose veilless blaze Filled angels with amaze, When at that voice sprang forth the rolling suns on high, Milman. 19. THE MIRACLES AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, AND THE MINISTRY OF THE APOSTLES.* "And the angel said, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said."-Matt. xxviii. 5. 6. Collect all these proofs together: consider them in one point of view, and see how many extravagant suppositions must be advanced, if the resurrection of our Saviour be denied. It must be supposed that guards, who had been particularly cautioned by their officers, sat down to sleep; and that, nevertheless, they deserved credit when they said the body of Jesus Christ was stolen. It must be supposed that men who had been imposed on in the most odious and cruel manner in the world, hazarded their dearest enjoyments for the glory of an impostor. It must be supposed that ignorant and illiterate men, who had neither reputation, fortune, nor eloquence, possessed the art of fascinating the eyes of all the church. It must be supposed, either that five hundred persons were all deprived of their senses at a time or that they were all deceived in the plainest matters of fact: or that this multitude of false witnesses had found out the *See Note page 30. |