characteristics also are fully explained in the New Testament, by that dominion which is attributed to our Saviour, who is fet above all principality and power, that at the name of Jefus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth'; and who must reign till he bath put all enemies under his feet".

Now it is but natural to conclude, that the prophet, whose capacious mind, enriched and favoured with heavenly illuminations, could point out the exaltation of the Meffiah, after he had been made perfect through fuffering, in such fublime language, and fo ftrongly expreffive of his elevated dignity, must be constantly filled with earnest aspirations after a full acquaintance with this great mystery of godliness, must have it fo continually in his views, and in his prayers, that even his foul might be fitly qualified for the reward of that completest revelation, and the favour of the minutest discoveries of that glorious expecta

tion, which the providence of God should think fit to forefhew, for the confolation of his faithful and afflicted servants.

Having thus taken a compendious view of the antient predictions relating to the Meffiah, fo far at least as they tend to illuftrate the gracious defign of his coming to deliver and redeem mankind, I cannot entirely close the fubject without offering a few short inferences or deductions by way of application to my general argument. And,

I. It is evident, that in no age of the world did the Almighty Governour ever leave himself without witness. The depravity of the human nature could not but be feen and felt by men of thought and reflection from the earliest times. And fuch men must, on due inquiry, have known the gracious intention of Providence, though not in its full extent, yet in a measure fufficient for a foundation of their faith, and to awaken their hope. In fact, we find that fome imperfect traces of a deliverance were often found in the pagan world;

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world; and that the wifer heathens lived, not without hope, that they should be recovered from the darkness of ignorance, the perplexity of doubt, and the thraldom of fin; and that God would at fome time or other restore and redeem his people. The light indeed that they had was dim, imparted to them in gradual advances, and probably derived in its best luftre by secondary communications from the original fource. Nor from the natural imperfections of the human understanding, as well as the correspondent defigns and counfels of God, could it ever be received in its full splendour, till the appearance of Him who brought life and immortality to light.

* The Sibylline verses were held in high esteem long before Chrift, and probably communicated the expectation of him among the Greeks and Romans. Voff. de Sibyl. Orac. c. 4. Prodiit Sibyllinum illud oraculum, Regem populo Romam naturam parturire. Hence thofe expreffions, Dominum terrarum orbi natum, folis jubar exortum. See alfo Virg. Ecl. iv. and Æn. vi.

Pererebuerat Oriente toto vetus et conftans opinio effe in fatis, ut eo tempore Judæâ profecti rerum potirentur. Suet. in Vefp. Pluribus perfuafio inerat, antiquis facerdotum literis contineri, eo ipfo tempore fore, ut valefceret Oriens, profectique Judæâ rerum potirentur. Tacitus Hift. V.

II. And

II. And hence it is, as I would obferve in the fecond place, that to us only who live in these latter days, the former revelations can fhine in their true luftre, as the word of prophecy is rendered more fure from being confirmed by the event.

Sundry deliverances were promised to God's chosen people, as from the bondage of Egypt, the captivity of Babylon, and the tyranny of Satan. But the promise was ordinarily made in fuch a latitude, that the event alone could clearly determine the precife reference. And though enough was difcoverable to enable the fincere worshipper to confide in God, to avail himself of the proposed remedy, and to partake of the promised favour; yet it was not till the grand scheme was accomplished, that the several parts and portions of it could be fairly affigned to their due allotments, or the unfathomable mercy be properly explored.

It may probably affift us in forming fome judgement of the light, which men enjoyed before the coming of Chrift, to reflect on the obscurity

obícurity that envelopes the prophecies which are yet unfulfilled. There is very little doubt but that at some future period of the world the fulness of the Gentiles will come in, the Jews be reinftated in the favour of God, and all be received within the pale of his Church, and the kingdom of the Saints be established. But of the exact nature of this kingdom, or the time of its appearance, or when or in what manner God's gracious purposes of univerfal redemption fhall be accomplished, we can discover but very imperfect traces, or rather are quite in obfcurity; though we have feen fo much larger a draught of the general scheme, have been enlightened by him who fpake as never man fpake, and enjoy a continual illuftration of new myfteries, and the affistance of the divine Word and Spirit. We may profitably indeed contemplate the grand defign, and avail ourselves of any fresh manifestations; but we must not expect to unravel it fully, till the plan of providence shall be completed, and the events fhall give us light,

b Rom. xi. 25.

or