how the enemy of our souls may have power over us, as to outward circumstances, while we may yet be kept internally, by the power of God, unto salvation.-In Jesus submitting to be dragged by men from one part of Jerusalem to another, previous to his crucifixion, we learn how Satan often employs his agents in this life, to vex and harass the people of God.-In Jesus submitting, when an infant, to be carried down into Egypt, we learn with what perfect acquiescence, and childlike repose, the believer may commit his safety to the Lord.-In Jesus submitting, when he had taught the multitudes from a ship, to be conveyed in it by his disciples, to the other side," even as he was, we learn with what entire disengagement from temporal concerns, and with what indifference as to external arrangements, the faithful missionary may give himself to the preaching of the word. In Jesus submitting, when dead, to be wrapped, by friendly hands, in grave clothes and spices, which he needed not, we learn that it is not worth while to quarrel with the wellmeant dispositions and attentions of others, even where they are not required. In Jesus submitting to be anointed for his burial, by other hands, before his death, we learn solemn preparation of heart for all that is to come upon us hereafter, according to the will of God. In Jesus submitting to be taken down from the cross, and laid in the tomb, we learn, that whatever, after death, may befal our bodies, all will go right with them at the last, if we are found in Him.

SHORT ESSAYS ON PROPHECY.

ESSAY I.

On the Study of the Prophecies.

OBJECTORS to the study of prophecy are accustomed to say, "Some things are clearly revealed, other things are hid from us: therefore, prophecy must be let alone." But, to try the force of this argument, it will be necessary to fill it up; or to put in that member of it which is omitted and assumed. The argument will then stand thus. "Some things are clearly revealed, other things are hid from us prophecy is a thing of this latter description: therefore, prophecy must be let alone." Now, then, we have got the question on its right ground. How far is it true, that prophecy belongs to those things which are hid from us ?

If it be meant only, that the meaning of some prophecies is more or less hid from us, this is not to be denied. For example:

we read them, perhaps, and see but little of their import. We read them again, and are still at a loss.

But prophecy itself is not hid from us, for we have it in the Book. The page of Holy Scripture is the page of REVELATION, not the page of concealment. Some things God has been pleased to reveal to us, other things he has kept back from us. True. But all things that are contained in the Scriptures belong to the things revealed, and therefore prophecy among the rest. If we cannot make them out, it is not because they are not revealed, but because we are blind. Granted, there are many things in the prophetical parts of Scripture which I cannot understand. But I can remember the time when I could not understand the Epistle to the Romans. Perhaps it may only shew my self-conceit, if I think that I understand it fully now. In this respect, then, it is not clear that there exists any very great difference, between the prophetical parts of Scripture, and the rest of the Book. Had I believed, I might probably have understood the Epistle to the Romans long ago, about as well as I do now. Therefore, for what I do not understand, whether in this part of the Bible or in others, I must perhaps blame myself. The Bible is a discovery. Prophecy, as being contained in the Bible, is a discovery also. Yea, and it is a discovery now; before the future events, to which it refers, are accomplished. Either it is this, or prophecy does not partake of the character of that Book of which it forms a part, as a revelation to man: and if I ought to let alone the prophetical parts of Scripture because I do not understand them, I ought to let alone more or less of the rest of the Bible, for the same reason. At length, then, we trace the objection home. It is Popish. And let not that man think himself much of a Protestant, after all, who is loud for every person's right to search the Scriptures for himself, yet censures the study of Scripture prophecies.

Be it observed, that what I contend for throughout, is the study of prophecy, as contained in Scripture. To such study alone does my argument apply. The study of books written on prophecy is quite a different question. Carried too far, it may interfere with, or supersede, the study of the prophecies of Scripture carried to a very great excess, it may bewilder and infatuate in moderation, in its proper extent, in due subordination to the great object of studying THE PROPHECIES THEMSELVES, it may have its service and its place.

But, if the truth is to be spoken, our argument for studying the prophecies may be carried further still. Prophecy is a discovery, not only of future, but of present, of passing events.

Mark this point; for it is one of immense importance. I say that prophecy is a discovery of the true character of passing events : gives a true representation of the nature of things present, such as, out of the Bible, is not to be had: yea, is a faithful commentary on all the events of the world and of the church, as they come on, pass us by, and go off into the distance. Tell me not that history is the key to prophecy. Say, rather, that prophecy is the key to history. Prophecy teaches me to understand history, far more than history ever taught me to understand prophecy. Prophecy enables me to view the course of events in its true character; sometimes, to tell what comes next in the cycle. Nay, I must come to prophecy, to gain a knowledge of the world, to understand the existing state of things, to acquire a just view of society as it is, to become acquainted with human nature. Some, to acquire a knowledge of human nature, study celebrated authors. But I get more of this knowledge in its true foundations, more insight into society in its real characteristics, strong lines of division, present state, immediate prospects, and final destinies, from the prophecies of the Apocalypse, than from all of them together.

But if objectors take alarm, from dreading a too exclusive study of prophecy, let them beware of a danger on the other side. They may fall into the opposite extreme, of neglecting part of the Divine word. There is reason to think, that objectors to the study of prophecy run very generally into this error. Unhappy indeed are they, whose objections arise from a feeling of distaste. What do they, when they come to the prophecies in reading their Bibles? Pass them by? or run them over?

We read in the Holy Gospels, that the Lord Jesus Christ did many things, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. Yea, even from the cradle to the cross, he appears to have had this for a prevailing motive of action. While yet a young child, he was taken down into Egypt, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, Out of Egypt have I called my Son :" and when he hung suspended between earth and heaven, "Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst."-Now this at first sight appears extraordinary. Here we see the Eternal Word bringing himself into conformity with the written word, and shaping his actions according to it, with the express purpose of fulfilling it.

But why? The written word is the exact transcript of the mind of God: and hence He who, in counsel as well as essence, is one with the Father, in complying with it, only complies with his own eternal purposes. "In the volume of the book

it is written of me: I delight to do THY WILL, O my God." Hence is it that we so often find the Lord acting and shaping his conduct with this view, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Nor have we reason to think that it is otherwise now, when he sits administering all things, both in the world and in the church, at the right hand of God. Still may we regard him as so directing the course of time, that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.

Hence the importance of prophecy. Nay, further. In this grand scheme, all creatures are made to bear and to act their parts. The only difference is, that some do this blindly, some intelligently some in ignorance, not knowing what they do; like his enemies, who fulfilled the Scriptures by condemning him some as his happy, obedient, and willing agents, rejoicing, like the holy angels, to do his will, hearkening to the voice of his words. The more, then, every part of his word is known to us, and cordially treasured in our bosoms, the less likely are we to resemble those who accomplish it as blind rebels, pleting the accomplishment in their own destruction; the more to resemble Him, who himself did all things while on earth, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. Is it not Pascal, who makes an observation to the following effect? Prophecy in a great measure consists of promises and threatenings. In respect to one or the other, we must all accomplish prophecy! Happy are they, in whom the threatenings are not fulfilled, and who receive the promises !

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On the whole, the writer of these pages, though a decided advocate for the study of the prophetic parts of Scripture, hopes that his advocacy will not be found of an extravagant kind. His own plan, in reading the Scriptures, has for the most part been, simply to take the prophetic writings as they come before him, in their turn. This method may admit of some little variation; but if the Scriptures be read with assiduity, it will probably be found the best and a more exclusive attention to the prophecies is liable to some objections. For example, it may lead to a neglect of other parts of Scripture. For the fact is, it is to be feared we read no part of Scripture enough; and consequently, if we give more than a due portion of our time to any one part, the rest may be very much neglected indeed. Add to this, that by a partial reading, we run the risk of neglecting some portions of prophecy itself. For prophecy is interwoven throughout Scripture; and indeed all Scripture, from its general application, may be called prophetic, and that in a very important sense. Nay, by reading

only a part, we may lose the benefit of light, coming from the parts which we omit, on those which we read. For all Scripture is mutually interpretative; and by taking only a part, or by chiefly attending to only a part, and neglecting the rest, we are in danger of acquiring contracted and partial views, on prophecy, as on every other subject.

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On this plan, followed indeed most imperfectly, of nearly impartial reading, the writer has slowly acquired and formed, he hopes not without a better teaching, those views on the subject of prophecy, which he purposes in the following papers, the Lord permitting and helping him, to develop. In some points he does not fully accord with the views which other students of prophecy have of late brought before the public. once to state the main points of difference, he is considerably at variance with those, who think that religion has not spread extensively of late, that it is not so spreading at this time, and that it will not so continue to spread. If he may be permitted to use the expression without being suspected of any invidious meaning, he takes higher views than appear to be entertained by some, of the present dispensation; the dispensation under which we live. He thinks, that while a part of the prophetic writings will not be fully accomplished till after the resurrection, as it is said, "THEN shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory;" yet that much of prophecy mainly refers to the Gospel dispensation, and to the church in its present state. In a word, while he looks forward with confidence to the Millennial period, and to the manifested reign of Christ on earth, as clearly foretold in Scripture, he does not contemplate this state as a new dispensation, but as a continuation, further development, and consummation, of that under which we now are; which tends, he conceives, to what is promised, by an appointed progress; so that he looks for no dispensation above and beyond the present, as to its essential characteristics, on this side of eternity. Yet-if it be the opinion of some, that, as our Lord at his first coming ruled over his little flock in Person, the influences of his Spirit being less clearly manifested, and now guides his people by his Spirit, his Person being in heaven at the right hand of God, so a time shall come, when he shall rule in Spirit and in Person tooit is not the design of the present observations to oppose this view. And, after having been not a little displeased and hurt with the treatment, which modern students of prophecy have experienced from some of their brethren and his, it certainly is the present writer's wish, even should he have to urge any