believer would take a fair and full view of the whole magnificent scheme in itself, and in its parts, especially in its long continued feries of growing evidence, all uniting in one point, and terminating in the fame grand object, it might overrule his minute objections, ftrike

fuch ftrength to them, as may give additional conviction and increafing fatisfaction to believers, and confequently may ferve to confirm their minds in the true faith. One would not therefore too readily give up a passage, which has been commonly received as a prediction, and which may have many good and juft reafons to fupport it as fuch. Whatever indeed cannot be fupported by fair argument, or is at all inconfiftent with the truth, must undoubtedly be rejected; but fome things may be true and certain, which we may not be able rightly to account for, or under the prefent appearances with ease to explain.

However, in our commerce with unbelievers a different method must be pursued, and we must always choose the most tenable ground, and indeed fhould fix on no other, but what has been proved, or is manifeftly fafe and fecure, that we may not in any refpect expofe our holy religion to the infults of the fcoffer, the ridicule of the libertine, or the contempt of the infidel.

It can be scarce neceffary to add, that difcourfes from the pulpit muft furely have a more especial regard to the former class of men than to the latter, to the friends rather than the enemies of Chriftianity. Where we have opportunity, we should endeavour to do good to all men; but our chief attention must be to those who are of the houfhold of faith.

For a copious and able illustration of the antient types and predictions, in the perfon and offices of Jefus, fee Dr. Barrow's Works, Vol. II. Serm. XVII. &c.

his philofophy filent, and convince him on the principles of just reasoning, or of his fo much boasted philosophy itself.

From the compendious glance we have hitherto taken of this great and important fubject, we cannot but difcern and admire the wonderful love as well as wisdom of God, in thus gradually unfolding his gracious defigns of mercy to his people; we cannot but have reason to exclaim with the prophet, How beautiful are the feet of the joyful messenger of good tidings, of him that announceth falvation, of him that faith unto Sion, thy God reignethTM.

To the chofen people in the first place this difpenfation of mercy was announced; to the children of the stock of Abraham, in its earlier notices, as well as in its fuller promulgation, the word of this falvation was fent. though the primary language of prophecy was, JEHOVAH bath comforted his people, be bath redeemed Ifrael"; though it was judged

But

expedient,

expedient, that this people fhould be thus fupported and cherished, in order to preserve the knowledge and worship of JEHOVAH, or a purity of religion and morals, amidst the general contagion of impiety and idolatry; yet ftill through the myfterious depths of the divine counfels, the difcoveries made to the Jews were extended widely over the face of the earth, and the diftant nations were probably favoured with renewed atteftations of the intended falvation of God.

For when the reign of the kings was established, and the temple completed at Jerusalem, ten of the tribes, by an unnatural schism, foon revolted from the true worship of God, and fettled themselves under another ruler in Samaria. Not many years after which feparation, Samaria was reduced and taken by the Affyrians, and the Ifraelites were made captives and difperfed among the nations. By these means the knowledge of God's gracious purposes of favour to mankind was diffused alfo with the difperfions of his people; and the traditions which had been brought down

to

to the nations from earlier times, might have been corrected and strengthened by fresh communications, received from these later de fcendants of Jacob.

Moreover, as amongst the remnant of Judah iniquities were predominant, and the idolatries of the Jews ftill called for vengeance from Heaven; after Jerufalem, the holy city, had fuffered various diftreffes from Egypt, the king of Babylon at length came up against it, and fubdued it; the people were led away into captivity at different times, and in fuch vaft multitudes, that there were not enough left for the ordinary purposes of life, or to cultivate the land. Even feveral of their prophets were conveyed to Chaldea, during the period of this general difperfion; and they delivered their predictions there; and some of them were published in the language of that country. From hence the knowledge of God's merciful intentions was widely spread abroad amongst the various subjects of the Affyrian empire, and communicated probably wherever the fame of Babylon might extend,

which

which was at that time as the most stately, fo one of the most commercial cities in the world.

Thus whilft the chofen people were especially remembered, the whole race of mankind were not forgotten; the Jewish commonwealth, and even its overthrow, had contributed to diffeminate the knowledge of a SAVIOUR; and his merits were doubtlefs fo far beneficial to the falvation of those, who had only obfcure notices of him, that through him in every nation, he that feared God, and wrought righteoufnefs, was accepted of Him°.

• Acts x. 35.

SER