ANALYSIS OF THE ESSAY. Two modes of viewing the strength of the argument, the separate and the collective mode; both apply as criteria to prove the inspiration and accomplishment of Prophecy. Foreknowledge not from metaphysical calculations between cause and effect, much less from moral probabilities. Free-agency of man, as connected with the foreknowledge of God, not a branch of the present subject, nor opinions as to the nature and extent of inspiration. Application of the above principles to those Prophecies which relate to the Messiah. Answer to objections on the ground of obscurity in some Prophecies. The clearest Prophecies therefore to be considered first. Isaiah ix. 6, the clearest Prophecy of the Messiah in two points. Predictions of Jacob and Daniel as to the TIME of the Advent. National signs. Isaiah's Prophecy of a golden age. Personal signs. The second Elijah. Local Prophecy by Micah. Wilful mistake of the Jews as to our Saviour's birth-placealso as regarded his two-fold origin. Connected view of Prophecy, as one determinate promise of God to Adam, Seth, Shem, Abraham, Jacob, and Judah. Distinction between an unconditional promise and a conditional covenant. Use and necessity of predicting the external condition and personal character of the Messiah. Zechariah's Prophecy of the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem. External humility of Christ a prominent feature of Prophecy. Isaiah's fifty-third chapter an historical painting. Prophetic nature of the Psalms. Two-fold sense of Prophecy. The twenty-second Psalm a prophetic dirge for the Saviour upon the cross. Jewish disbelief of the resurrection. Prediction of the Ascension the clearest part of the sixty-eighth Psalm. Personal character of the Messiah foretold by Moses. Parallel and contrast between Moses the type, and Christ the antitype. Outline of Christ's character as a prophet, a priest, and a king. Our Saviour's miracles of power and of knowledge. Transfiguration. Doctrine of resurrection unripe for early revelation, yet hinted at by the cases of Enoch, Elijah, and Elisha, but fully brought to light by Christ. Sermon on the mount. Parables. Jesus unfolded deeper mysteries than Moses, and became the perfect substitute for the imperfection of the ceremonial law. Peculiar nature of Christ's priesthood. Perfection of our Lord's private life the completion of Prophecy. Spiritual nature of the Messiah's kingdom a grand feature of Prophecy. Connection of Pro phecy with the other evidences of the Christian faith. Practical result of the argument from Prophecy. Direct reference of its effects to each individual. Gratitude and love the immediate result on the heart of the true believer; also fear as well as hope, because the Messiah foretold as a judge. How fear and hope ought to operate— viz., as strong in things not seen as in things seen. Imaginary case of one looking into futurity to illustrate the strength of a Christian's faith in Prophecy. True faith working by love excites hope rather than fear. Christian view of Prophecy. Active and contemplative happiness. Energetic effects of dwelling on the mystery of the Cross. AN ESSAY ON THE PROPHECIES RELATIVE TO CHRIST. argument. THE strength of the argument derived from Prophecy, in evidence of the Christian faith, may be measured according to two different standards: one consists in the separate consideration of a single Two modes of viewing the Prophecy, the other, in viewing collectively a cer- nature of the tain number of Prophecies taken in connection with each other. It appears perhaps the most direct and perspicuous mode, to select the clearest and strongest case of a detached Prophecy, and to examine in detail not only the probable weight of each circumstance by itself, but the aggregate sum of probabilities resulting from a combination of the whole. mode. In conformity with this plan, the united strength of these separate forces, all concentrating, like rays The separate of light, in one focus, must necessarily carry a degree of conviction to the mind equal to the highest pitch of moral certainty. And the argu |