to pre-figure; for the purpose of preparing the mind for its reception, when the time should arrive for its introduction. In one case, that light which leadeth to knowledge is thrown, from the event back to the prediction: in the other, it is thrown forward, from the type to the subject prefigured. In both cases, we are furnished with conviction on the cause, to which they have been made subservient; from the consideration, that all God's Dispensations, relative to the Redemption of man, are so connected, as to form one complete harmonious system: such a system as was to be expected from its Divine Author, because it bears unequivocal evidence to the character of that Being, "to whom are known all his works from the begin ning." Acts xv. 18.

When we consider the great purpose for which the Messiah came into the world; no less than that of redeeming the inhabitants of it from the curse and consequences of the fall, and restoring them, by the purification of their nature, to a capacity for cternal glory: when we consider, moreover, the dignity of that Per

son

son, who undertook this gracious office, as he is described in Scripture, under those super-angelic titles of the word and wisdom of God, "the eternal Son of the Father;" "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person:" we shall readily conclude, that the sublimity of the purpose, together with the dignity of the Person engaged in it, constituted the fittest subject for the manifestation of Divine Providence in the economy of human affairs, as ministerial to the accomplishment of that great scheme, for which the Lamb of God had, in the divine councils, been slain from the foundation of the world.

But as the accomplishment of this great scheme was to be gradual and progressive, the Letter of Prophecy attendant upon it, and bearing decided testimony to the directing power of the Supreme Disposer of events, must be suited to the nature of the Divine Dispensation; furnishing only that degree of evidence from time to time, which might best correspond with God's general design, in the revelation of his plan to the world. In proportion then as

the

the scheme of Christianity draws towards its final accomplishment at the consummation of all things, the evidence from prophecy will proportionably increase in strength; in consequence of the various lights reflected from various prophecies meeting together in one luminous Centre; for the purpose probably of counteracting, as far as may be, the grossness of that spiritual darkness, which, we are given to understand, shall overshadow the world in its last days.

Still, when it is considered that the Messiah was, in the most exalted sense of the words, to be a blessing unto all nations; and that the great scheme of Redemption had its commencement from the foundation of the world; we shall form but an inadequate judgement of the divine wisdom and goodness, if we hesitate to conclude, that an attestation suited to the different stages of the Divine Dispensation, for the purpose of conducting mankind to that truth in the fulness of time to be revealed, was uniformly and regularly vouchsafed.

To this end the types exhibited under

the

the patriarchal and Jewish Dispensation, were designed to minister. They were pictures drawn by the hand of a Master, delineative of some future Original: patterns or shadows, sketched with a greater or less degree of precision, of some future reality; calculated to prepare and predispose the parties, for whose use they were appointed, for the acknowledgement of the Object to which they referred. And as their principal reference was to the character and office of that Divine Person, who was to be the true propitiatory Sacrifice for Sin, that "Lamb of God without spot or blemish," who was to be manifested in the last days; a proper acquaintance with them will be found to furnish an evidence, in support of the uniform doctrine of Christianity as strong, as prophecy, which relates chiefly to the fortunes of Christ's Church in the world, can furnish, in support of its Divine Establishment. For Type and Prophecy, however the nature of their evidence may differ, are in this respect agreed; that that "the Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of both.”

What our Saviour said of the one, may therefore

therefore with little variation and equal truth be said of the other. "These things

have I told you before I came, that when they come to pass, ye may believe that I am He." He might have added in reference to the types of the Old Testament, as pre-figurative of the truths contained in the New; these things have I shewed you before, that when they were accomplished in me, ye might believe that I was He, who should come into the world.

That such was the principal design of the typical or emblematic service of the Law, we have the most decided authority to determine. Our Saviour in his discourse to his Disciples, previous to his Assumption, told them plainly, that "all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning him." Luke xxiv. 44.

The Law of Moses then wrote of Jesus Christ. But it did not write of Him literally; for there is no personal mention made of Him throughout the Law. What was written therefore of Christ in the Law,