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A RELIGIOUS AND LITERARY JOURNAL.

AS EVERY MAN HATH RECEIVED the gift, so MINISTER THE SAME ONE TO ANOTHER.”

No. 12.]

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THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1829.

LECTURES ON PROPHECY,

BY THE ASSOCIATED INDEPENDENT MINISTERS OF LONDON.

LECTURE II,

ON THE ATTENTION DUE TO UNFULFILLED PROPHECY.
BY THE REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER, A. M.

[PRICE 3d.

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of CHRIST which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of CHRIST, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they did minister the things which are now reported to you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.-Pet. i. 10-12.

Ir devolves upon me, my respected christian friends, to illustrate a topic which to many may appear simple and obvious; but to me no small difficulties arise from its general and indefinite character; and from a fear of entering upon topics of a more peculiar nature. Hence, much may be advanced which may not appear to be particularly connected. As the more prominent parts of unfulfilled prophecy will hereafter come before you, I shall endeavour to avoid all possible interference. The passage before us contains an explicit statement of the manner in which the ancient believers regarded unfulfilled predictions; it sets before us the great subjects to which those predictions referred, and it represents holy intelligences as manifesting the deepest interest in the mysteries of redemption. It also carries our thoughts forward to a period of vast interest and importance, when " grace is to be brought unto us at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST." Then, the facts predicted will all have been fulfilled; that which is now in darkness will become light; the plans of GOD will be accomplished; the number of the elect will be completed, and God will be all in all.

From the text it is evident that the prophets did not fully understand their own predictions; nevertheless, they made them the subjects of deep investigation; they examined the things which they did not know, and though they knew they were to be fulfilled in future ages, they considered "beforehand the sufferings of CHRIST, and the glory that should fol

VOL. I.

low." As the result of their search they were assured that the things they revealed would not be realized to themselves; but that in another and a later age, they should receive their accomplishment. "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: GoD having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect:" and still they looked forward to the glory to be revealed, as they anticipated the coming of the day of the GOD Messiah.

Brethren, it becomes us to enter into their spirit, and to imitate their devout example. Aided by the light which is already shed upon our path, let us aim with modesty to explore the future.

I propose to set before you

I. SOME OF THE REASONS WHICH MAY BE ADDUCED FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECOMMENDING AN ATTENTION TO UNFULFILLED PROPHECY :

1st. I would remind you of the general object and design of the prophetic dispensation. Prophecy is both the subject and the evidence of revelation. It demands the exercise of faith before it is either understood or accomplished. The primary ground of its claims to credence, is founded on the character of the prophet, and on the nature of his statement. When prophecies are fulfilled they become miracles of knowledge as much as miracles of power. Prophecy is thus accumulative and progressive. The unfolding hand of time, as it removes the causes of obscurity, increases its value

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and confirms its authority. Prophecies | striking relation of every prophecy tothe

differ from miracles in being not merely attestations of truth, but an essential part of the materials and elements of truth. The first revelations made to man were prophetic; and things not seen, became the objects of faith, the support of hope, and the basis of consolation. It thus pleased GOD in the revelation of his will not only to meet all the exigences of our fallen nature, but in the method of communicating this help, to promote the good of the faculties of our nature. Our intellectual faculties are the sources of our moral nature: and here seems to be the difference between ourselves and the Deity. While the mind of JEHOVAH is infinite, and incapable of receiving addition to its knowledge or power; to all other minds there is a necessary bound; thus the past constitutes the materials of memory, and the future the object of hope. The present never satisfies: there is a progressiveness in all with which man has to do it is so through life, and will, doubtless, be so through eternity.

In former ages, and under all dispensations, the expectation of something better has been the ground of cherished hope. We read of the patriarchs, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises," (relating to the advent of Messiah) "but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them." The attention which they thus felt to be due to unfulfilled prophecy, included in it the ground of their religion : their faith was "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The things revealed were such as to produce the greatest moral purposes before, at the time of, and after their fulfilment. They were a series of temporary and passing events; they were all of an important nature at the time of their revelation, and at the time of their accomplishment: but they were all of a subsidiary nature also. A vast number of the prophecies were uttered to unfold the character of the only true God, to give proof that the period and all its circumstances were really foreknown, to console the people of GOD under trials and difficulties, and to exhibit a testimony to the adorable Redeemer and Saviour of the world. Thus the scope to which, at all times, prophecy uniformly converges is most important. The very " spirit of prophecy is the testimony of JESUS:" "to HIM give all the prophets witness." The

kingdom and glory of CHRIST, is that which stamps on it its true importance. This is confirmed by the passage before us: the minds of these holy men were employed in diligent enquiries as to the nature of the things of which they testified, namely, "the sufferings of CHRIST and the glory that should follow." CHRIST is alike the subject of prophetic annunciation, and of apostolic investigation. He is the "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last.' These things must be ever kept in mind. Revelation commences with a mysterious announcement of the coming of Messiah, couched in highly figurative terms; and it concludes with an equally sublime announcement of his second advent. Between these, all the revolutions of time, all the dispensations of Providence, and all the changes of the world, are comparatively minor events, important only in their connexion with CHRIST and the salvation of men. minds should be engaged in the consideration of "things not seen as yet," in connexion with these great objects; and this should stimulate us to constant and devout research.

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Prophecy leads the mind in its course from the past to the future; it connects the past with the future, and leads us to infer from the past as to the future. It would be absurd to suppose that we have no interest in the future: the apostle Paul teaches us to infer the second coming of CHRIST from the circumstance of his having already appeared; Now once, in the end of the world, hath he appeared, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment; so CHRIST was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation." Thus Peter speaks of "the grace which is to be brought unto us at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST," as the consummation of our hopes, as the end of our faith, as the completion of the salvation of our souls. But this cheering hope of the future is founded on the experience of the past; for GOD hath " begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of CHRIST from the dead," and hath preserved us amidst innumerable trials, and is by those trials making us meet for that future glory. The appearing of

JESUS CHRIST is an essential part of the glory that is to be revealed; and whether this take place at the beginning of the millennial period, or is to be referred to that solemn period which shall succeed this first stage of the church's prosperity; it is still to be regarded as the subject of joyful, of believing contemplation. In fact, I derive no inconsiderable argument for this latter idea, from the fact, that it is spoken of as the consummation of our hopes and I cannot see any congruity between the reigning of CHRIST for a thousand years upon earth, and the glorious anticipations held out to us by the language of the sacred writers.

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2ndly. Our attention is due to unfulfilled prophecy, because it is enjoined by the highest authority, and recommended by the most illustrious examples. Consider here the general command, to "search the scriptures;" because we judge them to be the records of "eternal life," and because they "testify of CHRIST." Now this injunction, or rather, perhaps, this admission, was addressed to the Jews by our LORD, for the purpose of calling their attention to prophecies which were actually fulfilling, or about to be fulfilled, It is here recognized as an important duty applying to all the churches in every age, and binding on every individual member; the word of CHRIST should dwell in us richly, in all wisdom." And, if God has made nothing in vain in nature, but all deserves and demands the attention of the philosopher; so it is in his word. Nothing of this kind can be regarded as "secret things, belonging to the LORD our God" only, which it would be presumptuous in us to investigate. What he has stated is certainly not secret, in this sense. It is true, that all the subjects of prophecy are not alike beneficial; nor is it equally the duty of all to enter into such investigations. That cannot be every man's duty which many men are not capable of discharging. Those will be found the soonest to confess their ignorance who are the most capable of the research. One fact which shews the importance of this research is, that a large portion of the New Testament, one whole book, is still unaccomplished: most distinctly, however, does its Divine Author pronounce a blessing on "him that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy." Very few, at that period, would be able to do so; there were very few copies, and but few readers;

but a blessing is pronounced on those that hear as well as on him who reads. If the command to search and examine was binding on the first Christians, how much more is it binding upon us! What facilities do we not possess ! We have the labours of men of the profoundest research; the illustrious dead, whose names will be had in everlasting remembrance, as well as many who are yet alive, all render us the most valuable assistance.Let us be careful, however, that we do not confound opinion with knowledge. We must not suppose the understanding of prophetic symbols to be as important as the comprehension of christian doctrines. or christian duties;-still there is attention claimed by it, on account of its intrinsic character, and the divine authority confirming it; and if, from early predictions, or from peculiar facilities, some devote a larger portion of their time to it than others, far be it from us to look upon them with contempt, or to pass upon them hasty censures; and far be it from those who devote more time to it than ourselves, to accuse us of want of inclination or ability for that which requires patient research. If there were more of this patient and sober examination of prophecy, there would be far less of bold and daring scepticism, on the one hand, and far less of fiction and extravagance on the other there would be less of fiction to gratify the curious, and more of truth to gratify the humble. There are not wanting those who object to such researches altogether. "Great obscurity attaches even to the brightest manifestations,"itis said by some, "and, therefore, it is impossible that we should understand them.' It would have been more proper to have said, we cannot understand them fully. It has been said also, that "GOD has put the times and the seasons in his own power, and that this should teach us modesty and prayer." And, sometimes, it has been added, "we ought not to be wise above what is written ;"-this is granted; but surely we should be wise up to what is written. The apocalyptic angel said to the prophet, what?"seal up the vision? let the mystic roll remain unopened? let it be under a sole.nn interdiction?" No :-"Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear, the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. The ancient prophets examined carefully those

portions of the sacred writings with which they were favoured; they studied diligently, and explored them ;-" In the first year of Darius, I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem." Do we not learn, from this incident, that the study of unfulfilled prophecy led to a most beneficial result? And how often, after the announcements made by our LORD, is it said, "Let him that readeth, understand ?” and, “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." And this leads me,

3dly, To notice the advantages which result from this study. It tends to enlarge our views of the great plans of Divine government. Revelation discloses to our view the purposes of God, while the prophecies mark the time as certainly. Most of these prophecies have been fulfilled as to CHRIST; So that what was revelation to the ancients, has become history to us. To them, prophecy was a light shining in a dark place; shedding a faint and gloomy ray over the immediate prospect, but still leaving the regions around wrapt in darkness and in gloom-to us it is a daystar, rising in the heart, gradually dispersing all the surrounding mists. The prophecies made to them have been actually accomplished, and we now stand upon vantage ground. What was said of the law by the apostle, may safely be applied to the prophecies which are yet unaccomplished, they are "shadows of good things to come ;"-whereas the others are "the very image of those things;"-the clear, defined, and distinct exhibition of them. And, like the law, too, unfulfilled prophecies have an intimate connexion with duty. Some are doubtful; some are either accomplished or unaccomplished; many certainly remain to be fulfilled; and though much light is reflected from the past, still darkness and shadows surround us. An attention to history convinces us that, from the beginning of time, and amidst all the revolutions of this world, it has been the grand design of Providence to prepare the way for the coming and kingdom of Messiah. He is the chief subject of prophecy: his coming is foretold with almost graphic nicety. But the prophets speak of a reigning as well as a suffering Messiah. Misconceptions on this point made CHRIST a stumbling-block to the Jews; they could have borne, for a time, the suffering Messiah, if

his exaltation had suddenly followed ;—it did not follow, and they are still unbelievers; and the fiction of two Messiahs has been broached, and has passed from the synagogue to the church. This has led men to think of uniting the church with the state. It has led men to think that the establishment of a spiritual church alone, is far too simple for such splendid announcements. This was the foundation laid for all the corruptions of ancient days, and for all the absurdities of modern prophets. We also believe in the coming of Christ;—a coming to slay wickedness by the breath of his mouth; coming to reign in the hearts of all people, filling them with righteousness, and peace, and joy. A coming which, if fulfilled literally, according to the opinion of some, would, in the present state of our earth, be productive of less happines than if fulfilled spiritually. A coming this, which is not needed to add to the glory of the Redeemer's kingdom, and which could not increase his power in the world. But the state of the kingdom of CHRIST, in this world, and its completion when the Saviour shall be fully revealed, are soon to be brought before you, by another preacher. Our ideas of the future state of the church of the reign of CHRIST upon earth must be regulated by a due attention to its character and objects. And it will probably be found to be a kingdom, differing widely from that supposed by judaizing teachers, whether in the first or the nineteenth century. And thus, also, with respect to the restoration of the Jews. We firmly believe in this event; but we believe that it will consist in a restoration to grace and righteousness, through faith, in the merits of the once rejected Messiah. And we firmly believe that the HOLY GHOST, sent down from heaven, will accomplish all we hope, And this we expect at his second and not at his third coming. This we find enough to justify all our hopes, and to make us "stedfast, and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."

If the prophecies, which are fulfilled, make us acquainted with the past history of the world, so the prophecies which are unfulfilled may enable us to form brighter ideas of futurity than philosophy ever projected, or enthusiasm ever supposed. We behold much in the world that is hostile to good; but we rejoice that He is head over all things to the church, and we rejoice that all his will

shall be fully accomplished. An attention to unfulfilled prophecy will strengthen our faith in the Divine Redeemer, and excite us to renewed acts of holy exertion, Who can approach the book of the Apocalypse, for instance, without these feelings? It opens with a representation of the Divine Redeemer, clothed in all the attributes of deity and glorified humanity -wearing the emblems of supreme government-dispensing the blessings of his grace, and preparing for the bliss and glory of heaven. The epistles to the Churches display his wisdom, his fidelity, his holiness, his love. The predictions display the glory of the future church. The seals, the trumpets, and the vials, become the symbols of good and evil, of adversity and prosperity, of conflict and triumph in the church, through its future periods. Whatever opinion we attach as to the meaning of all these things, we see one object ever conspicuous; in all things JESUS has the pre-eminence. He is ever in his church: amidst all the revolutions which darken the hemisphere, we behold the bow in the cloud; and all events, however apparently untoward, are made subservient to the glory of CHRIST, the happiness of the church, and the benefit of the world. Antichrist, in every form, shall be defeated: JESUS shall be exalted: the world shall be made happy. Philosophy has had her dreams of an Elysian age her schemes of perfectability and declension. But our views of such an auspicious era, as they rise far superior to all human conceptions, so they depend not for their realization on human policy or power, but on the word of GOD, on the truth as it is in JESUS.-I proceed to offer,

II. SOME SUGGESTIONS WHICH MAY ASSIST US IN THE STUDY OF UNFULFILLED PREDICTIONS.

Some of the advices given in the last lecture will apply to this subject. Here, however, instead of facts we have only conjectures, only opinions grounded on analogy; we must be guided therefore, in a great measure, by past events. Prophecy, let it be ever remembered, is not given to make us prophets, or to enable us to foretel future events. Every age has had its theories ;-and, for the most part, every theory has been modelled under the influence of political prejudices or theological systems.

1st. Our attention to unfulfilled prophecy ought not to interfere with what is due to other and more important parts of Revela

tian. More important, I mean, in reference to our own souls, and the souls of others; more important in reference to our duties in time, and our prospects for eternity. The knowledge derived from the study of obscure and unfulfilled predictions, can never be applied to all the purposes of the faith and experience of a Christian. Such study requires a knowledge of chronology, of geography, of history, which it is not in the power of many to command; and those who have leisure should consider how much of their time may be spent in vain, and how far their spiritual comfort, and general usefulness may be injured. I know that many may devote themselves to these studies in a spirit of devotion and piety; but I know also how liable all are to go astray. If our attention to dates, to places, to prophecies yet unfulfilled, causes partiality and prejudice to arise in our minds; if all theories are disdained except our own; if charity be wounded, and truth lies bleeding; if every other system be treated with contempt; then, without any violation of truth, or candour, or justice, it may be said such attention to prophecy is undue, and more is lost than is gained. For "though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." Unless our studies can be made to agree with the exercise of this principle, it would be much better to abandon them, saying with the apostle, "I determined not to know any thing, but JESUS CHRIST and him crucified." "I count all things but loss for the excellency the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS my LORD."

I mean not by these remarks to proscribe study, or to confine our researches to a few stinted points, or to make a system of theology dry, and common place, and meagre. But if we know the great facts of revelation, and by a belief of those facts are justified and saved; if we know that "the Son of GOD is come;" and if he hath "given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true;" and if we have reason to believe that "we are in him that is true, even in his son JESUS CHRIST;"-then let us say with the apostle, "this is the true GOD and eternal life;" and as to all else, let us say also with him, "little children, keep yourselves from IDOLS!"

2dly. All our researches must be conducted

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