32. Thirdly, This season is designed HP "52>, — “to make recon- ciliation for iniquity ;” “to reconcile iniquity.” So our apostle paras renders this expression, Heb. ii. 17, ‘Trdoxeodas reg amuprias,— To reconcile iniquities;” that is, ‘IAdoxeodas rbv Osby wep) roy &mapridv,— “To make reconciliation with God for iniquity,” “to make atonement.” The sense of the word 753, when applied unto sin, is known and granted. If it be spoken of God, it is “to hide, to cover, to._pardon
326 DANIEL’S PROPHECY VINDICATED. [EXERC. XIV.
sin, to be gracious” unto sinners; if of men, in the use of any of his institutions, it is “to propitiate, appease, atone, make atonement or reconciliation,” as I have elsewhere at large declared. How this was to be done by the Messiah hath been already evinced. This was that work for which he was promised unto our first parents from the foundation of the world. That he was to do it, we are taught in the Old Testament; how he did it, in the Gospel. To expect this work of making atonement for sin from any other, or to be wrought by any other ways or means, is fully to renounce the first promise, and the faith of the fathers from the foundation of the world.
33. That which in the fourth place is mentioned answers the former: “To make reconciliation for iniquity, and D'22 PI¥ 8372,” —“to bring in everlasting righteousness.” There was a legal right- eousness amongst the people before, consisting partly im their blameless observation of the institutions of the law, and partly in their ritual atonements for sin, made annually and occasionally. Neither of these could constitute their righteousness “ everlasting.” Not the former; for “ by the deeds of the law can no flesh be justi- fied,”—that is, not absolutely, whatever they might be as to the pos- session of the promised land. Not the latter; for, as our apostle observes, the annual repetition of legal sacrifices did sufficiently manifest that they could not make perfect them that came unto God by them.
In opposition unto these, an “everlasting righteousness,” such as is absolute, perfect, and enduring for ever, is promised to be brought in by the Messiah; the righteousness which he wrought in his life and death, doing and suffering the whole will of God, being im- puted unto them that believe. And this poby PIS, “ everlast- ing righteousness,” procureth and endeth in the D7) NWA, “ ever- lasting salvation,” mentioned Isa. xlv. 17,—both opposed unto the ritual righteousness and temporal deliverance of the law. To de- clare the nature and the way of bringing in this righteousness is the design of the gospel, Rom. i. 16,17. And I desire to know of the Jews how it was brought in within the time limited. Accord- ing unto their principles, the time here determined was so far from being a season of bringing in everlasting righteousness, that by their own confession it brought in nothing but a deluge of wickedness, in the sins of their nation and oppressions of the Gentiles. This, therefore, is the proper work of the Messiah, foretold by the pro- phets, expected by all the fathers, and not denied by the Jews themselves at this day, though they would shamefully avoid the application of it unto him in this place. But he, whoever he be, that brings in “ everlasting righteousness,” he, and no other, is the promised Seed, the true and only Messiah,
34, The fifth thing here foretold is in these words: 8°23) }itn bin? H
SECT, 33-35. | DANIEL’S PROPHECY VINDICATED. 827
—*“To seal vision and prophet.” 2) for 1822, “prophet” for “prophecy,” the concrete for the abstract. The expression, being metaphorical, is capable of a triple interpretation or application, every one of them proper unto the Messiah, his work, and the times wherein he came, and to no other. 1st, To “seal” is to consummate, to establish, and confirm. Things are perfected, completed, estab- lished, aud confirmed, by sealing, Jer. xxxil. 44; Isa. viii. 16; John i. 34; Rom. iv. 11, In this sense “vision and prophecy” were sealed in the Messiah. They had all of them respect unto the coming of the just One, the promised Seed. God had spoken of him “ by the mouths of his holy prophets from the foundation of the world.” In the bringing of bim forth, he sealed the truth of their predictions by their actual accomplishment. ‘The law and the prophets were until John,” and then they were to be fulfilled. This was the season wherein all vision and prophecy centred, this the person who was the principal subject and end of them: he therefore and his coming are here foretold. 2dly, To “seal” is to finish, conclude, and put an end unto any thing, Isa. xxix. 11> Thus also were vision and prophecy then sealed among the Jews. They were shut up and finished. The privilege, use, and benefit of them, were no more to be continued in their church. And this also fell out accordingly. By their own con- fession, from that day to this they have not enjoyed either vision or prophet. That work, as unto them, came wholly to an end in the coming of the Messiah. 3dly, By “sealing,” the confirmation of the doctrine concerning the Messiah, his person and office, by vision and prophecy, may be intended. The visions and prophecies that went before, by reason of their darkness and obscurity, left the people in sundry particulars at great uncertainty. Now all things were cleared and confirmed. The Spirit of prophecy accompanying the Messiah, and by him given unto his disciples, foretold by Joel, chap. 11. 28, 29, was in his revelations express, clear, and evident, directing unto and confirming every ‘thing belonging unto his person and doctrine. Neither had these words any other accomplishment but what is con- tained in these things.