But from the Jewish, let us turn our attention to the Christian Church ; for in the establishment of that, also, we shall see the same truth illustrated with peculiar force. Behold the Founder of this Church riding triumphant into Jerusalem, amidst the accla- mations and hosannahs of the multitude, and you will think the day of his reign had begun to dawn : but see him, in the space of four short days, apprehended, crucified, entombed, and his little band of followers scattered, without a ray of hope in their minds ; and you will say, that all prospect of his reign has for ever vanished. Yet behold, within how short a space of time light rises up in obscurity, and the darkness becomes as the noon-day ! On the third day he rises from the dead ; and, after giving to his disciples many infallible proofs of his resurrection, he ascends to heaven, in the presence of no less than five hundred brethren ; and then sends down the Holy Spirit to testify of him, and to confirm the word which his disciples should preach in his name. Here indeed it may be said, that " at evening time it was light :" and it is probable that at that period the prophecy before us received a partial accomplishment; for then did " the living waters go out from Jerusalem," even those waters of salvation which have since, in a mea- sure, flowed towards every quarter of the globe, and which in due season shall " cover the earth as the waters cover the sea."
Thus we see how the text has already marked and characterized God's general dispensations, as well towards his Church at large, as towards individuals in particular. And let not the time spent in this statement be grudged, as though it did not bear suf- ficiently on the main subject of our consideration : for when we have seen to what an extent the leading features of our text have been illustrated in the dis- pensations of God, whether general or particular, from the foundation of the world, we are more disposed to admit, that such a mode of procedure is likely to be adopted in the latter day, and consequently are better prepared to view the text,