and then ve shall be able to say to prophecy, as the Sama- ritans did to the woman who had guided them to Jesus, ** Now we believe, not because of thy saying ; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world'." It is said of heaven, that " the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof' :" and thus may it be said of us when Christ has once revealed himself within vis ; so bright, so cheering, so glorious will be his presence in the soul !]
We may learn then from hence,
1. The propriety of considering the evidences of our religion —
[Were we habituated from our early youth to consider these things, how vain and impotent would be the efforts of Infidels to shake our faith ! If we regai'ded nothing but in- tellectual amusement, we can scarcely conceive a richer feast to the mind than the study of prophecy. But, when we re- flect that on the truth of Christianity our eternal welfare depends, it is surprising that we are not more interested about this all-important subject. We should not be satisfied with believing Christianity, because our fathers have believed it : we should examine for ourselves. We should search the Old Testament Scriptures, which testify of Christ ; and compare them with the New Testament, in which the fiilfilment of the prophecies is recorded. Thus should we examine the foun- dation upon which we propose to build, and assure ourselves that it will bear the edifice which we design to construct upon it.]
2. The folly of resting in them —
[A man who lays a foundation proceeds to build upon it. And so must we do. We have ascertained beyond a doubt that Jesus is the Christ. But what does the assurance of that fact avail us, if we go not to him for the salvation which he has purchased for us ? The Israelites, when they found the manna that was round about their tents, inquhed, " What is it?" But when they had ascertained that it was a species of bread given them from heaven, were they satisfied with having learned that fact ? No : they proceeded to gather it, each one for himself, and then to feed upon it from day to day. Do ye then so in reference to Christ, who is " the. true bread from heaven." Do not imagine, that because you know he has been given, and are acquainted also with the ends and purposes for which he has been given, you will receive any benefit from that. You must lay hold upon him, and feed
upon
' John iv. 42. " Rev. xxi. 23.
184 2 PETER, II. 4— g. [1173.
upon him from day to day. If he be indeed, as he has de- clared, the Liglit of the world, you must walk m his light. Then shall your path to heaven be clear, and your way de- lightful: ami then sliall you be prepared to dwell with him in that place, where the sun shall be no more your light by day, neither for l;rightness shall the moon give light unto you, but where the Lord shall be imto you an everlasting light, and your God your glory'."]
' Isai. Ix. 19.