was " the Spirit of Christ :"aii(l so far were the Prophets from being the authors of their own report, that they were forced " to inquire and search dihgently what the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify." In another place, he extends this observation to all the Prophets from the beginning of the world : " Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Of the whole Sacred Volume also St. Paul affirms the same : " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God."
What the motives were which induced God thus to reveal his purposes to men, we are at no loss to declare. He did it, first, to prepare the world for the reception of the Messiah ; next, to point out that Messiah when he was come, so that no possibility of doubt could exist respecting him ; and, lastly, to make us know infallibly, that all which he has revealed respect- ing the ultimate state of the righteous and the wicked shall surely be fulfilled in its season.]
2. The manifestation of it to the souls of men — [Man can no more apply the prophecies with power to his own soul, than he could have suggested them from his own mind. He must have a spiritual discernment given him before he can know the things of the Spirit*'. Could the prophecies alone have enlightened the mind of man, St. Paul, who was so conversant with them, would have been convinced by them. But he knew not Christ, till " it pleavSed God to reveal his Son in him," and " to open his understand- ing to understand the Scriptures :" thus also was " the testi- mony of Christ confirmed by the Holy Spirit in" the Cln-istians at Corinth'*. And in like manner tlie Holy Spirit still " tes- tifies of Christ ^;" yea, it is his office to do so, even to '* glorify Christ, by taking of the things of Christ, and shewing them unto us." Without his agency, the external })ublication of the Gospel would have no effect : " Paul might i)lant, and Apollos water, to no purpose, unless God interposed to give the increase."]
We may learn then from this subject,
1. PFiih what view we should study the Scriptures —
[If the end of them all be to testify of Christ, then must we search them, in order to obtain or grow in the knowledge of Christ. It is of no use to amuse ourselves with studying the prophecies, unless v, e be led by them to believe in Christ, to put our trust in him as the only Saviour of the world, and to commit all our concerns to His wise and gracious disposal All that has been accomplished, or is now accoinplishing, or
yet
". 1 Cor. ii. 1 1 , 1 2, 1 4. '' ib. ver. 5, 6. ' John xv. 2(5.
398 REVELATION, XIX. l6. [1216.
yet remains to be accomplished, must lead us to realize the thought of his superintending providence, and convince us that not one jot or tittle that he has spoken shall ever fail. Eternity shall give an infallible exposition of all that has been revealed, and every soul of man attest its truth.]
2. In what manner we should study them —
[We should study them not as the word of man, but as the word of God ; we should study them with humble fervent prayer ; we should beg that God would " open our eyes to see the wondrous things of his law," and " give us the spirit of wisdom andreveJalion in the knowledge of Christ." If we lean to our own understandings, we shall err : but if we seek the teaching of God's Spirit, " he will give us the anointing of the Holy One, that shall teach us all things ;" he will shine into our hearts " to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." " The meek he will guide in judgment, the meek he will teach his way."]