the scope of our ministry is to " declare glad tidings," even to proclaim a crucified, and an exalted Saviour. Let any one con- template the foregoing subject, and see whether it do not afford
matter for rejoicing Let men only forsake their sins,
and we have not a word to utter which will not administer to them an occasion of joy. In this light the resurrection of our Lord was viewed by the first Disciples. And are not they " our fathers, and we their children ? " Yes ; we are all of one family, all united to one Headx, and all heirs of the same glory: and, if we only cleave to the Saviour as they did, we may con- fidently expect the blessings whicli they enjoyed, and may look forward with joy to that time, when we shall sit down with all the patriarchs and prophets in the kingdom of our God for every.]
x Eph. i. 10. Heb. xii. 23. v Matt. viii. 11. Luke xiii. 28
Acts xiii. 34. As concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this ivise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
IT is of the nature of prophecy to be dark. It was doubtless given in order to raise in men an ex- pectation of future events ; but it was not designed to declare them so fully, as to induce men to exert themselves either for the effectuating or counteracting of the things foretold. Its true use was, to shew, that God had both foreseen and fore-ordained all that should come to pass; and to convince us, that nothing can occur, but according to his determinate counsel and will. The passage cited in my text is strongly illustrative of this truth. One would not readily have imagined that so sublime a mystery as that of our Saviour's resurrection had been contained in these words : but, now that we see them accomplished, we can have no doubt but that they were intended to predict that great event ; since an inspired Apostle so explains them, and builds upon his explanation the most important of all truths, the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus.