a Rev. xix. 10. and John v. 39.
b See Ps. xxii. 8, 1G, 18. and lxix. 21. and Tsai. liii.
c Ps. lxviii. 18. and ii. 6.
d Ps. ii. 8. Compare Rom. xv. 9 — 12.
« Compare 1 Pet. iii. 18—20. t o Pet. i. 21.
2. The Prophets themselves " inquired and searched diligently" into their meaning —
[The inspired men did not understand the precise import of their own prophecies. They only knew that they " minis- tered to the Church in distant ages;" but they studied the word, and sometimes with good effect, to gain an insight into the intentions and purposes of Godg. And if they judged their predictions so important while they were involved in obscurity, shall they be less valuable to us who have seen their accomplishment ?]
3. The Apostles, in declaring their accomplish- ment, received miraculous testimonies from the Holy Ghost —
[They, " who first preached the Gospel, reported those things as done, which the prophets had beforeha7id testified'1'' as to be done in due time ; and their word was accompanied " with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven V Nor was this divine seal ever more immediately set to their ministrations than when they expressly referred to the prophecies as fulfilled in Jesus1. Nothing surely could put a greater honour on the prophecies than this.]
4. The very Angels "desire to look into them" —
[The angelic figures over the ark were formed looking down upon itk. This intimated the interest they feel in the work of redemption. They arc indeed made wiser by the revelation given to the Church1. Though they dwell in the presence of God, they desire to know more of this mystery. Though they have no personal interest in it, they long to comprehend it. Can we then, whose interest in it is so great, have low thoughts of any part of those Scriptures which exhibit and illustrate it?]
Infer —
1. What a mercy is it to live under the full light of the Gospel !
[Those things, which the patriarchs saw only in types and prophecies, we are privileged to enjoy in their substance and accomplishment. Well therefore does Christ say to us, " Blessed are your eyes, blessed are your ears;" but if our light be greater than theirs, our obligations to follow it are proportionably increased ; and if we neglect to improve it, surely both prophets and angels will appear against us to condemn us.]
g Dan. ix. 2. h Heb. ii. 4. 5 Acts x. 48, 44.
k Exod. xxv. 20. i Eph. iii. 10.
i:.o 1 PETER, I. 12. [2384.
2. In searching the Scriptures we should attend particularly to what is said of Christ —
[Many road the Scriptures without ever discovering the fulness and excellency of Christ; hut as " they testify of him" so we arc most concerned in what relates to him. Let us then lix our eyes diligently on that ark of God; let us trea- sure up in our minds whatever is spoken of " his sufferings and glory ;" and, " mixing faith with what we read," let us soek to he made wise unto salvation.]