Let us look, for instance, at Isaiah ix. 6, 7,—“ Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even for ever." The first part is agreed by all Christians to have a literal signification, and, to have been fulfilled in the coming of Christ in humiliation; but few will admit that the latter section is to be understood in the same simple manner, and therefore say, that the throne of David means something very different from what is expressed. Look also at Luke i. 31.-" Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS." This, every believer understands simply as it is written, knowing from the testimony of the word of God, that it has had its literal accomplishment. Not so however the whole of the verses which immediately follow" He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end." This, many true-hearted Christians mistify by saying, that Messiah sitting on "the throne of David, and reigning over the house of Jacob for ever," means Christ reigning spiritually in the hearts of His people now. But, I ask, where shall we stop, if such a vague and an unwarrantable method of handling the Word of God be submitted to? If it be

needful to spiritualize one part of a sentence, why not the whole? Would not the foundation of every believer's hope be shaken, if the same mode of understanding the truth of God were applied to the Gospel promises?

How, then, may be enquired, are the prophetic testimonies to be interpreted? To which we reply, Let us beware of applying human rules, and a finite understanding, to grasp the things of God. There is a beautiful simplicity in the Holy Scriptures. What we need is a child-like mind, to be kept in dependence on the guidance of the Holy Ghost, to avoid traditions of men, compare spiritual things with spiritual, prove all things by that Word which will "not pass away," hold fast that which is good; and then we shall find ourselves taught by Him who is able to guide into all truth, and teach the deep things of God. May we have grace to search the Scriptures with reverence and godly fear!

It is worthy of remark, how literally many of the fulfilled prophecies have had their accomplishment; and should not such á fact serve to guide those who seek to understand the Lord's mind in the prophetic testimonies that are yet future? It was foretold that, through Abraham and David, according to the flesh, Christ should come (Gen. xxii. 18; Acts ii. 30); that His mother should be a virgin (Is. vii. 14); that Bethlehem should be the place of His birth (Micah v. 2); that He should be a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, oppressed, afflicted, and smitten (Is. liii.); that one who did eat bread with Him, should lift up his heel against Him (Ps. xli. 9); that He should be

betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, which would be given for the potter's field (Zech. xi. 13; Matt. xxvii. 9, 10); that they would give Him gall for His meat, and in His thirst give Him vinegar to drink (Ps. lxix. 21); that He would be numbered with the transgressors, bare the sins of many, and make intercession for the transgressors (Is. liii), that when He was smitten His sheep would be scattered (Zech. xiii. 7); that His language on the cross would be, “ My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me" (Ps. xxii.); that they would pierce His hands and His feet (Ps. xxii. 16); that His garments would be parted, and lots cast for His vesture (Ps. xxii. 18); that a bone of Him should not be broken (John xix. 36); that He would die for our sins, be buried, and that His soul should not be left in hell, neither His flesh see corruption (Ps. xvi. Is. liii.) These, and many other Scriptures might be adduced, to shew the literal fulfillment of past prophecy; while the scattered condition of the people of Israel, ever since the destruction of Jerusalem, which is still trodden down of the Gentiles, the blinded condition of the Jews as a people, &c. &c. are proofs also that prophetic Scriptures are still being literally fulfilled.

There are, at least, eight reasons for those who fear the Lord giving heed to the prophetic Scriptures.

1. Because they are the words of the living God. 2. Because ALL Scripture is profitable,.... that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17). 3. Because the Holy Spirit-the Glorifier of Jesus-is given to us to shew us "things to come" (John xvi. 13); and can

we suppose that He would have taken up His abode in our hearts, to guide us into a correct understanding of the mind of God, unless our Heavenly Father intended it for our blessing and His own glory? Certainly not, especially when we remember that the name of this blessed Teacher is "The Comforter." 4. Because the testimony of the apostle Peter is, that we do well to take heed to the "sure word of prophecy," as unto a light that shineth in a dark place* (2 Pet. i. 16—19). 5. Because much of the personal ministry of the Lord Himself was prophetic. 6. Because prophecy formed an important feature in the ministry of the apostles. 7. Because the last book in the sacred Scriptures is peculiarly prophetic. It is a letter from the Lord Jesus to His saints some years after His ascension: it opens with the solemn announcement, "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him;" and concludes with, Behold, I come quickly." The book is introduced with, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy," &c.; and towards the end it is written, "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book." 8. Because most unfulfilled prophecy is connected with the personal return and glory of Him, who is the Object of the affection and desire of the Lord's people. The first resurrection will take place when the Lord Himself descends from heaven (1 Thess. iv. 16, 17); the dead, small and great, being raised a thousand years afterward, when He to whom all judgment is committed will sit upon See vol. i. page 31.

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the great white throne (Rev. xx. 5-12). When the enemies of the Lord Jesus are made His footstool, He will arise from the throne on which He is now seated, to put all foes under His feet (Heb. x. 12, 13). When the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea, JESUS will be King over all the earth; in that day there shall be one Lord, and His name one (Zech. xiv. 9).

When ungodliness is turned away from the house of Israel, it will be effected by the return of CHRIST their Deliverer (Rom. xi. 26). When all kindreds of the earth wail, and the nations are angry, it will be because the great day of the wrath of the LAMB is come (Rev. i. 7, vi. 16, xi. 18). The joyful song of the redeemed before the throne will be, "Worthy is the Lamb;" and their never-ending delight and blessing, that they see JESUS, are with Him and like Him for ever. One great purpose of God clearly is, that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. He being the Heir of all things, and Maker of all things, will be honoured by all; so that every creature which is in Heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, yea, all in them shall yet be heard, ascribing " Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" (Rev. v).

It is one thing to receive instruction from men or books, and another to learn the truth in communion with God, through whatever instrumentality He pleases: -"I will instruct thee," &c. (Ps. xxxii. 8).