Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

nourishment that can be given by the fame quantity of thofe fubfututes. Plain directions to the poor to drets their food fo as to make it palatable and nourishing would be highly bene

ficial.

66. The divine Origin of Prophecy illuftrated and defended, in a Courfe of Sermons preach ed before the Univerfity of Oxford, in the Year 1901, at the Lecture founded by John Bampton, MA. canon of Salisbury. By the Rev. George Richards, M. A Vicar of Bampton, and Rector of Lillingstone Level, Oxfordhire, and late Fellow of Oriel College.

IN the firft fermon, infidelity is shewn to have been "adopted as a powerful inftrument of ambition. It has fallaciously been propofed to the people of all nations, as one of the principal means by which they may arrive at an ideal ftate of liberty, which is really impracticable, and of happinefs, which is really unattainable; and in its later flages it has received a temporary addition of authority and importance from the fplendour of fuccefs, and the fword of the civil magiftrate." (p. 8.) A preternatural evidence in proof of divine revelation not only may be reafonably expected, but appears to he indifpenfably requifite. To that evidence, by the developement of the fecrets of futurity, which Omnipotence alone could forefee, the reader's attention is folicited in the following difcourfes. "When changes of equally high importance are paffing dreadfully before our view, we are roufed to more energetic conceptions of the revolutions of former times. The wonderful feeues which have of late been prefented to the view of the Chriftian world are particularly favourable to the enforcement of the arguments from prophecy; and feem to render it more peculiarly incumbent upon us to place it in that high rank among the evidences of Chriftianity, which from its impreffive nature it is juftly entitled to, but from which for a confiderable length of time it appears to have been undefervedly degraded." (p. 11.) The Apoftles enployed the argument from prophecy against the erroneous hopes of the Jews, who were the depofitaries of the prophetic writings; and the firft apo logitis urged it against the Pagan oracles. At the Reformation it was applied against the monftrous doctrines of the GENT. MAG. May, 1802,

Church of Rome, and carried to fuch an unwarrantable excels as to furnith our adverfaries with an anfwer, by reprefenting our religion as depending even for its exiftence on the fole fupport of prophecy. Bp. Sherlock fuppofed that the predictions of the Old Teftament were chiefly intended to fupport the faith and religion of the old world, forgetting that the teltimony of Jefus was the fpirit, end, and feope, of prophecy; and Dr. Paley feems not to have given of Chriftianity. a fufficiently high rank to this evidence tend that it would be difficult to fhew "We may jufily conall of which are acknowledged to be in what refpect a series of prophecies, accomplished, is inferior in its effects of which are acknowledged to have on our mind to a feries of miracles, all been performed." (p. 19.) We muß reality of a preternatural foreknowledge firft arrive at a firm conviction of the in the prophets. (p. 22) "The fuperficial obferver too often entangles himfelf with perplexities in confequence of minute refearch into the inferior parts of the fubject, before he has difcovered the fundamental principle depends." (p. 23.) on which the certainty of the evidence and unintelligible nature of fome parts The obfcurity of fome prophecies cannot weaken the force of thofe which may be clearly underflood." (p. 23.) We must not difcredit prophecy by the means ufed in its delivery. We must not deny the reality of an omnipotent agency becaufe we approve not the manner in which it has been exhibited. All in

[ocr errors]

ferior objections are rendered nugatory and ineffectual by a clear and decifive proof, that, as far as the peculiar circumftances of the difpenfation required, the events foretold have all actu ally concurred, and that the prophecies and their prediétions were diftinguithed by numerous peculiarities, which bore the vilible marks of a preternatural and overruling influence. The feepticalwriters of the prefent age prejudiced the minds of their readers against the proofs of revealed religion, by fraudulent endeavours to effablifh, through metaphyfical fubtleties, fallacious general principles, fubverfive of all particular teftimony. The investigation of the refpective evidences has been carefully avoided, while frenuous though ineffectual attempts have been made to prove the ufeleffnets of a revelation,

the univefal produce of impofture, the fallible nature of human teftimony, the abfolute invalidity even of the firongeft force of evidence, the influence of our own perfonal inexperience of fupernatural eflects, together with the improbability, and even impoflibility, either of a miraculous action, or of a know ledge of futurity *." (p. 29.)

Mr. R. does not in the prefent difcullion include the predictions more particularly delivered in aid of the divine admonition in Judea, which received an almost immediate completion, but confines himself to that acceptation of prophecy which implies a knowledge of futurity exceeding the reach of any created underftanding. (p. 33-35.) He directs to the difcovery of the most triking characters by which prophecy is diffinguifhed the concidence, which it is morally impoffible that cither chance or hain in ability could fo invariably produce, between the predictions which were uttered and the events in which they were fulfilled, though in fome inftances the reality of their divine origin does not perhaps become actually more certain, yet it is rendered, by a knowledge of thefe diftinguithing marks, more friking and more forcible in producing conviction in the mind. (p. 38.) Mr. R. endeavours to prove, that the events foretold were frequently remote, were deforibed with minuteness, were fometimes novel, and were very numerous (Serm. II.); that, in the age of the refpective prophets by whom they were predicted, they must have appeared often improbable, and fometimes the exact reverfe of what might have been reafonably expected (Sam. III IV.); that, in numerous inflances, the fubjects of the predictions were peculiarly unfavourable to the worldly views of the prophets, and the contrary to thofe which it is reafonable to fuppofe impoffors would have chofen (Serm. V.); that there is a propriety and confiftency in all the parts of prophecy, conftituting one great and harmonious fcheme, which it Gems, morally impoffible that the prophets could have imparted to it if they had not been reilly infpired; that the general conduct of the prophets is inexplicable upon human principles (Serm. VII), and can only be fatisfactorily accounted for by an acknowledgement of their infpiration; and, * See Voltaire's Philofophy of Hatory,

att. Oracles,

laftly, from the means which they employed and the end which they purfued, from the circumfiances attending the origin and termination of facred prophecy, and from the prefent_fituation of a confiderable portion of mankind, affording a fenfible demonfiration of the prefcience of the antient prophets, a firong prefumption may be derived in favour of their pretenfions to a divine revelation.” (p. 39-41.) Mr. R. profeffes not to urge the force of evidence from prophecy as a teftimony of the Chriftian religion. To detect the fallacy of the objections of infidels to facred prophecy at large, and to fhew the certainty of a miraculous prefcience in the prophets, is the fole object which it will be his endeavour to attain. (p. 41.)

In the fecond difcourfe, the preacher dwells on the extent and minutenefs of antient infpired prophets.

In the third difcourfe, thefe arguments are applied to Egypt, Nineveh, Babylon, Romne pagan and papal.

In the fourth, to the difperfion of the Jews.

In Sermon V. is fhewn how unfayourable the pred ctions were to the defigns of impoftors.

In Sermon VI. the confiftency and propriety of the prophetic writings are difcuffed.

Sermon VII. fhews that the general conduct of the prophets is inexplicable on human principles.

In Sermon VIII. and laft are inveftigated the particular parts of this miraculous communication between the great Creator and his humble creatures by the agency of infpired minifters in its opening and final clote, worthy of the high and holy character implicated in fuch confideration. "The nature of a prophecy, in the peculiar circumftances now under confideration, is directly oppofite to that of a miracle. Time, which diminishes the almoit irremible efficacy of the one, gives additional firength and authority to the other. A prediction, at the moment in which it is delivered, receives credit in proportion to the faith of the beliver: but the event in which a prediction is completed is calculated to impel conviction on all thofe who can afcertain its reality by perfonal obfervation, and can compare it with the previous defeription of the prophet." (p. 332.) We are forry to fee, among proofs of the existence of the Rechabites,

a re

ations, we reflect that it is one of the moft effectual means of bringing the creature to a more perfect knowledge of the Creator, and firengthening the confidence of mankind in divine revelation, we need not hesitate to pronounce it the molt intereffing and moft momentous which can occupy the attention of a being endued like man with reafon, and formed for immortal life.” (p. 343.)

a reference to Samuel Brett, who gave an account of the pretended Jewish council in the plains of Ageda, fo properly omitted in the fecond edition of Butler's Hora Hebraicæ. (p. 330.) Perhaps they are better accounted for in our vol. LXIII. p. 498. A tiriking proof of the truth of prophecy will be found in the interior provinces of Africa, the inhabitants of that quarter of the globe fatering at this day under the heavy curfe denounced against their antient progenitor, and exhibiting the precife appearance of fervitude which is defcribed in the writings of Moles, Gen. Ix. 25, 26, 27. The inhabitants of the Northern coafts of Africa, in which a fpirit of civilization has in fome degree prevailed, fill remain in that fate of foreign fubjection to which they were originally condemned by the prophets, while all the barbarous people of that extenfive quarter of the globe, from the fhores of the Mediterto the extreme promontories debted to this writer for his attention THE nation at large are much inwhich project into the Southern Ocean, to agriculture and population, and the present to the eye an awful picture of effects of enclosure, poor-rates, and human nature in its bafeft and moft de- tithes, on both. We cannot enter at graded ftate." (p 331.) The rife and large into his prefent arguments, but progrefs of the Mahometan apoftacy is mutt refer our readers to his pamphlet, another proof; and its decline may be either as a fair apology for tithes, or

ranean

difcerned amidst the violent convulfions which now agitate the kingdoms of Europe. "The prefcience of fuch numerous and important characters of the prefent fate of mankind is at once firiking and unparalleled. The facts by which it is illiterated and confirmed, being placed within our perfonal obfervation, are fubmitted to the evidence of our own fenfes. They are indeed of the nature of a miracle, and are admirably adapted to produce the fame unalterable conviction of the interference of a fupernatural power as would immediately refult from a vifible fufpenfion of the regular order of the univerle." (p. 339.) "There is not a fubject in theology more capable of imparting pleafure in the profecution than that which we have been invited to purfue in the course of these lectures. It carries us back into paft ages, and interefts us in the most important tranfactions which are recorded in the hiftory of the human race. By the abfolute certainty which it affords of the interpofition of the Supreme Being in the affairs of the world, it is calculated to fill the mind with aftonishment and a kind of facred delight. And when, in addition to thefe powerful confider

2

67. An Enquiry concerning the Influence of Tithes upon Agriculture, whether in the Hands of the Clergy or the Laity. Together wi.b fome Thoughts refpecting their Com mutation. To which are added, Remarks upon the Animadverfions of Mr. Arthur Young and bis Correfpondents, relative to the Subject of Tithes, as well as thofe of the County Agricultural Surveyors employed under the Direction of the Board of Agricul ture. By the Reverend John Howlett, Vicar of Great Dunmow, Effex.

a defence of them against the fecretary and furveyors of a Board fanctioned by many of our bishops.

68. An Efay tending to fhew that the Prophecies now accomplishing are an Evidence of the Truth of the Christian Religion. Publifhed in Pursuance of the Will of the late Rev. Mr. John Halfe, of Elworth, Chethire, as having gained the Annual Prize in 1801, infiituted by him in the Univerfity of Cambridge. By John Brd Sumner, Undergraduate Fellow of King's College. "CHRISTIAN knowledge is no lefs widely extenfive in its influence and operations than Chriftian piety." "There is a religious as well as a political ufe of hiftory; the former not lefs indifpenfable to the reflecting Chriftian, than the latter has ever been confidered to the ftatefman and philofopher; and on this head in particular it muli be allowed that our knowledge is as far encreased above the ftandard of former ages, by the completions of prophecies, as our morals have been, by the promulgation of the Golpel. Hiftory, in a political view, declares the neceffity, and points out the means, of human exertion; but religious hiftory informs us, that all human exertion is fubfer

vient

vient to the will of God, and only acts under the direction of his wifdom." (p. 2.) Some prophecics glide on with the lapfe of time towards their fulfillment, as the unfettled and warlike life of the Arabs, the fervile and dependant ftate of Egypt, and the prefent difperfion of the Jews; and, may we not add, the flavery of the defcendants of Han and Cainan? Particular epochs are diffinguifhed by the accomplishment of fome remarkable prediction, fuch as the Babylonish captivity, of our Saviour's appearance, and of the deftruction of Jerufalem. The changes which have taken place during the laft twenty years, both in the moral and political world, ftrongly predifpofe us to enquire whether the age in which we live is not marked by the interpofition of Providence, and perforining a peculiar part affigned to it.

If then it appears that prophecy in general was intended to evidence the truth of the Chriftian religion, and that there are particular prophecies now actually receiving their fulfillment in the world, the conclufion will naturally follow, that thefe prophecies are an evidence of the truth of the Chriflian religion." (p. 5.) "How muft our ideas of the divine wifdom be exalted by reflecting that as the oppofers of Chriftianity in its firft progrefs have, by their writings, furnifhed us in this age with teftimonies of the antiquity and authenticity of the Gospel, fo thofe very men, who either in former times, by the etablishment of a falfe religion, or in the prefent, by a contempt of all religion, without appearing to caft a fhadow over its lufire, do, on the contrary, afford new light, and evidence of its truth, by accomplishing the prophecy in which their apoliacy is fore told." (p. 7)

"Let us flop a moment to confider the immediate fubject of that more particular communication of the divine councils, emphatically called "the Revelation." It difciofès to us the rife and progrefs, the ftruggles and conflicts, the fuccefs and final triumph of the Chriftian Church. We fee it encompaffed with difficulties and danger, labouring to refift the oppreffors of

"Confiftently with this defign, the temporal affairs of Rome, and Rome alone, are introduced, as that city was the head first of Chriftian, and after of Antichriftian power."

its infancy, the Roman emperors, and at length rifing victorious over the weak efforts of perfecutors, and lifted to the ! imperial throne. The next enemy fprings from its own bofom; aud, as | the papal apoftacy is probably the fevereft trial deftined to chattile our church, it is more frequently enforced, and explicitly declared, than any other prophecy. But at laft, when Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, the triumph of the true religion, and the reward of those who endured to the end, is magnificently defcribed, to whom there fhall be no more death, neither forrowing nor crying. The only event recorded by St. John, which is not immediately connected with Chriftianity, is the establishment of Mahometanifin, and the Turkish power; but as this was the most fuccefsful fcheme, though at the fame time the most adverfe in its fpirit and doctrine, that has opposed Chriftanity fince its firft promulgation, we cannot be furprifed at its finding a place among revelations exprefsly intended to foretel the fate of that religion. For the mercy of God, not contented with offering to man a recovery from his fallen ftate, has even deigned to fatisfy his incredulity, by fupporting the church in its trials and afflictions with a continued proof of providential care." (p. 8.)

"The miracles which our Saviour wrought, and the prophecies which declared his coming, were the two teĥimonies to which He himself appealed when his divinity was called in queltion." (p. 10.) "Taking it as an etiablifhed principle, that prophecy in general was intended to evidence the truth of the Chriftian religion, I haften to the enquiry, what are the particular prophecies now accomplishing in the world. And, paffing over thofe which are only receiving their fulfilment during this in common with other ages, 1 confine myself to thofe prophecies which concern the two events hy which the prefent period will be diftinguished to the end of time, the deplorable contempt of all religion and authority which has taken root in France, and been diffeminated, there is reafon to fear, through many of the molt civilized nations of the world, and the precipitate decline, and ftill finking ftate, of the papal power. As the lat of thefe events was greatly accelerated, if not wholly occafioned, by the for

mer,

mer, the order is naturally fuggefted to us in which they are to be confidered." (pp. 11, 12.) The apoftacy of a great and flourishing Chriftian nation did not happen without the prefcience,_nor confequently without the permiffion, of a fuperintending power, being long ago revealed to St. Paul, and by him declared to Chriftians of fucceeding ages, as forming a neceffary part of the divine purpofe; though the apoftacy of the Roman church was only alluded to by him, but fully declared by St. Johi in his Revelation. The apoftaey of France was foretold by St. Paul, by the peculiar tenets agreeing with the feveral parts of that apoftacy; 1. a rejection of the Chriflian faith; 2. a rejection of all established moral principles; and 3. a natural fpirit of fierce pride and rapacious violence; which Mr. Sumner thews to exift in the French revolution. A denial of a Saviour, and a future ftate and refurrection, leading to a denial of God, to difobedience to parents, want of natural affection, and a deprecation of the honourable state of marriage, and, a laft confequence of infidelity, the production of a ferocious fpirit.

"It would be an eafy, though it might now feem an invidious, taik, to revive the recollection of thofe ftates which have struggled in vain and bled for independence; of the decreafed population; the profperity deftroyed; the accumulated weight of mifery, which, when the laft account between heaven and earth is to be made,' will bear witnefs againft the rapacious violence of the French Revolution." (p. 24.)

The prophecy of the vials is from its concifenefs fo ambiguous, and has received fuch a variety of interpretations, that I hesitate to reft an argument upon it. But it has been generally agreed, to refer the fourth vial which is poured out upon the Sun to France; the Sun being the emblem of that country in her monarchial ftate. It is well known, that the year 1794

«* 2 Tim. iii. I have been furprifed not to find this prophecy particularly ap plied to the prefent time. St. Paul's MAN of fin, and St. John's beat with two borns, having been fo applied by Mr. Jones and Mr. Kett; but I cannot help agreeing with Mr. Zouch, that the received interpretation of these prophecies (efpecially of the man of fin), referring them to the papal power, and two monaftic orders, is liable to fewer objections."

was fixed by Fleming for the expiration of this vial to be attended with the diffolution of the French monarchy; and let the nations of Europe, I might almost lay of the inhabited world, bear withefs, whether power was at that time given to France to fcorch men with power; and let the general fate of religion and morals upon the Continent bear telimony, whether the nations fcorched with this great heat have blafphemed the name of God, and repented not to give him glory. We may at least conclude from hence, that to fuppofe the prefent period a fubject of prophecy is not a new and undigested opinion; and it is alfo remarkable, that St. John agrees with St. Paul in predicting violence and infidelity as its peculiar characteristic. In addition to this corroborating prophecy, we may derive prefumptive evidence of the time alluded to by St. Paul, from the awful words which introduce his fubject : This know, that in the last days perilous times hall come. To what event this expreffion of the last days bears relation, it is not for me to determine. It is fufficient to remark, that we are now approaching very near to that period, when, according to a very early tradition of Jews and Chriftians, and even of Heathens, great changes and revolutions are expected both in the natural and moral world; and there remains, according to the words of the Apoftle, a Sabbatum, or holy reft, to the people of God. If therefore, from the correfpondence of these collected proofs, the prefent age may reasonably be prefumed to be that laft age intended by St. Paul; and, if the prefent age has almoft literally verified his prophecy, defcriptive of unholy, incontinent, high-minded men, there feems to be fulficient grounds of probability for dating the account of his prophecy at the era of the French Revolution. As the caules of that great event were gradual in their operation, and, like the combustible materials of the natural world, lay long concealed in the bowels of the earth, before the time appointed for their ex

* fhough I am convinced that Fleming expected the power of France to decline with her monarchy, the coincidence of the date which he drew from the comparifon of other prophecies is remarkable. His Apocalyptical Key" was fift published in 1701.

66

plofion;

« AnteriorContinuar »