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48. The ear of Malchus restored.....

Matt. xxvi.
Mark xiv.
Luke xxii.

John xviii.

49. Miraculous Draught of Fishes, after his Resurrection....

John xxi.

11. In what manner the Messiah was to make his public entry into Jerusalem.

PROPHECY. Zech. ix. 9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Jerusalem, behold thy King cometh unto thee; he is just and having salvation, lowly and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass.

FULFILMENT. Matt. xxi. 7-10. The disciples-brought the ass and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and set him (Jesus) thereon, (that is, upon the clothes). And great multitudes spread their garments, &c. &c.- Matt. xxi. 4, 5. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, 'Behold thy king cometh,'

&c. &c.

12. That the Messiah should be poor and despised, and be betrayed by one of his own disciples for thirty pieces of silver, (at that time the ordinary price of the vilest slave); with which the potter's field should be purchased.

PROPHECY.-Isa. liii. 3. There is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised and we esteemed him not. - Ps. xli. 9. and Ps. Iv. 12-14. Yea, mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, hath lift up his heel against me. — Zech. xi. 12. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver, — Zech. xi. 13. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at of them! And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.

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FULFILMENT.-Luke ix. 58. The Son of man hath not where to lay his head.-2 Cor. viii. 9. For your sakes he became poor. — John xi. 35. Jesus WEPT. — Luke xxii. 3, 4. Then Satan entered into Judas, being one of the twelve, and he went his way and communed with the chief priests how he might betray him unto them. Matt. xxvi. 14. And Judas went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, what will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you; and they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. — Matt. xxvii. 3-8. Then Judas, who had betrayed him, brought again the thirty pieces of silver, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood; and he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver, and they said it is not lawful to put it into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

§ 13. That the Messiah should suffer pain and death for the sins of the

World.

PROPHECY. - Psal. xxii. 16, 17. For dogs (that is, the Heathens, whom the Jews called dogs), have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones; they look and stare upon me. — Isa. l. 6. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting.— Isa. liii. 5. 8. He was wounded for our transgressions: he was bruised for our iniquities; by his stripes we are healed. He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. Isa. liii. 12. And he bare the sin of many.

FULFILMENT.-John xix. 1, 2. Then Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and they smote him with the palms of their hands. - Matt. xxvii. 30.: Mark xv. 19. And they did spit upon him, and smote him on the head.-Mark xv. 25. And they crucified him.-1 Pet. ii. 23, 24. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not. Who bare our sins in his own body on the tree (the cross).

14. That the Messiah should be cruelly mocked and derided. PROPHECY.-Psal. xxii. 12, 13.7,8. Many bulls have compassed me; strong bulls of Bashan-(that is, the wicked and furious Jews, who like the beasts fattened on the fertile plains of Bashan,) "waxed fat, and kicked;" - (became proud and rebellious)- have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths as a ravening and roaring lion. All they that see me, laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, saying, He trusted in God that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

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FULFILMENT.- Matt. xxvii. 39. 41, 42.; Mark xv. 31, 32.; Luke xxiii. 35, 36. And they that passed by, reviled him, wagging their heads. Likewise also the chief priests, and the rulers also with them, derided, and mocking, said among themselves, with the scribes and elders, 'He saved others, himself he cannot save; if he be the Christ, the chosen of God, let him now come down from the cross, and save himself, that we may see, and we will believe him. He trusted in God, let him deliver him now if he will have him.' And the soldiers also mocked him, saying, 'If thou be the King of the Jews, save thyself.' 15. That vinegar and gall should be offered to the Messiah upon the cross; and that his garments should be divided, and lots cast for his

vesture.

PROPHECY. Psal. Ixix. 21. They gave me also gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. —Psal. xxii. 18. They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.

FULFILMENT.John xix. 29.; Matt. xxvii. 48.; Mark xv. 36. And they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

John xix. 23, 24. And the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat; now the coat was without seam. They said, therefore, Let us not rend it, but cast lots whose it shall be.

§ 16. That not a bone of the Messiah should be broken, but that his side should be pierced.

PROPHECY.-Psal. xxxiv. 20. He keepeth all his bones; not one of them is broken. Zech. xii. 10. And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced. FULFILMENT.-John xix. 32-34. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first and of the other which was crucified with him: but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake NOT his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith there came out blood and water.

17. That the Messiah should die with malefactors, but be buried honourably.

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PROPHECY. Isa. liii. 9. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death.

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FULFILMENT. - Matt. xxvii. 38. 57-60. Then were there two thieves crucified with him. There came a rich man of Arimathea named Joseph, and begged the body of Jesus; and he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb.

18. That the Messiah should rise from the dead, and ascend into heaven. PROPHECY.-Psal. xvi. 9, 10. My flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (the separate state of departed spirits) neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption. — Isa. liii. 10. When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall prolong his days. - Psal. lxviii. 18. Thou hast ascended up on high; thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men, that the Lord God might dwell among them. FULFILMENT.-Acts ii. 31. (David) spake before of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, (Hades, or the separate state;) neither did his flesh see corruption. See also Acts xiii. 35. Matt. xxviii. 5, 6. The angels said unto the women, He is not here, for he is risen, as he said.' See Luke xxiv. 5, 6. —1 Cor. xv. 4. He rose again the third day, according to the

Scriptures. Acts i. 3. He showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs. Mark xvi. 19.; Luke xxiv. 51.; Acts i. 9. So then after the Lord had spoken to them, while he was blessing them, and while they beheld, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven, and sat at the right hand of God. Compare also 1 Pet. iii. 22.; 1 Tim. iii. 16.; Heb. vi. 20. 19. That the Messiah should send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. PROPHECY.-Joel ii. 28. I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.

FULFILMENT.-See all these promises and predictions fulfilled in Acts ii. 1-4.; iv. 31.; viii. 17.; x. 44.; xi. 15.

SECTION II.

PREDICTIONS RELATIVE TO THE OFFICES OF THE MESSIAH.

1. That the Messiah was to be a PROPHET and Legislator liKE UNTO Moses, but superior to him, who should change the law of Moses into a new and more perfect law, common both to Jews and Gentiles, and which should last for ever.

PROPHECY.-Deut. xviii. 18, 19. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and will put my words into his mouth. ... And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. See also Deut. xviii. 15. Acts iii. 22. and vii. 37.

FULFILMENT. That the Messiah was to be a Prophet, generally, see § 8. p. 599. supra; and how closely Jesus Christ resembled Moses, to whom he was also infinitely superior in many respects, will appear from the following particulars.

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(i.) As to the dignity of his person. - Heb. iii. 5, 6. Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a Son over his own house, whose house are we. Other prophets had revelations in dreams and visions, but Moses talked with God face to face. Christ spake that which he had seen with the father.

(ii) As to his legislative office. Moses was a Legislator, and the Mediator of Covenant between God and man. Christ was the Mediator of a better covenant than that which was established by the sacrifice of bulls and goats. The one was mortal ; the other divine. Other prophets were only interpreters and enforcers of the law, and in this respect were greatly inferior to Moses. This is of itself a sufficient proof, that a succession of prophets could not be solely alluded to. The person who was to be raised up, could not be like Moses in a strict sense unless he were a legislator-he must give a law to mankind, and consequently a more excellent law; for if the first had been perfect, as the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews argues, there could have been no room for a second. Christ was this legislator, who gave a law more perfect in its nature, more extensive in its application, and more glorious in its promises and rewards. Heb. vii. 18, 19. There is a disannulling of the commandment going before, for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof; for the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope (i. e. of a new law) did, by the which we draw nigh to God.

The Law of Moses belonged to one nation only, but the Gospel, which is the Lex of Christ, is designed for all nations. The Messiah was to enact a new Law; Isa. ir. 3. Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the law from Jerusalem. This new law or covenant was to be common to all nations; see Isa. ii. 2, 3. and li. 4, 5.; and was to endure for ever; see Isa. lix. 21.; Jer. xxxi. 34.; Ezek. xxxvi. 27. xxxvii. 26. ; Isa. lv. 3. Ixi. 8.; Jer. xxxii. 40.; Ezek. xxxiv. 25.; Dan. vii. 13, 14.; Isa. xlii. 6. lxii. 2.; compared with Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. Moses instituted the passover, when a lamb was sacrificed, none of whose bones were to be broken, and whose blood protected the people from destruction Christ was himself that paschal lamb. Moses had a very wicked and perverse generation committed to his care; and to enable him to rule them, miraculous powers were given to him, and he used his utmost endeavours to make the people obedient to God, and to save them from ruin; but in vain in the space of forty years they all fell in the wilderness except two-Christ also was given

to a generation not less wicked and perverse; his instructions and his miracles were lost upon them; and in about the same space of time after they had rejected him, they were destroyed.

(iii.) As to his prophetic office and character.-Moses foretold the calamities that would befal his nation for their disobedience - Christ predicted the same events, fixed the precise time, and enlarged upon the previous and subsequent circumstances.

Moses chose and appointed seventy elders to preside over the people - Christ chose the same number of disciples. Moses sent twelve men to spy out the land which was to be conquered-Christ sent his twelve apostles into the world, to subdue it by a more glorious and miraculous conquest.

Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth — Christ was meek and lowly; mildness, patience, and resignation were conspicuous in all his actions; he submitted with the most perfect composure of mind to every indignity; when he was reviled he answered not again, but resigned himself to him who judgeth rightly.

The people could not enter into the land of promise till Moses was dead—by the death of Christ "the kingdom of heaven was opened to believers."

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(iv.) As to the benefits conferred. Moses delivered the Israelites from their cruel bondage in Egypt; he contended with the magicians, and had the advantage over them so manifestly, that they could no longer withstand him, but were constrained to acknowledge the divine power by which he was assisted. Moses conducted the Israelites through the desert; assuring them that if they would be obedient, they should enter into the happy land of promise, which the wiser Jews usually understood to be a type of the eternal and celestial kingdom, to which the Messiah was to open an entrance. And Moses interceded with the Almighty for that rebellious people, and stopped the wrath of God, by lifting up the brazen serpent in the wilderness. - But JESUS has delivered us from the far worse tyranny of Satan and sin, and He saves ALL who truly believe in him, and unfeignedly repent, from the guilt, the power, and the punishment of their sins. (Matt. i. 23.)-Jesus Christ cast out evil spirits, and received their acknowledgments both of the dignity of his nature and the importance of his mission. He was lifted up on the cross, and was the atonement for the whole world. He has also brought life and immortality to light; and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. As our forerunner, he hath entered into heaven, that where he is, there his followers may be also (Heb. vi. 20. ix. 24.; John xiv. 2, 3.): and as an Advocate he ever liveth to make intercession for all that come unto God by him. (1 John ii. 1.; Heb. vii. 25.)

Moses wrought a great variety of miracles, and in this particular the parallel is remarkable; since besides Christ there arose not a prophet in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, and all the signs and the wonders which the Lord sent him to do. (Deut. xxxiv.) Moses was not only a lawgiver, a prophet, and a worker of miracles, but a king and a priest. He is called king (Deut. xxxiii. 5.), and he had indeed, though not the pomp, and the crown, and the sceptre, yet the authority of a king, and was the supreme magistrate; and the office of priest he often exercised. In all these offices the resemblance between Moses and Christ was striking and exact.

Moses fed the people miraculously in the wilderness-Christ with bread and with doctrine; and the manna which descended from heaven, and the loaves which Christ multiplied, were proper images of the spiritual food which the Saviour of the world bestowed upon his disciples.

Moses expressly declares," that it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which the prophet shall speak in my name, I will require it of him." The Jews rejected Christ, and God rejected them. In the whole course of the history of the Jews there is no instance recorded, where, in the case of disobedience to the warnings or advice of any prophet, such terrible calamities ensued, as those which followed the rejection of the Messiah. The overthrow of the Jewish empire, the destruction of so many Jews at the siege of Jerusalem, the dispersion of the surviving people, and the history of the Jews down to the present day-calamities beyond measure and beyond example-fulfilled the prophecy of Moses.

(v.) As to the circumstances of his death. — Moses died in one sense for the iniquities of his people: it was their rebellion, which was the occasion of it, which drew down the displeasure of God upon them and upon him: "The Lord," said Moses to them," was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou shalt not go in thither, but thou shalt die." (Deut. i. 37.) Moses therefore went up in the sight of the people to the top of Mount Nebo, and there he died when he was in perfect vigour, "when his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”. Christ suffered for the sins of men, and was led up in the presence of the people to Calvary, where he died in the flower of his age, and when he was in his full natural strength. Neither Moses nor Christ, as far as we may collect from sacred history, were ever sick or felt any bodily decay or infirmity, which would have rendered them unfit for the toils they underwent. Their sufferings were of another kind.

As Moses a little before his death promised the people that God would raise them up a Prophet like unto him-so Christ, taking leave of his afflicted disciples, told them, I will not leave you comfortless: I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter. (John xiv. 18. 16.)

"Is this similitude and correspondence, in so many particulars, the effect of mere chance?" says Dr. Jortin, to whom we are principally indebted for the preceding circumstances of resemblance between Jesus Christ and the Great Prophet and Legislator of the Jews;- "Let us search all the records of universal history, and see if we can find a man who was so like to Moses as Christ was. If we cannot find such a one, then we have found HIM of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, to be Jesus of Nazareth, THE SON OF GOD."1

§ 2. The Messiah was to be a Teacher, who was to instruct and enlighten

men.

(i.) Messiah was to be a Teacher.

PROPHECY.-Isa. Ixi. 1. The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.— Isa. liv. 13. All thy people shall be taught of the Lord. Psal. lxxviii. I will open my mouth in a parable.

FULFILMENT.-Mark i. 14. Jesus came....preaching the kingdom of God. -Luke viii. 1. He went throughout every city and village, preaching, and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. - Mark vi. 6. He went round about all the villages teaching. — Luke iv. 15. 44. He taught in their synagogues; and he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. See also Matt.

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iv. 23. ix. 35.; Mark i. 38, 39. — Matt. xi. The poor have the Gospel preached unto them. - Matt. xiii. 34. All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables, and without a parable spake he not unto them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables. Mark iv. 33. With many such parables spake he the word unto them. The following list of parables may serve to illustrate the prophetic character of the Messiah as a teacher; it is borrowed from Mr. Archdeacon Nares's Veracity of the Evangelists Demonstrated, pp. 287–289.

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1 Jortin's Remarks on Ecclesiastical History, vol. i. pp. 135-150. second edition. See also Bp. Newton's Dissertations on the Prophecies, vol. i. pp. 90-101. London, 1793, ninth Edition.

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