"1

informed by the twentieth verse), is contained in "THE SCRIPTURES." It is called a "SURE WORD OF PROPHECY;" MORE sure (as the context also shows us) than the word which the apostle spoke when they "made known the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, though they had been eye-witnesses of His Majesty.' Again, it is compared to "a light that shineth in a dark place;" wherefore also the Lord's people are expressly told that they "DO WELL," that they "TAKE HEEN” to it. And this, not just occasionally, but "UNTIL THE DAY DAWN, AND THE DAY STAR ARISE IN THEIR HEARTS."

With this text then for a witness, let us behold the Prophecies of Scripture as "A SURE WORD" on which we may repose our confidence; not as they are deemed by some, a word to be laid by at once, as highly figurative and incomprehensibly mysterious; unfit, therefore, for profitable study. Let us view them as a LIGHT sent for the illumination of the sincere inquirer, to be used as a continual guide by the Lord's earnest servants while they sojourn in the "dark place" of this life's pilgrimage; and let us avail ourselves unceasingly of their muchneeded beams, until the night which is "far spent' shall pass away, and the great "day" of light and life so long foretold, shall "dawn."

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But it may be asked "Is it not unduly inquisitive,

1 2 Pet. i. 16.

and therefore wrong, to search out the momentous matters which are yet before us in the future? Does not the Lord intend rather that the prophecies should be studied after the events which they predict have transpired, so that His truth may be confirmed, and His faithfulness made known? This is an objection which lays firm hold upon the minds of not a few; so that we continually hear it said, that while fulfilled prophecy is of great utility, proving beyond controversy the fore-knowledge, power, judgment, mercy, and deity of God, unfulfilled prophecy had far better be passed over for the present, lest we be found sinfully prying into those secret things which belong only to the Lord. In reply to this, we may again refer to the language of the same passage of Scripture. The light of prophecy there spoken of, and to which it is said we "do well that we take heed," is not certainly a light prepared by God to cast its beams upon the path in which a man has trodden hitherto : for, mark the language "Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, UNTIL THE DAY DAWN." This surely speaks with plainness. It is a light which shines as from a guiding lamp, to show the traveller where he is, and what is before him. Bishop Newton says that the Apostle Peter "is asserting and establishing the truth of Christ's second coming in power and great glory. (For we have not followed

cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of His majesty.) One illustrious proof of His coming in power and glory was His appearing in glory and majesty at His transfiguration. (For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory―This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased—and this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with Him in the Holy Mount.) His appearing once in power and great glory is a good argument that He may appear again in like manner; and that He not only may but WILL, we have the further assurance of PROPHECY; (We have also a more sure word of Prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed.)"

With the testimony of a Scholar and Divine so able, we might well rest satisfied, even were the connexion in which the passage stands less plain; and be confident that the "sure word of Prophecy" before us, is a word which has its great concern with an important future; even with THAT DAY OF WONDERS WHEN THE GREAT "REDEEMER SHALL RETURN AND COME TO ZION" "TO BE GLORIFIED OF ALL. But it is not only this one passage, with its surrounding context, which gives evidence that we do well that we take heed" to the " sure word of Prophecy" with reference to things to come.

We must take notice also of the words of Him whose name is "Truth.” What could our Saviour mean but to advise His people thus, when He said, "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. . . . When these things BEGIN to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh!"1 What could our Saviour mean when He spoke these words, but to warn His disciples both of that day and this, and to teach them to look forward, marking well the signs of the times, that they might perceive clearly the approach of that glorious period to which He taught them to look forward? It could not be that they might profit thereby after the event-after the Lord's coming-after they should have received the inheritance. It must have been that they might be in readiness, with their loins girt about, and their lamps burning, and they themselves like servants watching for their Lord. I have read somewhere much as follows: "If the use of unfulfilled prophecy be after the event which it foretels has come to pass, it must be either to the Lord's people or to wicked people that it is found useful. Now, it cannot be of any 1 Luke xxi. 25, 28.

use to the wicked: it must needs be too late to be of use to them, when its predictions have received accomplishment in their destruction. The flood proved the truth of the Lord's word which Noah delivered; but it certainly was too late to be of any use to the wicked people to whom Noah preached: and the Lord's servants had no need of such a proof as the fulfilment of the prophecy afforded, for they were well aware beforetime that God spoke in faithfulness and truth. Moreover the wicked perished in the flood because they did not believe the prophecy BEFORE its accomplishment, and the family of Noah were only saved because they did believe it."

Surely, then, as the inspired John declares concerning the Apocalypse, so we may assert respecting every other prophecy which the Word of God brings forward, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein." So reading and so hearing we shall not fall under the condemnation of the Jews of old-" Ye hypocrites! ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time ?"2

The objection, then, which many have advanced upon the ground of undue inquisitiveness, is idle.