and that, by the accomplishment of his prophecies and his promises, in many respects, he has given fufficient evidence that he is true and faithful, poffeffed of all knowledge, and of all power, both as the author and the finisher of our faith.

SER

SERMON VIII.

JOHN xiii. 19.

Now I tell you before it come, that when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He.

T

In

HE prophecies of Jefus, which have been already confidered, were parallel to predictions of John, and bore a direct relation, and, by their accomplishment, gave evident teftimony, to the character of Jefus, as Son of God. order to fhew, that his prophecy of the establishment and prevalence of his kingdom in the world had the fame refpect, and by its completion gave the fame atteftation, to his character, as Son of God, I propose to confider that prophecy, in the present difcourse.

The

a

The Meffiah and his kingdom, are prophetically reprefented in the old-Teftament, as gradually advancing, from a small and obfcure rife, to full fize and brightness. The import of those predictions seems to be prophetically implied in the words of the Baptift, he must increase;" and in many paffages, parallel to this claufe of John, Jefus foretold his own increase and the establishment of his kingdom, with circumstances, expreffively denoting the unpromifing beginning and final fulness of it. He compared it to a little leaven, by which the whole is leavened; and to feeds, which, when it is

b

the least of all grown, is the

greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree; and when he encouraged the Apostles, as the intended stewards and rulers of his household, "fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom," he seems to have spoken partly with a prophetical view to their future ministry of his Gofpel.

a Pfalm cxviii. 22. Isaiah xlix. 7. liii. 2, &c. Daniel ii, 34, 35.

Matth. xiii. 32, 33.

Luke xii. 32. compared with verfe 41, 42.

Indeed,

Indeed, the prevalence of Chriftianity, confidered as the accomplishment of the prophecy of Jefus, affords ftrong evidence of his divine character; but it becomes ftronger, upon confidering that the prevalence of his Gospel must be afcribed immediately to himself. In the first of these two lights, it displays the divine foreknowledge of its author, while he ministered upon earth; and in the last, it ascertains his divine power, while he reigneth in heaven.

I fhall therefore endeavour to fhew, that nothing but his own accomplishment of his promises adjusted the means of establishing his kingdom to the end proposed, and thereby enfured the completion of his prophecy.

1. With this view, it may be obferved, that the Apostles of Jefus, at the time of his going away from them, understood not the fpiritual character and universality of his kingdom; and were unprovided with many principal

d Compare Matth. xxviii. 20, " teaching them to obferve all things, whatsoever I have commanded you,”— with John xiv. 26, "he fhall bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have faid unto you." If the Twelve were al

ready