But what, is there no trace of this scheme in the gospel, when Jesus himself began at Moses and the prophets, and expounded [to his disciples] in ALL the scriptures the things concerning himself? Is this scheme contradictory to the evidence of prophecy, as understood by the apostles, when St. Peter argued with the Jews from what God had spoken by the mouth of ALL his prophets, since the world began?

Is not here a series of prophecies, expressly referred to, as running up not only to the times of Moses*, but to the beginning of the world? And is not this series argued from, as constituting one entire system of prophecy, and as affording an evidence distinct from that which arises from the consideration of each prophecy, taken singly and by itself?

But Jesus and his apostles, usually applied the prophecies singly and independently on each other, as so many different arguments for the general truth of the gospelt.

Could they do otherwise, when the occasions offered, in the course of their ministry, to which those prophecies were to be applied? Or, could they do better, in their discourses to the people, to whom the argument from single prophecies would be more familiar, than that complicated one, arising from a whole system? Does it follow, because the prophecies were applied singly, that therefore they might not with good reason be applied systematically; or that they may not now be so applied, when we have to

Though by Moses is here meant, not the prophecies of Moses only, but the books of Moses, containing those former prophecies, which, as St. Peter says, had been delivered, since the world began.

+ DR. MIDDLETON, p. 139.

do with those who are capable of entering into this sort of argumentation? Will it be said that, because the moral precepts of the gospel are delivered singly, there is therefore no such thing as a system of morality, or that the subject may not be treated with propriety, and with advantage too, in that form?

On the whole, the prophecies of the Old and New Testament, having clearly all the qualities of what we call a system, that is, consisting of many particulars, dependent on each other, and intimately connected by their reference to a common end, there is no reason why they may not be considered in this light; and there is great reason why they should be so considered, since otherwise, on many occasions, we shall not do justice to the argument itself.

To return then to the text, (which implies the existence and use of such a system,) and to conclude with it. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. This angelic information presents, at first sight, an idea stupendous indeed, but, on such a subject, suitable enough to our expectations. It offers no violence to the natural sense of the human mind; but, on the contrary, hath every thing in it to engage our belief and veneration.

REMARKABLE BENEVOLENCE.

The following instance of Remarkable Benevolence we take from the Religious Monitor; in which it appears as a translation from the periodical publications of the Basil Society. Let the rich read it, and acknowledge the rebuke: let the poor also read it, and see in it a lively comment on the promise, "Bread shall be given him, and his waters shall be sure."

B. WAS a native of Alsace; and on a journey

he made to K, he married. He inhabited a small house, without the gates of the town; and his employment barely subsisted him, though he constantly worked for rich and respectable people in the city. He was a painter and gilder. Every evening he was accustomed to bring bread home with him for his family, from the produce of his work. It happened, however, once, that he did not receive his money. Although God has expressly commanded, that the "sun shall not go down before the labourer receives his hire," yet the degenerate Christian pays but little attention to the commands of his Maker! Very many, and clergymen amongst the number, are not even acquainted with all his written commands, more especially those in the Old Testament, notwithstanding Jesus Christ hath absolutely declared, in Matth. v. 18. that all shall be strictly observed, and that not a jot or tittle thereof shall fail. Now could the poor gilder no longer get paid by his employers. For some time, however, he was enabled to carry home bread with him as usual to his hungry family; but at length every resource was ex

gra

hausted. Throughout the day, during his work, he put up an inward prayer to God, that he would ciously dispose the hearts of his masters in his favour, so that they might not allow him to go home pennyless; but the day passed, the time of labour finished, and the poor husband and father had nothing-nothing at all to take home with him! Melancholy and sad he entered the suburbs where he lived, with a heavy heart, and downcast eyes. Some one going towards the city, met him, saluted him as he passed, and slipping a piece of silver into his hand, glided by him. B. stood stock-still, astonished; and shouting aloud, with eyes uplifted, tears ran down his cheeks; and he bitterly reproached himself for his vile unbelief in that God who feedeth the ravens, and numbers the very hairs of our heads.

"Passing onwards, his way lay through a path between two hedges, where he heard a faint voice, in a mournful, complaining strain; and, as he looked round him to know from whence it proceeded, he saw a young man, who had the appearance of a traveller, lying on the grass, pale, weak, and emaciated. "What is the matter, my friend?" asked the poor painter." Sir, I am a travelling mechanic, and am going towards home: I have yet far to go: as my money ran short, I was obliged to act with the utmost frugality; and expended daily only what my most urgent necessities demanded: notwithstanding, my money is all gone. The whole of this day have I pursued my journey without tasting food and my strength is so entirely exhausted, that I can go no further." What was poor B. to do? He had nothing but the small piece of silver :-should he give him that? But what would remain for his hungry expecting children? Perplexed, confounded, and almost mechanically, without knowing what he said.

he demanded of the young man if he had no smallmoney about him, even of the most trifling value, to give him in exchange for his little piece of silver.

O, my dear Sir, would I had, I should not lie longer here!" The heart of poor B. felt a terrible conflict. At last, shrugging his shoulders, with great sorrow, and heaviness of mind, he pursued his way: but he went not far; his piece of money burned like fire in his pocket; he hastily turned back, gave it to the poor traveller, and with great agitation turned away quickly, weeping, sobbing, and almost reeling like a drunken man. He had not proceeded far, before he met a man, with several longish loaves of bread, which he carried under his arms, coming directly towards him. As they approached each other, the man saluted him in a very friendly manner; and passing him, slipped one of his loaves under his arm, and putting a dollar into his hand, hastened away. The poor painter threw himself on the grass, and wept aloud!

"Who can read, without the deepest emotion, this wonderful relation of the gracious providence of God towards the necessities of his children! The worthy painter acted with such pure humanity, and the hand of God so visibly interposed, that while we are compelled to bestow our warmest approbation on his conduct, we are led to offer our humble adoration at the throne of grace. Such tales as these are like apples of gold in dishes of silver; and though at all times, yet in our days more especially, a word in due season. If the poor Christian is led to further perseverance in his confidence in God, who hears and answers prayer, and the weak believer, taught to blush for his unbelief, this memorable instance of God's paternal care will not have been recorded in vain !"

O.