Serm. CLXXXiV. 54v SERMON CLXXXIVe The Evidences of the Truth of the Chriflian Religion, z C0R.1V. 3,46 But if our Gofpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loft ; in whom the God The Fifth of this World bath blinded the Minds of them which believe not, left the Serra. on tha Ycxc, Light of the glorious Go,fÿel of Chill, who is the Image of God, jhould thine unto them. Am confidering the fourth Evidence which thofe who liv'd in our Saviour's I rime had of his Divine Authority, viz. The Spirit of Prophecy prov'd to be in him, and made goodby the Accomplifhmentof his Prediftions. I gave five Inttan -, cesof our Saviour'sPrediftiors. z. Thole which foretold his Death and its Circumftances. z. Tholewhich foretold his Refurreftion and its Circumftances. 3. Thofe which foretold theDefcent of the Holy-Ghoft upon. the Apoftles, with the Circumftances thereof. Thefe three I have confider'd, and now proceed to the two which remain. 4. The next Inftance therefore of our Saviour's Prophetical Spirit, is his foretel- ling the Deftru&ion of Hierufalem, with the Circumftances of it. Now becaufe this is one of the greaten Inflances of our Saviour's Prophetical Spirit, and fo par- titular aPredifion, fo punctually anfwer'dby the event, therefore I fha11 infift the longer upon it; Efpecially becaufe 1 look upon it as one of the molt convincing Ar- guments that can bebrought againft the Jews for the truth of our Religion. And in order to our clearer Proceeding in this matter that lam (peaking to, I /ball, do thefe three things. Firfl, Explain the Series and Order of this Prediction of our Saviour's, concer- ning the Deftruflion of Hierufalem. Secondly, Expound the Particulars of it, as we find them in Mattb. 24. com- par'd with the other twoEvangelifts that wrote of it, St. Markand St. Luke. Thirdly, Make fome Reflections,upon this Prediction, and the punctual accom- plifhment of it ; from which it may appear of what force this Argument is for the Conviction of theJews of the Truth of our Religion. Fir/l, I (hall Explain the Series and Order of this Prediction concerning the De. ftruftion of Hierufalem. Arid this is neceffary, becaufe it feems to mot Interpre- ters to be fo intermingled with a Prophecy of Chrifl's lait coming at the end of the World, that it is no eafte matter to feparate thefe two Prophecies of theDe- ftruftion of Hierufalem, and the end of the World. Befides that it is incumber'd with force other difficulties, anfing from force particular expreffions in this famous Predi&ion of our Saviour's. From the 34th ver. of the 23d. Chapter of Sr. Matthew, to the z9th of the 24th} Chapter, there is a clear Predi&ion ofthe Defruftion of Hierufalem, with the pre ceeding Signs, and concomitant and fubfequent Circumftances of it ; But at the 29th verfe, the Prophecyof the end of the World feems to be defignedly joyned to it ; for the Evangelift fays, immediately after the Tribulation of Chofe days, the Sun Jima bedarkned, &c. Where he enumerates difmal figns, and forerunnersof the di- ablution of all things : But it is now s600 Years fince theDefruftion of Hiernfa- lem
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