SEAM. ITI.'O INWARD WITNESS TO CHRITIANITY. 49 The Jewish religion instituted by Moses, although, by the accompanying power of the Spirit of God, it wrought effectually in the hearts of those that sincerely received it, and changed their natures in a saving man- ner ; yet the brightness and glory of this sort of evidence that belonged to that religion, was derived from the gos- pel, which was hidden under the types of it: Nor could it be supposed to have equal brightness or force with the gospel itself, when unveiled, and shining in open light; as I have shewn in the second discourse. The Jews, when they had offered all their sacrifices for the hopeof the pardon of their sins, and looked' as far as they could look through the smoke and shadows, to see the Messiah at a distance, could never have their consciences so sweetly released from fears, and the sense of guilt, as christians under the gospel, may enjoy through' the blood of Christ : never had they so much communion with God in love, as since it is manifested by Christ Jesus,. the Son of his love, that came from his bosom. Never were they raised so high above the world, nor could any of the Jews be so high refined in their hopes and joys, and exult in the view of heavenly glories, as :a christian may be, and do, since the veil is withdrawn, and life and immortality are brought to light by the gospel, 2 Tim. i. 10. Never could they triumph over ail the terrors of death, and- the horror and dark- ness of thegrave, as St. Paul the christian often does, and teaches his fellow-saints the same triumphal song; I Cor. xv. 54, &c. I grant that a single person or two like David, might now and then, by the spirit of rapture - and prophecy, be born far above that dispensation it- self, and might have noble views and joys; but the whole church, under that state, had but darker apere- hensions of things above this life, and beyond death; their spiritual things were so much mingled and inter=' woven with a worldly dispensation, and their sanctuary itself called a worldly sanctuary. So much carnality entered into the scheme of their constitution, that they could not be raised so high above this world, and the things of this life, as christians under the gospel : they could never have such a sense of forgiving grace, nor so sweet a satisfaction in drawing near to God, as chris- fians now have nor were they so expressly command- VOL. I. E
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