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and king, and that of Saviour of the world. The ancient Jews had just notions of the Messiah, which came gradually to be corrupted, by expecting a temporal monarch and conqueror; and finding Jesus Christ to be poor, humble, and of an unpromising ap

good on all who believe, even Jesus Christ, Luke i. 78.-4. It is immutable; nothing can change it: it is invariably the same, Mal. iii. 6. Luke i. 50-5. Shall be for ever celebrated in a future state, Psal. lxxxix. 2. Psal. ciii. 17.-6. It is only displayed in and through Christ, Eph. ii. It has been far-pearance, they rejected him. Most of the ther distinguished into, 1. Preventing mer cy, Psal. lix. 10.-2. Forbearing mercy, Rom. ii. 4.-3. Comforting mercy, 2 Cor. i. 4-4. Relieving mercy, Psal. cxlv. 8, 9-5. Pardoning mercy, Is. Iv. 6-6 Universal or extensive mercy. It extends to all kinds of || beings and fallen creatures. The brute creation share in it, Psal. cxlv. 9. Psal. xxxvi. || 5, 6. The ungodly are the objects of it in a || general way, Matt. v. 45. 1 Tim. iv. 10. The saints on earth are continual monuments of it, Rom. ix. 23. and the spirits of just men made perfect in glory are always praising God for it. Finally, it is enjoyed in an especial manner by all who are true believers, of every nation, in every age, in every circumstance, in all places, and at all times. See GRACE, PARDON; Gill's Body of Divinity, vol. i. page 124. octavo edition. Saurin's Sermons, vol. i. sermon 8. Dr. Goodwin's Works, vol. v. part 2. Tillotson's Sermons, sermon 147. Hill's Sermons, sermon 10.

modern rabbins, according to Buxtorf, believe that the Messiah is come, but that he lies concealed because of the sins of the Jews. Others believe he is not yet come, fixing different times for his appearance, many of which are elapsed; and, being thus baffled, have pronounced an anathema against those who shali pretend to calculate the time of his coming. To reconcile the prophecies concerning the Messiah that seemed to be contradictory, some have had recourse to a two-fold Messiah; one in a state of poverty and suffering, the other of splendour and glory. The first, they say, is to proceed from the tribe of Ephraim, who is to fight against Gog, and to be slain by Annillus, Zech. xii. 10. the s cond is to be of the tribe of Judah and lineage of David, who is to conquer and kill Annillus; to bring the first Messiah to life again, to assemble all Israel, and rule over the whole world.

That Jesus Christ is the true Messiah, and actually come in the flesh, is evident, if we consider (as Mr. Fuller observes) that it is intimated, that whenever he should come, the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Mosaic law were to be superseded by him, Psalm xl. 6-8. 1 Samuel xv. 22. Daniel ix. 27. Jeremiah xxxi. 31, 34. Hebrews viii. 13. Now sacrifice and oblation have ceased. They virtually ceased when Jesus offered himself a sacrifice; and in a few years after, they actually ceased. A few of the ancient ceremonies are indeed adhered to, but as one of the Jewish writers acknowledges, "The sacrifices of the Holy Temple have ceased." Let every Jew therefore, ask himself this question: Should Messiah, the Prince, come at some future period, how are the sacrifice and oblation to cease on his appearance, when they have already ceased nearly 1800 years.

MERIT signifies desert, or to earn: originally the word was applied to soldiers and other military persons, who, by their labours in the field, and by the various hardships they underwent during the course of a campaign, as also by other services they might occasionally render to the commonwealth, were said, merere stipendia, to merit, or earn their pay: which they might properly be said to do, because they yielded in real service, an equivalent to the state for the stipend they received, which was therefore due to them in justice. Here, then we come at the true meaning of the word merit; from which it is very clearly to be seen, that there can be no such thing as merit in our best obedience. One man may merit of another,but all mankind together cannot merit from the hand of God. This evidently appears, if we consider the imperfections of all our services, and the express Again, it is suggested in the Scripture, declaration of the Divine word, Eph. ii. 8, that the great body of sacred prophesy 9. Rom. xi. 5, 6. Tit. iii. 5. Rom. x. 1, 4. should be accomplished in him; Genesis iii. The Doctrine of Merit stated, sermon 1,||16. xxii. 18. Isaiah xlix. 10. liii.—1. The vol. iii South's Sermons. Toplady's Works, time when he was to come is clearly marked page 471, vol. iii. Hervey's Eleven Let out in prophesy; Isa. xlix. 10. Haggai ii. 6 ters to Wesley. Robinson's Claude, vol. ii. —9. Danièl ix. 24. He actually came, acpage 218. cording to that time.-2. The place where Messiah should be born, and where he should principally impart his doctrine, is determined; Micah v. 2. Isaiah ix. 2. and was literally fulfilled in Jesus.-3. The house or family from whom he should descend is clearly ascertained. So much is MESSIAH signifies anointed, the title said of his descending from David, that we given by way of eminence to our Saviour; need not refer to particular proofs; and the meaning the same in Hebrew as Christ in rather, as no Jew will deny it. The geneaGreek, and alludes to the authority he had logies of Matthew and Luke, whatever vato assume the characters of prophet, priestricties there are between them, agree in

MERITS OF CHRIST, a term used to den te the active and passive obedience of Christ; all that he wrought and all that he suffered for the salvation of mankind. See articles ATONEMENT, IMPUTATION, RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST.

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to the star foretold by Balaam; for he pretended to be the star sent from heaven to restore his nation to its ancient liberty and glory. He chose a forerunner, raised an army, was anointed king, coined money inscribed with his own name, and proc aimed himself Messiah and prince of the Jewish nation. Adrian raised an army, and sent it against him. He retired into a town c lled Bither, where he was besieged Barchocheba was killed in the siege, the city was taken, and a dreadful havock succeeded. The Jews themselves allow, that, during this short war against the Romans, in defence of this false Messiah, they lost five or six hundred thousand souls. This was in the former part of the second century.

tracing his pedigree to David. And though, in both, it is traced in the name of Joseph yet this appears to be only in conformity t the Jewish custom of tracing no pedigree in the name of a female, The father of Jo seph, as mentioned by Luke, seems to have been his father by marriage only: so that it was, in reality, Mary's pedigree that is traced by Luke, though under her husband's name; and this being the natural line of descent, and that of Matthew, the legal one, by which, as a king, he would have inherited the crown, there is no inconsistency between them.-4. The kind of miracles that Messiah should perform is specified Isaiah xxxv. 5, 6. He actually performed the miracles there predicted, his enemies themselves being judges-5. It 2. In the reign of Theodosius, the youngwas prophesied that he should, as a King, er, in the year of our Lord 434, another imbe distinguished by his lowliness; entering poster arose, called Moses Cretensis. He into Jerusalem, not in a chariot of state, pretended to be a second Moses, sent to debut in a much humbler style; Zechariah ix. liver the Jews, who dwelt in Crete, and 9. this was really the case, Matthew xxi. promised to divide the sea, and give them 6. It was predicted that he should suffer a safe passage through it. Their delusion and die by the hands of wicked men; Isa. proved so strong and universal, that they xlix. 7. liii. 9. Daniel ix. 26. Nothing could neglected their lands, houses, and all other be a more striking fulfilment of prophesy, concerns, and took only so much with them than the treatment the Messiah met with, as they could conveniently carry. And on in almost every particular circumstance-7 the day appointed, this false Moses, having It was foretold that he should rise from the led them to the top of a rock; men, women, dead: Isaiah liii. 11. Psalm lxviii. 18. xvi. andchildren,threw themselves headlong down 10. his resurrection is proved by indubitable into the sea, without the least hesitation or evidence.-8. It was foretold, that the great reluctance, till so great a number of them body of the Jewish nation would not believe were drowned, as opened the eyes of the in Him, and that he would set up his king-rest, and made them sensible of the cheat. dom among the Gentiles; Isaiah liii. 1. xlix. They then began to look out for their pre4-6. vi 9-12. Never was a prophesy tended leader, but he disappeared, and esmore completely fulfilled than this, as facts caped out of their hand. evidently prove.

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3. In the reign of Justin, about 520, anoLastly, It is declared, that when the Mes-ther imposter appeared, who called himself siah should come, the will of God would be the son of Moses. His name was Dunaan. perfectly fulfilled by him, Isaiah xlii 1. 49. He entered into a city of Arabia Felix, and Isa. 3. 5 And what was his whole life but there he greatly oppressed the Christians; perfect conformity to him He finished the but he was taken prisoner, and put to death work the Father gave Him to do: never by Elesban, an Æthiopian general. was there such a character seen among men. Well, therefore, may we say, Truly, this was the Son of God. See Article CHRISTIANITY, JESUS CHRIST.

4. In the year 529, the Jews and Samaritans rebelled against the emperor Justinian, and set up one Julian for their king; and accounted him the Messiah. The emperor There have been numerous false Mes- sent an army against them, killed great siahs, which have arisen at different times.num'ers of them, took their pretended Of these, the Saviour predicted, Matthew Messiah prisoner and immediately put him xxiv. 14. Some have reckoned as many as to death. twenty-four, of whom we shall here give an

account.

1. Caziba was the first of any note who made a noise in the world. Being dissatished with the state of things under Adrian, he set himself up at the head of the Jewish nation, and proclaimed himself their long expected Messiah. He was one of those banditti that infested Judea, and committed all kinds of violence against the Romans: and had become so powerful, that he was chosen king of the Jews, and by them acknowledged their Messiah. However, to facilitate the success of this bold enterprize, he changed his name from Caziba, which it was at first, to that of Barchocheba, alluding

5. In the year 571 was born Mahomed, in Arabia. At first, he professed himself to be the Messiah, who was promised to the Jews. By this means he drew many of that unhappy people after him. In some sense, therefore, he may be considered in the number of false Messiahs. See MAHOMETANISM.

6. About the year 721, in the time of Leo Isarus, arose another false Messiah in Spain: his name was Serneus. He drew great numbers after him, to their no small loss and disappointment, but all his pretensions came to nothing.

7. The twelfth century was fruitful in false Messiahs; for, about the year 1137.

there appeared one in France, who was put to death, and many of those who followed him.

16. We are told of another false Christ in this same century, by Maimonides and Solomon; but they took no notice either of his name, country, or good or ill success.

8. In the year 1138, the Persians were disturbed with a Jew, who called himself the Messiah. He collected together a vast Here we may observe, that no less than army But he too, was put to death, and ten faise Christs arose in the twelfth cenhis followers treated with great inhuma-tury, and brought prodigious calamities and nity. destruction upon the Jews, in various quar

17. In the year 1497, we find another false Christ, whose name was Ismael Sophus, who deluded the Jews in Spain. He also perished, and as many as believed in him were dispersed.

9. In the year 1157, a false Messiah stir-ters of the world. red up the Jews at Corduba, in Spain The wiser and better sort looked upon him as a madman, but the great body of the Jews in that nation believed in him. On this occasion, almost all the Jews in Spain were destroyed.

10. In the year 1167, another false Messiah rose in the kingdom of Fez, which brought great troubles and persecution upon the Jews that were scattered through that

country.

11. In the same year, an Arabian set up there for the Messiah, and pretend ed to work miracles. When search was made for him, his followers fled, and he was brought before the Arabian king. Being questioned by him, he replied, that he was a prophet sent from God. The king then asked him, what sign he could shew, to confirm his mission. Cut off my head, said he, and I will return to life again. The king took him at his word, promising to believe him if his prediction came to pass. The poor wretch, however, never returned to life again, and the cheat was sufficiently discovered. Those who had been deluded by him were grievously punished, and the nation condemned to a very heavy fine.

12. Not long after this, a Jew, who dwelt beyond Euphrates, called himself the Messiah, and drew vast multitudes of people after him. He gave this for a sign of it, that he had been leprous, and was cured in the course of one night. He like the rest, perished in the attempt, and brought great persecution on his countrymen

13 In the year 1174, a magician and false Christ arose in Persia, who was called David Almusser. He pretended, that he could make himself invisible; but he was soon taken and put to death, and a heavy fine laid upon his brethren, the Jews.

14. In the year 1177, another of these imposters arose in Moravia, who was called David Almusser. He pretended, that he could make himself invisible; but he was soon taken, and put to death, and a heavy fine laid upon his brethren, the Jews.

15. In the year 1199, a famous cheat and rebel exerted himself in Persia, called David el David. He was a man of learning, a great magician, and pretended to be the Messiah. He raised an army against the king, but was taken and imprisoned and, having made his escape, was afterwards seized again, and beheaded. Vast numbers of the Jews were butchered for taking part with this impostor.

18. In the year 1500, Rabbi Lemlem, a German Jew, of Austria, declared himself a forerunner of the Messiah, and pulled down his own oven, promising his brethren, that they should bake their bread in the Holy Land next year.

19. In the year 1509, one whose name was Plefferkorn, a Jew, of Cologn, pretended to be the Messiah. He afterwards affected, however, to turn Christian.

20 In the year 1534, Rabbi Salomo Malcho, giving out that he was the Messiah, was burnt to death, by Charles the Fifth, of Spain.

21. In the year 1615, a false Christ arose in the East Indies, and was greatly followed by the Portuguese Jews, who were scattered over that country.

22. In the year 1624, another in the low countries pretended to be the Messiah of the family of David, and of the line of Nathan. He promised to destroy Rome, and to overthrow the kingdom of Antichrist, and the Turkish empire.

23 In the year 1666, appeared the false Messiah, Zabathai Tzevi, who made so great a noise, and gained such a number of proselytes. He was born at Aleppo, imposed on the Jews for a considerable time: but afterwards, with a view of saving his life, turned Mahometan, and was at last beheaded. As the history of this impostor is more entertaining than that of those we have already mentioned, I will give it at some length.

The year 1666 was a year of great expectation, and some wonderful thing was looked for by many. This was a fit time for an impostor to set up; and accordingly lying reports were carried about. It was said, that great multitudes marched from unknown parts to the remote deserts of Arabia, and they were supposed to be the ten tribes of Israel, who had been dispersed for many ages that a ship was arrived in the north part of Scotland, with sails and cordage of silk; that the mariners spake nothing but Hebrew; that on the sails was this motto, The twelve Tribes of Israel Thus were credulous men possessed at that time.

Then it was that Sabatai Sevi appeared at Smyrna, and professed himself to be the Messias. He promised the Jews deliverance

and a prosperous kingdom. This, which he promised, they firmly believed. The Jews now attended to no business, discoursed of nothing but their return, and believed Sabatai to be the Messias as firmly as we Christians believe any article of faith. A right reverend person, then in Turkey, meeting with a Jew of his acquaintance at Aleppo, he asked him what he thought of Sabatai. The Jew replied, that he believed him to be the Messias; and that he was so far of that belief, that, if he should prove an impostor, he would then turn Christian. It is fit we should be particular in this relation, because the history is so very surprising and remarkable; and we have the account of it from those who were in Turkey.

Sabatai Sevi was the son of Mordecai Sevi, a mean Jew of Smyrna. Sabatai was very bookish, and arrived to great skill in the Hebrew learning. He was the author of a new doctrine, and for it was expelled the city. He went thence to Salonichi, of old called Thessalonica, where he married a very handsome woman, and was divorced from her. Then he travelled into the Morea, then to Tripoli, Gaza, and Jerusalem. By the way he picked up a third wife. At Jerusalem he began to reform the Jews' Constitutions, and abolish one of their solemn fasts, and communicated his designs of professing himself the Messias to one Nathan. He was pleased with it, and set up for his Elias, or forerunner, and took upon him to abolish all the Jewish fasts, as not beseeming, when the bridegroom was now come. Na than prophesies that the Messias should appear before the Grand Seignior in less than two years, and take from him his crown, and lead him in chains.

tai comes to Smyrna, where he was adored by the people, though the Chacham contradicted him, for which he was removed from his office. There he in writing styles himself the only and first-born Son of God, the Messias, the Saviour of Israel. And though he met with some opposition, yet he prevailed there at last to that degree, that some of his followers prophesied, and fell into stranger ecstacies: four hundred men and women prophesied of his growing kingdom; and young infants, who could hardly speak, would plainly pronounce Sabatai, Messias, and Son of God. The people were for a time possessed, and voices heard from their bowels; some fell into trances, foamed at the mouth, recounted their future prosperity, their visions of the Lion of Judah, and the triumphs of Sabatai. All which, says the relater, were certainly true, being effects of diabolical delusions, as the Jews themselves have since confessed.

Now the impostor swells and assumes. Whereas the Jews, in their synagogues, were wont to pray for the Grand Seignior, he orders those prayers to be foreborne for the future, thinking it an indecent thing to pray for him who was shortly to be his captive; and, instead of praying for the Turkish emperor, he appoints prayers for himself. He also elected princes to govern the Jews in their march towards the Holy Land, and to minister justice to them when they should be possessed of it. These princes were men well known in the city of Smyrna at that time. The people were now pressing to see some miracle to confirm their faith, and to convince the Gentiles. Here the impostor was puzzled, At Gazr, Sabatai preached repentance, though any juggling trick would have served together with a faith in himself so effectu- their turn. But the credulous people supally, that the people gave themselves up to plied this defect. When Sabatai was before their devotions and alms. The noise of this the Cadi (or justice of the peace,) some Messias began to fill all places. Sabatai now affirmed they saw a pillar of fire between resolves for Smyrna, and then for Constan- him and the Cadi; and after some had tinople. Nathan writes to him from Da-affirmed it, others were ready to swear it, mascus, and thus he begins his letter: "To and did swear it also; and this was prethe King, our King, lord of lords, who gath-sently believed by the Jews of that city. ers the dispersed of Israel, who redeems our captivity, the man elevated to the height of all sublimity, the Messias of the God of Jacob, the true Messias, the celestial Lion, Sabatai Sevi "

And now, throughout Turkey, the Jews were in great expectation of glorious times. They now were devout and penitent, that they might not obstruct the good which they hoped for.

He that did not now believe him to be the Messias was to be shunned as an excommunicated person. The impostor now declares that he was called of God to see Constantinople, where he had much to do. He ships himself, to that end, in a Turkish saick, in January, 1666. He had a long and troublesome voyage: he had not power over the sea and winds. The Vizier upon the news, sends for him, and confines him in a loathsome prison. The Jews pay him their visits; and they of this city are as infatuated as those in Smyrna. They forbid_traffic, and refuse to pay their debts. Some of our English merchants, not knowing how to recover their debts from the Jews, took this occasion to visit Sabatai, and make their complaints to him against his subjects; whereupon he wrote the following letter to

Some fasted so long, that they were famished to death; others buried themselves in the earth till their limbs grew stiff; some would endure melting wax dropped on their flesh; some rolled in snow: others, in a cold season, would put themselves into cold water; and many buried themselves. Business was laid aside; superfluities of household utensils were sold the poor were provided for by immense contributions. Saba-"the Jews:

"To you of the nation of the Jews, who pilgrims from all parts, that had heard his expect the appearance of the Messias, and story. Among whom Nehemiah Cohen, the salvation of Israel, peace without end. from Poland, was one, a man of great Whereas we are informed that you are in-learning in the Kabbala and eastern tongues; debted to several of the English nation, it who desired a conference with Sabatai, seemeth right unto us to order you to make and at the conférence maintained, that satisfaction to these your just debts, which according to the scripture, there ought to if you refuse to do, and not obey us herein be two-fold Messias; one the son of Ephra know you that then you are not to enter im, a poor and despised teacher of the law; with us into our joys and dominions." the other the son of David, to be a conSabatai remained a prisoner in Constan- queror. Nehemiah was content to be the tinople for the space of two months. The former, the son of Ephraim, and to leave Grand Vizier, designing for Candia, thought the glory and dignity of the latter to Sait not safe to leave him in the city during batai. Sabatai for what appears, did not the Grand Seignior's absence and his own. mislike this. But here lay the ground of He, therefore, removed him to the Darda- the quarrel: Nehemiah taught that the son nelli, a better air indeed, but yet out of the of Ephraim ought to be the forerunner of way, and consequently importing less dan- the son of David, and to usher him in; ger to the city; which occasioned the and Nehemiah accused Sabatai of too great Jews to conclude, that the Turks could not, forwardness in appearing as the son of or durst not, take away his life; which David, before the son of Ephraim had led had, they concluded, been the surest way him the way. Sabatai could not brook this to have removed all jealousy. The Jews doctrine; for he might fear that the son flocked in great numbers to the castle, of Ephraim, who was to lead the way, where he was a prisoner; not only those might pretend to be the son of David, and that were near, but from Poland, Germany, so leave him in the lurch; and therefore, Leghorn, Venice, and other places: they he excluded him from any part or share in received Sabatai's blessing, and promises of this matter; which was the occasion of advancement. The Turks made use of the ruin of Sabatai, and all his glorious dethis confluence; they raised the price of signs. Nehemiah being disappointed, goes their lodgings and provisions, and put their to Adrianople, and informs the great minisprice upon those who desired to see Saba-ters of state against Sabatai, as a lewd and tai for their admittance. This profit stop-dangerous person to the government, and ped their mouths, and no complaints were for this cause sent to Adrianople.

that it was necessary to take him out of the way. The Grand Seignior, being inSabatai, in his confinement, appoints the formed of this, sends for Sabatai, who, manner of his own nativity. He commands much dejected, appears before him. The the Jews to keep it on the ninth day of the Grand Seignior requires a miracle, and month Ab, and to make it a day of great chooses one himself; and it was this: that joy, to celebrate it with pleasing meats and|| Sabatai should be stripped naked, and set drinks, with illuminations and music. He as a mark for his archers to shoot at; obligeth them to acknowledge the love of and, if the arrows did not pierce his flesh, God, in giving them that day of consolation he would own him to be the Messias. Safor the birth of their king Messias, Sa-batai had not faith enough to bear up under batai Sevi, his servant and first-born son in

love.

We may observe, by the way, the insolence of this impostor. This day was a solemn day of fasting among the Jews, formerly in memory of the burning of the temple by the Chaldees; several other sad things happened in this month, as the Jews observe; that then, and upon the same day, the second temple was destroyed; and that in this month it was decreed in the wilderness, that the Israelites should not enter into Canaan, &c. Sabatai was born on this day; and therefore, the fast must be turned to a feast; whereas, in truth, it had been well for the Jews had he not been born at all; and much better for himself, as will appear from what follows.

The Jews of that city paid Sabatai Sevi great respect. They decked their synagogues with S S. in letters of gold, and made for him in the wall a crown; they attributed the same titles and prophecies to him which we apply to our Saviour. He was also, during this imprisonment, visited by

so great a trial. The Grand Seignior let him know, that he would forth with impale him, and that the stake was prepared for him, unless he would turn Turk Upon which he consented to turn Mahometan, to the great confusion of the Jews. And yet some of the Jews were so vain as to affirm, that it was not Sabatai himself, but his shadow, that professed the religion, and was seen in the habit of a Turk; so great was their obstinacy and infidelity, as if it were a thing impossible to convince these deluded and infatuated wretches.

After all this, several of the Jews continued to use the forms, in their public worship, prescribed by this Mahometan Messias, which obliged the principal Jews of Constantinople to send to the synagogue of Smyrna to forbid this practice. During these things, the Jews, instead of minding their trade and traffic, filled their letters with news of Sabatai, their Messias and his wonderful works. They reported, that when the Grand Seignior sent to take him, he caused all the messengers that were sent

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