to coincide with the commencing year of one of the cycles. It follows, that "the seventy weeks" predicted by Daniel, as deduced from that epoch, open with the first year, and as consisting of a series of septenaries, close with the last year, of a sabbatical period. From this disposition, the no less remarkable consequence results; that the ministry of our Lord is arranged according to the years of that cycle; and that his sacrifice, in which it terminated, fell in a sabbatical year. It will be surely admitted, that from coincidences so extraordinary, no inconclusive proof arises, of the correctness of the views, which we have taken of the subject. The computation of the course of time, by returns of the sabbatical period, was by the appointment of God himself; and it was his good pleasure, that the period determined by the prophet in the text, should consist of seventy of its revolutions. It would seem consequently to imply, if not a defect in the revelation, at least an error in our mode of expounding it, were the series of years, marked out in the one, incompatible with the course of time, as measured by the other.

We may, in conclusion, observe, from a general view of the subject, that in the period expressed by the prophet in the text, and described as extending to ten jubilees, it was the divine purpose to determine the duration of the temple service, with that of the Jewish Polity and Religion.

With this view, as we have seen, its epoch and its close were apparently chosen; to mark the interval which should elapse between its restoration by Ezra, and its abolition by the Messiah. When the prophecy is regarded in a more contracted view, the subject not only loses in point of consistency; but the revelation appears less adapted to the expectation of the prophet, whose consolation was, in some measure, consulted in its delivery. When understood in this latitude, it derives the fullest confirmation from the testimony of history; the temple service having been continued for the period predicted by Daniel, with the short intermission under Antiochus Epiphanes, of the occurrence and duration of which that prophet received an express revelation. Under the general view, in which it has been hitherto regarded; its object appears to be not less consistent than its end seems determinate; as intended to mark the precise time of the sacrifice of him "who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God;"* from whom the ceremonial and typical service derived its efficacy, and on the offering of which, it decayed and vanished away. For thus, through faith in his blood, "who by one offering hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified,"† a

*Heb. ix. 14.

+ Heb. x. 14.

way was opened, for effecting the great moral and religious purposes which the text foretells,— "to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness.'

183

LECTURE VIII.

DANIEL IX. 25.

"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks."

WE may be led to conclude, from a superficial view of the nature and design of prophecy, that the evidence of the inspiration, from which it professes to be derived, will rise in its conclusiveness, in proportion to the clearness and precision of the revelation. The supposition would be indeed, indisputable, were it not reserved for human agents, who are free to project and to perform, to carry into effect the event which was predicted and were not the evidence of the divine intervention, which prophecy conveys, intended to operate on our rational conviction. When this condition is admitted into our estimate, it leads rather to the inference, that, it is necessary to the attainment of such objects, the

prediction should be, in some instances, conveyed in obscure intimations; without which it is difficult to conceive, that design might not be supposed to have contributed, in some degree, to its fulfilment.

It will be readily allowed, that were any purpose distinctly avowed, and carried literally into effect, suitably to the disclosure; while the end was effected by competent persons, and interested in the result; it could convey no proof of preternatural foresight in him by whom it was predicted. Where a probability existed, that the occurrence was brought to pass through design; it would be absurd to infer from its accomplishment, that it had been foreknown, much less anticipated by inspiration. And as some persons might be disposed, through an officious zeal, to carry the prediction into effect; and others, through a profane scepticism, might be impelled to defeat it altogether; in order that the object proposed might not be frustrated, it seems necessary, that it should be obscurely revealed.

To the attainment of such a purpose, it is not sufficient, however, that the prophecy should be vague or implicated; for in such a form, it might be suited to any series of incidents, as well as another. Although it might be so far involved, as to leave those who were instrumental in carrying it into effect, so wholly unfettered in their freedom, as to be unconscious of the purpose