He pointed out to them how all the types and shadows of the ceremonial law figured him as their antitype. The divine Saviour most likely unfolded to them the deep-rooted prejudices of the Jews, with respect to the Mosaic dispensation; and how gradually and mildly it was necessary the people should be dealt with as to these; indulging them in things that were not absolutely necessary to be at first abolished, yet resisting, with a fixed and determined resolution, every encroachment upon what was an essential. He farther informed them of the nature of his sacrifice and obedience, and how these were to be received by faith for salvation: that his death was a vicarious oblation, i. e. in the place and for the benefit of others; and that his obedience also to the precepts of the law was performed in order to be placed to the account of others, as he himself was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; in fact, that he was surety to God for those, who could in

no other way, consistently with infinite justice, be reconciled to him: that, as all were great debtors to God, both on account of incurred punishment and perfect obedience, he voluntarily came for ward in agreement with his Father's purpose, to pay both these great and infinite debts, for all who should believe in him through the world. He told them also, how peculiarly the office of the Holy Spirit, which in a few days he intended to bestow on them in an extraordinary degree, was, in its ordinary influence, to enlighten the minds of mankind to understand the word that they should preach, and which was and should be written; and how it was to comfort, animate, cheer, and sanctify all believers, creating in them, that is, in their understandings, judgment, will, and affections, a new world as it were. And he informed them of the extraordinary gifts that he intended to bestow on them on the day of Pentecost, by which they should be enabled to speak all kinds

of languages, of which they before were entirely ignorant, in order to propagate the solemn truths of his religion upon earth; how they should be enabled, in his name, to work all manner of miracles, in confirmation of their divine mission; how they should be able to discern spirits, and speak boldly with a power that should convince and convict gainsayers, though they might be men of superior natural endowments, and of exalted situations in life. In his intercourse and converse with them, he farther advertised them of the ill treatment and cruel persecution they would meet with, both from Jew and Gentile, in divulging the gracious message with which they were intrusted; and that they would be brought before magistrates and kings, as disturbers of the public tranquillity, and as the worst of criminals, for his name sake: and lastly, he unfolded to them the cruel and ignominious deaths, in conformity with his sufferings, they were to undergo; that some of them would be stoned to death,

others sawn asunder, others beheaded, others impaled alive, and others crucified, as he had been but against all these evils they should be supported and borne up by his continual protection; that he would never leave them nor forsake them in all their difficulties, but that his arm should ever be stretched out for their relief; and that all their calamities, afflictions, pains, and sorrows, should ultimately tend to their good. And, to afford them the greatest consolation that could be offered to those who were to undergo so many and such severe trials of their faith;

He in the second place discoursed to them of his triumphant or heavenly kingdom.

Of this we can say but little, because the Scriptures say but little; we may, how ever, rest assured, that every thing was communicated to the Apostles by their divine Master that could animate them to press forward in the important work assigned them. Of heavenly happiness,

the human mind, while incorporated with matter, can form but an imperfect idea; yet, all those images are employed to represent the superlativeness of its felicities, which convey to us the purest and most delightful pleasures. The joys of the future state reserved for the blessed, are set forward rather in negatives than in positives. We are told, that in the world to come there will be an absence of every thing that is evil, and painful to our senses, rather than informed of the precise nature of the enjoyments we are to experience. We are told, that in the state of bliss there will be no pain, no sorrow, no sickness, no decay, no temptation; because sin, which is the cause of all these miseries, will be done away. The actual pleasures are described as consisting of the beatific vision, seeing God as he really is, and drawing from the Fountain of light increasing streams of purity. We shall also behold Christ as one in essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unveiled