SERM. CCXXXVI and thofe Now the predictions of our SAVIOUR were many; very plain, and punctual, and particular; and fuch as all or moft of them had their accomplishment in that age. That we may take a more diftinct view of them, I shall reduce them to thefe five heads. 1. Thofe that foretold his death, and the circumftances of it. 2. His refurrection, and the particular circumftances of that. 3. The defcent of the holy Ghost upon the apo, ftlcs, with the circumftances belonging to that. 4. The deftruction of Hierufalem before the end of that age, with the figns foregoing it, and the concomitant circumftances of that. 5. Those that foretold the fate of the gospel in the world, the oppofition it fhould meet with, and yet the admirable fuccefs it fhould have, notwithftanding that oppofition. 1. Thofe that foretel his death, and the circumftances of it. This he did very particularly, and at feveral times, Matt. xvi. 21. he told his difciples, 66 that he must go unto Jerufalem, and there fuffeṛ "many things of the elders, and chief priests, and fcribes, and be killed." Mark x. 33, 34. and Matt, xx. 18, 19. he foretels more particularly the manner of their proceedings against him, that "the "chief priefs and fcribes fhould condemn him to death," but that they fhould not put him to death, but "deliver him to the Gentiles, to mock, and fcourge, and crucify him," which was afterwards done by Pilate the Roman governor. He foretold likewife the manner how this fhould be brought about, Matt. xx. 18. that he should be "be "betrayed into the hands of men." And he didS ERM. particularly point out before-hand the man that was 2. He punctually foretold his refurrection, with the circumftances of it, that " he should rife again "the third day," Matt. xvi. 21. and that," after he was rifen, he would go before them into Galilee," Matt. xxvi. 32. which was accomplished, Matt. xxviii. 16. 3. He foretold likewife the defcent of the holy Ghoft upon the apoftles, in miraculous powers and gifts, Luke xxiv. 49. " Behold, I fend the promise "of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city "of Jerufalem, until ye be endowed with power from on high." He fpecifies the place where the holy Ghoft fhould defcend; and what the effects of this defcent of the holy Ghoft upon them fhould be, he tells them particularly, Mark xvi. 17, 18." And thefe figns fhall follow them that "believe in my name fhall they caft out de"vils, and they fhall fpeak with new tongues; they fhall take up ferpents, and if they drink "any CCXXXVII. CCXXXVII. SERM." any deadly thing, it fhall not hurt them; they fhall lay hands on the fick, and they fhall re"cover." All which was punctually fulfilled in the fecond of the Acts, and the following part of that hiftory. There are yet two other inftances of our SAVIOUR's prophetical fpirit, which I mentioned; but those I referve for the next difcourie, THE THE CONTENT S. TH SER M. CCVIII, CCIX. TIT. iii. 8. HIS is a faithful faying, and these things I will that thou affirm conftantly, that they which have believed in GOD, might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Page 3, 17. SERM. CCX. Of doing all to the glory of GoD, I COR. x. 31. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. P. 29. Doing good, a fecurity against injuries from men. I PE T. iii. 13. And who is be that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good.. P. 45. SERM. SERM. CCXII. Of diligence in our general and particular calling. ECCLES. ix. 10. Whatsoever thy band findeth to do, do it with thy SERM. CCXIII. P. 57. Of the blessedness of giving, more than that of receiving. ACTS xx. 35. And to remember the words of the LORD JESUS, how The whole verfe runs thus, I have fhewed you all things, how that fo labouring, ye ought to fupport the weak, and to remember the words SER M. CCXIV. The evil of corrupt communication. EPHES. iv. 29. |