May 17

PART II.—Acts 3:23.

IN what way did Jesus execute the prophetical office? I.—He made known the mind of God to the people; he declared the whole will of God to men. Hence he instructed us as to the evil of sin, as to its dreadful effects, and as to man's total inability to cleanse his own heart, and to save his own soul. He instructed us as to the necessity of repentance, and the importance of regeneration

He also shewed us the only way of reconciliation and acceptance with the Father, and gave the most solid assurance that whosoever came to God by him, should in nowise be cast out. He also insisted upon his disciples cultivating holiness of heart and life, and was himself the great model as well as the great teacher of purity and truth. He taught also the doctrine of the soul's immortality, promised eternal life to his saints, and also made known the blessed certainty of a glorious resurrection. He hath left us a complete system of divinity; a perfect code of laws; and a clear chart of the way to everlasting blessedness. Now all who desire peace and purity on earth, and felicity in the eternal world, are directed by the Father of spirits, and the benign parent of the human race, "to hear him." As a prophet Jesus also predicted future events. He revealed several events, which related to himself. He told his disciples how that he should "suffer many things of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." (Matthew 16:21.) He also predicted how Judas would betray him, — how Peter would deny him, and how all would forsake him and flee. He foretold with particular precision, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the calamities of those days. He also predicted his own ascension, the outpouring of the Spirit at the day of pentecost, and the great increase in the church which should immediately follow. These predictions were fulfilled to the very letter. Of those predictions which remain to be fulfilled, we may mention his own second advent, the resurrection of the dead, and the judgment of the world at the last day. It is our duty to reverence, and humbly sit at the feet of Jesus, that we may be instructed in all things which relate to the present and everlasting welfare of our souls. Happy for a guilty world, that his revelations are full of mercy and grace, and therefore that it is our highest interest to hear and to obey him.