The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

¹First, From hence we have an irrefragable Argument of the Truth and Divinity of the Gospel: For 'tis evident by comparing the ancient Figures with the present Truth, the Copies with the Original, the Pictures with the Life, that Eternal Wisdom contrived them. For no created Understanding could frame so various Representations of Christ, and all exactly agreeing with him at such a distance before His appearance? And if we compare the Predictions with the Events, 'tis most clear that only the Divine Knowledge could reveal them. For otherwise how was it possible, that the Prophets, so many Ages before the Coming of Christ should predict those things concerning Him, that exceeded the foresight of all the Angels of Light? What Intelligence could there be between Moses and David and Isaiah, that lived such a distance of time from one another, to deliver such things as meet in him as their ⟨p. 499⟩Centre? And these Prophecies are conveyed to us by the Jews, the most obstinate Enemies of Christianity, who although they reverence the Letter, yet abhor the accomplishment of them; So that there can be no possible suspicion that they are feigned, and of a later Date than their titles declare. Their successive fulfilling is a perpetual Miracle to justify the truth of our Religion. Our Saviour used this Method for the instruction of his Disciples.² These are the words which I spake unto you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, ³and in the Psalms concerning me. And St. Paul framed a powerful Demonstration from the Scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ. In his Writings he deciphers the riddles of the Law, and removes the Veil, to discover the Face of Christ engraven by the Divine Artificer. Briefly, by showing the consent between the two Testaments, he illuminates the Old by the New, and confirms the New by the Old. Now what Religion is there in the World whose Mysteries were foretold by the Oracles of God, and figured by his Institutions above two thousand Years before 'twas exhibited? Whose Doctrine perfectly accords with the most ancient, venerable and Divine Writings? Can that Religion be any other than Divine, which God did so expressly predict, and portray in such various manner, for the receiving whereof He made such early Preparations in the World?