But  1  fuppofe  thefe  reflexions  will  fuflice  to  eftablifh  the  truth  of  the
hiftoncal  and  prophetical  books  of  the  Old  Teftament :  fo  tnat  there
will  be  no  need  of  alledging  particular  proofs,  which  might  demonftrate

A  a  2  the


372  Reflexions  upon  the  Ch.  VII.
the  truth  of  each  book  in  particular,  which  would  carry  me  out  to  too
great  a  length.
I  (hall  now  confider  the  oracles  themfelves,  and  I  fhall  fhew  the  pro-
grefs  of  the  light  of  this  revelation,  with  refpect  to  the  prom  He  of  the
Meffiah.  That  this  progrefs  may  be  the  better  obferved,  1  {hall  do
three  things,  as  I  have  formerly  obferved,  without  which  the  mind  of  a
wife  reader  will  not  receive  fatisfacfion.
I.  I  flu  11  explain  in  a  few  words  the  reafon  why  thefe  oracles  are
interwoven  with  feveral  hiltories  or  prophecies  which  feem  to  have  no
relation  to  the  promifc  of  the  Meffiah.
II.  I  fhall  give  fuch  rules  as  will  ferve  to  juftify  the  application  which
both  Jews  and  Chrijiians  have  equally  made  of  feveral  oracles  only  to
the  Meffiah.
ill.  I  ihall  fet  the  oracles  according  to  the  order  of  time,  which  will
manifeft  the  advancement  and  progrefs  of  that  light  which  is  to  be  found
in  the  revelation  itfelf :  as,  indeed,  it  is  natural  to  conceive  that  God
fhould  explain  himfelf  more  clearly  in  this  matter,  in  proportion  as  the
things  themfelves  were  nearer  to  their  completion.
C     II     A    P.         VII.
For  what  Reafon  the  Orac'es  which  relate  to  the  Meffiah,   were  interwoven
with  other  Things  which  j'eern  to  be  very  widely  dijiant.
