sider the books of Moses with the earnestness which they so deeply merit, they will discover innumerable traces, clear, decided and incontrovertible, that the Jews, always had light enough, amidst all the types and shadows of their Law, had they chosen to use it, to guide every humble and believing spirit, to the knowledge of Life Eternal. It has been argued, indeed, that such a Revelation was not necessary, the Present Deity, being always awfully conspicuous amongst their Nation; and that the immediate rewards, and punishments, which Almighty Wisdom dispensed, were sufficient to compel all, but the most hardened and iniquitous, to choose good, and Life. It has been argued, that those who braved the visible presence of their Creator, and who forgot all His benefits poured upon them, deserved no less than infinite punishment. Yet does it appear FAR more consistent with the mercy of Providence, and the warnings which were perpetually laid before the Israelites, in, beyond all comparison, lesser evils, that, the transgressors, should have been always aware of the full

penalties, of their almost incredible rebellions; more especially, as both their temporal, and eternal welfare, was always the acknowledged object of their Almighty Father. We may be well assured that death and the judgment, Heaven and Hell, were never concealed from mankind, but by their own wilful blindness. Whether they were displayed, however, to the Jews, as clearly as they now are to us, is not material. If they had evidence, that man was immortal- that is, that a state awaited him beyond the grave-it was sufficient. THEN we have no advantage over them. They saw enough of the arm of the Deity, of the signs and wonders around them, and of the constant and appalling judgments, which overtook transgressors amongst them; to be well aware, how terrible must be the penalty of Almighty vengeance, through an Eternal existence; and these peculiar and awful visitations, were, perhaps, far more striking, and more tremendous, than all the detailed warnings of the Gospel.

To return to our text. We are therein referred, by our Saviour Himself, for the

revelation of Heaven and Hell, of a state of future rewards and punishments, that is, unto Moses and the Prophets.

It has been already pointed out that the Jewish historian Josephus refers this doctrine to the authority of Moses. But the writings which are attributed to the four centuries which elapsed between the prophecy of Malachi and the appearance of our Saviour, also demand, and deserve, our examination. Although, we can only allow the Books of the Apocrypha the value of a commentary, upon the Scriptures, yet, as such, they bear a reference to an enquiry like the present, too strong, and too plain, either to be overlooked, or despised. Beginning then, with the latest of these, we find in the most authentic history of the Maccabæan princes, one, direct proof, in the story of the Seven Brethren. The last of these sufferers, is represented, as defying 'Antiochus Epiphanes on this very ground, that the Mosaic Law held forth the promise of Life Eternal. Our brethren, (said he) which have now suffered

1 This persecution of the Jews, took place, about 163

a short pain, are dead under God's covenant of EVERLASTING LIFE; but, thou through the just judgment of God, shall receive just punishment for thy pride. Death, is here contemned, as a short pain, from the perfect faith the believing had in a future state. In the prayer of Manasses again, we find him, after expressing a deep sense of all his sins, praying, be not angry with me for ever, by reserving evil for me, neither condemn me into the lower parts of the earth. Comparing this, with the same expression, which occurs frequently in the Prophetic Scriptures, there is no doubt, that it alludes to punishment, after death. The Song of the Three Children also, holds forth life eternal: O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord, praise and exalt Him for ever. The Book of Wisdom, is literally full, of the most striking evidences; from which, we need only select some of the passages, appointed to be read by our Church, on All Saints day. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of the Lord, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die; and their depar

ture is taken for misery; and their going from us to be utter destruction, but they are in PEACE. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet, is their hope full of IMMORTALITY; and, having been a little chastised, they shall be GREATLY rewarded; for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself1. Farther on, the writer proceeds; but the ungodly shall be punished, (as we gather from the previous context by torment,) for horrible, is the end of the unrighteous generation. The vengeance (saith Ecclesiasticus) of the ungodly is fire and worms 2. The Lord God will take vengeance of them (it is written in the Book of Judith) in the day of judgment, in putting fire and worms in their flesh, and they shall weep for ever 3. In chap. xiv., of the second Book of Esdras, where he is represented as sent unto the people; Hear these words, O Israel; Our fathers at the beginning were strangers in Egypt, from whence they were delivered; and received the Law of Life, which they kept not, and which ye also have transgressed after them. Therefore,

3

I AM thy shield, and exceeding GREAT REWARD.

1.

Gen.

D