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ONE remarkable Thing that has led Celsus, and other Infidels, into gross Mistakes, in this important Affair, is their not knowing, or, at least, their not considering, that the Prophets speak of a twofold Coming of the Messiah; his first Coming, at which he was to appear, cloath'd with all the innocent Infirmities of humane Nature, and str••••ling with the pres∣sing
Inconveniencies of a mean, and despis'd Condition, that so, living a∣mong Men, he might the more feel∣ingly instruct 'em, in those Moral, and Divine Truths, which were important, and highly necessary, and inculcate upon 'em that aweful Account, which they must shortly give, when they shall be summon'd, to appear, before the Bar of God; and his second Coming, at which he will appear, free from the least Allay, ev'n of natural Imperfe∣ction, and shine with the united, and unfully'd Rays, of his Original, and in some Sence, naked Divinity. 'Twou'd be tedious, to relate all the Prophecies, that have an immediate, and mani∣fest Reference to our Blessed Saviour. I shall, therefore, at present confine my self, to that which we meet with, in the Forty fifth Psalm, which is en∣titul'd, A Song of Loves, and where our Saviour is expresly call'd by the Name of GOD. The Words are these, Grace is pour'd into thy Lips, therefore * 1.1 God has blest thee for ever. Gird thy Sword upon thy Thigh, O most Mighty, with thy Glory, and thy Majesty, and in thy Majesty ride prosperously, because of Truth, and Meekness, and Righteousness, and thy right Hand shall teach thee ver∣rible Things. Thine Arrows are sharp in the Heart of the King's Enemies, where∣by
the People fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever, and ever: The Scepter of thy Kingdom is a right Scepter. Thou lovest Righteousness, and hatest Wicked∣ness, therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee, with the Oil of Gladness, above thy Fellows. Where take Notice, that the Prophetical Psalmist, making his Ad∣dress to God, Whose Throne is for ever, and ever, and the Scepter of whose King∣dom is a right Scepter; says, that this Person was anointed by God, who was his God, and that he was anointed, above his Fellows, with the Oil of Gladness, be∣cause he lov'd Righteousness, and hated Wickedness.
I remember, that once I horribly baffl'd a Jewish Doctor, with this very Prophecy, who being at a grievous Loss, to know what Answer he shou'd give me, had seasonable Recourse to a pityful Evasion, which was suitable enough, to the false Principles, he en∣deavour'd to maintain; viz. That those Words, Thy Throne, O God; is for ever, and ever, the Scepter of thy Kingdom is a right Scepter, were spoke of the Great God himself; and those Words, Thou lovest Righteousness, and hatest Wickedness, there∣fore God, ev'n thy God, has anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness, above thy Fellows; must be understood of the Messiah.
Psal, xlv, V. 2, 3.