only by their folly, have afferted, in the face of demonftrative evidence to the contrary, that the predictions were written fubfequently to the events which they defcribe. To the celebrated wisdom of Daniel a memorable teftimony is given by the contemporary prophet Ezekiel (w); in whofe predictions alfo the Supreme Being himself declares Daniel's extraordinary righteousness (x)... To these evidences is to be added the unequivocal atteftation of our Saviour (y).

Hofea was coëval with Ifaiah (≈). His prophecies, which are couched in a style sententious and abrupt, and are attended with confiderable obfcurity, were addressed in part to Judah, but principally to Ifrael. Together with predictions relating to thofe kingdoms, he intermingles others refpecting the Meffiah. His book has the exprefs fanction of the New Teftament (a). ;

Joel was probably contemporary with Hofea; but the exact time in which he lived is not afcertained. His prophecies, which are animated with the moft poetical defcriptions, were addreffed to the kingdom of Judah ; and

(w) Ezekiel, xxviii. 3.

(x) Ezek. xiv. 14. 18. 20,

(y) Matt. xxiv. 15. Mark, xiii. 14.

(z) See Hof. i. ì. and Isaiah, i. 1.

(4) Matt. ii. 15. ix. 13. xii. 7. Romans, ix, 25, 26.

4

foretel,

foretel, together with the invasion of the land of Judah by the Chaldeans, and the deftruc tion of Jerufalem by the Romans, the glories of the Christian difpenfation. He is cited by the evangelical writers (6).

-Amos alfo lived during the earlier part of Hofea's miniftry (e). His compofitions, which are replete with boldnefs as well as elegance, chiefly relate to Ifrael; though he occafionally menaces Judah, and other contiguous nations, with Divine judgements. The happy reign of the Meffiah is alfo announced. Amos is twice quoted by St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles (d).

The period in which Obadiah delivered his fhort prophecy, confifting of denunciations against the Edomites, and promifes of future restoration to the Jews, is not known: but is affigned with probability to the early part of the Babylonian captivity. There is much beauty in his language. I do not know that a distinct and special reference to this fingle chapter has been obferved in the New Testament.

The book of Jonah relates the prophetic commiffion given to him against Nineveh ; his refufal to undertake it, his punishment,

and deliverance; the repentance of the Ninevites; the mortification of Jonah in confequence of having been charged with prophetic threatenings, the accomplishment of which was thus averted (e); and the condefcending expoftulations of the Supreme Being with the angry prophet. Jonah appears to have lived in the reign of Jeroboam, the fecond of the name who was king of Israel, above eight hundred years before Chrift (f). His language is generally that of fimple narrative. According to the typical nature of the Jewish difpenfation, the miracle by which Jonah was punished was appointed to prefigure the time of the continuance of Christ in the grave: and is thus applied by Chrift himself (g).

Micah lived just before the destruction of Samaria (b), and prophefied both againft Ifrael and againft Judah. Together with the captivity of thofe kingdoms, and the deftruction of their Affyrian oppreffors; he foretold the birth-place of the Meffiah, and the exaltation of his dominion over the whole earth.

(e) It is apparent from iv. 2. that the dread of experiencing fuch a mortification was the cause of his original reluctance to be the meffenger employed,

(f) 2 Kings, xiv. 25.

(g) Matt. xii. 39–41. xiv. 4. Luke, xi. 29, 30,

(b) Micah, i. 1.

His language is extremely energetic as well as beautiful. A reference to one of his prophecies, when it had been delivered above an hundred years, saved the life of Jeremiah (¿). In the New Testament his prophetic character is fully confirmed (k).

The time when Nahum lived is doubtful; but from a comparifon of certain paffages in his book it seems probable that he lived in the reign of Hezekiah. His prophecy is a complete and regular poem, in the highest degree animated, glowing and fublime, denouncing the deftruction of Nineveh. It is not clear that his prophecy is fpecifically quoted in the New Testament (1).

Habakkuk was probably contemporary with Jeremiah. He predicts the Chaldean invasion; but he refers to the redemption to be wrought at the appointed time for the people of God, when the earth fhall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, "as the waters cover the fea." The hymn with which his prophecy concludes is one of the most fublime and impaffioned compofitions in the whole compafs of infpired

(i) Jerem. xxvi. 17-24.

() Matt. ii. 5, 6. John, vii. 42. Compare alfo Matt. x. 35, 36 with Micah, vii. 6.

(1) Romans, x. 15. is a reference either to Ifaiah, lii. 7. or to Nahum, i. 15. or to both paffages.

poetry.

poetry. The evangelical writers repeatedly quote the book of Habakkuk (m).

We learn from Zephaniah himself (n), that he prophesied in the reign of Josiah king of Judah. He foretells in an impreffive man ner the punishment of his idolatrous country? men, and of some of the neighbouring nations, together with the deftruction of Nineveh and concludes with confoling promifes of the final restoration of the Jews under the Gospel covenant. I am not acquainted with any paffage in the New Teftament, in which he is fpecifically quoted.

The three remaining prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, flourished after the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity. The two former were alfo contempo raries; and prophefied during the time when the Jews were rebuilding the city of Jerufalem. Haggai, in language commonly unornamented, but always impreffive and occafionally fublime, reproves, his countrymen for their eagerness to decorate their own habitations instead of exerting themfelves in the re-edification of the Temple: excites them in the name of the Almighty to restore the fa

(m).A&s, xiii. 41. Romans, f.'. 'Gal. iii. 2. Heb. x. 375-38.

(n) Zephaniah, i. 1.

cred