" In that hour the light of the
gospel dawned from afar on the British Islands.
During a long course of ages, Providence seemed to be occupied in
preparing the world for this revolution. The whole Jewish economy
was intended to usher it in. The knowledge of God was preserved
unextinguished in one corner of the world, that thence, in due time,
might issue forth the light which was to overspread the earth.
Successive revelations gradually enlarged the views of men beyond the
narrow bounds of Judea, to a more extensive kingdom of God. Signs and
miracles awakened their expectation and directed their eyes toward
this great event. Whether God descended on the flaming mountain, or
spoke by the prophet's voice; whether He scattered His chosen people
into captivity, or reassembled them in their own land, He was still
carrying on a progressive plan, which was accomplished at the death of
Christ.
Not only in the territories of Israel, but over all the earth, the
great dispensations of Providence respected the approach of this
important hour. If empires rose or fell; if war divided, or peace
united, the nations; if learning civilized their manners, or
philosophy enlarged their views; all was, by the secret decree of
Heaven, made to ripen the world for that "fulness of time," when
Christ was to publish the whole counsel of God.
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