This the prophets foresaw, and comforted the believing Jews in the
certainty of it; which was the top of the Mosaical dispensation, which
ended in John's ministry, the forerunner of the Messiah, as John's was
finished in him, the fulness of all. And then God, that at sundry times,
and in divers manners, had spoken to the fathers by his servants the
prophets, spoke to men by his Son Christ Jesus, who is heir of all
things, being the gospel-day, which is the dispensation of sonship:
bringing in thereby a nearer testament, and a better hope; even the
beginning of the glory of the latter days, and of the restitution of all
things; yea, the restoration of the kingdom unto Israel.
Now the spirit, that was more sparingly communicated in former
dispensations, began to be poured forth upon all flesh, according to the
prophet Joel; and the light that shined in darkness, or but dimly before,
the most gracious God caused to shine out of darkness, and the day-star
began to rise in the hearts of believers, giving unto them the knowledge
of God in the face, or appearance, of his Son Christ Jesus.
Now the poor in spirit, the meek, the true mourners, the hungry and
thirsty after righteousness, the peacemakers, the pure in heart, the
merciful and persecuted, came more especially in remembrance before the
Lord, and were sought out and blessed by Israel's true Shepherd.
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