266 LECTURES AND ESSAYS [1870- 



changing form and the permanent substance of prophecy ; 

 and, further, what are the principles on which the changes 

 of form depend. This is a question so vexed and on the 

 whole so difficult that I can only propose to approach it 

 tentatively in the consideration of some of the current 

 views. 



II. APPLICATION OF PRECEDING STATEMENT TO NEWMAN S 

 THEORY OF PROPHECY, CHURCH AND KINGDOM OF 

 GOD, ETC. 



The point dwelt on in last lecture, as to the connection 

 that necessarily subsists between any theory of the 

 fulfilment of prophecy and the views of the theoriser as 

 to the relation between the old and new dispensation as 

 wholes, has not always been clearly borne in mind. I 

 propose to-day to call your attention to a theory advo 

 cated in J. H. (now Father) Newman s Sermons on Subjects 

 of the Day which puts in a very strong light the truth that, 

 as a matter of fact, the two things of which I speak always 

 must go together. Sermons XIV. and XV. of Mr. 

 Newman s volume are, in short, at once a theory of 

 prophetic interpretation and a deduction from this theory 

 of a doctrine as to the relation of the Jewish Theocracy 

 and the Christian Church, which coincides with the 

 position maintained by the English High Church party. 

 A glance at the way in which a question which is often 

 thought to be merely curious is thus brought to bear on 

 one of the most vital practical questions of our time can 

 hardly fail to be instructive ; besides which we shall find 

 it impossible to come to a distinct judgment on Mr. 

 Newman s views except by developing principles that 

 possess an independent value quite beyond their applica 

 tion in this special case. 



&quot; When the power and splendour of the family of David 

 were failing, and darkness was falling on the Church, and 

 religious men were fighting against dismay and distrust, 

 then the Prophets foretold that the kingdom of the saints 



