without intermission from beginning to end, (112) the holy writer then proceeds to describe the other beast, contemporaneous with him, and who opportunely steps in, at the critical period of his distress and danger from his wound, of which he had been languishing during the whole time of the three Gothic kingdoms. But the other beast having at this time inflicted upon his Gothic enemy, a similar wound, and successfully administered to his brother beast, the cordial restoratives of his two decrees in favor of Rome and the Papacy, thus gave him his hand to help him up upon his legs again. After this, we find him presently mounted upon the vacant throne of the dragon, and become a perfect living and speaking image, of that imperial beast. He had before this time indeed shewn symptoms of life remaining whole in him, having collected strength enough while he lay prostrate on the ground, to stretch out his hand and seize the imperial cap and coronet, which had fallen in the late conflict, and fit it to his own monstrous

(112) Of this there are several instances, Rev. xi. The history of the two witnesses is a very remarkable one, being an epitome of the whole apocalypse.

head, and soon afterwards he adorned it with two additional crowns. (113)

(113) Mr Sharp's remark upon the pride and ambition of the Popes, even at this period, is very interesting. "The high, but pagan Roman title of PONTIFEX MAXIMUS, or high priest of the heathen iaolatry, which had been held by all the emperors of Rome in succession for 500 years; from AUGUSTUS to AUGUSTULUS, was no sooner dropt by the sixth head of Rome, than it was assumed by the Popes, even before the end of the Gothic kingdoms; and they thereby previously qualified themselves for becoming the eighth head and of the seven, being already in possession of the title always annexed to it, and an heathen idolatrous one also, never given to the ministers of the true God.*

The function of PONTIFEX MAXIMUS, had been continued during the time of the five first heads, and the title was continued by the sixth, though the function was suspended, by the emperors holding the title. The bishops of Rome assuming the title under the reign of the seventh head, it was continued under all the seven, whence the expression that it was " of the seven."

* Beza translates exeus by PONTIFEX MAXIMUS, but certainly with impropriety.

SECTION XLVI.

The era of Justinian and the character of that emperor-afford the true key to the first prophetical period, or 1260 years.-The character of "the other beast" in some respects personal to Justinian, but his attributes are common to both the beasts, and the image, or double beast.-The miracle of fire proposed by the holy spirit as a mark of eminent distinction, and proved such by subsequent facts.-A vindication of my former exposition of this miracle, as a point of principal importance. The first prophetical period is expired. -The indignation upon Israel spent or expiring. -Both these facts reconciled with apparent objections to the contrary-Popery not yet very near its end.-Steadiness of papists to the essential principles of their system.

THE acquisition of the whole remaining power of the two branches of the empire by Justinian, did not long continue with his suc

cessors.

The Popes having become independent of the eastern emperors, and made themselves absolute sovereigns at Rome, were as rebellious and insolent subjects to their lawful Lords at Constantinople, as they were turbulent and troublesome neighbours to all other potentates. They gradually attained at length to that extreme pitch of insolence and blasphemy, which distinguished the Hildebrandine age; from whence, as the true meridian of papal iniquity, Bengelius dates his singular computation of the reign of the beast. John indeed, seems to have drawn his prophetical picture of popery, taken all in all, from the utmost height that it ever would attain to. But we are not to consider it in all times as fully coming up to every thing that he has said of it, though at one time or other, it answered completely to the whole description. If it was not quite so towering in height at the time of Justinian as it afterwards became, in consequence of that exalted and authoritative establishment which it obtained by his decrees;

St.

yet that time and that fact seem with indisputable propriety to have been pitched upon by Mr Sharp, as the true point from whence the

computation of the forty-two months is to commence, at (or about) the year 548; for no other date, taken from any circumstance of sufficient notoriety to the world, and a just correspondence with the prophecy, can be made to consist with the actual termination of it, and the other circumstances of these times, of which we have recently witnessed the accomplish

ment.

...: D

Yet there are still some difficulties, (as there probably will be, for the sake of perpetuating the decent and needful veil of obscurity, even to the end of time,) which appear to me in the form of objections that have not been adverted to by Mr Sharp. The agreement with

matter of fact is good as far as concerns the personal character, and age of the other beast, and the succour be lent to the first beast, (then lying as good as dead in his den at Rome, unable to take any other sustenance of his pride, that is his life, but only the poor empty title of PONTIFEX MAXIMUS, which the emperors had worn threadbare ;) yet his bad moral character, given in the prophecy along with