origin, and the strange peculiarities in respect of the time, the place, and the manner of his rise, and by other circumstances, which are both numerous and striking, sufficiently to direct a modern expositor to single him out, from all the despots of his time, as the true object of the prophecies, without much liability to censure, or danger of mistake.

This SCOURGE of antichristian apostacy has a variety of engagements upon his hands, and much and important business to get through, with but a short time comparatively allotted to the finishing of it. In respect of the changes already effected by him, and those about to take place, by means of his ambition, and restless indefatigable spirit of intrigue; he is at once directed to his prey, by the designs of providence become ripe for execution; and is controlled by a superintending power, in the extent of their fulfilment. The destructive office of the stone will be executed by human agency, as God's designs of vengeance upon sinners have ever been heretofore, and not by saints and martyrs raised from the dead, " in battles of shak

ing" to overturn the antichristian thrones.(15) And if so, this is the man who has actually. performed a great part of that service already.

The rising of a third beast from the bot tomless pit, towards the ending of the long reign of the first beast and his image; and the finishing of the testimony of the two witnesses, to which this third beast is to put an end; is a prophecy of which we are now able to form some judgment, for it has been now some time displayed before our eyes. The "other beast" (16) has departed off the stage long ago, and the original beast and his image we have recently seen come to their predicted end, both under the very cir cumstances foretold in prophecy, and at the full expiration of the prophetic period allot ted to them. Yet the witnesses are still liv ing, prophesying and suffering persecution; and there is another beast, the representative of the Roman power under a new type, now reigning.

(15) Isai. xxx. 32. Dan. vii, 9.

(16) The other beast of Mr. Sharp's,the eastern branch of the Roman empire.

Just at the period of time alluded to by St. John, (17) the breaking out of the French revolution has proved a bottomless pit of anarchy, atheism, and all manner of error and wickedness; and the rise of a ferocious despot from that infernal abyss, (which has remained open, and continued sending up volumes of dark smoke to overcast the gospel sun, from time to time, since its first opening by Mohammed,) has very accurately corresponded with the prophecy. For although the bottomless pit was opened several centuries ago, we find no account of its ever being closed again, until the millennium commences; when Satan is to be thrust down into it, (18) and secured there with a great chain, and a seal put upon the mouth of the pit for a thousand years;—a figure which gives us a very high idea of the great, both

(17) Rev. xi. 7,-xvii. 18.

(18) The bottomless pit is first mentioned under the fifth trumpet, the æra of the rise of MOHAMMED. (Rev. ix.) And most commentators agree with me in thinking that cruel and wicked impostor to be the angel of the pit, or the opener of it. Mr. S, thinks differently*, but it is a question of little import

* See Remark of Mr S. on p. 450, of vol, ii,---Bishop Newton, vol. iii. p. 98.

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political and religious, peace and holiness that sabbath of the people of God.

For these reasons, which will be further unfolded hereafter, I cannot relinquish the high ideas I have entertained of this new form of bestial and imperial despotism; seeing it has actually so risen, and so proceeded, as the prophets have foretold. It has put an end to the great prophetical period by an imperial decree, as from an imperial decree 1260 years ago, it took its commencement. It has figuratively slain the beast, and is ceeding to give his body to the burning flame, as sufferings, and persecution, and destruction, by any means whatever, are commonly signified by that emblem. It has dethroned the "little born," and thus given origin to a new character of this time, the FALSE PROPHET,

pro

anee to the subject in hand, whether it was NESTORIUS or MOHAMMED that turned the key first, since we are all agreed that the doctrine of Mohammed is there alluded to, and that the pit is an allegorical one. The French revolution is also an allegorical pit, and the chaining of Satan therein, and sealing the pit of religious and political delusion and wickedness, will be as much figuratively fulfilled in our times, as the opening of it was about year of Christ 626.

the

with whom, in friendly coalition (all in good time,) it is about to act still greater things. Yet still, the revolutions he may yet accomplish, are the result of a plan of empire settled and afore determined in the council above, and not according to the short sighted policy of his earthly cabinet; though "he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so." But "the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all other kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”(19)

In regard to my application of the prophecy of Daniel xi. 40, &c. to this power, newly risen under a combination of circumstances so very remarkable, and of prophetic indications very numerous and pointed; of this likewise Mr. S. disapproves. I well know that it is contrary to the interpretation of that passage pretty generally given, by former expositors of superior judgment. But since the time of those commentators, the state of the world has undergone such great changes, that if they (19) Daniel ii. 44.