those unparalleled expressions of a universal joy, which the holy Spirit foreshews us, may easily from past experience of catholic friendship, be expected to ensue. And they will afford a strong additional feature and sign of the times; "because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on THE EARTH."

The sad spectacle of liberty trampled underfoot of prevailing tyranny, and holy truth cast down to the earth, and lying in the street of the great city in a state of religious and political death, will sooth the anguish of the worshippers of MAHUZZIM under the smart of their wounds, inflicted chiefly by the very beast whom they now idolize, while he acted in the character of the overflowing scourge of God, (Isaiah xxviii. 15.—Daniel xi. 40.) pursuing them into every habitable corner of the earth, and searching them out in every secret lurking place, But this will be to them a joy of short duration, and be the means employed by the retributive justice of providence, for the weaving of a web by their own arts, wherein their own foot will be taken. While they begin to lift up their drooping heads, and indulge in visions of peace, where there is no peace, and in the hope of the removal of their pains and their sores, and of the disconsolate darkness of the PAPAL SUN; (the rage of the Antichrist of their creed being spent, and the full redemption of their holy church drawing nigh ;-) "Then behold! darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, (Isaiah Ix. 2.) and as they have been "consuming with the spirit of Christs mouth, they will now be destroyed with the brightness of his coming." (2 Thess. ii.) "But unto you that fear my name, shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings,-and ye shall tread down THE WICKED, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet, in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord." (Mal. iv. 2 )

These are alarming prospects of the times we are fallen into, but they may be nevertheless true, and useful to be pointed out

to general attention.

If the faithful servants of Jesus in the early ages, were terrified with the apprehension of Antichrist to come, there is no less reason for those of modern time to stand appalled, at the new terrors with which his departure is surrounded; and the tremendous shock of the earthquake, with which the true church will be shaken to pieces, by the convulsions of his expiring agonies. But the ever watchful and good providence of God, having graciously given us such previous admonition of the trial that awaits us, will second and bless our virtuous endeavours to meet it with an unshaken steadiness and christian fortitude. It is to be hoped also, with brotherly love and unanimity, all distinction of sects and parties being laid aside in such a crisis !

Whatever we lose,-whatever sufferings we may be exposed to, let us at least hold fast faith and a good conscience. No contest in which the gates of hell do prevail against the gospel, can possibly be lasting, For our better encouragement to do valiantly, and trust in God for the issue, we are assured that this affliction will be but "for a little moment, until this tyranny be overpast. (Psalm lvii. 1, 4, 6. Isaiah xxvi. 20.) And that it will be followed by a glorious reverse to all those who retain their constancy to the end, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the 1335 days." "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name from the book of life. But I will confess his name before my father, and before his angels." (Rev. iii. 5.)

SECTION Lİ.

This period of prophecy all new ground, or little explored.-Will require accurate investigation of its productions.-A regeneration of the bestial powers had become needful. — And greater vigor to hasten their allotted work.-Timely notice of this given to the church by very significant signs.-FALSE PROPHET, his energy and zeal quickened by his fall. The DRAGON still an original.-His fall late, but certain.-THIRD BEAST to our times of more interest than any before him.—Distinguished from each of the former.-I. By the time of his rise.-Towards the close of the testimony.—But before the end of it.-After the session of judg ment begun.-By which the old beast is deprived, and the new one reigns.-II. By the place of his derivation. -The locality of the origin of the two former beasts is fixed.-Two different origins inadmissible-Origin a permanent mark of prophetic character.-Obscurity in his origin peculiar to this new beast.-III. By the circumstances of his rise.-Very similar to that of MOHAMMED. IV. By a new Antichristian coalition.-Increased inveteracy and vigor against the church.Caution to protestant abettors of the bestial cause.

In this more intricate part of the prophecy, where the business of the scene thickens, and the characters of the visionary representation are multiplied, there are added many useful land marks to direct our devious path across the trackless waste, where no foot of human traveller hath left behind any certain impression. This has been hitherto the land of darkness impenetrable, and only peopled with rude, unformed, and imaginary shapes. Of its extent, and its productions, the reports of commentators have been all alike barren of any information that could be depended upon. But time has now lifted up the veil which covered the entrance into it, by exhibiting before our eyes some important changes in the state of the late Roman empire, which have a close correspondence with the figurative imagery of the prophecy of the concluding period of the beast and of the witnesses, the objects of his persecution.

"Known unto God are all his works, from the beginning of the creation." (Acts xv. 18.)

BRAR

ALIFORNIA

UNIVERSITY

299

The causes of these great and radical changes in the subsisting objects of prophecy, and the consequences that would result from them, were ever in the comprehensive view of the divine Being; but that they might unfold themselves in the fulness of time to his servants, for whose sake they were revealed in prophecy, it became needful, in this hitherto difficult part, to give us further help by adding new and distinct marks of character; new names, adapted to the change of situation and circumstances; new descriptions of the characters so changed, and new associations; the great advantage of which will be seen as we proceed.

By the agency of these figurative characters, not altogether new ones, nor yet the very same as those which subsisted through the long period of 1260 years, but representatives of them; the remaining business of the scene is carried on through the course of the period of 30 years now commenced, by a şort of continuation of the Roman empire, virtually dissolved and broken to pieces, yet not actually so till the fall of the capital city,