his own people; but it seems probable that, during the millennial and post-millennial eras, additions to the previous evidence from this source will not be necessary for the production either of the one effect or the other; in consequence of the greatly increased means of impressing conviction, and exalting piety, resulting from the then extensive and recent accomplishment of prophecy; especially in regard to the downfall of all anti-christian powers; the conversion of the Jews, and the evangelization of the world at large. A departure from the general rule in reference to the definite character of the prophetical periods, might therefore take place, in regard to the Millennary period, without any actual deviation from the principle of that rule. The infinite wisdom of the Holy Spirit, as to the language of prophecy, as in other things, may be equally evinced in reference to what we may regard as the exception, as to what we may have been led to consider as the rule.

Our Inquirer then proceeded to observe, that there were some important points of contrast between the prophecies of Scripture relative to the First Advent of our Lord, and those supposed to relate to his alleged Second Coming at the Millennium, to which he would take leave to advert before they closed their present Conference.

As to our Lord's first advent, (said our Inquirer,) numerous events and circumstances connected with his Divine mission to our world, although he remained in it a little more than 30 years, are distinctly, and in many instances, circumstantially predicted; whereas, on the contrary, in regard to any events or transactions, as being connected with his alleged Millennial residence on the earth, the voice of prophecy appeared to him to be entirely silent. His MILLENNARIAN FRIEND here observed, that to account for the contrast which our Inquirer had just noticed, the different designs of the respective advents ought certainly to be taken into consideration; for, (added he,) unless we duly attend to this distinction, we shall be liable to fail in any attempt to argue from one of them to the other. To this observation our Inquirer fully assented; but said, it appeared to him that endeavour to ascertain the specific designs of the respective missions in question, would tend rather to heighten than to diminish the contrast, and not at all to account for it. Our Inquirer then observed, that the design, or ultimate object of our Lord's first advent, is distinctly and repeatedly predicted, while its magnitude and importance were, without question, such as plainly accounted for the extraordinary character both of the Messiah and his mission; whereas in regard to our Lord's alleged second (or millennial) advent, there

is not, in all the Scriptures, a single syllable as to the design of his alleged mission and residence on the earth; notwithstanding the latter includes a period of 1,000 years or more. Thus, as his friend would perceive, even the means necessary for instituting the very comparison he had suggested, were not to be found. Now, (continued our Inquirer,) such a deficiency as this, appears to me, on the supposition of the truth of the Millennary theory, perfectly unaccountable; but, on that of its fallacy, just what might have been expected!

His MILLENNARIAN FRIEND said, he thought these observations of our Inquirer were of a far too sweeping character, for it was evident, that there were several points relative to our Lord's pre-millennial advent plainly predicted in the Scriptures, and which he would immediately enumerate. Our Lord (said he) shall

1. Come in like manner as he ascended, to

2. Destroy his enemies, and break them in pieces,

3. Restore the Jews,

4. Sit on the throne of his Father David, at Jerusalem, 5. Reign over all the earth, and

6. To judge the world.

Our Inquirer, in reply, observed, that a moiety of the items his friend had enumerated, tended rather to confirm the opinion he had expressed,

than to invalidate it; since it was obvious, that numbers 2, 3, and 5, described exactly those things which our Lord might accomplish as a part of his mediatorial administration, without quitting his throne at the right hand of his Father; whereas the transactions predicted concerning his first advent, were all such as rendered it absolutely necessary that he should quit the heavens, and come down to earth to accomplish. As to the 4th item, he should content himself with observing, that the fallacy of such a literal fulfilment of that prophecy, had been already indirectly demonstrated in the course of a former conference; and in regard to our Lord's second coming, and judging the world, to which the 1st and 6th items of his Friend's enumeration relate, he should, in a subsequent one, endeavour to shew, that the expectation of his personally coming to judge the world BEFORE "the last day," or close of time, is utterly destitute of foundation. So that after the most searching examination, it will be found, that while the Scriptures contain more than a hundred predictions of events, circumstances, &c. which were to take place in connection with our Lord's First Advent; those Scriptures contain, properly speaking, not a single prediction as to any event, or transaction, whatever, in connection with his alleged Second (or pre-millennial) Advent.

THE MILLENNARY THEORY INCONSISTENT

WITH THE SCRIPTURE ACCOUNT OF THE RESURRECTION AND FINAL JUDGMENT.

SEVENTH CONFERENCE.

"It is appointed unto all men once to die, but after this the Judgment."

"He (God) hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world in righteousness."

"We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

OUR INQUIRER said, he would, in the present Conference, consider the Millennary Theory, in reference to the Scripture doctrines of the Resurrection of the Dead, and Future Judgment. He then, in reference to the doctrine of the Resurrection, cited the following passages:

"In the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage," &c.

"As touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read," &c.