<■'' ■!,< ,,' '", 1 'lil'i;' ' ..■■' * i M , 1 < *n r ' I , ; lilt 1. !!i/'\., r 'I I i ( ' i i > S ^^R'' OF '•mcET^ 65 LECTURES DFC16 1914 THE APOCALYPSE. BY WILLIAM JONES, M. A. AUTHOR OP THE HISTORY OF THE WALDKNSES, ETC. " Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world : If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews ; but now is my kingdom not from hence. — To this end was I bom, and for this cause came 1 into this world, tliat I should bear witness unto the truth : every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." — John xviii. 36, 3". ^' " Comb and see." — Rbv. vi. 1, 3, 5, 7. LONDON : HOLDSWORTH AND BALL, 18, ST. Paul's churchyard ; WAUGH AND INNES, EDINBURGH ; AND CURRY & CO. DUBLIN. MDCCCXXX. PRINTED BY HARJETTE AND SAVILI., 107, ST. martin's LANE, CHARING CROSS. SCOTCH-BAPTIST CHURCH, ASSEMBLING FOR WORSHIP IN ALDERMANBURY, LONDON. Beloved Brethren ! To you I inscribe this Course of Lectures, as a humble testimony of my christian aflFection for you, and of my desire to promote your Steadfastness in the good profession which you have made of Christ's name, and the nature of his kingdom. Undertaken at your request, and prosecuted under the counte- nance and encouragement which you have aiForded in the service, I am desirous, having now brought it to a close, that these published pages should be regarded as a memorial of our mutual attachment, and a declaration of our views respecting the doctrine, worship, and order of our Redeemer's kingdom in the world. Nor can I willingly abandon the hope that when a few more years shall have passed over us, it may be permitted us, through the mercy of the Most High, and the grace of our adorable Redeemer, to meet each other in another and better world ; where, among the higher felicities of the place, we may possibly look back to the time which we have lately spent in explor- ing the contents of this wonderful book, and, perhaps, reviving in our recollec- tions the "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord," with which we have been kindly favoured while engaged upon that interesting theme — " When light broke in upon our eyes. With kind and quick'ning rays." There is surely enough in the gospel of our salvation to warrant the pleasing anticipation ; let us then not cast away this confidence ; the world has nothing to offer us in exchange for it, of equal value. In the meantime, be exhorted to steadfastness in the faith, and in the scriptural order of the house of God. While practically contending for these things, as laid down in the Apostles' doctrine, and approved examples of the first churches, you must be iv DEDICATION'. content to be pointed at by the finger of scorn, perhaps laughed at for your singularity, and reproached for your bigotry and sectarianism. But let none of these things either stumble or discourage you ; for, be assured, that " no strange thing has happened to you." The path you now tread, is that in which all the first churches walked, until Antichrist arose and corrupted the christian profession ; and it will be again restored and become a " highway," when Antichrist shall be destroyed "by the brightness of the Lord's coming ;" when " the cities of the nations fall," or, to speak without a figure, when all national establishments of Christianity are swept away, and the dissenting churches get rid of the leaven of Popery which still attaches to them. That much of this remains to be done, you, I am sure, will require no proof from rae. While we find some of the strictest sect of our dissenters contending that the apostolic churches are no longer an example to us for our imitation in conducting the affairs of the kingdom of Christ ; that though they were not without their use in the infancy of Christianity, or so long as it maintained its pristine purity, yet that now a new case has arisen, and to accommodate matters to this new order of things, it has become necessary to abandon the example of the apostolic churches, and to meet Antichrist half-way !!! — I say, so long as such monstrous opinions as these are broached in the face of the sun, and acted upon, the state of our dissenting churches must, in the verj' nature of things, become increasingly corrupt. May you, my brethren, ever be upon your guard against that accursed sophistry which would lead you to tamper with divine ordinances and institutions ; you can be at no loss to trace it to its origin. Gen. iii. 1-5. Remember that those things were given you by the adorable Head of the church, to keep, and not to play fast and loose with, accord- ing as human weakness and caprice may dictate. And while all your affairs are conducted with charity, "do all things without murmur ings and disputings, that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation ; among whom may you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that my labours among you have not been in vain." I am. Your willing Servant in the Gospel, THE AUTHOR. HoxTON, New Gloucester Street, December lit. 1829. PREFACE. The subject of Prophecy constitutes so important a part of Divine Revelation, that it surely were superfluous to offer - anything in the shape of an apology for the attention which is bestowed upon it. Infidels, and superficial thinkers who assume the christian name, " sporting themselves with their owft deceivings," may amuse one another and display their wit, as many of them have done, in pouring ridicule upon both the subject itself, and the writers who have undertaken to illustrate it ; but if, as it professes, its author be divine, raillery and ridicule were never more out of place than when thus employed. A theme which was not thought unworthy of the sublime genius and capacious mind of Sir Isaac Newton ; on which that great man bestowed many of the choicest hours of his life, and which he held in such veneration, that he could not allow his manuscripts to go to the hands of the printer till he had rewritten them again, and again, and again, thus shewing that he considered the subject to be worthy of his most attentive regards and profound deliberation, must certainly be entitled to a difl^erent treatment, than that which it has received at the hands of many who pliune themselves upon their superiority to vulgar minds. When wo open the Bible, says a late writer, " we behold, with astonishment, a spirit of prophecy pervading all time, commencing so early as the fall of man, and extending to the final consummation of all things : we see it uniformly characterizing one person ; first, by dark and obscure intimations, then gradually unfolding itself with brighter and brighter lustre at every step, till the appearance of him who was its ultimate end and object. In Him and his Apostles, but particularly in his beloved Disciple, we behold it once more renewed, and predicting with peculiar exactness every important event which should befal his church, even from its earliest establishment, down to that period of awful expectation, when the great plan of divine grace shall be brought to a glorious and consistent VI PREFACE. conclusion, and the mysterious counsels of the Almighty, respecting the christian dispensation, shall be for ever closed in judgment."* It is this series of New Testament prophecies which has of late years, in a more especial manner, engaged the attention, and employed the pens of so many writers among us : and as they form the subject matter of the Apocalypse, the press has teemed with publications, professedly intended to illustrate that mysterious book. The truth is, that when I take a review of their number, and consider the learning and talent that has been employed upon the subject, more especially during the last forty years, I feel myself imperiously called upon to offer a serious apology for presuming to add another volume to the mass already before the public. It is now no secret, nor,' so far as my information goes, do I under- stand that any wish exists to conceal the matter from the public, that a number of gentlemen of high respectability are somehow associated in the study of prophecy, and hold occasional meetings, for the purpose of mutual conference on this high theme. The result of these laud- able interviews and conversations has been given to the public in various shapes, but chiefly in a work entitled, " Dialogues on Pro- phecy," in 3 vols, octavo. It is to that publication that this course of lectures is indebted for its origin ; and if the reader have sufficient curiosity to know how that was brought about, he may be satisfied by glancing his eye over the subjoined note,'' otherwise, if he be a White's Bampton Lectures, Sermon vii. b In the New Baptist Miscellany, May, him a call at his town residence, where lie 1827 — a periodical publication which expected to be on a day specified in his was t/ieji, but is not now, under my super- note. This request was complied with; intendence, I gave some account of the and, on being introduced to him, he was Dialogues on Prophecy, Parts 1, 2, 3, not a little surprised to recognize in tiie being all that were then published ; and reviewer, an old accpiaintance, who had concluded the article with these words : laboured with him for years in establish- " When the remaining part or parts of ing the Continental Society ! The inter- these singular Dialogues are before us, view was a very pleasant one : it lasted it shall be our endeavour to point out for some time, and we had much general the errors of various kinds into which discussion on the subject of unfulfilled these gentlemen have been betra3'ed, and prophecy. I must mention, that he par- te rectify theirmistaken system." Shortly ticularly requested 1 would drop my in- after this, I received a note from tlie fention of continuing the review of the gentleman who sustains the office of " Dialogues," and rather tell the public editor of the " Dialogues," written from what I had to sav on the subject in some his country-seat at Albury, in Surrv, in other form ; with which request 1 cheer- which he mentioned that he had seen the fuUv complied. At parting, he lent me Magazine, and read the review of the the first volume of Ben Kzra's work, "Dialogues on Prophecy," that ho was urging upon me a careful perusal of the particularly desirous of having a personal translator's elaborate Preface. After interview with the editor or reviewer, and some weeks, 1 received from him a note, hoped he would dohimthefavourofgiving of which the following is a copy. I'REFACK. Vll deterred by its length, he may pass it over, and go on with my apolo- getical preface. The great and unfeigned respect which I entertain for the editor of the "Dialogues" as well as for many others associated with him in Dear Sir ! — I conclude,by your having been so long detained by the work of Ben Ezra, that you find the Students of Pro- phecy are not all quite such geese and old women as you at first fancied, and that you will not find it quite easy to refute him [Ben Ezra.] Are you aware that a passage of Matthew, whicli you assert without proof to mean one thing, Mede, neither an unlearned, nor illogical man, asserts, and proves to mean another ? I rather wish you would take up the subject, because I think you liave too much candour to be so wedded to any thing as not to be ready to abandon it, if a modification of it can be shewn you from the Scriptures ; and I should really be glad to know what you think on the following points. 1. How is the present dispensation to end, as it regards us Gentiles ? 2. Ditto, as it regards the Jews? 3. What is the meaning of Christ returning to set up the tabernacle of David? Acts xv. 16. I am. My dear Sir, your's, very faithfully, June 28, 1827. H. D. To these queries a reply was returned ; and to abridge my labour in so doing, I gave an epitome of a discourse on Rev. xi. 15, " The kingdoms of this tvorld ire become our Lord's and Ins Christ's," &^c. which had been lying \>y me in manu- script for several years, intimating, that when 1 could avail myself of sufficient leisure for that purpose, it was my inten- tion to revise, enlarge, and publish it. The following is part of a letter written me in answer. My dear Sir, — I am much obliged to you for the skeleton of the sermon which you have sent me, and shall be glad of the publication of any thing that can draw the public attention to the times in which we live. With respect to its out- line, I would beg you to consider whether you do really differ from the views ad- vanced in the Dialogues so much as your review of them would lead the reader to suppose. Indeed, the differ- ence is so slight, that I could almost be tpmpted to pronounce that you had not read them. Under j^our sixth head of events which will take place during thb Millennium, you notice, " that Christ's subjects shall be all righteous," and, seventh, "They shall reign with him a thousand years." Who reign? the sub- jects. I think this will lead you to re- flect that there will be both a spiritual and a literal resurrection ; not the former only, to the exclusion of the latter. And if you shall be brought, by again examin- ing the declarations of God in this mat- ter, to agree with me in this point, I shall be most happy in agreeing with you in every other. I entreat you to get your sermon out " But to return to your sermon at ivldch I am much delighted, finding we agree so nearly ; for, as you say that there will be a personal appearance [of the Saviour] at some time or other on the earth, you differ widely from those who insist on it, that our Lord is never to appear in his body again here. I wish you would again read the third number of tlie Dia- logues, which treats of this matter in detail, though I should be much afraid of being positive on any such point ; yet the expressions "his feet sliall stand on the Mount of Olives," " shall so come in like manner," "sitting on the tlirone of David," exercising dominion as the second Adam, all seem conclusive of a personal reign. I am, my dear Sir, Yours, most trulv, July 20f/i. 1827. H. D. Before we advance any farther, I may remark, that I know not where the per- sons are to be found (professing Christ- ianity) who deny that Christ will come again the second time, without sin, unto salvation — that he will come personu'ly, in his glorified bodii ; unless it be amo:\g the mystics. All the advocates of a sph-itual reign of Christ with his saints, upon the earth during the thousand years, with whom I am anv way acquainted, contend as strenuously for this, as an article of the faith once delivered to the saints, as my res]iectable correspondent does, or any of the students of prophecy. That is not the yjoint in debate ; the question is, " Does he come personaUy for tlie des- truction of Antichrist, previous to tlie commencement nf the thousand voars' VUl PREFACE. the study of prophecy, could not but fill me with pungent regret at finding him, as the case appeared to me, wandering in a labyrinth of error, on a subject of such high importance, and in which, the longer he perseveres, the more distressing will it be to his own mind, and destructive of his comfort. Let me not be accused of presumption, if I take this opportunity of speaking what I know of that gentleman. The urbanity of his manners, the readiness with which he can conde- scend to men of low estate, the benevolence of his heart, and the apparent pleasure which he finds in relieving the distresses of his fellow-creatures, are not the only excellencies that adorn his cha- racter. Favoured by heaven with ample means of doing good, he is still more highly favoured in possessing a heart ever disposed to promote those plans which appear to him calculated to ameliorate the condition of suffering humanity. In learning and talents he excels many his equals, whether in his own or any other country. In bearing reign, oral the conclusion of it, namely, at the last day, to raise the dead, and judge the world, and put an end to the present dispensation '!'' This is the giii of the whole controversy between us, and it depends upon the question, whe- ther Rev. XX. 4-6, is to be interpreted literally or metaphorically. I contend for the latter, and my correspondent and his friends for the former ; and I may fur- ther add, that this simple question, tri- fling as he would represent it in his letter, is the hinge of two systems which differ ioto cudo, and will be found, like leaven in the meal, to diffuse their influ- ence into almost all our views of the book of the Apocalypse. But, not to insist further on this point. — In the early part of the year 1828, 1 wrote some Essays on the prophecies of Daniel, for the New Baptist Miscellany, and towards the end of March, forwarded to my cor- respondent, the numbers of the Maga- zine, for January, February, and March, which drew from him the following note : 11, Belgrave Square, April 2, 1828 My dear Sir. — 1 received this morning, three numbers of the New Baptist Mis- cellany, for which I suppose I am in- debted to you, and therefore return you my best thanks. You seem in your review of Daniel, &c. to be so nearly agreeing with "the Students of Pro- phecy," that you must have what the phrenologists call a large organ of com- bativeness, to find any thing about which to quarrel witli us. 1 hope you iiave seen J\Ir. Cunninghame's pamphlets on the personal appearance of our Lord, which he first published in the Christian Observer. What do you do with the Confession of faith of the Baptists pub- lished in Crosby, respecting the personal reign 1 Depend upon it that there is as much hatred of Christ as king now, in the religious world, as there was of old among the Jews. I am, &c. H. D. The only remark which I make upon this note is, that the complaint of hatred to Christ's kiiiglv office, appears to me to come with a singularlv ill grace from those who would support his throne by the power of the civil magistrate, in ex- press opposition to his own declaration, John xviii. 38 ; who are for transferring to the kings of the earth, that rule and government in his kingdom which be- longs to himself eiclusiielu, which he never delegated to another, and the as- sumption of which is the mark and image of the beast and false ])rophet, against which the vials of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God, are now pouring out upon the earth ! And I may add, wlio are as deaf as the adder to all that Christ and his apostles have said res- pecting the Christian union and separa- tion, in which state alone, obedience to Christ's kingly authority can be mani- fested. To such professors of his name, lie niav well sav " Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and not the things wliich 1 say ?" All our zeal and bustle about religion, without this, is vain ! PREFACE. IX my humble testimony to the many virtues which adorn his character, 1 speak not from report merely, but from my own personal knowledge. How then, can I sufficiently lament that such a man should be led astray by an ignis fatuits, and so deplorably, too, as to become an apologist for the veriest blasphemy, vented from week to week, against the " Holy One of God." The pernicious effects of this malignant influence upon him, are too visible to escape observation : they appear but too manifestly in his writings, in the acrimony which he discovers towards the conductors of our religious " periodicals," and, indeed, towards all who refuse to bow to the high behests, the oracular decisions, of the object of his idolatry. The conductors of the periodical press need not my feeble suffrage to support them under the heavy accusations with which they have been so liberally assailed by the translator of Ben Ezra, and his zealous lay defender; but as I am no longer one of the "corps," T will take this opportunity of saying, that I think the public are under unspeakable obligations to the gentlemen referred to for their useful labours as the pioneers of literature. Any man that doubts this has only to pause and seriously consider what would be the actual condi- tion of the reading population of this country, were those journals all withdrawn from the field of literature. That they are conducted with consummate skill and judgment, is more than I am prepared to say ; but 1 know scarcely one of them that is without its use, and am . sure that I have lived to witness a great improvement in the manner of conducting most of them. Let me add, that in no one particular have they, in my opinion, deserved higher of the religious public, than for the decided stand which they have made against the whimsical dogmas, propagated with such oracular decision by the translator of Ben Ezra I The effusions of friendship, emanating from a kind and benevolent heart, may delight to contemplate that orator in the attitude of an eagle, seated in royal state, upon the top of Ben Lomond, regard- less of the chattering of the daws, and the jays, and the sparrows that gather around him, whose noise has no other effect upon him, than to make him soar the loftier !'= But some little allowance should be made for the dulness of others who are incapable of appreciating his transcendental flights ! c At one of the meetings of the " Students of Prophecy," at Albury, this gentle- man is reported to have feelingly bewailed it, as " a sore trouble to the flesh, for a man [meaning himself, of course] to have more light than his brethren !" This anecdote, of the correctness of which 1 believe there is no doubt, may suggest to some whether the simile of the Eagle above mentioned, might not with some propriety be exoljfcnged \ X I'UEFACE. Were it possible for me to obtain the ear of " the Students of Pro- phecy" for only one quarter of an hour, I should be disposed to address them to the following effect : Gentlemen — Will you allow a by-stander to congratulate you upon the happy choice which you have made of a subject for your mutual deliberation ? In forming that choice you have no doubt been influenced by the " signs of the times," which are portentous in the extreme ; and you have acted wisely in determining your views to an investigation of the pro- phecies of scripture which are yet unfulfilled. This subject is high, and of almost paramount importance. But in proportion to its vast ma""nitude and intense interest, sho\ild be the care and caution with which you conduct it. In an especial manner be upon your guard against the adoption and influence of any favourite hypothesis ; see to it that your first principles are sound, so as to lay a solid foundation for the superstructure which you are about to erect upon it. Above all things let me recommend to your serious attention, the confession which the Lord Jesus Christ made before the Roman governor concerning his kingdom, John xviii.36. This must be your " guiding star" in exploring your way through the Apocalyptic visions; by this you must steer your course, if you would navigate in safety ; and depend upon it, that if you once lose sight of it, you will instantly find yourselves among quicksands, rocks, and breakers. Never dream of confounding the kingdom of Christ, which is spiritual and heavenly, with national establishments of his religion; these all have stampt upon them the image of the beast ! And to attempt to amalgamate those two things will be found as fruitless as to form a compound of iron and clay, or to mix oil and water. You have called loudly, and in some instances, rather vociferously upon the public, to join with you, and second your views. But before you deal out censures upon us with so unsparing a hand, permit us to solicit from you a consistent " symbol," of what you hold as a body. At present the only article in which you seem to be for that of " the paper kite," wliose story is so interestingly told in verse by the late venerable .Tohn Newton. The whole is too long for insertion in this place, but the first stanza runs thus : " Once on a time a paper kite, Was mounted to a wondrous height? Where, giddy with its elevation. It thus exi)ress'd stlf-adrairation." T sincerely wish the gentleman in (juestion, a belter fate than that wliiih befel the lucklesij kite ! PREFACE. XI agreed, viz. the iiiimediate personal appearance of Christ, and his continuance upon this earth during the thousand years' reign of the saints, we believe, upon good grounds, to be a popular error ; and if we examine your writings, we find no two of you agreed upon any one point beside, and scarcely any onQ of your number continuing in the same judgment for six months together ! Excuse us, therefore, if we prefer waiting until we find you more agreed among yourselves, or until you have furnished us witli a more consistent creed. We per- ceive that you affect to be indignant that any persons should represent your dogmatas as novelties. Well, then, we will concede to you that they are not novelties; that, on the contrary, they boast a high antiquity — we can trace them as far back as the beginning of the third century. But it really is a subject which deserves some consideration, in what light they appeared to the more judicious of the servants of Christ at that early period. Pardon me, gentlemen, if I presume to refresh your memories with the following facts. We learn from Dr. Lardner,<* that Dionysius, bishop of Alexan- dria, flourished from the year 247 to the year 265. During his episco- pate there were great numbers of Christians in the district of Arsinoe in Egypt, who were very fond of the Millenary notion, expecting a kingdom of Christ here on earth, in which men should enjoy sensual pleasures. These persons were much confirmed in this opinion by a book of Nepos, an Egyptian bishop, entitled, "^4 Confutation of the AllegoristsT Dionysius had a disputation or conference with those Christians, of which he gave an account in one of his books, written upon that subject. In a fragment, which we have in Eusebius, he writes to this purpose : " When," says he, " I was in the province of Arsinoe, where, you know, this opinion has for some time so far prevailed as to cause divisions and apostacies of whole churches ; having called together the presbyters and teachers of the brethren in the villages, admitting likewise as many of the brethren as pleased to be present, I advised that this opinion should be publicly examined into : and when they produced to me that book as a shield, and impregnable buWark, I sat with them three whole days successively, from morning to evening, discussing the contents of it." He goes on, highly applauding the good order of the dispute, the moderation and candour of all present, their willingness to be convinced, and to retract their former opinions, if reason so required: "With a good conscience," says he, "and unfeifn- •* See his Works, vol. ii. 8vo. edition, London, 1828. Xll I'REFACK. edly, and with hearts open to the sight of God ; embracing whatever could be made out by good arguments from the holy Scriptures. In the end, Coracio, the chief defender of that opinion, engaged and pro- raised, in the presence of all the brethren, that he would no longer maintain, nor defend, nor teach, nor make mention of it, as being fully convinced by the arguments on the contrary side. x\nd all the brethren who were present rejoiced for the conference, and their mutual recon- ciliation and agreement.'' Thus far Dr. Lardner; where, in connection with what I have now quoted, we have other interesting particulars relating to this celebrated Millenarian dispute, that are well worthy of attention ; but my main design in quoting what I have now done, in this place, is the better to introduce to your notice the judgment that is passed upon this celebrated controversy by one of the greatest men of modern times, viz. the learned and pious Herman Witsius. I'he article to which I now refer, has hitherto, unhappily, lain concealed under the vail of a dead language, having been written in Latin ; and it now, so far as I am aware, for the first time, meets the reader's eye in an English dress. It constitutes the Dedication of a Tract, of which I sultjoin the title, with the name of the individual to whom it was inscribed. And, while I earnestly recommend the former part of the Dedication to the dehberate consideration of the Irvings, and the Druramonds, and the Cunningharaes, and the Mc. Neiles, et hoc genus oimie, of the present day ; I would, (if the apparent presumption of such an obscure individual, attempting to shelter himself under the wings of so eminent an authority, could be overlooked) entreat them, and my readers in general, to consider the latter part of the learned Professor's Dedication — with the exception of what relates to his public office as Professor — as expressing my own sentiments, and making my apology for this intrusion at the bar of public opinion, especially on so high and important a theme : "^ Dissertation on the Sense of the Seven Apocalyptic Epistles, tchether it is Historical or Prophetical. By Herman Wit.sius. "Dedication to Frederic Spanheim, a very celebrated Divine of Leyden, in Holland. " That appears to me to have been a holy, and simple, and candid, and Christian-like mode of disputation, which Eusebius Pamphilus, bishop of Cirsaroa, in Palestine, describes as observed between J^iony- sius, bisliop of Alexandria, and the disciples of Ncpos, an Egyptian prelate, who was captivated with the opinions of the Millcnarians. Dionysius does not begin with reproaches, or contempt, or invectives against Nepos, whom he had undertaken to confiite, but declares that he very much esteems and loves him, and holds him in nigh veneration, on account of his faith, and diligence, and knowledge of the Scriptures; and cheerfully praises and commends tiiose things which have been rightly and judiciously advanced by him. But since to a good man nothing ought to be more valuable than tnith, he takes the liberty of examining and correcting those things in which he considers him as having wandered from the right way. In that disputation, which was public, and continued for three successive days from morning till even- ing, the brethren who espoused the cause of Nepos, brought forward his book as an armoury and impregnable bulwark ; yet in such a manner as to prove to Dionysius their stability and love of truth, their penetration and good sense ; while he observed with admiration, that they put questions, and gave answers, and made concessions, in the most orderly manner, and with uniform moderation and good temper ; that they tried, neither by any means contentiously to persist in what they had once stated, if detected to be false ; nor, on the other hand, to conceal contradictions, but to maintain and confirm their doctrine as far as was possible, and were not afraid, whenever good reason demanded it, to change their sentiments, and acknowledge the truth ; but with a good conscience, and without the least insincerity, with hearts in sim- plicity laid open to God, they readily received those things which were established by the declarations and doctrines of the sacred Scriptures. The issue of this discussion happily corresponded to the desires and prayers of the excellent prelate. For the most eminent and strenuous champion of that doctrine, whose name ivas Coracion, not only sub- mitted confessing himself overcome by the truth, but also, in the hearing of all the brethren that were present, solemnly promised that he would never, from that time forward,make mention of this opinion, the vaiiity of which he had discovered by the opposite arguments. This debate, and humility, and agreement, caused the rest of the bre- thren to rejoice. I wish that all who discuss these points of contro- versy in the present day, would come to them with the same spirit, and handle them in the same manner ; only fixed in this resolution, that they would embrace and maintain that, from whatever quarter pro- duced, whether repeated a hundred times before, or now first brought to their ears, which should approve itself to their minds by the evidence of truth, in the sight of God, and with a rejection of all party-spirit, ' without preferring one before another, and doing nothing by par- tiality.' For, nothing is more pernicious to the church, nothing is more hostile to the truth, nothing is a greater hindrance to profit, than a violent party-spirit. Hence follows, when moderation is once discarded, a torrent of words, not to say quarrels, only comparable to the violence of the most raging sea. ' Then,' to use the language of TertuUian, ' they proceed to heats, and animosities, and discords, and every thing unbecoming ministers of peace ; then follow invectives, and reproaches, without any just ground of hatred, — and expressions of approbation, without any thing to deserve love.' If these pestilent evils were XIV PKRFACE. banished from disputations, and, instead of them, fear of God, and reve- rence of his word, and the love of truth, and attention to the Divine Spirit, (who ought to be entertained with tranquilhty, and mildness, and quietness, and peace, not to be disturbed with fury, and resentment, and anger, and vexation) and a due estimation of the gifts of God in our brethren, and the like duties of Christianity, prevailed; the discussions of learned men would be productive of more advantage, both to them- selves and to the public ; sparks of truth would fly out on all sides the more beautiful from those peaceful collisions ; charity itself, which can not but be dehghted with the clearer knowledge of Divine truth, would be enflamed, and shine more brightly between brethren. That this has been ray design, both in those works which I have lately published, and in this Dissertation, which I am now about to inscribe to you, cele- brated Spanheim, both my conscience bears witness, and God himself, to whom our most secret thoughts lie open, in the day of his illustrious advent, will confirm the testimony. Far be it from such a hiuuble individual as I am, though I am sorry that I have been reproached with it, — far be it from me, I say, that I should claim the right of judg- ing all my brethren, or arrogate dominion over their faith, and, pre- sumptuously ascending the tribunal, without authority from the govern- ment, or a call from the people, should pass sentence upon each of them. How foreign that would be from my habits, and (I hesitate not to' say) from ray modesty, none can be ignorant who have even a slight knowledge of me. If 1 could lead exactly the life I chose, — having now experienced the manifold malignity of the world, I should wish for nothing more than that, far from all disputation, I might be allowed to pass my days, even to my latest breath, in calm tranquillity and secret solitude, with pious prayers and devout supplications, in the humble investigation of our sacred Scriptures, and secret intercourses with God, secluded from the public, and scarcely known to my neigh- bours, except as far as piety requires. My wish is the same as that of Synesius, 'that I might lead a life of tranquillity and security, unknown to all others, but known to God, and knowing the things of God.' But since the nature of my oflice will not allow me, in the public station in which I am placed, to remain silent on these points, which are now controverted among the learned, I have said what I believed I had learned from God, and what I thought would very much tend to unite the minds of my brethren in the calm pursuit of the truth. And I have spoken in such a manner, that for those very persons with whom I was unable to agree in all things, I could, nevertheless, most sincerely declare my regard and veneration. Nor is my disposition or design different in this Dissertation : in which I have endeavoured to represent the word of God in its own simplicity, which is full of beauty; and to avoid turning plain expressions into enigmas, and darkening what is , clear. But if, on any occasions, 1 have misapprehended the moaning of those very learned men whose opinions I am examining, let not that be considered as a fault in them or a» an offence in me. If they are unwilling to impute it to their own obscurity, they may cull it an oversight or error of mine ; in the freedom of a good conscience, I deprecate all suspicion of malignity or falsehood. I detest and abomi- nate the conduct of those who, to use the language of Pindar, " climb not the loftier wall of justice, but that of rhetorical craft." Moreover, whatever I have not observed with sufficient clearness, or whatever I have written inconsistent with the mind of God, or unbecoming the dig- nity of sacred subjects ; in short, wherever I may be convicted of having wandered into error, that, when apprized of it, I will strike out and correct, with a sense of gratitude, which I shall not fail of expressing, to the person who shall give the admonition. For I class myself among those who cheerfully submit themselves and their thoughts to the opi- nion and judgment of their most judicious brethren, mindful of the apostolic direction, ' and let the others judge.' Excellently, in my opinion, whether by Gregory Nazianzen. or Methodius, (for to each of these has this golden observation been ascribed — to the latter by Epiphanius, to the former by Maximus) — excellently, I say, has it been remarked by him, whoever he was, ' T think it a greater benefit to be refuted than to refute, in proportion as it is a greater advantage to be one's self delivered from an evil, than to deliver another from one.' For this reason I address myself to you, most celebrated Spanheim, whose fame is spread through distan^ nations and is proclaimed by all tongues, and whom not even pale envy will deny to be able to judge in the wisest and best manner respecting these things. Do you be my censor and judge ; and consider my intention, with which these papers, such as they are, are offered to you, and allow this to stand as a per- petual monument of my respect for you, if my works are to have any reputation hereafter, and any thing of Witsius reach the next age. Farewell, great Spanheim, and cherish an affection for me." Pated at " Franequer, in Friesland, June 14, 1678." Again at " Utrecht, Aug. \, 1691." The third time, "Dec. 12, 1694." Here, then, I would terminate this Preface, were it not that I find it necessary to add a few words for the purpose of guarding against being misunderstood by those who may do me the honour to look into these pages. The nature of the undertaking in which I was embarked, has led me to speak with some degree of freedom of the clergy, and even of their kingdom, as opposed to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. To make myself at all intelligible, in reference to this point, I am aware that I have been compelled to adopt a phraseology which, in these days of catholic charity, will sound very uncouth to the ears of many ; nor shall I be greatly surprised if some, who know better, should take occasion from it to accuse me of uncharitableness — perhaps of being actuated by a desire to undermine the authority, and cast con- PREFACR. tempt upon the holy office of the christian ministry. Now, in answer to all such, I must he allowed to say in my own defence, that those per- sons greatly mistake niy meaning who suppose me to bo influenced by a spirit of envy, spleen, or ill-will towards the clergy of any denomination ; much less by a contempt for true religion, which is quite a diflferent affair altogether. That there are, and have been clergymen in the Roman, and in every protestant church, who in their social characters, separate from their clerical claims, have been ornaments to society, and an honour to humanity, is most readily conceded. There was a period of the life of the present writer, when, for nearly twenty years in suc- cession, he was in habits of almost daily and familiar intercourse with more than one, two, or three priests of the catholic church ; from these o-entlemen he has received many expressions of personal kindness, and interchanges of civility and the courtesies of life were both numerous and frequent between them ; but during that period he never concealed from them the opinion which he entertained of their religion — that he considered their church to be " Babylon the great, the mother of har- lots ;" and had frequent conferences with them on this and other subjects, yet without the smallest tincture of acrimony on either side, or to the prejudice of good neighbourhood. The Apocalyptic prophecies concerning Antichrist relate not to personal characters, but to the nature and spirit of their religious connection. For, as a man may be a very good neighbour, and in other respects a useful member of society, while yet he is a rebel against his king ; so a clergyman may have many amiable and estimable qualities, and yet be a member of Antichrist ; by which is not meant merely the power of the pope, of the conclave of cardinals, or of a general council ; no, nor merely the honour, authority, and influence of any national clergy ; but as including all that power which any class of clergymen have assumed over the persons, properties, or consciences of men. This explanation of my meaning I thought it necessary to premise, and request it may not be overlooked or dis- regarded. LECTURES ON THE APOCALYPSE. LECTURE I. INTRODUCTORY. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto hira, to shew unto his sei-vants things which must shortly come to pass ; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John : 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein ; for the time is at hand. — Rev. ch. i. ver. 1 — 3. The Book of the Revelation is, by general consent, admitted to be as hard to be understood as any part of the sacred writings. This difficidty must be resolved, partly into the subject of which it treats; and partly into the stijle in which it is written. The subject differs from that of the Pentateuch, and the four Gospels; for instance, in this material respect, that, the greater part of it does not consist of a histoiy of transactions that had taken place at the time the apostle wrote ; but of a series of prophecies con- cerning the events that were to befal the christian church, or kingdom of Christ on earth, from the period of its first setting up, by means of the preaching of the apostles on the day of Pentecost, (Acts ii.) to the end of time — the final consummation of all things — that hour of awful expectation when, according to the gospel, the Lord Jesus Christ shall come again in the clouds of heaven, to raise the dead and judge the world, put an end to the present dispensation of grace, and fix the everlasting destinies of men and angels. Such, in general, is the subject matter of this book : and as to the style in which it is presented to us by the Spirit of Inspiration, it corresponds for the most part with that of the prophecies of the Old Testament, more especially the books of Ezekiel and Daniel; to the latter of which it beat's a great affinity both in matter and manner, as we shall have frequent occasion to notice hereafter. It is in a great measure figurative, parabolical, and couched in symbo- lical language ; — a mode of writing which was of common and approved use in the ages when these prophecies were delivered, and among the people to whom they were primarily addressed. B 2 LECTURES ON THE APOCALYPSE. [lect. r. As I shall have frequent occasion to trouble you with expla- natory remarks, both on the contents of this mysterious book, and also on the style in which it is composed, shoulr] the Lord permit us to prosecute this course of Lectures, it will not be necessary to detain you upon either of these points at the outset ; and we shall therefore proceed to offer a few observations, which may not be here out of place, respecting the writer, or author of this book, and the time when this series of prophecies was written : for con- cerning each of these there have been disputes.* 1. As to the writer of this sacred book: we see that the in- spired penman styles himself "John the servant of Jesus Christ," ver. L In this, however, there is nothing conclusive respecting the individual: because it is highly probable, that the Lord Jesus had, at that time, many faithful servants in the world who bare the name of John. The point to be ascertained is, whether the writer of the Apocalypse was " the beloved disciple" of Jesus, he who wrote the evangelical history of the Saviour, and also the three catholic epistles ; or, was it some other person bearing that name ? To obtain satisfactory evidence on this point, we must have recourse to the earliest christian writers after the apostles — Those who are termed the Fathers: and we must endeavour to collect from them, who and what the writer was. The principal writer of modern times, who has suggested any doubts upon the subject, is the learned Michaelis, professor of divinity i-n the University of Gottingen ; and he founds them on some things contained in the writings of Dionysius, bishop of Alexandria, who lived about the year 250. Dr. Lardner in his Credibility of the Gospel History,'' has furnished us with the remarks of Dionysius on the book of the Revelation, from which it appears that his objections against it, or rather against its being the pro- duction of the apostle John, were founded on the perverse use that was made of it by certain Millenarians of his day, who con- tended from it that " the kingdom of Christ should be earthly, » I do not enter upon the question of the divine authority of the Apocalypse, or its claims to a place in the canon of Revelation. Such an enquiry would be rather out of place in a course of Lectures, which are intended to be of a popular, rather than aitical cast — delivered to, and designed for the use of those who entertain no doubts respecting the divine origin of this book. Be- sides which, the subject has been taken up and handled with superior ability bv many learned writers, among whom are Lowman, Lardner, Sir Isaac Newton, Bishop Newton, — and though last, not least in point of ability, by Dean Woodhouse, in his "Annotations on the Apocalypse," lately published, who has met the objections of Michaelis, and Dr. Less, and satisfactorily an- swered them. Sir Isaac Newton fearlessly asserts, that " no other book of the New Testament is so stroiifjhj attested as this." On Daniel and the Apocalypse, part ii. ch. i. page 219- "> Works, vol. ii. p. G93, edit. 1827. cH. I. 1—3.] INTRODUCTORY. 3 consisting of those things which a carnal man most admired," the gratification of the sensual appetites, " eating, drinking, and marriage ; and for the more decent procurement of these, feast- ings and sacrifices, and the slaughter of victims." ' But observe how this writer immediately proceeds : " for my part," says he, *' I dare not reject the book, since many of the brethren have it in high esteem : but, allowing it to be above my understanding, I suppose it to contain throughout, some latent and wonderful meaning ; for, though I do not understand it, I suspect there must be some profound sense in the words : not measuring and judging these things by my own reason, but ascribing more to faith, 1 esteem them too sublime to be comprehended by me. Nor do I condemn what \ have not been able to understand ; but I admire the more, because they are above my reach." This is certainly interesting, as shewing us the opinion that was entertained of this wonderful book at that early period. Dionysius next proceeds to assign his reasons for thinking that it could not be the production of the apostle John, who wrote the gospel and the catholic epistles which he gives at considerable length ; but, Dr. Lardner has classed the whole under five heads, and con- sidered them in detail. Those objections are: 1. Because the evangelist John has not named himself in his gospel, nor in his catholic epistle : but the writer of the R.evelation nameth him- self more than once. 2. Though tlie writer of the Revelation calls himself John, he has not shewn us that he is the apostle of that name. His third objection is, that the Revelation does not mention the catholic epistle, nor the catholic epistle the Revela- tion. 4. That there is a great agreement in sentiment, expression and manner between John's gospel and epistles : but the Reve- lation is quite different in all these respects, without any resemblance or similitude. And, lastly; that the gospel of John is elegant Greek : but that the Apocalypse abounds with barba- risms and solecisms. Such were the objections of this ancient father, not to the^book itself, but to its being the production of the apostle John : in opposition to which Dr. Lardner shews, that the book of the Revelation is quoted by Origen, who was cotem- porary with Dionysius — by Tertullian, who wrote about one hundred years after the decease of the apostles — by Clement of Alexandria — by Theophilus, bishop of Antioch — by Irenseus, who wrote within seventy or eighty years of the time of the apostles — by Justin Martyr, an author of great reputation, who wrote in the year 140, that is, within half a centuiy of the time when the Apocalypse was composed — all of whom quote it or refer to it as the undoubted performance of John the apostle and evangelist. This external evidence appeared of such preponder- ating weight to the candid and judicious Lardner, as to have 4 LECTURES ON THE APOCALYPSE. [lect. i. drawn from him this conclusion — twice repeated : " It may be questioned, whether the exceptions founded on the difference of style, and such like things, or any other criticisms whatever, can be sufficient to create a doubt concerning the author of this book^ which was ow^ned for a writing of John the apostle and evangelist, before the time of Dionysius and Caius, and, so far as we know, before the most early of those who disputed its genuineness. "*= To which I may also add the testimony of Dr. Doddridge, who says, " There is, in my opinion, very little reason to doubt that the John here mentioned, was the evangehst of that name, and author of the three epistles : for, concerning this John, antiquity agrees, that he was banished to Patmos, in the reign of Domitian, for his adherence to the christian faith. And the author of this book informs the churches of Asia, ch. i. 9, that he, their brother and companion in tribulation^ and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, received those revelations when he was in the isle called Patmos, for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ."*^ Let this, then, suffice as to the author or writer of this book, and we proceed 2. To consider the time when these prophecies were delivered. It will, no doubt, be well known to several of you, that some authors of considerable note, among whom may be mentioned Sir Isaac Newton, have been disposed to ascribe to this part of the sacred writings, an earlier date than is commonly thought due to it — placing it even before the destruction of Jerusalem, which took place, you know, about the seventieth year of the christian era, or about thirty-six years after the ascension of Christ into hea- ven. And to establish this, as a point of great importance, a bold effort has been very recently made by the late Dr. Tilloch, in his " Dissertations Introductory to the study and right un- derstanding of the language, sti'ucture and contents of the Apoca- lypse." And I refer to his volume, the rather on account of the author's having lived among us — his book being consequently well known — and its comprising the substance of all that had been said upon the subject by former writers, with much that is additional from his own pen. Having quoted the opinions of Grotius, Sir Isaac Newton, Michaelis, and others, namely, that the Apocalypse was written as early as the year 54, of the christian era, Dr. Tilloch awards his own suffrage to this opinion, and proceeds to adduce evidence of its having been quoted by nearly all the apostles in their epistles to the churches. For in- stance, he undertakes to trace this in the epistle to the Hebrews — in the two epistles of Peter — in Paul's epistles to Timothy — in <= Lardncr's Works, vol. ii. p. 698. '' Introduction to Paraphrase and Notes on the Revelation. cii. I. 1.— 3.] INTRODUCTORY. 5 his epistle to the Ephesians — Colossians — Romans — Corinthians — Galatians — Thessalonians — in the epistles of James and John— and in those to Titus and Philemon. This was certainly a bold effort, and, though not perfectly novel, (for Sir Isaac Newton had attempted something of the kind, though with little satisfaction to himself, and still less to many of his readers) Dr. Tilloch main- tained his hypothesis with a high hand, and, in conclusion, con- gratulates himself on his fancied success. If you ask for a specimen of his proofs, or by what train of ingenious reasoning and induction, the learned Doctor arrived at his conclusion, I may give it you. Going through the apostolic writings, he meets with the Greek word a'noy.xKv^'ii, the title of this book in the original — and which we translate '' Revelation" — and finding that word, or some of its derivatives occurring there, he infers, either that the writer refers to this book, which of course must have been previously written, or that he quotes it: and this is one material branch of evidence with him that the Apocalypse was written be- fore the other epistles. Occasionally he finds some other word, or a particular phrase occurring in the apostolic epistles, which is also found in the book of the Revelation ; and then, without fur- ther ceremony this is adduced as proof, that the writer borrowed it from the apostle John — strangely over-looking the fact, that if there were any borrowing in the case, it was quite as possible for the writer of the Apocalypse to have borrowed from his brother apostles.® In opposition, however, to this fanciful hypothesis, we place « That I may not be thought to have misrepresented Dr. Tilloch, or to have dealt unfairly with his mode of argumentation, I here subjoin a few quota- tions from his book, in order that the reader may have an opportunity of judging for himself. Thus, for instance, the Doctor writes ; " In Heb. xLi. 22, 23, the writer tells the believing Hebrews, ye are come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable com- pany of angels, to the general assembly, and church of the first born, which are written in heaven," &c. " Have not these expressions direct reference to the Lamb standing on Mount Sion, with one hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father's name written on their foreheads. Rev. xiv. 1 — to the great and high mountain' — the great city, the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God, Rev. xxi. 10, — .to the book of life, in which are written the names of the redeemed. Rev. iii. 5. ch.xx. 12. xxi. 2/. &c. to the myriads of my- riads of angels which surround the throne. Rev. v. 11. — and to the innumerable multitude which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in tlie blood of the Lamb, Rev. vii. 9, 14. Comparing the terms employed in the passage that has been quoted from the epistle to the Hebrews, with the passages just referred to in the Apocalypse, / cannot entertain the slightest doubt, that the former were taken from the latter." Dissert, pp. 58, 59. Again, having quoted the words of the apostle Peter, 1st ep. ch. i. ver. 6, 7, he thus proceeds : " This (our English) version fails, in giving the true sense of the original : the passage should be thus rendered, — In which [last time] exult ye (though for a short time, since it is necessary, suffering sorrow by. (J LECTURES ON THE APOCALYPSE. [lect. i. the fact, that, according to Eusebius, the oldest and most authen- tic historian of the christian church, since the completion of the canon of Revelation, the apostle John was banished to Patmos, and there was favoured with his visions, in the last year of the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian, which fixes the date about the year 96. Lampe has asserted, and Dr. Lardner con- firms the truth of the assertion, " that all antiquity is abundantly agreed that Domitian was the author of John's banishment." And even Michaelis admits, that " almost all the ecclesiastical writers, who have spoken of the time when the Apocalypse was written, have followed this account, namely, that it was written towards the close of the reign of Domitian." To all which we may add an important consideration founded upon internal evi- dence— the contents of the book itself. It is addressed, we see, to seven churches in Asia Minor, which implies the existence of those churches at the time of writing ; while the things said of them and to them, also suppose these churches to have been of divers trials, that the proving of your faith more precious than of gold which perisheth, though proved by fire, may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory) tv airoKa\v\pii Itjoov XptcTTov through the Apocalj'pse of Jesus Christ, that is, the Apocalypse being the cause of, or furnishing the cause for the exul- tation, by what is therein stated respecting the last time." The sense is ;-— " though now suffering sorrow bj^ divers trials, this being necessary for the trial of your faith, &c., rejoice greatly in the things brought to your knowledge, respecting the last time, in Cby or through) the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ. Here, then, we have the book of the Revelation referred to hy the very title which John himself has given it in Rev. i. 1." — Dissert, pp. 65, hQ. This is followed by a precisely similar gloss on ver. 13, of the same chapter, where, according to Dr. T. "The grace that is to be broughtun to believers at the Revelation of Jesus Christ," denotes, " The grace that comes to them, in Cby or through J the Apocalj'pse of Jesus Christ !" — "the Apocalypse being the instrument that se- cured to them the promised grace," p. 71- — " It refers to a book by its own proper name," — "the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ" — "as the instrument, bring- ing to them the gift, for which they are exhorted to hope," ibid. Having thus demonstraied the point in hand, the learned Doctor, triumphantly interrogates, " Can any further evidence be possibly required to prove that Peter's first epistle was written subsequently to the Apocalypse ; — a book to which he actually refers by name ?" p. 71. — ^This is a specimen, and a perfectly fair one, of our author's manner of extracting evidence for the fact of the early date of the Apocalypse ; — than which, I humbly conceive, nothing more futile can be imagined. Let me not, however, be thought unjust to the memory of Dr. Tilloch. That he possessed learning and talent, will be denied by no one who is acquainted with his writings. Tlic book of the Apocalypse was the subject of his study for forty years ; and the volume of " Dissertations," which he published a little before his death, contains much that is valuable on the structure and language of the Apocalypse ; though, unfortunately, interlarded by fanciful hypotheses, and not a few questionable statements. It was his misfortune, how- ever, that he could not l)e contented with common opinions on any points that came in his way, but must be straining after originality on almost every topic, in which he often failed. His criticisms are much too arbitrary and violent — and his learning is not always usefully directed. CH. 1. 1—3.] INTRODUCTORY. 7 some considerable standing ; they had become consideiable in point of numbers, and it is manifest, from the very tenor of the addresses to them, that they had undergone such changes and re- volutions as the epistles which the apostle was directed to write to them, represents them to have done : all which is incompatible with the opinion, that the Apocalypse was written at the early date of 54. The first of the seven churches addressed, is that of Ephesus. This church was evidently gathered by the ministiy of the apostle Paul : (see Acts ch. xix.) but the events recorded in that chapter did not take place until the year 54, or 55 ; how, then, should the things which the Saviour complains of in that church — such as their having cooled in the ardour of their affection, and the spirit of their profession — their having " left their first love," &c. have taken place ? The very tenor of the address supposes the church to be of some standing, and to have had considerable experience in the ways of the Lord. They had tried them which professed to be inspired apostles, and had found out the falsity of their pretensions, Rev. ii. 2. They had endured much persecution for Christ's name's sake — they had laboured and had not fainted, ver. 3. Sardis had acquired a name, or reputation, which she had also forfeited. Laodicea was become lukewarm, or ind erent. But changes of this kind, in a ivhole body of Christians, must be gra- dual, and the production of many years. Now all this appears irreconcileable with the notion, that these epistles were written at the time contended for by Dr. Tilloch and others — and on these grounds I coincide with the opinion of those who refer the deli- very of this series of prophecies to the date of 96, or 97, of the christian era. But dismissing this question of chronology, concerning which I do not think that any reasonable doubt should remain on our minds, let us now direct our attention to a review of the general outline of this mysterious book — its component parts, or the sub- jects into which it divides itself; for, I conceive that an analysis of this kind may assist us greatly in our endeavours to compre- hend its meaning. Commentators and Expositors, and writers on the book of the Apocalypse have differed considerably in their manner of dividing- it into parts or sections. Some have made these three, others four, while a few have multiplied them to seven and even eight parts. I think, with Mr. Fuller, that this last mentioned plan is injudicious, and tends rather to perplex than elucidate. The whole series of prophecies contained in the Apocalypse, is in- cluded in the " sealed book," ch. v. 1. The division of that book into seven seals, and the subdivision of these into trumpets and vials, appears to be the only one which the prophecy requires, or even admits. I think, therefore, that the whole book of the Re- velation may be properly divided into four parts. 8 LECTURES ON THE APOCALYPSE. [lkct. i. The Jirst Part, I consider to include the first three chapters, comprehending the Preface, and the Epistles to the seven churches of Asia. The second Part, is that of the Sealed Book, or opening of the seven seals, beginning with the fourth, and extending to the end of the seventh chapter. The main subject of this part, I consi- der to be, the setting up of Christ's kingdom in the world, its. triumphs over Paganism, &.c. with the political revolutions. which took place in the Roman empire, so far as those occurrences affected the state of the churches or kingdom of Christ on earth. The third Part, is that of the sounding of the seven trumpets,, which place Antichrist upon his throne. In this is included a general apostacy from the faith — the retirement of the true church into the wilderness — the witnesses prophesying in sack- cloth— their destruction, death and burial, with their revival and resurrection, ch. viii. to xiv. inclusive. And "Ih^ fourth Part, is that of the pouring out of the seven vials,, which are vials of divine wrath, effecting the consumption, and issuing in the total ruin of the man of sin, or the overthrow of Babylon the great, the mother of harlots — the binding of Satan for a thousand years — the Millennium period, or reign of the saints on earth — the loosing again of Satan for a little — the se- cond ])ersonal coming of the Saviour — the resurrection of the dead and general judgment— the destruction of this mundane system by fire — the creation of a new heavens, and a new earth — and the happiness of the saints with Christ in his eternal king-, dom, ch. xvi. to xxii. inclusive. These appear to me to be the grand outline features of this wonderful book ; but I ought to add, what probably most of you ' are aware of — that there are interspersed throughout the whole,^ several episodes,or detached pieces,of a highly interesting nature — some of a delightful, and others of a most sublime and awful kind. To instance concerning these : the prominent design and object of the book, is to call our attention to the events which either have transpired, or which are yet to take place on the theatre of this earth, concerning the fate ov fortunes, as bishop Hurd would term it, of the christian church— the church militant. But, to quicken our attention to the subject, the curtain which separates the invi- sible from the visible world, is occasionally drawn aside, and we are invited to take a glance at the state of things " within the vail,!' and are shown the deep interest which the inhabitants of heaven take in the events that are ti'anspiring from time to time on earth. We listen to their anthems, and join in their songs of praise. This is the case with the fourth and fifth chapters; so also with the se- venth, which pourtrays in glowing colours, the blessedness of the martyrs of Jesus, who, during the first three or four hundred years. CH. I. 1.— 3.] INTRODUCTORY. 9 endured the rage of Jewish and Heathen persecution. They are represented as arriving at heaven through a sea of tribulation, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb — and they are now serving God, day and night in his temple. We have a similar repetition of this interesting topic, in the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters, where we find the redeemed company, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. And not to be more particular on this point, I shall only mention, the begin- ning of the nineteenth chapter, which presents us with the triumph of the heavenly host on the fall of mystical Babylon ; " I heard a great voice of much people in heaven," says John, " saying. Al- leluia; salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God : for true and righteous are his judgments, for he hath judged the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants, at her hand. And, again they said Alleluia — and her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four-and-twenty elders, and the four living creatures, fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying. Amen, Alleluia," &c. ver. 1 — 5. So much, then, for the general outline : we shall now offer a few observations on each of these four grand divisions of the Apocalypse, with the view of clearing the way for a more careful examination of the mind of the Holy Spirit in this portion of the sacred writings. It has been pertinently remarked, by a late able writer on this subject, that, " while the rash precipitancy of the enthusiastic and unqualified interpreter is to be discouraged, indulgence will justly be thought due to those, who with pious caution, with la- borious investigation, and literary research, endeavour to explore the prophecies of the Apocalypse. To illustrate this mystical book in all its parts, to prove the completion of all its predictions, to exhibit it as that perfect evidence of the divine origin of our religion, for which it is perhaps intended, " in the latter days," can only be the work of time, and must employ the labours of succeed- ing generations. [Because many of the prophecies seem to extend to the latest period of the world, and can only be interpreted con- fidently and surely by the assistance of the events fulfilling them.] Yet to interpret and explain, by scriptural induction, the symbols and language under which the events are presignified ; to sepa- rate and assort the prophecies ; to discriminate those whose ful- filment has already taken place, and to point out their agreement with certain records of history, is a work which at any time may be reverently attempted, and is encouraged, and indeed authorized in this divine book."*^ f Woodhouse, Introduction, p. vii. &c. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. The first Part, Section, or Division of this book, I restrict to the first three chapters, and regard them as Introductory to the main subject, viz : The prophecies which the apostle was instructed to reveal concerning the kingdom of Christ, and the op- position it was to meet with in the world. Chapter I. after a short exordium, (the import of which will come under our consi- deration in due time) presents us with a most sublime representa- tion of the Lord Jesus Christ, in his glorified state, as the great prophet of the christian church, appearing to his servant John, and dictating to him what he should write to the seven churches in Asia ; and the two succeeding chapters are taken up, with these epistles. On this division of the Apocalypse, I must in- form you, that it is the opinion of some of the learned, that these seven epistles to the Asiatic churches are intended to furnish a general and typical representation of the state of Christianity in the world, from the first establishment of Christ's kingdom, to the time of his second coming. So that, according to this view of the matter; I mean, if the opinion be well founded, the state of these seven churches, as described in the epistles to them, is to be considered as prophetic of so many successive states of the chris- tian church, from the days of the apostles to the end of the world. For instance, according to this hypothesis, we have in the Ephe- sian church, a representation of the state of the churches of Christ, and the profession of his name in them, which w^ere planted by the apostles. In the church of Smyrna, we are said to have a representation of the state and condition of the disciples of Christ, in the churches under the persecutions of the Heathen emperors, till the time of Constantine the Great — especially the ten years persecution, which took place under the emperor Dio- clesian. In the church of Pergomos, under the figure of Balaam teaching the King of Moab to cast a stumblino- block before Israel, to mingle them with the people, and leacf them to false worship and idolatry, we are said to have a representation of a ministry grasping at worldly honour and riches, conspiring with the Roman emperor to mingle the disciples of Christ with the world in comnmnion. In the epistle to the church in Thi/atira, we are pointed to the great whore represented by Jezebel of old, and the above abominable doctrine and worship of the church of Rome, typified by the doctrines and deeds of the Nicolaitanes. The state of the church in Sanlis, is said to represent to us the state of Christianity in the national churches, separated from the