schemes, with regard to worldly or family affairs, or even with regard to our expectations in reference to the church, are to be broken in upon and frustrated. Nevertheless we may be assured that such will be the case; and that few of us are at all aware, as it respects these things, of the precipice on which we stand. Who in the antediluvian world believed Noah, when he announced the flood? The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah looked upon Lot as one that mocked and none of the Jews, in the time of our Lord, believed Him when he announced the speedy destruction of their devoted city. It is the same voice that now speaks! And "God is not a man that He should lie; nor the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" Therefore it is well to attend to the admonition, "Despise not prophesyings." There can be no hesitation in saying, looking at the church in all its denominations, that they are yet, if not despised, neglected so much so, that to many they are almost a prohibited subject. In addition to the arguments which are generally brought forward to prove that such conduct is both hurtful and anti-scriptural, there is one other consideration which appears to my mind most strongly to shew the special value of both the prophecies of Daniel and St. John in the sight of God, and, by consequence, the greater sin of those who neglect them. This is, that both these eminent prophets are declared to be the peculiar favourites of heaven; for of the former it is said, "O man, greatly beloved;" and of the latter, that he leaned on Jesus's breast, and received other marks of affectionate regard. The very circumstance therefore of such being chosen to have these great prophecies and revelations given to them, appears to be for the purpose of conferring the greatest of all honours upon them; and in that proportion to express their vast and unutterable importance; and in that proportion likewise to impress upon us, instead of neglecting them, how very greatly we ought to prize and study them. Well therefore may it be said in reference to the Apocalypse, as a motto to the whole Blessed is he that readeth, and they book, 66 that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein; for the time is at hand." Bonner's Hall, near Hackney, CONTENTS. The title of the Book of Revelation-Its dedication to the Seven Churches-The circumstances of John when it was written- Given on the Lord's day-The command given-Description of the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ-The encouragement he gave-The subject matter of this Book, the mystery of God -Addresses to the Seven Churches of general application- Address to the church in Ephesus-in Smyrna-in Pergamos- in Thyatira in Sardis-in Philadelphia-in Laodicea—The history in the Revelation is a carrying out of these principles-- of Heaven-The whole taken from Jewish worship-Similar visions of Isaiah-Ezekiel-The Symbols of the Throne—What the Elders represent - The Lightnings and Thunders-The seven lamps of fire-The sea of glass-The four living creatures THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST IN HEAVEN; THE COM- MITTAL OF THE CHURCH'S CONCERNS INTO HIS Symbol of the Book-A master symbol-Its seven seals-Their general meaning-Form of the books of the ancients-Impor- tance of the contents of the seven-sealed book—Coming forward of Christ as the slain Lamb-In what sense he opens the seals- Extent of time they represent-The study of them important— Worship of the living creatures-The prayers of the Saints-New Opening of the First Seal-A very remarkable Era-Concern of the Church above respecting it-Its symbols and their meaning— Emperor Constantine and the triumph of Christianity over Paganism-Pagan persecutions-Apostate Julian-Opening of Second Seal-Meaning of the Symbols-Paganism destroyed by Theodosius-His character-The Church's fierce divisions and slaughter Opening of the Third Seal-Emperor Justinian- His great actions and their lamentable influence on the Church |