as a continuation of that which is contained in the preceding chapter; and, as they interpret the description in vers. 1-5 of the true suffering Church during the reign of the Beast, so do they continue to apply the following verses to the different stages of the Reformation. They understand the sixth and seventh verses of those eminent men, who, amidst the universal corruption, denounced the reigning superstition, and by their preaching led the way to the blessed change which followed; and Bishop Newton explains the thirteenth verse, with reference to the clearness and certainty with which the doctrine of a future life was invested at the Reformation, when the doctrine of Purgatory and other corruptions were exploded by the preaching of the Reformers. It would be impossible, and it is unnecessary, to consider all the different events connected with this period, to which these learned writers apply different parts of the prophecy contained in this chapter; our more immediate concern being the vindication of the principle, on which the preceding exposition has been founded: and we have seen that it is in perfect conformity with the general plan and method of the prophecies of the Apocalypse. It is, moreover, in perfect agreement with the prophecies of Daniel relating to the same period. The commission of the angel to bear the everlasting Gospel through the world, is in perfect harmony with the declaration of the prophecy of Daniel, that "before the time of the end, many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased1." The assurance of the trials which await the faithful servants of God, and of the triumphs

1 Dan. xii. 4.

and blessedness of those who die in the Lord, corresponds with the revelation, which was made to Daniel, of the trials which would await the Church of God; that "many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand: but the wise shall understand." Of course, we cannot expect to attain to certainty in the interpretation of prophecies, of which the greater part remains yet to be fulfilled. But it affords a most convincing evidence of the divine character of prophecy, when we observe so remarkable an agreement between the prophecies of both dispensations; and we derive an additional inducement to the diligent study of this interesting subject, if we can thus attain to a better knowledge of that wonderful plan of Redemption; which, (though, in the extent of its mercies and the mysterious means by which it will be accomplished, it is even now enveloped in the clouds and darkness which surround the eternal throne;)-yet is daily receiving new accessions of light; as the revolutions of ages and the events of the world unfold with a clearness, which is continually increasing, the magnificence and extent of the Almighty counsels for the happiness and salvation of man.

Dean Woodhouse, as he supposes the 144,000 of the sealed, described in the beginning of the chapter, to represent the pure Christian Church during the reign of the Beast, so he believes the progress of the Reformation to be described in the following verses; and the close of the chapter to exhibit the punishment which will be inflicted by the Redeemer on the enemies of the truth. Grotius and Hammond,

Dan. xii. 10.

2 Woodhouse, Annotations, pp. 312-319.

in conformity with the opinions which are maintained by them with regard to the interpretation of the thirteenth chapter, understand this chapter of Pagan Rome, and the overthrow of idolatry in the Roman Empire and in this opinion they are, as usual, followed by Bishop Bossuet.

PART V. SECT. VII.

The Vision preparatory to the seven Vials.

CHAP. XV.

"AND I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, 1 seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of 2 glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the 3 servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear 4 thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. And after that I looked, and, 5 behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, 6 having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And 7 one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the 8 glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”

THE last chapter, as we have seen, presented to us, in rapid outline, the events which are comprehended under the seventh Trumpet, and which are connected with the overthrow of the great antichristian apostasy. This is the third woe Trumpet,

charged with the destruction which is to fall on the enemies of Christ; and of which the different stages in its progress are marked by the seven Vials. The fifteenth chapter contains the introduction to this awful manifestation of the vengeance of Almighty God. "And as seven angels, by sounding the alarm with Trumpets, had foreshown the several shocks of battle which the Church should sustain from her enemies, so seven angels, by pouring forth seven Vials, express the vengeance of the Almighty, poured out on the triumphant worldly powers, checking their career, embittering their success, and finally overwhelming them in destruction'."

The prophet beholds in glorious vision the seven angels, the ministers of the Divine vengeance, having the seven last plagues, and charged with the execution of the wrath of God on the enemies of his Church. As God sent his plagues upon the Egyptians, as the punishment of their wickedness and rebellion against the Most High, and of their cruel oppression and persecution of his people; so, in like manner, do these seven last plagues represent the final execution of the Divine vengeance on the enemies and the persecutors of his Church: and this imagery is here employed by the Apostle with peculiar propriety, when we consider, that it is under the name of this corrupt and idolatrous people, that he has before described the persecutors of the Church of the Redeemer, and the enemies of his everlasting truth (chap. xi. 8.). The prophet then beholds on the sea of glass, which was before the throne, and which had been before exhibited to him in the opening of the heavenly vision, the glorious company of those blessed

1 Woodhouse, Annotations, p. 321.

2 Chap. iv. 6.

spirits, who "had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name;" and who, like the children of Israel, when they stood on the shore, and beheld their enemies overwhelmed in the sea, sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb, on the approaching execution of Divine vengeance on the enemies of God. After this, the Apostle immediately beholds the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven opened: and seven angels, clothed in pure and white linen, and their breasts girded with golden girdles, having the seven plagues, come forth out of the temples, to pour forth the contents of the seven Vials, which are charged with the vengeance of Almighty God. Thus, upon the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, and after the voices of the heavenly host had proclaimed the establishment of the Redeemer's kingdom, "the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament," (chap. xi. 19.); emblematical, as we have before observed, of the more perfect revelation of the wonders and mysteries of redemption, which will accompany this final accomplishment of the dispensations of God.

This is one of the various coincidences which connect the Vials with the seventh Trumpet; and teach us to look, in that execution of the Divine vengeance on the enemies of the truth, which is symbolized in them, for the fulfilment of that, which is the great end of the dispensations contained in this Trumpet; when "the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ." And as, under the old dispensation, upon the consecration

3 See Vitringa, p. 681.