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edge which existed in the apostolic age. It is a little book from the obstruction that the reformers met with, from a combination of almost all the regal powers of Europe in opposition to it. The reformers experienced the most furious persecutions, instigated by the Romish hierarchy. It is a little book because of their own internal divisions and animosities. The reformers emerged out of the gross darkness of Romanism, and long custom caused a portion of established errors to cling to them. The protestant powers, by establishing one sect, and barely tolerating others, have made it a little book. The bloody wars carried on even among enlightened protestant powers, and the vices, folly, and lukewarmness of the different professors, have made this book a little one, and will continue to do so, until the wise Ruler of the universe fulfils his further promises to mankind.

Second, let an impartial inquirer after truth behold the deplorable state of the Christian part of mankind. They all boast of their holy religion, but from whence come the wars? Do they not come from the ambitious lusts and carnal desires of its professors, who are at enmity with the truth as it is in Jesus? Behold nation destroying nation, and yet they have the audacity to call themselves Christians! Behold the clergy imploring the aid of the Most High in behalf of the infernal conduct of their respective sovereigns, as if an holy and unerring God would give ear to such impious and blasphemous nonsense! And where is the sect, save only the quakers, of all our boasted pillars of the Reformation, which is not implicated in the diabolical work?

Third, the reformers boast of their renunciation of Romish errors. It is true that part of these superstitious ceremonials, and also some of these doctrines, they have laid aside. But can they deny that the foundation laid by the Romish bishops at the council of Nice is to this day the basis of their religious faith-see the Athanasian creed. They also boast that the doctrines contained in that creed

were maintained by a great majority. Was truth ever yet supported on earth by a majority? Or could they who came out of the bottomless pit establish the truth?-Rev. 9: 3. It is well known that the minority in that council were obliged to fly into other countries for protection, in order to save their lives from the rage of their opponents. Does this look as if they were candidly enquiring after the truth, and earnestly desirous to embrace it, wherever it could be found? Indeed, so zealous were the Romish party in defence of this new doctrine, that all the writings of the minority, or Arian sect, were destroyed, and themselves condemned as heretics, lest their religious opinions should be known to mankind. Let it also be noticed that it was the Athanasian party, or western church, whom the prophet in this book principally condemns.

Fourth, it is highly probable that the Arian party also ran into error, for before the bottomless pit was opened by Constantine, we find that the third part of the sun, moon and stars were smitten, before the long night of error and apostacy commenced.

Fifth, for the honor of the Christian name and character, and as the value of their precious and immortal souls, I humbly request of my brethren, the laity, to have their bibles frequently in their hands, and to make the diligent study of them their most important work. They are our only sure guides in the way of truth. Let us soar aloft, and have exalted views of Him who is the great First Cause and Parent, the Creator of universal nature; of Him who exalted the Redeemer to be a Prince and Savior, to give remission of sins,-Acts 2: 38; of Him who raised him by his mighty hand from the dead, and in mercy has ordained him to be Judge of the quick and dead,-Acts 10: 42; of Him who hath made the Redeemer an Advocate, Mediator and Intercessor with God, on our behalf,-1 Tim. 2: 5; of Him who hath spiritual gifts in store, and never fails to give

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them to those found worthy,-1 Cor. 12: 7 Him who even condescends to be in us, if we are not reprobates,-1 Cor. 3: 16; of Him whose providential care is over all, and who will not neglect even us, his most unworthy creatures, if the fault is not our own. Thus shall we see that God is supreme over all his works, and that he is in Christ Jesus reconciling us unto himself. Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus, will raise us up also by Jesus.-2 Cor. 4: 14.

Sixth, by a careful and diligent use of the holy Scriptures, we are dignified with heavenly power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing.-Rev. 5: 12. We shall, in a measure, resemble the second Adam, who restored the image of God, which we lost by the fall of the first.-1 Cor. 15: 49. We shall be faithful in every good word and work, and increase in the knowledge of God, and shall be strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness. Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his Son.-Coll. 1: 11 — 13.

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CHAPTER XI.

In this chapter, we have the recovery and preservation of the law and the gospel by the reformers clearly foretold, and also the attempt to destroy them by the popish hierarchy, and time has proved the truth of the prediction.

Verse 1: "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." This command, given to John, according to that measure of divine knowledge and understanding which he had received, implies that those who worshipped in this inner temple, or, in other words, who worshipped in spirit and in truth, agreeably to the gospel plan, are here particularly noticed and pointed out by the prophet, whether Jew or Gentile. From their altar was offered a pure and free incense. It was sincere love to God, and faith unfeigned in his merciful and gracious promises, made known to them is this inner temple. Such looked unto Jesus, the great Captain of their salvation; they regarded not the doctrines and traditions taught by men. The Scriptures were their guide to eternal life and happiness, and by the aid of God they went on conquering and to conquer.

Verse 2 : "But the court which is without the temple, leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." Here the prophet has drawn a complete line

of separation between the outward court worshippers and the inner. These Gentiles, or nominal Christians, were permitted to tread down the inhabitants of the holy city, or inner temple worshippers, for forty-two months, or twelve hundred. and sixty years. This naturally draws our attention to that remarkable period of time when Dioclesian resigned the Roman empire, A. D. 303, and thus ended the sixth head of the Romish beast. The seventh head then succeeded, and began under Constantine the Great, the forty-first emperor of Rome. He and his successors assumed the name of Christian, until A. D. 476, when this seventh head expired with the overthrow of the western empire by the northern pagans.

The papal head shortly after arose, and became the eighth, and was of the seventh, because that under the seventh head the bishops received unlimited power, and had, as before observed, the key of the bottomless pit given to them.

In the reign of Constantine, the bishops being seated in power, fell out among themselves concerning the divinity of Christ. Their contentions were fierce, and disturbed the public peace, on which the emperor convened a general council at Nice, A. D. 325, in order to have this great point determined. Here also they disagreed; upon which the emperor, at the head of three hundred bishops formed a creed for the faith of mankind, and denounced a penalty of damnation to all who would not believe in it. Here they proved themselves to be the Man of Sin foretold by St. Paul, in 2 ̊ Thess. 2: 3—12, and set themselves above all that is called God, or that is worshipped by the inner court wor shippers. Here, by their new-fashioned and uncharitable doctrines, and fierce contentions, they began the first Christian persecutions, under the name of the five months' torment, or the first woe. Here also they began to make the Scriptures of no effect, by those traditions which have ever

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