erect his own, or a spiritual kingdom; and four successive empires are again mentioned, under whose last the same divine kingdom is again introduced: and it cannot be denied that the empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome have alone succeeded each other, and attained to their highest grandeur by the destruction of their predecessors; under the last of which Christ was born, and afterwards constituted head of a spiritual empire, which, impaired perhaps at times, is descended down to the present day." Now with the fourth beast in Daniel is connected the time, times, and dividing of a time, that in St. John are the same as 1260 days: in Daniel the 70 weeks are seen by their fulfilment to denote 70 weeks of years and not of days; we infer, therefore, that the time, times, and dividing of a time (or the 1260

Dan. vii. 17-23. c Rev. xii. 6. 14.

b Dan. vii. 25.

days), in the same Daniel, will be measured by the same scale; and as the Revelation of St. John was indited by the same Spirit, it will most probably be conformed to the same mode of reckoning. This is very nearly a demonstration. We have accordingly given

the day a year's length in these remarks.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.

Questions put to Christ by his disciples. — The prophecy,

given in answer, already once fulfilled. St. Paul's sub-

sequent to that of Christ.

CHAPTERS I. II. III.

Page 1

St. John's prediction. — Vision of Christ; as a Priest

clothed with divine authority. Every Christian com-

munes with Christ.-No general error then in the

Church. Devotedness of the true Christian. The

vision chronological. The destruction of Ephesus,

Sardis, and Laodicea in part fulfilled the prophecy.

CHAPTERS IV. V.

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7

The vision given at one time. Throne of God, &c., as

seen by Isaiah and Ezekiel, represents the militant or

visible church. - Mystery of iniquity had the smallest

beginning; not perceived by the early church.

a

13

CHAPTER VI.

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-

-

Titus

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Early

First seal broken: The apostasy soon after St. John's

death. The apostles alone conferred gifts.

and Timothy ordinary ministers. - When miracles

ceased. - The apostles govern the Church. - Knew

when the Bible was complete, and miracles were with-

drawn. An ordinary ministry began in their days.-

Human productions over-estimated. New Testament

collected by St. John. - Bible complete in itself.

The Seven Epistles describe the Catholic Church at that

time. The apostles planted the Gospel in the Roman

world. - Peculiar character of the inspired ministry. –

Commencement of the present evidences.

collection of the Scriptures. Ignorance of the design

of miracles. Tertullian with heretics. Worldly pomp

in the Church. 1 General attention drawn to the

Gospel. White horse. Character of the early

Christians. Loss of a pointed and aggressive ministry.

- Unmeaning ceremonies; milk, honey,

cross, anointing oil, &c. - Precepts, councils. - Mor-

tifications. . Deceit allowed. Allegorical commen-

taries. Forged miracles. Forms substituted for

knowledge.- Private judgment allowed under the law

and the Gospel. - Mortifications instead of the

Saviour's grace. - Ministry of the Baptist and of the

apostles. The Bible our only rule. Errors early in

the Church. Ancient worship. Tradition leant

The fathers only witnesses to a fact, namely,

their possession of our Scriptures. - Miracles not now

- Innovations.

upon.

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-

-

-

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necessary. Tradition fallible.

- Great influence of their clergy. - Synods increased

-

it. The crown denotes the absolute power of the

bishops.

Second seal:- - Red colour. - Persecution, mutual slaugh-

The sword.-Power to enforce the Gospel.-Con-

tentions in the Church. - Empire divided into dioceses.

ter..

-

- Arbitrary conduct of the bishops. Union of the

Church and State. Persecution of idolaters. - In-

jury to religion.

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Third seal :- - Spiritual darkness. Forms now burden-

some. - -Imitations of Judaism. Character of that

dispensation. Ignorance of it, and of the Gospel.

Persuasion of the truth renovates our nature. First

and second justification. Christ alone atones for sin.

Mortifications unsatisfactory.-They preclude joy.

The yoke then voluntary. Penances not imposed by

the Gospel, Protestant missionaries reject them.

Those of the early Church. Their hurtful nature.

Indulgences.

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Fourth seal:- Spiritual character of the Christian. —

Veneration of relics and tombs. — Injurious effects of

forms. The Christian enjoys the same privileges as the

prophets and apostles. The tombs, infernal regions,

purgatory. The civil power or idolatry favoured

these errors.- Their extent. England's privileges.

Fifth seal: Intelligent Christians in vain bewail the pre-

vailing degeneracy. Longed for the Saviour's advent.

-But saw not the Man of Sin in the growing corrup-

tions. The souls of the martyrs denote the use of

their mediation instead of Christ's, which will continue