nius, that neither himself nor the empire could enjoy a fixed state of tranquillity and safety so long as the ancient superstitions subsisted; and therefore, from this period, he openly opposed the sacred rites of paganism, as a religion detrimental to the interests of the state."* As islands and mountains are emblems of states and small kingdoms, the removal of these from their places signifies a change in their government, or civil position in relation to the empire. This was done in part by the formation of the four præfectures, and in part by the abolition of heathen laws and forms of government. Says Mosheim, "Constantine the Great, in order to prevent civil commotions, and to fix his authority upon solid and stable foundations, made several changes, not only in the laws of the empire, but also in the form of the Roman government." Other changes were made by the Christian emperors who succeeded him in this century, particularly by Theodosius the Great, who died A.D. 395. Thus was there a mighty revolution, which, like a great earthquake, broke up the ancient foundations of heathenism, and changed the whole aspect of things. The sun of that long-established system of superstition and idolatry was shrouded with blackness; its deceptive and degrading rites, after many bloody struggles, were abolished; the priests, officers and eminent men, who were stars in the pagan firmament, were deposed and cast aside, and its temples either demolished or used for Christian worship. 15, 16, and 17. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves men, * Mosheim, Cent. 4, page 1, chapter 1; also, Goldsmith's His Rom. Em. in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?-The effects of these changes on the enemies of Christianity are depicted in strong language in these verses. Men of all classes, from the highest to the lowest, are represented as hiding themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, and beseeching that these may be a cover to them from the exhibitions of Divine power and wrath. Most deeply did they realize that the day of His terrible anger was come. To understand the full force of this, we must look to the facts which were the fulfillment of it. We have seen how the pagan portion of the people in the states and provinces of the empire, excited by the priests to oppose the progress of Christianity, and led on by Maximin and Licinius, made desperate struggles to maintain heathenism, and were defeated in successive battles, with great slaughter, though their force was far the greatest. Universal consternation, filled the hearts of these enemies of the Christian religion. Seeing the success of that cause which they had opposed with unmitigated hate, and knowing what horrid barbarities they had practiced on the Christians, putting them to death. wherever they could, though guilty of no crime, they feared the worst consequences in regard to themselves. They were sensible that the Christians' God had arisen to vindicate his cause, and to avenge the blood of his martyred people. They sought protection from the anger of Him against whom resistance was vain. It was the deep conviction of their souls, that the great day of his wrath, in which he would inflict a righteous retribution, had arrived, and none would be able to stand against it. Knowing what they did of the triumphs of Christianity in the three hundred years of its existence; seeing it ascend the throne of the empire, and perceiving that it would become predominant, it was natural that they should be filled with alarm, and with overwhelming convictions of guilt. CHAPTER VII. THE events detailed in this chapter are included under the sixth seal. In connection with the overthrow of heathenism, and the suppression of its worship and sacrifices by Constantine, converts to Christianity became very numerous, and the church had a season of great prosperity. The prediction of this constitutes the subject of this chapter. Verse 1. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on any tree.-After a discomfiture of the advocates of paganism, a different scene was presented to the mind of the Christian seer. Angels are any agents or instrumentalities which God employs to effect his purposes. By the four angels, mentioned here, I understand the four præfects which Constantine appointed and placed over the four great divisions of the empire, to regulate and control everything agreeably to his instructions. The earth, or as it should be read, the land, is the Roman empire, and the four corners are the four præfectures into which it was divided by Constantine. The four angels standing on the four corners, holding the winds, &c., are the præfects acting in their several stations for the suppression of injurious excitements, insurrections, and tumults among all classes of the people, and the preservation of order and peace. The ful fillment was exact, for Constantine exerted all his authority, and took much care to prevent the tumults which the heathen priests and their adherents endeavored to make in their hostility to Christianity. He made assiduous efforts to secure to all parts of that vast empire the enjoyment of tranquillity and of religious privileges. 2. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea.—The angel advancing from the east was also a symbolic angel, which signifies the ministry of the gospel, or those who perform it. The seal of the living God is the word and the ordinances made effectual by the Holy Spirit. The powerful preaching of the truth is the loud voice of the angel, and the immediate effect of this was to restrain men from sedition and violence-to repress those evil passions which do great hurt to the high and the low. Let there be peace and tranquillity in the empire, that the work of conversion may go on, and the servants of God may be sealed and become established in knowledge and grace. I understand the former verse as a prophecy, that at this period the civil authority should be exerted to preserve general peace; and this second verse a prophecy, that the ministry, or ecclesiastical authority, should do the same. The fact was, that vast numbers embraced Christianity, professed themselves believers, and were baptized during this period of tranquillity under Constantine. The pastors and spiritual teachers manifested "indefatigable zeal ;" translations were made of the Holy Scriptures, and Christians were eminent for their piety. All this obtained for religion a strong and extensive influence, and powerful friends. 3. Saying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. By the earth, the sea, and the trees, are meant the people who occupy the country, and those who inhabit the islands, and persons of all ages and classes. see Ps. 1 3. Matt. 3: 10. Isa. 61: 3. Trees, 4.-8. And I heard the number of them which were sealed, &c. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand, &c.-These verses may refer to the conversion of Jews, a definite number being used for an indefinite. Being sealed with the truth and with Christian ordinances. shows what is the thing meant. 9 and 10. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.— Another part of this great ingathering to the church, in this tranquil period, consisted of the Gentiles in all the kingdoms and provinces of the empire. They stood before the throne, previously spoken of, and before the Lamb, as enjoying the protection and favor of the government and of Christ, clothed in white robes, showing that they were forgiven and sanctified, and with palms in their hands, indicating that their cause had become tri umphant. With hearty earnestness they ascribe their salvation from their enemies and persecutors to their God and Redeemer. The article has been improperly omitted by the translators, and should be supplied so as to read, The salvation; and then the sentence is eliptical, which, being filled up so as to express the idea, would be, The |