sades, and the attacks of the Tartars. But in the beginning of the fourteenth century, these restraints hav ing been taken off, those petty dynasties formed into an empire, and began to threaten Europe. Their armies became vast. They were composed chiefly of cavalry, or horsemen. They introduced the use of fire-arms: And thus firing over the heads of their horses, they perfectly answered to the symbol, of fire and smoke and brimstone issuing from their horses' mouth, and kill. ing men. They took Constantinople in the fifteenth century; and it has been the seat of their empire to the present day. In this siege the Turks used cannon of an enormous size; and thus further fulfilled the symbol of smoke, fire and brimstone issuing from their horses' mouths.

5. In the tenth chapter, a mighty Angel comes down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, with a rainbow upon his head, his face as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. He cries with a loud voice-upon which seven thunders utter their voices; the true import of which was to be sealed up for that time. Standing upon the sea and earth, the Angel decides with an oath, that the time shall not be yet; or shall not be long deferred; but in the days of the seventh trumpet, the scenes of wickedness shall be finished, as the prophets have foretold. The Angel has an open book in his hand, which John is directed to take and eat. The book is sweet in his mouth, but bitter in digestion: Which is explained, by his prophesying again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

In this chapter, it is believed, we have a clouded view of the terrible Empire of the last days. The rav ages of the Turks had just been predicted, under the second woe. And now, before the account proceeds to note the third woe, the instrument of judgment, probably for the subversion of the Turks, as well as for the work of divine vengeance on Papal nations, is next adumbrated. A striking hint must be given of this mighty Power, and the terrible events of the last days, before the close of the first general division of the prophetic parts of this book. This chapter, in mystical

hints, gives the same events with those found in the second general division, in chapter xvii, and xviii;the Beast from the bottomless pit; and the fall of Papal Babylon,

The period for the events of this chapter is clearly between the second and third woes, and not long before the third; and the events (it is strikingly hinted). are naturally mistaken for those of the third woe. This is implied in the oath of the Angel. The descent of a mighty Angel from heaven, crying with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth, is a striking symbol of the introduction of a scene of most interesting events. The descriptions of this angel decide that he is Christ. The rainbow upon his head, indicates that what he is going now to do, is in covenant faithfulness to his cause. Or some very important parts of the Bible are now to be fulfilled. A little book in his hand seems to indicate, that a new era is commencing in the history of man. The book's being open, may suggest, that the events of providence will now strikingly unfold the sense of the prophecies relative to the last days. The seven thunders uttering their voices, are a striking emblem of the commencement of a most ter. rible scene of wars. Their sense being sealed up, shows that the subject would not be understood, till it was unfolded by the events. The oath of the Angel seems to indicate that the terrible events of that day would naturally be mistaken for those of the seventh trumpet, or third woe. But the latter, he decides, is then still future. And in the mean time the bitter contents of the little book must be experienced. For a more full explanation of this chapter, see fifth and seventh vials, in this second edition. And for the bitter contents of the little book, see section i, chapter iii, upon the trials of the church.

That this tenth chapter of Revelation is thus to be construed, as hinting in the first general division, the events which in the second general division are given in more circumstantial detail, appears highly probable. The abominations of Popery are thus hinted in the first division, in chapter xi, 1-; as will be shown.

And in the second division the subject is resumed, and more fully illustrated, in chap. xiii, 11-to the end: and in chap. xvii, and xviii. The fatal judgments introductory to the Millennium, are announced in the close of the first division; chap. xi, 15—to the end. And in the second division this subject is resumed, and more largely and repeatedly described;—as in the close of the xivth chapter; the Angel on a white cloud, with his sharp sickle: In chap. xvi, the last vial: And in chap. xix, the battle with Christ, So in the case of this xth chapter. We have a prediction of the same events, which are afterward more definitely exhibited.

6. The eleventh chapter contains events from the seventh century, till the third woe, and the Millennium. A reed like a rod is given, by which to measure the temple of God, and the altar, and the worshippers. But the court without the temple must be left out; it is given to the Gentiles to be trodden under foot forty and two months. The two witnesses are described;their mourning state; and their power over their enemies to inflict divine judgments. At the end of the term of their testimony, they are slain, by the Beast from the bottomless pit. After three days and an half, they rise, and ascend to heaven. A tenth part of the city falls in an earthquake. The third woe commences; and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of Christ.

The beginning of this chapter presents the unmeasurable corruptions of Popery. Their system does not accord with the rules of God's word: See Heb. viii, 5, where God's tabernacle must be made in all things according to the pattern given. The Romish church is symbolized by the outer court of the temple, where Gentiles worshipped. Their Romish religion is no It is a trampling of the true That apostacy should continue 1260 years. True followers of Christ, in this period, shall not be wanting. They are called God's two witnesses. These are especially Christ's true ministers; but include all his true followers. For 1260 years

better than Gentilism. Church under feet.

they are to be more or less depressed; yet shall exist, and their numbers be competent. At their prayers, God inflicts judgments on their enemies. This is their smiting the earth with plagues. Just at the close of their depressed state, they are attacked by a new power represented as from hell. For three years and an half he prevails against them; and his nations and followers rejoice in their depression, because their wicked consciences have been tormented with evangelical truth; and they now imagine that they have obtain ed a complete triumph over it. But soon the cause of Christ is again revived, and rises superior to all the power of its enemies. New calamities are thundered upon the latter. And the way is soon found prepared for the third woe. If these events be future, and I apprehend they are, time will best explain them.

Seventh Trumpet, or third Woe. "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, who sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art to come, because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them, who destroy the earth. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of the testimony; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." The commencement of the Millennium is here first exhibited to denote how soon, after the opening of the period of this trumpet, the way is prepared for the Church to arise. The figures, to denote the terrible scenes of judgment under the third woe, are multiplied and striking; and are such, as are used in the descrip

tion of the same event, in the second general division, under the seventh vial; chap. xvi, 17-to the end. God had been before inflicting great judgments on wicked nations. But now his exterminating vengeance blazes at once against Antichrist, and all the nations of his confederacy, and the persecutors of the Church on earth. An effectual inquisition is made for the blood of the martyrs, and all the seas of human blood wantonly shed. Restraints are taken off from the fiery passions of the ungodly world; and they devour one another. Those, who have violently destroyed the peace of the earth, are now destroyed by God's vindictive power. Here the first general division of the prophetic part of this book, closes.

Second General Division.

The twelfth chapter begins with a reversion back, about 2000 years to the apostolic age, in order to tra verse the period over again with new and different views of things most interesting to the people of God. In this division, two scenes are appropriated to each notable period exhibited in it. Things noted, or implied, in the first division, are here exhibited in more striking colors; and a more full view is given of vari

ous events.

In this twelfth chapter the Christian Church is symbolized by a woman in the aerial heaven, clothed with the sun, having the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. The Church is abundantly known under the emblem of a woman, the spouse of Christ. She is adorned with righteousness, and clothed with his graces. She has indeed all sublunary things beneath her feet, being dead to the world, and her heart and conversation in heaven. And the gospel ministers, ordained by Christ in the twelve apostles, are gems in her crown. Her desires and exertions to propagate the gospel, and to bring converts to Christ, are symbolized by her being with child, and pained to be delivered. "My little children, for whom Í travail in birth-till Christ be formed in you;" was the language of Paul. The devil opposing this bles