but to encourage the hopes, and refresh the hearts of Christians; to prepare them for times of suffering; and to increase their patience and their zeal by the general assurance of the ultimate triumph of the Church of Christ over all its enemies. It is therefore written just in sufficient obscurity to answer these ends, without our becoming prophets, or perfectly comprehending the predictions previously to the occurrence of the predicted events; and yet it becomes adequately plain, immediately or more remotely after the events may have taken place, to every candid mind, that the God revealed in the Scriptures had foreseen and foretold them. These things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember I told you of them.

Future things are not, however, to be too closely pried into, that is, not beyond what God has revealed. Secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but the things which he has revealed, unto us and to our children. Many of those who have attempted particularly to describe future, or even passing events, have, in some particular or other, been found to fail; and have, if they have lived, had to retract their assertions, and restate their views. These things have helped, though most unjustly, to bring the sacred subject of prophecy into contempt: there is no knowledge, human or divine, which may not be rejected, if such a ground of rejection were admitted ;-the children of this world are much wiser in their studies. Still we should remember, that though the Apostles and sacred writers in the New Testament, speak of passing events as then accomplishing prophecy, an inspired writer might with authority and propriety say, Then was fulfilled that which was spoken

by the prophet, which would require a far greater degree of circumspection in any but an inspired teacher. Let us be content to rest in such general statements as the word of God authorizes, till events have been so completed as to shew what God intended; and let us contemplate the future prospects of the Church with that waiting spirit which leaves to God the unfolding of his own will and purpose,

CHAPTER II.

PRACTICAL RULES AND CAUTIONS.

THE following Rules for the investigation of prophecy, may, it is hoped, assist the Student, and guard him against being carried away by mere speculation; for several parts of the directions here given, the author has been indebted to the last chapter of Vitringa's work. (Typus Doctrinæ Propheticæ.)

"The interpretation of prophecy (2 Pet. i. 19, 20.) consists in ascertaining the events to which predictions allude, and in shewing the agreement between the images of the prediction, and the particulars of the history. The original word eiσis expresses this particular sort of interpretation, that exposition which renders the mystic sense of parables, dreams, and prophecies."

1. TO GAIN THE TEACHING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, is the first of all requisites with reference to a due understanding of prophecy, whether fulfilled or unfulfilled. This is clear from our Lord's statement, when He the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth:

1 See Bishop Horsley.

for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and. HE WILL SHEW YOU THINGS TO COME. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you. No doubt, this promise was in its highest sense realized in the inspired writers of the New Testament, and in the predictions recorded in their writings; but the same Spirit is required to give us understanding of the words of the Spirit. Even the inspired writers needed prayer for this teaching, as we see by the constant prayers of David for divine teaching, and the enquiring and searching diligently of the prophets, and the practical and personal revelation to them of the design of their prophecies. (1 Pet. i. 10-12.)

We must not expect, we need not, that extraordinary illumination of the Spirit which inspired the sacred writers. The ordinary guidance of the Spirit, is however promised to all. (Luke xi. 13.) He removes prejudices which hinder the faculties of knowledge and judgment from attaining even the historical and literal sense of prophecy, and leads men to submit to God's truth willingly. The teaching of the same Spirit is specially needed in things of a spiritual character, relating to Christ and his kingdom, and its blessings and privileges. None can perceive the true and interior sense of these things, but he who is in the faith—a spiritual man— endued both with the understanding and experience of the benefits. If we humbly and earnestly ask the aid of the Holy Spirit with confession of our ignorance and weakness, and even stupidity, he will succour us with his grace, and remove the veil from our eyes and from the things themselves. The record, Zech. iv. 5, 13, 14; Dan. vii. 16; Rev. xvii. 7; and

the enquiries there made as to the prophecies being understood, with the answers given, may shew us how willing God is that we should understand his revealed purposes.

2. A BELIEVING, PRAYERFUL, HUMBLE, SUBMISSIVE, AND OBEDIENT STATE OF HEART is very needful to give effect to every other rule. We must bring to this study a pure and sober mind, free from erroneous anticipations, not thinking slightly of, but reverencing God and his Word, and prepared to admit every part of his revealed will, with the obedience of faith. Eyes single, harmless and simple towards God and his word, are required, not distorted and turned back by men's opinions. This too is a benefit coming from the divine bounty. The aid of the Holy Spirit is to be implored to work in us, these good and holy affections of mind, and to preserve them when wrought, so that he may enlighten the mind, remove the veil, direct us aright, and keep us from things to be avoided. The saints have in all ages acknowledged this to be the work of the Holy Ghost. (Psalm xliii. 3; cxix. 18, 27, 66.) Certainly, in the light of God we see light. Psalm xxxvi. 9. He who wants this is in darkness, though he may appear to himself to be especially wise.

3. COMMENCE THIS STUDY WITH THE WORD OF GOD. This is the fountain head; the whole source of all prophetical knowledge; nothing is of any value but as it is founded on, and illustrative of the divine testimony. It is therefore of special importance to read first, and carefully, God's own word; beginning with the earlier predictions, and going on to the close, such easy books as Brown's Harmony of Scripture Prophecies, or Simpson's Key, or Newton