The whole history of the Jewish Church foretold and illustrated by prophecy, presents many a striking lesson. It shews us the sovereign, righteous, and merciful government of Jehovah: the fatal consequences of unbelief; the infinite importance of knowing the day of salvation, and rightly improving our spiritual privileges. It holds forth many an affecting illustration of the wisdom and power, the forbearance and loving-kindness, the justice and compassion, of the great Lord of all.

CHAPTER VI.

PROPEHCIES RESPECTING THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

THERE are many PROPHECIES THAT HAVE BEEN FULFILLED in the state of the Christian Church since the coming of Christ, and that are now manifestly fulfilling. We may refer to Bishop Newton on the Prophecies, in proof of this. A considerable part of the book of Revelation has, in this way been made sufficiently clear by the event.

The statements given by St. Paul respecting a falling away of the Christian Church, are very striking. He tells the Thessalonians, (second Epistle, chap. ii. verses 3, 4.) that the last day should not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. All history shews how exactly this, with the following part of the description (verses 6-12.) marks the Pope of Rome, arrogating the title of His Holiness, claiming infallibility, dispensing absolution, restraining the Scriptures, exalting his own decrees above

them, usurping a right to depose kings, and the like. The same falling away is described again, (1 Tim. iv. 1.) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats. The apostacy of the Roman Catholic Church is here again distinctly marked-their multitude of mediators-worship of saints-legends, and pretended miracles-the celibacy of their Clergy --and the numerous fastings from particular meats, are clearly foretold.1

Now these very predictions are in the keeping of the Roman Catholics. They, like the Jews, are unexceptionable librarians of the prophecy. And if it be asked, why they do not renounce popery, we have the very same reason to give as we had respecting the Jews; thousands and tens of thousands, and millions and tens of millions, when the Holy Scriptures were fully laid before men at the reformation, on this very ground forsook the Roman Church; and the perseverance in corruption of the rest, till the entire destruction of this fallen Church

1 Some modern writings on prophecy, which tend to overthrow the whole system of interpretation in the Protestant Church, lead me to remark, that God having promised a blessing on the study of the prophetic word; and many, after lengthened study, having for centuries come to the conclusion, that the Man of sin describes the Pope, and Babylon, Papal Rome, it is in the highest degree improbable that this interpretation should be erroneous. Whatever farther fulfilment may take place in the close of this mystery of iniquity, and in its final destruction, the past fulfilment has been such as to satisfy the general body of Protestants that this is a true interpretation: indeed Cressener, in his 'Demonstration of the Apocalypse,' has shewn that Roman Catholic writers themselves furnish many testimonies that help this Protestant application of the prophecy. See farther remarks on this subject in following Chapters.

is foretold in the very same writings which predict its fall from primitive purity.

There are similar prophecies respecting the Mahomedans given in the books of Daniel, chap. viii. 9. 25, and Revelations, chap. ix. which have also been remarkably fulfilled.

In considering THE FUTURE STATE OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, let us first look at the peculiar design of God in directing the Gospel to be preached to the Gentiles. The Gospel was to be preached to every creature, and the promise was added, he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; and the threatening annexed, he that believeth not shall be damned. Though God will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth, yet it does not appear by the Scriptures or by facts, that he purposed by the preaching of the Gospel to save all men. Matt. xxvi. 14. The most extended preaching of the Gospel is the hour of God's judgment, Rev. xiv. 6. St. Paul leads us to this idea, that through the fall of the Jews, salvation came to the Gentiles; that the Gentiles by unbelief, high-mindedness, and a discontinuance in his goodness may be cut off; and that the natural branches shall be grafted into their own native olive tree, Rom. xi. 11. 20-24. St. James gives us the same view of the design of the Gospel, (Acts xv. 14); God's graciously visiting the Gentiles TO TAKE OUT OF THEM A PEOPLE TO HIS NAME; and then building again the tabernacle of David, that the residue of men might seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles. Our Lord says to his disciples; ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, John xv. 19. There are, as we have seen, clear predictions of a falling away in

the Christian Church (1 Tim. iv. 1—3 ; Dan. vii. 25.) and this falling away in the sight of all men, has largely taken place. JUDGMENTS also on the professing Church of Christ are clearly foretold. The falling away is connected with awful consequent judgments (Dan. ii. 44; vii. 9—11, 26; 2 Thess. ii. 8—12) which we dare not overlook in considering the future state of the Christian Church.

From all these things we may gather, that the present dispensation of the Gospel, till the Jews are restored, was not designed for the universal conversion of the whole Gentile world; but to gather a Church out of the Gentiles; it is after the punishment of God's enemies, that his glorious kingdom is to be fully established.

In considering the punishment of those enemies, we may first notice that the destruction of Popery is an event clearly predicted. The mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth (or hinders), will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, 2 Thess. ii. 7, 8. The voice shall yet be heard, Babylon the great is fallen, Rev. xviii. 1. The pouring out of the vials, Rev. xvi. is probably already in progress, and the fall of the Mystical Babylon must follow. May God's people every where obey their Saviour's direction, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues, Rev. xviii. 4. The destruction of the imposture of Mahomet is equally clear; he shall be

1 The Author refers with satisfaction to Mr. M'Neil's Sermon on the times of the Gentiles, as conclusive to his own mind.