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ing passage in Dan. xii. 7 proves), to the period of the restoration of the Jews, and consequently to the period in question. But the termination of these 2300 years is also called "the time of the end;" for the angel said unto Daniel, "Understand, O son of man; for at the time of the end shall be the vision." Irrespective, therefore, of the synchronism in the chronology, this expression appears to be a still further evidence that the decree of Artaxerxes to Ezra is to be preferred to that of Nehemiah; for if the termination of the period of seven times be THE END OF TIME, which it undoubtedly is-and the termination of this period of 2300 years be said to be THE TIME OF THE END-the consummations appear to be one and the same. Thus the two prophecies confirm and strengthen each other; and afford, by such strong coincidences, presumptive demonstration that the principles of interpretation which have been applied to them, may be correct. And as it is affirmed, in concluding this prophecy, that "the vision of the evening and the morning," which was told, "is TRUE, for it shall be for many days," the mere probability of such great events being now so near, should excite us all to increasing watchfulness, and an anxiety to possess an interest in that only ark of safety which is to be found in the Gospel.

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FROM THE GIVING OF THE SAINTS INTO THE HANDS

OF THE PAPAL POWER, TO THE INCHOATIVE FALL OF THAT APOSTASY:

1260 YEARS,

FROM A.D. 533 TO 1793;

AND

FROM THE FORMATION OF THE TEN PAPAL KING.

DOMS TO THEIR DESTRUCTION,

1260 YEARS,

FROM A. D. 583 TO 1843.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

THERE are several peculiarities in this period, which, before we proceed, demand a particular notice.

FIRST. It is presented to our view under THREE DISTINCT ASPECTS, each aspect having the chronology of 1260 years, expressed by a different chronological term.

I. The FIRST ASPECT exhibits Popery as it appears under the ACTUAL DOMINION OF THE POPE HIMSELF; and that in three prophecies, in each of which the duration is expressed by the term of three times and a half.

1. The first prophecy is given in Daniel vii. 25, and is expressed as "a time and times and the dividing of time;" and presents to our view the rise, character, and actions of Popery under the emblem of a little horn rising in the midst of the ten horns of the Western empire.

2. The second prophecy is found in Daniel xii. 7, and is expressed by the term "time, times, and an half;" and identifies the fall of Popery with that of Mohammedanism, or the "time of the end;" likewise with the rise and fall of Infidelity, with the deliverance of the Jewish nation, with an unprecedented time of trouble, and with a partial resurrection of the dead.

3. The third prophecy is in Rev. xii. 14, and is

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expressed as "a time, times, and half a time; and shews the means which God had provided the true church for its preservation, during the awful period of the dominion of the head of the Popish apostasy.

II. The SECOND ASPECT exhibits Popery as it appears under THE TYRANNICAL DOMINION OF THE TEN PAPAL KINGDOMS; and that in two distinct prophecies, in each of which the duration of 1260 years is expressed by the term "forty and two months."

1. The first prophecy is in Rev. xi. 2, and names, under the symbol of outer-court worshippers, that the visible church shall be given, during this long period, into the hands of the Papists.

2. The second prophecy is in Rev. xiii. 5, and particularly describes these Papists, or "Gentiles," as forming the ten kingdoms of the Western Roman empire.

III. The THIRD ASPECT exhibits Popery as it appears in THE DEPRESSED CONDITION OF THE TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST; and this likewise in two prophecies; expressed by the chronological term of "one thousand two hundred and three score days."

1. The first prophecy is in Rev. xi. 3, and describes the state of the true church, under two distinct witnesses, as one of depression and mourning.

2. The second prophecy is in Rev. xii. 6,

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