A

DISSERTATION

ΟΝ

THE SEVENTY WEEKS

OF

DANIEL

THE

PROPHET.

BY THE

REV. JOHN STONARD, D. D.

RECTOR OF ALDINGHAM, LANCASHIRE.

Τινι γαρ αν λογω ανθρωπω σταυρωθεντι επειθόμεθα, οτι πρωτο-
τοκος τω αγεννητω Θεω εςι, και αυτος την κρισιν τε παντος ανθρώπεις
γενες ποιησεται, ει μη μαρτυρια πριν ελθειν αυτον ανθρωπον γενομενον
κεκηρυγμένα περι αυτό ευρομεν, και έτως γενόμενα ορώμεν;

JUSTINI MART. APOLOG. PRIMA.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR C. AND J. RIVINGTON,
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD,

AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL-MALL.

1825.

ΤΟ

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

WILLIAM

EARL OF LONSDALE, K. G.

THE

FOLLOWING DISSERTATION

ON THE

SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED

BY HIS

FAITHFUL

AND OBEDIENT SERVANT

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

IN the passage of scripture, of which the following Dissertation treats, the prophetical evidence of christianity is subjected to the test of chronological computation. If it stand that test, when fairly, though strictly applied, through a clear and consistent interpretation, the unbeliever, there is reason to hope, may be awakened, if not converted, and the objector, if not satisfied, silenced. On the other hand, a total failure under the application must be a stunning and almost deadly blow to the cause, which, having challenged the severity of so searching an ordeal, is found unable to endure in the hour of proof. Certainly no apprehension of such a fatal result was entertained by Sir Isaac Newton, who ventures to speak of this prophecy, as the foundation of the christian religion*: and in all ages of the

* "To reject his (i. e. Daniel's) prophecies, is to reject the christian religion. For this religion is founded upon HIS PROPHECY CONCERNING THE MESSIAH." By that particular prophecy he unquestionably means this of the seventy weeks: for this is emphatically THE PROPHECY CONCERNING THE MESSIAH: who is not mentioned by the same name elsewhere in the book of Daniel. Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, p. 25.