of interpretation, as that which we have opposed." p. 53.

We would inquire of Mr. Colver if he has any idea that such a rule of interpretation will be sanctioned as he has advocated? And although some may regard the Bible with increased pleasure," does it follow that he has done anything to prove it an inspired book? We greatly fear that such interpretations will do much to bring discredit upon God's holy word and advance the cause of infidelity.

He says, "Two objections to our interpretation and application of these prophecies are urged, on each of which it may be well, in this place, to offer a few remarks.

Obj. 1. That the throne' and the ‘judg ment,' seen in the night vision, warrant the conclusion that this vision extends to the end of the world." p. 56.

This he gets over by a quibble, and proceeds to the "Obj. 2. A resurrection is mentioned. (See Dan. xii. 2.) And many of them that sleep in the dust,' &c." p. 57.

Here he thinks is "pretty strong evidence that a literal resurrection is not intended;" p. 58; and says, "We fully believe that the language in the text is to be understood as FIGURĂTIVE." Thus much for "the prophecy of Daniel literally fulfilled: considered in three lectures, by N. Colver."

There is however one other idea which he has advanced, viz., that the midnight cry will not be given by man, (see p. 60,) but that it will be given by the descending Judge. We would like to enquire, if it was usual for the Bridegroom to

give notice of his own approach, and if so, if he would say "go ye out to meet him?"

We will now offer some objections, which are fatal to Mr. Colver's "literal exposition."

I. THE "LITTLE HORN" IN DANIEL VII. 8, CANNOT BE NERO.

1st. The ten horns of the fourth beast denote the ten kingdoms that were to arise out of the Roman empire, the last of which, the Lombards, did not arise till A. D. 483. The little horn was to arise AFTER them, (v. 24;) whereas Nero died in A. D. 68, which was 288 years before Hungary, the first of those horns, arose, A. D. 356.

2. Taking Colver's own ground, that the ten horns were ten individual kings, then the little horn must be the ELEVENTH Cæsar. But according to Prof. Stuart, Nero was the SIXTH. ("Hints," p. 121.)

3. Three of the first ten horns were to be plucked up before the little horn. The Ostrogoth, the third subverted division of the Roman kingdom, was not conquered by Justinian till A. D. 508, after Nero had been dead 440 years.

4. Upon Colver's own ground, there were no three individual kings plucked up to make way for him. He says, "three were plucked up by the roots to make way for Nero to the throne. Tiberius was strangled, Caligula was assassinated, and Claudius, husband to the mother of Nero, Agrippina, was poisoned." p. 42. Those three, however, could not be said to be plucked up by the roots to make way for NERO; because Nero was not born till A. D. 37, whereas Tiberius was strangled A. D. 36, one year before Nero was born; and Caligula was assassinated A. D. 40, when

Nero was only three years old; so that in those acts no reference whatever could have been had to Nero. If they were to be included because they were assassinated, then it would be necessary to include Julius Cæsar, and which would make FOUR horns plucked up; and Prof. Stuart says, in his Hints, there were "five fallen;" (p. 121;) but a variation of two is probably of little consequence with Mr. Colver's "literal interpretation," if we may judge from the exactness of his "tallies."

5. The little horn was to come up AMONG the ten horns, (v. 8;) showing that the ten horns were to be in existence as horns when it should first arise. But of the twelve Cæsars only one was in existence as a horn or king at the same time; and Nero, instead of reigning among them, reigned alone.

6. The little horn was to be DIVERSE from the other horns, (v. 24.) But Nero was not diverse from the other Cæsars.

7. "He shall SUBDUE three kings," (v. 24;) but Nero did not subdue any of his predecessors, or any king whatever.

8. The little horn was to make "war with the saints, and prevail against them, until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." (verses 21, 22.) But Mr. Colver has not attempted to show that Nero reigned till those events. Upon his own hypothesis, Nero must be still alive, and waging war, for the time has not yet come that the saints POSSESS the kingdom.

9. The saints of the Most High were to be

given into the hand of the little horn. But there was no power on earth who could give them into Nero's hands; and will he claim that God gave his saints into Nero's hands?

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10. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it unto the end." But the dominion of Nero was not taken away before his death.

11. The saints of the Most High were to be given into the hands of the "little horn" " until a time, times, and the dividing of time," or 1260 days; but according to Prof. Stuart, Nero persecuted the Christians from the middle of Nov. A. D. 64, till the 9th of June, A. D. 68, which was 1302 days, or an excess of FORTY-TWO days. Hints, p. 127. Probably, however, Mr. Colver will unite with Prof. Stuart in saying, that, "By this SMALL EXCESS of only a few days, no one of course can be stumbled; for how is it reasonable to suppose, that in respect to a celebrated period, so often repeated, and already become so famous, a statistical exactness would or could be aimed at?" Hints, p. 128.

12. The little horn had " eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things,' (v. 8.) "And he shall speak great words against the Most High." v. 25. Nero was in no respect distinguished for these characteristics above his predecessors; but, on the contrary, while some of them were truly great, he was one of the lowest and vilest men that sat upon the throne of the Cæsars, and was only noted for acts of meanness and cruelty.

13. The little horn was to be the last horn of the beast, and was to continue till the death of

the beast; and the beast itself could have but ELEVEN horns in all. Consequently, if Nero was the little horn, he was the last king of Rome, which could have had but eleven kings, instead of the FORTY-ONE which reigned previous to its division in 364. And when Nero died, Rome must have come to an end with him.

14. The look of the little horn " was more stout than his FELLOWS; consequently, if Nero was the little horn the other horns must have coexisted with him, or they could not have been his fellows.

15. The saints were to "possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever." Mr. Colver claims it was given to the saints on the death of Nero, A. D. 68, when his persecution ceased. But the next persecution, under Domitian, commenced A. D. 93; so that the saints possessed the kingdom only 25 years, which must therefore be the length of Mr. Colver's "forever, even forever and ever."

The above characteristics, which were to mark the little horn, are none of them found in Nero; and prove conclusively, not only that he is NOT brought to view by this little horn, but that a cause must be desperate, and a man hard pushed indeed, who is obliged to resort to such a "faux pas," in support of his "visionary vagary."

II. THE LITTLE HORN OF THE 8TH OF DANIEL,

WHICH CAME FROM TOWARDS ONE OF THE FOUR

WINDS OF HEAVEN, AND WAXED EXCEEDING GREAT, COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES.

1. The little horn was to come forth out of, or from towards one of the four winds of heaven,