be ready, and almost eager, to erase the cross of Christ from its forehead, and to make itself a Pantheon.

What, again, are the words of men, blending the holiest names with unholiest acts, making Christianity a watchword of Revolution, and using the Gospel itself as a lever to shake the World, and even, if it were possible, to subvert the throne of God?

Are there not here some sounds of a gathering together of armies, some blasts of the trumpets of war, some unfurlings of hostile banners, some noise of chariots and tramplings of horses rushing to the battle?

In a word, is not the World at this hour on the eve of an Armageddon?

And now what follows?

The plague of the Frogs was the last effort of the magicians of Egypt. The going forth of the unclean spirits, like frogs, from the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet, to gather their forces together against Christ, will, it is probable, be the final struggle of their united powers. Their confederacy will be routed in the mystical conflict of Armageddon.

Then, says St. John, The Beast will be taken, and his False Prophet, that wrought miracles before him ; and these both will be cast alive into the lake of fire*. And then the Dragon, or Satan, will remain.

*Rev. xix. 20.

He will no longer use any specious names; he will wage an open war with Heaven.

His doom is also revealed. The Devil will be cast into the lake of fire, where the Beast and False Prophet are*.

Christ's victory will then be complete. The Kingdom of this world will become the Kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ †.

Finally, why were these awful truths revealed?

Not to indulge a vain and prying curiosity. Not to gratify any craving appetite for feverish excitement. Not to raise in us any proud conceits of Pharisaic self-righteousness. Not to provoke in us a spirit of wrath or hatred against those whose errors we ought to deplore with tears, and whose union with ourselves, in Christian truth and holiness, we ought to desire of God with prayers of devout affection.

No. But to teach us our duty. To make us more thankful for our blessings, and more zealous to preserve them, and more careful to use them, and more desirous to communicate them. To make us mourn with shame and sorrow for our neglect and abuse of them. To make us fear, lest we lose them. To instruct us all, from the highest to the lowest, that our only safety, both public and private, consists in following Christ. Be wise, therefore, O ye Kings; be learned, ye that are Judges of the Earth. Serve

*Rev. xx. 10.

+ Rev. xi. 15.

the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto Him with reverence. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and so ye perish from the right way, if His wrath be kindled, yea, but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him*.

These things were also revealed to warn us that a time of peril awaits us. We must expect severe trials. We must be prepared for fierce conflicts. We must, therefore, arm ourselves with the whole armour of God †.

You, my younger friends, are entering the career of life at a time when your Christian faith and fortitude will be severely tried. Take this divine Book with you. Go with St. John. Go with the beloved Disciple. He will teach you not to be seduced by the alluring arts, or led captive by the corrupt doctrines, or deceived by the lying wonders of false Christs and false prophets ‡. He will teach you not to associate yourselves with others in any ungodly confederacy or unholy enterprise, on any specious pretence of Liberty, Expediency, or Religion. He will teach you not to follow a multitude to do evil §, but to promote God's glory at any sacrifice, by reverence of His Name, by belief in His Word, and by obedience to His Will. So you will be Christ's faithful soldiers and servants. So you will be beloved Disciples. So you will be like St. John.

*Psalm ii. 10-12.

Matth. xxiv. 24.

† Eph. vi. 11-13.

§ Exod. xxiii. 2.

Then, let the whole world be arrayed against you in the fury of a wild Armageddon, you will be more than conquerors *. Christ will protect you. The KING OF KINGS and LORD of LORDS will fight for you. He will lead you with His victorious army to the glorious mansions of the heavenly Jerusalem, and will give you a crown of glory which fadeth not away.

*Rom. viii. 37.

LECTURE XIV.

REV. i. 3.

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this

prophecy.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (is the witness of the Holy Spirit by the mouth of St. Paul), and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good

works*.

These words are peculiarly appropriate to the Apocalypse.

The Apocalypse presents itself to us as the Revelation of JESUS CHRIST †. I am the First and the Last. I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter ‡. It is the voice

* 2 Tim. iv. 16, 17.

+ Rev. i. 1.

Rev. i. 17-19.