from each other, so that from what has hitherto ap peared, they may be the same:-but this has not yet seemed to admit of complete demonstration.

The synchronism of the beast with the prophecy of the witnesses seems likewise defective in proof. These, says Mede, are both brought down to the same period of consummation, at the end of the sixth Trumpet., But, if the period of the witnesses be allowed to end with the sixth Trumpet, it is otherwise with the period of the beast, whose warfare against the Church is particularly described under the seventh Trumpet; when, together with the false prophet, he is taken and slain *. Besides, nothing is more manifest, than that the beast. does not come to his end at the same time with the witnesses; for the witnesses are slain by him; and when they are slain, they finish their prophetical office; as is expressly declared in ch. xi. 7. Add to this, that the earthquake and fall of one tenth of the city, which concludes the prophecy of the witnesses, and also the sixth Trumpet †, cannot be the same with the great slaughter and total victory under the seventhTrumpet ; when the beast is destroyed. The synchronism therefore is defective of proof §.

Ch. xix. 19.

+ Ch. xi

Ch. xix.

The

This attempt of the ingenious author of the Clavis Apocalyptica to synchronize these periods, seems to me conclusive in very few stages of it. He appears to approach near to the truth, in many instances. but the proofs are not positive and satisfactory. The prophecies do not seem to supply the means of that strict demonstration, which he has attempted: and, one proof failing (as we have seen in these first propositions), that which is built upon it must fail also. There is one passage in this able divine's commentary, from which it may be collected that he did not always conclude the termination of the beast's career to be exactly synchronal with the termination of the prophecy of the witnesses. He plainly asserts the one to belong to the sixth, the other to the seventh Trumpet. (See his Works, pages 490, 491.) And his

method

And

The four grand apocalyptic periods are involved very much together, and before the final completion of them all has taken place, it may not be in the power of man to settle the times when each of them had its commencement. But, for the reasons above assigned, I am inclined to conjecture that the period of the beast may be found to derive its beginning somewhat later than that of the woman in the wilderness; and to receive its termination somewhat later than that of the witnesses. His times seem rather later than either of theirs. it may perhaps be found, that those of the woman and of the witnesses are the same; with which the other remaining period, that of the Gentiles treading the holy city, seems also to accord. Commentators seem to have been too adventurous in fixing the exact commencement of these periods, which appear to be involved in a purposed obscurity, which the event only can clear. But it may be probable, that the 1260 years of the Gentiles; of the woman in the wilderness, and of the witnesses; will come to their conclusion, before the antichristian reign of the beast is seen finally to And this is all that I dare advance concerning prophecies which are yet fulfilling.

cease.

Verses 5, 6, 7. And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; &c.] It will be useful to observe, that in Daniel vii. 8. 20. 25, the fourth, or Roman beast, does not obtain "his mouth "speaking great things," (they are the very same words used by both prophets,) nor open his mouth for blasphemy, until he has produced the little horn, that is, after he has produced the ten kings. So in the Apo

method of solving this difficulty, must be thought defective: for, surely, the end of the beast is his final confinement in the lake of fire, ch. xix. 20, and not his imagined expulsion from the city of Rome.

calypse,

calypse, it is not in the first period of the beast's progress that he exalts himself so superbly, and becomes an object of worship. This exaltation is accomplished for him by the intervention of the second beast, his minister in iniquity, whose office and actions are de scribed in the subsequent part of this chapter. But in this description of the first beast, ch. xiii. 1-9, we may discriminate his gradual progress; 1. under verses 1 & 2, the Roman tyranny under its pagan persecuting emperors, to whom the apostate Christians literally offered incense: -2*. his wound at the accession of Constantine: -3. his recovery, and the great admiration of him in his new form:-4. his additional power and increased dominion, when, after his division into ten kingdoms, the little horn of Daniel, the false prophet, springs up in him; when the harlot directs the reins †. The period of 1260 years seems to be that of his renewed life, and of his increased dominion, displayed in verses 5, 6, 7. [" They who dwell in Heaven,”] are not only the heavenly inhabitants, literally speaking, but the faithful Christians on earth, whose "conversa"tion is in Heaven;" whose "building" and home are there; who account themselves " strangers and pilgrims upon earth‡.'

66

Ver. 8. Book of Life.] See note, ch. iii. 5.

Ver. 9. If any one have an ear; &c.] See note, ch. ii. 7.

Ver. 10. If any one leadeth into captivity; &c.] After the fearful picture exhibited of the victorious power of the beast, a comfort is derived from these

Heb. xi. 9. 13. Eph. ii. 6. 19. 1 Pet. i. 17. They are opposed to" those who inhabit the earth," and who are said to worship the beast, ch. xiii, 3. 3. xvii. 8.

words;

words; which contain an assurance from the Almighty, that the wicked shall not finally prosper. The cause of iniquity sometimes flourishes during a long period, and under various instruments: but the individuals employed to promote its reign, have no lasting enjoyment or prosperity. They suffer in their turn the evils which they introduce, and inflict on others. This great truth in the providential government of God, is exemplified by Dr. Jortin, in the sufferings and deaths of the most noted persecutors*. We have seen it exemplified in our own times, during the progress of the French Revolution. The individuals who chiefly distinguished themselves in overturning legal government and promoting persecution, oppression, a beastly domination, and the overthrow of Christianity, have enjoyed but a precarious and short-lived power. We have seen most of them cut off in the midst of their ambitious career, or consigned to misery in a distant wretched colony.

The saints must be patient; the great day of recompense will surely come t." Fear not, little flock; "it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." And it is the office of the Messiah "to lead captivity captive §."

* Remarks on Eccl. Hist. vol. iii. Luke xii. 32.

pp. 246-322. + Hleb. x. 36. Psalm lxviii. 18. Eph. iv. 8.

PART

The Beast from the Land, or false Prophet.

CHAP. xiii. VER. 11—to the end.