THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY, AND TIME OF THE END. BY THE REV. W. J. PEARSON, Island Curate or Incumbent of St. Faith's Chapel, St. Thomas-in-the-Vale, Jamaica, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take WITH A POSTSCRIPT. LONDON: JAMES NISBET AND CO., 21, BERNERS STREET; JORDAN AND OSBORN, KINGSTON, JAMAICA. 1849. PREFACE. ON the eve of leaving England, in 1846, for his district in a remote colony, the Author of the following pages, a Clergyman of the Established Church, had accidentally placed in his hands a book entitled "The Antichrist," by Kelsall. The subject being one to which his attention had been very recently drawn by the pious and able minister of Charlotte Street Chapel, Pimlico, the Rev. James Kelly, M.A.,* he procured a copy of the work, and took it with him to the spot of his clerical labours. At a distance from the din and turmoil of the world, he hath perused Mr. Kelsall's book with much satisfaction, although not at all times with perfect agreement, and has to acknowledge having obtained a clearer insight into certain particulars of prophecy than he previously possessed. Devoting a portion of his time to other writings on the prophecies also, the subject acquired a hold of his mind, and with the view of arriving at a certain degree of me *Now of St. Peter's Episcopal Chapel, Queen-Square St. James's Park. thod and order he commenced to arrange his thoughts on paper, in connection with the thirteenth and seventeenth chapters of the Revelations. As he proceeded, new lights seemed shed upon his labours, and the result has been the following pages. Had the subject of prophecy as yet assumed a more definite shape than it bears in the works of interpreters, or had it begun to be invested with the garb of fixed knowledge, he would have long hesitated ere placing his labours before the public. The book of prophecy seems, however, but now about opening. The facts ascertained relative to unfulfilled prophecy have at times an uncertain connection, and are arranged in no very determinate order. There is also abundant space for contributions of what appear to be novel yet undoubted truths. Under these circumstances he has not delayed, and he believes that he is in the performance of a plain duty, in committing his notes to the press. He has done this, however, under every feeling of the importance of the subjects on which he treats. He has no desire but to promote truth; and should it hereafter ap pear that he has unconsciously maintained error, he will not fail to acknowledge that he has done so. One interpretation of certain texts commented on-the death and return to life of Antichrist-will assuredly create in the reader as much awe and astonishment as the Author experienced when such interpretation, unsought for, presented itself to him; and while this awe and astonishment remain unabated, and the conviction exists that the interpretation is true, both Author and reader will find it their duty to bow in entire submission to the will and teaching of Him "which doeth things past finding out, yea, and wonders without number." It is possible that the subjects discussed may not be rendered clear to the mind of one who hath never yet paid any attention to them; but, as no more is attempted than the elucidation of a few points disclosed in a particular page of prophecy, the result could scarcely have been otherwise. The following hints, however, may prove serviceable to a party thus circumstanced. The Scriptures declare that a certain evil person shall appear in the world termed the 66 Mystery of Iniquity," the "vile person," |