sequent events, to have advanced an erroneous interpretation of prophecy, he will only have failed in an attempt, in which a failure is no discredit, provided the attempt has been undertaken and conducted in a spirit of humility, diffidence, and prayer. It is in this spirit that the writer has endeavoured to proceed in the composition of this work; and it is in this spirit that he earnestly requests it may be read. be read. He has the satisfaction of feeling assured that, however irrelevant or mistaken any of his applications of prophecy may be found, yet the practical admonitions, to the introduction of which he has endeavoured to make them subservient, can never be altogether misplaced or unseasonable. To facilitate the explanation of the Author's sentiments, he has inserted a Prophetical Chart, illustrative of those particular parts of Scripture to which his observations principally apply. This Chart will exhibit a concise but comprehensive view of the general system of interpretation, which he here proposes for adoption. As to several of the specific applications of prophecy, which, in referring to the Chart, it will be seen that he entertains, he does not think'it necessary to go into any detail of the reasons which have led him to prefer them. They have been the subject of repeated and elaborate discussion in the works of many ancient and modern commentators of great respectability and talent, who have maintained their respective opinions by a variety of arguments, which are before the public eye; and in weighing these the Writer has endeavoured to exercise an unbiassed judgment, and to be influenced by those which seemed to him to preponderate. One of the points to which this remark applies, is the commencement of the distinguished period of 1260 years. After long, frequent, and serious deliberation on this point, he now fully concurs in sentiment with those who date the beginning of this period from the year A. D. A.D. 533, when the Emperor Justinian, by his memorable edict, formally delivered the Saints into the hands of the Little (Papal) Horn; and who, consequently, assign the termination of the period in question - an event which synchronizes with the sounding of the seventh trumpet in the Revelation of St. John-to the year 1792. The arguments in favour of this interpretation, adduced by Mr. Cuninghame, appear to the Writer conclusive on the subject.* It is with this interpretation that the views exhibited in the following pages are intimately connected; and should they be established, they will place it beyond dispute. One result, indeed, which will obviously follow from the adoption of the Writer's sentiments is, that it will throw a much stronger and steadier light on several fulfilled parts of prophecy, than they have hitherto received. And this is a circumstance, which, of itself, may be adverse to the reception of his interpretation in the minds of many for while some persons entertain perhaps an opinion, that this part of * The Author's reasons for adopting this interpretation of the prophecy are now embodied in the following pages. Third edition. Scripture, being purposely enveloped with a cloud of mystery, ought not to be too nearly approached and inspected; others, having been offended at the erroneous and unsuccessful endeavours which have been occasionally made in our own times to interpret the predictions of Scripture by an application of them to the passing events of the day, are disposed to regard with prejudice and suspicion every exposition of this nature. To objections of this kind, it might not be difficult to furnish a satisfactory reply; but as it has been found convenient fully to meet them in the progress of the following work, there is no necessity to anticipate the arguments there advanced, by a premature discussion. It may suffice for the present to request that they who may now be inclined to favour these objections, will suspend for a short time their decision; and will enter with candour and attention on the discussion when it comes before them. The Writer humbly commits his work to Him, whose glory it is designed to promote; and to whom all the good it may accomplish, if it should accomplish any, is exclusively due. If he should be made the instrument of inducing any one member of Christ's mystical body to take a deeper and livelier interest in the study of prophecy, and especially of exciting him more diligently to "watch and keep his garments" in this season of peril and trial, his labour will not have been in vain in the Lord. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.” * * Rev.i. 3. Hamstall Ridware, |