on certain days: frequent fasts are the rule and boast of their order.

These three things, then, the worship of demons, as mediators between God and man,-celibacy, under pretence of chastity,—and abstinence, as a pretext for devotion ;—were to be the diagnostics of the Apostasy whereof St. Paul prophesied, and whereof he warned all to beware. They are (especially the first) in themselves so absurd, as to appear most unlikely to obtain in the Christian world; they have no necessary connexion one with the other; and yet, by "lying wonders and deceivableness of unrighteousness," they have obtained, and are fully maintained and boasted of, in the Papal Church. None but the Spirit of God could foresee and foretell such events. And by these evident signs and tokens, of which the Spirit hath thus forewarned us, we may clearly discern the "Apostasy of the latter days;" and learn to avoid such "profane and old wives' fables," being "nourished up rather in the words of faith and good doctrine."

DISSERTATION XXIV.

An Analysis of the REVELATION of St. John the Divine.

SECTION I.

In surveying the different religions and governments of the world, it is a matter of surprise to consider that of ROME; how such a mystery of iniquity, introducing Antichrist under the very name of Christ, should succeed at first, and prosper so long. Other heresies and schisms have arisen, and after flourishing mightily for their day, have eventually withered and fallen away. But for centuries hath Popery prevailed; her hierarchs have ruled in the heart of the Christian Church, usurping the chief seat of the western world, -trampling, in some ages, on the very necks of emperors and kings, and making the lords of mankind their vassal slaves. So that it may be truly said, that

Christian Rome has carried her conquests further than ever was done by Pagan Rome. Nay, its boasted Universality and perpetuity are considered by Papists themselves to warrant their claim to the epithet Catholic, or universal.

But be it remembered, that all this is nothing more than what was foretold by the Spirit of prophecy; even that there should be such a power as that of the Pope of Rome in the Christian Church; that it should prevail for a season; but that at last it should fall. This has been pointed out, in previous Dissertations on the prophecies of Daniel and St. Paul: but the Apocalypse, or Revelation of St. John, contains more numerous and specific ones, respecting the events of the Church, from his time to the Consummation of the mystery of God.

The allegorical obscurity of this book hath been objected to, as an argument against the study thereof; and, indeed, to explain it fully, is not the work of one man, or one age. But we must remember it is still “the sure word of prophecy;" and no small profit may arise, if we study it, as Lord Bacon adviseth, "with great wisdom, sobriety, and reverence;" having this caution on our minds, that God gave this, and other prophecies, not to gratify men's curiosity, by enabling them to foreknow things, and thus to set up for prophets; but that, in Sir Isaac Newton's words,

after they were fulfilled, they might be interpreted by the event; and that His own providence-(not the foresight of the interpreters)-might be thereby manifested to the world." Not presuming to be "wise above what is written," we should rather consider those prophecies which have been already fulfilled, than frame conjectures about what remain to be so. Events will continue to prove the Apocalypse; and this prophecy thus proved will open the old prophets; and all together will illustrate and establish the True Religion. There is already sufficient of it fulfilled to establish clearly God's providence; and it would be leaving our subject incomplete, if so material a portion of prophecy were omitted, as is contained in the book of Revelation; especially since, in the Spirit's own words, it is recorded, ،، Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear, the words of this prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein.”

FIRST CHAPTER.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 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. 4 JOHN to the seven

churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come: and from the seven spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even So, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 12 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.