APPENDIX,

CONTAINING A SUMMARY OF WHAT THE WRITER SUPPOSES TO BE

THE SCRIPTURE TESTIMONY

CONCERNING THE

FUTURE DESTINIES OF THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH.

APPENDIX.

THE advocates for the doctrines rejected may, now that he has attempted to demolish one set of opinions, challenge the Writer to state his own. To accept such a challenge he has not the least objection; but must impress it upon his readers, that, although his opinions should appear to be erroneous, or even be demonstrated to be so, his error in this case does not affect the validity of his objections in the former one. Whether the conclusions he may draw, upon examining the testimony of Scripture, concerning the future destinies of the world and of the church, involve a more or less plausible theory than the one rejected, the latter, he conceives, must still be condemned as extravagant and unscriptural. To state his views on the subject compendiously, he believes that the present course

of things, as to the external circumstances of the world, will continue, only modified, in proportion as the truth prevails, to the end of time, and vicissitude and revolution characterize the affairs of individuals and empires. (Matt. xxiv. 38; 2 Pet. iii. 3, 4.) But the truth will advance until it has enlightened every region of the earth; (Isaiah xi. 5; Hab. ii. 14,) and this, as effect follows cause. Truth has a tendency to self-propagation. It has been, on the whole, advancing from its earliest dawn to the present moment, and must go on advancing until its triumphs be complete, or the Great Ruler proclaim that Time shall be no more. All truth must prevail, and, in its progress, the ills and inconveniences, as well as the vices connected with this mortal state, must be lessened. The despotism of tyrants, and the defects of governments generally, as Christianity becomes diffused, (and its diffusion is a matter of inobstructible necessity,) will give way. The impediments, therefore, to the spread of truth, arising out of human misrule, will be removed. External circumstances will consequently favour every