great outlines, under the vision of the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar, and is detailed with increasing degrees of minuteness in the subsequent parts of the book. Now it has been justly remarked by Mede, that the Apocalypse is only an enlarged explication of that part of the book of Daniel which relates to the fourth kingdom. It is, therefore, consonant with analogy to suppose, that as the prophecies of Daniel open with a general epitome of what is afterwards more clearly revealed, the same thing should take place in the Apocalypse.

The history of the Christian church confirms also, in a remarkable manner, the explanation I have given of the first four seals; for if without a reference to any particular hypothesis concerning the meaning of prophecy, we turn to the page of history, we shall find that the church of Christ was first pure and triumphant; secondly, that it was filled with quarrels and discord; thirdly, that it was under the yoke of superstition and ignorance; fourthly, that it was converted into a vast slaughter-house by the dreadful persecutions of the papal power, and those secular powers connected with Rome. History therefore, comes in aid of our interpretation, and exhibits to us the same series and order of vicissitudes, as I have endeavoured to trace in the characters of the hieroglyphics of the first four seals. The exposition of the fifth and sixth seals offered in these pages seems to flow from that of the preceding ones; and that of the sixth seal is confirmed, as we have seen, by many analogous passages in other parts of the prophetical scriptures. When, also, we advert to the entire want of homogeneity which

is discoverable in the commonly received interpretation of these seals, all the arguments for the scheme that I have adopted derive new strength, and seem to shew, almost to demonstration, that it is the true

one.

If, however, any reasons for confirming the foregoing interpretation, be still wanting, they will be supplied by placing in contrast with it, the theory of Mede and Bishop Newton. Let the reader advert to the deep and solemn importance, which is attached to the sealed book of the Apocalypse. It is first seen in the hand of God the Father. The voice of a mighty angel is next heard proclaiming, Who is worthy to open the book? And no one was found in heaven or in earth, worthy even to look thereon. At this disappointment, the beloved apostle weeps much, and when, at length, the Lamb approached and took the book out of the hand of him that liveth for ever and ever, all heaven is filled with a rapturous burst, of adoration and praise.

Having contemplated these mighty preparations, if we next turn to the pages of the eminent (though in this instance inconsistent) writers above mentioned, we shall find, that four out of the seven seals, the opening of each of which is also marked by a ceremonial of the most significant nature, are supposed to relate to certain vicissitudes, of no great moment, in the secular affairs of the Roman empire during the three first centuries. I shall select a passage, from the Bishop's remarks on the third seal, as a fit specimen of the manner in which, this divine prophecy is, by that exposition, debased and secularized,

See Rev. V. 1-9.

and constrained to imbibe the sordid and grovelling spirit of earthly objects. After some observations respecting the capacity and price of the chænix of wheat, the Bishop proceeds. "But whatever be "the capacity of the chanix, which is difficult to "be determined, as it was different, in different "times and countries, yet such care and such re"gulations, about the necessaries of life, imply "some want and scarcity of them. Scarcity obli

"geth men to exactness in the price and measure of things. In short, the intent of the prophecy is, "that corn should be provided for the people, but it "should be distributed in exact measure and pro"portion. This third period commenceth with Septimius Severus, who was an emperor from "the south, being a native of Africa. He was an enactor of just and equal laws, and was very "severe and implacable to offences. He would not "suffer even petty larcenies to go unpunished; as "neither would Alexander Severus, in the same

period, who was a most severe judge against "thieves, and was so fond of the Christian maxim, Whatsoever you would not have done to you, do "not you to another, that he commanded it to be engraved on the palace, and on the public buildings. "These two emperors, were also no less celebrated "for procuring of corn and oil and other provisions, "and for supplying the Romans with them, after they had experienced the want of them."

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Was it then, we may well say, (after reading the foregoing passage) for the purpose of discovering to the church, the state of the Roman markets for corn and oil, or the efficiency of its police in ap

prehending thieves, that all these mighty preparations were made in heaven? Truly the exposition which includes in it such consequences would be ludicrous, were the subject itself of a less solemn and important nature. But the high nature of the theme, forbids our speaking, even of the errors of those who have treated it, excepting in the measured language of Christian gravity. I shall, therefore, close this chapter and the subject of these seals, by requesting the reader again to peruse and compare with what is here given from Bishop Newton, the simple but elevated exposition of the third seal, which I have adopted from Archdeacon Woodhouse, and I doubt not it will commend itself to his mind, with all the native force of beauty and of truth.*

* Some persons may perhaps here object, that I myself expound the seven trumpets as having a reference to the secular fortunes of the Roman empire, and that I am therefore inconsistent in opposing a similar application of the seals. The answer to this is, that I consider the great mutations only of the empire to be predicted in the trumpets, and not those minor changes which Mede and Bp. Newton suppose to be referred to in the seals. The Roman empire I consider to be the subject of prophecy only on account of its connection with the church, and because while it exists (as it still does) it is the great enemy of the church, and when it is destroyed it is to make way for the glorious reign of the Messiah.

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CHAPTER IV.

THE SEVENTH SEAL.

"And when he had opened the seventh seal, "there was silence in heaven about the space of “half an hour; and I saw the seven angels which "stood before God, and to them were given seven trumpets."*

In the general view which I have taken of the contents of the first six seals, I have followed Archdeacon Woodhouse; but I am now about to take leave of my respectable guide, being obliged to differ from him with regard to most of the remaining parts of the Apocalypse. I however coincide with the learned writer, in the interpretation which he offers of the silence in heaven, at the opening of the seventh seal. He explains it as being indicative of the introduction of a new subject, and a new series of prophecies; it seems, as he remarks, to be exhi"bited for the purpose of denoting a change in the "mode or in the subject of the prophecy; to dis"unite the succeeding scene from that which had gone before; to unfold a new chain of pre"diction."+

During this awful and portentous silence, a new scene presents itself to the eyes of the apostle. He sees seven angels, to whom were given seven trumpets. As this is the first object exhibited under the seventh seal, we may infer from it that this seal relates principally to the sounding of these trumpets, + Archdeacon Woodhouse, p. 200.

* Rev. viii. 1, 2.

E