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it commences with the tenth chapter, and terminates at the end of the fourteenth.

3. The third part comprehends the second portion of the sealed or larger book: and, while in point of chronology it is immediately consecutive to the first portion of the same book, it occupies all the remainder of the Apocalypse; the little open book being inserted between these two portions in the way of a parenthetic episode 1.

II. But the apocalyptic prophecies are likewise arranged under three septenaries: that of the seals, that of the trumpets, and that of the vials.

1. These septenaries follow each other in regular chronological order: so that the seventh seal introduces and comprehends all the seven trumpets, as in scientific arrangements genus is made to comprehend species; while the seventh trumpet again, after a similar manner, introduces and comprehends all the seven vials.

'See above book ii. chap. iv. § III. That part of the Apocalypse, which succeeds the battle of Armageddon, and which is contained in the three last chapters, ought perhaps rather to be viewed, as a sort of appendix or epilogue, than as strictly included within the sealed book: for the grand collective period of the seven seals must obviously terminate with the termination of its last minor subincluded period of the seventh vial; and the minor period of the seventh vial, which is the ultimate stage of the third woe, undoubtedly terminates with the overthrow of the Roman antichristian faction in the battle of Armageddon. This little nicety, however, is of no importance, so far as the general arrangement of the Apocalypse is concerned.

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cally'. I say not, that, with the exception of the three last trumpets, such always is the case : I merely say, that, for any thing which appears to the contrary, such, in various instances, may be the case.

III. The little open book specially treats of the latter three times and a half: and, being inserted parenthetically in the midst of the great sealed book, it must of course run chronologically parallel to some certain part of that sealed book. Hence it will follow, that the portion of the sealed book, with which the open book runs chronologically parallel, is comprised within the same period of the latter three times and a half.

Now, in the great sealed book, the latter three times and a half commence at the sounding of the fifth trumpet and expire at the effusion of the seventh vial. Consequently, if the short time of the end so frequently mentioned by Daniel, which coincides with the period of the seventh vial, be added to them; the three times and a half, with this addition, will run chronologically parallel to the three woes introduced by the three last trumpets. Hence the period of the three woes in the sealed book will coincide, in point of chronology, with the period treated of in the open book.

These preliminaries being laid down, I shall now proceed to consider the apocalyptic prophecies in

See above book ii. chap. 4. § I. • See above book ii. chap. 4. § II.

the order of those three parts, into which they naturally divide themselves, and which have already been marked out with sufficient distinctness and precision'.

1 See above book iv. chap. i. § I.

CHAPTER II.

RESPECTING THE FOUR FIRST APOCALYPTIC SEALS.

The entire volume of the Apocalypse is divided, into the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter ; or, in other words, into matters unprophetically present, and matters prophetically future!

With respect to the first division which comprehends matters unprophetically present, it is confined to the seven charges delivered by our Lord to the seven Churches of Asia : and it is contained in the second and third chapters of the Apocalypse, according to the vulgar arrangement of that book.

Where this first division ends, the second division commences: and, accordingly, at the beginning of the fourth chapter, still agreeably to the vulgar arrangement of the book, St. John describes himself,

"Rev. i. 19. Some would make a triple division. Write the things which thou hast seen ; or the vision of the Lord in the midst of the seven candlesticks, as contained in the first chapter of the Apocalypse: and the things which are; or the charges to the seven Churches of Asia, as contained in the second and third chapters: and the things which shall be hereafter ; or the prophecies, contained in the whole remainder of the volume. Its admission or rejection is immaterial to the general exposition of the Apocalypse.

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