we will say this, that we believe him to have caught the very scope and spirit of prophecy in its bearings on the present times: and that combining, as he does, views so essentially sound, and exhibiting a tone so scriptural and healthy, on all practical topics connected with the ultimate purposes of revelation, there are few writers of the present day who appear to us more entitled to deference, or who have rendered greater service in giving a right direction to the studies, the labours, and the aspirations of the Church. Moreover, Mr. Bickersteth has long enjoyed most valuable opportunities of observation: few men are more intimately acquainted with the state of the Church or the world: and while an eminently devout, he has always been an eminently practical man. We repeat, therefore, that we think him well entitled to address us on the particular class of subjects to which this volume refers; and though this is the eighteenth volume with which he has furnished us on miscellaneous topics-the Means of Gracethe Prophecies-or on general and practical divinity,-to say nothing of smaller works, or "the Christian's Family Library,' containing forty-six volumes, the fruit of his pious care,—we are not disposed to regard it as, in any sense of the word, a work of supererogation. We welcome it as a very seasonable contribution to the literature of the day; and let our friend address us when he may, we shall always hail him as one of the witnesses of the times by whose testimony we cannot fail to profit, and whose scriptural warnings will, we trust, have the blessed effect of awakening many from their slumbers.

The following notice from the preface will give our readers a general idea of Mr. Bickersteth's new volume :

"The chief part of the present work has not before been published, but the author has comprehended in it some smaller publications, partly out of print, or not to be had separately. He has several times been requested to reprint the Dangers of the Church, first published in 1839, and that pamphlet, with the substance of his sermon on the Dangers of London, is here included, with many enlargements, under the second part. A Visitation Sermon forms the foundation of the third part, and the substance of a Sermon, preached last year in courses of prophetical lectures at St. George's, Bloomsbury, forms the fourth, while his Christian Blessing, preached at Edinburgh in 1844, is included in the fifth part. All these subjects have one common design, to assist Christians in guarding against dangers and fulfilling duties connected with the present situation of the church and the world. The author has thus combined in one volume his past and present testimony on these subjects. He was the more induced to do this from having received many tokens of the good done by his Divine Warning, of which 8000 copies have been sold in about two years since its first publication."-(p. xiii.)

Such is the literary history of the work and its general scope. The basis on which it rests, and which has obviously suggested the title, is thus stated :

"The present treatise is grounded on a plain prophecy, and happily it is one in which there has been a large consent of Christian interpreters. The immediate application to us in this day, of the first part of this work, arises from the interpretation of the sixth trumpet in the book of Revelation, as referring to the Turkish empire. The author has therefore felt it to be desirable to show, in the beginning, how generally this view has been received by those who have studied this book. He has gathered together various testimonies, by above one hundred witnesses, which might doubtless easily be multiplied, on the fact that the sixth Trumpet refers more or less directly to the Turks, from books in his own library, showing, amidst many differences in other things, this general agreement. The reader will thus see with his own eyes, that it is no novelty of opinion arising from the peculiar character of these times, but the general interpretation received by Christians of all denominations, Roman Catholics, Greeks, Lutherans, Reformers, Episcopalians, _Congregationalists, Presbyterians, English, Irish, Scotch, German, Swiss, Dutch; and this interpretation bas been maintained for several centuries, even from before the Reformation to the present time. Thus the voice of the Church on this part of the application of the prophecy, has probably been more harmonious than on any other part: the chief number of interpreters of all classes, applying more or less directly the sixth Trumpet to the Turkish empire."-(pp. v, vi.)

"The signs of the decay of the Turkish empire," Mr. B. justly observes, "are continually manifested in the eyes of Christendom," and besides quoting the testimonies by Mr. Warburton, Mrs. Poole, and others which we have recently given, he adds the following, which is important enough to be added to our catena :

"The Malta Times," he says, " of the 4th of February, 1845, gives the following hatti-sheriff, read by the Sultan (according to the information of its correspondent, dated January 25), in the supreme council in the beginning of the previous week, that is about January 13. The first day of the Mahommedan year, 1261, was January 10. It is an affecting testimony from the Sultan himself of an expiring empire, just as the 1260 years have closed.

66

"TO MY FAITHFUL Grand Vizier,

Since my accession to the throne, I have made known to the whole world, and have, by numerous hatts and various other imperial ordinances, proclaimed my royal intentions, which have for their exclusive object the developement of the prosperity of my empire, and the insurance of peace and tranquillity to my subjects. By such means alone can fresh strength be added to our religion and to our country. I had believed that my desires had been generally understood; and although it is almost superfluous to recur to, and enumerate the various objects of my solicitude, it cannot be denied that, either from the adoption of false principles, or from other causes, of all the efforts hitherto made to realize my paternal intentions, the reform of the army has alone been followed by any satisfactory results. Although this military reform acquires from day to day, by the grace of God, more stability, yet, as its future success must essentially depend upon the prosperity of my empire and the welfare of my subjects, it is now organically defective from the want of this proper basis. This causes me an inexpressible grief, and I am deprived of rest by night and by day. In fact, although I have so frequently announced my intentions to my present ministers, and although I have laboured so hard to induce them to unite all their efforts in furthering with zeal and perseverance the good of my people, my endeavours have been so fruitless, that I feel an extreme astonishment, and my imperial heart is filled with feelings of grief and disquietude, so deep that they can be known to God alone."-(pp. vii. viii.)

This is certainly an affecting document, and well warrants the remarks which follow.

"Contrast these affecting tones," Mr. B. observes, "with the boasting demands of its rising heroes. Bajazet, surnamed the Lightning, at the commencement of the fifteenth century, writes to the Greek emperor, By the divine clemency, our invincible scymetar has reduced to our obedience almost all Asia, with many and large countries in Europe, excepting only the city of Constantinople; for beyond the walls thou hast nothing left. Resign that city; stipulate thy reward: or tremble for thyself and thy unhappy people, at the consequences of a rash refusal.' Mahomet the Second, the conqueror of Constantinople, told the ambassadors of the Greek emperor, just before the conquest in 1453,' Return, and inform your king, that the present Ottoman is far different from his predecessors: that his resolutions surpass their wishes that he performs more than they could resolve. Return in safetybut the next who delivers a similar message may expect to be flayed alive.' (See Gibbon, vol. xi. 458. vol. xii. 190.) We may well say with David, How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!' It would be endless to recount the testimonies to its decay."—(pp. viii. ix.)

Upon this fact, then, it is, Mr. B. grounds his work—the manifest decay of the Turkish empire, as verifying his application to that power, of the Apocalyptic sixth trumpet and sixth vial. The fact itself is, doubtless, a very remarkable one; and if upon this prominent point in modern history a Christian commentator can succeed in fixing the Apocalyptic marks just specified, we perceive at once our bearings, and have opened to our view a vision of transcendent interest

"Scenes of accomplished bliss! which who can see,

Though but in distant prospect, and not feel

His soul refresh'd with foretaste of the joy?"

The whole subject, indeed, opened up by this one idea is of paramount importance, and, in its application to the present and approaching times, comprehensive of topics which may challenge the highest intellect to investigate, and the loftiest eloquence to set forth, their momentous relations and consequences. Mr. Bickersteth's table of contents is sufficient to show this, and perhaps we cannot give the reader a better idea of the work itself, or a clearer view of its fundamental and collateral topics, than by transcribing it literatim.

The main discussion is introduced with an interesting and useful catena, containing

"THE TESTIMONIES OF CHRISTIAN DIVINES for several CENTURIES AS TO THE APPLICATION OF THE SIXTH TRUMPET TO THE TURKS."

The work then proceeds as follows—

"Part I.-The instruction given us by prophecy on the times in which we live. 1. The general character of the seven trumpets. 2. The present state of the world between the close of the sixth trumpet, and before the sounding of the

seventh. 3. The great events speedily to take place. 4. The needful preparation now to be made.

“Part II.—The special dangers and corresponding duties of Christians in these days. 1. The dangers of Christians. 2. The special dangers of London. 3. The issue to be expected. 4. The present duties to be fulfilled. 5. The hope of the divine favour.

Part III.-The special duties of ministers in these days. 1. The grand requisites of Christian ministers in these days. 2. The help afforded to acquire these requisites. 3. The real sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures. 4. The graces which God eminently blesses in the ministry, with the danger of exalting human talents. 5. The peculiarity of the times enforcing attention to ministerial duties.

"Part IV.-National duties now specially important. 1. National duties towards God. 2. National duties towards men. 3. The motive to these duties, in the prospect of the Lord's coming.

"Part V-The present privileges of Christians leading them to all good works. 1. Spiritual privileges now bestowed. 2. The communication and diffusion of these privileges. 3. The magnificent seed-time for the future.

Appendix I.-The Jerusalem Bishopric. II.-Extracts from Lord Ashley's Speeches on the Factory Bill, in 1844, and the Calico Print Works,

in 1845.

Such are Mr. Bickersteth's topics: their importance will be obvious, and whatever difference of opinion there may be as to the soundness of the author's views on particular points, or the general ability of the work, we feel assured there can be none as to the scriptural bearing, the close alliance, or the present interest of the topics themselves. The facts and statistics alone will repay attention: but, in truth, the book throughout is eminently a book for the times it is rich in thought, and if read, not in a critical or captious spirit, nor yet in a desultory and idle manner, but with prayerful seriousness and an earnest desire to catch its spirit, we cannot doubt but it will prove a most seasonable help for present duty and coming trial; a gift to the Church which will not only supply a present want, but be fruitful in time to come by “many thanksgivings unto God."

But what are Mr. Bickersteth's views of our exact position, as indicated by the chart of prophecy? We ought not to dismiss his work without glancing a little more in detail at the application which he has made of the Apocalyptic symbols to our own times. We will endeavour, in his own words (as far as may be) to give an outline of his argument.

"Our Lord," he justly observes, "has made it our duty to discern the signs of the times, by rebuking in sharp terms the valuing natural knowledge above this divine knowledge. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times.'

"All men see and acknowledge, from the prime minister of this great country to the humblest reader of our public journals, that the times through which we are passing are full of unprecedented and remarkable peculiarities, portending great changes.

"But a wise Christian is privileged, through the inspired word of prophecy, patiently, perseveringly, and diligently read in faith and humility, prayer

and love, to discern far more distinctly, God's mind in these changes, and the nature of the happy issue of them, to all who know, and love, and serve the Lord. Hence he can rise above the dark clouds which hang all around, and see the glorious day of light and love, which shall break through at last. He can act on his Saviour's directions, When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draw. eth nigh."

"As we see the day of Christ approaching, we should be earnest and more watchful. This is therefore an exceedingly holy and practical subject in the Christian ministry. Thus the apostle Peter teaches us to use it-The end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.'

"The Book of Revelation, the close of the sacred canon, is the deepest and most full of holy instruction for our use. . .

"The attention of the reader is now directed, however, only to a part of the contents of this wonderful book. It is a part which appears to the author to show to the Christian Church what is its present situation, and thence to instruct us as to what is now shortly to come to pass. It is that part of this divine prophecy, which after lengthened and careful study of the whole book, and in concurrence with the general views of Protestant interpreters of the whole book, the author believes to be now fulfilling in events taking place before us. Thus the circumstances of the times makes it to be peculiarly important as the present truth, the truth now needful, the meat to be given in due season, by the servant who desires to be commended by his Lord as wise and faithful.

"In that part of the Book of Revelation in which is contained the account of the angel's sounding the seven trumpets (Rev. viii-xi.) we read, at the close of the sixth trumpet, these words: The second woe is past, and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign for ever." Events have taken place, which appear to the author to accomplish one part of this prediction, and to prepare the minds of Christians to expect the speedy accomplishment of the latter part of it.”—(pp. 3—5.)

In the view, then, of Mr. B., the second woe is past. It may be desirable however to give his exposition of it.

"THE SIXTH TRUMPET is the second woe trumpet. It gives the account of the Turkish woe, which arose in little more than a century after the close of the Saracen woe. This interval is marked by the words, one woe is past, and behold there come two more woes hereafter. In this interval there was a partial recovery of the Eastern empire, and an outward spread of Christianity; but, there being also an unabated continuance of apostacy and corruption, it became necessary, in the righteous government of God, to send the second woe to chastise sinful nations continuing their apostacy from the true faith of Christ. The first woe had produced no general amendment; a second woe therefore became necessary, preparing the way for the gracious revival of religion at the Reformation. The Turkish woe is the more important to us, as it has continued to our days. The angel sounding this trumpet had the divine direction to loose the four angels which are bound in the river Euphrates. The mighty spirits of evil were suffered to go from the four parts of the earth, and under their influence, Normans, Franks, Saracens, and Turks converge in the destruction of the Eastern empire, till at length the Turks prevail to subdue it. These spirits of evil were prepared for a specific period, for the hour of temptation and the day of judgment (es Tηy wpay ka es y nuepay, Matthæus), for a period in the language of this prophecy, described as both a month, and a year (enavrov): the Jewish month being thirty days, and the Jewish year being 360 days,

forth