PREFACE. HE volume now presented to the Christian public, consists ΤΗ as will be observed, of four parts: the first is commended to the candid consideration of those who have not yet received the truth of the premillennial advent of our Lord Jesus Christ; the second and third take that truth as proved and granted, and address themselves especially to those who, holding premillennial views, are still looking for the manifestation of Antichrist, prior to the visible advent of Christ, those who adopt a literal interpretation of the Apocalyptic prophecies, including their chronological features-in other words, to the futurist school of prophetic interpreters. The fourth and last part, which consists of an investigation into the system of times and seasons presented in the word and works of God, contains not a few original observations and discoveries, which, if the author mistakes not, throw fresh light on the whole subject of Scripture prophecy, and which he thinks will be found of interest to all students of the prophetic word, as well as, he trusts to all lovers of the Bible. Perhaps, he cannot better introduce the book to the reader, than by giving a brief outline of its history. Imbued by education with the ordinary view, that a gradual improvement in the present state of things was to be expected till all the world should be converted, and a spiritual kingdom of God be universally established on earth, and that no return |