the name of Chrift Jefus, and their own finfulaefs; fure this is more than ufual! And though they fpake in a language of which many of us understood but little, yet we that were prefent that day, faw and heard them perform the duties mentioned, with fuch grave and fober countenances, with fuch comely reverence in their gesture, and their whole carriage, and with fuch plenty of tears. flowing down the cheeks of fome of them, as did argue to us, that they fpake with the holy fear of God, and it much affect to fee and hear them confeffing | pare the text now under confider- · ation with the ninth chapter, will it not be evident, that the vifion of the witneffes ended with the preceding paffage? In the conclufion of the eighth chapter, we are informed of an angel flying through the midst of heaven, and denouncing Woe, woe, woe to the inhabiters of the earth-portending the calamitous events which would be inflicted under the three remaining trumpets which were yet to found.-Chapter ix. ver. 1. And the fifth angel founded-Ver. 12. One woe is paft-Ver. 13. And the fixth angel founded: And having detailed the calamities prognofticated by this trumpet, it is remarked, But the rest of the has time to proceed is furprised men repented not-and before he by an extraordinary vifion of a little book and witneffes prophefying in fackclock, which fo captivated his mind that he related it before he gave the fignal, that ed our hearts." (To be continued.) An explanation of the eleventh chap ter of the Revelaton. [Contin. from Vol. III. p. 429.] PART III. F we proceed to confider the of chap. vifion ter, we are next informed by the angel, ver. 14. that The fecond woe is paft, adding, and behold the third woe cometh quickly. Ver. 15. And the feventh angel founded, and there were voices in heaven, faying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Chrift, &c. &c. From the infertion of this declaration, in connection with the preceding fcene, have we not inadvertently imbibed the two following opinions? 1. That they are a continuation of the vifion, or proceed to disclose the fuppofed remaining contents of the little book. 2. That the glorious reign of Chrift on earth will immediately fucceed the flaughter and refurrection of the witneffes. But will not fedate reflection fuggeft that these are real errors? For, 1. If we com was concluded; and having given the theme. If we examine the who began to infeft the world title we find it to be, Woe to the with their delufion and cruelties inhabiters of the earth; but the in the feventh century, and the grand event predicted is, the uni- fecond, of loofing the four angels verfal and glorious reign of Chrift, which were bound by the river involving in it the most important Euphrates, to the Turks, who be and defirable bleffings to mankind. gan their conquefts in the thirHow to reconcile these apparent-teenth, there was a term of more ly difcordant fubjects may be re- than fix hundred years between ally difficult. Is any method them. But let us affix what pemore fatisfactory than to confider riod we may for the commencethe afflictive scenes which confti- ment of the third woe, it is long tute this woe, or are confequent fince the judgments which conftiupon the founding of this trumpet tute it began to be inflicted. But as implied and understood, not ex- what are the calamities comprifpreffed, and only the ultimate iffue ed in this woe? By examining of them exhibited? As if the an- and comparing the vifions of this gel had faid to the apoftle, I prophecy we may probably obhave now described the calami- tain a true answer to this quefties with which the inhabiters tion: And that we may more of the earth fhall be afflicted by clearly poffefs the whole fubject the fecond woe, and should prolet us review the series of the pro'ceed to thofe of the third, but phecy. In the beginning of it thefe (which will be disclosed in the apostle had a vifion of a book future vifions) I fhall not parti- fealed with feven feals, infolding 'cularly specify, and only inform the defigns of the Moft High toyou that they will introduce the ward the church and the world. univerfal and glorious reign of The feals were opened in order Christ' By this, making use of by the lamb. The feventh inthe preceding gloomy fcene as a troduced feven angels with feven fhade to enliven and brighten that trumpets, prepared to found. moft defirable event, the more The three laft are diftinguished by deeply to imprefs and affect the the woes affixed to them. The mind with it. If we now pro- firft is applied to the Saracens, ceed to the woe itself, we first re- the fecond to the Turks. Here mark the obvious difference be- the feries is interrupted by the vitween this and the other as to fion of the Gentiles, and the wittime. At the conclufion of the neffes prophefying in fackcloth. first it is faid, one woe is paft and This being related, the prophecy behold there come two woes more diverts from the locufts and the hereafter. But of this, the fe- angels bound by the river Eucond woe is past, and behold the phrates, to the Gentiles or the third woe cometh quickly; mani-beast and the witnesses. feftly implying, that between the firft and the other a long term of time would elapfe, but that the third would very foon fucceed the fecond. And is not this interpretation fupported by fact? If the first woe of the locufts be rightly applied to the Saracens, We may call this vifion, in connection with those which follow, the contents of the chapter, the preface to the fubject, or the prologue to the tragedy. The twelfth chapter introduces the actors upon the ftage; the thirteenth describes the beaft, with his tyranny and they relate to fubjects very remote from us, and their effects long fince fubfided. But the fifth poured out his vial upon the feat, or throne of the beaft, fignifying that however the other vials might affect his more remote, or extreme parts, this seized his vitals and would be deadly in its operation. This vial, it is fuppofed, was poured out at the reformation from popery. If it was in the events of that period, the vifion of the refurrection and afcent of the witneffes, with the earthquake which fhook the city to pieces, and that of this vial, unite and coincide. When this vial was poured upon the throne of the beaft, his kingdom was full of darknefs, and they gnawed their tongues with pain. Could a limner with his pencil and his ob perfecution; and the fourteenth the witneffes prophecying in fackcloth, or remonftrating againft them. We then have the feventh trumpet and the third woe. This has peculiar respect to the beaft, and falls with infupportable weight upon antichrift himself. Of the calamities involved in this woe it is fuppofed the fifteenth chapter is an introductory vifion, the fixteenth and fubfequent chapters a full defcription. We may accordingly confider the prefent paffage as a fummary of thofe chapters. For though it be not particularly fignified that the feven angels with their feven vials were introduced by the feventh trumpet, yet this is evidently according to the series of the prophecy, and exhibits a pleafing uniformity throughout the whole. So we have the book fealed with feven feals.ject before him, have taken its The opening of the feventh pro- likeness with greater exactness duced feven angels with feven than this vifion reprefents the eftrumpets; and the founding of fects of this vial at the reformathe feventh introduces feven an- tion? Then God began to draw gels with feven vials; and the fev- near to him in judgment, and to enth vial finishes this myftery of afflict him with incurable plagues. God. In thefe vials therefore we That so many and fuch able refhall find the judgments brought formers, patronized by powerful upon the earth by this trumpet. princes, fhould expofe and remon This awful scene opens chap. xv. ftrate against his impious ufurpav. 1. And I beheld another fign in tions and corruptions, his pride, heaven, great and marvellous, fev avarice and cruelty, with fuch foren angels having the feven laft titude, frankness and zeal, muft plagues, for in them is filled up the have given him a terrible fhock, wrath of God. A direction is and filled him with mighty congiven to the angels, chap. xvi. v. fternation! How gloomy the af1. Go your ways and pour out pect of this upon his refpectabiyour vials; the firft poured his lity, his revenues and his influvial upon the earth, the fecond ence ? Well might he doubt with poured his vial upon the fea, the fear and trembling, as did his third upon the rivers and foun- predeceffors, whereunto this would tains, and the fourth poured his grow-gnafhing his teeth with vial upon the fun. What thefe chagrin and rage, and gnawing vials imported, or what evils were his tongue with pain. Verse 12. brought upon the earth confe- And the fixth angel poured his vial quent upon them, it is not very upon the great river Euphrates interefting for us to know, as and the water thereof was dried up, pre kings of the earth hating the whore and making her defolate and naked, by plundering her territories of their pomp and wealth; and eating her flesh, by emptying her coffers of their treasures and and jewels?-How pertinent to this fubject, (to which they probably are to be ultimately applied) are the words of the prophet?* How hath the oppreffor ceafed ! The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked-he who fmote the peo ple in wrath is perfecuted and none bindereth--The fir trees rejoice at thee, faying, fince thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee-it flirreth the dead for theeAll they shall speak and say unto thee, art thou become weak as we, art thou become like unto us-How art thou fallen, O Lucifer-they that fee thee fhall narrowly look upon that the way of the kings of the eaft might be prepared. The city of Babylon and the captivity of God's ancient people in it, in this book, are frequently referred to as a type to denote antichrift and his perfecutions, and the fufferings of the church from them. The river Euphrates was the great natural barrier of this city, and peculiarly obftructed the progrefs of its enemies against it; and was alfo the grand channel of conveying its fupplies. By the drying up of this river, the way was pared for Cyrus and his princes, the kings of the east, to deftroy this city, and fet at liberty God's chofen people. To that great event there is an evident allufion in this paffage. The Euphrates of ancient Babylon is a lively figure to represent those streams of wealth and power, which are the great defence and ftrength of anti-thee and confider thee, faying, Is chrift. By the drying up of thefe, antichrift will be expofed to deftruction by Chrift and the inftruments used in his providence. And is it not evident from the prefent ftate of antichriftianifm that this vial has been poured out almost to its very bottom? The fifth vial fhook the throne of the beaft to its very centre. But the fpecial effect of the fixth in the vifion, was the deftruction of his wealth and power. And how greatly are the fources of them diminished and reduced? It is long fince he refigned many of his claims and prerogatives. It is long fince he abandoned many of thofe artifices by which he replenifhed his coffers. Have we not indeed fçen that very character, whofe menaces once filled kings and emperors with terror and difmay, fleeing for his life, going into exile, and fupported by royal bounty! Have we not feen the VOL. IV. No. 1. this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms By this diminution of the opulence and power of the beaft, the way is rapidly preparing for his complete and final deftruction. But another scene is opened under this vial which demands particular confideration. Ver. 13, 14. faw three unclean Spirits, like frogs, come out of the mouth of the dragon, and cut of the mouth of the beaft, and out of the mouth of the false prophet-for they are the Spirits of devils which go out unto the kings of the earth, and the whole world to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Satan, perceiving that his king dom and influence in antichrift are drawing to a clofe, and defpairing of fuccefs by artifice and intrigue, inflated with malice and refentment, now makes a violent * Ifaiah xiv. 4-16. the church, in his government of the world, making fignal displays of his power and grace for the defence of his own caufe, to difconcert the devices of his grand adversary, and render all his defigns abortive. Thefe events defcribe to us clearly the period in which we live, in the laft part of the fixth vial, and how near the end of it we know not. Should not this fill us with high expectation for the approaching event-the pouring out of the feventh vial, which will conclude this scene of woe and wonder, and introduce the latter day glory of the church! effort, waging open war with | We fee alfo the king and head of heaven. To obtain fuccefs in this enterprise, he diffuses the impious and profane fpirit of atheism and infidelity, inftigating the kings of the earth, &c. to deny the exiftence and government of God, to extirpate the religion of Chrift; by this to extricate themselves from the control of the one, and the restraints of the other, that they may walk in the way of their hearts without remorfe and with out fear. That this vifion of the unclean fpirits like frogs, denotes the profane fpirit of infidelity which now rages in Europe, and is diffeminated through the nations of the earth, hath been demonftrated, I fuppofe, to the entire fatisfaction of the public, by a very learned and elegant pen.t With the vifion of the fixth vial drying up the river Euphrates, exhaufting the wealth and diminishing the power of antichrift, and that of the unclean fpirits like frogs, denoting the impure fpirit of atheism and impiety, with the events of the prefent times before our eyes, are we not filled with amazement at the coincidence between this prediction and its fulfilment ? Satan, having formed the horrid defign of affailing heaven, and compelling Chrift to abdicate his throne, now ftimulates the nations by thefe impure fpirits, to unite in the nefarious plot. We fee his emiffaries every where, compaffing fea and land to make profelytes, enlifting troops, marfhalling their army, and challenging heaven to the combat. To what.fevere conflicts does and will, this call the witneffes? and to what arduous exertions to refift the horrid combination ? It may be proper to remark, that as the little book defcribés the witneffes in fackcloth, or the afflicted ftate of the church, and fays very little of the rife, progrefs and power of the beast, `but these are to be conceived by implication; fo when the fcene changes and the remaining part of the chapter, by anticipation, defcribes the profperity of the church, or the glory of Chrift's kingdom, the depreffion of the beaft is not expreffed, but implied and understood. divine judgments upon him are detailed in fubfequent visions, the trials of the witneffes are paffed in filence--but if we confider how great his humiliation, eventually produced by their teftimony, we may naturally conceive how exafperated his feelings toward them would be, and the evils they would fuffer from his vengeance and intrigue-and the fevere trials of their fortitude and patience must fenfibly exercife and affect our minds. So when the We have now come to the feventh vial. This was poured into + See Dr. Dwight's independence the air, the feat of Satan's king fermon, July fourth. dom, by which we may confe |