a state.

ed by both extremes. 6. The tenor of the Gospel is fitted to people in a suffering state; 7. And the graces of God in a believer are mostly suited to such 8. Christians must imitate Christ, and suffer with him before they reign with him. 9. Observation of God's dealing hitherto with his Church in all ages confirms me, and the disappointment of such as have dreamed of glorious times. It was such dreams as infatuated, among others, our English fanatics, who seemed determined to set up Christ in his kingdom whether he would or not. Many of the German Protestants once expected the golden age; but in a very short time, either the death of some of their princely supporters, or war, or backslidings, exposed all their expectations to scorn,and laid them lower than before.

I do not lay so great stress upon the external modes of religion, as many young professors do. I have suspected, that this is from a cooling of my former zeal; but I find that judgment and charity are the causes of it,

as far as I can discover. I cannot be so narrow in my principles of church communion as many are, who are, for instance, so much for a liturgy, or so much against it, that they can agree with no church that is not of their mind. I am less regardful of the approbation of man, and set much lighter by contempt or applause, than I did once. I am oft suspicious that this is not only from the increase of self denial and humility, but partly from my being surfeited with human applause; and all worldly things appear most unsatisfactory when we have tried them most. But though I feel that this has some hand in the effect, yet, as far as I can perceive, the knowledge of man's nothingness, and God's transcendant greatness, with whom it is that I have most to do, and the sense of the brevity of human things, and the nearness of eternity, are the principal causes of this effect; which some have imputed to self conceit and mo

roseness.

(To be continued.)

IX. A Dissertation on the Prophecies relative to Antichrist and the Last Times; exhibiting the rise, character, and overthrow of that terrible power: and a Treatise on the seven Apocalyptic Vials. By ETHAN SMITH, A. M. Pastor of the church in Hopkinton, N. H. 8vo. pp. 380. Samuel T. Armstrong, Charlestown.

1811.

THE value of the Prophecies contained in the Scriptures is universally acknowledged by professed Christians,when these prophecies are considered as affording evidence of the truth of Revelation, and instructive views of the Divine dispensations towards mankind. But when regarded as the means of present warning the and consolation, and ground of future hopes, there.

as

has not been the same harmony of opinion respecting them. Some have described them as being too unintelligible in their meaning, and too uncertain in their application, to be made the foundation of any definite scheme, or system, till after they shall have been manifestly accomplished; while others have applied them to particular persons and events, with an inconsiderateness, and peremptoriness of manner, which could not fail to dis gust every serious reader, who wished to see evidence before he yielded assent. Mr. Smith in a short preface to the work before us, has briefly stated some reasons why the prophecies should receive the attention of Christians. As these reasons are judiciously derived from the Scriptures, they are, in our view unanswerable. Those who speak lightly of any attempts to understand the prophecies, and even ridicule the labor employed in these attempts, ought to beware how they involve such men as Sir Isaac Newton, Mr. Mede, Bishop Newton, and Bishop Horsley, in the condemnation of having spent their time and talents in unprofitable studies. Indeed, the injunctions of the inspired writers themselves, interspersed as they are with the prophecies, make it the duty of readers to understand. And though the full import of the Divine declarations, whether prophetical or not, will never, perhaps, be understood in this world; still, such a knowledge of the future prospects of the Church may doubtless be gained, as will afford much support, encouragement, and even triumph, to the children of God. Mr. S.

argues that the present unparalleled state of the world cannot be supposed to have been left undescribed by the prophets. His reasoning on this point is contained in the following sentences:

"The Church of Christ has been

premonished respecting most of the signal events, in which she was to be much interested, in every age. In this the care and kindness of her divine Lord have ever appeared. And he has graciously so ordered, that his people should be led to form essentially correct views of the fulfilment of those

premonitions. Shall the great events of this period of the world then be an exception to this general rule? Shall the events of our days, more interesting than any events of former ages, and which for more than twenty years have been alarming the world and demonstrating the commencement of a new and important era, be supposed to be veiled in impenetrable mystery? It cannot be probable!" p. xi.

Mr. S. acknowledges himself to be 'indebted to Mr. Faber for the conviction, that the prophecies concerning Antichrist, instead of being exclusively applicable to the Romish hierarchy, designate an Atheistical power of later date; for finding a prediction of this power in Daniel xi, 36, and onward; and for finding a fulfilment of this prediction in the French nation." But he thinks there are 'striking traits of character in this prophecy, and in various others, overlooked, or misapprehended, by this celebrated author. At the close of the preface the following note is subjoined.

"Since writing this Disserta. tion, Mr. Faber's last volume, that

upon the Restoration of the Jews, has made its appearance. Upon the perusal of which, I have been strengthened in finding so many of my

opinions accord with his upon this point. His scheme relative to Ezekiel's Gog, I think incorrect, and have assigned my reasons in a section inserted for the purpose." p. xiv.

The subject of Mr. Smith's first chapter, and the foundation of his work, is thus described: "We are taught in the prophetic parts of the sacred Scriptures, to expect the rise of a terrible atheistical Power, and a vast influence of Infidelity in the last days, or just before the Millennium." Upon this subject he enters without any such tedious preparation, as is too often found in books of this kind. A few preliminary remarks on Daniel x, and xi, constitute the first section. Two things which demand particular notice, among these remarks, are the declarations of the angel to the prophet, that the vision is for many days, and that it respects the latter days; indicating a remote accomplishment; and that the subject of this revelation was, at that time, noted in the Scripture of truth, Daniel x, 14, 21. These two distinctive marks fix the fulfilment, as Mr.S. supposes, to the times immediately preceding the Millennium. According to the interpretation here given of Dan.xi,the passage from the 21st to the 35th verses, inclusive, describes Antiochus, the great persecutor of the Jewish church and the type of Antichrist; and the remaining part of the chapter is an exact and chronological prophecy of the rise, progress, influence, and final destruction of this great Atheistical power of the last days. The principal difference between our author and Mr. Faber, with respect to this chapter, arises from the interpretation given by the latter VOL. IV. New Series.

to the five verses included by the 31st and 35th. He considers the 31st verse, 'as predicting the desolation of Jerusalem by the Romans; the 32nd and 33d as describing the persecutions of the primitive Christians; the 24th as relating to the conversion of the Roman empire under Constantine; and the 35th as relating to the Papal persecutions, especially that which took place at the Reformation.'* But Mr. S. considers these five verses, as well as the preceding ten, as referring chronologically and exactly to Antiochus; from whom the prophet proceeds, in verse 36th, &c., to describe the antitype, the great Infidel power of the last days. In support of this scheme the great argument is, that the

connexion between the 31st verse and the preceding verses, is intimate and inseparable. This verse begins thus: And arms shall stand on his part. On whose part? Manifestly on the part of him, who is the continued subject of the ten preceding verses. We see not how this argument can be easily evaded. Mr. S. and Mr. Faber are agreed in applying the last ten verses of the chapter to Antichrist. We should be pleased to see the attention of expositors of this chapter directed to the point of the introduction of a new person in the 36th verse. that we see any great reason to doubt the correctness of Mr. Smith's construction of the passage; but because the whole sense of this interesting part of Daniel's prophecy depends upon giving a right interpretation to

Not

Fab. on the Proph. vol. i. p. 225; Boston Ed. 1808.

the person, or power, intended by the wilful king, who is to be so conspicuous an adversary to the cause of God.

We will give a brief abstract of Mr. Smith's exposition of the ten last verses of Dan. xi; which forms his second section. Our readers will please to turn to the passage in their Bibles, while they read this abstract.

Ver. 36. That here is a change of character, or a new subject introduced, is universally acknowledged. What follows this introduction the Angel had it principally in view to reveal; and the events here disclosed were to take place just at the time of the end. By a king, in the language of prophecy, is intended a civil government, whether monarchical or republican, and not an individual person. In this verse, we are presented with a great Atheistical power, which, in its commencement, is to be anarchical; raised up to be an instrument of the Divine indignation, and to prosper till that work of judgment shall be accomplished. His licentiousness appears first; he shall do according to his will; his anarchy next follows; and he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, i. e. above every legitimate ruler; and thirdly his Atheism; and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods. A train of astonishing successes shall attend his arms, till the work of judgment, for which he is raised up, shall be accomplished.

Ver. 37. By the desire of women Mr. S., with Mr. Faber, understands the Messiah; who was greatly desired by the Jewish women, and who is called, by another prophet, the desire of all

nations.* Our author is greatly confirmed in this interpretation, as it is so perfectly accords with the character of Antichrist, in the New Testament.

.

Ver. 38. By the god of forces, or, as it may be rendered, godsprotectors, Mr. S. appears to be in doubt whether we are to understand popular deities, or military preparations. The original word has exercised the ingenuity of Bishop Newton, Mr. Faber, and others. In the latter part of this verse, though the wilful king had rejected the god of his fathers, and all gods, yet he afterwards acknowledges a god, or ruler, of foreign descent, and honors him with the greatest magnificence

Ver. 39. With this strange god, or foreigner elevated into an uncontrolled monarch, he shall overrun powerful nations; and shall distribute kingdoms for his own aggrandizement. In a note on the word translated guin, Mr. S. has a useful criticism in addition to what is said by Mr. Faber. He says; "The radical idea of the word is to exchange." Thus interpreted, the wilful king, as Mr. Faber calls him, that is, the dominant Antichristian power, is here said to divide his conquests in exchange for homage and aid. From Mr. Smith's scheme it appears, that this prophecy has been accomplished in the French revolution, and in the events which have since taken place; and that the predictions, in the subsequent verses, remain to be fulfilled.

Ver. 40. When the end of the 1260 years of the depressed state

See Fab. i. 228.

of the Church shall be near, new troubles will assail this dominant power by means of the king of the south and the king of the north. 'The issue will be, that he will prevail against this coalition; this coalition; will pass into Asia, and subvert the Ottoman Empire.

Ver. 41-43. Great success will attend his arms in this Eastern expedition. He will advance through Palestine, and compel all the neighboring Turkish provinces to submit; thence he will proceed into Egypt, leaving Arabia on his left, and conquer all the adjacent parts of Africa.

Ver. 44, 45. The tidings here referred to will probably respect the conversion and return of the ancient people of God. The Infidel power will be enraged at this; and will march with the utmost fury into Palestine, where he will experience a final overthrow, at Armageddon.

These two expeditions into Palestine are considered by Mr. S. as succeeding each other after a short interval, and as fulfilling the judgments predicted under the sixth and seventh vials.

It will probably be expected of us, that we present our readers with a specimen of the work before us. For this purpose we have selected a short section, (the third,) which is entitled, "Antichrist another power beside the Papal hierarchy."

dreadful degree. It was the little blasphemous horn of the Roman beast, into whose hands the saints were to be delivered for 1260 years.* It was the apostasy predicted by the Apostle Paul, when he said, that some in the latter days should depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. It was the second beast in Rev. xiii, 11, which rose out of the earth; which had two horns like a lamb; but which spake like a dragon. It is the woman in Rev. xvii, 3; the Mystery, Babylon the great, the Mother of harlots, and abom inations of the earth. But the Papal hierarchy was not the only, or last, power predicted to be raised up in judgment to the wicked world, as too many have seemed to imagine. A Power was to be raised up for the execution of judgment on the wicked nations, to destroy that Mother of harlots, to hate her, and to burn her with fire. Surely this terrible Power was to be subsequent to the reign of Popery; and distinct from Popery. The characteristics of this new power, or Antichrist, are such were never applicable to Popery. The Romish hierarch never denied the Father, or the Son; did not deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. The Pope professed the highest veneration for God, and Christ, and the Christian Religion. And though his profession was hypocritical; yet it having been uniform from the beginning, and thus constituting a characteristic, it evinced that he was not the Antichrist of the last times. For it is the essential characteristic of the latter, that he denies the Father and the Son; denies that

as