idea. If the last woe trumpet included the seven vials, and if the sixth be now running, which I believe no intelligent man will deny, considering the present state of the Ottoman empire, with a regard unto the Greeks, &c. and if all of these vials have been poured out in about thirty years, how can it appear consistent that the seventh vial will not even begin to run until after the expiration of more than 40 years from this time, which would be a longer delay of time than all the other six have been running in; after which another space, as long or longer, will pass before the pouring out of the last vial will be accomplished. This does not appear probable, nor agreeable to scripture; for it is worthy of remark, that after the pouring out of the sixth vial, Christ reminds us to watch; for, says he, Behold I come as a thief: that is, as if he were suddenly and unexpectedly coming. Mr. Faber says, with reference to Revelations xvii. 8, "From comparing this passage with St. John's assertion, that he saw the beast rise out of the sea, and that having thus arisen, he was to possess power forty-two months; it will be manifest that the second period of the beast's existence begins with, terminates with, and is therefore exactly commensurate with, the 1260 years of the great Apostacy.* Now I cannot possibly conceive how he is consistent with himself to say, after all this, that the existence of the beast is exactly commensurate with the 1260 years apostacy; and yet, that he will exist 30 years after the 1260 years shall have expired. The difference of opinion between us seems simply this: Mr. Faber and other commentators suppose that the seventh vial will be poured out after the 1260 years. I suppose, that the pouring out of that vial will terminate with the 1260 years. It is evident beyond dispute, that it is the pouring out of this vial, which destroys the beast, and Antichrist, and terminates the judgments of God, preparatory to the Millennium; and that it will be

* Vol. 2, page 89.

poured out, within the 1260 years, it appears to me, Mr. Faber's own remarks, as last quoted, go to prove. Moreover, the events which of late have transpired, with a regard unto the Ottoman empire, as I have once before hinted, and of which a more particular notice will be taken in the fourth section, prove to a demonstration, that the sixth vial has for some time been running; the waters of the great Euphrates seem to be fast drying up, and the end of the false Prophet rapidly approaching.

Why, then, have we not reason to conclude, that the last stroke will soon be struck, which will bring down the devil's kingdom in the world, and that the pouring out of the seventh vial into the air, is even at the doors? Does not the present attitude of Europe indicate it; and may we not suppose, that within about forty years, the words from heaven, at the pouring out of that last vial of God's dreadful wrath, shall be realized-" IT IS DONE." May we remember the words of the Saviour, and watch and keep our garments of salvation, that this terrible scene, if we should live to see it, may not find us naked, and so be exposed to the destruction which will then overtake all the foes of God!

SECTION III.

The Millennium state described.

THIS by some is considered a fruitless undertaking. It is not a little surprising, that even Mr. Faber should be of this opinion, when he has ventured so far with a regard to what he has written, concerning the downfall of Antichrist; many of the particular circumstances of which, he has attempted to delineate, being evidently enveloped in greater obscurity, than the specified nature of the Millennium. That we can now be able to give a complete, full, and particular description of the blessed state of the church and world, in the time of the Millennium, we do not pretend; but that much may be said, by way of inference, from the holy scriptures, pourtraying this happy era, there is not a doubt. Indeed, as the proverb is, we may tell by a little what an abundance will do." If a taste of holiness is now exquisitely delicious, if what little religion that is now in the world, is as the salt of the earth, and produces such blessed effects on the hearts of its undivided possessors, what a heaven below will this world be, when all shall know the Lord; and shall be governed and influenced in all their conduct, by a pure principle of love to God and

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man.

The wide contrast which such a reflection produces from the present state of the world, in its extremely wicked and disordered state, in many respects and particulars, it appears to me, must readily occur to any common capacity, and which, I think, might be exhibited without presumption or arrogancy. There has indeed been a difference of opinion respecting the Millennium state, by those who have attempted to describe it, which has mostly originated in the inter

pretation of the six first verses of the twentieth chapter of Revelations:

"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand.

"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and satan, and bound him a thousand years,

"And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled, and after that he must be loosed a little sea

son.

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God, and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."

Some have interpreted this passage as implying a literal resurrection-they imagine that in the time of the Millennium, Christ shall descend from heaven in his manhood, and that the deceased saints, or at least the martyrs, shall arise from the dead, and reign on earth with the Saviour a thousand years in a perfectly holy state, and this they conceive to be the first resurrection.

Mr. Brown says, that an opinion of this nature, with some variations, obtained not long after the age of the apostles, and has been espoused by a variety of very learned protestants. But that this opinion is

absurd and inconsistent, is evident; for how completely does such an idea contradict many parts of the scriptures? how would it conduce to the happiness of the saints to leave the mansion of bliss above, and come down again into this world, even if things were in a prosperous state, especially when it is considered that they would have to return in bodies not fashioned like unto his most glorious body, but in bodies needing meat and drink. If their bodies are raised spiritual and incorruptible, what comfort could they receive from meat and drink, and all other earthly blessings; such ideas appear to me vague and without the appearance of reason or scripture for their support. It is therefore evident that the passage is to be understood figuratively. From hence we are not to suppose that by the reign of Christ on earth a thousand years, that he will descend from heaven in his human visible nature; but that it signifies his completely overthrowing the kingdom of the devil, and bringing all his enemies into subjection, throughout the world; when the heathen shall be given to him for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession; subduing all hearts to a complete resignation to his will, or in other words, when the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall fill and reign in all hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. The remarks of an able commentator touching this point, I also submit for further illustra tion:

"The souls of them which were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands," living again and reigning with Christ a thousand years, they suppose, is not meant a literal resurrection, or the resurrection of their bodies, which is not asserted here, as there is nothing said of their bodies, or of their being raised to life: But that they shall live again and reign with Christ, in the revival, prosperity, reign and triumph of that cause and

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