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in the Scriptures, of which he instances several examples; but particular stress is laid upon the 490 years of Daniel, calculated from the going forth of the decree to the time of our Lord's death, and which he states to have been 489 years and 14 days. The accurateness of this statement he supports by the remarkable testimony of Ferguson the astronomer, who in regard to the disputed period of the death of our Lord has shewn, that it must have taken place on the 3d April, 4746, of the Julian period; that being the only year in which a passover full moon could have fallen on a Friday for several years before or after the whole period embraced in the controversy.c

1260 years thus calculated from the edict of Justinian will "lead us down (says our Author) precisely to the period of the French Revolution;" when, according to the almost unanimous voice of all commentators of our own times, the judgement of Daniel began to sit, and the seventh trumpet sounded.d And as Mr. Faber, and others after him, consider the three and a half times as the moiety of seven times,which is the perfect number of Scripture, and supposed to be the period specially meant by the times of the Gentiles' domination over Israel,it is remarkable, that 1260 years, reckoned backwards from the decree of Justinian, brings us to the year before Christ in which the captivity of Israel commenced.

In the last chapter of Daniel this chief prophetical period is so reiterated, as to have attached to it two additional periods, the one of thirty years, the other of forty five years, making in the whole 1335 years. (vv. 11, 12.) It has been It has been latterly supposed, that the thirty

c Ibid. preface p. viii, x.

years is to constitute a period of judgement in the way of warning on the apostate empire, and also a time during which the elect remnant is to be called out: and that in the latter period is to take place the restoration of Israel, the battle of Armageddon, the advent of Jesus, and the resurrection of the saints. Thus Mr. Cuninghame shews, that unprecedented wars and convulsions have agitated the states of Europe during the former period, the principles of which are still ripening towards a more awful crisis of judgement. And he considers also, that the whole of the seven vials began to be poured out in 1792; and that their effusion is now rapidly going forward. On the other hand he demonstrates that the great preaching of the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles commenced also contemporaneously, by the formation of the Baptist Missionary Society in 1792, and the astonishing succession and gigantic efforts of successive evangelical institutions, which have since arisen in Great Britain, America, and various other parts.e

The termination of this period in 1822 he considers to be marked, first, politically by the Greek insurrection, which then assumed such a form of organization that the Greeks distinguish it as the first year of their independence. The events which have flowed from it are a marked progress in the drying up of the mystic Euphrates; and the appearance on the prophetic theatre, one and the and the same time, of the whole four empires of Daniel viz. Babylon, (now identified with Turkey,) Persia, Greece and Rome. Thus the gold, silver, brass, iron and clay are found in contemporaneous existence ready for the stroke

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ON MISSIONARY EXERTIONS.

(From an American Paper.) Christianity has been making progress in the world about 1800 years, and we have no reason to believe that more than ten millions, or one eightieth part, of the inhabitants of the world are true believers in Christ. Let real conversions go on at this rate, and the whole world will be converted to God in 80 times 1800, or 144,000 years. Perhaps, however, this is not a fair computation. Perhaps we ought to count the ten millions as the progress made since the time of Luther, when pure christianity was revived. Say, then, that one eightieth part of the world has been converted in 300 years: at this rate, piety would pervade the earth in 24,000 years. Supposing the population of the earth to continue during this period the same as at present, and to change once in thirty years, and the progress of conversions to be uniform during the whole period; the number who would

die unconverted would be about three hundred and sixteen thousand millions! If any can reconcile their belief and their feelings to such a prospect, we have not another word to say to them. From these calculations it will be evident to all whom it is of any use to address, that the work of conversion is to go on, at no very distant day, with a power, and rapidity, and continuousness, which few Christians of this age have ever thought of as possible. Scenes like those of the apostolic age, when thousands were converted at the hearing of one sermon, are then to be witnessed. Our old notions on this subject are to be broken up, and we must learn to " expect great things, and attempt great things." When shall this be shall this be?—Why not now?”

ON THE SAME;

(From "An Inquiry after Prophetical Truth, &c." by Joseph Tyso.)

Some persons suppose the world will be evangelized by the ordinary

means of preaching the gospel only; therefore they see no necessity for these prophetic wonders. Others, who think it will be effected by the personal appearance of Jesus Christ, and the pouring out of the Spirit upon all flesh, conclude that missions to the heathen are almost useless, therefore they refuse to labour in the missionary cause, and to aid those who do. This, in my opinion, is holding the truth in unrighteousness. For though it be true that the world will be converted by a special effusion of the Spirit, yet it is equally true that the gospel should be preached to all nations for the obedience of faith. Rom. i, 5; vi, 26. Therefore all Christians should unite their energies to fulfil the high command of their risen Lord, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." Mark xvi, 15. This is a glorious work, in which every one should assist ; happy is that servant whom, when his Lord cometh, he shall find so doing."

But there are many Missionary Societies in active operation; yet infidelity is increasing. There is a Reformation Society in England; yet popery is increasing in several counties. There are Societies for the suppression of vice; yet crime is increasing though, in some places, evangelical piety is also increasing. The world is supposed to contain eight hundred millions of human beings, which die, and are renewed by their offspring, three times in every century; so that all converts die in about thirtyfive years and as all children are born unregenerate, the same work of conversion is to be done over again every thirty years. With the present rate of operation and suc

from the least even to the greatest.' How disheartening the prospect, according to human calculation, and the use of present means! But the prophecies cheer the drooping heart; for though the Jews be small and despised, and Christians weak and feeble, yet Christ will come and increase and bless them. Thus saith the Lord, "A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation, I the Lord will hasten it in his time." Isa. lx, 22. Then a nation shall be born at once. Isa. lxvi, 8. As soon as Zion travailed she brought forth. Then the prolific mother will make the astonished inquiry, Who hath begotten me these?" Isa. xlix, 21. The language of the New Testament is equally decisive, For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Rom. ix, 28." (p. 212.)

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(Communicated by W. G. I.)

Mr. Mede has in my opinion excelled all who have written on 'the Revelation; which has often 'made me think of what an aged gentleman many years since informed me: viz. that when he was a student in the university of Cambridge, it being known that Mr. 'Mede was studying the Revelation, the Puritans of those days (as good men were then honorably nicknamed) in their private meet

cess, it would take more than ONEings used to pray much for him, HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND that the Lord would discover to

YEARS to bring about that state

when all shall know the Lord,

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A FEW PRACTICAL THOUGHTS, suggested by the CHARACTER OF THE PRESENT TIMES, and affectionately submitted to plain members of the Church of Christ. By the REV. M. VINCENT, M. A. When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke xxi, 28. London, Seeley: Nisbet.

AN ADDRESS delivered at the conclusion of a meeting assembled for the purpose of considering the subject of UNFULFILLED PROPHECY, by the REV. R. DALY, M.A. Rector of Powerscourt. London, Seeley; Nisbet.

A MAP OF CANAAN, OR THE Land of PROMISE; designed chiefly to shew the manner in which it is to be divided at the final restoration of Judah and Israel to their inheritance, as foretold by the Prophet

Ezekiel, chaps. xlv-xlviii. With Explanatory Observations. By R. PALMER. London, Nisbet. 5s. 6d. in a case. 7s. on a roller.

THE EXPECTATIONS formed by the ASSYRIANS, that a GREAT DELIVERER Would appear, about the Time of our Lord's Advent, demonstrated. By the REV. F. NOLAN, L.L.D. F.R.L.S. 8vo. 10s. London, T. and W. Boone.

HISTORY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA, their Rise, Progress, and Decline: with notices of the Churches of Tralles, Magnesia, Colosse, Hierapolis, Lyons, and Vienne; designed to show the fulfilment of Scripture Prophecy. By the REV. T. MILNER, A. M. 8vo. price 12s. London, Holdsworth and Ball, St. Paul's Church Yard.

THE TRUE CAUSE of the prevalence of PESTILENCE, and other JUDGEMENTS OF GOD; with the divinely appointed means of Deliverance and Safety. Lev. xxvi, 21. Lev. xxvi, 21. 2 Chron. vii, 13, 14. By JAMES A. Begg. Paisley, Gardner; London, Nisbet. 12mo. Pp. 48. 6d.

[The above Tract is written under peculiar circumstances; the Cholera having committed great ravages in the town in which the Author resides, many related to him by the ties of nature and of grace having been suddenly taken off by it, and he himself attacked. These awful realities, being about the writer, not only communicate a raciness to all his sentiments; but the Reader will find the subject generally treated with a force and perspicuity which render it a most useful and edifying little work. ED.]

ORIGINAL NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE.-BY H.

CHAPTER iv.

This chapter begins the 3d series of John's visions, those which properly form the prophetic history of events subsequent to his day.-The first words denote a fresh vision

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AFTER this, I looked." The scene too is totally changed. Hitherto his eye had beheld, first, the glorious anticipatory manifestation of Christ Jesus; secondly, the things which concerned the seven churches under his own particular jurisdiction: now, thirdly, he “ beheld a door opened in heaven;" because the events of futurity, though relating to things on earth, can be displayed only in and from that spiritual state where time has no being, and where the whole succession of events is viewed at once. Perhaps a familiar illustration will be excused.-One who stands in a valley when an army passes through a defile perceives it only as each person successively comes forth; but he who looks from the mountain's the mountain's brow beholds the whole army at once in the defile and in the valley, and has a bird's eye view of all the objects and scenery beneath him;of the army likewise advancing to oppose, and of the various positions which each may seize. Thus on earth we can conceive of localities and events only in succession, one by one; whence the chief impediment to our apprehension of the scheme of prophecy for the divine teacher has to return frequently to the same point, and recommence

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his delineation in each separate point of view; and after each has been presented, and in a measure apprehended, we must be "in the Spirit" to grasp the particulars in their grand combination.

John was however called up to the Mount of vision, to behold the entire scene and the complete action of the prophecy, being "in the Spirit on the Lord's day." May the same gracious Lord guide us into all the truth concerning this revelation! for "only in His light can we see light."

v. 2. John "was immediately in the Spirit:" whether in the body or out of the body he could no more tell than Paul; but, like him, he was caught up to the third heaven, and heard unspeakable words: for "the first voice was as it were of a trumpet talking with him;" but of that celestial colloquy we are only told of the call into his presence and of his promise, in coincidence with Rev. i, 1 and 10, to show him things which must be hereafter; a coincidence that reveals the speaker to be Jesus Christ. Only "the

Son of man, who is in heaven, can show things to come; and that only to those who are in the Spirit, for the carnal mind cannot discern them.* Probably Paul had similar visions and revelations ;a though for him it was not lawful to reveal them, except by such allusions as Heb. xii, 22, &c. Heb. xii, 22, &c. But John was commanded to reveal them; so far as words can convey the idea of

* In this we see the distinct ministration of the two Persons. Jesus reveals what the Spirit enables the soul to apprehend.

a 2 Cor. xii.

Investigator, No. XI.

2 W

June, 1832.

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