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seventh opened roll, or volume, or book, which, compared with the six former ones, is a very small one, we must recollect where the last, or sixth seal, as above described, left us. It left us with the church translated to heaven before the throne of God, as a deliverance from the overwhelming misery and ruin that were coming upon the world. The opening of this seal, therefore, must be some new position or epoch in the empire, which we may suppose to arise from the most fearful apprehensions of the coming vengeance and ruin,-an epoch which will be characterized by an entire cessation from action, for this the word "silence," used as a symbol, signifiesa cessation something like what we should designate a state of paralysis-an awful pause in the immediate and certain prospect of utter and overwhelming ruin. It will be a pause, a solemn pause the nations awaiting in anxious and tremulous suspense the blow that is to cause their extinction, the extinction of the ten-kingdomed Roman empireand with that, that of the great image of Daniel, the last of the Gentile monarchies of the world!

The "Seals" therefore, or any act or new order of things having the seals of empire, must, with this act of" silence," be closed for ever; and another series of events which we shall now proceed to trace from its beginning, and bring up to this point of time, will carry on the short remainder of the history to millennial blessedness, or the establishment of the kingdom of Christ.

I would conclude this part of the Book of the Revelation with one or two general observations.

1. How near and intimate the heavenly world has been brought to our view and recognition!

2. How intimately the church in heaven appears to be acquainted with the concerns of the church on earth!

This appears from the Apostle having been summoned by the whole body of the general assembly and church of the first-born in heaven, to "come and see;" by the martyrs under the fifth seal knowing that vengeance was delayed; and by one of the "elders" giving the information respecting the newlyarrived translated company before the throne! The parts assigned to such characters seem to be most inappropriate, if we suppose them ignorant of what was passing in the world.

3. I would again repeat, that we are brought, by this series of events here detailed, to the near prospect of a great persecution, and to an immediate subsequent national ruin, without the assistance of any prophetical CHRONOLOGY. The very general objection therefore, which on this score is made to the study of this subject, does not apply here, any more than in the historical narrative of Daniel's last vision, in the latter part of his eleventh chapter. * From both, we perceive that a certain period of quietness is to be enjoyed, after the commotions, wars, and changes occasioned by the

* Diss. ch. xiii. p. 344.

French Revolution, previous to their renewal in the most dreadful forms, which period of peace has already run on for five-and-twenty years. It does not appear, from the aspect of things, that it can last much longer; and therefore, as far as this consideration can give them weight, so far the chronological conclusions of my former work are strengthened and confirmed. But much greater proof awaits us, as we shall proceed with the explanation of the other lines of this prophecy; and with those other clearer and more distinct signs of the times, with which they abound, as they draw near to their termination.

CHAPTER VII.

THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD UPON THE

ROMAN EMPIRE;

PARTICULARLY

UPON THE WESTERN EMPIRE,

BY THE

TERRIBLE INVASIONS OF THE GOTHS, VANDALS, HUNS, AND OTHER BARBARIANS.

THE FOUR FIRST TRUMPETS.

New Series of Events—Judgments for Sin-Explanation of the Master Symbol-Prayers of the Righteous heard-Infliction of horrid Wars-Connection of the first four Trumpets—They are all Symbolical-The third part, meaning of-Barbarous Nations-Destruction they caused— Unanimity of Commentators respecting the Interpretation of the Trumpets - First Trumpet, the Invasions of Alaric king of the Goths, and others -Second Trumpet, those of Attila king of the Huns-Third Trumpet, the devastation of Genseric king of the Vandals Fourth Trumpet, the extinction of the Imperial authority in the West.

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