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is written; we should more confider those paffages which have already been accomplished, than frame conjectures about those which re main yet to be fulfilled, Where the facts may be compared with the predictions, there we have fome clue to guide us thro' the labyrinth: and though it may be difficult to trace out every› minute refemblance, yet there are some strong lines and features, which I think cannot fail of striking every one, who will but impartially and duly examin them.

We should be wanting to the, fubject, and leave our work unfinished, if we fhould omit fo material a part of prophecy. And yet fuch a difquifition is not to be entered upon hastily, but after a diligent perufal of the best authors, both foreign and domestic; and it will be happy, if out of them all there can be formed one entire fyftem, complete and consistent in all its parts. As Sir Ifaac Newton (8) fays, "Amongst "the interpreters of the laft age there is scarce "one of note who hath not made fome dif

covery worth knowing." But our greatest obligations are owing to three particularly, Mr. Mede, Vitringa, and Daubuz. We fhall find reason generally to concur with one or more of them; but as they often differ from one

(8) Sir Ifaac Newton, ibid. p. 253,

another,

(9) Tren,

another, fo we fhall differ fometimes from all the three, and follow other guides, or perhaps no guides at all. What fatisfaction we may give to others, is very uncertain; we shall at leaft have the fatisfaction ourselves of tracing the ways of providence. It is little encouragement to this kind of ftudies to reflect, that two of the most learned men of their times, as well as two of the best interpreters of this book, Mr. Mede and Mr. Daubuz, the one died a fellow of a college, and the other a vicar in Yorkshire. Mr. Mede, as we read in the memoirs of his life, was fo modeft, that he wished for nothing more than a donative or finecure to be added to his fellowship; but even this he could not obtain.

Alas! what boots it with inceffant care
To tend the homely flighted fhepherd's trade,
And ftrictly meditate the thankless Mufe?
Were it not better done as others ufe &c.
Milton's Lycidas.

But however let us proceed, encouraged by that divine benediction, Blessed is he that readeth, and they that bear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein,

CHAP.

TH

CHA P. I.

HE Revelation of Jefus Chrift, which God gave unto him, to fhow unto his fervants things which must shortly come to pafs; and he fent and fignified it by his angel unto his servant John :

2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the teftimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he faw.

3.

Bleffed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and 'keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

The book opens (ver. 1, 2, 3.) with the title or infcription of the book itself; the scope and defign of it, to foretel things which should fhortly begin to be fulfilled, and fucceed in their due feafon and order, till all were accomplifhed; and the bleffing pronounced on him who fhall read and explain it, and on them who fhall hear and attend to it. The diftinction is remarkable of him that readeth, and of them that bear; for books being then in manufcript were in much fewer hands, and it was a much readier way to publish a prophecy or any thing

by

by public reading than by tranfcribing copies. It was too the custom of that age to read all the apoftolical writings in the congregations of the faithful; but now only fome few parts of this book are appointed to be read on certain. feftivals.

4 John to the feven churches, which are in Afia: Grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the feven fpirits which are before his throne;

5 And from Jefus Chrift, who is the faithful witnefs, and the firft-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth: Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our fins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priefts unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold he cometh with clouds; and every eye fhall fee him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth fhall wail because of him: even fo, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, faith the Lord, which is,

and

and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

The apoftle dedicates his book (ver. 4, 5, 6,): to the feven churches of the Lydian or proconfular Afia, wishing them grace and peace from the eternal God as the author and giver; and from the seven spirits, the representatives and minifters of the Holy Ghoft, as the inftruments; and from Jefus Chrift as the mediator, who is mentioned last, because the subsequent discourse more immediately relates to him. To the dedication he subjoins a short and folemn preface (ver. 7, 8.) to show the great authority of the divine perfon, who had commiffioned him to write the Revelation.

9 I John, who alfo am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jefus Christ, was in the ile that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jefus Chrift.

10 I was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the firft and the laft: and, What thou feeft,

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