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age there is scarce one of note, who hath not made some discovery worth knowing; and thence I seem 'to gather that God is about to open these mysteries. The success of others put me upon considering it &c." Now we are decidedly of opinion, that that main revolution to which Newton adverts has now come to pass at least that it has long since commenced; and that the important and awful events connected with it are still transpiring, and are hastening on that great ultimate crisis, when we shall be enabled to say of prophecy—" that which is perfect is come. (1 Cor. xiii, 10.) We refer to the French Revolution of 1792, the remarkable character and effects of which are, by all commentators of any note, considered as fully answering to the description of the Apocalypse.

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older writers on this subject Mede, Newton and Vitringa are entitled to our consideration of the more modern we cannot overlook Woodhouse, Tilloch, Faber, Cuninghame, Frere, Irvine, and some others.

As the work of Sir Isaac Newton is frequently appealed to (from its being the production of a genius, who is presumed to have brought to the study of prophecy the same principles of careful and sober investigation which he applied to the science of astronomy,) and as that Work is now scarce; we had intended first to have given a compendious summary of its contents: but upon further consideration we have thought it better to suspend for a month the continuation of the work of Dr. Homes, and to reprint the whole of Sir Isaac Newton's work in the remainder of this Number. And this we are now enabled to do in the subsequent pages, and without any abridgement, or omission; that which we here present being an exact copy of the quarto edition of his prophetical works.

And though we dare not presume to say of any modern writer on this subject, that his exposition of the book of Revelation is on the whole unobjectionable: yet is it true, in a much greater degree than it was in the days of Sir Isaac Newton, that We shall in our succeeding Numthere is scarce one, who has not made bers take up two or three of the others some discovery of note: many very which we have enumerated; and important features of it are already then we must for the present leave interpreted with a clearness of the remainder, until works upon demonstration, that produces full other portions of the prophetical conviction in unprejudiced minds; Scriptures have been brought before materials for a more correct solution our Readers. of remaining particulars are constantly being added to the common treasury; untenable views are refuted and exploded; while passing events, in the present deeply interesting epoch of the church, are rapidly unfolding its true meaning.

Now we cannot at present undertake to notice every work of eminence on this subject, that has been written: at least not in such a mode as to do justice to them as reviewers, or to present either a summary or analysis of their contents. Of the

We only have finally to observe, that the object of our Reviews will not be merely to give a friendly aid towards the sale of a work: but first it will be, to communicate information concerning the views of the several authors; secondly to point out those things in every treatise, which greatly commend themselves to our own judgement; and thirdly, without presuming to give a better interpretation in their place, to offer friendly strictures on those things, which appear to us objectionable,

144

INTELLIGENCE, &c.

Important facts connected with the changes of the Turkish empire demand insertion in any Register of events connected with Prophecy.

The Turkish power is admitted, by all the most able and judicious expositors, however different their views in other respects, to be to be symbolized by the river EUPHRATES, mentioned in the Book of Revelation. For Turkey, according to some, first had its origin from four small sultanies on the banks of the Eu phrates, (and is therefore represented by four angels bound in that river; Rev, ix, 14;) and it is the Turk, who still has possession of those territories; and who now also treads down the Holy City. The drying up of Euphrates, (xvi, 12,) at the pouring out of the sixth vial, is also, by general concurrence, interpreted of the gradual diminishing and destruction of that power; and it is now the deliberate opinion of most, and indeed has been so for some time, that the recent reverses of that power, and the appalling judgements, endured in its capital and other places, all indicate, that the period of its drying up has arrived. The most marked epoch of the commencement of this weakening is perhaps the breaking out of the Greek insurrection in 1822, which has pretty well severed away that portion of the Turkish dominions. The battle of Navarino, the loss of Algiers, the various defeats sustained from the Russian arms, and cessions of territory have followed since; to which may be added the doubtful allegiance of Egypt, and the evident disaffection of many of the governors of provinces.

The capital of the empire has also experienced a series of remarkable calamities within these three or four years. We instance the horrible massacre of the Janizaries, when the waters of the Bosphorus were for weeks afterwards covered with their floating carcases. Two most destructive fires, which consumed whole districts of the city, besides fires of smaller account. The ravages of the plague, and since then of the cholera morbus.

To these we now add an account recently received of an awful calamity, which visted it so recently as the 5th October. After an uncommon sultry night, a hail storm of a dreadful character followed in the morning. There fell lumps of ice, as large as a man's foot, (first singly, then like a thick shower of stones,) which destroyed every thing with which they came in contact. Some were picked up half an hour afterwards, which weighed above a pound! Animals of all kinds and some human beings were killed by the storm, and innumerable persons and animals wounded. The damage to the houses has been general and remarkable. The lumps of ice broke to atoms all tiles, &c. and like musket balls shattered planks half an inch thick. Every house is unroofed; and since that day (which was five days afterwards, when the account was sent away) the rain has unceasingly poured down in torrents.

The storm passed along the Bosphorus, over Therapia, Bujukden, and Belgrade, and in one day entirely destroyed the vintage, which was just ready.

Printed by Thomas Turvey, Retford, Nottinghamshire.

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TYPICAL PROPHECIES.

No. I.

THE CONSPIRACY OF KORAH, DATHAN, AND ABIRAM.

Mr. Editor,

I have often been struck, when reading the Word of Truth, with the apparent appositeness which exists between several of the histories of the Old Testament, and events, foreannounced by the Spirit of prophecy, to occur at or about the period of the second coming of the Lord Jesus. Perhaps, as your object is the investigation of truth, you may not deem a few remarks on this subject unworthy of insertion in your Magazine. I pray "the Father of Lights to lead us by his Spirit into a right understanding in all things."

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That certain events in the Old Testament histories were intended by Jehovah to shadow forth antitypical occurrences in after times, no one I think can doubt, who is a believer in the declarations of Scripture. Our Lord himself refers more than once in his discourses to the histories of Noah, Lot, Moses, Jonah, &c. 'As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man."a"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. The great Apostle of the Gentiles (or rather the Holy Ghost by him) several times bespeaks our attention to the histories of the nation of Israel, as having a direct application to ourselves; and once dis

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tinctly tells us, that "all these things happened unto them for types, (τvποι συνεβαινον,) and are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the ages are come."c Jude also, in his catholic Epistle, likens the apostacy of the last times to "the way of Cain," "the error of Balaam," and "the gainsaying of Core.d Such is a part of the clear warrant we have in Scripture for considering historical events, which happened by the ordination of God in a former and professedly typical dispensation, as having direct and intended reference to these last times. All Scripture is given by 'inspiration of God and is profitable for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that as men of God we may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."e Search the Scriptures "f is the command of a kind and tender Father, whose every word and work bear testimony that "God is love." How often in the hallowed employment are we constrained, with the enraptured Paul, to lift up our hands and heart in holy admiration while we exclaim,

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O the depth both of the wisdom ' and knowledge of God! how un'searchable are His judgements and

His ways past finding out! · out!-to Him 'be glory for ever! Amen". g There is nothing more sweet than to see the hand of God by gradual unfold

a Luke xvii, 26. b John iii, 14. c1 Cor. x, 11. d Jude 11. e 2 Tim. iii, 16, f John v, 39. 8 Rom. xi, 33.

17.

INVESTIGATOR, No. VI.

T

January 1832.

ings drawing aside the curtain, which hides the future events of the Church and the world,—thus shewing us, as in a picture, a development more or less clear of his purposes hereafter to be accomplished. Prefigurings and illustrations of the divine plan are given with a plainness, and often with a minuteness, which must, when meditated upon, excite our wonder and command our praise. Every step, which the Lord takes in self manifestation "to make for Himself a glorious name,"h bears the impress of his love; which is infinite as his essence, and eternal as his existence. To all our God is gracious-to the world which seeth not, and to the Church which understandeth his mercy. An exhibition is not made of the essential nothingness and vileness of the creature, without shewing forth the glory and perfection of the Creator, in the knowledge of whom is eternal life. "That they may know that I only am Jehovah is the declared purpose of Him that inhabiteth eternity. Alas! that we should be such fools, and so slow of heart to believe alli that our God hath spoken unto us by prophecy and type! As though line upon line and precept upon precept were not sufficient to instruct; as though promise after promise were not sufficient to entice;-as though threatning after threatning, and warning after warning, were not sufficient to alarm ;we have picture after picture, history after history, type after type, judgement mingled with mercy, and often " mercy rejoicing over judgement;" until the mental eye is crowded with images of coming events, thus mercifully for us ing their shadows before." Love, which might be questioned, is made cognizable and palpable by deeds

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h Isaiah lxiii, 14.

of mercy. Long-suffering, which man's presumption might abuse, is proved to end in wrath and indignation, by desolations and judgements. already poured out without mixture in the fierceness of God's anger. The historic testimony of the Book of truth, and the face of nature, scarred with the blasting thunderbolts of Jehovah's vengeance, stand out to our view as a monument, that God will not be mocked. And every typical history the Bible contains should be diligently marked and inwardly digested, if peradventure the Lord may, through it,

make us wise unto salvation."

There is a danger, I am aware, of abusing instead of using the lessons thus given to us for man is apt to run into extremes; and the coldness of utter neglect is sometimes exchanged for the heated zeal of unwise enthusiasm. In this one particular instance, however, I believe, that the Church has erred more by inattention and omission, than by a contrary procedure. "While we

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attempt not to be wise above that which is written, we should attempt, and that most studiously, to be wise up to that which is 'written." Such is the sentiment of a great and justly admired divine, Dr. Chalmers; and in accordance therewith I would humbly enter on this interesting subject, in the earnest hope that others, who have more ability according to the gift of God and the grace that is in them, may be led into a much further investigation of the same.

In any pre-acting and foreshewing of future things the presentation thereof to our mind must bring with it difficulties which necessarily are great. God's design, in giving notice of a future event by a typical history, was not, we may rest assured,

i Luke xxiv, 25.

to afford a couch for careless indolence; but to excite to active inquiry, and to induce constant and assured watchfulness. We are not therefore to expect in the picture a minute filling up, nor a vividness of colouring, such as to obviate inquiry and preclude the necessity for investigation; but, what in reality we find, a breadth of outline and sufficiency of determinate configuration to fix attention and excite humble research. A prophecy by fact (which an historical type truly is) is plainer, and (if the expression be allowable) more cognizable to the spiritual senses, than a prophecy by words but it would lose that certainty of purpose, which I have specified above, if it had that minuteness of detail, and individuality of character, and complete filling up of every part, which belong to a thing realized, and which is to be manifested in the antitype. It was for this reason the Law was said to be a shadow of things to come;j and the beautiful drapery of mysterious and incomplete delineation has wondrously served to excite in the Church of God that searching for truth as for hid treasures, which, when pursued with humility and teachable faith, will always issue in the knowledge that maketh rich and addeth no sorrow therewith:"k so that "the path of the just" will be indeed, if thus trodden, as a shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day," when the glorious panorama shall be spread before us for eternal contemplation. In the transfiguration on mount Tabor, which St. Peter calls the coming and power of the Lord Jesus," (i.e. a typical fore-showing by historical verity of a future event, made known to faith, and by that type more

plainly and satisfactorily revealed,) we have a true and bona fide representation of the glory, in which our Lord will come, attended by the raised and changed saints, of whom I take Moses and Elias to be the types; while Peter and James and John represent the dwellers upon the redeemed earth under the government of Christ and his brethren in the kingdom. Still we have not even here all the minute and concomitant circumstances of that blessed day so much as shadowed. Our dispensation is an A B C dispensation, if I may so speak. We see through a glass darkly," "beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord." m Effulgent blazes of light we could not bear, even if vouchsafed: the mind of the great Architect alone sees from the beginning the perfection and symmetry and glory of the building we have the plan—with that let us be satisfied, and humbly study its proportions and design; that when "the top-stone is brought out with shouting, Grace, Grace unto it!"'n our voices may be among the loudest in the chorus of the

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new creation."

Designating a typical history, as a faint outline of picture work, which in detail shall be filled up and completed when the antitype is fully revealed; let us see what historical events strike us particularly, as typifying the period in which we livethe last days immediately preparatory to the second advent of the Lord Jesus. Lord Jesus. I shall here assume what I think Mr. Cuninghame, Mr. Irving, Mr. Begg, Mr. Hawtrey, and others have proved, that the second advent is pre-millennial.

There is one Old Testament history which has long been impressed on my mind, as very deserving of our serious and prayerful attention :

j Heb. x, 1. k Prov. x, 22. 11 Cor. xiii, 12, m 2 Cor. iii, 18. n Zech. iv, 7.

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