tions, and in being made the instrument of their communication to the world; yet with respect to the great purport of the mysterious prophecies which are contained in this book, the humblest Christian, in the present day, has more opportunities of judging than even the chosen servant of the Redeemer, who was selected as the instrument of these revelations. In these respects, "he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater" even than this favoured Apostle. Under the overpowering interest of these sublime revelations St John fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who shewed him these things. But he was directed to HIM, who is himself the great Author of these revelations, and the great subject of prophecy. May these considerations preserve us from indifference at least, much more from profaneness and ridicule, in the consideration of the mysterious subjects of this prophecy! The divine and blessed Author of this revelation has closed it with this solemn warning, Surely I come quickly. "To every mortal, short is the time leading to that awful instant, when he 'shall stand before the presence of God!' Be it our endeavour, by the assistance of his Holy Spirit, so to direct our thoughts and actions, that we may have confidence in our Redeemer, and be of the number of those who love his appearing! Thus may we be enabled cordially to unite with the beloved Apostle in his concluding prayer: Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus1."

Dean Woodhouse.

CHAPTER V.

CONCLUSIONS FROM THE PRECEDING EXAMINATION WITH REGARD TO THE PROPHETICAL CHARACTER OF THE

APOCALYPSE.

SUCH then are the grounds, on which it has been attempted in the preceding chapters to establish the principles, by which we ought to be guided in the examination of the great scheme of Scripture prophecy; and the manner in which these principles ought to be applied to the interpretation of the prophecies of the Apocalypse. We have seen, that the Redeemer and his everlasting kingdom have been the subject of prophecy from the beginning; its great and leading object under the former dispensations. It was the great subject of joyful expectation to holy men before the Law. It was the great and leading subject of prophecy under the Law; and was represented in the typical services of the Jewish Law, which were only the shadows of good things, but of which the body was of Christ1. But more than this,-the Redeemer is not only the great subject, but he was also the Agent of ancient prophecy; and he was not only manifested to the holy men of old in those appearances, which have been well described as the preludes of his incarnation, but he appears also as overruling and disposing the events of the Church and the world, with reference to the bringing in and the

Col. ii. 17.

2 See W. Lowth on Ezek. i. 26.

final triumph of that dispensation of mercy, which was to be built on the Incarnation, the Death, the Resurrection, and the Ascension of the Son of God. These circumstances afford conclusive evidence of the spiritual character of ancient prophecy. But, amongst other arguments in support of this view of it, it is more especially evident from the double sense which pervades so large a portion of it, and from the sublime terms in which many of the prophecies are expressed; which are of such a character, that, at the same time that they are occupied with events connected with the immediate and distant fortunes and destinies of the chosen people, they evidently look beyond them to some future and more glorious fulfilment. Another remark, which was made with regard to the peculiar characteristics of ancient prophecy, and which is a strong additional proof of its spiritual character, relates to the immense range which is occupied by many of the ancient prophecies; comprehending events, of which the peculiar character could, at the time of their delivery, have been but dimly guessed at, and of which the nature even in the present day is involved in great obscurity; because they evidently look forward to a very distant stage of the divine dispensations. All these circumstances, it was remarked, lead us to the expectation, that this obscurity would be cleared up and these difficulties removed in some subsequent dispensation of prophecy; which would reveal to us more clearly the main object and intention of ancient prophecy, and with a degree of light, proportioned to our peculiar condition, as living under the Gospel, the last and most perfect of the dispensations of God. We have shewn how these

remarks are applicable to the prophecies of the Apocalypse; and we have endeavoured to prove, in an examination of this mysterious book, how much the true genius and character of ancient prophecy may be illustrated, and the true end and object of the apocalyptic prophecies established, by viewing it as a portion of the great scheme of prophecy,— extending from the first promise of the Redeemer to the final close of the divine dispensations.

There were also other remarks made with regard to the genius and character of ancient prophecy, considered in connection with the prophecies of the Apocalypse; namely, with reference to the extent to which temporal subjects are introduced into ancient prophecy, to the genius and character of the prophetic style, and to the spiritual character of ancient prophecy. These and other remarks on the genius and character of ancient prophecy, considered especially with reference to their application to the prophecies of the Apocalypse, were illustrated in an examination of that book; and we endeavoured to establish, in this comparison of the apocalyptic prophecies with the prophecies of the Old Testament, the true spiritual object and character of the prophecies of the Apocalypse.

This will be made more evident by a brief review of the prophecies, which constitute the main subject of the Apocalypse.

1. In the first place, with regard to the great Agent in the apocalyptic prophecies, we behold the Redeemer himself, the same Divine Person who had appeared inspiring and directing the prophets under the old dispensation,-again appearing as the author and inspirer of this later prophecy; and

overruling and directing all the events of the Church and the world, which are connected with

it, to their great termination! Such he appears in the opening of the Apocalypse; in which he is manifested in all the glories of his pre-existent state, added to all the circumstances of majesty and of tenderness which are derived from his connection with the great scheme of man's redemption,—from his incarnation, his death, his resurrection, and exaltation to the right hand of God as the Lord and the Judge of mankind. Such he appears also as the author of the messages to the seven Churches; where he is manifested, in a peculiar manner, as the head over all things to his Church'; directing it by his wisdom, upholding it by his power,-the terrible avenger of all wickedness, and the everlasting reward of all those who love and obey him.

2. But, as he appears in this peculiar character of dignity and majesty in this opening part of this great and sublime prophecy, how much are our feelings of awe and interest increased, when we behold this same Divine Person appearing again, as the great agent and author of the prophecies relating to his Church; when, in that character in which he is most endeared to fallen man,-that of a Lamb as it had been slain, he takes the book out of the hands of him who sat on the throne; that book, which he alone, of all the inhabitants of earth and heaven, was found worthy to take and to open the seals thereof, because he hath redeemed us to God by his blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; while the innumerable hosts of heaven sing the glorious song of redemption:

Ephes. i. 22.