from the beginning,- -THE REDEEMER AND HIS

EVERLASTING KINGDOM.

In the year 1828, the learned writer, who, shortly after the publication of his first work, was elevated to the Deanery of Lichfield, in consequence of a suggestion made to him in the year 1818 by the present venerable and learned Bishop of Durham, at that time Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford, published an abridgment of his former work. This work, however, though in some respects it may be called an abridgment of the preceding, was, at the suggestion of the Right Reverend Prelate, enriched with much additional valuable matter. In particular, it contains, with reference to the most important subjects contained in this prophecy, a candid and dispassionate view of the opinions of the most eminent writers on the Apocalypse; so that the reader may view them in connection with each other: and thus it affords us the means of forming the best and most impartial judgment, not only with respect to the interpretation of particular prophecies, but of the general scope and object of the Apocalypse. But what renders it more especially valuable, is, that it contains the last and most deliberate statement of the opinions of this

2 This work is entitled, Annotations on the Apocalypse. Intended as a sequel to those of Mr Elsley on the Gospels, and of Mr Prebendary Slade on the Epistles; and thus to complete

a series of comments on the whole of the New Testament, for the use of Students in prophetical Scripture.Hatchard. 1828.

learned writer. For the last work was published twenty-three years after the former, and under circumstances, which led him to a new and careful investigation of the whole subject; and was, moreover, undertaken by him at a time of life, when the mind, unfettered by hypothesis, is more intent upon the acquisition of truth; and, with eternity in view, is most likely to acquiesce in those views of the divine economy of providence and redemption, which harmonize best with the great doetrines of the Gospel; and with the sublimity and grandeur of the Almighty plans for the everlasting happiness and salvation of man.

The great principle, on which Dean Woodhouse has proceeded in his exposition of the Apocalypse, is by considering it as a part of the great scheme of prophecy; and as having mainly in view that, which is the great object of all prophecy, the history of the Church of God. With respect, therefore, to the language, the symbols, the object, and the interpretation of the apocalyptic prophecies, he justly argues, that they ought to be in perfect harmony with the prophecies of the former dispensations: and on these grounds he has laid down the following principles, by which he has guided himself in the interpretation of the prophecies of the Apocalypse.

1. The first principle, which he laid down for this investigation, was, that, if the same divine

Spirit, which dictated the preceding prophecies, were also the Inspirer of the apocalyptic visions, a mutual relation must subsist between them; and, therefore, we ought to compare the language, the symbols, the predictions of the Apocalypse with those of former revelations; and to admit only such interpretation as should appear to have the sanction of this divine authority.

2. The second principle was, that, unless the language and symbols of the Apocalypse should in particular passages direct, or evidently require another mode of application, the predictions were to be applied to events occurring in the progressive kingdom of Christ.

3. The third principle was, that as the kingdom of Christ, the object of the apocalyptic prophecies, is spiritual, so they are to be understood in a spiritual sense. Spiritual things are to be compared with spiritual, as says St Paul, (1 Cor. ii. 13.)

4. The last principle, which was adopted by this learned writer in the interpretation of the apocalyptic prophecies, was, not to attempt the particular explanation of those prophecies which remain yet to be fulfilled.

These were the sound and judicious principles, on which Dean Woodhouse proceeded in the investigation of the prophecies of the Apocalypse: and no one, who has perused and studied his

valuable works, can fail to appreciate the sound judgment, the eminent learning, and the deliberate caution, with which he has applied them to the interpretation of this difficult book. That his first work, at the time of its publication, did not attract the attention, which its intrinsic excellence deserved, is perhaps, in a great measure, to be accounted for from the fact, that the minds of men were at that time intent upon the great changes in the political and religious condition of the civilized world, which had been effected, and were then taking place in consequence of the French revolution. But perhaps a more just view of the Apocalypse, in connection with the prophecies of former dispensations and with the great scheme of Scripture prophecy, will lead us to a different view of this sublime and magnificent prophecy; and will teach us to look for the accomplishment of its predictions, in events which are on a scale of magnificence, corresponding to that, which is the great subject of all prophecy, -the Redeemer and his everlasting kingdom.

The work of Dean Woodhouse, however, did not entirely escape the reward of approbation, which was so richly its due. Amongst other persons, the late learned and venerable Bishop HURD,-who, of all men living at that time, was best able to appreciate the real merits of such a work; and who at a former period of life had not only espoused, but in his valuable Lectures on Prophecy, had argued

in support of the system of Mede, has recorded his favourable opinion of the principles, on which Dean Woodhouse has founded his exposition of the Apocalypse'. This testimony, coming from a person of such distinguished learning, who was so eminently qualified to pronounce an opinion on such a subject, will carry great weight with all persons, in influencing the judgment which they may form with respect to the work of Dean Woodhouse; and to the principles, which constitute the basis of his exposition of this book.

It is no derogation from the merits of this writer, that, in the great and leading principles which he has adopted in the interpretation of this prophecy, he has been anticipated by Vitringa; because Dean Woodhouse commenced and carried on his work in a great degree independently of the work of Vitringa; and indeed, as he states, of the help of all former commentators. With regard, indeed, to the merits of Vitringa as an expositor of the Apocalypse, no person can have perused the work of Vitringa, without appreciating the evidence, which it carries with it, of

1 This testimony is contained in a copy of this book in the Library of Hartlebury Castle, which the Bishop bequeathed to his successors in the See, and is thus written by his Lordship's own hand :

"This is the best book of the kind that I have seen; it owes its superiority to two things. 1. The author's understanding, for the most part, the apoca

lyptic symbols, in a spiritual, not a literal sense. 2. To the care which he has taken to fix the precise import of those symbols, from the use made of them by the old prophetical, and other writers of the Old and New Testament. Still, many difficulties remain, and will remain, to the time of the end.

March 15, 1806.

R. W."