general. The conclusion is truly excellent, as well as all other parts of this book : and nothing could be contrived to leave these things with a stronger impression upon the mind of the readers. In the whole, from first to last,

appears the majesty of the divine revealer, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, the author and finisher of every good work, and of this more especially.

This, as (Sir Isaac Newton (7) hath hinted, and as Dr. Warburton hath fully proved in some discourses, which it is hoped will be printed one time or other for the benefit of the public,) is that sure word of prophecy, whereunto Christians as St. Peter faith, do well to take heed and attend. St. Peter (2 Pet. I. 16, &c.) is asserting and establishing the truth of Christ's second coming in power and great glory. For we bave not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of bis majesty. One illustrious proof of his coming in power and glory was his appearing in glory and majesty at his transfiguration. (ver. 17, 18.) For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from

the

(7) Sir Isaac Newton's Obferv. upon the Apoc. Chap. 1. p. 240.

arife in

the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with bim in the holy mount. His appearing once in power

and

great glory is a good argument, that he may appear again in like manner : and that he not only may, but will, we have the farther assurance of prophecy. (ver. 19.) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto

ye

do well that

ye take heed, as unto a light that Mineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star

your hearts. St. Peter' might mean the prophecies in general which treat of the second coming of Christ, but it appears that the Revelation was principally in his thoughts and intentions. Christ's second coming in power and glory is one principal topic of the Revelation. With this it begins, (I. 7.) Behold, he cometh with clouds: and every eye shall see him. With this it also concludes, (XXII. 20.) He who testifieth these things, faith, Surely I come quickly. Nothing can better answer the character of the Revelation, especially in St. Peter's time when as yet scarce any part of it was fulfilled, than a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your

bearts. It openeth more and more like the dawning of the day; and the more it is fulfilled, the better

it

it is understood. Afterwards St. Peter proceeds, in the second chapter, to describe, out of this sure word of prophecy, the false propliets and false teachers, who should infest the church; and in the third chapter, the certainty of Christ's coming to judgment, the conflagration of the present heavens and earth, and the structure of the new heavens and earth; and all agreeably to the Revelation. Attention therefore to this book is recommended to us, upon the authority of St. Peter as well as of the writer St. John: and a double blessing, as we have seen in the book itself, is pronounced upon those who shall study and observe it; first in the beginning, (I. 3.) Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things, which are written therein; and here again in the end, (XXII. 7.) Blessed is be that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Emboldened by which blessings I would humbly

pray

with Nehemiah, (Nehem. XIII. 22.) Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

06

XXVI.

Recapitulation of the Prophecies

relating to Popery.

N the whole it appears that the pro

phecies relating to Popery are the greatest, the most effential, and the most striking part

of the Revelation. Whatever difficulty and perplexity there

inay be in other passages, yet here the application is obvious and easy. Popery being the great corruption of Christianity, there are indeed more prophecies relating to that than to almost any other distant event. It is a great object of Daniel's, and the principal object of St. Paul's, as well as of St. John's prophecies ; and these, considered and compared together, will mutually receive and reflect light from and upon each other. It will appear to be clearly foretold, that such a power as that of the pope should be exercised in the Christian church, and Tould authorize and establish such doctrins and practices, as are publicly taught and approved in the church of Rome. It is not only

the ex

foretold that such a power should be exercised,
but the place and the persons likewise are pointed
out, where and by whom it should be exercised.
Besides the place and the persons, the time also
is fignified when it should prevail, and how
long it should prevail ; and at last upon
piration of this term it shall be destroyed for
evermore. It is thought proper to represent
the prophecies relating to popery in one view,
that like the rays of the sun collected in a glass, ,
they may appear with the greater lustre, and
have the stronger effect.

1. I say, the Spirit of prophecy hath signified beforehand, that there should be such a power as that of the pope and church of Rome usurped in the Christian world: and these predictions are so plain and express, that was not the contrary evident and undeniable, they might seem to be penned after the event, and to describe things paft rather than to foretel things to come. For instance. Hath there now for many ages fubfifted, and doth there still fubaft a tyrannical, and idolatrous, and blasphemous power, in pretence Christian, but in reality Antichristian? It is the

very
fame
power

that is portrayed in the little born and the blafphemous king by Daniel, in the man of fin the son of perdition by St. Paul, and in the ten-borned beast B b 2

and