Ye perceive, then, in all views, the utility of studying this prophecy of the Revelations, provided there be reason to admit the completion of it in the history of the Christian church, and particularly in the history of Papal Rome. The importance and the truth of christianity will be seen in their full light-The wisdom of the divine councils, in permitting the apostasy to take place for a time, will be acknowledged-And the honour of our common Protestant profession will be effectually maintained.

་་

CONCLUSION.

THIS LECTURE is now brought down to that point, from which, possibly, ye expected me to set out. But, in the entrance on an argument, new to many persons, and misunderstood by most, it seemed expedient to take a wide compass. The true scriptural idea of the subject, was to be opened, at large; the general argument from prophecy, enforced;† the method of the prophetic system deduced, and further illustrated in a view of the prophecies more immediately respecting the Christian church; Of those prophecies, those concerning Antichrist, or the apostasy of Papal Rome, were to be cleared of all prejudices and objections ;§ and the principles, on which the apocalyptic prophecies, in particular, are to be explained, proposed, and justified: It was, further, necessary to bespeak your

* Serm. i. ii. iii.

$ Serm. vii. viii.

† Serm. iv.

Serm. v. vi.

Serm. ix.

attention to the argument from the apocalyptic prophecies, especially, concerning Antichrist, by shewing the several presumptions there are of its force; and by setting before you the uses, to which ;* this whole inquiry may be applied.†

This preliminary course, then, though it has been tedious, will not be thought improper, if it may serve, in any degree, to prepare and facilitate the execution of the main design, which is, To interpret and apply particular prophecies: A work, of labour indeed; but not unpleasant in itself; and (if carried on with that diligence and sobriety, which are, in reason, to be supposed) capable, I think, of affording to fair and attentive minds the fullest satisfaction.

The SEASON, I know, may be thought unfa vourable to such an attempt. For the main stress must be laid on prophecies, about which Christians themselves are not agreed,. at a time when the number of those persons is supposed to be very great, and increasing every day, who are not easily brought to acknowledge the reality of any prophecies.

This last would be an unwelcome consideration, if the fact were certain; I mean, if the present state of religion were altogether such as some, perhaps, wish, and as others too easily apprehend, it to be. But I hope, and believe, it is not; the truth of the case, so far as I am able to form a judgment of it, being no more than this. A few fashionable men make a noise in the world; and this clamour, being echoed on all sides from the shallow circles of their admirers, misleads the unwary into an opinion, that the irreligious spirit is universal and uncontrolable. Whereas, the good and wise, are modest and reserved: having no doubt themselves concerning the foundation of their faith, they pay but little regard to the cavils, which empty or corrupt men throw out against it. They either treat those cavils with a silent contempt; or, they lament in secret the libertinism of the age, without taking any vigorous measures to check and oppose it. Besides, they rarely come into what is called, free company; and they are too well employed, and at the same time too well informed, to hearken after every idle publication, on the side of irreligion.

For these, and the like reasons, the number of true believers is overlooked; or thought to be less considerable than, in fact, it is, and would presently be known to be, if a just estimate were taken of them.

Let me then, under this persuasion, express myself in the spirit, and almost in the words, of an ancient apologist*" Let no man too hastily "despair of the cause, we are now pleading. When "we stand up in its defence, there are those who "will lend an ear to us. For, whatever the vain, or the vicious may pretend, the prophetic writings are not fallen so low in the esteem of man"kind, but that there are numberless persons of

66

good sense and serious dispositions, who wish "to see the truth of the gospel confirmed by them; "and are ready to embrace that truth, when fairly set before them, and supported by the clear ev❝idence of historical testimony and well-interpreted scripture."

Such is the language, which I am not afraid to hold to the desponding party among us. But should my confidence, or my candour, transport me too far, should even their apprehensions be ever so well founded, the zeal of those, who preach the the gospel, is not to abate, but to exert itself with new vigour under so discouraging a prospect. there be a way left to strike conviction into the hearts of unbelievers, it must, probably, be, by press

If

* Verum non est desperandum. Fortasse, non canimus surdis. Nec enim tam in malo statu res est, ut desint sanæ mentes, quibus et veritas placeat, et monstratum sibi rectum iter et videant et sequantur. Lactant. Div. Inst. 1. v. p. 317. ed. Sparke.