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PROOF AND EXAMPLES. Deut, 18; 18, 19. Acts 3: 20-23. Ps. 50:3-6. Isa. 35: 4. 63: 1-4. 66: 15, 16. Zech. 14: 5-9. Mal. 3: 15. 4:1-3, 5, 6.

PRIN. 11. Scenes of the judgment day, not mingled with mere secular things by the prophets in the same connexion, while rather the whole connexion, though in figures, exhibits the same vast realities.

EXAMPLES. Isa. 65: 17-25. 66 : 15-24. Mat. 24: 27-51. 25:1 -46. Compare Rev. 17th, 18th and 19th chapters, with Isa. 48th, 52d, Jer. 51st and 52d, concerning the character and destruction of Babylon, city of Satan.

PRIN. 12. Realities from the judgment, or spiritual world, not used by the prophets as types of momentary earthly things.

EXAMPLES. Principle violated by construing passages like the following, as primarily of earthly things, viz. Mat. 24: 27-51. Mark 13: 25-36. Luke 17: 24, 26-37. Rev. 19: 11-21. 20: 1-11, &c.

PRIN, 18. The christian temper, or spiritual mind, by receiving the Holy Ghost, necessary most clearly to "discern," or understand" the spirit or power of “the word.”

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PROOF. Dan. 12:10. Hos. 14:9. John 3:4, 9, 10. Rom. 8: 5, 6. 1 Cor. 2: 10-16. 3: 1-4.

PRIN. 14. A willing obedience and "meditation" of the requirements of the word, in desiring to know, necessary to understand it.

PROOF. Ps. 119:99, 100. Dan. 12: 10. Mat. 13: 14-16. John 7: 17. 8: 43. Acts 28: 27.

PRIN. 15. Interpretations false, which are "smooth things" to the wicked, promising them "peace, peace, when there is no peace."

PROOF. Isa. 3; 11. 30: 10. Jer. 6:14. 8:11. 23: 14. 31-33. Ezek. 13: 10-12. 16. 22.

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PRIN. 16. Interpretations false, which naturally dimi nish the "comfort" of the spiritual mind, or make the "righteous sad."

PROOF. Isa. 40: 1. Jer. 23: 30. 30: 16. Ezek. 13: 22. John 14: 1, 16, 18, 26, 27, &c. 1 Thess. 4: 8. 5:11.

PRIN. 17. True interpretations harmonizing with the spirit, letter, and great end of the Gospel, and of Christ's coming "into the world to save sinners."

PROOF. Mat. 9:13. 18:11. Luke 9:56. 19: 10. John 12: 47. 1 Tim. 1: 15.

PRIN. 18. "No prophecy" (or instruction) "of the scripture, of any private interpretation," or of private concern, which is given rather generally.

PROOF. 2 Pet. 1: 20. Acts 10: 34. Rom. 2: 11. 1 Cor. 10: 11. 2 Tim. 3:16, 17. 1 Pet. 1: 17.

PRIN. 19. The words, "everlasting"-"forever""forevermore," &c., representing endless duration only, especially when joined with rewards and punishments.

PROOF AND EXAMPLES. Gen. 49:26. Ps. 3: 4. 15: 1. 43: 3. 68: 15, 16. 121: 1. 37:18, 29. Mat. 25: 41, 46. Rev. 14: 11, &c.

PRIN. 20. True interpretations, harmonizing with the perceptions of men truly "reasonable.”

PROOF. Isa. 1: 18. Rom. 12: 1. Acts 17: 2. 18: 4, 19. 24: 25.

PRIN. 21. Preconceived opinion, even if approved by the modern fathers, not a safe rule of interpretation.

PROOF. Prov. 26: 12, 16. 1 Cor. 1:27-29. Jer. 175. Mat. 23: 9: Ex. 23: 2. 2 Tim. 4: 1-5.

PRIN. 22. Profane history no rule of interpreting "the Spirit" and power of the holy word.

PROOF: Mat. 15:3, 6, 9. Col. 28. 1 Tim. 1: 4. 4: 7. Tit. 1: 14. 2 Pet. 1: 16.

PRIN. 23. Prophecies now specially fulfilling, to be understood and considered, in order best to understand.

PROOF AND EXAMPLES. Mat. 24: 10, 12, 14, 33. 2 Thess. 2: 2-10. Isa. 29: 11-14. Rev. 14:6,7.

PRIN. 24. The Bible its own independent interpreter, uniformly.

PROOF. Ps. 118: 6, 9. 146: 3, 5. Isa. 30: 1, 2. Jer. 17: 5.

If that calculation should be considered so many years too large, the error may have resulted from attempting to fix correct dates from the periods during which the several judges of Israel held their offices; inasmuch as some of these periods are left in comparative darkness, and for aught we can decide, some of those judges may have been cotemporary with each other, and the periods of their judging be recorded twice, in some instances, by adding them together.

It is therefore suggested to all who prefer a positive "thus saith the the Lord," to "the traditions of the elders," that they inquire into this subject, and find out, if possible, what the truth is in relation to it; so that if this calculation be defective, its defects may be shown clearly from Bible Testimony, and that another table, with clear proof from inspiration, may be furnished us, showing, if possible, that the calculation of 4004 years B. C. is a true calculation; or else furnish some other, which shall be supported with better proof.

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Duration of the Babylonish captivity, as generally estimated, 70 years.f From the Babylonish captivity to Christ, as generally estimated, 483 years.t

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Duration of captivity, as estimated

70

From the captivity to Christ's advent, as generally estimated 483

Take present computation B. C.
From popular calculation B. C.

3965
4004

Deficiency, '38

Note. The above chronological table is offered to the public, more with the desire of exciting inquiry and careful investigation on the subject, than to have it silently received as a true calculation. From cousiderable inquiry, it is believed, that during the last age of the Church, if no longer, the number has been but very few who have so far examined this question for themselves, as to become fully satisfied, from positive Scripture testimony, that the period, from the creation to Christ, was actually 4004 years, as represented by the chronological calculations placed on the pages of our Bibles; and generally considered unquestionable.

es Of Ou

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It will be seen, that this calculation makes the period from the creation to Christ about 39 years less than the 4004, as heretofore received.

* It will be seen that in a few instances like this, there may possibly be the va riation of a year, or part of a year.

t With regard to these two periods, as generally allowed, the writer hesitates to speak with confidence, not seeing them so clearly as the preceding with refer

ences.

If that calculation should be considered so many years too large, the error may have resulted from attempting to fix correct dates from the periods during which the several judges of Israel held their offices; inasmuch as some of these periods are left in comparative darkness, and for aught we can decide, some of those judges may have been cotemporary with each other, and the periods of their judging be recorded twice, in some instances, by adding them together.

It is therefore suggested to all who prefer a positive "thus saith the the Lord," to "the traditions of the elders," that they inquire into this subject, and find out, if possible, what the truth is in relation to it; so that if this calculation be defective, its defects may be shown clearly from Bible Testimony, and that another table, with clear proof from inspiration, may be furnished us, showing, if possible, that the calculation of 4004 years B. C. is a true calculation; or else furnish some other, which shall be supported with better proof.

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