where absolutely defined: but we may probably estimate its length to be about the term of a natural year.

1

Such an opinion, relative to the commencement and the duration of the time of the end is built upon the following principles.

1. In our English language we may vaguely talk of the latter end of a period, as when we say the latter end of the year: and, in using such phraseology, we do not mean to express the absolute termination of the period in question, but some small concluding portion of the period itself. Thus, if we mentioned the latter end of the second three times and a half, we should convey an idea nearly similar to that conveyed by the phrase of the last time which has just been considered.

But the word, employed by Daniel to express the end or the time of the end, is incapable of any such loose and indefinite signification. It is derived from a verb, which denotes to cut off or to cut short whence Buxtorf with much propriety observes, that its import is strictly the end or the termination of a thing; because the end of any matter is the exact point, where that matter is cut off1. Hence the end or the time of the end must

1

Buxtorf expresses himself, as follows, P, Finis, Extremum, Extremitas: ubi enim res præciditur, ibi ejus finis est... Sometimes Daniel employs the exactly equivalent Chaldee word NED; which is similarly derived from a verb denoting to sweep or scrape away, and which therefore similarly imports the absolute end.

inevitably signify the absolute expiration of the period to which it refers1.

The question therefore is, to what period the phrase before us ought to be referred? Daniel himself tells us, that it is a period which he denominates the period of wonders. For, after repeatedly using the phrase under discussion, he describes one celestial visitant as asking another, how long it will be to the end of these wonders: and immediately afterward it is added, that the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Hence there can be no doubt, that by the end or the time of the end we are to understand the strict end or absolute termination of the period of wonders.

But still the question will recur: what is the period of wonders, and where shall we find it chronologically defined and specified?

There is not, I think, much difficulty in answering such a question. The period of the former three times and a half, or the first moiety of the

'Mr. Mede and Bp. Newton suppose the time of the end to denote the whole period of the latter three times and a half as constituting the latter days or the latter end of the Roman Empire. The original word, employed by Daniel, is incapable of bearing any such signification: nor does this gloss at all harmonise with the mode, in which the phrase is used by him. In fact, the prophet's mode of employing the phrase sometimes compels Bp. Newton to interpret it properly, notwithstanding his previous definition. See his Dissert. on the Proph. dissert. xvii. vol. ii. p. 147, 194, 195.

2 Dan. xii. 6, 9.

seven times, does not contain any event which peculiarly excited the amazement of Daniel. But the period of the latter three times and a half, or the second moiety of the seven times, may well bé denominated a period of wonders: for, during its lapse, the astonished world was destined to behold the three wonderful spectacles, of A PAGANISING APOSTASY from the pure religion of the Gospel, of A DARING IMPOSTURE founded upon the Holy Scripture yet claiming to supersede it, and of A MONSTROUS ATHEISM which set the majesty of heaven itself at defiance'. We might be morally certain, therefore, even if nothing more could be said on the subject, that the period of the wonders was the period of the latter three times and a half: for let us attentively peruse the kindred writings of Daniel and St. John, and see whether we can discover any other period to which we may properly apply the emphatic title of the period of the wonders.

(1.) But a positive proof, that the period of the latter three times and a half is the period of won

1 See Dan. vii. 8, 15, 19-22, 28. viii. 9-14, 27. xi. 36-39. Rev. xi. xii. xiii. xvii. 6, 7. Even the express phraseology of St. John may serve to establish the position, that the period of the wonders is the period of the latter three times and a half. All the world wONDERED after the wild-beast-and power was given unto him to practise forty and two months. Rev. xiii. 3, 5. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and, when I saw her, I WONDERED WITH GREAT ADMIRATION. xvii. 6.

Rev.

ders, may be deduced from the very passage, which has already been referred to for the purpose of shewing that the time of the end means the strict termination of the period of the wonders.

And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was above the waters of the river: At how great a distance shall be THE END of the wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever, that it shall be until a time and two times and a half: and, when he shall have finished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these wonders shall be finished. And I heard, but I understood not. Then said I: O my lord, what are these future things1? And he said: Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till THE TIME OF THE END,

A question is here asked: How long a time shall elapse before the end of the period of wonders shall arrive? The answer is; Three times and a half: and it is further declared (which proves these three times and a half to be the latter three times and a half), that, when the Jews or the children of Daniel's people shall begin to be restored, all the wonders of this period of three times and a half shall be finished. Daniel then inquires: What are these

3

'Heb. What is the futurity of these things?

2 Dan. xii. 6-9.

future things? But the only reply given to him is: that the words are sealed till the time of the end, or that his prophecies will not be fully understood till the end of the wonders shall arrive.

Now, if three times and a half or 1260 years are to elapse before the end of the wonders shall arrive, and if all these wonders are to be finished contemporaneously with the restoration of the Jews: it will follow, both that the period of the wonders must exactly comprehend 1260 years, and that the restoration of the Jews will commence at the expiration of that period. In other words, it will follow, that the period of the wonders is the same as the period of the latter three times and a half, and therefore that the time of the end or the end of the period of wonders denotes the termination of the period of the latter three times and a half.

(2.) This will yet further appear, if we compare together what Daniel says relative to the expiration of the latter three times and a half and what he says relative to the end or the time of the end.

If all the wonders are to be finished at the close of the latter three times and a half, and if they are all likewise to be finished at the time of the end; it is manifest, that the time of the end must so synchronise with the expiration of the latter three times and a half as to commence exactly when the latter three times and a half terminate.

Accordingly we shall find, that the wonders, which are generally declared to be finished at the close of the latter three times and a half, are seve