on this fuppofition, I say, it must be allowed that the fhorteft and beft defence of the Proteftant cause is that which is taken from the authority of those prophecies, because they exprefsly enjoin a separation from that fociety, to which they are applied.

Ye perceive, then, in all views, the utility of ftudying this prophecy of the Revelations, provided there be reason to admit the completion of it in the history of the Chriftian Church, and particularly in the history of Papal Rome. The im portance and the truth of Christianity will be feen in their full light-The wisdom of the divine councils, in permitting the Apoftafy to take place for a time, will be acknowledged-And the honour of our common Proteftant profeffion will be effectually maintained.

CON

CONCLUSION.

THIS LECTURE is now brought down to that point, from which, poffibly, ye expected me to fet out. But, in the entrance on an argument, new to many perfons, and misunderstood by moft, it seemed expedient to take a wide compafs. The true fcriptural idea of the subject, was to be opened, at large [n]; the general argument from prophecy, enforced [o]; the method of the prophetic fyftem deduced, and further illustrated in a view of the propheciesmore immediately refpecting the Christinn church [p]; Of thofe prophecies, those concerning Antichrift, or the apoftafy of Papal Rome, were to be cleared of all prejudices and objections [9]; and the principles, on which the Apocalyptic prophecies, in particular, are to be explained, proposed and juftified [r]: It was,

[n] Serm. I. II. III.
[p] Serm. V. VI.
[r]-Serm. IX. X.

further, necessary to

[o] Serm. IV.
[2] Serm. VII. VIII.

befpeak

bespeak your attention to the argument from the Apocalyptic prophecies, especially, concerning Antichrift, by fhewing the several prefumptions there are of its force [s]; and by fetting before you the ufes, to which this whole inquiry may be applied [t].

This preliminary courfe, then, though it has been tedious, will not be thought improper, if it may ferve, in any degree, to prepare and facilitate the execution of the main defign, 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 fobriety, which are, in reason, to be suppofed) capable, I think, of affording to fair and attentive minds the fulleft fatiffaction.

The SEASON, I know, may be thought unfavourable to fuch an attempt. For the main ftrefs must be laid on prophecies, about which Chriftians themselves are not

[s] Serm. XI. [[t] Serm. XII.

agreed,

agreed, at a time when the number of thofe perfons is fupposed to be very great, and increafing every day, who are not eafily brought to acknowledge the reality of any prophecies.

This laft would be an unwelcome confideration, if the fact were certain; I mean, if the prefent ftate of religion were altogether fuch as fome, perhaps, wish, and as others too eafily apprehend, it to be. But I hope, and believe, it is not; the truth of the cafe, so far as I am able to form a judgement of it, being no more than this. A few fashionable men make a noife in the world; and this clamour, being echoed on all fides from the shallow circles of their admirers, misleads the unwary into an opinion, that the irreligious spirit is univerfal and uncontrolable. Whereas, the good and wife, are modeft and referved: 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

They either treat thofe cavils with a filent contempt; or, they lament in fecret the libertinifm of the age, without taking any vigorous measures to check and oppose it. Befides, they rarely come into what is called, free company; and they are too well employed, and at the fame time too well informed, to hearken after every idle publication, on the fide of irreligion.

For thefe, and the like reasons, the number of true believers is overlooked; or thought to be lefs confiderable than, in fact, it is, and would prefently be known to be, if a juft eftimate were taken of them.

Let me then, under this perfuafion, exprefs myself in the fpirit, and almost in the words, of an antient apologist [u] -“ Let

[#] Verum non eft desperandum. Fortaffe, non canimus furdis, Nec enim tam in malo ftatu res eft, ut defint fanæ mentes, quibus et veritas placeat, et monftratum fibi rectum iter et videant et fequantur. Lactant. Div. Inft. 1. v. p. 317. ed. Sparke.

no