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sentation of the true church, as it appears
under the Christian dispensation, "clothed
with the sun;" while the Jewish church, re-
presented as the moon, is under her feet; and
on her head is a ""
crown of twelve stars," or
the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. For forty
weeks (the time of gestation in women), or 280
prophetic days, or 280 real years, the church
struggled with her enemies; till at length,
about the year 313 or 314, in the time of Con-
stantine—that is, 280 years after the death of
Christ-His KINGSHIP, or triumph over the
powers of Paganism, burst on the astonished
view of the world; and this is what I conceive
is intended by "a man-child being born who
was to rule the world with a rod of iron."
Satan, personified by the Roman Empire, after
he had by many persecutions brought the truth
very low, stood ready, on this triumph being
obtained, to destroy this rule or Kingship of
Christ over the world, so soon as it should be
obtained. And he was successful: "And the
child was caught up to God, and to his throne."
At length, however, after the woman, or the
true church, had been in her depressed condi-
tion the appointed term of "a thousand two
hundred and three-score days," or 1260 years,
that Kingship over the nations, maugre all op-
position from Satan or the world, shall be suc-
cessfully and permanently resumed; as it is ex-

But

pressed in Ps. ii. 9: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." (See also Rev. xix. 15.) Her King will then appear; "the great ensign of Messiah " will be unfurled to the view of the world; and He shall reign "whose right it is.”“In his days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. YEA, ALL

KINGS SHALL FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM: ALL

NATIONS SHALL SERVE HIM" (Ps. lxii. 7-11).

"AND THE SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDED, AND THERE WERE GREAT VOICES IN HEAVEN, SAYING, THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, AND OF HIS CHRIST, AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER."

CONCLUSION.

Ir will be perceived, that in all the foregoing investigations I have taken it for granted that the fate of Britain will be involved in that of the ten Papal kingdoms of the Western Roman Empire, of which it unquestionably forms one of the principal, or what is denominated one of the kingdoms of iron. Would that I could form a different opinion! that I could, with some other writers on this subject, perceive an exemption made in favour of a country to which, as our native land, we are all so deeply attached, and in the prosperity and preservation of which the happiness of all whom we hold dear on earth is so inseparably interwoven. But finding in the Bible no such exemption, and it being declared that prophecy is of no private interpretation, it is a question that rests not on our wishes or prepossessions, but one that must be referred to the all-wise and irreversible counsels of Jehovah, as they are revealed in His word; and to the accomplishment of that wonderful foreknowledge, which, to use the language of the immortal Toplady, " is un

darkened by the least shadow of ignorance, and superior to all possibility of mistake."

There appears in the Bible to be no exception whatever made, in the denunciation of widespread ruin and desolation coming upon the world, in favour of any people, except the literal Israel, and a spiritual people typified in Revelation vii. by that nation. In other words, there appears to be no exception made, but of the Jews, who as a nation are to be restored to their own land; and of the humble and faithful followers of the Lord Jesus, who in some wonderful and miraculous manner will be shewn to be objects of preserving mercy. In the one instance, as it regards the Jews, the deliverance will be NATIONAL; in the other, as it regards believers, it will be INDIVIDUAL. With respect to the former, the Lord says, Though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: " "And I will gather you from all nations, and from all places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried captive" (Jer. xxx. 11; lxvi. 28; xxix. 14). And with respect to the latter it is said, "And He shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet; and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." "Then shall two be in the field; the

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