that by the two olive-trees was meant an indefinite number:-" that is, in the general, that there should be some in every age, though but a few in number, who should bear witness to the truth." The vision in which these were displayed was twice repeated, and in each instance explained by a celestial expositor, who differed only in the appellation; denominating those beheld by the prophet, the two anointed ones which stand by the Lord of the whole earth - those beheld by the evangelist, the two witnesses standing before the God of the earth; but precisely and distinctly agreeing as to the number being two. Besides, had the olive-trees exhibited to Zechariah been intended to typify Zerubbabel and Jeshua, it is reasonable to suppose that the angel would not have left the prophet, destined to encourage his brethren in the weighty work in which they were engaged, uninformed on a point, elevating him and his coadjutor to such transcendent honour. But totally opposite was the interpretation, in both cases, given by the heavenly interpreters. These convey not the most remote idea of those illustrious types, the olivetrees, depicting any human creature. These, on the contrary, describe them as representative of beings of the highest and most glorious natureas beings conjoined unto, and stationed in contact with, the glorious Source of light, and glorious Source of good; a description wholly inapplicable to Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and which we think none can answer to but God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. Nor do the angelic commen

tators, as do human ones, annex any further explanation. These say not a word of "Zerubbabel and Joshua continually attending upon God, to receive direction and assistance from him in their work."* "These utter not a word of the power

and effect of their preaching."

They merely assert that the two olive-trees were the two anointed witnesses standing before the Lord of the whole earth. And it may be premised, from the special record given of the prophet Zechariah, namely, that he had understanding in the visions of God, and from an attentive perusal of his prophecy, that any further explanation would to him have been useless and superfluous; and that he well understood who was meant by the two anointed ones standing before the God of the earth. And the same observation still more forcibly attaches to the beloved apostle, and an attentive perusal of his Gospel and Epistles. He well knew that there were three who bear record in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

We shall now examine into Dr. Worthington's opinions as to the symbolic meaning of the two olive-trees which in the Apocalypse are announced as standing before the Lord of the whole earth. "It would," says this excellent writer, "be tedious and unprofitable to recount the various conjectures, which have been made by different interpreters, about the two witnesses. I will, notwithstanding, beg leave to add one conjecture more to the number. These witnesses are repeatedly said to be two, neither more nor less. + Bishop Newton.

* Orton.

VOL. II.

Regard therefore must be had to the number. They have authority given them to prophesy, that is, to bear witness to the truth, against errors and corruptions-in sackcloth-in a distressed and afflicted condition, for 1260 days; which contains the same space of time with the profanation of the Gentiles, which they are to prophesy, or bear witness against. And they are. to be co-existent, and to keep pace with those Gentiles, during the whole extent of their continuance from first to last. These witnesses, therefore, cannot be meant of any two individuals, but must be understood of a succession of persons, and must form certain bodies of men, to continue in succession, as long as the Gentiles themselves, against whom they are to prophesy, shall so continue. In the next verse they are set forth by the emblems of two olive-trees and two candlesticks, standing before the Lord of the whole earth. olive-trees, in this prophetical language, are signified churches. The green olive-tree in the prophet Jeremiah (xi. 16) manifestly signifies the Jewish church. By candlesticks are signified churches likewise. The golden candlestick in Zechariah, with the two olive-trees by it, plainly signifies the same Jewish church; and the seven candlesticks in the book of Revelations are expressly said to be seven churches. The two witnesses, therefore, in the place before us, as described by both the emblems of two olive-trees and two candlesticks, must be two churches, or two distinct branches of one and the same universal church of Christ. The olive-trees signifying

By

that by them the lamp of Christ's church is supplied with the oil of good works and sound doctrine; and the candlesticks that the light of God's word is preserved in them. But what churches these are, is the question. To bear testimony, and remonstrate against the superstitious usages, false doctrines, and idolatrous worship with which these western churches have been infected, there have always been, from the first rise of these corruptions, throughout all ages, a constant succession of true believers, who witnessed a good confession, and were faithful unto death, &c. &c. This interpretation of the witnesses is not to be rejected, nor yet to be admitted but with this restriction,-that whereas it supposes both the witnesses to be included in this collective and successive body of men, I apprehend that only one of them is constituted by it; as it doth not seem capable of being divided into two separate and distinct classes; nor indeed hath any such division ever been attempted. Where then, it will be asked, will you find the other witness? The other witness, I conceive, is constituted by the distressed churches of the east, which groan under the tyranny of Mahometanism. The Christians of the eastern church having filled up the measure of their iniquities, God thought fit to suffer the followers of Mahomet to overrun and conquer all those countries in which Christianity had been first planted, and had greatly flourished for many centuries. By the same sword with which these infidels made their conquests, they propagated their religion. They soon got pos

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session of Jerusalem, and the holy city hath been literally trodden under foot by these Gentiles now for many ages. The light of the gospel was every where suppressed, and darkened by the imposture of Mahometanism. The churches were turned into mosques, and Christianity is reduced to the lowest state in all those countries in which it once universally prevailed. But though it is distressed, it is not extirpated: God hath preserved himself a seed; a remnant is left which is more or less dispersed through all parts of the Turkish dominions, to bear witness against the false prophet in behalf of the truth of Christianity. And these poor Christians too truly answer the description of being clothed in sackcloth; being most cruelly harassed and oppressed by their tyrannical masters."*

Though this comment is, we think, far preferable to that of Dr. Newton, yet we do not think the observations it contains sufficiently powerful to overturn that we have presumed to offer; and we shall now, though in all humility, beg leave to state some remarks on it. The strongest reason which Dr. Worthington gives in support of his assertion, that by the two witnesses, as described by both the emblems of two olivetrees and two candlesticks, must be meant two churches, or two distinct branches of one and the same universal church of Christ, is the explanation given at the conclusion of the 18th, 19th, and 20th verses of the 1st chapter of Revelations,— "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold,

* Worthington's Sermons, preached at Boyle's Lectures, vol. ii. page 239.