Ch. XXIV. Predictions in Isaiah, in Haggai, and

the Second Psalm, of similar import with the sixth seal,

though of less restricted application; with some extracts

relating to the Double Sense in prophecy.

77

Ch. XXV. Remarks on the Sixth Vial, and on a

prophecy in Genesis, Ezekiel, and Daniel; comprising

observations on the fall of the Turkish empire, and the

past and present state of Arabia and Egypt.

99

1

Ch. XXVI. The seventh Vial shewn to foretell a

Revolution in the state of Europe; with remarks on

some contemporaneous predictions of the Apocalypse. 140

Ch. XXVII. An inquiry into the meaning of the

latter part of Christ's prophecy, recorded in the twenty-

first chapter of Luke.

Ch. XXVIII. Objections against the common inter-

pretations of Christ's prophecy.

183

Ch. XXIX. Extracts relative to the Dispersion and

the restoration of the Jews, and a selection of passages

of scripture foretelling those events; together with a

short account of the false Messiahs and impostors, who

have appeared among the Jews, and some quotations

relative to the Afghans and the Tartars.

159.

195

Ch. XXX. An elucidation of passages which prove,

that that happy period, commonly denominated the Mil-

lennium, is destined at length to arrive; together with

arguments in opposition to the opinion, that Christ will

descend to reign upon earth at the commencement of it,

and some remarks on the tendency of Christianity to

cause the overthrow of tyranny, and the establishment of

equal government.

256

App. to Ch. XXX. Reflections on the beneficial

effects, which Christianity has already produced, in favor

of Civilization and Freedom, of Literature and Virtue;

and on the influence it may be expected hereafter to have

in the promotion of Liberty.

287

Ch, XXXI. Farther thoughts on the True Nature

of the Millennium.

242

Index of Texts directly or indirectly illustrated. 373

Index of Prophetic Symbols explained.

General Index.

381

385

It is proper to inform the reader, that the heads pre-
fixed to the chapters, are more brief than those contained
in the preceding table of contents.

CHAPTER XX.

ON THE MONARCHICAL IMAGE AND THE TEN-HORNED BEAST

IN DANIEL.

THE predictions, relative to modern times, which occur in chapters ii. and vii. of Daniel, are peculiarly worthy of examination; for they are more than usually clear, and will reflect a light on the apocalyptical prophecies'. But, previously to entering on a brief examination of them, I shall cite a few short testimonies of writers respecting this distinguished prophet.

"

. With respect to the authenticity of the book of Daniel, 'there is,' says bp. Newton, all external evidence that can well be had or desired in a case of this nature; not only the testimony of the whole Jewish church and nation, who have constantly received this book as canonical; but of Josephus particularly, who commends him as the greatest of the prophets; of the Jewish Targums and Talmuds, which frequently cite and appeal to his authority; of St. Paul and St. John, who have copied many of his prophecies; of our Saviour himself, who citeth his words, and styleth him Daniel the prophet,' and 'of ancient historians, who relate many of the same transactions.-Nor is the internal less powerful and convincing than the external evidence; for the language, the style, the manner of writing, and all other internal marks and characters, are perfectly agreeable to that age; and he appears plainly and undeniably to have

1 'Comparing scripture with scripture is the best way to understand both the one and the other,' bp. Newton, vol. I. p. 494.

VOL. II.

A

been a prophet by the exact accomplishment of his prophecies, as well those which have already been fulfilled, as those which are now fulfilling in the world'.'

Dr. Samuel Chandler, in speaking of Daniel, says, 'upon account of his extraordinary piety and wisdom, he is taken notice of and commended by Ezekiel3, who was his fellow prophet and contemporary. The purity of the language in which the book is written, both of the Chaldee and Hebrew, is an undeniable argument of its great antiquity.' For since every language, from the very nature of it, is in a constant flux, and in every age deviating from what it was in the former; the purity of Daniel's language makes it evident, that it must be written before the purity of those languages was lost, i. e. about the time when Ezekiel's Daniel lived and flourished'.'

C

Porphyry, an heathen philosopher of the third century, and a pupil of Longinus, who wrote an elaborate work in fifteen books against Christianity, did, as we are informed by Jerom, object against the character of Daniel, that he was criminal in accepting with so much readiness the ho nors conferred upon him at Babylon. But there is no ground,' says the excellent Lardner, for such a censure: Daniel was guilty of no mean compliances: he ascribed all his wisdom to God; and upon every occasion preserved his integrity without blemish, and openly professed his zeal for true religion, and the worship of God according to the directions of the law of Moses. It was not decent for him to refuse the honors bestowed by a great king, when no sinful compliances were exacted; and when he might, in the high station to which he was advanced, both promote the interest of true religion, and the welfare of his people in a

2 Vol. II. p. 16.

3 XIV. 14; xxviii. 3.

4 This prophecy is writ partly in Hebrew, and partly in Chaldee: for which this reason may be assigned; that those parts of it in which the Babylonian empire was concerned were writ in that language, viz. from ch. ii. 4. to the end of the viith chapter: a great part of which was probably entered into their public registers.' Mr. Lowth's Intr. to Dan.

5 Vindic. of Dan. p. 61, 63.