explains many passages of Scripture, in which we read of the last times, last days, &c., meaning the last days of the Jewish age, or world. So John says, "Little children, IT IS THE LAST TIME: and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists, whereby WE KNOW THAT IS THE LAST TIME.' 1 John ii. 18. It is indisputable that John, the beloved disciple, lived in the last times. Paul says, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath, in these last days, spoken unto us by his son." Heb. i. 1, 2. The second coming of Christ took place at the same time. Indeed, some of the Christians, remembering what Christ had said, became impatient for his coming, and thought he delayed it. St. James addresses such, when he says, "" Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James v. 7, 8. Here the Christians are addressed precisely as though the coming of Christ was at hand, and they expected to sec it, and had grown impatient in waiting for it. Did James tell them they were in a great error, for that the second coming of Christ would not take place for almost eighteen hundred years? No; he said, "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." This must have meant his second coming, for his first coming had taken place before that time. Here, then, we have the plainest proof, proof that no man can put aside, that the sec

ond coming of Christ took place nearly eighteen hundred years ago. Now as Mr. Miller pretends, that the second coming of Christ is to happen in A. D. 1843, we have fully, completely, and utterly exploded his system; and that is what we proposed to do.

APPENDIX

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MR. WHITTEMORE'S DISCOURSE.

We think it not improper to give, at the close of this sermon, the following extracts from the works of that giant in theological learning, Dr. John Lightfoot. He lived about two hundred years ago, having been born in 1602. He was one of the most industrious seekers after truth, that ever lived; and, in the acknowledgment both of Englishmen and foreigners, he was one of the most eminent men in rabbinical learning that England ever produced; and his researches and commentaries were the grand storehouse of succeeding commentators. We quote from the edition of his works published in London, by J. R. Pitman, thirteen volumes, 1825.

"Our Saviour saith, Matt. xvi. 28, 'There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom :' which must not be understood of his coming to the last judgment; for there was not one standing there, that could live till that time nor ought it to be understood of the resurrection, as some would have it; for probably, not only some, but, in a manner, all that

stood there, lived till that time. His coming, therefore, in this place, must be understood of his coming to take vengeance against those enemies of his, which would not have him to rule over them, as Luke xix. 12, 27.

"Perhaps it will not repent him that reads the Holy Scriptures, to observe these few things:

"I. That the destruction of Jerusalem and the whole Jewish state, is described, as if the whole frame of this world were to be dissolved. Nor is it strange, when God destroyed his habitation and city, places once so dear to him, with so direful and sad an overthrow; his own people, whom he accounted of as much or more, than the whole world beside, - by so dreadful and amazing plagues. (Matt. xxiv. 29, 30,) 'The sun shall be darkened, &c. Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man,' &c. ; which yet are said to fall out, within that generation, (ver. 34. 2 Pet. iii. 10,) The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,' &c. Compare with this, Deut. xxxii. 22; Heb. xii. 26: and observe, that, by elements, are understood the Mosaic elements, (Gal. iv. 9; Colos. ii. 20) and you will not doubt, that St. Peter speaks only of the conflagration of Jerusalem, the destruction of the nation, and the abolishing the dispensation of Moses.

"Rev. vi. 12, 13: The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, &c. and the heavens departed as a scroll, when it is rolled together,' &c. Where, if we take notice of the foregoing plagues, by which, according to the most fre

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quent threatenings, he destroyed that people, viz. the sword (ver. 4), famine (ver. 5, 6), and the plague (ver. 8); withal comparing those words, They say to the mountains, Fall on us, and cover us,' with Luke xxiii. 30; - it will sufficiently appear, that, by those phrases, is understood the dreadful judgment and overthrow of that nation and city. With these also agrees that of Jer. iv. from ver. 22 to 28, and clearly enough explains this phrase. To this appertain those, and other such expressions, as we meet with; (1 Cor. x. 11.) us the ends of the world are come;' and (1 Pet. iv. 7,) The end of all things is at hand.' II. With reference to this, and under this notion, the times, immediately preceding this ruin, are called the last days,' and the last times,' that is, the last times of the Jewish city, nation, economy. This manner of speaking frequently occurs; which, let our St. John himself interpret (1 John ii. 18); There are many antichrists, whereby we know it is the last time:' and that this nation is upon the very verge of destruction, when as it hath already arrived at the utmost pitch of infidelity, apostasy, and wickedness.

"III. With the same reference it is, that the times, and state of things immediately following the destruction of Jerusalem, are called, a new creation,' new heavens,' and a new earth,' (Isa. lxv. 17;) Behold, I create a new heaven, and a new earth.' When should that be? Read the whole chapter; and you will find the Jews rejected and cut off; and from that time is that new creation of the evangelical world among the Gentiles.