S.H.1828

SOBER THOUGHTS

ON

PROPHECY.

ESSAY I

THE INFANCY, YOUTH, MANHOOD, AND MATURITY,
OF THE WESTERN OR PAPAL ANTICHRIST.

BY

J. W. NIBLOCK, D.D. F.S.A. F.R.S.L. ;

MASTER OF HITCHIN-SCHOOL,

AND

CURATE OF NEWNHAM, HERTS.

"The folly of interpreters has been to foretell times and things, as if
God designed to make them prophets: by this rashness, they have not
only exposed themselves, but have brought the prophecy also into
contempt."
SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

LONDON:

J. HATCHARD AND SON, 187, PICCADILLY.
AND SOLD BY RIVINGTONS, CADELL, SIMPKIN AND
MARSHALL, AND J. SOUTER; ALSO BY T.
PATERNOSTER, HITCHIN.

MDCCCXXVIII.

LONDON:

IBOTSON AND PALMER, PRINTERS, SAVOY STREET, STRAND.

PREFACE.

THE subject of Prophecy having now, for some years, engaged the attention of many modern writers and popular preachers, in and out of the establishment, has, at length, engrossed that of many readers and hearers; and if both these classes confined themselves to the most "sure Word of Prophecy," and to the history of past ages, making history expound Prophecy, (of which it is the best and man's only key,) it would be at once an innocent, lawful, and profitable, subject of inquiry; but when the heresy of the Chiliasta of A.D. 108 is reviving, when theories are invented, and speculations are indulged, perverting the faith, and unsettling the

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FREFACE.

mais, of the weak, the sanguine, and the creDantas mini sound learning, and even common sis, Lited to a knowledge of the events of Just Lots can expose and refute; it is the duty offerem se to do what he can, by stepping forwurd to stem the torrent of error which he percomes to be likely to divide the Church, and Sew Late the Statuary: encourage speculation, and Finnish practice: distress the pious, and Sables the profice; and bring the personal nistry of the predictors, if they turn out ertulevas in their notions, as well as the propors, res the muscles into undeserved contempt; KAS 10 ENĀCAN Our to prove the fulfilment of the Pive predictions, by a reference, not to obsu, dsputed, or trivial events, but to matters fir bithose, affairs of moment.

Such is the object which the writer of this test ga Series of Essays on the subject of

J.

ale zari ta, when curiosity has been sated, tak soật zë modern Murzwarionism is detected, by saccomplishment of events at the predicted periods, the Couns at this preachers, who advocate it, will dwinkresies and secs ncrease; and the brotherhood and BOW I'm, y subsisting among the clergy, *T shai.

PREFACE.

Prophecy proposes to himself: how he has executed his task it shall be left with the public to decide; whose decision shall either call forth or suppress the remainder of the series. He deprecates fair and candid, however rigid, examination. no criticism, because he fears no

February, 1828.