In corroboration of the method ascribed, in the preceding deduction, to the prophet, in his distribution of the different terms to which his predictions extend, it may be in conclusion alleged, that it is illustrated and confirmed by the practice of the Evangelist St. John, between whom and Daniel the most extraordinary similarity has been observed to exist. The resemblance extends, however, to a degree that has been little suspected; as it may be shown to apply not merely to the periods which they have respectively employed, but to the epochs from which they are apparently reckoned. The spoliation of the different temples, of which they witnessed the destruction, supplies the date, from whence such of their prophecies as are distinguished as chronological must be computed. The object to which they turned their views into futurity, and at which their predictions are brought to a close, is obviously the same; as circumscribed by that great consummation alone, when "all people, nations and languages shall serve him, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."

Of the assumption hazarded at the commencement of this investigation, that the Chronological Prophecies form a connected series, revealing in their order the most important changes

* Dan. vii. 27; comp. Rev. xi. 15.

which mark the history of our race, the proof may be presumed to be so far effected. Independent of the disclosure which has been made to us, of the great political changes which have taken place upon earth; we see in those predictions, the chief incidents, in the system of God's providence, anticipated with a certainty, to which the unassisted faculties of man must have been wholly incompetent. The interval over which they extend, as measured by the computed terms of 1335 and 1260 years, which appear to be consecutive, forms the immense period of nearly twenty-six centuries. And it is observable of this vast interval, that, as dated from the captivity of his countrymen, it is deduced from the most remarkable epoch in the age of the prophet, and as marking the commencement of the antichristian usurpation, is distributed by the most important and prominent events, which have occurred since the times when he flourished.

Such in brief is the range to which the predictions of this highly favoured prophet extend. And had his revelations been limited even to them; they would furnish grounds sufficiently solid for our rational conviction, "that God spake in time past, unto the fathers, by the prophets. As we derive so much instruction and consolation from their inspired author, let us imitate his

*Heb. i. 1.

humility and piety. While our hope is animated by the prospect which he gives us into the future; and our faith is strengthened by the experience of what has passed as he has foretold; let us, in his words, express our gratitude; and say as "Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding : He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him."*

* Dan. ii. 20, 21, 22.

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LECTURE VII.

DANIEL, IX. 24.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy."

FROM the nature of the Deity as infinite in wisdom and power, it follows as a direct deduction, that all his operations whether ordinary or extraordinary should maintain the character of perfection, which is inseparable from a just conception of such a Being. In the notion of a wise selection of the end, and a just adaptation of the means to effect it; by both of which the quality of perfection is sustained; the consequence is equally implied, that the purposes of such a Being, will be carried into effect, by methods which no more exhibit a superfluity than a deficiency of power. By this criterion, which may be used to distinguish the true Religion, from such as are false; the distinction is forcibly

marked between the miracles and prophecy, by which Revelation is established, and the prodigies and prognostications, on which superstition or Paganism have founded their pretensions.

The analogy which is acknowledged to subsist, in the application of this principle, between Revealed and Natural Religion, is not merely observed to extend to Prophecy at large; but to that part especially which is distinguished as chronological. The succession of predictions, distinguished not merely by the anticipation of future events, but the determination of the precise time of their occurrence, give this evidence of the authority from whence they proceed, in professing to be derived from inspiration. The series of epochs which it determines are no less signalised for their plenitude than their adequacy; in leaving no important change unforetold, which took place in the divine dispensations, and in revealing no event, which as trivial or irrelevant may be thought undeserving of notice.

I. By no prediction in the entire series of chronological prophecy, is this character more signally sustained, than by that which engages our immediate attention. The great revolution in the divine dispensations which it reveals, surpasses in the magnitude of the event, and the importance of the consequences, by which it was succeeded, all that inspiration had dis

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