little horn of Dan. vii. 8, 20, 22. In Luther's Familiar Letters from a Father to his Children, time, this way of interpreting the book of Daniel MY on "The Times of the Gentiles." No. 15. and Revelation obtained universal assent. Here I must digress a moment, to admire the proviY DEAR CHILDREN,-My last letter left off dence of God. Times and seasons are in His with the formation of the ten toes of the hand. (Acts i. 7.) There was certainly a suffiimage of Daniel i., by the barbarians-Goths, cient resemblance in the Pope to Antichrist, by Franks, &c., who invaded the Roman empire in his horrible persecution of the saints of God, and the West. They gradually embraced Chris- by the divided geographical condition in which tianity, and were supported in general, especially the empire was then found, to warrant any child as they grew strong, and if they were orthodox, of God in separating from, and denouncing the by the Bishop of Rome, and supported him in Romish Church, according to the spiritual intellireturn. Such is the origin of the present gence of the times. Assuredly, we have abunEuropean system. The Roman people were not dantly more reason now, even without the book so much conquered, as that the Goths and of Revelation. But, perhaps, I may affirm Franks came and settled themselves peaceably further, that the book is capable of yielding a down among them. The government was changed, progressive, as well as a critical fulfilment. It but the laws were respected. It was found that is capable of yielding a fulfilment, which, bethe conquered were superior in the arts of ginning from the earlier days of imperial Rome, civilized life to the conquerors, into which state should give the history of the Church involved in these last were settling. There was thus a the history of the empire, and therefore with the mutual need, the one of the other. These are Pope in full relief as the Antichrist; and it is remarkable providential facts in the way of the intended, critically, in a period of seven years, development of the Pope's power, which I ought to depict "the time of Jacob's trouble," when the to tell you. Independently of the separation, Church having been taken away, Antichrist (not politically speaking, between the East and West, an ecclesiastical ruler, but a king) under the there had been a religious dispute upon the use direct influence of the devil, shall assume sway of images, between Constantinople and Rome, over the Roman earth, and over the world, as and a breach of the two Churches in consequence. antagonist to Christ, to whom it in God's purThe Emperors of Constantinople having taken pose belongs. According to the former view, part with the Eastern Bishops, the Pope found there was, then, ground for the Cathuri, for the fresh support from the young blood of the New Waldenses, for the earlier Moravians, for Luther, Western kingdoms, and Gregory the second, and the Protestants in general, to say, The the Pope of the day, writes thus, to Leo the scarlet woman riding on the ten horned beast of Emperor: "All the nations of the West have Rev. xvii. is the Pope tyrannically wielding the their eyes turned towards our humble person; power of the empire, and for their cry against they regard us as a God upon earth." Even the Romish Church, • Come out of her, my about the year A.D. 400, Jerome, called one of people, that ye be not partaker of her plagues.' the Church fathers, thought that by the employ- Since we are occupied with the fourth empire ment of forcible troops by the Roman govern-in its divided state, a state which occupies the ment, the clay and the iron of Daniel's image (Dan. ii.) had become mingled together; ("they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men." Dan. ii. 43.) The divines of that day saw that the clay was the coming in of a foreign element upon that which was Roman, and in that sense according to the interpretation belonging to the divine statute. As events progressed in the West, and as the Church deteriorated in the way of false doctrine and tyranny, over the consciences and lives of men on the part of the Pope, who had all the power of the West, as I have just now shown, in his hands, it began to be surmised by the godly of the day, who were suffering under his hands, such as the Cathuri and Albigenses, who were dwelling either in the French or Italian valleys of the Alps, that the Pope was the Antichrist or man of sin of the New Testament, and the persecuting power or 66 66 mind of the prophet as introductory to the saints horns." . when it received a "deadly wound," (Rev. xiii. 3,) when "it was, and is not, and yet is." (Rev. xvii. 8.) The Roman empire, of which this beast was the symbol, was once in great authority and power-it sinks almost into nothing during the Exarchate, and revives again upon the Pope being established as a kind of monarch at Rome. He became the eighth head, and yet had a kind of rule as the seventh during the time of feebleness, for the eighth head "is of the seven." (Rev. xvii. 11.) come." Here the interpretation of the Pope over by Charter to the Pope and his successors being both the woman and the beast that carries for ever, A.D. 756. You will not mind my being her begins. We suppose the northern nations a little wearisome on this subject, as wherever to have broken in upon and divided the Roman you study the history of modern Europe, that is, empire in the West, to have been converted to if you do so in a philosophical spirit, you will Christianity, and to protect the Pope. This find no part more interesting than the manner could not be until the Imperial or sixth head in which the Pope, sometimes by working upon had fallen, viz., the one called in John's time, the superstitious fears of the ignorant, sometimes "and one is." Now, interpreters who consider by cajoling his friends, and sometimes by exthe Book of Revelation to be a continuous citing a league of arms against his enemies, behistory of the Roman empire, or of the fortunes came arbiter of the affairs, and disposer of the of the Church in it, take the Pope to be the kingdoms of Europe, which retain to this day seventh head, and as we originally took the the form, both religious and political, impressed Scriptures for a text book, let us allow this upon them under his influence. But all this supposition, and proceed with the history and history is for the purpose of shewing you how interpretation together. We know that Odoacer those who interpret the Revelation as a course took Rome from Agustulus A.D. 476. He pos- of European history, make the Pope to be the sessed himself of the Government of Rome and seventh and even the eighth head. They conItaly, but without the title of Emperor, or any sider these heads as forms of government, of other derived from Rome, and without even which the sixth was the Roman Emperorship. making Rome his residence. He was only | The seventh head from A.D. 476 to a.d. 752 was king of Italy, and the seat of his kingdom the time when Roman power was in abeyance, Ravenna. His kingdom was taken from him by a great king of the Goths-Theodoric, who was an Arian, as almost all these invaders were. This kingdom of the Goths was supplanted by Justinian, the Eastern Emperor (with his seat at Constantinople); but still Rome was subordinate to Ravenna, at which last city the government was held, the administration having the title of Exarch. Shortly afterwards, A.D. 568, the Lombards invaded Italy, and took the whole of it except Ravenna and Rome, which cities, with the adjacent territory, after Justinian had This is only a specimen-one out of various supplanted the Goths, were still subject to the interpretations given by Protestant commentators, Eastern Emperor. The Exarchate continued, who had before them nothing but the Pope to and with it this low condition of Rome, from fill up all the outlines. Happily, there is in the A.D. 568 to A.D. 752. At this last date Ravenna outlines themselves, sufficient truth in principle itself was taken by the Lombards. You will to vindicate their secession from Rome, and to thus see that for nearly two hundred years the point her out as "the mother of harlots, and Bishop or Pope had time to arrange his affairs, abominations of the earth;" as the one who and to give himself a permanent authority in has tyrannized over the consciences of men, and Rome. Now the Lombard king who took arrogated to herself that power which belongs to Ravenna claimed Rome as an appanage of, or as Christ alone. Fresher and fuller light has been belonging to it. The Pope ruling in Rome, vouchsafed to students of prophecy in these alarmed, sends to Pepin, king of the Franks, for recent times. We are permitted to see in the assistance. The kings of France were always dismal picture of the end of this age, not only an orthodox, that is, they held truly the Three per- unchaste woman, that is, a false and corrupt sons in One God. It is to be noted in favour Church, in contrast with a true one, but also the of the Romish Bishops, that whilst they had an energizing by the power of Satan of a mighty eye to their own interests, yet in the choice king, who shall put himself in array against of friends, they held to those most approved in Christ, and shall perish at His descent from doctrine. These same ties still endure between heaven. But I must reserve this for a final the Pope and the French to this day. Pepin sent an army into Italy, forced the Lombard king not only to renounce his rights on Rome, but also to sign a treaty by which he gave up the Exarchate altogether. Pepin refused to restore it to the Eastern empire, but made it letter. Your affectionate Father, Our fancied greatness keeps God from us: in our felt weakness we realize that God is for us and with us. "We see Jesus.” HEBREWS ii. 9. BELOVED, there is something very sweet in BELOVED, there is something very sweet in the revelation of the love, power, and beauty of our Jesus; but there is something sweeter still in the revelation of himself. Oh, for more longing after the personal manifestation of a personal Jesus! When Jesus shews me himself, he always shews me how near and how dear I am to himself—how close to his heart I am. Oh, wondrous thought, that shall even fill eternity with wonder! I am dearer to Jesus than himself, for he gave himself for me. Oh, beloved, for more faith to live in the power of that truth, to walk in the light of it, to work in the enjoyment of it, in all things to endure as "seeing him that is invisible." this dispensation (the body of Christ), that it is separate from and higher than anything that has preceded it, or that shall succeed it, I can follow along with you step by step. It was not long since that Mrs. G. and I were having a little talk on the subject. 66 66 I will just relate a little circumstance that took place on my journey to Adelaide, to shew you the effect that the heavenly calling has on the world in Australia. I entered into conversation with a leading man in my neighbourhood, and by and by it came on Gentile power and authority in the world. I said that I could not, as a Christian, meddle with such things. The man was taken by surprise. Why," said he, "Christians are the right people that should interfere." "Well," I said, "it seems most reasonable that they should, and I would gladly fill office, had This precious truth is a sweet one for those not my Master forbidden me." He then, as you who are in the wilderness, who have its rough may well suppose, endeavoured to shew that good places to wade through, its dangers and storms Christian people were the right ones to make to encounter; but the manifestation of Jesus laws, and to maintain good order and good turns the wilderness into a garden, and makes the society, &c. I said, "If I listen to you, or be desert to bloom and blossom as a rose. Have you not found it so, beloved, in many a dark and guided by own feelings, I should turn my back cloudy day, when the springs of earth were dried upon Christ; and if I obey Christ, I must turn back on your Gentile power. my up, and the cisterns of the world fractured and to exercise all the power that Christ has given broken? In the revelation of Jesus himself, have to His Church, and also content to leave Gentile you not found a deep and blessed well, whence power to Gentiles." "Well, then," he said, your longing, thirsty soul satiated itself to the you may as well be dead as alive." I said, full with living waters? Oh, then, let our prayer. That is my profession, dead to this world, alive be-dear Master, shew me more of thyself,with Christ." He remarked, that he hoped I bring me closer to thyself,--keep me near thyself! was a Christian, but he never heard such strange enthusiasm before. Such is the effect in this day of so much light. "Nearer, my God, to Thee, W. T. T. A Letter from a Far Country. My dear brother in Christ,-I feel most grate- 66 I am content I must cease to say anything more about temporal things, before I respond to your care over us in sending the prophetic report. I have received it by this mail. I have just glanced over it once, but I shall read it again and again. It has been blessed and made precious to our souls. I am bound to say, that I am sure the Master was there. Oh, I could wish I had but wings to fly and be there. I can assure you, that to be living as we have been, without the fellowship of saints, and deprived of those blessed seasons, if we had not had the root of the matter in us, we should have fed upon the leeks and onions of Egypt long ago. I feel so grateful to our blessed Master, that He is stirring up His disciples to such a work. I have long had the important work laid upon my own soul, the testimony of what the Church of Christ is. I am so rejoiced there is a stir of earnestly contending for this part of the faith, that faith which separates from this world, and links on to Christ in heaven. There is a brother C. in the suburbs of As it concerns the Church being peculiar to | Adelaide, who has a little gathering. I some times think the Lord will have a gathering yet in Adelaide, to witness a little for the truth, and against the evil; but the stream of the day, in Australia, is the wood, hay, and stubble; science and politics, &c.; bazaars, concerts, building houses for God, &c. No question about truth, no enquiring about the Lord's return, no asking what the Church of Christ is. Dear brother, pray for us, the few scattered sheep, who need the care of the great Shepherd; pray that His work may revive in Australia, that His name may be glorified by us. Notes on the Book of Revelation. WE СНАР. Хіх. 1-10. the glory, and the power of our God, for true 2. Then the four-and twenty elders and four living creatures worship. They do not, as I judge, thus worship God on the ground of redemption, for we have not hitherto seen any proof of the latter being a redeemed people; but they fall down and worship God as ascribing praise and honour to Him for His judgment of this unchaste woman; they worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen. Hallelujah! Thus the saints, who, as we have before seen, have been previously caught up to meet the Lord in the air (or, according to the 20th verse of the last chapter, the saints, and the apostles, and prophets), prostrate themselves before Him that sat on the throne, and, like all others in heaven, give praise and glory to God. This is the last time "the elders" are named in the Apocalpse, because "the Bride," the Lamb's wife, now becomes distinctively owned. seems 3. A voice from the throne is then heard commanding all the servants to praise God; for although "much people," "elders," and "living creatures," had rendered praise and worship, it as if there are other occupants of the heavenlies at this time who have not done so. Therefore, the Seer tells us that "a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, ALL ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great." (v. 5.) The consequence is, that E had the joy in heaven alluded to in the previous chapter. It is not now joy in the presence of the angels of God over repenting sinners, but it is a time of heavenly rejoicing, because the great harlot is judged, and brought under God's everlasting wrath. Those who seek their rest in the world's religion, and look for earthly glory, will find their end to be bitterness and wailing. The Church's hope is the coming of the Son from heaven. We expect to partake of the glory of God and the Lamb. We cannot rest till we see Him who is the object of our heart's joy. Our place here is to be rejected with Christ, to suffer for Him, and with Him, because we have infinitely better in Christ; and in a little while it will be seen that it is so. But the world is already judged, and is only awaiting the execution of its sentence. Men are labouring busily to set this poor doomed world in order, but it is labouring in the very fire for vanity, for that is reserved for Jesus to accomplish by His personal appearing; for He 4. A great multitude respond to this command must reign till He hath put all enemies under with an outburst of loudest praise, as if all inHis feet, and then the whole earth shall be filled telligences of heaven joined in one song of joy. with the glory of the Lord. Christians, too, It is such a crash of heavenly rejoicing, that may most perseveringly try to evangelize the it is compared to the voice of many waters, and world to bring in a spiritual millennium, and as the voice of mighty thunderings. All, all in court the world's help in furthering their endea- heaven unite in one loud "Hallelujah; for the vours, but it only produces confusion-Babylon Lord God omnipotent reigneth." -and will bring down the heavy judgment of God upon it. The truth is, that the Church of God is perfectly distinct from the world. No two things can be more opposite. Many try to harmonize them, but the Scripture declares that all that is not of the Father is of the world. It is, then, the judgment of the mystery of the great whore which is here accompanied with such rejoicing in heaven; and in the scene different companies are brought before us. We have 1. A great voice of much people in heaven, and their song is, "Hallelujah! the salvation, and But let us not mistake the character of the praise. It is not that Christ reigns, but that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." The Lord Jesus will come forth as King of kings, and Lord of lords; but here it is God reigneth. Neither is it a song of praise for the triumphs of grace through the death and resurrection of Christ; but it is praise for the righteous vengeance and power of God upon Babylon, the mother of harlots. It is not, therefore, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain," but, "Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." What a difference this scene presents from There is a fitting propriety, it seems to me, in God judging the false woman before the marriage of the Lamb, and His coming forth in glory; for when He is manifested, His Church will be with Him. "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory." Thus God justifies the title of those who rest on the blood of His Son, puts honours on Him who alone is worthy, and condemns those who have despised the gospel of His grace, and trodden under foot the blood of atonement. The pretender-the unchaste one who used the name of Christ for selfish purposes, and loved Him not, being judicially set aside as the object of God's eternal indignation,—“the smoke of her torment rose up for ever and ever,"-the Lamb's wife is now for the first time introduced, the object of God's wondrous grace, and for ever the sorrow and trouble that many of the previous chapters have unfolded to us. This look into heaven is very happy and joyous. And I would here ask, Do not these few opening verses of our chapter again plainly shew that there is a variety of companies in heaven? It seems to me impossible to identify the various visions of redeemed ones that are brought before us in this book. Who could reasonably regard the elders of the fifth chapter as identical with the great multitude of the seventh chapter, though both ascribe all their salvation to the blood of the Lamb? for not only do the elders ask the question, who they are, and whence they came, but we get all the particulars of the throne and those surrounding it in both chapters, and in the seventh the great multitude is an additional company. Look also at the fifteenth chapter. There you have a redeemed people in no wise corres-united to the Lamb as partaker of His changeponding with the elders of the fifth chapter, or the great multitude of the seventh chapter; for they stand on the sea of glass, which was unoccupied in the 4th chapter, and their song of Moses tells us of their having been on Jewish ground. Again, the two witnesses that are seen in the eleventh chapter ascending up to heaven in a cloud in the sight of their enemies (v. 12), give a testimony that would be quite inconsistent for us who are members of the body of Christ, and called to suffer for Him, and to love our enemies as He did. (See v. 5.) And so in this nineteenth chapter, where the joy of heaven is opened to our spiritual intelligence, we have "much people," "elders, and living creatures," and "a great multitude," saying, "Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." less love, and sharer of His honour and glory. Afterward, she is manifested; for in the ages to come, God will shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Eph. ii. 7.) We therefore find that the praise in heaven for the judgment of the great whore is immediately followed with shoutings of joy and gladness, because "the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready." Hitherto the saints had known the joy of being with Christ around the throne of God; but now the Church is to have her distinctive place, the wife is to be presented. The Lord had spoken of a certain king, who made a marriage for His Son, and now the time is come, and we are told that His wife hath made herself ready." "By which," said a much loved brother, now with the Lord, "I understand this . that the saints, or redeemed, have, till now, been in heaven, as children of the Father's house; but that now, they are embodied to shine together in the glories of the golden city as the Lamb's wife. (xxi. 9.) He has now presented to Himself a glorious Church. (Eph. v.) The saints are now ready to be manifested in the Son's kingdom, as they had till now been hidden in the Father's house.' Thus we see the joy of heaven when God takes matters into His own hand. Now it is man's day. Evil prospers. Christ is still rejected by most. The world lieth in the wicked one; Satan is still its prince. True it is that God exercises His restraining power, pours down His providential blessings, and publishes and uses, in His great mercy, the gospel of His grace. But when God interferes as claiming subjection, and holding man accountable for his course, after His various warnings and witnesses have been unheeded, of There is reason to believe that the bema, or course it can only be in terrible judgment. Now, judgment-seat of Christ of 2 Cor. v. 10, the place blessed be God, divine mercy lingers, and His for adjudicating rewards to the saints, has been wondrous longsuffering patience is lengthened enacted prior to this, because it seems as if Christ out; still it is, "grace reigns through righteous- came forth in manifested glory just after the marness unto eternal life." Therefore, it would be│|riage, and then we know we shall be manifested quite out of character to say now that "the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth." We who, through grace, have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, know that we stand in grace before Him, can rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and look forward to the time when God will take the things of earth into His own hand, and send Jesus to put all enemies under His feet. with Him. The next action after the marriage shews us the opened heaven, and the Lord's glorious appearing. But however this may be, it is well to notice that we are here reminded that all our blessings are not of works, but the sovereign actings of divine grace from first to last. Her spotless beauty is a gift. Her fitness for the |