or mark to be reforted to, than miraculum, a miracle; fince, indeed, even a miracle is no further properly defcribed by the word σμeov, than as it becomes a fign, or standard *. 452. Besides which, it may be added, that the translation, fetting up ftandards, is more proper here than merely that of doing or working miracles; because it appears from the words that follow, concerning the effect thereof, that it should be, to gather people together to war: and unquestionably, although we do not yet fee the full effect of the mischievous confequences of freeing fo great a part of mankind from all restraints of religious principles; yet nothing has a greater tendency

to

* In fome very remarkable paffages of Scripture, a miracle is described with more energy by the word dúvauis, as for inftance in Mark, ch. ix. ver. 39; Acts, ch. xix. ver. 11; 1 Cor. ch. xii. ver. 10; ver. 28, 29; Galatians, ch. iii. ver. 5. And as onusov, when used to fignify a miracle, almost always denotes its being wrought merely as a fign, or proof of the truth of a doctrine or opinion; fo in Acts, ch. ii. ver. 22, the distinction of the words, and the intention of such ufage, clearly appears: as alfo, ch. vi. ver. 8; and ch. viii. ver. 13; ch. xv. ver. 12; and Hebrews, ch. ii. ver. 4.

That σnusov alfo properly fignifies, merely, a fign, or token, most fully appears from the ufe of the word, Mat

to produce uproar and confufion, and tumults and rebellions, and a fubversion of good government in all parts of the world, than the various kinds of Atheistical doctrines lately propagated have.

Thus we may perceive how two of these evil spirits have proceeded out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast ; and have conjointly fet up their standards in these days. And as to the third, proceeding out of the mouth of the false prophet, the emblem is as true; whether by that figure, (which is here for the first time introduced in this Prophecy,) be meant the corrupt body

thew, ch. xii. ver. 38; Mark, ch. viii. ver. 11, 12; Luke, ch. xi. ver. 16, 29, 30; Matth. ch. xxiv. ver. 3, 30; ch. xxvi. ver. 48; Luke, ch. ii. ver. 34; John, ch. ii. ver. 18; Rom. ch. iv. ver. 11; 1 Cor. ch. i. ver. 22; ch. xiv. ver. 22. Alfo from the use of it by the LXX. Genesis, ch. ix. ver. 12, 13, 17; ch. xvii. ver. 11; ch. iii. ver. 12; ch. xii. ver. 13; ch. xiii. ver. 16.

And that onμsov may, with the utmost propriety, be tranflated a standard, or enfign, appears from several pasfages in the version of the LXX: as for inftance, Numbers, ch. ii. ver. 2; Jeremiah, ch. li. ver. 12, 27; Isaiah, ch. xi. ver. 12; ch. xiii. ver. 2; ch. xviii. ver. 3; Pfalm lx. ver. 4; lxxiv. ver. 4.

of the Roman clergy, as diftinct from the Great Ruling Power in that Church; confiftently with the defcription mentioned in the Book of Revelations, chap. xiii. ver. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. (for many of that body also have been the most professed abettors of thofe enfnaring, falfe, Atheistical, and pretended philofophical principles, which have now fo dangerous an influence in Europe ;) or whether, by this figure, the false prophet, be meant, what we are more accustomed, in 453. common language, to understand by that word, and what I take to be the real meaning, the false prophet of the Eaft-Mahomet, and the profeffors of his religion.

For fure enough it is, that Atheistical principles have, of late years, been the favourite opinions of vaft numbers of Mahometans'; and have prepared the minds of men, in the Eaftern parts of Europe, for the same sort of libertinism as they have been prepared for in the Weft.

In every fenfe of the words, therefore, this part of the prophecy is made good in these days; and we feem, from every fign of the *Newton on the Prophecies, Vol. III. p. 234-244.

times that can well be given, to live under the Sixth Vial, in the Weft; and under the effects of the Sixth Trumpet, ftill prevailing in the Eaft, and throughout the world*.

Here, therefore, whilft we maintain due reverential fear and hope, our interpretation muft end.

Nothing but the events themselves, when they come to pass, can rightly explain the reft: and they will certainly fpeak loudly enough for themselves, as thofe before have done.

1

I shall therefore fimply endeavour to translate fairly the short descriptions that follow, with regard to what ball happen before the great completion of that illuftrious fcene of things, which is declared to be the final object of the whole difpenfation of Divine Providence.

Only I must juft remark, that it seems as if persecution, and the horrid influences of superftition, and of ignorance and barbarism, were allowed to produce their dire effects during the first part of the period of time described under the Vials; and as if irreligion, vanity, and a total want of all ferious principle, and a misapplication of the refinements of civilization,

* It should be remembered that this was written in 1787.

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were

454.

were to be allowed to produce their mischief also in the latter end of that period.

Which, if it be the cafe, may too juftly lead us to fear that the latter end may be worfe than the beginning.

Let us proceed with the concluding words:

Revelations, ch. xvi. ver. 15, 16. 15. Ἰδὲ, ἔρχομαι ὡς κλέπτης· μακαρίας ὁ γρηγορῶν, καὶ τηρῶν τὰ ἱμάτια αὑτῶ, ἵνα μὴ γυμνὸς περιπατῇ, καὶ βλέπωσι τὴν ἀστ χημοσύνην αὐτό.

15. Behold, I come as a thief does. Happy is he that is watching, and is preferving his garments, that he may not walk naked, and [in a manner that] men fee his disgrace.

Here is a manifeft declaration that the great and final event of all may poffibly foon furprise the world, juft after the fulfilling of the preceding predictions; and a warning, therefore, to every fincere man, to preserve the true vefture of the foul.

16. Καὶ συνήγαγεν αὐτὲς εἰς τὸν τόπον τὸν καλέμενον Ἑβραῖςὶ ̓Αρμαγεδών.

16. And