power is given to continué forty and two months: again the same period. In the 7th Chap. of Daniel Ver. 25. the Little Horn, the last organ of Despotism, is to have the people of the earth and their Governments, with power to change times and laws, given into his hand. until, (that is, until the expiration of) a Time, and Times, and the dividing of Times. Still the same period: and all, I think, mystically, but plainly, referring to the whole continuance of this Sublunary Dispensation of Things. But what that time really prefigured may be, we are expressly told by our Lord himself, Matth. xxiv. 36. is not permitted for men nor angels to know.

These and such like prophetic intimations in Scripture are not given to enable men to know explicitly the designs of Heaven before they are accomplished; but by their accomplishment, when it takes place, to make manifest the incomprehensible wisdom, and perfect Foreknowledge of God

"

thus declaring the end from the beginning, and from antient times the things which are not yet done: saying my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. This might be shewn by innumerable instances, especially in the history, and present state of the Jewish Nation.

END OF THE DIGRESSION.

This same scene, and period which we have now in hand, is also the principal subject of the 7th Chapter of the book of Daniel; one of the most important and interesting passages, in the whole Old Testament; and particularly

coinciding with the 20th Chapter of the book of Revelation.

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9 Here we find (Verses 13, 14.) "One like the Son of Man Coming in the Clouds of heaven "and receiving from the Antient of Days Domi“nion, and Glory and a Kingdom→→under this "Sovereignty, we find, (V. 27.) the Kingdom and Dominion, and the Greatness of the King"dom under the whole Heaven, given to the "People of the Saints of the Most high. Under "the same Auspices, we find (V. 10.)-the "Judgment Set, and the Books opened the Judgment given to the Saints of the Most

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High-and (V. 22.) the time come that the "Saints possessed the Kingdom-We find "also Dan. ix. 24, a time determined upon To "finish Transgression, and to make an End "of Sin,-to made Reconciliation for Iniquity, "and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness, "-to Seal up* Vision and Prophecy, and to "anoint the Most Holy, when the Saints of "the Most high shall take the Kingdom; and "possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever "and ever!"

**I am aware that our Translators, understanding this pas sage of the Jewish economy only, have added the definite article The before Transgression, and before Vision and Prophecy, but they have no authority from the original for so doing and the passage is plainer, and much more important and emphatical, taken indefinitely; as implying the consummation, and closing of the whole economy and administration of Providence with respect to the present religious and moral state of this world.

What an exquisite idea is here presented of the Restitution of All Things-of a perfectly restored State of Nature! Let us stop and contemplate a little this most important Passage A time determined upon-to Finish Transgression, and to make an End of Sin!-entirely to exclude Evil Crime-Guilt-Suffering-and Misery, from all the Works of God-To make Reconciliation for Iniquity-to Propitiate Heaven in behalf of all its Works! to Expiate and Atone for all Guilt and Crimes, admitted in the past perverted State of Nature! To bring in Everlasting Righteousness! to introduce and establish never-ending Goodness, Equity, and Right; and hence universal Love, Peace, and Happiness, through all the Creation of God!To Seal up Vision and Prophecy!-to close, and put an end to those partial and imperfect discoveries of the Divine Will and Designs; which are only means and expedients in an imperfect and progressive System-and now no longer required-To Anoint the Most Holy! -To invest in the full and immediace exercise of his delegated Sovereignty-his All Power in Heaven and in Earth,-Christ the Sole Anointed One-The Most Holy, the Most HighIneffable Emanuel, God with us-Eternal God and King through all the Regions of Nature! Amen-Even so come Lord Jesus!

Looking back on what I have here written, I find I am so far from having added either light

or force to the plain importance of this admira ble Passage, that I seem rather to have weakened its force, and obscured its lustre. But still my aim may not altogether have failed-which was to recall the Reader's particular attention to the plain importance of the original, and to detain his thoughts a while upon it.

But instances are innumerable of the Sacred Writers alluding in the most sublime strain to a blissful period of peace and felicity, when the most savage natures shall put off their ferocity: "When strife and violence shall be no more "heard, wasting and destruction no more seen ; "when they shall not hurt nor destroy in all

my holy mountain, in all the blessed precincts "of the Divine Dominions. When the people "shall be all righteous and innocent; and the "earth shall be full of the knowledge of God,

as the waters cover the sea." In the same sublime strain we find the description of a Majesty and Excellency of person and character far above all the characteristics of human dignity and power. These we find most commonly founded in terror, in war, and destruction; but here we find the celebration of a Majesty that is founded in truth, in meekness, and in righteousness: these are the true distinguishing characteristics of the Reign of the Prince of Peace. "In his days shall the righteous flourish, and "abundance of peace so long as the Moon en"dureth ; his name shall endure for ever; his

"name shall be continued as long as the Sun: "and men shall be blessed in him, and all na ❝tions shall call him blessed." Though in some of these passages it is probable the Psalmist might immediately allude to Solomon, and the flourishing state of his kingdom; yet it is impossible not to remark, That surely a greater than Solomon is here.

This period, and this administration and economy, it may be observed, is to be preceded by the entire subversion and overthrow of all the present perverted Systems of earthly Sovereignty. He, the Restorer, shall then have put down all Rule, and all Authority and Power. For we see, in the close of the 19th Chapter of Revela tion describing the introduction to this Restored Period, the portentous Beast, the Representative of Perverted Monarchical Power, and with him the False Prophet, the equal Representative of Perverted Hierarchical Power, were taken and the Remnant, the Kings of the Earth and their Armies, were Slain by the Sword of him that sat upon the White Horse. It would therefore seem that the principal end and object of this Restoration of Nature, of this happy Period and Reign, is the Rectifying of Government, the Righteous Administration of Justice and Judg ment: as the perversion of these is indeed the Supreme Source of Evil, of Misery and Crimes, on the Earth.

This blessed and happy State we may conceive