of the second Epistle to the Thessalonians, which St Paul introduces there as a positive proof that the end of the world and the personal appearance of Christ could not be so near at hand, as many christians (and especially those he was then writing to) had been induced to believe. He assures them that the disturbance of mind which he understood had been occasioned amongst them, by a strong

ginning of christianity, when the bishops of Rome were holy and exemplary christians: but only from the time of their apostacy from the truth of Christ, unto fables and idolatry, and their usurpation of both temporal and spiritual supremacy over every creature. There is a period limited for the existence of Antichrist, and to be dated from the commencement of his reign, which cannot be certainly known until we see the end of it; as various events have been assigned, to which the calculations of his time have not corresponded. He was to rise iv των ἑαυτά varew, suo prestituto tempore,—in his own time," but was to continue 1260 years. In some respects his rise was very early, and in others much later than has been generally imagined. Some date it about the year 607, when pope Boniface, by the grant of the tyrant Phocas, took up the proud title of univer sal Bishop. Others refer it to the times of Pipin and Charle magne, about 750, when he became the little horn, by unjust usurpation of temporal power. The first will give the year 1867, and the second date the year 2010, for the time of his end. But if we rather think the assigned number of the beast, 666, (Rev. xii. 18,) is meant to indicate the date of his rise, as

apprehension of the near approach of the end of the world, and the coming of the Lord to the general judgment was unfounded, from whatever source that error had originated. That it could not possibly be true, because it was inconsistent with the declarations of the Holy Spirit, already committed to writing by the prophets, and recently communicated to himself. He then (perhaps not without some

well as the letters of his name, it will fix the year 1926 for the time, when the great mystery of God will be finished. (Rev. x. 7.) It is remarkable that about the year 666, pope Vitalianus composed the latin service, and enjoined all nations to use no other; by which he appropriated to himself and his church the name LATEINOS, or latin, the supposed name and number of the beast.

Probability and facts seem to argue that his consumption will be slow and gradual, as has been the case since its commencement at the reformation. But his final destruction will doubtless be violent and remarkable, by the brightness of Christ's coming to the restoration of his people, and the cleansing of the sanctuary. (2 Thess, ii. 8.-Dan. viii. 14.)

The pope is proved to be Antichrist, by all the protestant divines, at, and since the time of the reformation, with the exception of one or two fanciful system mongers. And was so called by many writers of their own church before the reform. ers took up the cry, and amongst them the famous Petrarch. That it is the doctrine of the church of England, the Common Prayer Book and Homilies sufficiently witness.

reluctance in imparting so disheartening a pro phecy) unfolds a scene of future calamity and persecution, which was to afflict and waste the church of Christ before the end of the world, from the tyranny of a monstrous and mysterious power, arisen within the church itself, which he calls "THE MAN OF SIN." But he adds, that there was at present existing a bar, or cause of hindrance, to prevent his appearance; and which should, for some time to come, still continue to prevent it: but that when this obstruction should, by time and events, be removed out of the way, then the non-descript monster should appear." I need not tell you in this public manner, (says he,) neither indeed is it expedient to do so,* what

The apostle's delicacy in not mentioning in this place, for the certain information of the church in general, what it is has been generally accounted for by the traditional opinion that it was the roman empire still existing; and it would have been dangerous to have published a prophecy, at that time, of the approaching fall of the "eternal city" In process of time, we find the dragon gives up his power and his seat, and great authority to the least; (Rev. xiii. 2.) and then the man of sin is revealed, iv ry laurỡ xxgp,—suo præstituto tempore, ia the time fixed by preceding prophecy for his appearance,

it is that letteth, or at present stands in the way, but must after some time be removed, and give place to the man of sin. I refer you to the frequent conferences we have held together in private, upon this very subject, for my meaning; as likewise for the meaning of the apostolical writers, in the frequent use they have made of that figurative expression, the coming of the Lord-and the day of Christ being at hand. Those phrases, I admit, do sometimes mean the great day of judgment; but at other times they signify the judgment and desolation of Jerusalem: and again, at other times, the judgment of the great whore,* or the destruction of the man of sin, and the punishment and extirpation of his long standing apostacy and mystery of iniquity."

After this short paraphrase upon his introduction of this interesting subject, let us come to the particulars, as stated in the apostle's own words: (2 Thess. ii. 1.)" Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord

*Rev. xvii. 1.

Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as from us, that the DAY OF CHRIST is at hand." It was not then at hand in any sense, even if taken figuratively for the fall of Jerusalem, which happened some years after this time ;* and much less, if understood literally of the end of all things. He solemnly exhorts them, by the hope of our common salvation, to give no credit to such assurances, whether coming from men pretending to the gifts of the Spirit, or derived from prophecies equally fallacious, or from real and undisputed prophecies mistakenly interpreted, or from pretended apostolical epistles, forged and put about in his name. Whatever their authority was for such a notion, he assures them it

was totally groundless,

The day of the Lord is one of those phrases of the ancient prophets, which, together with

*The fall of Jerusalem happened in the year of our Lord 70, and this second Epistle to the Thessalonians was written about the year 52, nearly twenty years before that event.