men, prone to dive into turbid depths and seek for pearls there, we might let them dive on, and pass quietly upon our own way. But the church is assailed on all sides with the claims of these hariolations. It has even come to this, that the quiet and sober Christian is reproached with a want of faith, because he hesitates to engage in them, or to sympathize with them. Ministers of the Gospel are in some cases looked upon with coldness, and even with disdain, because they will not preach these fanciful interpretations. It is time, therefore, for common sense and reason to rouse themselves up for action, and make sober, honest, thorough inquiry as to what ground there is for all this excitement. There is nothing in sacred hermeneutics, that casts such a stain on English and American expositors, as the character of their interpretation of some parts of the prophets. They have no standard, no landmark, no compass. Every man says "what is right in his own eyes," and then calls upon others to agree with him. The most ingenious and fluent man is most extensively applauded, ingenious in forming conjectures, and fluent in his mode of developing them. Thus, as we might expect, one book succeeds another with the greatest rapidity; and the public, at least a portion of it, ever thirsting after novelty, and excited by the hope of obtaining a look into the future, receive every new actor in this drama with more or less of applause. How often is one compelled to turn away from this spectacle, with an agitated and even mournful look, and exclaim: When will the churches learn to believe what their divine Master declared, in saying to his anxiously inquiring disciples: IT IS NOT YOURS TO KNOW THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS, WHICH THE FATHER HATH

PUT IN HIS OWN POWER.

One thing must at all events be true. If the Bible is not to be interpreted by the common principles of language,

it cannot be interpreted at all, except by inspired men. Is there any promise to the church of such a class of interpreters? If not, then our only safety lies, in adopting and following out the common, well-known, and well-established principles of interpretation. That these are violated by the extravagant and unfounded views so common at the present day, lies upon the very face of the interpretations. The main object of this little book has been, to show how they are unfounded, and why they ought to be so regarded And now I appeal to the sober judgment of every unprejudiced reader, and ask him the question: Am I not in the right, in insisting that all designations of time should be interpreted according to their obvious meaning, when no good reason can be given why we should depart from this? Are not the historical facts that I have adduced as the fulfilment of events predicted, as true to the representations in the prophecies, as other fulfilments to which we usually appeal? If so, why should we not be satisfied with them? Why should we persevere in looking to centuries in advance for fulfilment of that, respecting which it is repeatedly and solemnly declared, that it shall take place SPEEDILY?

this.

Particularly would I urge one consideration here. It is How could it so happen, that all the various historical events to which I have adverted as fulfilments of prophecy, and which, it must in candour be granted, look very much like fulfilments, should have happened at times that coincide so exactly with the times designated in the prophecies? One or two of these we might account for on the ground of accident; but that so many events of the nature just described, should have all happened at the periods in question, and in regular order-is a matter which carries on its very face the stamp of being connected with prophecy.

If the sober and considerate portion of our religious community can be persuaded to give some due attention to this subject, and to insist on the application of sound principles to all prophetic exegesis, an important end will be answered. If others more capable than myself, and who have more leisure, can be roused up to pursue the investigations which are here but imperfectly commenced, and to expose any errors, or confirm any truths, which have now been suggested, this little book will not have been written in vain.

END.