mandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." ver. 17.

CHAPTER XIII.

The scene of this vision is by the sea side. "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the names of blasphemy." ver. 1. When prophecies are given in symbols, it is evident they cannot be understood literally. In such cases it is usual to have a key or interpretation given, as in the visions of Daniel relative to the great image the tree, the four beasts,the horns; and the carpenters, the ephah, and the four chariots and horses mentiond by Zechariah. chap. i. 18-21. vi. 1-8. Many of our Lord's parables have the key as it were hanging at the door. So also the account of the beast in this chapter, and of the woman arrayed in scarlet, has an explanation, chap. xvii. and so most, if not all the symbolical representations in the sacred scriptures have some explanatory sentences annexed (except they are so self evident as to need no such helps,) and there are certain words and phrases in such narratives, that are really figurative, and are so interpreted by all commentators.

The great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his

heads, xii. 3. seems to be the prototype of the other beast mentioned in this chapter. I think we cannot easily mistake the power it is designed to represent, though Bishop Newton, and other commentators say he is the representative of "the Pagan Roman Empire," yet the inspired writer says he is "that old serpent, called the devil and satan." A beast in prophetic language is a symbol of a despotic kingdom, or hierarchy, and I think the three beasts may be interpreted as follows.

The dragon represents infernal despotism. xii. 3.

The beast out of the sea, civil despotism. The beast out of the earth, ecclesiastical despotism.

The beast arising out of the sea, bears a striking resemblance to the dragon having the same number of heads, horns and crowns, and to show his antichristian character, there was placed "upon his heads the names of blasphemy." ver. 1. This beast of civil despotism is the very image of the old tyrannies exhibited to Daniel under the symbols of a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a fourth beast dreadful and terrible, having great iron teeth, and ten horns. Dan. vii. 7. So this beast was like a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion. It is evident the chief

characteristics of the three former, were concentrated in this: and the devil made this beast his vicegerent on earth, and he acted by his direction and under his authority, therefore it is added, "the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, or throne, and great authority." ver. 2.

And John saw one of his heads wounded as it were unto death, but though it appeared mortal the beast did not die, for the deadly wound was healed. So extraordinary was the appearance of this monster, and so extensive his authority; that "all the world wondered after the beast," ver 3. and the nations worshipped the dragon and the beast, saying, "who is like unto the beast, and who is able to make war with him." ver. 4. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great and impious things, and he used this power very extensively; "he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." He became a terrible persecutor, and made war with the saints, and tyrannized over all kindreds and tongues, and nations; and all the inhabitants of the earth, either through love or fear were devoted to his interest, except the true saints of God. And power was given to him to make war forty two months. Most copies of the Greek Testament have πολεμον ποιῆσαι, to

make war: and this rendering is confirmed by the 7th verse, "And it was given to him to make war with the saints." Though this beast has arisen, and has showed six or seven of his monstrous heads, yet he has one more to exhibit under which he will exercise his tyranny, blasphemy, and power over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations, until he shall finish his fell career in the battle of Armageddon. This will take place about the time of the advent of Christ, which is foretold in the next chapter. When the beast does appear in the plenitude of his power, he will be so astonishingly attractive in his person and measures, that "all who dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life." These facts are so important and universally interesting, that it is added "If any man have an ear to hear, let him hear." This tyrant will lead many persons captive, and many saints will he kill with the sword. This will be the time of trouble, such as never was, and never will be again: yet the persecuted will be eminent for their christian virtues, the contemplation of which induced the pointed remark, "Here is the patience, and faith of the saints." ver. 10. Farther particulars will be given of this beast when we come to the interpretation given in the seventeenth chapter.

THE BEAST THAT ROSE OUT OF THE EARTH.

I proceed now to explain the import of the beast that rose out of the earth. "And I beheld says the Apostle, "another beast coming out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." ver. 11. A wild beast is a symbol of a cruel persecuting kingdom or hierarchy. I consider this beast to be ecclesiastical despotism. His resemblance to a lamb, denotes his apparent innocency. His two horns are emblems of his power, but his speech betrayeth him, for he spake as a dragon, so that he is but a wolf in sheep's clothing. The first beast is civil power exercised and perverted to diabolical purposes: the second is ecclesiastical power in the same predicament. "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast, and causeth all that dwell upon the earth to acknowledge his power in the church, "saying, that they should make an image to the beast," and acknowledge and worship or obey the same power in the church. And that popes and councils should make laws, and decree rites, and ceremonies, and exercise power and authority in the church, the same as kings and parliaments make laws and exercise authority in the state. The great men in the popish and other hierarchies have done these things for ages, so