be done; but also, that the knowledge derived from the other would be a strong inducement to the practice of the moral principles of Christianity. Under this impression I shall take the liberty of submitting to your readers the following sketch of its contents, as they appear to me, upon comparing it with the ecclesiastical and civil history of the first centuries of Christianity: Chap. i. 1-3, is the authority for publishing this book, it being the revelation made by the Deity of future events, to Jesus the Christ, and by him, through his messenger, in vision, made known to John, who herein bears his testimony to all that he saw; and pronounces him blessed who studiously pays attention to it, because the time of commencement was fast approaching. Ver. 4-20: John's address to the seven successive ages of Christianity, describing the manner in which the vision was given to him, that the scene was laid in the Temple or Christian Church, (1 Cor. iii. 16, 17,) in which Jesus, clothed as high priest, was in every succeeding age walking amongst the lamps or churches, trimming them and keeping them constantly bright. The last verse unfolds the mystery of this whole chapter, by explaining that the stars in the right hand of the high priest, are the Christian teachers, in the seven ages of the Christian Church; and that the seven lamps are the Churches, whose lamps, in seven successive periods, are to follow each other in being the lights (Matt. v. 14) of the world. The second and third chapters contain the messages that Jesus, our high priest, sends in each period to the Church. The prologue of each message is taken from the descriptive appearance of Jesus in the first chapter. The second part describes, in few words, the general state of the Church in each age. This is followed by directions suitable to the period, and interspersed with threats and promises; and the whole concluding with rewards to be given to overcomers, and an exhortation to those who have understanding, to hearken to the prophetic directions. Chap. iv. John is invited to look into futurity: and before we do so, it may be proper to observe, that though all the parts of this book harmonize together, yet the book, to be understood, must be considered as dividing itself into three parts. 1. Is the figurative description of the Christian church, as the temple, with Jesus ministering in it as high priest. Then follows the description of the peculiar state of each church, through the whole period of the prophecy: with propriety this may be considered as the ecclesiastical part of the prophecy, and is contained in the three first chapters. The second part of this prophecy represents Jesus as enthroned, and going forth with his army of saints to break into pieces the kingdoms of the world. This part begins at the 4th chapter, and concludes at the 18th verse of the 11th chapter; and the remaining chapters may be considered as descriptive visions of various scenes, which take place from the first establishment of nominal Christianity, till the grand period of the consummation of all things. Under this view of the prophecy we shall find that the 4th and 5th chapters correspond with the Ephesian church-state, and are an account of the general political state of Christianity until the destruction of Jerusalem. The 6th and 7th chapters run parallel with the church of Smyrna, and describe the overturning of Rome Pagan. The 8th and 9th chapters describe the overturning of the Eastern Roman Christian empire. The 10th and 11th describe the Christian world, as it may be called, from the commencement of nominal Christianity, under Constantine, till the conclusion of the Millenial age, including the whole of the remaining five churches, which will be more distinctly seen by noticing their respective periods of commencement and conclusion. Returning back to the 4th chapter, I notice, that, in the descriptive mes. sage to this church, it was to continue from A. D. 33, to A. D. 73. Its character was to be remarkable for their laborious exertions in spreading the Gospel, their patience under Jewish persecution, and their trying the credentials of those judaizing teachers who called themselves apostles; their undauntedness in suffering; their abhorrence of ambition in Christian teachers; that at the commencement of this period they were unitedly of
one heart and mind, but that at the Chap. iv. 1, John is invited to look into futurity, and 2, in a prophetic vision beholds a throne; 3, and Jesus gloriously enthroned on it; 4, sur- rounded by twenty-four ancients in priestly robes, with regal crowns on each side encircling him on the throne; 5, 6, the usual accompaniments of the Divine Presence with the sea of glass before the throne; 7, 8, and the che- rubic standard of Israel displayed: a lion for Judah on the East, an eagle for Dan on the North, a man for Reu- ben on the South, and an ox for Ephraim on the West; whilst the army of Israel under their respective stand- ards pronounce that he who was dead, but is now alive, and who cometh to judge the world, God's appointed ru- ler, is thrice holy and all-powerful; 9-11, whilst the army of Israel with their standard-bearers, ascribe honour and glory to Jesus their ruler, the twenty-four ancients, or the united chiefs of the royal priesthood in both dispensations, raise the chorus, "Worthy art thou, our Chief, with our God most holy, "To receive the glory, the honour "For thou hast formed the whole. Comp. Eph. i. 10, 20, Coloss. i. 16. on which the twenty-four ancients "Thou art worthy to take the scroll, For thou wast slain, and hast re- deemed us to God by thy blood, "And hast made us kings and "And we shall reign upon the To this sublime acknowledgment his banners, reply, in chorus, "To receive power, and wealth, "And strength, and honour, and To this chorus the whole living "And strength to the age of ages." The four battalions of Israel, i. e. the united church militant throughout the world, under their respective standards, exclaim, "So be it;" on which the royal priesthood pay ho- We see here the enjoined duty on the teachers of that day: whilst the army of Jesus was collecting recruits in Palestine, and the whole civilized world, it was to unfold the vast poli- tical designs intended to be accom- plished by the doctrines of the cross; and, that though Christianity was the most moral and virtuous of all reli- We are now come to the Smyrna During the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, Christianity was gaining ground by its simplicity, and the purity of its doctrines. Miraculous powers evidenced its truths to be of divine origin; these, aided by the apostolic labours, formed Christian societies over the whole Roman empire. pire. Christianity was generally free from persecution, excepting from the Jews. The standard-bearers are represented in the square camp, one at each quarter of the world, Rome, the seat of government, being considered as the centre. Chap. vi. 1, 2, opens the first seal, by introducing to the throne of the Cæsars, Vespasian from the West. This seal lasts with the Flavian family, twenty-eight years. Its white horse and bow is the emblem of victory, and the reign of the princes of this family was one season of conquest. Ver. 3, 4. The second seal ushers in Nerva from the West, and lasts to the murder of Didius Julianus. Nerva was a Spaniard, west of Rome, as was also Trajan, who succeeded him. This period is well emblemized by the red horse; it being remarkable for the conquests of Trajan, the slaughter of the Jewish nation, the bloody victories of Antoninus on the Danube, and the horrible cruelties of Commodus, followed by the murders of the emperors Pertinax and Julianus. Ver. 5, 6. The third seal is from the South, and introduces the Severian family from Africa. Equally well is the reign of his family for about forty-two years emblemized by a black horse and balances. His own cruelties and severe regulations were followed by the horrible atrocities of the fierce Caracalla, who was succeeded by the infamous and effeminate Heliogabalus, and the murder of the excellent Alexander. Ver. 7, 8, introduce the fourth seal from the North, and which contain an epitome of war, famine, wild beasts and pestilence, which last about fifty years, beginning with the reign of Maximin of Thrace, who began his reign by seizing all the public revenues, and exercising the most unheardof cruelties, and close with the election of Diocletian to the imperial dignity. This is allowed to be the most awful period that the empire had ever known. The competitors for the purple were so numerous, that, between civil wars and the invasions of the barbarians, wild beasts, famine and pestilence desolated the whole empire. Ver. 9-11, is the opening of the fifth seal, and alludes to the ten years' persecution under Diocletian. The scene is laid in the Temple, and the martyrs who had been sacrificed are represented as crying for vengeance upon their persecutors; they are exhorted to patience, and to consider how the Ephesian church had triumphed. The other persecutions had been occasioned by various causes emanating from Christianity; but this was occasioned by a full determination to destroy the Christian name, instead of which it occasioned the overturning of the Pagan Idolatry of Rome, and substituting nominal Christianity in its stead. Ver. 12-17, is the sixth seal opened with an account of the overturning of Paganism. By a reference to Haggai ii. 1, Heb. xii. 27, Isaiah xiii. 12-14, xxxiv. 4, Jeremiah iv. 23, 24, Joel ii. 10, 31, Matt. xxiv. 39, as well as other places, it will appear that this language of the Revelator signifies that the Christian Church was completely triumphant over its Heathen adversaries, and that a new temporal order of things had taken place, which it did, when the emperors Galerius, Maximin, and Licinus, made a public profession of their guilt, recalled their decrees, and acknowledged the divine judgments in their chastisement. т. т. O Thou, whose pious hand with just dis- raise And give its Maker undivided praise; cuse. O could she speak her own emphatic tal lays, Whilst man with universal concord blest Idolatry no longer boast her flame, name. HYMN. He who walks in Virtue's way, Firm and fearless, walketh surely; On he speeds, and speeds securely. Hope's sweet angels fly before him. Thus he moves from stage to stage, Smiles of earth and heav'n attending; And nations yet unborn should chaunt thy Softly sinking down in age, praise. But now such tasks no longer Israel's And at last to death descending. Calm as Summer's loveliest ev'n, Burst the chilling bands that bound him; In acts of mercy, and such deeds record, Who view'd the God of nature's kind de- To the memory of the late Mr. Ingram, of If from the high abode of glorious light mean suage All human tyranny unjust and base, grace, And for humanity all hearts engage: Form'd in their Maker's image not in Kidderminster, Nov. 7, 1818. SONNET. R. F. [From "Apeleutherus; or an Effort to attain Intellectual Freedom." 8vo.] Deo Optimo Maximo. O Thou, whose bounty gave this mantling bower Where, from the world retired, I oft recline, And trace Thy wonder-working band divine, And read Thy name in ev'ry blushing flower; Sov'reign of nature, all-directing Power! Great source of being, life, and light, and joy! To Thee I dedicate this best employ, This sweetest solace of the silent hour. O search this heart, that seeks no vain disguise, Accept the tribute, and the labour bless: View the pure motive with approving eyes Thy glory, in Thy creature's happiness. Smile on the page that bids the mind be free, And points the path to virtue, and to Thee! LIFE. From the Chester Guardian. Life's a varied, bright illusion, Fancy paints, with hues unreal, Why reject the seeming good? Hence, no more! 'tis wisdom calls ye, Bids ye court time's present aid; The future trust not-hope enthrals ye, Catch the pleasures, ere they fade. |