of darkness are most busily occupied in preparing the materials for some prodigious explosion an explosion, which cannot but issue in the final ruin of all that are thus standing up against Him, who is "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords." In this respect, it is again presumed, that present appearances so clearly accord with the intimations of prophecy, as to warrant the view which has been given of the present Crisis.

CHAP. XII.

THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

A THIRD part of the predicted Preparation, distinguishing the present period, but of a kind very different from that which has been hitherto mentioned, and for a far different purpose, remains to be noticed. The prophetical intimation of it is to be found in the Vision (Rev.xiv.), to which reference has been already made, and the subject of which, as it was then shown, is contemporaneous with the Period of Judgment. It commences with a representation made to St. John, of a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. This representation, while it immediately connects this Vision with the Sixth Seal, and consequently gives countenance to the exposition, that describes the period of this Seal as synchronising with that of the Seventh Trumpet, seems designed to intimate the protection and security which, during this season of judgment, will be vouchsafed to the people of God.* Sealed with his name in their foreheads, they will be preserved in the day of wrath; while redeemed from the earth, and un

* See Ezek. ix. 4. 6.

defiled by the abominations of Popery, they will learn to sing the new song of the heavenly Harpers, which no man can learn but they; for they alone will discern, in these aweful visitations, the Hand of God, and will praise Him because His judgments are made manifest: a feature in their character corresponding with that, which the Angel had announced to Daniel, as descriptive also of the "Time of the End;" when speaking of that time he had said to him, Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. "*

These different coincidences sufficiently prove the connection of this chapter with the period of Judgment; while in the passage, which follows this description of the Redeemed, and which, immediately preceding the introduction of the Angel, who announces that Babylon is fallen, consequently relates, in part at least, to the time that occurs before the effusion of the Seventh Vial, that is, to the present Crisis, are these remarkable words," And I saw another Angel fly in the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and

* Dan. xii. 10.

kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of his Judgment is come; and worship Him, that made Heaven and earth, and and the fountain of waters."

the sea,

This passage intimates, that during the time in question, new and peculiar efforts will be made to enlarge the Kingdom of Christ; and implies that while the emissaries of evil will sparè no pains in furthering their Anti-christian views, His servants also will be actively using their endeavours to promote His glorious Cause, and to prepare the way for the triumphs of his Church. The Angel, -the Minister of Providence, employed in fulfilling the purposes of the Divine Willis represented as having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and kindred, and tongue, and people; a representation, which predicts that these efforts to diffuse real Christianity shall not be confined to the earth, the Papal kingdoms, but shall extend to all people, to Heathens, Mahometans, and Jews; while the command, "Fear God and give glory to Him, and worship Him," includes a call both to the apostate church, to renounce her corruptions and idolatries, as well as to heathen nations, to forsake their abominations, and to cast away their false gods.

Such are the prophetical intimations contained in this passage; and needs it to be remarked how exactly and circumstantially the events of the present season accord with them? The exertions which for the last thirty years have been made, and still continue to be made with augmented energy, to disseminate far and wide the everlasting Gospel, and the providential openings and increasing facilities which have been afforded for the prosecution of this object, have been such as the Christian world has never before witnessed. It is not in one Protestant nation alone, but in almost all of them; it is not in one religious party alone, but in nearly all of them, that the same contemporaneous efforts have been made for the increase and propagation of Christianity. And if the number and variety of the societies which have been formed for the different purposes connected with this great end, for the instruction of the rising generation, for the general diffusion of religious knowledge,—for the education and support of missionaries; for the translation and circulation of the Holy Scriptures: if the funds which have been raised for these institutions ; the rank and influence which have been ememployed in patronizing them; the talents and abilities which have been engaged in their defence and support; be all taken together into