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REV. J. LITCH,

ON

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

WITH

THE SENTIMENTS OF COTTON MATHER

ON THE SAME SUBJECT,

APPROVED BY THOMAS PRINCE,

BOTH EMINENT MINISTERS OF BOSTON IN THE LAST CEN-
TURY.

BY CHARLES FITCH,

OF

HAVERHILL.

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY JOSHUA V. HIMES.

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PREFACE.

THE following pages are prepared and publish ed by one who expects soon to meet God; by one who wishes to be prepared for that solemn and momentous event, and to do what he can, with God's blessing, to prepare others. In view of the strict account which all must render to him who "trieth the reins and the heart," there are two things which the author of this dare not do, and (blessed be the Lord for it!) which he desires not to do; viz., to say "My Lord delayeth his coming," or that "without holiness" men may see the Lord" [in peace.] Should any take up this book with a spirit of derision, as perhaps many may,—" for there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own heart's lusts, and saying, where is the promise of his coming?"-they are earnestly

entreated to listen to the following admonition from the word of God: "Now THEREFORre be ye

NOT MOCKERS, LEST YOUR BANDS BE MADE STRONG, FOR I HAVE HEARD FROM THE LORD GOD OF HOSTS,

A CONSUMPTION EVEN DETERMINED UPON THE WHOLE

EARTH." Isa. xxviii. 22.

Haverhill, Nov., 1841.

C. F.

LETTER.

MY DEAR BROTHER LITCH:-You will, doubtless, remember that when you called at my house some months ago, you requested me to examine the Bible doctrine respecting the second coming of Christ, and write you the result of my investigations.

Having now looked at the subject, until I feel that my mind is settled and established, and my feet placed on "the Rock," I take great pleasure in attempting to communicate my views and feelings to you, according to your request.

Permit me here to say, that it is my wish to bear testimony, on this momentous subject, to the world, as extensively as the Lord shall permit. I shall therefore endeavor to lay before you, as briefly as possible, my convictions, on the main points of truth touching the doctrines of Christ's second coming, with the chief arguments on which my own mind rests, for proof of the positions which I regard as fully established; hoping that the Lord will open a way whereby this communication may go into the hands of my friends as extensively as possible, and of as many others, as shall seem good to Him, before whom I expect soon to render my last

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