636. From this Table it manifestly appears that the great object had in view was the formation of mystical periods, especially of the sacred number 30. In No. 1 the departure of Christ from the earth synchronises with the death of Tiberius, and in No. 2 his life upon earth is bisected by the accession of the same emperor. As compared with No. 2, the received chronology adds a week of years, and No. 1 a week and a half, to the time of the Messiah's sojourning on earth. No. 1 makes the interval between the Vulgar Æra and the death of Commodus 6 years longer than the received chronology does; but this is reduced to 3 years on the whole period, which the latter makes 525 years (=210 x 21). The reason of the selection of the death of Commodus for the terminus ad quem may be seen in the various mystical numbers obtained. And to these others may be added. For instance, if to the sum of the years to the death of Christ, as given in No. 1, viz. 363 (=303+60), be added the exact numbers given by Clemens for the last 2 items, the sum-total will be 534y. 1m. 3d., which may be reckoned inclusively 535 years (=428×14). Again, the Astronomical Canon places Commodus's death in the 515th year (=412 x 1) of its Philippine Era, and in the 939th of the Era of Nabonassar. It may hence be inferred that the death of Commodus was commonly made a grand mystical epoch, whether because thence the decline of Rome was reckoned to commence, or for what other reason, we cannot pretend to say. We may just note, however, that as the assassination of Commodus took place on the last day of the year, if the

new alov was reckoned to date from the moment of the birth of Christ, the number of years computed would be complete to a day. The accession of the last Chaldæan king is placed in the Astronomical Canon in the 192nd year of the Era of Nabonassar, and 192 A. D. is the received date of the death of Commodus.

637. In the variations of the time attributed to Messiah's ministry we appear to have an additional proof of the practice of contracting or expanding the half-week period as occasion might require.

7

638. In Matthew xiv. 15-21. it is related that 5000 were fed with 5 loaves and 2 fishes (= 7 articles of food), and 12 baskets of fragments taken up. In the next chapter (vv. 32-39) that 4000 were fed with loaves and a few fishes, and 7 baskets full were taken up. It is singular that the former numbers multiplied into one another make 420,000 the product of the latter would be 40 x 70 × 70.

639. In Matthew xviii. 22. 7 and 70 x 7 appear as terms denoting finality. That 7 is "the number of perfection" in these Scriptures as in the preceding is well known. It is of constant occurrence: e. g. 7 loaves, 7 baskets-full, 7 brethren, 7 devils, 7 deacons; but these are not all instances of arbitrary selection of the number.

640. The numbers found in Mark v. 13 and Acts ii. 41 are so large as to raise doubts respecting their genuineness or literal authenticity.

641. Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes about 100 lbs. weight, (John xix. 39): - enough, it has been said, to embalm 50 bodies.

642. Acts i. 15. were about 120."

"The number of the names together Perhaps these were composed of the 70 (i. e. 72), and the 12 (including Matthias by anticipation), and of 36 (or half the 72) who had not been honoured by any

special commission.

643. In Acts xxi. 38 it is related that the chief Captain asked Paul; "Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness 4000 men that were murderers?" Josephus in "the Wars" speaks of 30,000, but in "the Antiq." of 400 who were slain and 200 taken prisoners.

644. More than 40 men bound themselves by an oath to kill Paul. (Acts xxiii. 13). Perhaps this was an expression for 42. In v. 23 the number of the soldiers who were sent to escort Paul to Cæsarea is said to have been 200 foot

soldiers +70 horsemen + 200 spearmen = 470. Of these only the 70 horsemen went all the way. The officer and the prisoner would make with them 72. But the most extraordinary circumstance is that 70 horsemen should have been sent, such a division not having been known in the Roman

army.

645. In the account of St. Paul's shipwreck we are told that they took no food for 14 days, and that they were in all in the ship 276 souls (=46 x 6 or 23 dozens).

646. The Apocalypse. The most remarkable coincidence that occurs between the numbers of the Old and New Testaments is found in the Revelation of St. John. We allude to the "1260 days,' "" the time, times, and a half," and the "42 months" of Chapters 11, 12, and 13. These have already been noticed. Our limited space forbids us to enter into the discussion respecting the events to which they relate in the Apocalypse: but it may be suggested as worthy of consideration, whether they may not have reference either to the war which ended in the second destruction of Jerusalem, or to the insurrection of Simon Bar-Cochab which led to the final desolation of Judæa. Both of these are said to have occupied a "half-week." And the fact that the book opens and closes with the declaration that "the time is at hand," (Rev. i. 3 and xxii. 10)—the declaration too that" the things must shortly be done," and the statement that the city" which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt is that where our Lord was crucified," (Ch. xi. 8) are strongly confirmative of this view. It may further be observed that the 42 months appear to be an antitype in miniature of the 40 (42 255) years wandering in the wilderness. This is indicated by the circumstance that "the woman was to wander in the wilderness 42 months. It may be noted in this connexion that "the wanderings" of the Israelites were in number 42, (See Num. xxxiii. 1-50). In the same Chapter, we have apparently a miniature "half-week” in the "3 days" of Ch. xi. 9. 11.

647. But, not only those above alluded to, but all the numbers contained in this Book fully bear out the mystical theory. To shew this we will bring the whole together into one view. Chap. i. 11. Epistles addressed to 7 churches. -v. 4. "Grace from the 7 spirits" (iii. 1, iv. 5, v. 6). (This paraphrastic designation of the Holy Spirit is an unquestionable proof that 7 was " a number of perfection.")-v. 12. 7 candlesticks.- v. 16. 7 stars (iii. 1). Chap. ii. 10. Tribulation 10 days.

Chap. iv. 4. 24 seats and elders.-

v. 8. 4 beasts, each 6 wings, (4×6=24) Comp. xix. 4. Chap. v. 1. A book with 7 seals.-v. 6. A lamb with 7 horns and 7 eyes (7 × 7=49). Chap. vii. 1. 4 angels standing on the 4 corners of the earth holding the 4 winds (4 x 4 x 4 64).-v. 4. " There were sealed 144,000." 4×4=64).

Chap. viii. 1. "There was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour (30 min.).—v. 2. 7 angels with 7 trumpets. ("After the third trumpet." 2 Esdras v. 4).

Chap.

ix. 5. "They should be tormented 5 months." (N. B. The time the waters prevailed at the Deluge,-150 days. These 5 months are reckoned as 150 years by year-day theorists).— v. 9. "The 4 angels were loosed which were prepared for 1 hour, and 1 day, and 1 month, and 1 year." (On the yearday theory 391 years 15 days).-v. 16. "The horsemen were 200,000,000." Chap. x. 3. "7 thunders uttered their voice." Chap. xi. 2. "The holy city shall the Gentiles tread under foot 42 months (42 x 30=1260).-v. 3. "My two witnesses* shall prophesy 1260 days."—v.9. "The people shall see their dead bodies 31 days."-v. 11. " And after 31 days the Spirit of life from God entered into them."-v. 13. "In the earthquake were slain (of names) of men 7000." (70 × 100). Chap. xii. 1. A woman " wearing a crown of 12 stars."-v. 3. "A red dragon, having 7 heads, and 10 horns, and 7 crowns." (7 × 10 × 7=490). —v. 6. The woman to be fed in the wilderness 1260 days.-v. 14. The woman "nourished in the wilderness for a time, and times, and half a time." "A beast rose out of the sea, having 7 heads, and 10 horns, and 10 crowns. (7 x 10 x 10 =700=70 × 10).-5. "And power was given unto him to continue 42 months." -vv. 17, 18. "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and his number is x§s' (or §15') 600, 60, and 6, (or 60, 10, and 6)." (It needs not to point out how conclusive this passage is. It shews that there is a "mystery of numbers:" and it exhibits the sexenary scale in its 3 most important steps. The "number" has been found in the following words:

Chap. xiii. 1.

* Comp. XIX. 20. Qu. Simon Bar-Cochab and Rabbi Akiba?

And Dr. Clarke has pointed out the phrase 'H Aarin Baσiλeia as containing the same number. But the most recent*,

and certainly an ingenious solution, is that proposed by Dr. Wordsworth. He "reads in the cross keys, arranged as in a common device of the Pontifical coinage, the number XEΣT, which is equivalent to xs'." It should be noted that the

Chap.

number 666 is expressed by numeral letters; while all the other numbers in the book are expressed in words. Not to interrupt this citation of numbers we shall introduce our own view subsequently.) Chap. xiv. 1. 144,000 stood with the Lamb on Mount Sion. v. 20. "Blood came out of the winepress by the space of 1600 furlongs" (=40 × 40). Chap. xv. 17. "7 angels having the 7 last plagues," and "7 golden vials." Chap. xvii. 3. "A scarlet-coloured beast, having 7 heads and 10 horns." (7 × 10=70). —v. 9. " The 7 heads are 7 mountains."-10. "And there are 7 kings."—v. 12. " And the 10 horns are 10 kings." (7x7+10=490). xviii. 17, 19." In 1 hour (=60 min.) so great riches is come to nought." Chap. xx. 2, 7. "Satan bound 1000 years." -vv. 4, 5, 6. The souls of martyrs "reigned with Christ 1000 years." Chap. xxi. 12-14. The wall of "the holy Jerusalem" had 12 gates, and at the gates 12 angels, and 12 names; 12 foundations with 12 names. -v. 16. The city was 12,000 furlongs long, broad, and high.-v. 17. The wall 144 cubits. (=12 × 12). Chap. xxii. 2. The Tree of Life bare 12 manner of fruits every month. Comp. 2 Esdras ii. 18. (N. B. The number 144, or a multiple of it, occurs in the 7th, 14th, and 21st chapters, and in no others.)

Excepting that of Father Newman, who is reported to have made the following statement in a lecture recently delivered at Birmingham: -"Queen Victoria is distinctly pointed out in the Book of Revelation as having the number of the beast. You may recollect that the number is 666. Now she came to the throne in the year 1837, at which date she was 18 years old. Multiply then 37 by 18, and you have the number 666, which is the mystical emblem of the lawless king." Absurd as this is, it may serve perhaps to suggest the mode of formation of the number.