Matthew says "immediately after." Mark makes it so immediately, that he says, "IN those days, after that tribulation." Whilst St. Luke makes no discrimination at all, but connects it at once with the tribulation by the words, "and there shall be signs in the sun, &c." (verse 25.)† In his narrative all this is contained in verse 26 and the six following verses of Matthew's account is omitted; so that verse 25 joins on immediately to the words "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled:" as much as to intimate, that then there shall be this "distress of the Gentiles with perplexity:" viz. simultaneous with the passing away of the Jewish tribulation.‡

To return therefore to the passage in Matthew more immediately under consideration: I see no reason to deviate from the ordinary interpretation of verses 16-20; which seem to me clearly to contain a direction, how the disciples were to act, as soon as they should see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place, (i. e. Jerusalem compassed with armies,) and by which they were to understand, that the desolation "thereof" (i. e. of Jerusalem) was nigh. See Luke xx. 21. To these directions warnings are added to stir up the disciples to prayer, watchfulness and decision;-showing what promptitude they must use (v. 17) when they were menaced with the danger; how questionable the possibility of escape would be rendered to those labouring with child; and how necessary it was for all to pray, that this compassing of Jerusalem should not take place in the winter or on the sabbath day. In the first instance the roads, I presume, would be broken up, so as to render flight more difficult; and in the second they would be exposed to molestation from the pharisaical zealots, should they be observed apparently about to exceed the limits of a sabbath day's journey.

In verse 22 it is declared, that except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; "but for the elect's sake those days should be shortened." These words appear to me to respect, not the siege of Jerusalem, but the entire period

+ The word translated after, (μɛra) both in Matthew and Luke, often signifies, when it governs the accusative (which it does in both these instances) within the period mentioned, but at the latter end of it. Schleusner contends for this sense of the word in the very place in question, Matt. xxiv. 29,) where he says "Latine reddi debet per intra." Parkhurst also shews this to be its undoubted sense in several instances; and I feel quite assured that it is its meaning here.

There is no article before the word Gentiles in the original in either instance. The passage stands literally thus-"Jerusalem shall be trodden down by Gentiles, until times of Gentiles be fulfilled; and there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of Gentiles with (or in) perplexity, sea and waves roaring." The context shows that the style of this passage requires the article to be uniformly supplied, and that the Gentiles of verse 25 are identical with those of verse 24.

called "the days of vengeance." The shortening of the days at the overthrow of Jerusalem could have had no connection with the saving of the elect, if the christian Jews be "the elect" intended; for these we know escaped to Pella and Mount Libanus before the vengeance was actually poured out. And

if the words "all flesh" are to be referred to the nations generally, and not limited to the Jews, it does not appear, by the history of those times, that all flesh was at all endangered; or indeed any other nation besides the Jews. There is however abundant evidence in Scripture, that all the inhabitants of the world will be in jeopardy at the close of the tribulation, when the Lord's controversy with the nations arrives at its crisis. I will quote only one place: viz. Isaiah xxiv.-"The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned AND FEW MEN LEFT.” (vv. 6, 7.) This is the time, as appears from the same chapter, when "the Lord shall punish the kings of the earth," and "then the moon shall be confounded and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously." (vv. 21-23.) This connects the signs in the luminaries, and the "distress" of the Gentiles, with a period directly the reverse of the destruction of Jerusalem and the triumph over it of the Gentiles.

I consequently consider, that the rising up of false christs and false prophets, (verses 23-26) is not a repetition of verses 5 and 11, but that it has a distinct reference to the last times; and that the effect of their signs and wonders will be such as to stagger and entangle the elect; seducing and deceiving them perhaps for a time, but not so as to draw them away into perdition. May we not already see pretensions of this character clearly developed in regard to alleged prophets?* and is there not some appearance also of false christs? Though I expect that these signs (the latter especially) will be manifested ere long in a more conspicuous manner; yet has there enough already appeared to justify the most jealous circumspection; more particularly when we consider those words of our Lord"Behold I have told you before."

* We are no longer left in suspense in regard to that alleged spirit of prophecy, accompanied by unknown sounds, which has challenged such general attention in this country: the confession of some of the accredited gifted persons, that they were under the influence of delusion, leaves it beyond question, that in their case at least "a lying spirit has gone forth."

+ In regard to false christs, a man has recently distinguished himself at NotVOL. II.-42

The Lord warns us, (v. 27) in order that we may not be deluded by those who assume his name or character, that his coming will be "as lightning cometh out of the east and shineth unto the west:" that is to say, with suddenness and splendour. He will not come as an obscure individual, first heard of in a corner; whether it be in the desert or in secret chambers.

I only add here, that there is sufficient evidence in this verse alone, that the coming of the Lord, which is in part the burden of this prophecy, is a personal coming; and not providential or spiritual, as is so frequently contended. For first the phrase "the coming" is in the original, in evident conformity with the question put by the disciples, as related in this Gospel; as also with verses 38 and 39 where the same word is used: and it has justly been observed, that in the Scriptures this word invariably signifies a personal advent. Secondly, is it consistent with our notions of a providential or spiritual coming to illustrate either of them by a comparison with lightning, darting and shining through the heavens? These are modes of coming which would at least fail of being discerned by the natural man: for the judgments of God "are far above out of his sight," so far as they are connected with God: and spiritual things he cannot know, because they are spiritually dis

cerned."y

Yet will the Lord's personal advent be in the midst of judgments: "for wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together." These words appear to be used proverbially, and therefore are applicable at all times: for as eagles and other birds of prey are to be found where there is a dead carcass; so, when the Church of God shall become dead, and exhibit symptoms of corruption and dissolution, then God will bring her enemies upon her.* But I believe this to have a more special reference to christendom, and to intimate, that when she shall have filled up the measure of her iniquity, and have given unequivocal evidence that she will not repent of her apostacy and corruptions, (an evidence already too plainly

tingham and Derby, who calls himself Zion, and professes to be the Christ, and to give the only true interpretation of the Scriptures yet offered. His system is sufficiently imposing to the natural man to have drawn after him many zealous followers. Mr. Begg informs us, that a certain London Infidel Society sent recently two of their members to Ashton-under-Line, one of whom personated the Messiah; and that they were greatly caressed by the Southcotians until the cheat was detected. A German Treatise is also in my possession, published recently at Leipsic, in which is related various instances of impostors of this description on the continent.

The attack of an enemy is frequently in the Scriptures compared to that of an eagle. See Deut. xxviii. 49; Jer. xlviii. 40; Lam iv. 19; Hab. i. 8. - See Investigator, Vol. II. p. 279. y Psalm x. 5; 1 Cor. ii. 14.

afforded,) then those "unclean and hateful birds" nourished in her own wilderness, "shall eat her flesh."*

III. I now proceed to a deeply interesting portion of the subject, which I must treat separately; viz. the signs which are immediately to precede the coming of the Lord.

I shall first turn to St. Luke's account.-"And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars. Matthew and Mark inform us what those signs are "the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven." To this St. Luke adds, that there shall be "upon the earth a distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Then all three conclude, "that the powers of heaven shall be shaken."

The question which first presents itself is, are these signs to be understood figuratively or literally? Some who interpret them literally conceive, that they took place previous to the destruction of Jerusalem: the sun having been darkened at the crucifixion of our Lord; and various other prodigies having followed, as related by Josephus. But I have already shown, that those prodigies are distinctly spoken of in verse 11 of St. Luke's Gospel; and further, if they took place previous to the commencement of the tribulation, they cannot be the same with those which are to happen at its termination.

Others make them still future, yet understand them literally; among whom is Mr. Begg. He grounds his view principally on the circumstance, that Luke distinguishes signs on the earth from those in the heavens; (viz: "on earth distress of nations, &c.") and argues, that this compels us to understand the former signs of the literal heaven, and not as the symbols of powers on earth here repeated. But both expressions may consistently be figurative; the celestial phenomena having reference to rulers and governors; the earth and waters to nations and peoples distinct from their rulers; as I hope to prove.t I shall assign

* I expect the speedy downfall, not only of the Papal church, but I confess I tremble also for the Protestant church; more especially for the established portion of it. Not but the approximation to apostacy is perhaps more rapid and visible in other quarters, and of course the decline of vital piety: but the circumstances in which establishments are placed are such as are calculated to provoke first the rapacity of the birds of prey; and the pertinacious adherence to obvious abuses is evidently precipitating the crisis. It cannot be denied that there has been a great awakening in the Protestant church, and that much piety still prevails; but so it was before the overthrow of the Jewish polity: "the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples mutiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." (Acts vi. 7.)

+ I take this opportunity of observing, that since the first publication of my figurative view of these signs, it has been attacked in "The Investigator of

the reasons therefore which lead me to conclude the passage to be figurative.

The first is, that any other than a figurative sense seems to involve a contradiction. I conceive the whole phenomena described, were they literally to occur before the day of advent, would cause a destruction of this mundane system, and leave no earth for Jesus to visit, nor any disciples to lift up the head and rejoice in their approaching redemption. Mr. Begg indeed admits, that the stars falling from heaven "cannot possibly mean their falling to our earth:" (p. 209) and argues that these things will after all only seem to be literally fulfilled.

Secondly, some of the things mentioned are of such ordinary occurrence, in their literal sense, as to render them doubtful tokens as the signs of any particular period. For how frequently is the sun or the moon darkened by an eclipse; (though these bodies cannot both be darkened at the same time, by means of any known agency: which is further against a literal acceptation of the signs;) and when is there a tempest of any magnitude, during which the literal sea and waves are not agitated and roaring?

But my chief reason for adopting the figurative interpretation is, that these signs occur so frequently in prophecies relating to other kingdoms, and the fulfilment has so decidedly proved them to have been figurative, that the figurative sense becomes as it were the literal one, from its familiarity. I would not say, that there are no passages in the prophets which literally foretell signs in the celestial bodies: I merely contend, that, generally, a figurative sense is intended.

I will instance first Isaiah xiii. 9-13; "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, &c.-Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger." This passage is quoted by Mr. Begg to support his literal interpretation; yet the first verse introduces it to us as "the burden (or oracle) concerning Babylon;" and the latter verses declare, that it relates to the conquest of that empire by 'the Medes." (v. 17.)

Prophecy" by an able writer under the signature of TRINITARIUS. I refer the reader to my discussion with him in Vols. II. and III., leaving him to judge whether my view is in the smallest degree subverted, or if it be not rather more firmly established.