the question that they are to be understood to express in days the number of years intended. There being 490 days in 70 weeks, we have only to go back that number of years from the death of Christ and we are brought necessarily to the year 457 B. C. That year is the remarkable seventh year of Artaxerxes, when the ram did according to his will. That is the year in which the decree of Ezra vii. was issued; and when, according to the plain declaration of the vision,-the undoubted testimony of history,-and the evident connection of the 8th and 9th chapters of Daniel, the 2300 years commenced, and of course they terminate in 1843.+

They make sure," seal up," the vision; and they demonstrate "the_manner" in which the whole period is to be reckoned. If the weeks are weeks, or sevens, of years, the days are of course to be understood in a corresponding manner. And you can no more cut 70 weeks of years from 2300 days literally, than you can cut 7 times 70 yards of broadcloth from 2300 inches of broadcloth.

5. From all these reasons, drawn from the most general character of the prophecy to the most minute particulars of the subject of the two chapters, we are assured of such a connection as we have supposed between them.

Again; without such a connection, one of the portions of the prophecy could not be understood, though an express com mand to "make" it understood was given; and the other is involved in the strangest difficulties.

We cannot therefore but regard the 9th chapter as a designed and indispensable appendix of the Sth chapter. As such, it gives the undoubted clue to the chronological period of the vision, both as to its commencement, and "the manner

* The 70 weeks were closed up by the cutting off of Messiah, and the great transactions which were essential "to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to anoint the Most Holy;" all of which were effected near the time-certainly in the same year-of the death of Christ.

In 70 weeks, or sevens, of years,

7

there are 490 years.

deduct

From 490

33

The death of Christ took place A. D. 33.

and we have 457 for the year B. C. when the 70 weeks must have tegun.

↑ From 2300 years, the whole period,

take

457, the year B. C. on which they began,

and A. D. 1843 is the year for their termination.

of time the spirit did signify" by that period. We also consider the exact fulfilment of the 70 weeks of the 9th chapter as a pledge that the whole period, which reaches to the end, will be as exactly verified at the time appointed.

4. Admitting the 2300 years and seventy weeks begin together, can we tell at which of the decrees issued in favor of the Jews they began?

Such is the peculiar character of the prophecy of the seventy weeks, that one would suppose there could hardly be a doubt as to the time of their termination; and if a decree could be found which was issued four hundred and ninety years prior to their termination, it must follow that that is the decree referred to in the prophecy. Our views on this question are those of nearly or quite all the old evangelical writers upon the subject; and, as they cannot be suspected of any bias in favor of Millerism, they may settle the point for us.

66 Many are the opinions concerning the beginning and end of these seventy weeks among chronologers. Some begin them in the first year of Cyrus, and end them in the nativity of Christ; others, from the second of Darius Nothus (successor to Artaxerxes,) and conclude them with the destruction of Jerusalem, by Titus Vespasian. Some make them commence from the 20th of Artaxerxes, and to conclude with the passion and death of Christ; and others will have them begin in the 20th year of Artaxerxes Mnemon, and end in the desolation of the city by the Romans. But many there are who, rejecting all these,-with best reason, fix the beginning of them in the 7th of Artaxerxes Longimanus, and their conclusion in the death of Christ-in which termination most of the learned, both ancient and modern, agree. For if we seriously consider the account of time, and judge of it according to the best approved authors, the three former opinions will be found either to exceed or come short of the number. From the beginning of the Persian Empire to Christ's nativity passed about 530 years. From the second of Darius Nothus, indeed, to the destruction of Jerusalem, near 490 years intervened; but concerning any edict made by that prince, there is not a word in scripture. From the 20th of Artaxerxes Longimanus, to the death and passion of Christ, are found 476, cr 477, which come too short by thirteen of the 490; and betwixt the 20th of Artaxerxes Mnemon and the destruction of Jerusalem, are found but about 450, which come

far short of the account; as also the chronology of such as would fetch the rise of the 490 from the first of Darius Medus, and the second or sixth of Darius the son of Hystaspes.

"But if we reckon from this 7th of Artaxerxes Longimanus, down by his successors in the Persian Empire, the Ptolemies of Egypt, after that of Alexander the Great, and then by the Asmoneans or Jewish princes, till we come at length to Herod the Great, and so to Christ, the just number of 490 we shall find at his death, with such small difference as is pardonable to so many authors handling so many things. Or if we reckon the years of the Olympiads and the building of Rome, we shall find Christ to have died in the 490th year after the promulgation of this decree."-[Institution of General History, vol. 1., p. 209; by Wm. Howell, LL. D., London, 1680. "See Dr. Clarke's notes, Horne's Int. Vol. 1., p. 336. Vol. 4, p. 191. Also Note D, in the Diagram.]

1290 AND 1335 DAYS, OR YEARS.

THE third prophetic period, which is considered a fundamental part of Mr. Miller's calculations, is that contained in the 12th of Dan. v. 12-the 1335 days, with which the 1290 are intimately connected. The only material objections against Mr. Miller's views of this text, I believe, are, "1. We cannot tell what the event is from which the periods are to be dated;" or 2. If we can tell what the event is, "we know not when it took place.'

As an attempt has also been made to pervert the evident design and meaning of this text, as to the events it predicts to take place at the termination of the periods it contains, a few remarks in reference to those particulars should be made.

What, then, are the events contemplated in the portion of prophecy connected with these prophetic periods, and which are to take place at their termination? The three verses so inseparably connected, the last in the prophecy,-are a part of the answer to the

question of Daniel, (v. 8,) which referred directly to the wonders which had just passed before his mind in the vision, (vs. 1—3,) and which in the remarks on the last period considered,-the 2300 years,-have been shown to be, 1. The reign of Christ. 2. The judgment scene. 3. The resurrection. 4. The glorification of the righteous. "These wonders" had apparently closed up the vision, (v. 4,) when there appeared other two," besides the angel of the vision, (v. 5,) one of whom inquired, HOW LONG SHALL IT BE TO THE END OF THESE WONDERS? (v. 6.) The answer to this question is given verse seventh. "And I heard," says Daniel, (v. 8,) " but I understood not:" and, as if incapable of repressing his anxiety,-and perhaps encouraged by hearing the answer to the other question-"then said I," he continues, "O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?'

66

What Daniel "heard" that he did not fully understand, it is impossible to tell any farther than the matters which precede his question, and the answer to it, imply. It is very clear that his question referred to the "wonders" stated. "I heard" all that was said of the wonders. "I heard the" question, "How long to the end of" them? "I heard" the answer,— that they were to "be finished" when the predicted political dispersion "of the holy people" should be accomplished,","-which makes this vision synchronize in its termination, with the SEVEN TIMES and THE 2300 YEARS,-these wonders also come at the last end of the indignation, the cleansing of the sanctuary and the deliverance of the host.

66

Daniel's question does not appear to refer directly to the time of the events brought to view, though the answer, besides removing all doubt as to the propriety of feeling or even expressing an anxiety in reference to it, by giving an apparently gratuitous statement of the time, without any intimation of reproof, would imply that he referred in part to that.

It is more clearly intimated that Daniel wished to have a fuller disclosure, 1. Of the fate and history of

the truth-an object of the deepest interest to the heart of every true man of God. 2. Of the future character and condition of "his people," as these must be determined by the manner in which they should regard the truth; and, 3. Of his own personal prospects. The answer agrees with this supposition.

ри

"Go thy way, Daniel." It is not consistent fully to remove the veil now, "for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." But I may gratify you in part. As to thy people, the church, “many shall be rified, and made white, and tried;"-a most encouraging declaration, inasmuch as it implies a great increase of numbers, superior attainments, and persevering fidelity under affliction; "but the wicked shall do wickedly," "iniquity shall abound." As to the truth, none of the wicked shall understand" or regard it; "but the wise shall understand." And as to the "end of these things" to yourself, Daniel, "from the time that the daily (sacrifice) shall be taken away and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be 1290 days. Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the 1335 days."

66

"But go thou thy way TILL THE END BE, (the end of these wonders,) for thou shalt rest (the condition of the righteous dead from their decease till the resurrection, Rev. vi. 11; xiv. 13,) and stand in thy lot" (or, more literally, stand up for, i. e., be raised from the dead, to receive thy part in the inheritance)" at the end of the days."

Here Daniel is informed, 1. That he must be satisfied "TILL THE END," when the "wonders" to which his question referred will undoubtedly "be finished." 2. That "THE END" SHALL COME "AT THE END OF THE DAYS. 3. That his reward will take place at the same time that those who wait and come, who are purified, and made white, and tried, who live through all the wickedness of the wicked, are "blessed."

4. By the evident bearing of Daniel's question, and the connection of his reward, as to time, with those who are blessed at the end of the 1335 days, we are