'it, but who do not believe that Christ has made his second appearance, to beware of rejecting the testimony of those who do believe it, lest they be found fighting against God.

Tho there are many different opinions among mankind concerning the second coming of Christ; yet that which seems most generally to prevail is, that he will appear in person, and literally fulfil those passages of scripture which speak of his "coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." In this however, there appears to be a material difference of sentiment. Many believe that his reign on earth of a thousand years, will be in his personal or bodily presence; while a still greater proportion seem more inclined to think that he will manifest himself by a universal outpouring of his Spirit upon the nations of the earth, by which nearly all the inhabitants of the world will embrace the christian religion, and enjoy a state of universal happiness and prosperity under the spiritual dominion of Christ. This latter opinion appears to have gained considerable ground within a few years.

But it is the prevailing sentiment, if not the general belief, among those who have embraced this opinion, that tho the thousand years' reign of Christ on earth is to be by his Spirit; yet at the end of this period, he will appear in person, for the final judgment and consummation of all things. Thus, in order to answer their own ideas of the exact fulfilment of the scripture prophecies concerning his coming, they have embraced the plan of two appearances yet future; the first in spirit, the second in person.* Hence the thou

sand years of blessing and prosperity, in which "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea," is to constitute the millennial state of the world, or latter day of glory. This appears very plausible; but what comes next?

To render this glorious period the more conformable to human wisdom, it seems that these modern millenarians have calculated to build their millennial paradise upon the old heavens and earth, and to enjoy their old christian religion; not indeed exactly in its present state, but a little more refined, preserving those fundamental principles which were first established by the catholic fathers, and afterwards corrected and improved by the great Reformers; but lopping off those useless excresences which form the distinction between the most approved and popular sects; so as to reduce and blend all their numerous systems into one, in which they can all agree. This newmodelled, universal system of religion,

*

By what authority do they look for two appearances, yet future? The scriptures afford no such authority. His first appearance, predicted by the Jewish prophets, took place among the Jews, who rejected and crucified him as an imposter. His second appearance was predicted, both by himself and his apostles, to be made manifest by his Spirit; and we have no promise of any other.

they expect, all will enjoy together, in perfect harmony; and with it, the pursuit of those earthly objects which they consider the most conducive to the happiness of man, in his present, natural state; but entirely disconnected with those unfortunate occurrences which now so often disturb and disappoint them in their pursuit of happiness.*

In the formation of such a millennium as this, they seem to forget that God has promised to create "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness;" or that "the day of the "Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens "shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt "with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein, "shall be burnt up."+ They forget also that, "The Lord hath "purposed to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into con"tempt all the honorable of the earth." Or rather, they put far away this evil day, and place these events to the end of that glorious millennial period, expecting that they will then be fulfilled, not upon them, but upon the wicked. In short, they seem not to know what is meant by the "new heavens and new earth;" nor what is to be understood by the passing away of the first heavens and earth. For such is the force of natural ideas on the mind of "the natural man," who "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God," that he always inclines to put a natural construction on those prophetic descriptions in the sacred writings, which relate to the second coming of Christ, and to the day of judgment. Hence the ideas of personality and locality in contemplating the coming of Christ; and hence the opinion of his coming in the natural clouds of the atmosphere, and operating upon the natural elements.

The idea of Christ being personally revealed in the natural element of flaming fire, "to judge the quick and the dead, to take vengeance on his adversaries," and receive the righteous into the Kingdom of his Father, is but a counterpart to their millennial plan. And here again, they differ so much in their ideas, and have formed so many different schemes concerning the first resurrection; the resurrection of natural human bodies; the order of trial; the form of decision; the awarding of judgment to the wicked; the nature and duration of their punishment; and many other things of a like kind, that the whole, taken together, is much more calculated to confuse and bewilder the mind, and lead mankind into darkness on these subjects, than to enlighten their understand

* In anticipation of this happy state of religion, and of society, various attempts have already been made, in different places, and among different denominations, to bring about this desirable and long expected event; but unfortunately, like other Babel-builders, they cannot agree who shall be placed on high, or whose religion shall have the preeminence: Of course they soon get confounded and scattered abroad.

12 Pet. ii. 10, 13.

Isa. xxiii. 9.

ings. It also affords a very striking proof, that the authors of the different schemes, are themselves involved in great darkness concerning these things; and confirms the declaration of the prophet Isaiah, that "darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people."

Many of late are inclined to think that the millennium has already begun to dawn upon the earth; and that those benevolent, humane and religious institutions which, of late years, have so greatly increased in the world, are so many evidences of its commencement. Societies for the abolition of slavery, missionary and bible societies, and humane and benevolent societies of every description, together with the extensive and general diffusion of the principles of civil and religious liberty, are considered, by many people, as certain preludes to the ushering in of that period, if not real evidences of its having already begun. But it is worthy of observation that, with all these highly esteemed and greatly boasted institutions, the general tenets of their religion remain the same as before; nor has there been any essential change with regard to its practical duties.

As the latter day of glory has been the theme of patriarchs and prophets, of poets and philosophers, of almost every age; and as it has been held up to the view of mankind by the promises of God, ever since the fall of man, and most pointedly confirmed by Jesus Christ and his inspired apostles; it is certainly rational, as well as scriptural, to believe that it will produce by far the greatest revolution that the world ever yet witnessed.

The first manifestation of Christ to the Jews, which was attended with a great change in the lives and manners of those who received him; which abolished their law religion, and established the gospel religion, certainly effected a revolution in religion unknown before. But as his appearance, at that time, was personally in the flesh, and consequently limited to time and place; and as the work he then commenced was but the prelude, the earnest of that which is to be made manifest in his second appearing; we must rationally believe that, in his second appearing, he will introduce, and bring to pass a work, of which all the former manifestations of God to the world, were but mere types and shadows; and compared with which, these remarkable revolutions in the civil, moral and religious world, are but preparatory events, designed to pave the way for the real work of that glorious revolution which will yet astonish all mankind.

Whatever may be the opinions of mankind concerning the second appearing of Christ, which has been represented by the spirit of prophecy, in many sublime figures and wonderful similitudes, and often in very mysterious language, certain it is, that those figurative representations can never be rightly understood till the time

of their fulfilment; and even then, by those only who come into the very spirit and work of the event itself. This accords with the testimony of Jesus to his disciples, shortly before his crucifixjon.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the "angels of Heaven, but my Father only."*

In his last interview with his disciples, they being still ignorant of the nature of his Kingdom, notwithstanding he had said so much to them about it, asked him saying; "Lord wilt thou at this "time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" He answered, “It " is not for you to know the times, or the seasons, which the Father "hath put in his own power." And the prophet Daniel, to whom many things were revealed concerning the coming of the Messiah, testifies saying; "And I heard, but I understood not: "then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things ?" And it was answered, "Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are "closed up and sealed till the time of the end." If then, these things were not understood by those witnesses of God to whom they were revealed, how can poor shortsighted mortals, at the present day, expect to be able to understand them before they enter into the work itself, to which these prophecies allude?

CHAPTER II.

The second coming of Christ not the appearance of the same personal Being, but a manifestation of the same Spirit. This illustrated by various similitudes, which also point out the increasing work of his Kingdom.

As God is a Spirit, so his work, pertaining to the restoration of fallen man, is a spiritual work. And as the first appearing of Christ, to take upon himself human nature, and declare his mission, was in the flesh; so his second appearing, for the redemption of his people, must be in the Spirit.

The word CHRIST is derived from the Greek word xgisos, which signifies Anointed. MESSIAH is a Hebrew word of the same import. Jesus being anointed with that Divine Spirit which proceeded from God, and which contained the elements of eternal life, was constituted the Christ of God; that is, the anointed of God. Wherever that Divine Spirit exists, there is Christ; or as the apostle, in writing to the Colossians, expresses it, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." It is certain that the person of Jesus Christ cannot be in any other person; yet, in speaking to his disciples, in reference to the time of his second appearing, he said; "At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me,

Matt, xxi. 36.

† Acts i. 6 & 7.

Dars xii. 8 & 9.

| Col. i. 27.

"and I in you. ""* Here is an undeniable testimony of his coming, not in person, but in Spirit.

Christ, the Anointed of God, was first revealed in Jesus of Nazareth. The saine Christ was also in the primitive Church. But when the spirit of Antichrist entered, and through the influence of human wisdom, took the lead and government of the church, then the Spirit of Christ was withdrawn: hence it was no more the church of Christ, but of Antichrist. The true church of Christ is his living body; but when the Spirit of Christ was withdrawn, and the spirit of Antichrist entered, it became the body of Antichrist: of course it was no longer the body of Christ.

Jesus Christ, when speaking to his disciples of his second coming, was asked, "Where Lord?" He did not point out any particular place, but said, "Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together." By this he plainly intimated that his presence, and his work would be in his body; that is, "the "church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all, "And he is the head of the body, the church." By the gathering of the eagles, he shows, in a striking figure, that the evidence of his coming, and the nature of his work, will be seen and understood by the spiritual discernment of those who, like watchful, keen-eyed eagles, in quest of food, will be able to discriminate between a living and a dead body, and gather to that which affords spiritual life and nourishment, and let the dead alone. Thus, in his true and living body will Christ be found," in the dispensation of the fulness of times." There will those truly honest and faithful souls, "who hunger and thirst after righteousness," be gathered; and there "they shall be filled;" while the lifeless churches of Antichrist, like so many dead carcases, which have long been sinking in their own corruptions, are cautiously avoided.

It may perhaps be objected, that when the Savior ascended, there stood by the apostles two men in white apparel, and said; "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven." This however, affords no proof that the natural body of Jesus was taken up into Heaven; but his Spirit undoubtedly did ascend. Yet this miraculous ascension was seen by none but those whom he had chosen to bear witness of it; and their testimony was the only evidence the world ever had of it; and even that, very few were willing to believe in that day. Nor did any others in those days ever know it, excepting those who in faith received the testimony and spirit of those who first declared his ascension. They knew, in truth, that he had ascended, and that he gave gifts unto them, by which they were raised above an earthly nature, and sat

*John xiv 20

† Luke xvii. 37.

Eph i. 23. & Col i. 18 It is asserted by some naturalists that the real eagle will not feed upon a putrid carcass, Eph. i. 10.