church of Christ, and the last form of power which its enemy will be permitted to affume. - In this Chapter I have nearly confined myfelf to the Prophecies of Daniel and of St. John, because they contain the principal paffages which a fuperficial reader might imagine to be irreconcileable with the opinion which I prefume to offer, and with the interpretations of the best Commentators respecting the Church of Rome. And I truft it will now appear evident, that this opinion (fuppofing for a moment it be admitted as itself incontrovertibly just), arising out of EVENTS ACTUALLY PASSING BEFORE OUR EYES, which not only accurately fulfil" the word of Prophecy," but are utterly inexplicable without this key to point out their connexion with the paft and future parts of the great plan which Prophecy difplays-does in no respect contradict or invalidate the decided opinion of these learned men, that the Church of Rome is Antichrift.-Some of the most able and intelligent among these Commentators did indeed form nearly the fame idea; and the accuracy of their conjectures concerning the time and the country wherein the power of Infidelity should first arife and reign, must be efteemed a ftrong confirmation of its truth even to us who have been brought by the ftream ftream of time to fcenes which lay beyond the limits of their fight.—I have only contended for a more appropriate application of those parts of the Prophecies which appeared to most of them difficult, incongruous, and of doubtful reference to the Papal power. - But while I confider this point as established by their labours beyond the poffibility of injury, and the Prophecy refpecting Mahometanism as having been immoveably fixed by proofs equally clear, I contend that APOSTATE INFIDELITY, and its delegated inftrument, DEMOCRATIC TYRANNY, have been predicted with equal precifion; and that POPERY, MA"HOMETANISM, and INFIDELITY, are ALL parts of the fame Antichriftian Power, and fubject to the fame fate. The following Chapters will show the exactness with which the events of History correfpond with the received interpretations concerning Popery and Mahometanism — trace the rife and progrefs of the Power of Infidelity, and point out the equal exactness with which it fulfils the Prophecies concerning it, with as much minutenefs as the limits of this work will permit; and with a view to prove that these three branches of Antichriftian Power form different parts of a general scheme of Prophecy. And I truft it will be found, after after an attentive examination, not only that this opinion is well founded, but that it shows the scattered rays of Prophetic light to be directed towards one point, gives harmony and connexion to the Apocalyptic vifions, and explains the prefent fearful ftate of human affairs to be perfectly confiftent with the Providence of God; and ultimately tending, under his direction, to the completion of the great, UNVARYING PLAN OF HIM WHO RULETH THE MADNESS OF THE PEOPLE, AND WHO MAKETH EVEN THE WRATH OF MAN TO PRAISE HIM." END OF VOL. I. |