This verse contains the key-number to the extraordinary prophetic times in the Revelation, by which the learned and pious prelate Bengelius, after its discovery, in a great measure removed the veil which concealed its periods from public view. See the introduction in vol. I, p. 23, where I have given his principal ideas on this important subject. Here is wisdom. en sopia Esliv should be rendered, Here is the wisdom. Because it is evidently the intention of the Holy Ghost in this verse, not only to throw light on the history of the beast, or to elucidate his prophetic number of 42 months, ver. 5, but to disclose the key to a whole series of prophetic periods; wherefore it is not only termed wisdom indefinitely, but the wisdom here necessary, and here given, in order to understand this book. Though it is not the gift of every one to discover it, even after being pointed to it in this verse; yet he that has ro vovy, a discerning mind, may trust to find it here, and is by these words invited to make the experiment by calculation. The happy result of this research is divine wisdom. And this wisdom is here recommended as the only effectual antidote against the deceptions of the false prophet, as that of patience and faith against the tyranny of the first beast, verse 10.

For it is the number of a man. The original is, agkos yag avdewwov 57, which should be rendered for it is the number of man, without the article, and not the num ber of a man's name, as some expositors have understood this expression. The learned Faber terms this verse an enigma; I would rather call it the solution of an enigma, as it most assuredly is. I prefer the interpretation adopted by Bengelius, Bp. Newton, and Young, who suppose that the number of man means no more than the method of numbering in common use among men, as opposed to prophetic numbers; according to which the numerical letters xs signify 666. Here is an ellipsis, which Bengelius has filled up with the word years supported by

pungent and strong arguments, as expressing the period of the beast's power and prosperity during his first state of existence. As if you were to ask, what is the number of the German empire? the answer would give the number of years since its establishment; or what is the number of its name-that is, how long does it bear this name-how long is it known by this name? You would be answered from the history of its establishment and duration. It would be a strange mode of asking these questions in English; but the oriental languages, “in which the scriptures were first published, have many peculiar modes of expression according to their different idioms, uncommon to modern tongues. Moreover, the Revelation like all prophetic books, is full of ambiguous expressions, which were not intended to be clearly understood before their time of accomplishment.

Now since this number 666 expresses the duration of the papal monarchy during its first state of power, from the time of its acknowledged establishment A. D. 1123, to the year 1789, when its state of non-existence commenced; and since the 42 months of the beast verse 5, are also said to be the term of his power; it necessarily follows, that these two numbers are of equal lengths, and refer to the same period. The truth and accuracy of solving the prophetic numbers of 42 months, by the number of 666 years of natural time, has now been proven by its accomplishment in the fates of the Papal hierarchy, since the commencement of the French revolution; which has established the Bengelian mode of computation beyond contradiction.

We have now finished our enquiry into the accomplishment of the prophecy in this chapter concerning the two beasts. The subject will be resumed chap. XVII, and then brought to its final conclusion. By way of recapitulation I would assert, that the first beast from the sea is no other than the papal monarchy, as established

on the Gregorian foundation; and the second beast from the earth, is the order of the Jesuits, which ceased in its bestial character, when it was abolished in the kingdoms of Europe, and now continues in the character of the false prophet. In this capacity he has not yet accomplished all his diabolical designs, and will soon again achieve most eventful plans inimical to the prosperity of Zionactions of great notoriety. Let us watch and pray, that we may not enter into temptation: the spirit may indeed be willing, but the flesh is weak. Math. xxvI. 41.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE LAMB ON MOUNT SION.

Verse 1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder, and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps :

3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

This chapter again opens a view of great comfort to those who glory in the prosperity of Zion, after the gloomy and dismal scene of the great Dragon, and the history of the two beasts. We read the plans and machinations of these powers of darkness with anxious solicitude for the fate of the Church; and our heart sickens in contemplating so many severe engagements of our brethren, in which their faith and patience were put to the most trying test. But though it may sometimes seem as if the Church of Christ was suffering violence in great distress; the provident care of the Lord again revives her hopes, by a glorious movement from an unexpected quarter, and baffles her designing enemies. This is evident from the chapter now before us; in which we behold a new revival of the work of the Lord, at a time, when Satan believed he had enveloped the Church in Egyptian dark

ness, and already rejoiced in the successful result of his insidious measures. Let us contemplate its important contents, consisting of three visions: 1. The Lamb on Mount Sion, 2. The three angels flying in the midst of heaven, and 3. That of the harvest and of the vintage; all of which indicate sublime movements on the part of the Son of God, against the Dragon and the two beasts, in favour of his Church.

Verse 1. A Lamb stood on the mount Sion.* This is the Lamb so often spoken of in this prophecy chap. vI, and VII, 17; the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in his mediatorial character. Bengelius and Young seem to have greatly mistaken the true meaning of this vision. By Mount Sion, they understood heaven, and place this whole scene in the invisible world. Mr. Daubuz refers it to the time of Constantine, and Mr. Gill to the commencement of the Millennium, by which they both offend against its prophetic chronology. The learned Faber follows Bp. Newton, in explaining it of the depressed state of the Church before the Reformation; but without distinguishing this company from the woman as a distinct society, or pointing it out in history, where it may be found as characterized in this prophecy. But it is a notorious fact, acknowledged on all sides, that the holy prophets often use the visible church of the Old Testament as a type, by which they represent the visible Church of the New Testament; and those ancient places of holy reverence, to predict the eventful occurrences in the Church of Christ. Of this privilege St. John has availed himself in this prophecy, more frequently than any of the ancient prophets; and after this manner, the words Mount Sion, are also used here. In this figure, on a general plan, the land of Canaan signifies all Christen

*Griesb. Bengel. Alex. Codex, et omnes versiones ecclesiarum orientalium legunt ro agviov, the Lamb.