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INTRODUCTION.

THE author of the following Treatise or rather the transcriber from Scripture of the infallible testimonies with which it abounds, and which the Bible alone can supply -was previously long occupied in comparing Scriptures and collecting facts illustrative of the convergence of prophecy toward the consummation. The fact of such convergence, if a fact it be, may be more readily assented to by many in these times which are so ominous, than in former days, only recently past, when the world, as well as England, was in comparative repose, or the nations

were at ease.

tion.

In order to the elucidation of such a subject, however momentous of itself, a previous question, which diverse interpretations have raised, demands a primary consideraWhat is the consummation? or, What shall be the end of these things? This question, which it is the main object of this volume to resolve from Scripture alone, in the fullness of the testimony that it imparts concerning it, was not asked by Daniel of a fellow-mortal, but of One whom he saw in a great vision, and whose face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire; and who, in answer to the prophet's prayer, had come to make him understand what shall befall his people in the latter days, and to show him that which is noted in the Scripture of truth. The prophecy was for many days, and reached to the time when they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that have turned many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever. Immediately affixed to these words it is written,

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.' The words will not always be shut up, nor the book be forever sealed.

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The last essay published by the writer, prefixed to a commentary on Isaiah, has for its title, Scriptural Directions for Understanding the Prophecies; and it would ill become him to transgress any of these divine rules in next presenting a volume to the public.

To the law and to the testimony, said the Spirit by that prophet; if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them. We have also a

more SURE WORD OF PROPHECY," saith the Apostle Peter by the same Spirit, "whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

172

The plan adopted by the writer in his Treatise on the Evidence Derived from the Literal Fulfillment of Prophecy, was simply that of collecting the prophecies in the different visions, on each separate subject successively; and adducing the most unexceptionable testimony, especially that which heathens, and skeptics, and other writers unconsciously supplied. The literality of prophecy, as hitherto accomplished, has thus superseded many imaginative interpretations, such as those of "mystical Edom," Samaria, &c.; and the daguerreotype now shows that testimonies of the Lord, previously perverted, are very faithfulness and truth. Yet instances are not wanting in which the minute literality of the sure word of prophecy-which has turned skeptics into believers of the inspiration of Scripture, when eye-witnesses of the facts, while standing on the very spots on which the word of the Lord has fallen-has failed to turn away some from the mystical meaning

1 Dan. xii. 3, 4.

2 Isa. viii. 16; 2 Pet. i. 19-21.

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