in it, if the author's views are not proved to be true. If the work however, gets a candid reading there is but little apprehension that its conclusions will be disputed. Let the book be read. It is high time that the truth in relation to this subject was understood.

It may be proper here to state, that the author is ignorant of what is here said in respect to himself:-and, furthermore that he has written the work without the assurance of any pecuniary compensation; and, unless the Christian public liberally patronize him in helping forward the sale of the work, he will never obtain any. This, it is hoped, they will readily do. Such a writer should be encouraged. If he had sacrificed principle, and occupied his talents in writing for the venal press of the age, he might have been abundantly compensated with "this world's goods." But in breasting the current of this world's spirit and maxims in the vindication of truth, his commanding talents have conduced to his poverty: for the lovers of error and unrighteousness are not likely to compensate those who assail them with the ability and effect that he has done,

August, 1843.

THE PUBLISHERS.

ERRATA.

The following typographical errors escaped detection till it was too late to correct them in their places.

On page 18, ninth line from the bottom, for survives read survive.

On page 19, twelfth line from the top, for momentuous read momentous.

On page 33, sixth line from the top, for swear, read sware.

On page 35, bottom line, for verse read verses.

On page 43, third line from the top, for land, read languages.

A mistake occurred in part of the present edition, in relation to the numbering of the pages, there being no numbers 105 and 106.

INTRODUCTORY.

THE time seems at length to have arrived, for the thorough investigation of the prophecies touching these latter ages of the world, in which it is our lot to live. It is generally admitted, by those who are conversant with the prophetic parts of scripture, that great events are at hand. Indeed, the impression appears to be almost universal, not only on the minds of such, but on those of mankind at large, that there will ere long be some general overturn in the present state of things. And moreover, the aspect of affairs as now exhibited throughout the world, tends greatly to strengthen this impression.

A period like this is eminently adapted to the origination and propagation of

all manner of religious crudities and mon strosities; and from no other source can they derive such nourishment, as from the prophecies, if abandoned, by the sober and discriminating, to the perversion of the visionary and presumptuous. There is no conceit too whimsical, no theory too absurd, no opinion too wild and extravagant, for some to attempt to prove from scripture, especially from its prophetic departments; and they are frequently but too successful in drawing proselytes after them, when left to take their own course without refutation.— What vast numbers in the tenth century were led, by a misinterpretation of a single prophecy in the twentieth chapter of Revelation, to believe that the world was then about to be destroyed. How many in this very day hold a similar belief, by a misunderstanding of that and other prophetic passages

of scripture. What multitudes have embraced Mormonism, by the misconstruction and misapplication of various prophecies. And as the public attention will be turned more and more to the subject of prophecy the nearer we approach the great and wonderful crisis before us, errors of this nature will be likely to increase, both in number and extent, unless a timely check be applied, by settling, in the minds of men, the true signification of the prominent and leading predictions that are yet to be fulfilled. This acccomplished, it then follows, that other prophecies must be explained in such a way as to harmonize with them; and all will readily perceive how greatly this would contribute to curb the frenzied fancies, and to prevent the reckless perversions, of those peculiar spirits whose vital element is