in support of the system of Mede, has recorded his favourable opinion of the principles, on which Dean Woodhouse has founded his exposition of the Apocalypse'. This testimony, coming from a person of such distinguished learning, who was SO eminently qualified to pronounce an opinion on such a subject, will carry great weight with all persons, in influencing the judgment which they may form with respect to the work of Dean Woodhouse; and to the principles, which constitute the basis of his exposition of this book.

It is no derogation from the merits of this writer, that, in the great and leading principles which he has adopted in the interpretation of this prophecy, he has been anticipated by Vitringa; because Dean Woodhouse commenced and carried on his work in a great degree independently of the work of Vitringa; and indeed, as he states, of the help of all former commentators. With regard, indeed, to the merits of Vitringa as an expositor of the Apocalypse, no person can have perused the work of Vitringa, without appreciating the evidence, which it carries with it, of

1 This testimony is contained in a copy of this book in the Library of Hartlebury Castle, which the Bishop bequeathed to his successors in the See, and is thus written by his Lordship's own hand :

"This is the best book of the kind that I have seen; it owes its superiority to two things. 1. The author's understanding, for the most part, the apoca

lyptic symbols, in a spiritual, not a literal sense. 2. To the care which he has taken to fix the precise import of those symbols, from the use made of them by the old prophetical, and other writers of the Old and New Testament. Still, many difficulties remain, and will remain, to the time of the end.

March 15, 1806.

R. W."

his extensive learning, his just comprehension of the true character of the language, the spirit, and the object of Scripture prophecy; and, above all, the tone of deep and unaffected piety which pervades the whole work. It is peculiarly valuable, also, as presenting a copious view of the principal opinions which had been propounded by preceding writers of the Apocalypse; and particularly of those which are connected with the prophecies relating to Papal Rome.

The principles, which have been explained and upheld with so much ability by these learned writers, form the chief authorities by which the author has been guided in the consideration of the prophetical character of the Apocalypse. Without servilely following either of them, I have felt confidence in the direction of such valuable guides; and whenever I have differed from them, it has been with great diffidence but, with regard to the great principles, on which these writers have founded their views of the apocalyptic prophecies, it has been my great object to maintain and uphold them.

After this explanation of the principles, by which I have been guided in my view of the apocalyptic prophecies, I will state briefly the plan which has been adopted by me in the following work.

The first chapter contains a brief sketch of the principal arguments for the Authenticity and Ca

nonical Authority of the Apocalypse. In the second chapter, an attempt is made to investigate the Object and Intent of Prophecy under the Old Dispensations. This was a necessary preliminary step to the investigation of the Apocalypse, considered as a part of the great scheme of prophecy; and it has been treated, amongst other writers, with distinguished ability, by Dr Thomas Jackson, by Bishop Sherlock, by Mr William Lowth in his Commentaries on the Prophets; and, last of all, by the late learned and lamented Mr Davison; who, in his invaluable Discourses on Prophecy, preached at the lecture founded by Bishop Warburton, has, with singular learning and ability, illustrated and established the spiritual character of ancient prophecy; and has shewn, in a review of ancient prophecy in its different stages, how "the Holy Jesus, and his religion, are the one principal object of prophecy, the beginning and end of the elder revelation of God1." These principles are farther considered in the following chapter, with reference to the interpretation of the prophecies of the Apocalypse; and the fourth chapter is devoted to the examination of the book itself, on the principles which have been laid down in the two preceding chapters. The fifth chapter is employed in the consideration of the conclusions which we derive from the preceding examination, with regard to the prophetical character of the Apocalypse, and a farther vindication of the

1 Discourses, &c. p. 372.

great principles of interpretation, which have been adopted in this work; and the last chapter is devoted to the consideration of the arguments for the Inspiration of the Apocalypse, which we derive from the preceding examination. This is followed by a short Appendix of notes, relating to different important subjects connected with the preceding investigation, which it was impossible to introduce conveniently, either into the text, or the preceding notes; or which, from the limited period prescribed for my publication, could not be inserted in their proper place: on which account I must request the particular attention of the reader to them, in connection with that part of the work to which they more especially belong.

The view, therefore, which it is thus proposed to take of the great scheme of prophecy,-considered as extending, on the one hand, to the first promise of a Redeemer, and, on the other, to that blessed time, when the righteous shall be made happy for ever in heaven,-opens out a noble view of it in connection with the plan of man's redemption and shews, how, "as a majestic river expands itself more and more, the farther it removes from its source; so prophecy, issuing from the first promise in Paradise, as its fountain-head, acquired additional strength and freshness, as it rolled down through successive ages; was enlarged in its course by a number of tributary streams; and will go on encreasing in

extent and grandeur, until it finally lose itself in the ocean of eternity'."

But there are some other reasons, which make the study of this book more particularly interesting at the present period:

1. And the first is, the consideration of the prophecies relative to Papal Rome.

It was observed nearly ten years ago by a Right Reverend Prelate, whose learning and moderation will always command respect, that, "if we mistake not the signs of the times, the period is not far distant, when the whole controversy between the English and Romish Churches will be revived, and all the points in dispute brought again under review2:" and the events of the times, since this observation was made, have only confirmed the justice of the remark; when a question is actually raised with regard to the very existence of the Protestant Church, in one portion of the British Empire. But if, as it is probable, this, amongst other reasons, should call the more earnest attention of Christians in general to this important subject, it appears to me, that the prophecies relative to Papal Rome, which, in addition to those which are contained in the Epistles of St Paul, occupy so

1 Bishop Van Mildert.

2 "Ecclesiastical History of the Second and Third Centuries illus

trated from the Writings of Tertul. lian," by the present Bishop of Lincoln. Chap. v. p. 299.