(1.) The propriety of such an arrangement I demonstrate by the following train of argument.

It has been proved, that all the seven vials are collectively introduced by the seventh trumpet, and that their several smaller periods are comprehended within its larger period: whence it is manifest, that the effusion of all the vials is posterior to the commencement of the seventh trumpet.

It is also clear, that the sackcloth-prophesying of the two witnesses synchronises, from beginning to end, with the period of the latter 1260 years1: whence it follows, that, whatever occurs during the sackcloth-prophesying of the two witnesses, occurs also during the period of the latter 1260 years.

Now we are told, that the two witnesses, during the term of their prophesying, have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and that they have power over the earth to smite it with every plague, as often as they will: whence we learn, that the turning of the waters into blood, and the smiting of the earth with every plague, are events which occur during the time of the sackcloth-prophesying of the two witnesses.

But the sackcloth-prophesying of the two witnesses synchronises, from beginning to end, with the period of the latter 1260 years; and the waters are turned into blood, and the earth is smitten with every plague, during the time of their sackcloth

1 Rev. xi. 3.

2 Rev. xi. 6.

prophesying: whence it follows, that the turning of the waters into blood, and the smiting of the earth with every plague, occur during the period of the latter 1260 years.

Now the seven vials are expressly said to bring on seven plagues'; and they are moreover all declared in general to be poured out upon the earth: therefore the earth is smitten with every plague by the operation of the seven vials. The second and third vials are further said to be specially poured out on the sea and on the rivers; and their potency is such, that the sea and the rivers are thereby changed into blood: therefore the waters are changed into blood during the effusion of the seven vials.

But we have already seen, that the waters are changed into blood, and that the earth is smitten with every plague, during the period of the latter 1260 years and we have now seen, that the waters are also changed into blood, and that the earth is also smitten with every plague, by the operation of the seven vials.

Hence it follows, that the six first vials, and the commencing or operative point of the seventh vial which introduces the plague of a great earthquake, must be included within the period of the latter 1260 years: because the identical events, which are said to occur during the period of the latter 1260

1 Rev. xv. 1, 7, 8.

2 Rev. xvi. 1.

3 Rev. xvi. 3—7.

years, are produced by the operation of the seven vials.

That is to say, when the seventh vial begins to be poured out, the latter 1260 years expire.

(2.) With this conclusion the apocalyptic description of the seventh vial exactly corresponds.

When the angel pours it out, a great voice from heaven exclaims, It is done: that is to say, The mystery of God is done; the mystery to wit, which evolves itself with the lapse of the latter 1260 years'. But, if the mystery of God be finished at the commencement of the seventh vial; then the latter 1260 years, which coincide with the period of God's mystery or (as Daniel calls it 2) the period of the wonders, must expire at the commencement of the seventh vial also.

Accordingly, the contents of the seventh vial plainly shew, that it relates to the time of God's final controversy with the nations. But this final controversy or this period of unexampled trouble, which is marked by the destruction of the antichristian Powers at Armageddon, synchronises, according to the unanimous testimony of all the prophets who treat of the subject, with the restoration of the Jews: and the restoration of the Jews commences (according to Daniel) at the close of the latter three times and a half, or (according to our Lord) at the era when the times of the Gen

1 Rev. xvi. 17. x. 7.

2 Dan. xii. 6, 7.

3 Dan. xii. 1, 6, 7.

tiles shall be fulfilled'; which times of the Gentiles, being the same chronological term as the grand calendarian period of seven times allotted to the four great gentile Empires, expire synchronically with Daniel's three times and a half, because Daniel's three times and a half are the latter moiety of the seven times. Therefore the contemporary period of unexampled trouble must commence at the close of the latter three times and a half: and, consequently, the effusion of the seventh vial, which wholly relates to that period of unexampled trouble, must commence at the close of the latter three times and a half likewise. In other words, the seventh vial must begin to be poured out, so soon as the latter 1260 years shall expire.

The result, then, of the whole argument is this: that, in the synchronical arrangement of the Apocalypse, the latter 1260 years commence with the sounding of the fifth trumpet which introduces the first great woe, and that they expire when the seventh vial begins to be poured out or when the mystery of God is finished.

III. We have next to consider the limits and harmonical construction of the two books, which jointly constitute the prophetic volume of the Apocalypse: I mean, the sealed or greater book, and the open or little book.

These two books are so arranged, that they produce a mechanical division of the Apocalypse into three principal portions.

1 Luke xxi. 24.

Of these, the first portion is the first part of the sealed or greater book: and it comprehends the sixth and seventh and eighth and ninth chapters of the Revelation, according to its vulgar division.

The second portion is the whole of the open or little book: and, with its proëm, it comprehends the tenth and eleventh and twelfth and thirteenth and fourteenth chapters.

The third portion is the second part of the sealed or greater book, to which the prophet returns after exhibiting the contents of the open or little book: and it contains all the remainder of the Apocalypse.

Thus it appears, that the little book is inserted, after the manner of an episode, in the midst of the greater book: and the reason of its insertion may be easily gathered from the nature of its subject. As the two little horns, celebrated by Daniel, reigned synchronically in the eastern and western divisions of the Roman Empire; that is to say, the one in the original dominions of the Grecian he-goat to which it was attached as a horn, and the other in the original dominions of the Roman beast to which it was similarly attached as a horn: the rules of good writing plainly required, that a double though synchronical account should be given of their respective exploits. This circumstance produced that episode in the midst of the Apocalypse, which is distinguished by the appellation of the little open book.

1. The first, then, of the three portions, into