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The Author was called upon, by the work being out of print, and inquired for by the public, to reprint it, with the alterations which a fuller study of the subject required. He was not, after having published it, in a position to be silent, especially when his former views had been modified by subsequent investigation. But, besides this, he does not feel it right to withold what appears to him a confession of the truth; our Lord requires this in all his followers, and he is thankful for the opportunity of bearing witness, he trusts, in meekness and fear, (1 Pet. iii. 15,) to what he believes to be the truth of scripture, not only where Christians in general concur, but even where it is not in the present day, the generally-received view of brethren whom he loves in our one Lord.

Having been much indebted to many able prophetical writers of the present day, and especially to Mr. Cuninghame, it is with reluctance and diffidence, that the Author has, in some instances, so far differed, as to feel constrained, by not seeing scriptural or historical evidence adequately strong to produce decisive conviction in his mind, to withhold, a concurrence in every part of a system, which has evidently occupied deep and lengthened considérations, and which has many things that seem to favour it. He is not the less sensible of the value of their writings, and of the important light which not only Mr. Cuninghame, but many other modern writers, as Mr. Faber, Mr. Keith, Mr. Davison, Mr. Brookes, Mr. Habershon, &c., have shed on this difficult but most important part of divine truth, nor on the cross light thrown by Mr. Brown, Mr. Frère, Mr. Burgh, Mr. Maitland, &c. And though prophetic interpre

tation may be despised by the world, and be neglected as a chaos by one part of the Church, and perplex another part who may not now have light enough to rescue it out of its apparently chaotic state; yet there is solid ground to walk upon; and there is also light to shew that ground, (2 Peter ii. 19,) and to leave those inexcusable who do not take heed to that light till that fulness of time arrive, when the day will shine out and the day-star arise in our hearts.

The bearing of prophecy on the present state of the world, and of our country; on the visible Church of Christ, and the true Church subsisting in that visible Church, is deeply interesting to the Christian Patriot.

Amidst the present, shaking and rocking to and fro of the political heavens, every principle is trying to the very uttermost; nothing but what is divine will remain immoveable; our Lord's words must be fully realised, every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Nothing will stand the shock of these days, but that which is above nature, and has infallible truth, Almighty power, and divine grace for its origin and support. And surely the Christian, while conscious of all the evil which is abroad, and that it is often evil, overcome by the mercy of God, that produces good, must rejoice from the heart in every really good result. The abolition of slavery, the diminishing of systems of bribery and corruption, and beneficial reforms in jurisprudence, or in the outward church, will interest and gladden the Christian; while he will be aware, how much, bad principles may have been at work in accomplishing them, and of the dan

ger amidst these things, of men crying peace, peace,— when there is no peace, Jer. vi. 14; and of the tendency of things in our day, ultimately to give that supreme power to the people at large, which, if unrestrained by human or divine institutions, and unchecked and unregulated by the Gospel, may bring on those tumultuous last scenes in which every thing shall be shaken, (Psalm xlvi. 2, 3; Heb. xii. 27.) But in that day, God is the midst of his people; their city shall not be moved; and the chorus of their song shall be, The Lord of hosts is with us-the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm xlvi. 1, 7, 11. The state of Britain is eminently such as to strengthen those holy directions which St. Paul gives to the Gentiles at large, Be not high minded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou also shall be cut off.

Our clearest duty and interest is quietly, yet firmly and zealously, to promote to the utmost, every good work; be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless. We cannot be better employed, when our Master comes, than in doing his work; nor in a better state of mind than waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus, (1 Cor. i. 7.) Our enemy would, if possible, separate these things as inconsistent; they are not only harmonious, but necessary also to each other's right attainment. The waiting expecting state of mind for such an event, should ever be accompanied by entire deadness to the world, the most diligent improvement of present talents, and the most zealous labours for meetness for the

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heavenly inheritance. And those who are the most actively engaged in the work of benevolence, and in the carrying forward of Religious Societies, so far from finding any real damper of the sacred flame of zeal, will obtain a most powerful reviver in the assured hope of our Lord's speedy return. It does indeed tend to check and quench all unholy fires of human applause, self-congratulations, magnifying human institions, dependance on man, and exalting the creature, and it takes away hopes that have no real foundation in scripture. But there is an ample return for all this, in giving motives and hopes of a far superior character, that strengthen the soul to persevere in the midst of all the difficulties of doing good, and save it from all the discouragements arising from disappointments in our fairest expectations; failure of our best laid plans, and the CERTAIN MORTIFICATION OF EVERY DESIRE AND HOPE THAT IS NOT ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD; motives too that are effective to raise man so above this world, as to enlarge to the uttermost of his ability, all efforts for the glory of Christ and the good of man. THE TREASURY OF THIS WORLD'S RICHES has never yet been fully opened IN THE PROFESSING CHURCH, for the service of our Heavenly Master. (Isa. Ix. 9.) THE HOPE OF HIS COMING IS THE KEY TO OPEN THAT TREASURY.

Many have supposed that views of the præmillennial Advent of Christ, and the first resurrection of his glorified saints, are necessarily connected with their constant, personal, and visible residence on our earth, and being thus intermingled with men living in the flesh, during the Millennium. It will be seen that whatever may be the manifestation of the sons of

God, (Rom. viii. 19.) the view here taken of that reign does not require this; it being here considered, (p. 142, 143, 160, &c.) that its nature has not been so revealed to us as to justify us in coming to such conclusions. We must believe what is written, but not a step beyond. Perhaps the difficulties, which some have felt in admitting the præmillennial Advent and first resurrection, may thus be removed. The arguments for coming in the clouds, meaning only a coming in spirit and power, are answered by Mr. Cuninghame in his reply to Mr. Faber.

The author commends the subject with affection and humility to the attention of his beloved brethren in the ministry of every denomination. He trusts that his mind is open to conviction, on being shown a more excellent way. But may we all remember that nothing is more dangerous than groundless expectations of peace. The encouraging of them is very much condemned in the Scripture (Isa. xxx. 10. Jer. xiv. 13, 14; vi. 14; xxiii. Ezek. xiii.) May we so act that the reproach of the Lord (as given in Lam. ii. 14.) may never have to rest upon us as ministers of Christ; Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee, and they have not discovered thine iniquity to turn away thy captivity. And may we rather obtain that promise, Jer. xxiii. 21; But if they had stood in my counsel and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. These directions may also shew how important it must be to have just and scriptural views of the future, not only for our own acceptance by our Lord, but for the good of all over whom we have influence.

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