INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

of the sub

two parts.

In the study of unfulfilled prophecy there Distribution are two subjects of consideration, which, ject. though really distinct, are very generally confounded. Prophecy, in its extensive Prophecy in sense, embraces the whole doctrine and series of future events; both what is to be, and how it is to be accomplished. For instance, some of the articles in our creed are declarations of our faith concerning future events; yet these are repeated by many who would perhaps tell you that they objected to the study of unfulfilled prophecy. "I The docbelieve," say they, "in the resurrection of bodied in the body, and the life everlasting:" they also do not hesitate to declare that Jesus Christ" shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end ;" and that they "look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."

B

trine, as em

the creeds.

Creeds embrace all the doctrine.

Articles of the creed respecting the future.

These declarations appear to me to embrace all of what I should call the doctrines respecting the future state of things which are included in the study of unfulfilled prophecy. We may have different views respecting these events; but that will not alter them from doctrines which are to be believed, into speculations which may or may not be entertained; nor will it be satisfactory to say, I hold my doctrine, because I do not inquire into these things; and you maintain a speculation, because you study them.

The members of the Church of England profess to believe in,

1. The second advent of Jesus Christ. 2. Somewhat of the nature of that advent, -"He shall come again with glory," &c. 3. The kingdom of Christ," Whose kingdom," &c.

4. The perpetuity of that kingdom,"Whose kingdom shall have no end." 5. "The world to come."

6. The expectation of life in that world. 7. The doctrine of the resurrection.

8. The simultaneous rising of both good and bad at the second coming of Christ,— "At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies."

9. The day of judgment,-they "shall give account of their own works; and they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done evil into everlasting fire."

commonly

fined.

Now, many will be ready to say that Prophecy some of these points were never considered not well deby them to be prophetical subjects; but I think it is because they have not formed distinct ideas of what is embraced in the study of unfulfilled prophecy: for, confessedly, the grand points of controversy in prophetical research are included in some of the articles above mentioned; yet I know of no definition of prophecy which will embrace some only of these doctrines, and exclude others.

to the study

Hence it becomes important to consider, Some averse whether the truth be not rather, that people of prophecy. are averse to particular doctrines, and that they avoid their consideration by fostering

Many who hold Mes

siah's reign

with the

creeds.

an indistinct idea in their own minds, which, when communicating with others, they shelter under a vague expression,—that "the study of unfulfilled prophecy is unprofitable.” But surely, if these points be of such vital importance as to be embodied in our creeds, it is desirable that we should attach definite ideas to them, and not repeat them as others do their pater-nosters.

Nor are these observations wholly indo not agree applicable to many who are searching into "what shall be hereafter;" for the 4th and 8th clauses, which I have quoted from the Athanasian and Nicene creeds, appear to militate directly against the common hypothesis of most who are expecting the personal reign of Christ upon earth.

THE DOCTRINE

OF

THE SECOND ADVENT,

AS EMBODIED IN THE

STANDARDS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

CHAPTER I.

THE CHURCH'S EXPECTATION.

"I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."

tation of the

fluences the

of the pre

the ceding

events.

I OBSERVED, at the commencement, that The expecthe study of unfulfilled prophecy is divided end ininto two distinct heads-the one, the doc- expectation trine concerning the future; the other, order and series of events during this dispensation, which are introductory to the next. Whether the study of this latter head were edifying, might be a more doubtful question; but in this inquiry, few hesitate to be prophets; only, in accordance with that which they assume will be the issue,