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Les cartaa. planches, tableaux, ate, peuvent 4tre fllmia k das taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grsnd pour Atra reprodult en un seul clich«. il est film* A psrtir de I'angia supArieur gsuche. ds gaucha h droite. at de haut en baa. 9n prenant la nombre d'images n«cessaire. Lea diagrammas suivants illustrent la mdthoda. 1 v I. i A TEACT FOE THE TIMES, OB SIX VISIBLE SIGNS or ^t ifproaclj of l^t S,m of §a)s, BEIXG THB SUBJFXT OF THREE DISCOURSES DELIVERED IN ST. JAMES' CHURCH, PERTH, DURING THE ADVENT SUNDAYS, 1663. BY THE REV. A. PYNE, A. B., EGOTOa OF PEaxu. ' Ye can discern the face of the Sky, but can ye not discern the Statu of the Times."— Matthew x\i. 3. ^^^ww/ PRINTED BY JOHN LOVELL, ST. NICHOLAS STIiKKT, 1854. ?x.7u^:^ f /y PREFACE. The Author having delivered the following discourses in his Mission Church, and judging from enquiries made respecting them, that they might be read with interest, if not profit, by the members of his other Congregations throughout his Mission, sends them to the press for more general circulation, not without the hope, also, that other sections of the Country may feel interested in their perusal, as the subjects dis- cussed are not of a local nature, but such as appertain to our Church in general, as well as to the hopes and expectations of all Chris- tians. If this little Tract should awaken enquiry in the minds of any so a. o create a desire to investigate Truth, then the utmost that the Author has in view will be fully attained. PjEBTH, 1863— Christmas Eve. SERMON T, Contains, Fir^t— The Nature of the Second Advent.— Two Signs of its An>noACii, from Danikl, 12 chap. 4ru vkrse. " Tn pvery place, inccnso shall bo offered unto my name, and n i)uro ofl'fiing." Malaclii, i. 11. At the prosoiit season, iny Brethren! tlio Clmrch reminds us of tlio first Advent of tlio Son of God ; all those prophecies which declare it, are made to pass in review before us, and then, the fulfilment of each is described in the Gospel appointed for the day. There are, however, some passages introduced into the services during the Advent Sundays which allude to the second coming of Christ— such as the Gospel for the second, and the Collect for the third Sundays. Lest, (I suppose,) our minds should receive any undue bias from consider- ing all the humiliation of the first Advent, our Church has wisely interspersed her services with some sentences to remind us of the Majesty and Glory of Ilim, who for onr sakes "made himself of no reputation." Let us, therefore, devote a few Sundays to the considera- tion of that glorious Advent, now so largely occupying the attention of the Church of God, but more espe- cially, let us consider some of those signs of its approach which prophecy describes, and Avhich may now be seen among the nations. If we rise from the investigatiou with minds more deeply impressed with its importance, /i 6 or with desires more quickened for spiritual tilings, then, the labour of the preacher will be amply repaid. For some time, the opinion Avas very rrcnerallv enter- tained, that a spiritual millenium should precede the second Advent. It was supposed that throuoh tlie preacliing of the Gospel among the nations, mankind would e\entually beso rc-claimed, that sin would cease, and "righteousness cover the earth, as waters cover the sea ;" hence, all those passages of Scripture which speak of Christ's reigning with his saints on earth, or in " the new Jerusalem," were interpreted as declarative of his spiritual reign in the hearts of his children. I am aware that this view of the subject is still entertained by some, but the few who retain it, are beset with so many difficullies, that they look upon prophecy as a dark letter, and feel desirous to avoid its investigation. But the signs of the times are now ripening, instead of " righteousness increasing," we find on the contrary, " iniquity abounds," insomuch that our Lord's question seems fulfilled, " when the Son of Man cometh ; will lie find faith on earth ?" The second Advent of Christ, therefore, is to be preceded by infidelity and wickedness instead of righteousness. Scofters are to be abroad asking in derision " where is the promise of his coming ? for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were." Now, although the prophets clearly foretold the first Advent of Christ, still they frequently describe a state of things not to be expected in this dispensation — they speak of Mcssiiih's dominion extending from shore to shore ; they tell us of righteousness covering the earth ^ { AS waters cover the sea ;" they assure us, that " nations shall learn war no more, and . that the wolf and lamb shall feed toi>-ether, and the lion eat straw like tlic bul- lock, and they announce an " ever present helper." *' Before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speakings, I will hear," and the universal purity of tho worshippers is thus described in the text : " In every place, incense shall be otlercd unto my name and a ^iire offering." But 'instead of this description hold- ing good, what do wo see ? Look at the s^ ' progress which Christianity has made, it has perisho^t in many places where it once flourished, and till very lately, it was prohibited from the most populous parts of the world, and moreover, where it is professedly received, to a great extent the pure faith of the Gospel is deformed with gross errors, and superstitious inventions; when, therefore, we consider these things, we feel convinced, that the instrumentality and agencies now at work, never can accomplish that glorious scene described in the text, when " in every place, incense shall be offered, and a pure offering:^ With these preliminaiy remarks let us now consider first, the v.niverscdity of the offering in every place ; secondly, the perfection of the offering; and thirdly, " the signs of its approach — first, the uni- versality of the ofiering, " in every place, incense shall be- oftered." At the period in which the prophet delivers this sen- tence, the Jews had profaned ihe temple and rendered their incense unavailing in consequence of transgression, they had no love to God, or his service, but merely ta ihe emoluments of their oflice, hence their full rejectioa 8 as a nation is announced, and tlio adoption of the Gentiles in their place. " I hare no pleasure in you, neither will I accept an offering at your hand, for from the rising of the sun, even unto the going down of the same, my name shall bo great among Gentiles," and "incense shall he offered in every place." The incense under the law cannot be what the prophet alludes to here, that was a perfume made by instruc- tions from God himself, and required the golden altar of the temple to offer it on. The ofliciuting prii.'st having taken this perfume, kindled it at the never ceas- ing fire which came down from Heaven, he then put it in a censer, and laid it on the altar, and while its per- fumes were being wafted into the holiest of holies, tke High Priest took the censer, carried it inside the vail, and thus rendered his in .-rcession valuable for the sins of the people. But that dispensation has passed. Its altar no longer exhibits the fire from Heaven. The censer no longer contains the incense, and no authorized hands, according to Aaron's succession, can offer. What then, becomes of the prophet's declaration, that " in- cense shall be offered in everij place." We sec then that the incense under the law, cannot be what the prophet alludes to in the text, and especially, as in Jerusalem's temple alone was that incense offered, but this, in every place ; and, although under the Gospel dispensation, " the liftiiig up of the hands without wrath and doubting" be the incense which is acceptable to Heaven, yet, this even will not answer the prophet's description, as it never has been so offered " in every place." It is, therefore, the universality of the oftering. K. ( •* t i. lliat proves to us, tlio prophet had in view tliat glorious l)crio(l, wlicn " rio-hteousness sliall cover tlio eurlli, jw waters cover tho sea ;" wlicu they shall no more sav, "know the Lord, for all shall know him from the least to the i^-reati'st." Now, in order to sco this more clearl}', we shall consider, secondly, the purity of the otll'rino-. When wc consider the state of Christianity amono-st us Gentiles, how many helong to the visible fold, wlio in reality have neither part or lot in the matter, liow many are called mend^ers of Christ, childi'en of Go ' .V 11 ^. J .V vill accomplish tlioso o;lorlous scenes, yet to be realised by tlie Churcli of GoJ, many wbo think'^tliat the Churcli, througli the imsmt ministrations will be able to render a " pure oflbrin!;'," and thus, eventually fulfil the des- cription of the prophets. Cut, I would ask such for one moment to pause, before they settle down in such a belief as this. Let them examine what it is, that now hinders the purity of the Church's offering, and they will not bo so sanguine as to suppose that human agen- cies will ever bring about the happy consummation.— One great essential in the purity of tho oflering is, the unity of tho worshippers. Is there, I would ask, tho «hghtest ground for supposing that the present ministra- tions will forget their differences, and thus promote that unity and concord, so indispensiblo before the Church of God can in every place olll'r a pure offering \ Are there not various schisms and dissensions now promoted and cherished with far greater resentment than hereto- fore ? AVhat probability is there that Rome will adopt Protestantism, or that Protestants will merge their minor difteronces ? None. Tho trial has been a long onii— 1800 years. Unity, so essential in the purity of the Church's offering, is farther from us than ever.— - Tho^ "Paul;"— tho " Apollos."— and "the Cephas" ministry, will continue to mar the unity of tho Church, till the Great Shepherd comes, and then, but not till then, there will be the one fold, iinder one Shepherd. Another great essential in the purity of tho oftV-iing is, that there should be no false professor, no hypocriti- cal pretender. Look at tho present state of nominal Christianity, and it will be found " iniquity abounds, and 12 tlie love of many waxes cold." We may proclaim with all the faithfulness and zeal of an apostle, the lovo of God to man ; we may reprove, rebuke, and exhort, and still we shall have to witness sins of omission and commission in the professed worshippers of God ; still some Achan defiles the sanctuary, some profane Esau sells his birthright, some Judas will be found even at the table of the Lord ; thus, the purity of the offering is marred in every place, and human ministrations seem inadequate to bring about the happy consummation mentioned in the text, and because they are inadequate, the Heavenly bridegi-oom shall, alone accomplish the task ; He shall "make his people willing in the day of his power." He shall make them all of one mind, ona heart, one soul — and they sliall encourage each other. " Come let iis go up to the mountain of the Lord, to tlie house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach of hia ways, and we will walk in his paths, for out of him shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jeru- salem." (Is. ii. 3.) Before, however, this glorious j^eriod arrives, there are certain signs to precede it, to which we shall do well to take heed, as " to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in our hearts." It is, I believe, acknowledged by all who diligently read the word of God, and compare its proj^hccies with the present state of the world, that the coming of Christ is '.ligh, even at the doors." God has in mercy to those who shall be alive, when that coming draws nigh, re- vealed certain signs, and foretold certain events, which,, if wo examine, we shall certainly conclude, that we now 'Y, tw' 18 Imve arrived at that period montionod in the parahic, ■when the niidniglit cry was inado, " behold the bride- groom coinotli, £>x> ye out to meet him." Tlio first evidence of tlie comini' of Christ, and one O 7 " which it rerpjires no spiritual percojdion to olisorve, is the rapid strides of intellect, and science. Wvre the generation that has just passed to arise froir» the grave and to witness the improvement in every branch of science, to sec tlie wonders of steam, the mechanical ]^owers brouglit into operation in order tliat man might speed on his enterprises, to see tlie inanimate wire re- ceive an intelligence almost equal to omniscience, and to find new plans and schemes proposed, which in a few years will cast in the shade, what we now wonder at — were, (I say,) one of the past generation, who has been in tlie grave only thirty years, to rise up suddenly, and view these things, ho would think himself in a dilferent planet, he would stand amazed at the sight of the steam horse, and whilst it speeds on its way, with its hundreds behind and sends its premonitory whistle throughout the echoing woods, he would doubtlei^s think that a new animal had been discovered, and pressed into the service of man, or should he as he rose from the grave, find himself far from the place of his nativity, and the home of his fathers, and should he feel desirous to enquire after his friends and relations, he need only stand at some station of our telegraph and ask such questions as he needs. A few moments and an answer is returned ; quick as thought, and full of intelligence, the wire trembles with its mandate, brings back the message, and, irrespective of the feelings of the questioner, faith- ■A i i 14 ftilly unfolds its tidings, be it for lifu or doatli. Wliat, I would ask, might bo the fooliiigs of this resurrect ion mail ? even though ho may liavo been dead but n few years?. I feel certain, ho would be inclined to express his asionishnient, in words very similar to the heathen admirers of the A])ost!os : " (he gods have come down to us in the likeness of men." lUit were you likewise prepared to understand tho increase of knowledge in cvcr>/ branch of science, you would then see that man's powers and capabilities have well nigh arrived to that perfection which the Creator intends. The Geologist has fidly matured his science, and by Ills investigations has discovered wonders before un- known, Init not content with his success, and panting after further information, he has dared to impugn Revelation; and thus, his knowledge and wisdom, (seek- ing to be wise without God,) have proved his ruin. The Astronomer too, luas revealed to us the wonders of the visible Heavens with extraordinary accuracy, and in consequence of his unparallelled success in the construction of his telescope, he has brought the heavenly bodies so near to our vision, that the moon reveals a landscape similar to the earth, — one more slight improvement remains, and then the mystery of the moon is solved. Wo are surprised also at the progressive improve- ment in all mechanical operations. Here especially, the ingenuity of man is wonderful, so that it is now a proverb, " what next ? " — Manufacture exhibits new laws, — even the sluggish earth receives new vigour, and 16 is poon to bo turned up Nvitliout the labour of man ! — tlio niero rustic too, can procure a knowlediro of these things, and the hibours of the press spread tluit know- ledge far and ^vidc. Thus, human research manifests n pcrtcHjtion, as if it had rcach(!vhich sends a spark of lieavenly intelhgcnco to every believer in Christ. The seal is, tlieroforo, now beincf talcfii off tlie book of prophecy, the mind of man can now look into these hidden mysteries, and each event that has passed us, or that may be soon expected, can now bo defined by prophecy. Get a knowledge of these things, my bretliren, for they add much confirmation to our faith, and provo most satisfactorily, that wo have " not followed cun- ningly devised fables." De not satisfied in wordly knowledffc, and worldlv attainments, — these are neces- sary in their way and ])lace, — for since the world has progressed, so should you, but see to it, that you are likewise progressing in " that knowledge Avhich maketh wise to salvation." This is the knowledge that will avail you, Avhon all here comes to a conclusion, when the heavens pass away, and " the elements melt with fervent heat." In these days prophecy must be tho stronGrhold of the Christian ; events have alreadv over- taken us, and others are now gathering in the distance, which, to continue ignorant of, will be perhaps to add to our confusion in the time of trial. Look at tiie prophecy before us for one moment ; it was written more than 2000 years ago, yet see how accurately and faithfully it describes the world at the present crisis. Tn a few short words, it tells us the exa-'t history of the day in which we live. " In the latter day, 17 iiiriny sliall run to and fro." A.ro not lands and soap, liithorto remote, now made neiiijlibouriiii; to each other, by this " runnint; to and fro;" andrcinonihcr, within tlio last few years onJji, this state of tliinyn h;is apju-'arcd ; therefore, this siiijn f)f the latter day, can be discerned by the most incr(.'duloiis, and the God of Daniel may be wondered at, as the God who revealeth secrets, and before whom the nations have passed in ra]»id succes- sion " to the time of the end." Again, " knowledge shall be increased in the latter day." There is a thirst for knowledge now, surpassing any thing that has ever ap]>earcdon earth. Every branch of science and liter- ature is so simpliiied as to Iniiig it down to the com- prehension of children, thus "knowledge is increased." And althouii'li it may prove an increase destructive to religion, and even now assumes that position, in tlio exclusion of the word of God, or in a marked silence of religious instruction throughout our School system at home and abroad, yet, "the sign of the latter day" is before us, "knowledge" (not the kind) the prophet foretels, " knowlnUjc shall be increased in the latter dayr In conclusion, I would remind you, that Avhen wo speak on a suliject like this, there is but one class to whom we expect to be useful, — the world, and its fol- lowers taste not the hidden manna in this subject. It will rather fill the votaries of the world Avith sneers and rebukings, and even he who speaks will be accounted visionary and trilling'. But we ha\'0 counted the cost ; we are prepared for this — the world will not hear of its own downfall. , It has no part in the kingdom of God and Christ. It will not be lu'rested in its busy progi" - } 18 — its »]\\vit win ^ot 1(0 changed — "the '«»tter clay," frauglit with veng^'-anco, may come ; but the world has other tilings to attend to, for, as " in tlie days of the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the tlood came, and destroyed thorn all, BO SHALL TUE COMIKO OF THE SoN OF MaN CE." I i SERMON II, Contain? Twn SrcNs of the ApriioAcri ok the Second Advent. Fiii-iT Sign — Tin; cuNhi.Mi'TioN or wasiixg awav of "the Man (u Sin by thi: Spiuit ok God." Second Sign—'* The iiestruction of the Man op Sin," proved to ue close at hand, iiv the coml'litation of ybabs. lliJt day shall not como, except tliero come a falling away- first, and that man of sin bo revealed— the son of perdition ■who opposeth and exidtetli himself above all that is called GoJ, BO that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of Ood, shewing himself to be God. 2d ThcssaloQians, ii. 0. We are at present considering the signs tliat are to precede the coming of the Son of God. It is important as I liavo observed before, that we should understand what God lias revealed to his ser- vants concerning "the latter da3's." Now, in the investigation of this subject, it is not pretended to bring forward anything new, but to arrange the truth in a simple and attractive form, so that the mere Bible reader niav be able to investio-ate the signs of liie Saviour's ccnning, and of " the end of the world." The Thessalonians had been disturbed concerninrr this subject, a report had been spread abroad, that the time was at hand for the second Advent of their Lord, and so much ex^tement prevailed auioiigsttheni, that the Apostle saw it necessary to admonish and instruct them ia 20 tlie Epistle from ^Yllcuoo tlic text is taken, lie seeks to rrove liis assertions by mentioning- a sig-n tliat was to precede the coming, and lie argues, that since that sign had not jet happened, so the coming of Christ could not take place, " that day shall not come, exce])t there come a falling away first, and that man of sin bo re- vealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself to be God." We shall now consider— first, " the falling- away." In the writings of the Apostles, there are various heresies andei-rors alluded to, and a well merited rebuke adminis- tered in every case, but when St. Paul speaks of " the apostacy " or » falling away," as mentioned in the text, his language assumes the style of prophecy. In writing to Timothy, he is so accurate as to enumerate some of the leading features of the apostacy ; the Spirit sj.eak- Qth expressly, " that in the latter times some shall de- part froni the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God had created to be received with thanksgiving." Truth is never abandoned at once ; it is only by small deductions or innovations, that her bul- warks are successfully attacked, and here it is, especially that " Satau transform.-- himself into an angel of light ;" he will not remove the Ibundation,— this might excite suspicion— the gold of the temple he will Tpare, the precious things he will pretend to val»e, but he will build such a superstructure thereon, as to hide the i » »> 21 foundation, and deface the true ornaments of the tora- ple ; thus the simple are beguih'J; and while they think they are followinr^ the truth, they are in reality "falling away from tlie fuith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." Such appears to be tlie character of "the falling away," as described by St. I'aul, but there is a further descrii)tion given, which demands our attention ; he calls it the "mystery of iniquity," and he says, " it already" works," only, " he who now letteth, will let, until ho be taken out of the way." There are therefore two mys- teries in the spiritual world, "the mystery of godliness," " God manifest in the Hesh." This is the admiration of angels aud of saints redeemed. This shews how God can be just, " and the justitier of him wlio believeth in Jesus ;" but there is an invisible antagonist to this spiri- tual mystery, even Satan, whose working is " with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish," and his work is snch a masterpiece of skill, that St. Paul so far honours it by calling it, " a mystery," though, a mystery of iniquity. Now, you will observe, that this "falling away" from the tail h of Christ, had almubj commenced when the Apostle wrote, and he alludes to a diiHculty in .its path, " he who letteth or hindereth, will hinder, until he bo taken out of the way." The interpretation of this sentence, the page of history re- cords. The Roman Empire, unit(!d under one potent government, being jealous of all other power and authority, prevented the establishment of that spiritual tyranny and usurpation, by which Satan would attempt to make his grand eftbrt against Christianity. But as 22 soon as Rome would lay aside her Kmporor, as soon as ho sliould cease to hinder, or he taken out of the way, then, " the falling away" should bo matured, and the iniquity then commencin-v, — the departure from tho faith then appearing— should spread forth its branches and arrive at maturity. This is the meaning of the Apostle's language, but it would not have been prudent for him to have spoken just then so ])lainly, although the Christians for whom he Avrote, and all the early Christians understood this verse as teaching, that Anti-Christ shonld not appear till after the downtall of the Roman Empire. AVe have now seen that this apostac}', or "falling away," should have a two-fold development, first, " Se- ducing Spirits," or " doctrines of devils." This is its spiritual feature, — and, secondly, its temporal, or eccle- siastical position is shewn us, by the removal of the Roman Emperor, and the substitution of this Anti-Chris- tian power in its place. It is instructive to inquire, whether the prophets mention any thing of this ? for most assuredly, a power thus invested with spiritual and temporal authority, having Satan, too, presiding over doctrine and discipline, must exert a direful intluence over the best interests of man. Accordingly, we find a most iiiithful description of this apostacy. Some new features, not mentioned by St. Paul, are also described, particularly the number of years which God would permit it to continue. In the Vth chapter of Daniel, there is a prophetical description of the dealings of God with the nations till the end of time— under the figure of a beast, he describes 23 a kingdom ; there passes Lefore tlie mind of the propliet four beasts, reprosenting the four universal empires, commencing- from tlie J^ahylonian monarchy, to the beginnino; of the millcnial period. These kingdoms were successively the Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and Eoman, but, as the three first kingdoms have passed away, -wo shall confine our attention to the scattered remnants of the fourth, for, amongst these, we ourselves have our lot cast, and the Chur(;h of God, which is the seat of prophecy, is described in its militant state, a.4 amongst these. On this account, the prophet is more •descriptive, and manifests moi-e enquiry when bespeaks of the fourth kingdom. "We shall, therefore, attend to liis description, Daniel vil. 7, and following verses. " I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it was diverse from all that went before it, and it had ten horns ; I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, and in this horn, there were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things."'— 19 v. "Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, and of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whoso look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and 2n-cvaikd ar/ainst them. Thus he said. The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, and the ten horns out of this kingdom, are leii kings that shall arise after them, and he shall speak gi-eat I s t 24 ^vor,ls n-ninst (l.c mosi Hio-i,, ,,„i ,i,,,i ,,.^,^,. ^,,, ^j^^ sonls„f the sNiulsof (1h> most Jli.-],, .,nnniel states as tlio period of liis continuance a time, times and a hnH"; or "the dividing of time," now, the word *' time," in prophetical Language, means a prophetical year, or ^GO days ; and " a time, times and a half," "mean" three and adialf of these years, or 1200 days, that is, literal years.— (IC/ek. iv. 0, and Daniel iv. 16.) In the Apocalypse, we tind the priod for his continuance sunilar, only the expression is varied, *' power was given unto him, to continue forty and two months, that is three and a half yeai-s, or 1200 days, literal years. Now, I consider it important for every Christian at the present day especially, to have a correct knowledge of these prophecies, that he should hold to the Catholic interpretation, for bo it remembered, an erroneous, or Sectarian mode has fahf// been invented of explaining away these i)ropliecies, and Satan favours the delusion, by blinding the understanding of the simple, lest they should recover themselves out of his snare. I reinember when ]M-ep >r fcnro, than if wo were to read all Imman compositions^ tor here we have a tcslimony from those who cannot err, from those who lived luuKlreds of years before the t'ivi I appeared as now ; and who, therefore, wore free Trom all those prejudices or prepossessions which oftentimes lead men either to oppose or to apologise. Before, however, I pass to the immediate object which I have in view, in exjilainingthe prophecies i da- tive to this apostacy, I must pause for one moment, and ask, what are we to call this " falling away ? " Daniel calls it "the Man of Sin," Paul, the Son of Perdition," and St. John, " the Apostacy," "Babylon," " the woman on seven hills." But what are we to call it ? Shall we call it " a Church ?" I think not, if we listen to the definition, which our Article enjoins, " the visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly administered according to Christ's ordinance." (Article 19.) If we try the Church of Rome by this Scriptural definition, then, the case is plain ; — Is " the ^)i(rc word of God preached" therein? or can it \ dare it be! wheu the Articles of Trent are followed ? Are " the Sacraments adminis- tered according to Christ's ordinance ? " How can this be, when there are seven Sacraments ? A sacra- ment for every hill on which Rome is built ! And the only two simple sacraments which Christ has ordained, though contained in these seven, yet, in the adminis- tration of even these, there is so much superstition and .perversion, so much addition and subtraction, that w« vcannot say " tliej are administered according to Christ'* 32 ll I ordinance." But I suppose, for customs' sake, and in ordor to bo uudorstood, (tor which ivasotis alone, I believe our Churdi retains the appellation, when speuk- ing of thk a})OHtaey,) we must call it " a Chureh " too. But should you ask in what relations are we to stand towards hei ? ScirijWnrc answers imperatively, " Como out of her my people that you bo not partakers of her sins," and of her destruction. (Rev. 18, 4.) On thi.i subject (here is, of eourst', but one t)pinion anioni,'st usr and therefore you liave been astonished, equally with myself, on reading a contrary announcement in the late cinirge of our beloved and hin'hly ijfit'ted Diocesan, aehargo replete with v\ isdom and tfoiden sentiments, were it not for this mournful exce})tion. It proposes ! what think you ? a trnce with Home? Ashes of "the wearied saints," have ye gone to your resting places for nouglit ? Can ye arise from the dust and tell us whether your contest with Rome was useless ? — that a truce would have been wiser ? for we are told, that " in this Province, a cour- teous and uninterrupted social intercourse has always been kept up between the Church, of Enghmd and Rome; and moreover, that if both would make common cause, " socialism and infidelity would sink into insignifi- cance." Now, if the writer of these sentences were a man of ordinary ability, if he held no resjvonsible or prominent position, then 'he proposal might go for nought, but here is the pen of our Bishop, whose talents can scarcely be surpassed, who is justly respected and beloved by us all, as an able and zealous champion for our Churcii, and therefore nothing short of scriptural warrant, or of the Church's legitimato teaching must ^-' 33 ^7 he be clad in, who daro i?iiinf»fty onft single sentotioe in lliat mighty charge ; fet'ling therefore ('onvineed tiiat I have hoth upon my side,! must lift my voide, though an humble one, against any truce with Komo, and more- over, declare my ignorance of any " social intercourse " having been kept up in thiR Province between the Church of England and the Roman Apostacy. The United Church of England and Ireland i» a witnessing Church — a witness against the corruptions and innova- tions of Rome, separated from lier in doctrine and discipline as widely as the poles. Dives and Lazarus were not more irrevocably separated from each other, as the Church of England from Rome. Wliat " social intercourse, " therefore, has existed or can exist ? True, indeed, when any poor soul is so deluded as to have any " intercourse," he is immediately sent " a strong delusion to believe a lie," but is this an intercourse either to bo courted or desired ? Is this a system that we dare make common cause with in opposing infidelity and sin ? — We must hope, my brethren, that these sen- tences of our beloved Diocesan went to the press too speedily, or that they may be so explained as not to bear a literal interpretation, for most assuredly, not for all the gold of Ophir, not for all the riches of a Solo- mon's temple, dare we make common cause with that which nullifies the word of our God, and " opposeth and exalteth itself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped." But my object in the series of dis- courses which I am now delivering, is to call your atten- tion to a few of those signs which arc to precede tlie Second Advent of Christ. Now this apostacy b2 m ■' lias two signs connected with it, whiclx forcibly remind us that tlie day is at hand when it must go into perdition. St. Paul foretells its consumption, and its destruction, "that wicked one shall be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of his coming," (2d. Thess. 2, 8.) Attend hero to the first sign : " He shall first consume it by the Spirit of his mouth." "Wc can scarcely realize, my brethren, the difference between the power of popery now, and at the time of the Reforma- tion. Then it held bound as with an adamantine chain the civil and religions liberties of Europe, — the darkness and blackness of centuries had then arrived at their height,^" the power of the keys" silenced all opposition* Kings and Princes were deposed at pleasure, their kingdoms confiscated, and even their subjects refused the rights of burial, if full allegiance to the Sovereign Pontiff" Avere not given. The powers of the world to come were saleable ; hell was deprived of its terrors on the payment of a few pence, and heaven promised on the ground of merit, — the kingdoms gToaned beneath the bondage, — and if amongst them, one was found bold enough to witness against these abominations, he was seized with the silent hand of the destroyer, and hur- ried to a land of darkness, never more to see the light of heaven. Contrast this state of things with what we now enjoy — and you will see that popery is now a thing of nought, in comparison to what it was 300 years ago. The Lord is now consuming it with the Spirit of his mouth. This consumption commenced with the fires of Smithfield, a light was then kindled •'A'liaidst the darkness that shftll never be exliiiguished. The nations have felt, (and are feeling more and more,) the moral power of the Reformation. While popery- remains the same in doctrine and spirit, and puts forth now and then redoubled vigour for pre-eminence. So •have I seen the mighty ox fall beneath the knife, I watched, and it put forth the mightiest struggles of all, just before the breast heaved and for ever grew still. So with " the man of sin," his death throes are nearly upon him, his power is crippled throughout the world, in consequence of the free and unshackled proclamation of the Gospel, during the last three centuries ; this is the consumption, not by might or by strength, but by my Spirit saith the Lord, " whom the Lord shall con- sume with the spirit of His mouth." If we glance at those nations where popery is still acknowledged, where it is still the national creed, although we have evident tokens of its unchanging nature, still, the submission to its pretensions are not so blindly given. The seat of the beast — the Vatican itself, a few years ago, manifested a reluctance to submit to his authority, and drove him from his throne ; he was, it is true, reinstated, but the belief in his spiritual assump- tions has practically perished even amongst his followers, so that, my brethren, popery, in comparison to what it once was, is a perishing and a consuming thing, and it will continue to be so until its destruction. But this is not to be achieved by human means, " the Lord shall DESTuov him by the brightness of His coming." I have thus described to you one sign that is to pre- cede the second coming of the Son of God, the con- Z6 samption or wasting away of popery by tlie Spirit of God, — this we see, this we realise, — this sign is nearly completed, the witnesses have nearly sealed their testi- mony ; and every one of you, my brethren, that fearlessly and conscientiously refuse to take the mark of the beast, I regard as a witness snatched in the providence of (jod from the errors of " the apostate." Those arc days when religious and political feelings seem in favour of traffic and merchandize with the man of sin, he is fawned on, he is flattered, he is apologized for ; even the prophecies which have always warned th© Church of God of his doctrines and tendency are per- verted, nay, even his existence is denied. " Anti-Christ has yet to appear .'"' So spoke the Jews of their Messiah, when he was in the streets of Jerusalem, and so they still speak, though 1800 years have passed. The Rabbles interpreted the prophecies so as to deceive the nation. In like manner, the interpretation of these prophecies is denied by a hvf, and a false one adopted by many Protestants, and hence they are not aware o'i the evii with which they tamper ; we really seem to forget the dangers from which we have passed, the sunshine of prosperity seems to have hilled us into a false security our dissenting brethren (though truly Protestant all the while,) are equally at fault, for, the only barrier sus- tained by a good Providence to protect them, they are anxious to pull down ; and if they cannot accomplish, it by Protestant hands, they seem too willing to gain unhallowed, assistance from "the man of sin." How diflerent the spirit of their founders! How much better 1 How much safer ! for all who receive the esicn- i> the l> 3T ttal doctrines of salvation to protect each other, to honour and respect each others sentiments, and not to "go down to Egypt for assirstanco," either in warding off an evil or in perpetrating one. If the property of the Church of England is to be taken, (property secured to her by every right, and which has been fViithfully used in extending her ministrations,) then let Protestant hands perpetrate the suicidal act, or if that property is to be protected from invasion ; oh ! let none be invited to our rescue that we need he ashamed of! better far to bow our heads beneath the dark Providence than make any Gibeonitish leagues or truces. Victory, when using such means, would in reality be a defeat ; a humiliation, from which may God in his mercy protect us. Let us now in conclusion, consider the Second Sign, in reference to the Apostacy, we have seen how " the wast- ing away of popery, by the Spirit of God," is prophecied of, as a sign to precede the coming of Christ, now let us briefly shew, how " the destruction," being near at hand, may likewise be regarded as a sign. St. Paul, in speak- ing of its destruction, says, " whom the Lord shall con- sume by the Spirit of His mouth," and " destroy by the brightness of his coming." He is therefore to be in existence when Christ comes. Now, we have already seen from the prophecies exam- ined, that his duration was to be 1260 years, and if we are correct in fixing the time of his commencement with nearly all the Interpreters of prophecy in the year A.D. 606, then the period of his destruction, and consequently of the coming of the Son of God, may be soon expected, 1866 ! There may bo an error of a few ycai's ia this Calculation, and some allowance also to be made for tha difference between solar and lunar years ; but when we remember, tliat other signs of Christ's coming are now evident, therefore wo assume it as extremely pro^ bable, that Bisliop Newton's calculation of the rise and completion of this dire apostacy will prove correct, as I have just statetl. Suppose now, for one moment, that this computation^ borne out by all the historical evidences necessary, should prove correct, then may we not say with truth, that " the coming of the Son of (k)d is nigh, even at the doopj," Oh ! I fear to some of you, these are not good tianigs. To those of you, whose hearts and minds are following this world, engaged in all its speculations, pleasures and vanities. To those of you whose souis are dead to the realities of religion, and who are yet unre- g'merfte, unconverted ! Oh; brethren, haste from Sodom, flee for your life,— leave behind you those perishing idols which the fire is almost ready to consume; you have a great work to do, and no commencement yet, you have old habits to throw off, new ones to put on, old affections to deny, new ones to cultivate, all this is a great work, requiring care and time. But remember the time is short. In a little time he that will come, must come and will not tarry. Wo can already decipher in the mist of futurity the form of that mighty angel who is to stand upon the sea, and to lift up his hand toward Heaven, and to swear by Him that sitteth on the throne, that " time shall be no more." Arise then, ye " sleepers, and call upon your God," " the time is far spent, the day is at hand, cast off the works of 3d tlarkness, and put on the armour of light," for remember, at the glorious Advent of the Son of God, the fearful, and the unbelieving, and whatsoever loveth and raaketh a lie, are equally to bo condemned as " the man of sin." All must go alike into the bottomless pit, " the mean man,'' " the mighty man," the poor and the rich. All earthly distinctions shall then cease, and the only pedi- gree that will then avail us, is to be of the family of God. To have our names written in the Lamb's book of Life." ]f these considerations arouse you not, then I must say, " Let kirn that is filthy, be filthy still;' " him that is rif/hteous, be riyhteons still." Note.— The number (ifj6 assigned to the beast, 1 have pur- posely left out of the body of this discourse, through fear of being tedious, and preferring to call attention to it in a more marked manner, by a note. The satisfactory interpretation which this " number " has received, substanliates all that has beea advanc- ed in the interpretation of the prophecy, .-.nd removes any doubt that might arise as to the application. " Here is wisdom, let him that understandeth, count the number of the beast, his num- ber is 666." God has given the wisdom and understanding to his ser/ants to find out the beast from the number. In the English language we count by figures, but in the Greek and Hebrew by letters. Let us then count 666, by Grecian let- ters :— . \ = 30 a = 1 T = 300 e = 5 t ■= 10 V = 50 J = 70 C = 200 Aantvof HQQ or " Latin mart. M 40 Thus " Xami'oc," in Greek, is "Latin man" in Englisli, or man of Latiunri, which was the city from whence the Romans derived their name and laniruage. Latin is still the language of the Roman Church. The prayers are Latin, the Theology, Latin ! Canons, Latin ! Bulls, Latin ! In Hebrew also, the " Romiith," (or Roman) when reckoned by the numerical let- ters, contains exactly 666 ! This is a most extraordinary coin- cidence, and so truly surprising, that nothing short of " a strong delusion," can prevent the followers of the beast from being alarmed by it.— (See Faber, Newton, Scott, on th« number 666.) I SERxAIONIIT, CoNTAixs Two Signs ; First, the Gospef, preached to all as A Witness.— Secondly, Kestoration of the Jews, "This Gospel of i)ie kingdom shall be preached in all the ■world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come — Matt. xxiv. 14. " Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, Tintil the times of the Gentiles be fuirilled."— Luke xxi. 24. The two portions of Holy Scripture which I have now read to you, though taken from different Gospels, were spoken by our Lord on the same occasion. I have se- lected them as the subjects of our present discourse, since they contain prophecies of two of the remaining signs which yet remain to be examined. Were I to address you on the subject of any prophecy, without having some light thi'own on it by opening events, then perhaps I might be liable to error, and your confidence might be shaken. You might, in that case, fear that I was soaring aloft in the regions of imagination, and very properly refuse to attend me. But as in the former discourses, so in ^his, I shall endeavour to place before you, such evidences as will force conviction — evidences which you have not to search after, but which are intuitively known as belonging to this period. I hope therefore, to be instrumental in leading you to feel an interest in the coming of the Son of God, for r It- H i 42 when we interpret prophecy as I have proposed,— when we call attention to the events which exphiin the pro- phecy, tlien we are protected from the error of " pri- vate interpretation," and wo feel that, " God becomes His own interpreter," " And lie will make it plain." Th6 text was spoken by our Lord as he sat upon tlio Mount of OUves, in company with his disciples'; the temple was before them in all its magnificence, the stones of which attracted the attention of the disciples ; " Master," said they, " see what buildings are here." Our Lord immediately prophecied their downfall, and on '^'^ing so, excited the curiosity of the disciples, they ac- ordingly ask him three questions ; first, " When shall these things be ? " Secondly, " What shall be the sign of Thy coming ?" and thirdly, " What shall be the end of the age or dispensation «" Li reading our Lord's answer, it is necessary to keep in view these several enquiries, as he answers each seriatim ; first, he describes the destruction of Jerusalem in answer to the question, " When shall these things be ? " he next dwells on certain signs to precede his coming to destroy the temple, such as there shall be false Cln-ists, and false prophets ; and thirdly, he draws a graphic description of the end of the world, and mentions two signs which are to precede it ; first, " this Gospel shall be preached as a witness to all nations, and then shall the end come ;" and secondly, " Jerusa- lem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled." We shall now consider the first siim : " The Gospel preached to all nations." ^ pn- 43 Tt issupposed by manjr,tliat a milleniura of righteousness is to precede the coming of Christ, and foremost amongst the passages selected to prove it, is tlte dechiration that " the Gospel must be preached to all nations ;" but v;hen we consider how possible it is for the Gospel to hapreach- ed, and not a soul converted, we then must rescue this text from the misapplication of supposing, that it teaches universal conversion before the coming of Christ. The Gospel is preached among you, my brethren, but are you all converted ? Have you all felt " the powers of the world to come ?" Is it not true that lands, nominally Christian, manifest as much (probably more) sin, and profligacy, as Heathen countries? and this state of things will continue— this dispensation, as Simeon de- clared, is only "the taking out of us gentiles, a people to serve God." The Gospel is now merely as a " witness" amongst the nations. It is " the lifting up of the ensign," and all that is universal concerning it is, that God shall make provision before this dispensation closes, to have it preached to all nations, and when this period arrives, then our dispensation closes, for " the Gospel of the king- dom shall be preached in all the world, as a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." Now, it is instructive to enquire, whether the Gospel has been as universally preached as the text describes, or, whether such agencies are only now in operation as shall soon complete the prophecy ? Before the apostles left this world, according to the express command of their Lord, they not only carried tlie light of the Gospel into many Heathen lands, but made provision for its further circulation throughout the