Note. I have before me an account of the Creation by other learned and eminent men-men who, perhaps, have spent the greatest part of their time in studying these things (Chronology and Prophecy), and making known to others less gifted than themselves the mind and will of God and of the perilous times in which we live-men who wish for the safety of our souls, and warn us, in the words of the Apostle Peter, of that day which will come upon us as a thief in the night-entreating us to take heed in time ere it be too late-bidding us prepare ourselves while in this life for that which is to come-in short, not men who will tell us that it is presumptuous in studying these things, but men who will tell us what the Apostle tells us (2 Peter, i. 19), “That we do well to take heed of the Prophets, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." We find the same comforting words (at least the same meaning) written by the Apostle John, Rev. i. 3.-" Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein, for the time is at hand." Here, then, is a sufficient proof that, instead of it being wrong, there is pronounced a blessing upon all who do, providing they do it out of a pure and good motive, the glory of God. The following, then, are the ideas and calculations of these pious and good men. Clinton, Creation began 4138 B. C.; the 6000 years of Creation must therefore expire, according to that, A. D. 1862. Calmet, 4000 B. C.; expire, A. D. 2000. Hale, 5411 B. C.; if this be true, they must have expired A. D. 1589. Archbishop Usher, 4004 B. C.; expire, A. D. 1996. Scott, 4004 B. C.; expire, A. D. 1996. According to Dr. Cumming's calculation, Creation began 4134 B. C., and expires A. D. 1866; and, according to this chronology, 4059 B.c.; expire, A. D. 1941. Before concluding this interesting and instructing study,-(I say instructing, because it ought to enlighten our minds, arouse us from that stupor into which we have fallen, make us think less of the world and of the things that are in the world, and judge more solidly of the future but if the study of those things does not in crease our faith, raise our hopes and humble our hearts, it is our own fault; and if we do not derive that benefit from them which they were intended to give, we have no one to blame but ourselves: Woe be to us if we will not listen to His commands and do them: Woe be to us if we still insist on despising His warnings,-warnings they are of the deepest kind and all for our good, sent to us by His chosen servants the prophets),-I thought it would be advisable to lay before the reader a chronological table from Creation to the present time, in as simple and plain a form as possible, well knowing how inconvenient it is, and how much it is attended with loss of time to the inquirer in search of any particular date, to turn back page after page to discover it, especially through so long a period as 6000 years. Ark at Kirjath-jearim for 20 years, 1 Sam. vii. 12, 20 2964 1095 7 2846 1213 see page 25 4 3457 Babylonish Captivity, 70 years, see pp. 26, 27 602 70 3527 532 3527 532 We find in this period, 4059 B.C., by chronology and history, that three of the four universal kingdoms spoken of by Daniel have all disappeared; and that the fourth, the one we live under, the age we occupy in the revolution of time, will have its end likewise. The first was the Babylonian or Golden Empire; the second, the Persian or Silver Empire; the third. the Brass or Græco-Macedonian Empire. We will therefore proceed with our chronology by breaking in with Daniel's fourth and last kingdom upon earth-the Iron or Roman Monarchy. |