tain former times. This is required, not only by the marked discrepancy of the persons predicted, but also by the use first of the comparative and then of the superlative form. The whole of such an arrangement is easily explained by the key, which we have now in our hands. The times of the Gentiles, or the age of the great metallic image, are seven prophetic times. These seven times are equally divided into two moieties, each consisting of three times and a half. Hence, in prophetic estimation (for the seven times constitute the sacred calendar of prophecy), the first moiety compre hends the period of the former times, while the second moiety comprehends the period of the latter times. But the period of the latter times, which is the period of those three times and a half during which the times and the laws and the saints are given into the hand of the little Roman horn, comprehends the three apocalyptic woe-trumpets. Hence, again, the last time, or the concluding portion of the latter times, will of course synchronise with the period of the third and last woe-trumpet. The period, however, of the third woe-trumpet is the reign of Antichristian Infidelity: not indeed to the total exclusion of apostatic superstition, for Demonolatry is the characteristic of the whole period of the latter times; but still the spirit of the Antichrist is eminently the characteristic of the period of the third woe-trumpet, while it is not the characteristic of the preceding period of the two former woes. Such being the case, we find those

prophecies, which describe the latter times, invari ably announcing the prevalence of a great demonolatrous Apostasy: while, on the contrary, we find those prophecies which describe the last time or the last days, no less invariably announcing the prevalence of an antichristian spirit of Infidelity.

III. There is yet another chronological phrase, the meaning of which it is of no small importance to ascertain. This phrase, so frequently used by Daniel, is the end or the time of the end.

As far as I am able to judge from the mode in which the prophet always employs it, the phrase in question denotes the termination of the latter three times and a half: that is to say, it denotes the brief season, when the great prophetic drama, in which the two persecuting horns and the wilful infidel king have sustained such conspicuous characters, will at length be brought to a conclusion.

So soon as the latter three times and a half expire, the time of the end commences. Hence it synchronises with the seventh apocalyptic vial; for, as we shall hereafter see, the seventh vial begins to flow immediately upon the expiration of the latter three times and a half1: and hence it is that very brief but very awful period, during which the final judgments of God will go abroad against the apostate Roman Empire, and during which his great controversy with the nations will be decided.

The specific duration of this small period is no

1 See below book ii. chap. 4. § II. 2.

where absolutely defined: but we may probably estimate its length to be about the term of a natu

ral year.

Such an opinion, relative to the commencement and the duration of the time of the end is built upon the following principles.

1. In our English language we may vaguely talk of the latter end of a period, as when we say the latter end of the year: and, in using such phraseology, we do not mean to express the abso lute termination of the period in question, but some small concluding portion of the period itself. Thus, if we mentioned the latter end of the second three times and a half, we should convey an idea nearly similar to that conveyed by the phrase of the last time which has just been considered.

- But the word, employed by Daniel to express the end or the time of the end, is incapable of any. such loose and indefinite signification. It is derived from a verb, which denotes to cut off or to cut short: whence Buxtorf with much propriety observes, that its import is strictly the end or the termination of a thing; because the end of any matter is the exact point, where that matter is cut off'. Hence the end or the time of the end must

Buxtorf expresses himself, as follows, P, Finis, Extre mum, Extremitas: ubi enim res præciditur, ibi ejus finis est. Sometimes Daniel employs the exactly equivalent Chaldee word DD; which is similarly derived from a verb denoting to sweep or scrape away, and which therefore similarly imports. the absolute end.

inevitably signify the absolute expiration of the period to which it refers1.

3

The question therefore is, to what period the phrase before us ought to be referred? Daniel himself tells us, that it is a period which he denominates the period of wonders. For, after repeatedly using the phrase under discussion, he describes one celestial visitant as asking another, how long it will be to the end of these wonders: and immediately afterward it is added, that the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end'. Hence there can be no doubt, that by the end or the time of the end we are to understand the strict end or absolute termination of the period of wonders.

But still the question will recur: what is the period of wonders, and where shall we find it chronologically defined and specified?

There is not, I think, much difficulty in answer→ ing such a question. The period of the former three times and a half, or the first moiety of the

'Mr. Mede and Bp. Newton suppose the time of the end to denote the whole period of the latter three times and a half as constituting the latter days or the latter end of the Roman Empire. The original word, employed by Daniel, is incapable of bearing any such signification: nor does this gloss at all harmonise with the mode, in which the phrase is used by him. In fact, the prophet's mode of employing the phrase sometimes compels Bp. Newton to interpret it properly, notwithstanding his previous definition. See his Dissert. on the Proph. dissert. xvii. vol. ii. p. 147, 194, 195.

2 Dan. xii. 6, 9.

seven times, does not contain any event which peculiarly excited the amazement of Daniel. But the period of the latter three times and a half, or the second moiety of the seven times, may well be denominated a period of wonders: for, during its lapse, the astonished world was destined to behold the three wonderful spectacles, of A PAGANISING APOSTASY from the pure religion of the Gospel, of A DARING IMPOSTURE founded upon the Holy Scripture yet claiming to supersede it, and of A MONSTROUS ATHEISM which set the majesty of heaven itself at defiance'. We might be morally certain, therefore, even if nothing more could be said on the subject, that the period of the wonders was the period of the latter three times and a half: for let us attentively peruse the kindred writings of Daniel and St. John, and see whether we can discover any other period to which we may properly apply the emphatic title of the period of the wonders.

(1.) But a positive proof, that the period of the latter three times and a half is the period of won

1 See Dan. vii. 8, 15, 19—22, 28. viii. 9-14, 27. xi. 36-39. Rev. xi. xii. xiii. xvii. 6, 7. Even the express phraseology of St. John may serve to establish the position, that the period of the wonders is the period of the latter three times and a half. All the world wONDERED after the wild-beast--and power was given unto him to practise forty and two months. Rev. xiii. 3, 5. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and, when I saw her, I WONDERED WITH GREAT ADMIRATION. xvii. 6.

Rev.