unable to perform any mental labour. What I could do in such a state, in the way of correction, I have done. But there are portions of my work that I should have compressed, bad it been possible for me to do it. There may be also some incongruities, at least in some things of minor importance, that have escaped me, while in such a state. The reader who feels kindly, will be disposed to put the best construction upon them that he can. I regret more than he can do, that I am obliged to make such an apology. But it is my duty to bow in submission to Him, who directs all things according to the counsel of his own will. There may be some who will think, that under these disadvantages I ought not to have ventured on the publication of my work. It may be so; but I sought the best counsel I could obtain, and have acted in conformity with it. If the work were to be published at all, (and the public had been given to understand, by some well-meaning but rather unwary friends, that it would be), it was best that it should be accomplished so far as it might be, while I could keep my eye upon it. I had much reason to expect, that the time in which I could do this would not be long. And now, as a kind Providence has spared my life to see the completion of the printing, what am I to hope for, or to expect, from the publication of my work? I hope for a patient hearing. I hope that the readers of the work will make a thorough examination of the whole matter, before they decide that I am in the wrong. I hope that all, who have never made the Hebrew prophets and the figurative and symbolical representations of the Scriptures a subject of special study and investigation, will be slow and cautious in deciding what meaning should be attached to the symbols of the Apocalypse. I hope that a lively fancy, or an expertness in guessing, will not be considered as the best helps to the exegesis of such a book. Heartily as I abhor the mummery, and knavery, and superstition, and pollution, so wide-spread in the Romish church, and much as I disapprove of all its hierarchical institutions, I still hope that a mere spirit of opposition to Papal abominations will not be regarded as the proper and authorized exponent of what John has said respecting the beast and the false prophet. I hope that in respect to this as well as other matters of difficulty in the Apocalypse, my readers will not meet my expositions, merely with the accusation of departure from opinions long current in the English and American churches. The proper question is not, whether I have broached any opinions which seem new or strange to this reader or to that, but whether what I have said will abide the test of a hermeneutical trial. I hope that such readers as have been led merely or principally by the conjectural interpretations of former days which they have perused, will not feel that they are adequately prepared to pronounce authoritatively a sentence of condemnation at once on the views which I have advanced. I hope, also, in case they do, that I shall be enabled to bear with a good degree of equanimity the censure of judges, either A few or many, who possess no other qualifications than these to decide upon such matters. Ready as some may be to condemn, I must still cherish the hope that due allowances will be made by most readers, for the great difficulties which I have had to encounter, in the exposition of such a book as the Apocalypse. That errors may be found in my work, I do not question. To err is human. I claim no exemption from the common frailty, and only hope that I may be forgiven, where my errors are discovered. I am conscious of no party-purposes in publishing my work. I have sought for truth earnestly and sincerely on the present occasion, if I ever did or could do so; and where I have failed to obtain it, I hope the mantle of charity and kindness will be thrown over my failures. If the reader of my work gets any assistance from it, which will help him better to understand the Scriptures in any respect, he will be disposed to deal gently with me as to things which he cannot approve, or with which he cannot agree. As to what I expect; my anticipations are not of a sanguine or overween ing cast. I know that after so long a period, in which darkness has brooded over this book, it is not the work of one man, or even of one age, to arrive at established conclusions in all matters that pertain to the Apocalypse. Consequently I do not expect that my work will complete this task. But I do expect, at least I hope, that if it should accomplish nothing more, it may be the means of exciting more attention to the book of Revelation, and of calling forth some new and more successful efforts for its interpretation. Should what I have written be the means of calling forth little else but animated opposition, there is hope, even in this, of arriving sooner or later at something better than we have hitherto obtained. Should it serve, in any good measure, to give somewhat of a new direction in our churches to the method of studying the book, this may lead on to some important results, and I shall not have written in vain. And now with a trembling hand and a heart full of solicitude, I commit this work to the churches, and to the Great Head of them. Whatever imperfections it has, it is still the result of an effort to vindicate the wounded honour of the Apocalypse, and to render the book once more, in all its parts, intelligible and useful and edifying to well-meaning readers. Perhaps I cannot reasonably expect to live long enough to vindicate such portions of my work as may be assailed; but so far as probability and truth are on my side, there are others who will see that such is the case, and who will so far defend what I have advanced. Beyond this, I would hope for no defence. My only wish is, that the churches may sooner or later come to regard the book in question in the same manner as its primitive readers regarded it, and that it may once more be placed before the churches in the same light in which its author originally designed to place it. Theological Seminary, Andover, Feb. 1845. ( M. STUART. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. Page § 2. Comparison of the Apocalypse with other scriptural prophe- §3. Are similar views to be found among the heathen? § 4. Estimation of the apocalyptic style, at the time when the 107 § 11. Aesthetical character of the Apocalypse § 12. Hermeneutical principles applicable to the Apocalypse. § 13. Original readers of the Apocalypse, and their circumstances I. Historical evidence in favour of the apostle John. INTRODUCTION. § 1. General Remarks. WHATEVER difference of opinion may exist among interpreters of the Apocalypse, in respect to the meaning which must be assigned to particular portions of it, there can be but one opinion, as it would seem, among intelligent and considerate readers, as to the general object or design of this book. It lies upon the very face of the whole composition, I mean the prophetic part of it, that the coming and completion of the kingdom of God or of Christ, or in other words, the triumph of Christianity over all enemies and opposers, its universal prevalence in the world for a long series of years, and its termination in an endless period of glory and happiness, constitute the main theme of the writer, and is indeed the almost exclusive subject of his contemplation. The light, however, in which he has placed his subject, in order that it may be viewed by others, must be carefully examined and considered by the reader. The announcement of the triumphs which await the Christian church, is not made, as it might have been had the writer so pleased, by a simple categorical declaration. Christianity is in a manner personified, and it appears on the scene of action, engaged in a contest with the powers of darkness so violent, that the struggle must evidently end in the extermination or utter subjugation of one of the parties. Successively one and another bitter and bloody enemy of the church is overcome; then follows a long period of peace and prosperity, during which the influence of Christianity is so widely diffused, that no apparent hostility disturbs it. After this the powers of darkness renew their assault with exasperated malice and rage; but the interposing hand of heaven smites them down, and puts a final end to the contest. The peaceful and universal reign of the Christian religion then succeeds, and continues down to the final consummation of the Messianic kingdom on earth, when the resurrection and the judgment-day introduce a new and perfect order of things, which is to continue through ages that have no end. 2 |