man- A which is the name of an office, and not of an individual— The period of 666 may be computed from the Christian æra, or the time of the prophecy, and will find in either case Ma- homet in the zenith of both secular and spiritual power, in and by the Saracen monarchy-Has reigned in the double capa- city of a civil and ecclesiastical monarch 12 centuries-The Saracen Caliphs and Turkish Sultans but his vicars, or depu- ties-Extirpated heathen idolatry-Wept over the grave of his mother-Substituted a more refined and worse idolatry in its place-Feigned himself the Paraclete-But in reality the living shrine or temple of Satan himself-Enjoined and legalized adultery and massacre— -Pretended miracles-Is- lamism is to idolatry what Christianity is to Judaism —Amaz- ing success and spread of his imposture-Occupies most of NOTES ON SECTION V. By peace to destroy many-Mahomet exacted only a moderate tribute, which increased greatly the number of his converts and adherents-The desire of women-Polygamy-Prevents and nullifies marriage-Not forbids it-Forbids wine and pork-The prophecies of St Jude and of St. Peter foretold, The four monarchies frequently and variously symbolized, and Apocalypse-These betokened kings and conquerors-And kings in prophetic nomenclature signify kingdoms or mo- narchies The Babylonian empire, the head of gold-The lion, the first chariot, and the white horse, with him that sat upon him, who went out conquering and to conquer-The Persian empire the silver-The bear-The second chariot and the second horse with his rider-The Macedonian or Greek empire the brass, the leopard, the third chariot with white horses, and why-The third horse, whose rider had a pair of balances in his hand-And why-Its justice and equity- The great civilizer of the world-Promoted the arts-Built cities-Encouraged commerce-The Roman monarchy- The iron legs-The terrible monster, the fourth chariot, the Difference between Antichrist and the Beast-Beast, what-An- -The ten toes-And ten horns-The ten provincial govern- CONTENTS. SECTION I. P. 1. GENERAL NATURE AND OBJECT OF PROPHECY. Interpretation impeded by speculations of futurity, and by party |