A. D. 1793. If the great catastrophe which at this period convulsed the world, and which has been already described in the Fifth Period, gave a fatal shock to the kingdoms of Europe, and to those of the West in particular, as an earnest of the approaching deliverance of the Jews from their long captivity; it bore with a not less terrible aspect on the existence of the Papal power, as an earnest of the approaching deliverance of mankind in general from its soul-destroying dominion. The first licensed act of infidelity, which was the new power that the French Revolution brought into action, was to aim the most deadly blows at that superstition which Voltaire and other Atheistical writers had long held up to the scorn and derision of the world. It began with seizing all the church property to supply the demands of the state; massacring and expatriating its clergy, denouncing the Roman Catholic religion throughout the whole extent of the French empire, prostituting its churches to the most infamous of purposes, and unblushingly avowing its own creed to be Atheism! Its principles were widely spread over all the Papal nations, England not excepted; and during its reign in France, up to the time of the fall of Napoleon, Popery seemed incapable of ever again rearing its head. Though its power was, however, thus shaken, and events subsequently transpired which sufficiently proved that its downfall was not far distant, yet it has been suffered, in the all-wise providence of God, again for a time to gain a limited and increasing ascendancy. This circumstance, instead of invalidating in the slightest degree the correctness of the above reasoning, the rather most fully confirms it. For if the complete period of seven times, of which this period of "time, and times, and the dividing of time," unquestionably forms the latter half, had two commencements, and consequently two terminations—which has been proved to have been the case—then must the half-period have the same peculiarity. Consequently, though the year 533 formed the first commencement of Popery, and the year 1793 its first termination; yet it requires, in order that the halfperiod may fully harmonize with the full period, that there should be a second commencement, and a second and final termination. It is further required that this second commencement and second termination should correspond with those of the complete and full period, in a similar way to the first commencement and first termination. Accordingly, as the middle point between the year before Christ 677, and the year A.D. 1843, is 583, this is the year which must in some way or other have marked the full and complete rise of Popery. The force of this argument will appear in a clearer light by being condensed thus: The full rise of 1260 yrs. It will be recollected that the precedent for applying this peculiarity of structure, of a double commencement and double termination, is found in the "Third Period," and has in that instance the high authority of Dr. Prideaux for its adoption. Independent, however, of such precedent and such authority, the circumstance of this period of 1260 years having been prophesied of under the three distinct aspects above noticed, it is required that it should have another and more final commencement than the Edict of Justinian. For although by this edict the saints were delivered into the hands of the Pope, yet it was not until fifty years subsequently that the ten Papal kingdoms were finally established, nor that Popery assumed its most awful and distinguishing characteristic, the Divine attribute of infallibility. The second and third aspects, therefore, under which the Papacy is presented to our view in this prophetical period, would be without a distinct commencement, if it were not for this peculiarity of a double commencement. These preliminary remarks, it will be perceived, bring us to the conclusion that some event marking a prophetical era must have happened in the year 583, and that such event must have been connected with the full establishment of the last of the Papal kingdoms. For 1. The completion of this division of the Western Roman Empire into ten parts possesses all the characteristics of a prophetical era-namely, it is an important epoch in history; it is connected with the affairs of the church; and it was attended with permanent changes. 2. The tyranny of these ten Papal nations over the true church is one of the great events prophesied of in the Old Testament. (See page 6.) And 3. The exercise of this tyranny being prophesied to continue 1260 years, or during the latter half of the complete period of 2520 years, it must have commenced in the year 583, the middle point of such complete period. The question, therefore, which remains to be considered is this: Does this conclusion correspond with historical facts? Was it in or about the year 583, according to the best infor Ꮓ mation that can be collected, when the last of these ten Papal kingdoms was founded? It will be sufficient to refer the reader to the Works of Sir Isaac Newton, Bishop Newton, or Mr. Faber, to be satisfied that all the ten kingdoms were founded before the close of the sixth century; and none subsequent to the date in question. And however difficult it may be, in the political chaos which for several centuries succeeded the downfall of the Roman Empire, to state the exact time of the foundation of any one kingdom to a year, yet we have the authority of Gibbon for saying that the Saxon Heptarchy in Britain was not finally established till the year 582; and it likewise appears that the kingdom of the Visigoths in Spain was not founded till, by the conquest of the Suevi in the year 583, or at least in the following year, they became lords of all the country. So that, as all the other kingdoms, with regard to their territorial limits, which is what is contemplated in the prophecy, were confessedly founded before this time; and as that of the Saxon kingdom in Britain, for one, was not so founded; we appear to be sufficiently warranted in considering that this year is the proper date from which to calculate the assigned duration of the Western Roman Empire in its divided state. It appears likewise, from Bowyer's History |