previous to the total annihilation of popery and its supporters; and that the calamities intended for the faithful, will be turned upon the triumphant persecutors themselves. This idea, which seems to be the general sense of many prophecies, is strongly confirmed by Daniel in that historical prophecy (chap. xi.) where the prophet having prosecuted the thread of his story to the full establishment of popery, or the system of the worshippers of MAHUZZIM, proceeds immediately to relate the manner of its destruction. (ver. 40.) "And at the TIME OF

THE END shall the

king of the south push at him,”—(the politico ecclesiastical tyrant)— "And the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots and with horsemen, and with many ships, and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over."-This seems to be the overflowing scourge of Isaiah (xxviii. 2, 18,)—and the whirlwind of Jeremiah (xxiii. 19).— "He shall enter also into the glorious land, (or Judea, frequently so called,) "And many countries shall be overthrown. He shall stretch forth bis hand also upon the countries,

and the land of Egypt shall not escape, (whether we understand that country literally called Egypt, or the popish kingdoms, mystically so denominated, and chiefly ITALY AND ROME, the very seat and CATHEDRA OF THE BEAST.) "But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt."-This gives an explanation of the breaking up of the image by the stone (the countries which made up its whole body there, fall here into the hand of the BREAKER ;) and of Isaiah's scourge of GOD sent against the hypocritical nation and pulling down and setting up kings, and gathering the treasures of the whole earth, or roman empire.*

"But tidings out of the EAST and out of the NORTH shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to make away many." It seems while

Isaiah x. 6, 7.

†There is something very much resembling this, in the high tone and exterminating threats of a celebrated conqueror of modern times, which he hath (happily without effect hitherto,)

he is engaged in this expedition of pillage, news of a revolt in the distant provinces of his empire inflames his ready wrath, and he vows the annihilation of whole kingdoms. Isaiah describes him in the same manner, and says that though he is merely a tool for God to work with, yet his purpose and God's are not alike. Sent against the "sinners, the Amalakites" of modern times, he wishes to make the power entrusted to him subservient to his own views of ambition and revenge. " I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire in the streets. Howbeit be meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so, but it is in his heart to DESTROY AND CUT OFF NATIONS NOT A FEW."

The booty of the nations deprived of the divine protection, and full success in treading them under his feet, do not content him,

held over the heads of his unconquered and invincible opponents, in a certain Island-et toto remotos orbe Brittannos.

but he will go where he hath NO CALL, and where he is to meet the due reward of his presumption." And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas, in the glorious holy mountain, yet he shall COME TO HIS END, and none shall help him."*

In Isaiah a like termination to this unauthorised expedition of THE BREAKER is prophesied ; and God says, that when his whole purpose against the corrupt church,-figura

*"Between the seas," that is, the SALT OR DEAD SEA, and the MEDITERRANEAN. This seems to point out JERUSALEM as the scene alluded to.—JUDEA is called "the glory of all lands,” -and MOUNT SION" the holy mountain.”

It may perhaps be deemed too much to admit of even a possibility in the idea that a certain Island lying between the seas, (the GERMAN AND ATLANTIC OCEANS,) may be here meant ; and that the epithets anciently ascribed to the jewish church and nation, while they were the depositaries of the true religion and uncorrupted scriptures, may be, on this occasion, and in these late times, transferred to their modern defenders; whom God hath covered with genuine glory in the virtuous struggle, while all other nations are sunk in disgrace; and perhaps at this critical period will be leagued in arms with the tyrant against the purpose of God.

tively called "Jerusalem and her idols"; shall have been fulfilled, he will then " punish the stout heart of the tyrant, and the glory of his high looks. He will send among his fat ones, leanness, and under his glory he shall kindle a burning, like the burning of a fire; and it shall burn and devour his briars and his thorns in one day."* In another place the prophet speaks of Israel's reconciliation and return, and the death of this new tyrant and oppressor, as coincident events."Return unto him, from whom ye have so deeply engaged in revolt, O ye sons of Israel!-Verily in that day shall they cast away with contempt, every man his idols of silver, and his idols of gold; the sin which their own hands have made. And the Assyriant shall fall by a sword not of man; yea,

* See this prophecy explained, Sect, vi, p. 155, &c,

Isai. xxxi. 6, Lowth's translation,-Several circumstances in this prophecy make it inapplicable to SENNACHERIE,The jews did not forsake their propensity to idolatry upon the occasion of the defeat of Sennacherib's army, nor for a long time after, untill the city and temple were destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, a greater scourge than he, and prophesied of by name.