preference to that of our bibles of 2300 years, or the period mentioned by Jerome of 2200 years, I was entirely unaware which of these, commencing from the year when the vision was seen, would give a result the most suitable to my general system; having forborne previously to ascertain the date of that year (as was explained more fully in a former edition) that I might preserve as long as possible, in examining the prophecy, an unbiassed judg.

ment.

In attempting now to consider the nature of prophetic numbers, and the internal evidence which may be thence adduced in favour of a period of 2,400 years, I would observe, that it is indisputable that certain numbers are more applied than others to sacred purposes; being those which most strongly indicate completeness and perfection. Of these the numbers 3, and 7, are of the most general use; and on a reference to the Apocalypse, where the latter is analyzed or reduced to its component parts, we find the four first seals and trumpets connected with the Pagan period, the two next with the Papal period, and one with the Infidel period of the Roman Empire; whence we learn that it is composed of the amount of the first and most simple of all series of geometrical progression, limited to three terms, viz. 1, 2, 4. hese numbers 3, and 7, are found varied by

different multiples: thus the great period common to Daniel and St. John, is presented to us first, as consisting of seven equal parts, in "the time, times and an half," this again is presented as multiplied by 12, in the 42, months, and again by 30, in the 1260 days, and the farther additions made to this period (Daniel xii. 11. 12.) of 30, and 45 years, are also multiples of the number 3. We find also the number 7, and its multiples by 10, in the Seals, Trumpets, and Vials, the lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are said to be "the seven spirits of God," the three days and an half, during which the two witnesses lie dead, the 7000 who were slain by the Earthquake, and various other periods and symbols of the Apocalypse: also in the days of the creation, in the 70 Elders of Israel, the 70 years of the Babylonish captivity, the 70 disciples who were chosen by our Lord, and the 7000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal. On the same ground of its supposed sacred character, the number seven, which in the Hebrew signifies fulness or perfection, has the preference when it is not intended that any particular number should be specified; as when it is said that the Israelites shall come out against their enemies by one way, and flee before them seven ways. And when our Lord commands his disciples to forgive their enemies,

not only until seven times, but until seventy times seven.

There are other indications by which a perfect or sacred character is apparent in any number, as when it is a square, or formed by a number multiplied into itself. Thus 4, which is the first or most simple square number, occurs in the four beasts seen in the vision of Daniel, in the period of 40 days during which the land of Canaan was searched, the 40 years wandering in the wilderness, the 400 years during which the seed of Abraham suffered affliction, and in various other instances. The day of Pentecost also occurred at the expiration of a like perfect period, expressed by the square of the number 7; or when "seven "sabbaths" of days were completed. And in the same manner in appointing a year of jubilee, it was commanded to the children of Israel, "Thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years "unto thee, seven times seven years; and the

space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years." Again the symbolical Israelitish nation of Revelation vii. 1-8. representing a nation in these latter times elected and chosen by God, as the twelve tribes were, to peculiar privileges, is described by the square, of that number, or by 144, multiplied by 1000; in which manner it is again represented in Chap. xiv. 1.

We find lastly that in those cases where the greatest possible perfection is designed to be represented, a cubical measure is used, or a symbol employed, equal in length, breadth, and height. Thus in Solomon's temple the holy of holies, symbolical of the heavenly state, and the place of the immediate presence of God," was twenty cubits in length, and

twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits "in the height thereof," thus containing 8.000 cubits. So also at the close of the Apocalypse, where the future heavenly state is described under the symbol of the holy City, the New Jerusalem, which comes down from heaven, the glorious perfection of that state is represented by a similar cubical figure, for it is said "that "the length, and the breadth, and the height "of it are equal."

As geometrical progression limited to 3 terms, (which may be considered as a multiplication by 3) produces the perfect number 7, so we find that 4, the first and most simple square number, when multiplied by 3 gives another sacred number, to be found in the 12 months of which the symbolical year is composed, the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 apostles of our Lord, and the 12 oxen which supported the molten sea in Solomon's temple, 3 looking towards each quarter of the heavens.

And the number 8 also, the first and most simple cube, when multiplied by 3, gives another sacred number found in the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse, the names written on the gates and foundations of the New Jerusalem, the 24,000 Levites, who were appointed by king David to the service of the temple, the 24 courses of those who were appointed "to give "thanks and to praise the Lord" with harps, and the twelve courses consisting of 24,000 each, who were appointed to minister to the king.

The idea therefore which almost every person must in some degree entertain, however vaguely, of a character of sacredness and perfection as existing in certain numbers, seems to be reducible to the following theory. The number 3, geometrical progression, the square, and the cube, are to be considered as perfect forms of number; whence are derived, besides the number 3 itself, those of 4, 7, 8, 12, and 24, from two of which we obtain the larger squares 49 and 144, and the larger cube 1728, which most perfect number is the measure of the New Jerusalem as given in Rev. xxi. 16.

The multiplication of any sacred number (as a square or cube) by 10, is to be considered only as giving it a higher importance without altering its primitive character.