by providence.  For as the few and obscure Prophecies concerning Christ’s first coming were for setting up the Christian religion, which all nations have since corrupted; so the many and clear Prophecies concerning the things to be done at Christ’s second coming, are not only for predicting but also for effecting a recovery and re-establishment of the long-lost truth, and setting up a kingdom wherein dwells righteousness.  The event will prove the Apocalypse; and this Prophecy, thus proved and understood, will open the old Prophets, and all together will make known the true religion, and establish it.  For he that will understand the old Prophets, must begin with this; but the time is not yet come for understanding them perfectly, because the main revolution predicted in them is not yet come to pass. In the days of the voice of the seventh Angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God shall be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the Prophets:  and then the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ_, and he shall reign for ever_, Apoc. x. 7. xi. 15.  There is already so much of the Prophecy fulfilled, that as many as will take pains in this study, may see sufficient instances of God’s providence:  but then the signal revolutions predicted by all the holy Prophets, will at once both turn mens eyes upon considering the predictions, and plainly interpret them.  Till then we must content ourselves with interpreting what hath been already fulfilled.

Amongst the Interpreters of the last age there is scarce one of note who hath not made some discovery worth knowing; and thence I seem to gather that God is about opening these mysteries.  The success of others put me upon considering it; and if I have done any thing which may be useful to following writers, I have my design.

Notes to Chap.  I.

[1] Dem.  Evang. l. 3.

[2] Vid. Pamelium in notis ad Tertull. de Praescriptionbus, n. 215 & Hieron l. 1. contra Jovinianum, c. 14.  Edit._Erasmi._

[3] Areth. c. 18, 19.

[4] Hist.  Eccl. l. 3. c. 23.

[5] Chrysost. ad Theodorum lapsum.

[6] Hieron. in Epist. ad Gal. l. 3. c. 6.

[7] Apud Euseb.  Eccl.  Hist. l. 3. c. 28.  Edit. Valesii.

[8] Epiphan.  Haeres. 28.

[9] Hieron. adv.  Lucif.

[10] 1 Pet. i. 7, 13. iv. 13. & v. 1.

[11] Apoc. xiii. 8.

[12] Apoc. xxi.

[13] Apoc. i. 6. & v. 10.

[14] Apoc. xx. 6.

[15] Apoc. xx. 4, 12.

[16] Apoc. xvii.

[17] Dan. viii. 15, 16, 27. & xii. 8, 9.

[18] [Greek:  aselgeias], in many of the best MSS.

[19] Apoc. xiii. 7, 12.

[20] Apoc. xiii. 1, 5, 6.

[21] Apoc. xviii. 12, 13.

[22] Apoc. xix. 20.

[23] Apoc. xxi. 3, 4.