doctrinal or practical, that may arise, Acts xv, 2, 6.

Fourthly. For the rectifying of mal-administrations, and healing of errors and scandals, that are unhealed amongst themselves, 3 John v. 9, 10; 2Cor.ii,6,11; 1 Cor. xv; Rev. ii, 14, 15, 16; Cor. xii, 20, 21; and xiii, 2. Churches now have need of help in like cases, as well as churches then. Christ's care is still for whole churches, as well as for particular persons; and apostles being now ceased, there remains the duty of brotherly love, and mutual care and helpfulness incumbent on churches, especially

elders for that end.

Fifthly. In love and faithfulness,to take notice of the troubles, difficulties, errors, and scandals of another church, and to administer help, (when the case manifestly calls for it,) though they should so neglect their own good and duty as not to seek it. Exod. xxiii, 4, 5; Prov. xxiv, 11, 12. Sixthly. To admonish one another, when there is need and cause for it; and after due means with patience used, to withdraw from a church or peccant party therein, obstinately persisting in error or scandal; as in the Platform and Discipline (Chap. 15, Sect.2, Partic. 3,] is more at large declared. Gal. ii, 11, 14; 2 Thes. Ai, 3, 6; Rom. xv, 17.

5. Consociation of churches is their mutual and solemn agreement to exercise communion in such acts as aforesaid among themselves, with special refer ence to those churches, which by Providence are planted in a convenient vicinity, though with liberty reserved without offence, to make use of others, as the nature of the case, or the advan

tage of opportunity may lead thereunto.

6. Communion of churches in this country having so good opportunity for it, it is meet to be commended to them, as their duty thus to consociate. For,

First. Communion of churches being commanded, and con sociation being but an agreement to practise it, this must needs be a duty also. Psalm cxix, 106; Neh. x, 28, 29.

Secondly. Paul an apostle sought with much labor the conference, concurrence, and right hand of fellowship of other apostles: and ordinary churches and

elders have not less need each of

other, to prevent their running in vain, Gal. ii, 2, 6, 9.

Thirdly. Those general scrip ture rules touching the need and use of counsel, and help in weighty cases, concern all societies and polities, ecclesiastical

as well as civil. Prov. xi, 14; & XV, 22; & xx, 18; & xxiv, 6; Eccl. iv, 9, 10, 12.

Fourthly. The pattern in Acts xv; holds forth a warrant for councils, which may be greater or less as the matter shall require.

Fifthly. Concurrence and communion of churches in Gospel times, is not obscurely held forth in Isaiah xxix, 23, 24, 25; Zeph. iii, 9; 1 Cor. xi, 16; & xiv,

32, 36.

XV. A Dissertation on the Prophecies relative to Antichrist and the Last Times; exhibiting the rise, character, and overthrow of that terrible power: and a Treatise on the seven Apocalyptic Vials. By ETHAN SMITH, A. M. Pastor of the church in Hopkinton, N. H. 8vo. pp. 380. Samuel T. Armstrong, Charlestown.

1811.

THE value of the Prophecies contained in the Scriptures is universally acknowledged by professed Christians,when these prophecies are considered as affording evidence of the truth of Revelation, and instructive views of the Divine dispensations towards mankind. But when regarded as the means of present warning and consolation, and as the ground of future hopes, there has not been the same harmony of opinion respecting them. Some have described them as being too unintelligible in their meaning, and too uncertain in their application, to be made the

foundation of any definite scheme, or system, till after they shall have been manifestly accomplished; while others have applied them to particular persons and events, with an inconsiderateness, and peremptoriness of manner, which could not fail to disgust every serious reader, who wished to see evidence before he yielded assent. Mr. Smith in a short preface to the work before us, has briefly stated some reasons why the prophecies should receive the attention of Christians. As these reasons are judiciously derived from the Scriptures, they are, in our view unanswerable. Those who speak lightly of any attempts to understand the prophecies, and even ridicule the labor employed in these attempts, ought to beware how they involve such men as Sir Isaac Newton, Mr. Mede, Bishop Newton, and Bishop Horsley, in the condemnation of having spent their time and talents in unprofitable studies. Indeed, the injunctions of the inspired writers themselves, inter

spersed as they are with the prophecies, make it the duty of readers to understand. And though the full import of the Divine declarations, whether prophetical or not, will never, perhaps, be understood in this world; still, such a knowledge of the future prospects of the Church may doubtless be gained, as will afford much support, encouragement, and even triumph, to the children of God. Mr. S. argues that the present unparalleled state of the world cannot be supposed to have been left undescribed by the prophets. His reasoning on this point is contained in the following sentences:

"The Church of Christ has been Premonished respecting most of the signal events, in which she was to be much interested, in every age. In this the care and kindness of her divine Lord have ever appeared, And he has graciously so ordered, that his people should be led to form essentially cor

rect views of the fulfilment of those premonitions. Shall the great events of this period of the world then be an exception to this general rule? Shall the events of our days, more interesting than any events of former ages, and which for more than twenty years have been alarming the world and demonstrating the commencement of a new and important era, be supposed to be veiled in impenetrable mystery? It cannot be probable!" p. xi.

Mr. S. acknowledges himself to be indebted to Mr. Faber for the conviction, that the prophecies concerning Antichrist, instead of being exclusively applicable to the Romish hierarchy, designate an Atheistical power of later date; for finding diction of this power in Daniel xi, 36, and onward; and for finding a fulfilment of this prediction in the French nation.' But he VOL. IV. New Series.

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thinks there are striking traits. of character in this prophecy, and in various others, overlooked, or misapprehended, by this celebrated author.' At the close of the preface the following note is subjoined.

"Since writing this Dissertation, Mr. Faber's last volume, that

upon the Restoration of the Jews, has made its appearance. Upon the perusal of which, I have been strengthened in finding so many of my opinions accord with his upon this point. His scheme relative to Ezekiel's Gog, I think incorrect, and have assigned my reasons in a section inserted for the purpose.” p. xiv.

The subject of Mr. Smith's first chapter, and the foundation of his work, is thus described: "We are taught in the prophetic parts of the sacred Scriptures, to expect the rise of a terrible atheistical Power, and a vast influence of Infidelity in the last days, or just before the Millennium." Upon this subject he enters without any such tedious preparation, as is too often found in books of this kind. A few preliminary remarks on Daniel x, and xi, constitute the first section. Two things which demand particular notice, among these remarks, are the declarations of the angel to the prophet, that the vision is for many days, and that it respects the latter days; indicating a remote accomplishment; and that the subject of this revelation was, at that time, noted in the Scripture of truth, Daniel x, 14, 21. These two distinctive marks fix the fulfilment, as Mr.S. supposes, to the times immediately preceding the Millennium. According to the interpretation here given of Dan.xi,the passage from the 21st to the 35th verses, inclusive,

5

christ. We should be pleased to see the attention of expositors of this chapter directed to the point of the introduction of a new person in the 36th verse. Not that we see any great reason to doubt the correctness of Mr. Smith's construction of the passage; but because the whole sense of this interesting part of Daniel's prophecy depends upon giving a right interpretation to the person, or power, intended by the wilful king, who is to be so conspicuous an adversary to the cause of God.

describes Antiochus, the great persecutor of the Jewish church and the type of Antichrist; and the remaining part of the chapter is an exact and chronological prophecy of the rise, progress, influence, and final destruction of this great Atheistical power of the last days. The principal difference between our author and Mr. Faber, with respect to this chapter, arises from the interpretation given by the latter to the five verses included by the 31st and 35th. He considers the 31st verse, as predicting the desolation of Jerusalem by the Romans; the 32nd and 33d as describing the persecutions of the primitive Christians; the 34th as relating to the conversion of the Roman empire under Constantine; and the 35th as relating to the Papal persecutions, especially that which took place at the Reformation.** But Mr. S. considers these five verses, as well as the preceding ten, as referring chronologically and exactly to Antiochus; from whom the prophet proceeds, in verse 36th &c., to describe the antitype, the great Infidel power of the last days. In support of this scheme the great argument is, that the connexion between the 31st verse and the preceding verses, is intimate and inseparable. This verse begins thus: And arms shall stand on his part. On whose part? Manifestly on the part of him, who is the continued subject of the ten preceding verses. We see not how this argument can be easily evaded. Mr. S. and Mr. Faber are agreed in applying the last ten verses of the chapter to Anti

Fab. on the Proph. vol. i. p. 225; Boston Ed. 1808.

We will give a brief abstract of Mr. Smith's exposition of the ten last verses of Dan. xi; which forms his second section. Our readers will please to turn to the passage in their Bibles, while they read this abstract.

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Ver. 36. That here is a change of character, or a new subject introduced, is universally knowledged. What follows this introduction the Angel had it principally in view to reveal; and the events here disclosed were to take place just at the time of the end. By a king, in the language of prophecy, is intended a civil government, whether monarchical or republican, and not an individual person. In this verse, we are presented with a great Atheistical power, which, in its commencement, is to be anarchical; raised up to be an instrument of the Divine indignation, and to prosper till that work of judgment shall be accomplished. His licentiousness appears first; he shall do according to his will; his anarchy next follows; and he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, i. e. above every legitimate ruler; and thirdly his Atheism;