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    be done 3 but also , that the knowledge derived from the other would be a strong inducement to the practice of the moral principles of Christianity .

    Under this impression I shall take the liberty of submitting to your readers the following sketch of its contents , as they appear to me , upon comparing it with the ecclesiastical and civil

    history of the first centuries of Christianity : Chap . i . 1—3 , is the authority for publishing this book , it being the revelation made by the Deity of future events , to Jesus the Christ , and by

    him-, through his messenger , in vision , made known to John , who herein bears his testimony to all that he saw ; and pronounces him blessed who studiously pays attention to it , because the time of commencement was fast

    approaching . Ver . 4—20 : John ' s address to the seven successive ages of Christianity , describing the manner in which the vision was given to him , that the scene was laid in the Temple or

    Christian Church , ( 1 Cor . iii . 16 , 17 , ) in which Jesus , clothed as high priest , was in every succeeding age walking amongst the lamps or churches , trimming them and keeping them constantly bright ^ The last verse unfolds the mystery of this whole chapter , by explaining that the stars in the

    right hand of the high priest , are the Christian teachers , in the seven ages of the Christian Church ; and that the seven lamps are the Churches , whose lamps , in seven successive periods , are to follow each other in being the lights ( Matt . v . 14 ) of the world *

    The second and third chapters contain the messages that Jesus , oUr high priest ; sends in each period to the Church . The prologue of each message is taken from the descriptive appearance of Jesus in the first chapter . The second part describes , in few words , the

    general state of the Church in each age . This is followed by directions suitable to the period , and interspersed with threats and promises \ and the whole concluding with rewards to be given to overcomers , and an exhortation to those who have

    understanding , to hearken to the prophetic directions . Chap , iv , John is invited to look into futurity :, and before we do so , it may be proper to observe , that

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    though all the parts of this book harmonize together , yet the book , to be understood , must be considered as dividing itself into three parts . 1 . Is the figurative description of the Christian church , as the temple , with Jesus

    ministering m it as high priest . Then follows the description of the peculiar state of each church , through the whole period of the prophecy : with propriety this may be considered as the ecclesiastical part of the prophecy , and is contained in the three first

    chapters . The second part of this prophecy represents Jesus as enthroned , and going forth with Jiisarmy of saints to break into pieces the kingdoms of the world . This part begins at the 4 th chapter * and concludes at the 18 th

    verse of thellth chapter ; and the remaining chapters may be considered as descriptive visions of various scenes , which take place from the first establishment of nominal Christianity , till the grand period of the consum *

    mation of all things . Under this view of the prophecy we shall find that the 4 th and 5 th chapters correspond with the Ephesian church-state , and are an account of the general political state of Christianity until the destruction of Jerusalem . The 6 th and 7 th

    chapters run parallel with the church of Smyrna , and describe the overturning of Rome Pagan . The 8 th and 9 th chapters describe the overturning of the Eastern Roman Christian empire . The 10 th . and 11 th describe the Christian world , as it

    may be called , from the commencement of nominal Christianity , under Constantine , till the conclusion of the Millenial age , including the whole of the remaining five churches , which will be more distinctly seen by noticing their respective periods of commencement and conclusion .

    Returning back to the 4 th chapter , I notice , that , in the descriptive message to this church , it was to continue from A . D . 83 , to A . D . 73 . Its character was to he remarkable for their laborious exertions in spreading the

    Gospel , their patience under Jewish persecution , and their trying the credentials of those judaizing teachers who called themselves apostles 5 their undauntedness in suffering ; thejr abhorrence of ambition in Christian teachers ; that at the commencement of this period they were unitedly of

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    Biblical Criticism , - —On the Conten t * of the So ' ok ^ of the Revelation . 49

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1819, page 43, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1768/page/43/