But there is also another circumstance to mark the era of its establishment in power. That great individual around whom Satan will gather the glory of the deceived nations will be the sustainer of this system and the executive agent of its authority. In itself it will be a system more wisely formed and more attractive than any the earth has yet beheld. But in order to give full effect to any system, a living hand is needed, sufficiently wise and sufficiently strong to develop and to enforce its principles, and to control their operation. Such an instrument will be provided in him, who, although himself subservient to the harlot (for she was seen seated on the beast) yet wields, even whilst serving her, all the regal authority of the Roman earth; for the ten horns were seen on the beast, upon whom the woman sat. Here then we find the first manifestation in power of this last great monarch of the earth. He appears not merely as the servant, but the minister of that great federal system which is to be Queen over the kings of the earth. As her minister, he represents of course her power, and exercises authority over the Federation which she governs.

It has not been unusual for those who have succeeded in raising themselves to greatness, to become the ministers first of some ruling system, which, until they have found themselves sufficiently powerful to destroy, they have consented to flatter

and to serve. The last great despot of France*he who, perhaps more than any other in modern days, has foreshadowed the character and the ways of Antichrist, was first the minister, and afterward the destroyer of the ruling system of the day. The result of the revolution of 1792 was a democratic system. Much anxious care had been bestowed on its construction. The rising soldier flattered and served it. But it was but for a moment. He desired to be a Monarch, not a servant. As soon therefore as he was strong he turned upon the system which he had served, destroyed it, and became himself the Monarchthe sole centre of authority and power. "France," said he, "is myself."

Nor will it be otherwise in the coming hour. The political throes of Europe will give birth to a system which the kingdoms of the Roman world will recognise as supreme. Antichrist will appear, and Antichrist will sustain it. But he will sustain it for a moment only. He and the kings that are under him will grow weary of the dominance of a system-burdensome to them all, but especially ill suited to the character of one who "shall do according to his will," and exalt himself above every thing, even above every "god," and "think to change times and laws"—who, in a word, shall seek to remodel human life, in order that he may

*This was written in 1848. Since then there has been another remarkable exemplification of this in France.

glorify himself. "The ten horns which thou sawest and the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God hath put into their hearts to fulfil his will, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled." The system therefore falls; and Babylon, by the fall of its system, ceases to reign. morally is destroyed, though Babylon physically will remain; and under its mighty Head and Master will be the golden city-living deliciously, till the hour arrives for him and it to perish together when "the Day of the Lord" comes.

Babylon

Such is the testimony of the last book of Scripture. Is it or is it not in accordance with that which the Old Testament Prophets have spoken? And if former systems which have hitherto given a character to human life are being removed, in order that the last great system of evil may be brought in; if the Ephah and the woman are being prepared for the land of Shinar, how earnest will be the desire of our great adversary to hide from us the agency of his hand-how great his anxiety, if he cannot altogether withdraw us from the Word of God, to absorb us in meditations on the past, that we might not consider that which is to come: content that we should regard the ray that prophecy has shed upon the past, if

* Και τα δεκα κερατα, & ειδες και το θηριον οὗτοι μισησουσι, &c. Such is the right reading. See Tregelles.

we see not its light penetrating the darkness into which we are about to enter.

That there have been and are cities in which many of the moral features of Babylon may be traced will be admitted by all who are accustomed to apply the principles of Scripture. Many an individual, and many a system may have foreshadowed Antichrist and Antichristianism. "Even now," said the Apostle, "are there many Antichrists"; but he also said, "Ye know that THE ANTICHRIST (ô AVTIXρIOTOs) shall come." The streams of iniquity have long flowed; the channels have been many and diverse: but why, because we have seen the streams, should we forget the confluence of the many waters at the close?

The effect of our thus being solely occupied with the past is to make us act and speak as if the days of wickedness were virtually passed, and as if the black shades of the night of evil were gradually becoming blended with light, and were thus slowly disappearing in the advancing brightness of day. Indeed darkness is mistaken for light the deeds of Satan for the works of Christ.

When European civilization shall have imprinted its character upon Syria and the East, and the nations of the Roman earth are bound together in an organized system of development, how variously will the scene be contemplated by various minds. Some will regard it as the master-piece

of Satan; others will imagine it to be of God. Human philanthropy will seem to many, Christian love: indifference to Christ's truth, charity: success in developing the resources of the earth, the earth's promised Sabbatism. The word of pro

phecy is given that we might be protected from this delusion. It makes manifest the character of the evil, and testifies of the coming wrath. It guides also to that precious blood which alone. maketh meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.

The period of the weakness of truth, is, as might be expected, the hour of Satan's triumph. It was when David was feeble and the vigour of his government relaxed, that Absalom pretended to be the father of peace, and stole away the hearts of Israel, by promising greater and better things than David's throne had given. Nor is it otherwise now. Christianity has waxed feeble; iniquity has abounded; love waxed cold. The opportunity is afforded for other systems adverse to Christ and to His truth, to steal away the hearts of men, and to promise blessings which Christianity (they say) has failed to give. But Absalom prospered only for a season.

nant with the throne of David was

The cove

ordered in

all things and sure. It was able to endure the storm. So shall it be finally with Christ's people and with His truth. It is as enduring as Himself, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and