The family of Alexander the Great had a most tragical end. 1. Soon after his death, his wife Statīra was murdered by his other wife Roxana. 2. His brother Aridæus, who succeeded him, was killed, together with his wife Euridice, by command of Olympias, the mother of Alexander, after Aridæus had reigned six years and some months. 3. Olympias herself was killed by soldiers in revenge. 4. Alexander Ægus, and his mother Roxana, the son and the wife of Alexander the Great, were slain by order of Cassander. 5. Two years after, Hercules and his mother Barsine, another son and another wife (she was the daughter of Darius) of Alexander the Great, were privately murdered by Polysperchon. Thus, in fifteen years after his death, not one of his family or posterity remained alive. Alexander the Great was a great, or the great, butcher of men. As he murdered his fellow-creatures, God left him to be poisoned, as some suppose, by one of his generals, and gave his family and his posterity to be murdered by those who desired to possess some part of his vast dominions. "Blood calls for blood."

"The king of the south." This was Ptolemy Lagus, one of Alexander's generals, who governed Egypt, Lybia, &c., south of Judea. He was strong, for he had added Cyprus, Phoenicia, Caria, &c., to the kingdom of Egypt. "And one of his princes shall be strong above him." This was Seleucus Nicator, who possessed Syria, Babylon, Media, and the neighbouring countries. This was the king of the north, for his dominion lay north of Judea. "In the end of years," that is, passing by circumstances which shall occur in the intervening years, "I, Gabriel, make known to thee, Daniel, that an alliance shall be made between these two kings." The daughter of the king of the south, Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, was married to Antiochus Theos, king of Syria. These kings had been at war. They terminated their hostilities by this marriage. Antiochus agreed to put away his wife, Laodice, and her children. He did as he agreed to do. Berenice brought an immense fortune to her husband. All things appeared favourable for some time. Antiochus recalled Laodice and her children. Laodice feared that Antiochus might recall Berenice. She, therefore, caused her husband, Antiochus, to be poisoned, and his wife, Berenice, to be murdered; and placed upon the throne of Syria her son, Callinīcus. "They who brought her," her Egyptian women, strove to defend their mistress; but many of them lost their lives in her defence. "And he who begat her," the margin, "he whom she brought forth," her son, was murdered by order of Laodice. he who strengthened her," probably her father, Ptolemy, who was exceedingly fond of her. he had died some years before the murder of his daughter.

"And

But

"A branch of her roots," a branch springing from the_same_root whence Berenice sprang. This was Ptolemy Euergětes, her brother, who, to avenge his sister's murder, marched with a great army against Seleucus Callinicus, took some of his best places-all

Asia, from Mount Taurus to India-and returned to Egypt with immense spoil-forty thousand talents of silver, precious vessels, and images of their gods, two thousand five hundred. In this invasion Ptolemy Euergetes had no opposition. Seleucus Callinicus dared not offer to give battle to Ptolemy Euergètes. Callinicus died an exile, by a fall from his horse. Ptolemy Euergetes survived him four or five years. "He shall continue more years than the king of the north."-Ver. 8.

Ptolemy Euergětes, king of the south, did return to his own kingdom, having overrun the kingdom of Callinicus. Ptolemy had heard a report of sedition in his own country. This saved the dominion of Callinicus. The sons of Callinicus-Seleucus Ceraunus, and Antiochus, afterwards called the Greatwere stirred up, and assembled a great army to recover the dominions of their father. Ceraunus was unable to pay his men. They mutinied. Ceraunus was poisoned by two of his generals. His brother Antiochus was then proclaimed king. Thus only one did "certainly come and overflow, and pass through." He retook Seleucia, and regained Syria. He returned and overcame Nicolaus, the Egyptian general. He felt disposed to invade Egypt. fortress," to the frontiers of Egypt.

"He came to the

Ptolemy Philopater succeeded his father, Ptolemy Euergětes. He, the king of the south, came out against Antiochus, the king of the north. They met at Raphia. Antiochus had a vast army-sixty-two thousand foot, six thousand horse, one hundred and two elephants; but Ptolemy gained the victory. "The multitude was given into his hand." Raphia and the neighbouring towns declared for the victor. Antiochus found it necessary to retreat to Antioch, whence he sent his ambassadors to Ptolemy to solicit a peace.

Ptolemy had everything in his power. He might have dispossessed Antiochus. He made a dishonourable peace. He gave himself up to a sensual life. He became proud. His heart was lifted up. Fourteen years after this battle at Raphia, Antiochus did return. Philopater was dead. His son, Ptolemy Epiphǎnes, was then a minor. Antiochus had now an army larger than that which he brought against Egypt fourteen years before. Antiochus had collected his present army in a late eastern expedition. Antiochus had, as an ally in this expedition, Philip, the then king of Macedon. "The robbers of thy people." Some of Daniel's people, called robbers, joined the party of Ptolemy, under Scopas, who aided Ptolemy in this war. Afterwards he conspired against him. The Jews had renounced their religion so far as to intend to build a temple in Egypt, hoping to fulfil a prediction in Isaiah, ch. xxx. 18-25, which appeared to intimate that the Jews and the Egyptians should be one people. These Jews joined the party of Antiochus against Ptolemy, whom they had supported. This act of the Jews contributed to the accomplishment of the prophecies which foretold the calamities which should fall upon the Jews. The Jews failed in their efforts to support Antiochus. Whilst Antio

chus was engaged in other parts, Scopas led an army from Egypt, reduced Cælosyria and Palestine, subdued the Jews, and returned to Egypt with great spoils.

Antiochus came to recover Judea. Ptolemy sent Scopas to oppose him. Scopas was defeated near to the fountains of Jordan. He took refuge in Sidon, with ten thousand men. Antiochus pursued and besieged him. Famine obliged Scopas to surrender at discretion. Their lives only were spared. Antiochus was successful in this expedition. Ptolemy and "his chosen people," his ablest generals, could not stand before Antiochus. They had no strength to with

stand.

The Jews assisted Antiochus to reduce the garrison which Scopas had left in Jerusalem. Antiochus shewed great favour to the Jews. He was in their land, "which by his hand shall be consumed," or "which shall be perfected in his hands.'

Antiochus had a daughter, Cleopatra, called on account of her beauty, "the daughter of women." Antiochus at first designed to invade Egypt, and "his upright ones" agreed to the proposed invasion. The Septuagint have these words-Kai evbeia tavтa μer' αυτου ποιήσει" and he will make all things correct with him." Antiochus changed his mind. Egypt must be won by intrigue. He gave his daughter, Cleopatra, in marriage to Ptolemy, in the hope that she would betray her husband. Cleopatra had a noble spirit. She owed her first allegience to her husband and to his country. She rejected the counsels of her father, and warned her husband, Ptolemy, of his danger from her father's ambitious designs. "She shall not stand on his side, neither be for him."-Ver. 17.

"Shall turn his face to the isles."-Antiochus had prepared a fleet, consisting of one hundred large ships and two hundred smaller ships. He sailed down the Mediterranean Sea with this fleet, subdued most of the towns on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and took many of the isles-Rhodes, Samos, Euboea, Colophon, and other isles. "But a prince, for his own behalf, shall cause the reproach offered by Antiochus to cease." Acilius Glabrio, without losing a battle, or taking a false step, caused the reproach to cease, and to turn upon Antiochus. Acilius beat and routed the forces of Antiochus at the Straits of Thermopylæ, and drove him out of Greece. He forced Antiochus to pay a tribute, which Antiochus designed to receive from other states. Acilius would not grant peace to Antiochus on these terms. Antiochus must pay the whole expense of the war-fifteen thousand talents. He must pay five hundred talents on the spot, two thousand five hundred talents when the peace should be ratified by the senate, and the remaining twelve thousand in twelve years, one thousand talents to be paid each year. "Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land." Antiochus, after his defeat, fled to Sardis, thence to Apamea, and the next day arrived in Syria and in Antioch, his own fort. He sent ambassadors to sue for peace. He agreed to the terms proposed by Acilius. But he

shall stumble and fall. Antiochus was reduced to very great difficulties in his efforts to pay this money to the Romans. He attempted to plunder the temple of Jupiter Belus, at Elymais, and was slain, together with his attendants, by the populace. The Elymeans are said to have aided Antiochus in his war with the Romans. Then it is said that Antiochus Epiphanes attempted the plundering expedition. Diodorus, Siculus, Strabo, and Justin fix upon Antiochus the Great as the person slain by the Elymeans when attempting to plunder the temple of Jupiter Belus. Antiochus Epiphanes is said to have attempted to plunder the temple of Diana, at Elymais. This name was given to the province and to its capital in Persia

between the Persian Gulf and Media. St. Jerome says that Antiochus the Great lost his life in a battle against the Elymeans. It may be concluded that the manner of his death is uncertain. This uncertainty of the manner of his death may explain the words, "He shall stumble and fall and not be found."-V. 19.

"In his place shall stand up a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom-the temple in Jerusalem —but within a few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger nor in battle." Seleucus Philopater succeeded his father, Antiochus. He sent his treasurer, Heliodorus, to seize the money deposited in the temple of Jerusalem-here called the glory of the kingdom. (See Mark ix. 23.) He was SO oppressed by the tax which Acilius had imposed upon his father that he was obliged to burden his subjects by increased taxation. "He shall be destroyed, neither in anger, fighting against an enemy, nor in battle, at the head of his troops," but by the hand of his treasurer, Heliodorus, who hoped to reign in his stead.

"In his stead shall stand up a vile person," Antiochus, surnamed Epiphanes, the illustrious, or Epimăues, the mad. The flattery used by Antiochus Epiphanes secured to his interest Eumenes, king of Pergamos, and Attălus, his brother. His flatteries and

promises to pay the tribute secured the Romans to his interest. He flattered the Syrians, and they flattered him and called him Epiphanes the illustrious. His father, Seleucus Philopater, had been assassinated by his treasurer, Heliodorus, and this assassin had proclaimed himself king. "With the arms of a flood shall they be overflown before him, and shall be broken, yea, also the prince of the covenant." The competitors for the crown were overflown before Antiochus, who came from Athens, in which city he had been after he had left Rome. The forces of Eumenes and Attalus vanquished their armies, and the arrival of Antiochus from Athens terminated their intrigues. "The prince of the covenant" was Onias the High Priest. Antiochus removed him and put Jason in his place. Jason had given a large sum of money to Antiochus. Antiochus displaced Jason, and put into his place Menelaus, who gave to Antiochus a larger sum than Jason had given for the High Priest's office. He acted deceitfully and fraudulently towards Jason. He entered peaceably into his kingdom. He scattered amongst his subjects the prey,

the spoil, and the riches, which neither his father nor his father's father had done. He spent much money in public shows. He bestowed largesses (gifts of money), amongst the people. "In the liberal giving of gifts he abounded above all the kings who went before him."-1st Macc. iii. 30. Perhaps the Apocryphal writers wrote these words without any design to copy the words of Daniel.

Euleus and Lenous, guardians of the young Egyptian king Philometer, demanded from Antiochus the surrender of Colosyria and Palestine. Antiochus refused to surrender these possessions. He knew, therefore, that he must prepare for war with Egypt. Antiochus "did forecast devices. He did this for a time." He spent some time in fortifying all the strong places in his kingdom. Both kings had great armies. "The king of the south shall not stand." The king of Egypt and his army were defeated. The two armies met between Pelusium and Mount Casius. Pelusium, a town of Egypt, situate at the entrance of one of the mouths of the Nile, called from it (the town) Pelusium. The town is about twenty stadiæ distant from the sea. A stadium is the eighth part of an Italian mile; the stadium contains one hundred and twenty-five paces. Mount Casius is beyond Pelusium, where Pompey's tomb was raised by Adrian. Ptolemy is described as the victim of treason. His guests "shall destroy him." "His army shall overflow, and many shall fall down slain.' this calamity fell upon Ptolemy by the intrigues of Antiochus. "And both these kings shall be to do mischief." Antiochus and Ptolemy Philometer, his nephew, are intended in these words. Antiochus seemed to favour Ptolemy Philometer, since the Alexandrians had rebelled against him, and had placed his brother Euergètes upon the throne. Euergetes was younger than Philometer. At Memphis, Antiochus and Ptolemy had frequent conferences at the same table. At these conferences they spoke lies to each other. Antiochus pretended friendship, but designed to ruin Egypt. Philometer pretended gratitude, but determined to unite with his brother to ruin their deceitful uncle. Neither succeeded. The end of the appointed time was not yet come.

All

"His

Anti

Antiochus returned from Egypt laden with spoils. He heard that a report of his death had reached Jerusalem, and that the inhabitants of Jerusalem rejoiced to learn that Antiochus was dead. heart was against the holy covenant." Jason heard of the death of Antiochus, raised an army, marched against Jerusalem, took it, obliged Menalaus, the high-priest, to shut himself up in the castle. ochus thus finding a pretex for revenge, marched a great army against Jerusalem, took the city by storm, slew forty thousand of the inhabitants, sold as many more in the slave market, boiled swine's flesh, and sprinkled the temple and the altar with the broth, broke into the Holy of Holies, took away the golden vessels and other sacred treasures to the value of one thousand eight hundred talents, restored Menelaus to his office, and made one Philip, a Phrygian, governor of Judea.-1st Macc. i. 24; 2nd Macc. v. 21. Such

were the exploits of Antiochus Epiphanes. He returned to his own land.

Antiochus, at the return of spring, passed through Colosyria with a great army, intending to invade Egypt. He had learned that his two nephews had formed a union to oppose his ambitious designs. He had not the former success when he took Pelusium, nor the latter success when he took Memphis.-V. 29.

These

II. Verses 31-35.-The reason of the failure of Antiochus in this expedition is the interference of the Roman power. "The ships of Chittim," the Roman power, shall come against him. He had indignation against the Jews, the holy covenant. He had an understanding with those who forsook the holy covenant. Traitors can be found. The thirtieth verse concludes the first part, and forms an introduction to the second part, in verses 31-35. verses are understood to describe the action of the Roman government, the description of the king of the north (Syria), and of the king of the south (Egypt), being finished. "Arms "-the Romans"shall stand on his part"-shall have the government of Palestine. They will exercise their authority in the spirit of intolerance and of persecution. The Romans had now conquered Macedon. Thirtyfive years after, by the will of Attalus, king of Pergamus, they inherited all Asia, westward of Mount Taurus. Sixty-five years after, they conquered the kingdom of Syria, and reduced it into a Roman province. Thirty-five years after, they conquered Egypt, and made it a Roman province. The Roman arms thus stood up over the Greeks. Ninety-five years after, the Romans made war upon the Jews, "polluted the sanctuary of strength "-the temple: so called on account of its fortifications; "took away the daily sacrifice, and placed the abomination which maketh desolate, or of the desolator. This abomination was placed there after the time of Christ.-Matt. xxiv. 15.

"

In the sixteenth year of the Emperor Adrian, A.D. 132, the Romans placed this abomination by building a temple to Jupiter Capitolinus, upon the site of the temple of God in Jerusalem. The Jews under Barchocab, rose up against the Romans, on account of this insult as they regarded it. In this war the Jews had to reckon fifty cities demolished, nine hundred and fifty of their best towns destroyed, eighty thousand of their best men slain by the sword, and in the end of the war, A.D. 136, they were banished from Judea, on pain of death. Bishop Newton and Sir Isaac have aided, by their researches, the student of prophecy, and have contributed to a clear understanding of the union between the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, and ancient and modern history.

The words "corrupt by flatteries," are understood to describe the conduct of the Roman government towards the Christians, endeavouring by flattery, and by threats and punishment, to lead the faithful to deny the Saviour. The people who know their God, the genuine Christians, shall be strengthened by his grace, and by his spirit, "and to do exploits," to

"hold fast the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end." The apostles and the primitive Christians did instruct many. Yet, in this world they had tribulation, they fell by "the sword, by flame, by captivity, by spoil, many days." "They They were exposed to the malice and fury of their enemies during the state persecutions, and suffered all kinds of tortures, with but little intermission, for three hundred years."—Newton.

"When they shall," are words understood to signify the tenth persecution under Diocletian, which lasted ten years." They shall be helpen with a little help," are words which are understood to signify the protection given to Christians by Constantine the Great, when he decreed that Christianity was the religion of the Roman Empire. It is called "a little help," because many would profess Christianity, because the Emperor was a Christian. Thus many did "cleave to the Christians by flatteries."-v. 34. Verse thirty-five predicts, or contains a prediction, that some "of them of understanding shall fall," that disputes on religious matters, when the church had no persecution from without, would cause persecution from within, "to try them, and to purge and to make them white-to effect thorough reformation in the church of Christ, in the profession, in the possession, and in the practice of Christianity, 66 even to the time of the end"-even to the time when God shall cause pure and undefiled religion to flourish in the holy church throughout the world.

III. Verses 36-39 contain some account of Antichrist. 1. "The king shall do according to his will," are words which have a germinant meaning, having their fulfilment in the person of Antiochus Epiphanes, who exalted himself above every god who called himself a god, and who shewed in his conduct a contempt for religion in any form. The further meaning of the words may be found in the Antichrist established in the Christian church, and having its chief seat in Rome. The Greek Emperors in the east, in Constantinople, and the bishops of Rome in the west, have been competitors for the title, Antichrist. However, the Bishops of Rome have outlived the Greek Emperors, and have long since become sole monarchs of the rights, of the titles, and of the privileges of the kingdom of Antichrist. "Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, the apostles of our blessed Lord. Antichrist will found his doctrines and discipline, not upon the word of God, but upon the decrees of councils, upon tradition, and upon apocryphal writings." "Nor the desire of women.' Antichrist has enacted "celibacy" amongst the clergy, and has also formed an institution for monks and for nuns-monasteries and nunneries-in which places monks and nuns pass their lives in the vow of celibacy. "Nor regard any God." Antichrist will issue his mandates and decrees, and command obedience to them, though they be in opposition to the revealed will of God. "Antichrist will honour the god of forces" (or, gods protectors), that is, he will make new deities as substitutes for the heathen deities; he will institute the worship of angels, and

of saints, and will, practically, neglect the worship of the one living and true God, and of the only Mediator, Jesus Christ. "A God whom his fathers knew not." "The Virgin Mary, angels and saints, he shall honour with gold and silver, and with precious stones." The practices of the Church of Rome explain these words. The house of our Lady at Loretto, a walled town of Italy, in the States of the church, the shrines of saints, the decorated images, costly apparel, gold, jewels, &c., profusely used about images of saints, angels, and the blessed Virgin, in the various houses of prayer in the Popedom, fully explain the words, "He (Antichrist) shall honour with gold, silver, precious stones, and pleasant things." Thus shall he do in the most strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory." Bishop Newton translates thus: "Thus shall he do to the defenders of Mauzzim, together with the strange god whom they shall acknowledge; he shall multiply honour, and he shall cause him to rule over many, and the earth he shall divide for a reward." The defenders of Mauzzim (these, the Virgin Mary, the saints, the angels, gods protectors) were the monks, priests, and bishops, of whom it may be truly said, "they were increased with honour, ruled over many, and divided the land for gain."

IV. Verses 40-43.-The king of the north, Syria, and the king of the south, Egypt, were (at the time now pointed out by the words, "in the time of the end") the Saracens, who were of the Arabians, who came from the south, headed by the false prophet Mahomet. He "pushed at him," made war on the great emperor, Heraclius, and rapidly deprived him of Egypt, Syria, and many of his finest provinces. "The king of the north shall come against him." The Turks, who were originally Scythians, seized on the remains of the Greek Empire. They come "like a whirlwind, with chariots, with horsemen"-their armies consisted chiefly of cavalry-" and with many ships," by the aid of which they defeated the Venetians, possessed themselves of important maritime places in the Mediterranean and on its shores, and finally succeeded in taking Constantinople itself, a.d. 1453. They hold Constantinople to the present day, A.D. 1877. Thus they have held possession of this city for four hundred and twenty-four years. So they entered into the countries and overflowed, making themselves masters of Asia Minor and Greece. "He shall enter into the glorious land," entirely subdue Judea. "Many countries shall be overthrown," Aleppo, Damascus, Gaza, and many other cities were subdued by the Turks, who still hold possession of them. "But these shall escape, even Edom, and Moab, and Ammon;" these and other Arabians have never been subdued by the Turks. "He," the Turkish ruler, "shall have power over the treasures of gold, and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt;" "and the Lybians and Ethiopians shall be at his feet." He (the Turkish or Ottoman Emperors) shall stretch forth his hand upon the countries, not only in Europe, but also in Asia and in Africa, "and the land of

Egypt shall not escape." Egypt has not escaped. It is a province of the Turkish dominions, as are also Fez, Morocco, Algiers, (the French have Algeria), and many other African countries. When Selim conquered Egypt, A.D. 1517, he took all its spoils. To the present day the Turkish government derive immense revenues from Egypt. The Lybians and Ethiopians, the unconquered Arabs, the Cushim, all sought the friendship of the Turks, and many of them are tributary to the present day.

V. Verses 44-45.-This part of the prophecy is allowed or acknowledged to be unfulfilled. It may have had a fulfilment in the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. "Tidings out of the east and out of the north did trouble him," when he heard that the provinces of the east, and Artaxerxes, king of Armenia, in the north, were intending to rise up against him. However, the Turkish power also may be understood as included in this prophecy. The Persians on the east, and the Russians on the north, may, at some future time, embarrass the Ottoman government. Speculations on this matter may be indulged in. Time only can interpret the ultimate design of the prophecy. The prophecy describes the effort for self-defence, when thus opposed: "Therefore, he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many." The prophecy represents him as selecting his battle-field, on which he may make a firm stand against his enemies. "He shall plant the tabernacles of his palaces between the seas in the glorious holy mountain." Judea is the battle-field on which he determines to resist his enemies. Success will not crown his efforts. shall come to an end, and none shall help him.' his confederates and tributary kingdoms shall desert him, and thus his government shall come to a shameful end. This chapter has the first thirty verses (1-30) clearly explained by a reference to the Grecian, Syrian, and Egyptian histories. The remaining fifteen verses of the chapter are not so easily explained by a reference to ancient history, or to modern. The difficulty, perhaps, exists in the prophecy having a twofold design and a germinant meaning. The first meaning may have had its fulfilment in the facts of ancient history. The second or germinant meaning may have had, may have, and may yet further have its fulfilment in the facts of modern history. This prophecy contained in Daniel (ch. xi.) may be considered a very wonderful prophecy, giving in its fulfilment an increasing evidence to the truth of inspiration. To record what a writer may see requires no inspiration. To predict what may be hereafter, and what does come to pass, does require inspiration. Daniel had the inspiration of the Almighty, which

"He

All

enabled him to see what must be hereafter. The fulfilment of his predictions is the evidence of his inspiration. I wrote this passage A.D. 1870.

Daniel xii. B.C. 534. This last chapter of the Book of Daniel may be divided into three parts. The first is contained in the first three verses. The second part is contained in the following nine verses. third part is contained in the last verse.

The

I. Verses 1-3: "Michael, the guardian of the Jewish people, shall stand up to defend his people. At that time, a time of unprecedented trouble, thy people shall be delivered, and shall be found written in the book.” "Rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke x. 20: "Many of them who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal." Matt. xxv. 46: "And they who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they who turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever." Come, ye blessed children of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."-Matt. xxv. 34. These words of Daniel agree with the words of our Lord, and point out the general resurrection. This is the conclusion of the history of the world, and is a solemn and suitable conclusion to the prophecies contained in the Book of Daniel.

II. Verses 4-12.-The angel Gabriel, in Dan. viii. 26, thus commands Daniel: "And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true; wherefore shut thou up the vision, for it shall be for many days." The command was given at the end of the vision on the banks of the Ulai, which runs by the city of Shusham, in Persia. Gabriel had received his orders from one who stood before Daniel, and had the appearance of a man, and is supposed to be the Messiah. In ver. 4, ch. xii., the angel Gabriel addresses Daniel in these words: "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." The rule given to the prophets respecting the time of the predictions which they were inspired to deliver, appears to be: 1. An immediate or a present publication, when the predictions referred to things which would soon come to pass. 2. A shutting of the book in which the prediction was written, when the things predicted were not to come to pass for a long course of years. Often the prediction was, by inspiration, made known to the prophet. In Isaiah xxix. 11, are these words: "And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book which is sealed, which men deliver to one who is learned, saying, 'Read this, I pray thee;' and he saith, I am not learned.'" And in ver. 12, "And the book is delivered to him who is not learned, saying, 'Read this, I pray thee;' and he saith, 'I am not learned.'' In Rev. xxii. 10, the reason is given for not sealing the book: "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand." These words would lead to the understanding of the prophecies in the Book of the Revelation of St. John the Divine, that their fulfilment was not to be at any remote period.

"Among the ancients they were said to seal, who, in the course of their reading, stamped the places of which they were yet doubtful. They did this to enable them to remember the difficult passages, that referring to them again, they might at length arrive