But, is there as little fear of their being involved in Babylon's condemnation and fall? The woman at the time of her judgment is called "the MOTHER of harlots "and abominations of the earth;" 99 66 ALL NATIONS drink "of the wine of her fornication, and the KINGS OF THE 66 EARTH commit fornication with her." It is true they afterwards repudiate and cast her off, but it is to fall into that condemnation for which their unholy alliance with her prepared them, thus going from one wickedness to another. I have already suggested that this Babylon state is the "falling away" which must " come first," prior and in order to the revelation of Antichrist: a general and sudden declension which shall prepare the Gentiles for his reception. However this be, I am sure it is yet to come, and that the prophecy is yet for our admonition. May the Lord increase our light and faith, and give us ears to hear his gracious warnings!

The other lesson to be drawn from this prophecy is, that we may perceive it is not only all false religions which shall be amalgamated and concentrated in this Babylon-state, but also that all the commercial interest of the world shall be found identified with it-with the then power and exaltation of this great city: so much

pretensions to this Catholicity:-this one redeeming consideration constituting a paramount claim, notwithstanding all her errors, in the judgment of those who have once allowed themselves to be captivated and deluded by this 'beau ideal.' But how many earnest Christians among ourselves entertain this same idea and prospect; shewing how extremes often meet, and that we may be adopting a fundamental principle of Romanism while protesting most strenuously against it?-(Note to Fifth Edition.)

so that when this city falls, it is found to have been full of all the merchandize of the earth; the great mart of nations, and emporium of commerce. Not only do "the kings of the earth, who have lived deliciously "with her, bewail her," but "the merchants of the "earth shall weep and mourn over her, for no man "buyeth their merchandize any more;" "and every "ship-master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, "and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried "when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, "what city is like unto this great city! And they cast "dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, "saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made "rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her "costliness!" Consider the whole lament, chap. xviii. 9-19. And thus it is not only of judgment on an apostacy, religiously speaking, that this prophecy warns us; but also of the judgment that awaits the system of avarice, covetousness, and of unprincipled speculation in trade, which already so eminently characterizes our time, and the world at large. In these unbounded commercial speculations many think consists the glory of this country; but they are an awful departure from the rule of Christianity" let your moderation be known to all "men ;"-"having food and raiment be therewith content;" and, being a departure from God, they will in bring their own judgment. It is well known that, opportunity for such speculation offers, religion r the question and so, when Babylon will afford market, her apostate character will be no ques

tion; will cause no hesitation with the ship-masters and merchants of the earth. Alas! How much ungodliness is there amongst us, how much Anti-christianity in occupation and pursuits which pass generally for nothing but what is most worthy, and honourable, and lawful! In how many forms does unbelief shew itself! and how many snares are there laid for the true believer? Let, however, the Christian, and especially the Christian trader, learn from this prophecy that it is "righteousness alone that exalteth a nation;" and not suffer himself to be deluded by plans of political and commercial prosperity, which are formed and prosecuted by the worldly ambition and pride of man, without reference to the will or word of God. Let him think on Babylon, and remember that it is when her prosperity and commercial greatness is at its height "she is in one hour made desolate!"

LECTURE TWENTY-FIRST.

THE SECOND ADVENT.

REVELATION, Chap. xix.-" And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hands. 3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4. And the four-and-twenty elders, and the four beasts, fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen: Alleluia. 5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 11. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a

white horse: and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written that no man knew but he himself: 13. And he was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."

THE chapter now read may be divided into three parts. -First, praise for the judgment of Babylon detailed in the preceding chapters:-Second, the announcement of the Advent of Christ under the title of "the marriage supper of the Lamb:"-and Third, the coming itself or appearing of the Lord Jesus.

I. As to the first subject, the universal praise ascribed upon the fall of Babylon, which occupies the first six verses, I have only to say that it confirms the conclusion