nent peril from a threatened invasion, or from any other cause, and were in that case, as the ancient Romans did under similar circumstances, to appoint a DICTATOR, this would be one "of the seven," and the prophecy would be strictly accomplished.

Having submitted these preliminary observations, we must now return to the description of this Infidel Power, as given by Daniel. It is as follows, from verses 36 to 39: "And the king shall do according to his will; he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces; and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain."

After the 35th verse had brought down this historical vision to the last times, or to "THE TIME OF THE END;" and had distinctly asserted

that it was for "a time appointed," the verses above quoted immediately follow, and detail

1. The awful principles of infidelity that should predominate throughout the whole range of society at this great crisis.

These are, the setting aside the will of God. as revealed in the Holy Scriptures; exalting the human intellect; magnifying the creature above the Creator; uttering the most daring blasphemies; shewing a total disregard to Christ, to the sacred institution of marriage, and to all religion whatever; and, finally, magnifying Reason above all laws human and Divine.

2. These verses detail the personification of such principles, as they should be exemplified in the head of the empire.

"The king" here spoken of must have a reference to that empire which had been the theatre of the events prophesied of in the preceding verses; and therefore must mean the king or head of the Roman empire; and that in its seventh form, because such head is predicted to appear immediately before “the time of the end." This king, therefore, can be no other than Napoleon Bonaparte; for, as we have seen in explaining the sixth seal, and likewise in the consideration of the Fifth Period, he became, on the renunciation of the imperial headship by the present Emperor of Austria, the

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sun" of the empire, or, in other words, its seventh head.

And it seems difficult to imagine in what other words the character, exploits, and policy of this extraordinary individual could have been so briefly, as well as so accurately pourtrayed, as those which were here used by the Holy Spirit in predicting his appearance, and that above two thousand three hundred years before he was born! With regard to his character, it was manifest to all the world that he embodied in his own person those infidel principles which have been above explained, and which had previously appeared in so awfully a marked character in the earlier scenes of the Revolution. He most emphatically did "according to his own will;" he exalted himself above every god; and he uttered the most daring blasphemies. He shewed a total disregard to the Christian religion, turning Mohammedan, heathen, or any religion that suited his purpose:- a total disregard to the Divine institution of marriage, by rudely, wantonly, and unfeelingly dissevering its most sacred ties; uniting himself by a solemn mock-ceremony to another female; and thus setting an example, that has been followed to a fearful extent in France, of living in a state of legalized prostitution and he shewed a total disregard to all moral considerations whatsoever, by magnifying

himself above all laws human and Divine; and by acting on all occasions, when it suited his purpose, in direct violation of all established and universally recognised principles.

But his character as an individual is yet still further identified; for he is decidedly spoken of as a thunderbolt of war, and a military despot. For it is further said, that "in his estate ❞—that is, in the government of his kingdom-he "shall honour the god of forces," and in a most unexampled manner lavish immense treasures at the shrine of this idol. The happiness of his subjects, and every other consideration both public and private, were to give way to this ruling passion. Accordingly, having been permitted in the providence of God triumphantly to plant his eagles, the ensigns of his power, in the capital of every kingdom on the continent of Europe, he made the military glory" of France the god, and the only god, which he worshipped.

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This prediction likewise applies to Napoleon with regard to the policy which he adopted. It is said that he should cause them to rule over many," and should "divide the land for gain" and it is in the recollection of the present generation, that the high and distinguished titles which he conferred upon his greatest generals and upon his allies, and the kingdoms and principalities which he attached to

those titles, form one of the most prominent features of his political conduct. Besides the distinguished titles usually conferred upon subjects by their monarchs, he made many kings and princes; and out of the spoils which they had assisted him to seize from other nations, he divided the land among them.

3. These verses further contain an intimation of the length of time during which these infidel principles should prosper; and this is said to be "till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done."

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As this " great vision" is said to relate to the Jews, and what shall latter days" (chap. x. 14),

befall them in the I consider the "indignation" which is here spoken of to be the accomplishment of God's indignation against them as a people, and the termination of the "seven times," or 2520 years, of their dispersion and captivity. Whenever, therefore, this is come to an end, then shall the prosperity of infidelity cease; then shall the short-lived eighth head of the expiring Gentile sovereignties be annihilated; and then shall the insulted Majesty of Heaven be vindicated, to the utter confusion of Antichrist, in all the forms it has assumed, whether such forms be those of Popery, Mohammedanism, or Infidelity.

This seventh-eighth head, and indeed the last head of the Roman empire, whenever it shall