long been deprived by ecclesiastical supremacy; and, in their turn, they soon began to deprive this great christian hierarchy of the power of persecution, and to establish the rights of conscience. Here it may with propriety be said, that the earth began to open and to swallow up "the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth." And in this manner the earth has continued to swallow up the flood of the dragon to this day.

The two witnesses were to prophecy 1260 days, "clothed in sackcloth." This period commenced in the year 457, when Antichrist attained his unlimited power, as before stated. By adding 1260 to 457, we have 1717 for the close of that period in which the witnesses were to remain under sackcloth, or in a state of darkness and mourning. About this period, through the operations of Divine Providence, the power of persecution had so far declined, and the rising witnesses had gained so much light and understanding of the true nature of christianity, and had received such bright views of the second coming of Christ, and of the nearness of their redemption, that they began to lift up their heads and rejoice, and could no longer be considered as under sackcloth.

About this time, the emperor of Russia, called Peter the Great, established a plenary liberty of conscience throughout that extensive empire. And tho that nation, to their honor, had been the most free from religious persecution, perhaps, of any nation in the civilized world; yet the established church, previous to this period, had possessed great authority, in ecclesiastical matters, over the minds of the people. But the full and free exercise of religious liberty, and the freedom of civil rights granted by that Prince, opened the way for a great increase of light and understanding among his numerous subjects. This liberal act from a prince who was reputed so wise and powerful, had great influence upon the neighboring nations, in leading them to establish the same liberty, and was probably as great an incentive towards promoting the civil and religious rights of man as any act of any government whatever. The Emperor's final edict, which completed what he had been twenty years in performing, was dated January 1721.*

From this period the principles of civil and religious rights and liberty of conscience continued to gain ground, especially in England and other parts of Europe; so that about the year 1735, there remained no power in the civil government to persecute unto death any people for their religious principles. Nor had the priesthood of the established churches any legal authority to hinder these witnesses from the free exercise of their religious faith, or to prevent the declaration of their testimony to the people.*

Since this time many bright witnesses have continued to rise,

*See history of Peter the Great,

It is true they often assumed that authority under the pretence of supp ssing disorder; but this was only a mask under which they vented the malignant spirit of Antichrist.

and religious revivals have greatly increased. Those who under the reign of persecution, were branded with the odious name of heretics, wild fanatics, and enthusiasts, were now distinguished by the milder appellation of dissenters, puritans, and new-lights. They were ardent in their expectations of the second coming of Christ; and often testified, by the spirit of prophecy, that it was near at hand. These things were evidently preparatory to the great work of the millennium; and the concurrence of events seem to point out this period (1735) for the expiration of the "forty and two months," in which the holy city was trodden down by the Gentiles.

It ought to be particularly noticed that the 42 months, and the 1260 days, point to two different events, both commencing at the same time. The 42 months allude to the time in which the holy city was trodden under foot of the Gentiles; the 1260 days allude to the time in which the witnesses prophesied under sackcloth. As these two numbers are differently expressed, and were evidently designed to mark the period of two important events, they ought to be calculated accordingly. In 42 months, or three years and a half, there are 1278 days. These days, in prophetic language, signify so many years. As before stated, the period of treading down the holy city commenced in the year 457. Then by adding 1278 to 457 we have 1735. This appears to be about the closing period of Antichrist's tyrannical reign.*

Liberty of conscience was a remarkable display of the providence of God in favor of the witnesses of truth. At this time the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood up on their feet. In obedience to the voice of eternal truth which called them, they rose up, in the life and power of their testimony, above the power of antichristian tyranny and all its corrupt principles and doctrines. But from the time that these witnesses began to rise, it was a number of years before they could gain real possession of the holy city. Antichrist and the Gentiles still had possession there. But having entered upon the primitive ground of the church, they advanced forward, and began to strip off the false covering and deceptive colors and glosses with which the pride and sagacity of the Gentiles, and the deceitful spirit of Antichrist had obscured the pure doctrines of the cross, and the beautiful simplicity of the gospel, and thus restored the daily sacrifice. Then was completed the 1290 days, already noticed, which were to be accomplished before the power of the holy people could cease to be scattered. This brings us to the year 1747, as before calculated; and here began the real cleansing of the sanctuary.

But the cleansing of the sanctuary, after being so long trodden

* It may be noted as a remarkable circumstance, that Ann Lee was born the very next year, viz. 1736.

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under foot, and polluted by the abomination of desolation, could not be accomplished at once; it was a work of time. But when it was sufficiently cleansed, then a body was prepared in which the Spirit of Christ could dwell, having had no abiding place on earth during the long reign of Antichrist. Then Christ the Lord descended and took up his abode in his spiritual house; and then was fulfilled the words of the prophet; "And the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple."* Here the seventh trumpet began to sound, and here began the preaching of the everlasting gospel of Christ's second appearing, which will prove a decisive work to all souls: for this is the last trumpet, in which "the mystery of God will be finished."

From about the year 1747, there was a gradual increase of light and understanding in divine things, and of power and victory over the evil nature of sin, among these faithful witnesses, who were now formed into a society, and united together to worship God in the spirit. This increase of divine light and power continued through various changing scenes, till the establishment of the Millennial Church, or second gospel temple, in the year 1792, which then became the habitation of souls in true gospel order. Then expired the days of waiting spoken of by the prophet Daniel: "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hun“dred and five and thirty days." These 1335 days added to 457 make 1792. In this year the church was considered as established in its principles of order and government, in which it has continued to increase to the present day.

The Millennial Church being established, and having by a number of years experience, proved its principles and order, and gained a sufficient degree of strength and stability, the testimony began to go forth from the true gospel temple about the year 1800. This brings the work of God down to the full revelation of the great and last display of his grace to fallen man, and comprehends the latest period which is described by the prophet Daniel in a connected chain. 66 Judgment is now given to the saints of the Most High; and the time is come that the saints begin to possess the kingdom." Henceforth to the end, the work will increase until the final separation shall be made between good and evil, and until the full accomplishment of every promise of God ever made to the saints since the foundation of the world.

*See Mal. iii. 1. This could not mean the Jewish temple: for Christ's work being spiritual, his temple must therefore be spiritual, not naturál, 1 See Dan. vii. 22.

THE SECOND Appearing of CHRIST.

CHAPTER I.

Various opinions concerning the manner of Christ's second appearing.

It is a prevailing belief among the professors of christianity, that Christ will again appear upon earth, and usher in the latter day of glory. But the opinions concerning that event are, perhaps, as various as the tenets of their faith. This circumstance,

tho it may be considered as an argument in favor of the event itself, is a certain proof that they are yet in ignorance respecting the manner in which it is to take place, and the work which is to be accomplished thereby. Of course, when the event comes to be made manifest by the real work of the day, what can be expected but that unbelief, opposition and disappointment will follow as the natural consequences?

It is well known that about the time of Christ's personal appearance in Judea, the Jews were in earnest expectation of the coming of the Messiah, who had been promised, from early ages, by the repeated predictions of their ancient patriarchs and prophets. But concerning the manner of his coming, and the real nature of his work, they were left in the dark; and therefore, like natural men, they put natural constructions on all the prophecies which related to his coming. They expected to see a highly distinguished earthly Prince, from the lineage of their kings, ascend the throne of David, and sway the royal sceptre with superior power and dignity. They firmly believed that they should then be delivered from their bondage to the Romans; that all their temporal enemies would then be subdued and brought into subjection; and that their nation would be exalted to the highest pitch of temporal glory.

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But instead of the mighty Prince whom they so confidently expected, they beheld a man of low degree, of obscure birth and parentage, whose appearance was, in their esteem, mean and contemptible, in whom they could see no form nor comeliness." Instead of conquering armies at his heels, they saw that his followers were those of the lowest order of the people. Instead of magnificent displays of royal authority, his self-denying precepts and examples were in direct opposition to all their ideas and expectations of temporal glory. Instead of proclaiming war and destruction to their enemies, he preached "peace and good-will to man." Instead of revenging their injuries, he forbid them to render evil for evil. Instead of exalting the glory of their nation, he denoun

ced the utter destruction of their city and temple. And when they were told that this man was the promised Messiah, the king of the Jews, they rejected him with scorn, persecuted him through all their coasts, accused him of blasphemy against God, and of breaking the laws of their country, spoke all manner of evil against him, endeavored to render his name contemptible through the nation, and, as a finishing stroke of malicious envy, they put him to the cruel and ignominious death of the cross, in hopes thereby to put an end to the growing influence of his testimony which they so much dreaded.

Yet after all their endeavors to destroy the increasing reputation of the Savior, to overthrow his testimony, to falsify his predictions and prove him an impostor, they were defeated in their object. The blessed gospel of peace and salvation which he introduced, had a far more extensive increase after his crucifixion than before; his testimony was more fully confirmed, and all his predictions concerning that rebellious nation came fully to pass. Notwithstanding all this, they refused to yield to conviction or stay their enmity. Their wilful and determined opposition to the Savior and to his testimony tended only to increase their hardness of heart, their blindness and unbelief. They still went on to cry down the testimony, and persecute his followers wherever they could find them.

These facts are generally understood and believed at the present day; and, in all probability, the conduct of the Jews is as generally condemned by the professors of christianity. And what shall be said of these same professors of christianity, with the knowledge of all these things before them, if, in the manifestation of Christ's second appearing, they should be found speaking and acting under the influence of the same spirit which actuated the persecuting Jews? Would they believe that while they were praying for Christ's Kingdom to come, they were actually fighting against it? Will they, like the stubborn Jews, obstinately trust in the religion of their fathers, which they have so shamefully dishonored, and still stop their ears and harden their hearts against the increasing light of God? Or will they candidly listen to the voice of reason, and acknowledge the truth?

The Jews believed that God would send them a Deliverer, according to his promise. But when he came, they rejected him, because he did not come in the manner which they expected, nor do the work which they expected. So in the present day, the professors of christianity are living in the full belief that Christ will come the second time, according to his promise. And why are they not as likely to be disappointed in the manner of his coming, and the nature of his work, as the Jews were? Do they profess to be favored with the word of God? So did the Jews. Do they