HAPPINESS THE JOY OF THEIR LORD-A PEACE, A REST,

A STATE OF SATISFACTION IN WHICH NOT A FAULT SHALL

BE DISCERNED, NOR ANY WANT EXPERIENCED? Is it not said that "the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES?" And shall we, in the face of all this testimony, think that there will be aught of misery in our blissful future? OH, NO! let us bid the thought for ever cease. It CANNOT BE. We have no choice but to look forward with rejoicing confidence to that estate of bliss which the NEW HEAVEN and NEW EARTH will in God's time reveal.

Thus have we introduced our readers-following, as we trust, the simple teaching of the Bible-through the eventful EVENTIDE of our poor fallen EARTH, to the bright dawn of the most glorious DAY of its REGENERATION. And here we find ourselves at the last point of information given in the Word of God. For the DAY, THE EVERLASTING DAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND GLORY, is opened to our view, that we may enjoy, as it were, a momentary glimpse of its amazing wonders; -and the Inspired Volume closes.

And what need we more? LET US BUT PRESS ONWARD, CLOTHED WITH CHRIST, AND HAVING CHRIST

ABIDING IN OUR HEARTS; and those most precious things, of which it is not possible for man, thus burdened with unholy flesh, to speak, nay, which he cannot understand, will be laid open to our view; and by experience we shall learn their excellence, and before God

REJOICE IN THEM WITH JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL

OF GLORY.

CHAPTER X.

Conclusion.

"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless." 2 PETER iii. 14.

E have been dealing, in the course of these pages, with the deep things of the Divine Word. But sincerely do I trust that they have not been handled with presumption. Occasion has arisen frequently to refer to the prophetic periods; but it will not be said that we have spoken with unseemly positiveness about the veiled future, as to days, and months, and years. Those periods which have been sealed already by the pages of past history, have been spoken of with some degree of positiveness; others have been referred to with no other object than that of strengthening our watchfulness by the offer of an extra point of probability.

Very much, however, which has been advanced in the foregoing pages may have appeared strange to those who have been used to entertain with strictness the more ordinary views concerning the prophetic writings.

If what has been advanced has not convinced these persons, I would only say, let us not be too severe one towards another, because we see things, perhaps, from different points of view; but rather let us pray for one another, and for the whole Church of Christ, that God may grant each member thereof the spirit of a right discernment. If God's children disputed less and prayed more, it would be far better. There would be more light, more wisdom, more faith, more love, more peace, more holiness.

The object of this work has been to excite, if possible, amongst our fellow-believers a more earnest and diligent study of the Scriptures, and a more constant watchfulness and unwavering preparedness for the Coming of our Lord. There has been no endeavour to arouse an undue curiosity, nor to satisfy the minds of those who love to speculate upon "the times and the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power." If, then, our God will make this little work a means of comfort or of strength to any of His people, or if He will so bless it with His Spirit, that it may be the instrument of awakening one poor unsaved soul, the object will be gained.

We have considered some of the most important subjects which the Bible has presented to the mind of the Christian. Many things connected with these

subjects have an intimate concern both with the present and the past, but all of them bear strongly upon the future, and with urgency exhort each one of us"PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD."

As we have dwelt upon the several points of moment one by one, we cannot fail, I think, to have discerned the fact that we must be approaching very near to the Great Day when Christ shall call His people hence. How near, we have not presumed to ask. But near, very near, so near, that the waiting, watching attitude is that which comes before us as the only safe position for a man on earth. AT ANY MOMENT (if what we have gathered from the Word of God is to be rested on), THE GREAT ARCHANGEL'S VOICE MAY SOUND, FOR ALL THE DEAD IN CHRIST TO RISE, AND ALL THE RIGHTEOUS LIVING ΤΟ BE CHANGED. For what remains yet unaccomplished? Surely, if it be true that in so marvellous a manner many are running to and fro, and knowledge is increasing, (which was the one great sign of "the end" God gave to Daniel;1) if also, the everlasting Gospel has been preached to every nation, for a witness: if the eighth Headship of the Roman empire" the Beast that was, and is not, and yet is "— have been seated on the throne: if many be running to and fro, and knowledge be increasing: if the children of

1 Dan. xii. 4.