persecuting, and presumptuous power. Who that power is we cannot reasonably doubt. The little horn spoken of in the context will appear evidently to be the Papal Hierarchy, if we consider how exactly the characters of that antichristian power are described by the prophet. It arose after that the Roman empire had been divided into ten smaller kingdoms : it reduced under its dominion three of those kingdoms0 : and from the time that it had gained this ascendency, has never ceased to persecute the saints, and to assume to itself the unalienable prerogatives of the most high God d. St. Paul's account also of the man of sin corresponds exactly with this, and confirms this application of the prophecy in the strongest manner e.
The enlargement of Christ's kingdom is another event, to which the judgment before us has respect. The connexion between this and the destruction of popery is very strongly marked by the prophet. Repeatedly in this chapter does he unite two events f; teaching us thereby to expect assuredly, that, as they are united in God's purpose, so shall they be also in their accomplishment.
As to the time when these things shall come to pass, we know that it shall be one thousand two hundred and sixty years from the time of Antichrist ; but we must wait for the event, before we can positively say from what precise period the numeration of those years must commence. Partial checks has popery already received, as at the Reformation. So was there then a correspondent increase of zeal to spread the knowledge of Christ. But when the time shall arrive, mid that idolatrous power shall be destroyed, then shall " the kingdoms of the world speedily become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ."]
That we may make a just improvement of this prophecy, let us consider,
II. What should be the state of our minds in refer- ence to it,
1. We should look forward to its accomplishment with holy confidence —
c The Exarchate of Ravenna, the kingdom of the Lombards, and the state of Rome.
d Who is ignorant of their claims to infallibility, and of power to dispense both pardons and indulgences ? Who knows not how they have set up their authority above that of God himself, changed the institutions of his sacramental supper, prohibited to their clergy the very first ordinance of God and nature, and dispensed with every ob- ligation human and divine ?
e 2 Thess. ii. 3, 4, 8, 9. f Dan. vii. 11—14, 2G, 27.