broken into ten smaller kingdoms, represented by ten horns ; amongst which " a little horn, that had eyes, and a mouth speaking very great things," grew up. This little horn (which seems evidently to denote the Papal power) was to make war with the saints ; and, after grievously afflicting them for one thousand two hundred and sixty years, to be itself destroyed, and the kingdom to be given to the saints.
On that part of the subject that relates to the little horn, we shall be silent ; because the stating of dif- ferent opinions respecting it would be unprofitable to those who are hungering for the bread of life : but that part which is contained in our text will be edifying to us all : we shall proceed therefore to consider,
I. The event predicted —
The establishment of the Redeemer's empire upon earth is that which is foretold in the preceding verses b, and which in reality is meant in the passage now before us. But the kingdom is called the kingdom of the saints, because it will be entirely composed of saints, and altogether under their govern- ment0. That they shall possess it we can have no doubt ; and when the time shall arrive, so universal will the reign of piety be, that it will appear as if all the saints who have ever lived upon the earth had risen again, and as if Christ himself had come down again from heaven to reign over themd. But respect- ing the saints there are two things which it will be proper to shew,
1. How they will take possession of the kingdom —
[They will not do this by force, unless indeed by the holy violence of faith and prayer : in that respect " the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force:" but in respect of any exertion on their part to usurp dominion, it will not so much as enter into their minds. Divine grace will have taught them to "be subject to the powers that be ; and
b ver. 13, 14. c ver. 22, 27.
d Rev. v. 10. and xx. 4. Some contend for a literal accomplish- ment of these predictions : but the view here given of them is greatly to be preferred.