chat cometh down from above ? It has elements of the world, for it is of the beast; it has elements of the fiend, for it partakes of the quality of the dragon; it is a spirit of error, for it ia a false prophet But it is not merely error, for it is animated by an evil spirit. It i1 worldly wisdom, the tongue set on fire of hell-the human mind in its opposition to God. "Intellectual weapons which have united with exwrnal violence to attack the new principle which had bei,un to manifest itself in the life of mankind" (Neander). "He doeth great wonders (see Matt. xxiv. 24). Here are all " signs and lying wonders," by which men are deceived who cleave not to the truth. Perhaps visible signs, prestiges, prodigies, wonders, soothsayers, witchcraft, and fraud of a barbarous age ; and then, as times change, the pretended wonders of the intelluct. "It would seem like a new heathendom sinking down again to the deification of nature and humanity.'' It maketh an image. Often in heathen Rvman times was the image of the beast set up, and the alternative lay between martyrdom and apostasy. But not only in imperial Roman times, or papal or Protestant persecuting times, but in times of proud philosophical, materialistic, atheisti<:, earthly wisdom that stands in opposition to God; and that is none the less _exclusive towards men that accept it not. Proud, anti-Godlike, anti-Christlike wisdom persecutes to the death. The profession of the simple Christian faith is a sign for exclusion and proscription. Intellectual pride laughs in its sleeve at the simplicity of Christ. Here the Church is to learn- I. 'J.'BE EXCEEDINGLY VARIED CllARACTEB 01' THB ENEMIES OF THE TRUTH. Every spirit not of God will oppose the true. II. TUE NECESSITY FOR WATCHFULNESS AGAINST THE KOST SPECIOUS OPPONENTS, IIL THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CHARACTER OF EVERY SPIRIT THAT 18 OF TH.II BARTH, OR THAT PARTAKES OF THE NATURE OF THE BEAST, lV. 'l'HE NECESSITY FOB PURITY, FIDELITY, AND PATIENCE. Purity (1) of doctrine, and (2) of life. Fidelity (1) to the Word, and (2) to convictions, and (3) to the indications of Divine providence. Patience (l) in maintaining the reproach and pro- fession of Christ, and (2) in enduring the severities of rude persecution or the proud rejection of a self-wise world.-R. G.
Vers. 1-18.-The domai1i of ant~hrist. "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, alld saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy," etc.1 Fanciful interpretations of this chapter, as well as other portions of this book, are abundant. The last (see 'The Early Days of Christianity,' p. 452, by Archdeacon Farrar) seems to us not less unfounded and absurd than those that have gone before. Most of such interpretations assume that the comparatively few people who lived in Rome centuries ago were of such immense importance as to absorb the mind of the Inti.nit-0; that " papal Rome," 811 it is called, was the one great moral foe of creation, unmatched and matchless. But our method of treating this Book of Revelation, whether right or wrong, philosophic or foolish, ignorea all fanciful interpretations, and seeks to turn even the dreams of old dreamers, like the prisoner on Patmos, and the prisoner in Bedford Gaol, to such a practical account as to serve the ethical interests of the men that are, and the men that are yet to be. Hence we use this chapter to throw light upon the domain q/ antichrist. But what do we mean by "antichrist"? Not an institution, ecelesiastical, political, or social, conaected with any geographical spot or chronological period, but a moral state of mind pervading all places, and running through all times. Whatever state of mind is opposed to that moral state of mind which Christ incarnated, exemv}ified, and inculcated, I call an,ioh'l-'id. His state of mind was one of truth, reality ; hence all falsehoods, shams, hypocrisie&, are antichrist, His state of mind was one of supre'Tll,(J 'WOrship. He realized and reverenced the Eternal Father iu all; hence all irreverence and idulatries are antichrist. His state of mind was a state of self-sacriji,ci'Tl,g philanthropy. He lovecl men, and gave himself for their benefit. He did not please himself. Hence all selfishness, worldliness, self-seeking, is &ntichrist. St. John says," Even now are there many antichrists." There are anti, christs in Protestant churches and chapels, and. in thousands of those who call themselve1 Christiana. Some of the fiercest denouncers of popery as antichrist are tbOBe who have the most of popery and antiohrist in their hearts. This chapter serves w illustrate scae facts in connection with the domain of antichrist on this earth. ~ See &cunUII at elld of eh. uli. 844: TUE REVELATION OJ!' ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. [(TIL xm. l-113