instance, a paternal government. [n See 5.] National independence being restored, any government which may be established, will, in some sort, be paternal. In strictness, however, the new government will be oppressive. For the first five and twenty years, as we have seen, a portion, and the more enlightened portion, of the restored Jews, will be in a kind of bondage:* they pass through the lower, or Babylonian gate: [gate 2.] They proceed to gate 1, or Palestine, by the way of the lower pavement; the same by which the Jews returned from the captivity; a course, in its varied associations, up to the time of the completion of the second temple, sufficiently indicative of the civil war. They enter the gate which represents Palestine, from the rising of the sun, as did originally their great ancestor; and afterwards, his numerous descendants, when fleeing from the bondage of Egypt; and also, Ezekiel and his conductor, at the commencement of the present vision.

The Americans, it is probable, will enter the 20 millenial city, also, by the way of the east gateby returning to a paternal government. They will not need, however, to advance beyond the first court-although America is alluded to at gate 7, in connexion with gates 3 and 5,† and perhaps at gate 8, it will not be required to speak particularly, in addition, of any other than gate 3. Let

See § 24; 2.

† See § 30; 27.

‡ See 31; 59.

21

them beware of entering at this gate. Issuing forth they will meet a company jubilant and shouting, We will go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: FOR OUT

OF ZION SHALL GO FORTH THE LAW, AND THE WORD

OF THE LORD FROM JERUSALEM ;* but within they will find associates, too congenial, alas, to their present feelings. Earnestly and solemnly I repeat, let them beware of entering at this gate. The descriptions given by prophecy, of the condition of the democratic powers of Europe, towards the close of the third woe, and of their doom, might appal the most obdurate, and arrest the most inconsiderate, in the midst of their career. America may yet bear a useful and honorable part, in reaping the harvest of the earth. Let them beware that they be not included in the fearful vintage which succeeds. The power of choosing is yet given. Let us still hope that they may decide wisely.

It has been perceived, that there is no allusion to the southern division of the American continent. A very small proportion only, can be considered as included in the outward court. That is, the court which is such, in respect of the inner court toward the east, as at verses 32, 34. And in the plan of the old world, more than one court is allotted for each continent. This circumstance, to

* See § 30; 5.

gether with the connexion of the nations of the southern American continent with Europe, and their general profession of the Catholic belief, seems to render it probable, that in the final struggle, they will take a different part from their brethren of the north. That in the last great battle, they will be numbered with those KINGS OF THE EARTH, who are found fighting by the side of the beast and the false prophet, and who will share in the same destruction.

NOTES

TO THE

INTRODUCTION.

NOTE (A.) P. 7.

THE diffusion of Christianity in the Roman empire, seems to have been the signal for that decline in letters and the arts, which preceded the dark ages. Or, if this be attributed to the invasion of the barbarians, (who however, were early converted to Christianity,) on either or any hypothesis, how favorable a contrast is afforded by China. There, no period of intellectual darkness succeeded one of refinement; and when subverted by the uncultivated but warlike tribes around them, they imparted civilization to the barbarian conquerors, while the government was improved, by the diffusion of new vigor in its several branches. It is quite certain then, that the present superiority of Europe, which is but recent, in some, perhaps in most of the arts and sciences, is attributable, as is so often and confidently alleged, to the prevalence of Christianity. It is said that hospitals were unknown in heathen Rome. However this may be, the pauper system of China, practically enforced as it is, by public sentiment, is far superior to that of any people in Christendom. The regulations of their prisons have probably, for a long time, been superior to those of any Christian community, till within a few years. Much is said of the unfair