ENTERED according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by ELAM BLISS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York.

INTRODUCTION.

DURING a very considerable space, it was one of the uses of prophecy, to warn against that which was evil in itself or in its consequences; and to direct on occasions of perplexity and danger. Is it not entirely consonant to the spirit of the prophetical writings, and to the character of variety observable in the Divine government, to suppose that similar beneficent objects were intended to be accomplished, in later periods.

The splendid series of prophecies relating to the diffusion of Christianity, its triumphs over all enemies, and universal prevalence, and to the glorious days of the church, seem more than sufficient for the purpose of furnishing a peculiar kind of evidence of the truth of the scriptures.

That the prophetical promises were also given, to comfort and encourage believers, in times of trouble, will be generally conceded. But the question, whether the import of prophecy can be understood circumstantially, so as to admit of its directing in the affairs of nations, though of great moment, is still undetermined.

How far these observations are appropriate, at this time, I shall by no means decide. Perhaps they would have been more so, had the entire work, originally designed, been completed. This was an exposition of prophecy, so far as relates to times subsequent to the final dispersion of the Jews; and which, without neglecting the least particular, and without a single instance of forced construction, should be consistent with itself, and with the past history, and present state and prospects, of the world. Such an exposition must be the true one; at least, in all those particulars, which are confirmed by frequent notice. The theory of chances renders this, to all practical purposes, mathematically certain. And it is a remarkable circumstance, that although no two prophecies are limited to the same particulars, all the important ones are referred to, many times, as if in view of this kind of evidence.

The preliminary difficulties were, as was supposed, all overcome; and very considerable progress had been made in the execution of the work; when declining health rendered it less and less probable, that the entire work would ever be completed. Still, I was desirous of bringing forward, under the warrant of inspiration, those momentous truths, which, as was believed, it was a leading object of prophecy, at a FIT PERIOD, to make known to the world. For this purpose, I did not hesitate to select the fortieth chapter of Ezekiel. No where else is such a concentration of evidence to be

found; though an immense body of proof, equally conclusive, is diffused through the prophecies.

I request it may be borne in mind, that the following exposition was written, as part of a comprehensive work. This will be needful, to account for the turn of the remarks, in various instances. It is published, just as it was to have stood; in the larger work. Some few additional notes are inserted, for the purpose of explanation. It will readily be apprehended, that, under such circumstances, explanations may be required, though the proofs cannot accompany. It was intended that the different parts of the larger work should be connected, and supported, by multiplied references; and it was in view of determinate reference, that the figures were added in the margin. In the present publication, the place of all references to other portions of the work, (whether originally made in the text or in notes,) is indicated by an n, enclosed in brackets, thus, [n]. This appeared needful, as the language might otherwise seem abrupt, and the statements gratuitous.

I have spoken of certain momentous truths, which it was believed to be a leading object of prophecy, to make known to mankind. These are as follows. That THE MILLENIUM IS TO BE BROUGHT ABOUT, BY THE OVERTHROW OF THE INDIVIDUAL SYSTEM; AND THE DIFFUSION OF THE SOCIAL SYSTEM, AND THE CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

OF ENGLAND. By the individual system is intend

ed, that form of society, which is founded upon the individual tenure of property. By the social system, that in which a community of goods prevails, under certain limitations, shewn in the prophetical writings.* By the civil and religious institutions of England are intended, the existing government, and the national church.

Civil institutions are no less indispensable to the reformation and well being of mankind, than religious truth and ordinances. Accordingly, they received a proportionate degree of attention, under the Mosaic dispensation. It will appear hereafter, that the same is the case under that which succeeded.

Whence has it happened, that Christianity has done so little, as yet, towards improving the condition of man. Let us not deceive ourselves; Christianity has accomplished nothing, hitherto, towards banishing crime; and little for the melioration of society. Of course, I speak in the national aggregate. It should be recollected, that in the most favored soil, somewhat after the manner of pestilential diseases, new crimes have sprung up, as the old ones disappeared. The statistics of criminal justice inform us, that there is less of crime in China, than in Christian nations. Though

* The terms individual system, social system, &c. were originally adopted from the writings of the followers of Mr. Owen. It need not be said that they may be used, as indicating abstract principles, or those principles practically exemplified.