Dr Robertson's hiftory of Charles V. quarto, London 1769.

Spon and Wheeler, their voyages, vol ist, duodecimo, Amsterdam 1679.

Smith feptem Afiæ ecclefiarum notitia, octavo, Oxonii 1674.

In quoting from facred fcripture, I have always used numerals for chapters and figures for verses; thus, chap. xii. 6, 7. for chap. 12th, verses 6th, and 7th.

Perhaps fome readers may think that this work would have been better for the want of the many practical obfervations, with which the explanatory parts are interfperfed. But I trust that many others of them will think, with me, that these ftrictly accord to the' great defign of the book of the Revelation, which is, as repeatedly declared in it, to promote the faith and the patience of the faints, to testify of Jefus, and to blefs men in reading, hearing, and keeping the things which are written in this book. I truft it will appear, that these observations are fairly drawn from the events which are predicted, and

that they evidently tend to promote, under the divine bleffing, the beft difpofitions of the heart of man. However pure and high the pleasure is, which I fhould feel in being inftrumental under God of increafing the

knowledge of any of my fellow men, it is

far inferior to that which I fhould ever feel in being the inftrument of also exciting or promoting in them the graces and virtues, which Christianity teaches and inculcates, and which her divine founder exemplified in the highest perfection.

If a great variety of neceffary duties had afforded me more time, the language might have been better polifhed: But I hope it is fuch as fhall convey the fentiments to the reader without difgufting him; and, if that fhall be the cafe, I truft my time hath been as well employed in many neceffary duties, as it would have been in merely rounding a period.

The book of the Revelation being formed in a regular and connected chain, the fubsequent parts can be understood only after a perfon hath obtained a competent know

ledge

ledge of the preceeding parts. The commentary is conftructed in the fame way; and befides, each fymbol is explained only the first time it occurs. It is therefore hoped that the reader will read the whole commentary over in regular order, before he form an opinion of it; that, after having feen the connection of the whole, and the light which one part reflects upon another, he may be qualified to form an impartial judgement.

Having no controverfy with any commentator, and never thinking truth the lefs genuine or valuable that other perfons have feen it before me, I have never rejected nor disguised any juft interpretation of any of the predictions, with which I have met in any of the commentators; nor have I entered into controverfy with thofe from whom I differ in opinion; but have fimply ftated what appears to me the right interpretation, hoping that the candid and enlightened reader, judging for himfelf, will prefer truth, from its innate evidence, to the mere authority of any man.

I have not dedicated this book to any perfon. If it does not contain the truths of God, and truths in which men are deeply interefted, I do not wish that it should receive countenance and fupport from any man; and, if it does, though it may be opposed by those perfons, whofe mind is enmity against God, and who hate men and books for telling them the truth, I trust that Divine providence will, in the most seasonable time, raise up the most fit inftruments to fupport and give it effect in the world. If any perfon fhall write against this commentary; if his objections fhall discover more of prejudice, of paffion, or of party, than of knowledge, of judgement, and of virtue, they will foon confute themselves; and fhall therefore receive no anfwer from me. If his objections, though well intended, are founded in mistake, it will be eafy to answer them, by pointing out the mistake; and, if they are of fuch a nature for the good of the public, to deserve an anfwer, they fhall receive fuch an one as they deferve. But if they fhall be founded on any error in this commentary, which may

as,

have

have escaped my notice, and if they shall unfold the latent truth, I fhall be the first perfon who fhall give him fincere and hearty thanks for difcovering the error, and who fhall embrace the truth which he hath brought to view. In queft of truth, I obtain the object of my purfuit whenever I clearly perceive truth. Let the person who brings it to view or his intentions be what they will, I truft I fhall regard him as a friend who thus fhall tell me the truth,' though he should do it even in the tone of an enemy.

Perhaps even in this enlightened and liberal age, bigots to the church of Rome may be offended at the application of many of the predictions to the Papal hierarchy, and the more fo that it is fo ftriking. I affure them that it is no pleasure to me to say any thing that is bad of any perfon, or of any establishment, whether civil or religious; but, when writing upon the word of God, and for the public, I muft fay the truth, whoever fhall be difpleafed with it. Perhaps fome bigots of that church of which I have the happiness to be a member, or of fome

other