Before, or about the time of this coming of the Son of man, Antichrist will fall—­Mahomedan delusion terminate—­“The Jews look to him whom they pierced, and mourn—­be gathered the second time” from their dispersions, and returned to their own land, and the fullness of the Gentiles be brought in.  Perhaps these may be the signs of Christ’s coming, intended by the resurrection of the witnesses, When these events shall take place “the Lord will be king over all the earth.  In that day there will be one Lord and his name one.”

* Revelation xiv. 15, 20.

REFLEXIONS

If we do not mistake the coming of the Son of man, here referred to, gloomy is the prospect now immediately before us.  Hitherto God hath had his witnesses; but ere long they will cease from their labors, and leave infidelity undisturbed.

That the cause of the redeemer was to be depressed, before its universal prevalence in the latter days, is plainly revealed.  The only difficulty is to ascertain the manner.  Bishop Newton expects another confederacy of the catholic powers to destroy the followers of the Lamb, which will so nearly succeed, that for a short term none will dare to appear as his followers.  But if infidelity was to intervene the antichristian defection, and prevalence of religion in the latter days, is this hypothesis probable?  Is it not more reasonable to expect that destruction of the witnesses in another way, and by other enemies—­by the mockers and scoffers of the last times, who should be generated by papal error and superstition?  And doth not the present state of the world confirm these expectations?  The catholic religion hath been declining for several ages.  It received a deadly wound from Luther and his associates, which hath not yet been healed.  From that period it hath dwindled, and is now little more than a name.  But infidelity hath been, for almost an equal term progressing, and already stalks out to public view:  Yea, it vaunts with shameless pride, as though sure of victory.  And we are constrained to acknowledge, that “of a truth, it hath laid waste nations and their countries!”

Our expectation is farther confirmed by observing the change which is made in the weapons of internal warfare.  These are no longer bonds, imprisonments, tortures and death, but the shafts of ridicule, and sneers of contempt.  “Trials of cruel mocking,” now exercise the faith and patience of the saints.  Religion, the dignity and hope of man, hath become the sport of stupid infidels!  The jest of sorry witlings!  These hissings of the serpent are every where to be heard!

Internal malice, never before made so general attack in this way.  Perhaps, with all his sagacity the adversary did not suspect that creatures made for eternity could be driven from the way of peace by the derision of fools, till taught it by experience.  But this hath been found his most successful weapon!  It hath done greater mischief to Christianity, than all the rage of persecution!