prophecy," these are comparatively few, as regards the seven Asiatic epistles, on the principle of interpretation assumed in the following Exposition.

It was first delivered at Reading, before the Berks and Bucks Association of Ministers and Churches; and to the opinion formed of it by my brethren, and "fellow labourers," is its publication chiefly to be attributed.

To those readers who may consider the numerous citations and notes an encumbrance to these pages, the writer begs to observe, that he was desirous of giving the sentiments of other divines, as well as his own, on this interesting epistle; and that the difficulty can be obviated on the part of such friends, by solely confining themselves to the Exposition.

May a divine blessing accompany the perusal of this work! and may the author, together with those who may honour it with their attention, through the infinite merits of Him "that liveth, and was dead," attain unto eternal life!

EXPOSITION.

That portion of God's most holy word appointed for interpretation this morning, is one of the seven celebrated epistles written by John, at the close of the first century of the Christian era, to the seven angels of the seven churches of Asia. These epistles, like other parts of the inspired oracles, have engaged the attention of learned and holy men; nor is it surprising, that, among such a multiplicity of commentators, a diversity of opinion should exist. Among those, however, which I have had an opportunity to consult, a remarkable harmony prevails; and they unite, with few exceptions,* and, we

*Since the delivery of the Exposition, I have seen S. Clark's Annotations on the Scriptures, who, speaking of these churches, says, "There were, doubtless, many other churches as considerable for their graces, or sufferings, as these; as at Rome, Corinth, &c. but these seven, which is a number of perfection and universality, are singled out to represent the state of the gospel-church, cast into seven distinct successions, or periods, according to the several remarkable qualifications, or conditions thereof; and they are so ranked in regard of the signification of their names."

humbly conceive, most justly, in considering the epistles as representing the state of the respective churches to which they were written as they then existed.*

Dr. Gill, indeed, (and such learned men as Moore and Vitringa,) considers these letters prophetical; "there being something in the number, names, situation, and case of these churches, which were emblematical of the state of the church in successive periods of time." Without attaching much importance to this view of the subject, or inquiring why the epistles were appropriated to the seven churches in Asia,† "it is certain," to

"The three first Chapters, contain Seven Epistles to Seven Particular Churches; but from this Fourth Chapter, to the end of the Book, is laid down a more general Prophecy from John's Time to the Worlds end. There is therefore this Character of Difference put between that part of this Book in those three first Chapters, and this that begins here, That that concerned things that then were past, things that then were, and things to come hereafter, (as Chap. 1. 19.) whereas this delivers those things only which must be hereafter, Chap. 4. 1."-Dr. Goodwin.

"In the dedication of this booke, among all particular Churches God directs him (John) to make choice of those seven in Asia; no doubt for special cause; First, because they were then most famous Churches, as the chapters following, and the Histories of the Church doe plainly shew.