is that of Smyrna. Smyrna, or Zuúpvn, signifies myrrh, or bitterness, and may be considered as alluding to sufferings or persecution. This would seem to refer to the second age of the Church, when it was called upon to suffer persecution, and is therefore cheered and comforted "I know thy

under it by its Divine founder. works, and tribulation and poverty, (but thou art rich,) and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, but are not." This was the time then when the disciples were in danger from the persecution of Jews, and pretended Jews, who were endeavouring to lead them back into Judaism.

"Fear none of the things which thou shalt suffer. The devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days." This may refer to the ten persecutions of the Christians, or their continued persecution for ten years, under Diocletian. He promises to those who were faithful unto death, a crown of life, and deliverance from the second death. As an encouragement also, he describes himself as having undergone death, as "he that was dead, and is alive."

The third Church addressed is that of Pergamos, by him "who has the sharp sword with two edges." Пlúpyn signifies a tower, or place of

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strength, and is applied to a situation of eminence. This may properly be supposed to allude to Rome, as the city at that time of greatest power and eminence on earth, and which is farther described as the place where Satan's seat is. Christ's dutiful followers there are addressed, "who have holden fast his name, and have not denied his faith when Antipas, his faithful martyr, was slain."

This is a singular name, and seems to imply an opposition to papal authority. He complains, however, "that he has a few things against her," that she holds "the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things offered unto idols, and to commit fornication." This surely alludes to those who had been led away by the hierarchy of Rome, when it began through the influence of temporal governors, to allure the people to a new species of idolatry, by changing heathen deities into Christian saints, and thus led them gradually to forsake their first, and pure attachment, and to be guilty of spiritual fornication. He likewise condemns the adopted "doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which he hates.”

His threat is "to fight against those who are unrepentant, with the sword of his mouth," which is before described as two-edged, and which is properly applied to that Church, which

boasted of possessing both the spiritual and temporal sword.

The promise made to him that overcometh, is that our Saviour will give him to eat of the hidden manna; that is (perhaps) of the spiritual bread of his body, in opposition to the senseless doctrine of transubstantiation, which was introduced by the head of the Church he was now addressing. He promises also to give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written. The meaning of this is not so easy to discover; but as Jesus Christ is called the Chief Corner Stone, and as his faithful disciples are denominated by St. Peter, "lively stones to build up a spiritual house," it must at all events imply being an acknowledged follower of Christ in purity and holiness; and it possibly means becoming a member of the Protestant Church, which had received a new name, and was beginning to be built up in the knowledge of the truth, which exposed the errors of that formidable power, which had been so long permitted to prevail and prosper, to the perversion of the holy doctrine of Christ and his apostles.

The next Church addressed is that of Thyatira. And it is addressed by him, "who hath eyes like a flame of fire and his feet like fine brass." That is, who hath power to discover and

punish all iniquity, and who is ready to advance to the assistance of those who call upon him.

Ovárapa is derived by Strabo and Pliny from Θυγάτειρα, the same as θυγάτερα, a daughter. This Church is praised for her “works, and charity, and service, and faith, and patience, and her other works, and that the last are more than the first." Does not this mean the reformed Church which had returned to God her Father, and proved her faith by her works? Christ however objects to her, that "she suffered that woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce his servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols."

The name Jezebel, (it has been remarked,) is a singular compound of Jesus and Bel, or of Christ and Belial, that is, of the Christian religion with paganism and idolatry. The new Church is here reproached, after she had herself forsaken this idolatrous hierarchy, for suffering her corrupt doctrines to be preached within the pale of her communion. It seems, therefore, that such a permission was contrary to the will of God, as productive of evil, and ought not to have been granted even from motives of charity and forbearance. Our Saviour adds, with reference to the idolatrous Church, "I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. Behold I will cast her into a bed,

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and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give to every one of you according to your works."

This denunciation to a corrupt Church, over which that of Thyatira had triumphed, plainly shows that she had received warnings, and failed to profit by them, and that her corruptions would involve herself and her followers in severe punishments, and expose them to the just vengeance of God. It shows, likewise, the propriety of the interpretation now adopted; that some ages had passed away, and that the Church of Rome had become corrupt. Though warned of her defection, she still persisted in it, and joined with the kings of the earth in forsaking Scriptural truth, and in the practice of idolatry; and therefore the judgments of Heaven (if still impenitent) should inevitably overtake her.

Christ proceeds to say-" unto the rest in Thyatira: As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, I will put upon you no other burden. But that which you have, hold fast till I come."

Here is an exhilarating promise to those who hold fast the truth, that no greater burden (if

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