the snn rises at different times of the day, and year, in succession. These words seem to indicate an emigration of nations from the East toward Palestine, like that, which in the commencement of the fifth century, began to deluge the Western part of the Roman empire. It will be a tremendous revolutiou, 1. In those countries, from whence these kings set out'; 2. During their whole migration; 3. In the land of Israel, where they arrive verse 16, and especially at Jerusalem, ver. 19. chap. x1, 9. 13. But who these kings from the East are, is a most profound and difficult question to answer. Some authors are of opinion, that the lost ten tribes of Israel, and those Jews who never returned from the Babylonian captivity, are the nations here alluded to; which have lately been discovered again in the East Indies, and who, Dr. Buchanan informs us, anticipate a great commotion among their people all over the world, during which the Lord will collect, and bring them home again to their own country. Faber seems to refer the kings from the East exclusively to the house of Jacob. In my opinion these Israelites may commence this emigration of nations, but they certainly will induce many others to follow them, chap. x1, 9; who are more than merely titular Melchim, or kings, like the Afghan nation in Persia, upon the banks of the Indus.

THE THREE UNCLEAN SPIRITS.

The appearance of the three unclean spirits upon the theatre of the world, will make a great epoch in the current events of those days. For during the effusion of the sixth vial, the Dragon, the beast and the false prophet will perceive, by the united effects of all the preceding vials, that a plan is laid for their utter ruin in the Church;

and therefore concert a new system of measures, to regain their lost power, and defend themseves against the disastrous consequences of so many judgments. They are aware, that this object can no longer be effected by the. instrumentality of superstition, as has been the case in former ages; and therefore now turn their whole attention to political machinations, studied artifice, and intrigue with the rulers of the earth, whom they attempt to enlist in their cause. As they find the affairs of the world in a train, which promisses little success to ancient forms of civil, religious, or political institutions; and yet vast preparations among the nations of the earth, for the introduction of cosmopolitan principles; they adopt the ideas most congenial to the minds and disposition of the then present age, in order to gain their object. To this end, they mature a plan to unite the whole human family into one civil compact of general laws, and universal interests; in which their own authority is most artfully interwoven, by a guarantee of general principles of religion and worship to every country. A new system of such a nature, under a monarchical or republican form of government, will be brought to light, and the three unclean spirits are the instruments of its propagation and reception among the kings of the earth. The secret aim and final object of this masterpiece of Satanic ingenuity, seems expressly to be, to arrest the Gospel of Christ in its course, and to prevent the approach of the Millennium; though perhaps at first it will not be considered in that light by many of its supporters, on account of numerons specious arguments produced in its favour. This is the most pow-erful and politic scheme, Satan ever projected against the Church of Christ; the defeat of which will overwhelm him with shame, contempt and punishment for a thous and years. Early in the commencement of this portentous scene, the true Antichrist will discover himself, so as to be known to the illuminated followers of the Lamb..

The execution of this deep schome commences by the production of three unclean spirits, which are said to issue forth from the mouths of this infernal triumvirate, and termed avvμara darμovor, spirits of demons, in the 14th

verse.

Though this prophecy concerning the three unclean spirits, is very mysterious; yet its illustration is of vast importance to the Church, and the signs of the times have assumed such a peculiar aspect, as to animate us in an attempt to its investigation. Satan is here again represented in the character of the great Dragon, as acting through the instrumentality of the Mahomedan and Pagan authorities. The Beast here meant is the Roman hierarchy, just as he rises into sight again for the first time, from the bottomless pit. The false prophet is the order of the Jesuits, though deprived of its bestial character, and now only existing in the capacity of false prophet, as public teachers who corrupt the Gospel of Christ. These three powers, according to this prophecy, form an alliance worthy of its parties, which terminates in a war with the Lamb. The Greek word vμa, spirit, has different significations in the New Testament, and also denotes a public teacher, sent and qualified by the spirit; either by the spirit of God, or as in this place, by the spirit of a demon, John Iv, 1. 2. 3. 4. I Tim. Iv, 1 : extremis temporibus desciscent quidam a fide, attendentes spiritibus impostoribus, i. e. doctrinibus, qui prætendunt se doctrinam proferre ex Dei spiritu. See Glassii Phil. a S. R. Dathio his temporibus accommodatam, p. 819. And here it is worthy of particular remark. that it is not said that these three spirits were demons, but only that. they were spirits of demons, i. c. public teachers under the influence of demons; emissaries moved and assisted by an infernal agency in the prosecution of their designs, though they probably pretend to act and speak by divine inspiration. However with all these pretensions we are

here informed that they are unclean spirits, or spirits of divination, Luke IV, 33, who in their places of retreat commit heinous crimes, Zech. xIII, 2; and are compared to frogs, because of their impudence, boasting, and croaking loquacity, both in stagnated ponds and on land. These spirits probably, are the heads of three orders, or bodies of men, regularly organized and established by the dragon, the beast and the false prophet Luke IV, 33. I Kings XXII, 21. 22. 23; wherefore they are said to issue forth from their mouths, i. e. to exist by their word of command, power and authority in this capacity. It would also appear from this text, that the beast and the false prophet, thus leagued with the dragon, must be men of uncommon wickedness, as they are capable of producing such unclean spirits, like the dragon himself, and in uni on with him. For prophecy now seems to refer these titles more immediately to two individuals, at the head of the Hierarchy, and of the famous order of the Jesuits.

Verse 14. They go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world. They behold the sublime movements of the Son of God by Missionary establishments, Biblesocieties, &c. with burning envy; and therefore make the above establisments in opposition, to support their cause, from principles of revenge. They are not the orders, of the Illuminati, or the French propaganda, which are all of more ancient date, and were not brought into existence in the manner here alluded to; but will probably resemble them in organization, and in their plots. The earth here signifies regularly organized governments in the Western part; and by evn oλn, all the habitable world, the whole Roman empire within its ancient limits of power and glory. See the original of Luke 11, 1. Rom.. X, 81. Rev. III, 10. With these kings of the earth the three

*Orbis Romanus s. imperium Romanum, vel orbis terrarum uni

versus.

unclean spirits commence their labours, and procure themselves authority by working sea, remarkable and extraordinary signs and lying wonders, which they impose upon the multitude, as miracles wrought by divine aid. As they meet with great success, in propagating their doctrines and principles of religion and politics, with the kings of the earth, they also extend their missionary labours, to all the rulers upon the spacious theatre of the four empires in Daniel, chap. II. chap vII, whom they induce to enter into a confederacy with their patrons, upon. the specious principles which they propose. These maxims of state will be new; and the signs and wonders, which they perform by means of the hidden powers of nature, are no doubt a discovery made by the assistance of demons, to crown their success.

To gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. The great alliance of the kings of the earth is probably formed sometime previous to their being gathered to the battle; of which, perhaps, many were unconscious at the time when they joined this fatal league. But after it is formed, the chiefs, by the assistance of the three spirits, employ it as a powerful engine against the designs of the Lord, to their own utter destruction, as we shall see chap, XIX, 15-21. This remarkable form of speech, that great day of God Almighty, is used by the ancient prophets, to signify a most solemn and celebrated day of God's judgment, Isa. XIII, 6. Amos v, 18. Joel III, 14; which is here the same with the vintage, chap. XIV, 20. Satan (like man) has his views when he collects armies, but in battles where light and darkness are engaged, the Lord directs the issue, and rescues his Church for his own glory. This is a day of judgment, which never had, and never will have its equal.

Verse 15. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.