and its authority subverted, but even the lives of the clergy were sought after with peculiar avidity, and sacrificed with rancorous malignity; such was, as foretold in the prophecy, the hatred of the harlot, by those who had lately been her admirers and paramours. It is true that the priesthood have since been partly reinstated in their rights, and all their worldly possessions may be restored to them; but the spiritual influence, especially of the monastic orders is gone, and can never be recalled, in those countries where their frauds and iniquities have been fully exposed. Thus we have seen the deathblow given to that branch of the Romish clergy, which has been emphatically styled, the soul of the papal hierarchy. While the hand of Providence thus appears to be preparing the last blow, which is to complete the extinction of the empire of Antichrist in the west ; the same overruling power seems to be not less visibly preparing for the approaching fulfilment of the prophecy, by the overthrow of his empire in the east. Mahommedism and рарасу, which may be called the two horns of Antichrist, were coeval, as we have seen, in their rise, and were destined to be so in their duration and downfal. Accordingly the drying up of the Euphrates' is likely to receive its speedy accomplishment in the decline of the Ottoman empire. It appears moreover to be receiving its fulfilment in the precise way expressed in the prophecy by the drying up of the river,' 6 6 that is, wasting away by the slow process of internal disease; or according to the corresponding prediction of Daniel, who expresses the same idea, in a different and still less figurative manner, it seems likely to be broken without hand.' (See Clarke on the Dragon and the Beast). For if this revolution be brought about by the revolt of the Greeks, it will be a natural dissolution; the Janissaries, who have hitherto formed the chief strength of the Turkish armies, being composed of Christian children, forcibly taken from their parents, instructed in the use of arms, and educated in the principles of the Moslem faith. The emancipation of the Greeks will therefore be a revolution from within, and not a subversion of this empire from without; and the success of their revolt will be conclusive proof of the decay and weakness of the Turkish power, which was at one time able to cope with, and subvert the Saracen empire. The spiritual consequence to be looked for from the downfal of this power, can hardly fail to be what the prophecy announces ; namely, that it will open the way to the conversion of the Asiatic nations to Christianity, or as it is expressed, make way for the kings of the east;' a phrase which appears to be applicable to the eastern nations, as that of the ten kings' is to the western, who gave their power to the beast. H Having thus given a brief sketch of the spiritual history, to which the prophecy relates, we have next to inquire into the language in which it is written. |