PRACTICAL EXPOSITION,

ETC.

LECTURE I.

REVELATION i. 3.

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.

THE astonishing book from which these words are taken, and to the contents of which they so remarkably refer is undoubtedly less known, and less read, and less valued by the generality of Christians, than any other portion of the canon of Scripture. It is viewed by unthinking persons as a mere collection of unintel

ligible visions, in which they can have no possible concern, and which, if they peruse at all, it is rather from a sort of undefinable pleasure, imparted by the gorgeous descriptions, and the dim, though terrific shadowings of those things which pass within the veil, than from any very serious expectation of deriving permanent and spiritual improvement. It is remarkable then, and as if with the intention of guarding us against that frame of mind in which, as the foreknowledge of God was perfectly aware, we should be tempted to view this revelation of his will, that we have the direct assertion of the text, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear, the words of this prophecy;" and it is still more remarkable, that this is the only book in the canon of Scripture, and these the only prophecies, to the perusal of which so high an honour is attached, so peculiar a promise vouchsafed.

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It is, however, but justice to confess, that very plausible excuses for the total neglect of this mysterious book have been furnished, by the injudicious and intemperate efforts of many of its commentators, who forgetting that prophecy was not intended to make men prophets, have brought the study of it into disrepute, by the repeated failures of their own unwarranted predictions. We cannot, however, regret the less, on that account, that those portions of the prophecy, which are plain and obvious should be consigned to absolute neglect; and because much has been misinterpreted, and much is incapable, at present, of interpretation, that the whole of this invaluable record of divine truth should be suffered to lie disregarded and unread. For however great may be the difficulties attached to the more advanced portions of the prophecy, the contents of the second and third chapters, containing the seven epistles to the seven

churches of Proconsular Asia, are of so peculiarly instructive a character, so full of individual interest, and of practical improvement, that it is impossible to read them with any attention, without being impressed by the invaluable lessons of Christian doctrine and practice, the earnest calls to repentance and amendment of life, and the encouraging promises of assistance and acceptance, which they so abundantly contain. Impressed with these feelings, we trust it will be no unprofitable employment to tread together this hallowed ground, to linger for awhile in this vestibule of the temple of prophecy, and wonder and adore; while ever and anon we catch a passing glance through the thin veil which hangs between, of the things which have been seen," and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.”*

It is the commonly received opinion, in which Bishop Newton, and Scott, and

* Revelation i. 19.