precise time when to begin these computations was much questioned among them. So that they never were perfectly certain about the exact times of the church's deliverance, until the glorious events happened; and then every one saw clearly when they should have dated the beginning of these predicted years. Now the same is the case with respect to Antichrist's reign and downfall. Though now we be not certain when to begin the 1290 years, which is the duration of Antichrist's reign; yet, after the event of his fall, the time of its commencement will be so plain, that after ages will be apt to wonder that we fell into such mistakes about it. Some in their calculations have begun Antichrist's reign too early: others again, perhaps, begin it too late. Some of which I shall men, tion, with the grounds of their opinion.

I. Because Antichrist is called the beast with ten horns, Rev. xiii. 1. and the ten horns or kings receive their power one hour with the beast, and give their power and kingdom to the beast, Rev. xvii. 12, 13, 17. Many therefore, did begin Antichrist's reign, as soon as the Roman empire was broken, and divided into ten different kingdoms; to wit, when the tenth or last horn appeared, which was the kingdom of the Franks, now called the French, under Childericus their king, in the year of our Lord 456 ;

to which, if we add 1260 years, the time of Antichrist's reign, the end of it was to have been in the year 1716, and accordingly many did expect it that year: But the event hath shewed that they began Antichrist's reign too soon. And indeed the scripture doth not say that his reign (though contemporary with the ten horns) should begin as soon as the last of them appeared; and in the year 456, Antichrist was scarce discernible in the church. But yet, in the year 1716, Antichrist got a severe blow, when the Lord broke his interest in Britain, by defeating the rebellion there in his favour, and securing the Protestant succession to the crown in the house of Hanover.

II. Others did begin Antichrist's reign 20 years after, viz. in the year 476; because till then some shadow of the Roman empire remained. For it was not entirely dissolved, nor did the ten horns appear formally in its room, till the deposition of Augustulus, who was the last of the Roman emperors that reigned over both east and west. Now he was deposed in the year 476, after which time the very name of the Roman empire in the west became extinct. Those of this way of thinking did also strengthen their opinion from that text in Thess. ii. 7, 8. He who now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked one be

revealed:" that is, Antichrist, who then was working under ground, would formally appear until the removal of the Roman empire, whose power in the west did greatly hinder the papal tyranny and grandeur. Now, according to this opinion, Antichrist's reign should have ended in the year 1736, but the event also hath discovered they began it too soon. For though the bishops of Rome, upon the fall of the empire, made great progress in their projected usurpation, yet Antichrist was not formally revealed so soon as 476. Neither did the seripture say that he would be immediately revealed, and begin his reign upon the removing of the Roman empire. But though the Lord did not overturn Antichrist in the year 1736, as some expected, yet I hope he hath taken a remarkable step towards it, and for the increase of his own kingdom in or about that year, by raising up eminent instruments for spreading his glorious gospel through (the world, such as the Moravian brethren, and Oxford methodists; and particularly by sending forth the Rev. Mr. Whitfield, that very year to preach the everlasting gospel with wonderful success. And now, both he and others whom God hath excited, have, since that time, made a noble progress in this work, both in Europe and America, by preaching in the demonstration of the Spirit, and with power, the doctrine of free

grace, of original sin, of regeneration by the holy Spirit, and of justification by Christ's righteousness alone; which doctrines had been sadly buried before. And I verily believe, that it is by the effusion of the Spirit with the gospel, and the bright convincing appearances of Christ, and free grace in the glory of gospellight, that Antichrist will be consumed and destroyed; and Christ's kingdom increased; and enlarged.

III. Some there are who are very late in beginning Antichrist's reign, not before the bishops of Rome turned grossly idolatrous, and set up for the worship of images, and for excommunicating and deposing the emperors of Constantinople, their civil rulers, because they opposed them in their idolatry. This was first attempted by Pope Constantine against the emperor Philippicus, in the year 713; and afterwards practised with greater boldness and success by Pope Gregory II. against the emperor Leo, in the year 726. According to this opinion Antichrist's reign will not end before the year

1973.

IV. But the most probable time for commencing Antichrist's reign seems to be when Boniface III. got himself declared universal bishop and head of the church, and assumed the title of Pope, which was in the year 606. And, in this

usurped supremacy, he was then owned and submitted to by the ten borns or kings, who gave their power to him. Then it was the Pope became Christ's declared opposite, by usurping his peculiar offices and titles, and so appeared formally to be Antichrist. Now, if we add to 606, the time of Antichrist's reign, 1260 years, his dominion will not end till the year 1866 which is 124 years hence. Though none now living will see this, yet we may comfort ourselves, as once a godly man did: "I have had a longing desire," said he, "to see or hear of the fall of Antichrist but I check myelf, I shall go to heaven, and there the news of it shall quickly arrive, for both angels and saints will rejoice at it," Rev. xviii. 20. Why, that will be the happy time of the increase of Christ's kingdom and glory. May God hasten it for Christ's sake.

The third Head. I propose next to give some reasons why Christ must increase as above:

1. Because of the decree and promise of God, which cannot fail. He hath promised this not only to the church, Jer. xxiii. 5. but also to Christ himself, Psalm ii. 8. and cx. 1, 2. And surely he will not alter the thing that is gone out of his lips, he will not lie unto David, Psalm Ixxxix. 34, 35.

2. Because it is for the sake of the kingdom of Christ, and its increase, that God hath made