woe; where they determine the exact dates of all the special lines, into which the whole progressive system of prophecies branches out from this point. These lines synchronize with, and run on during the sound of the seventh trumpet, to the completion of the seventh vial, and to the glorious appearance of the woman in the wilderness, the acknowledged bride of the Lamb. CHAPTER IX. V. TRUMPET, ACCOMPLISHED FROM A. D. 622–TD 751, Verse 1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there By this prophecy under the fifth trumpet, we are informed of the contents of the first woe, as occasioned by the locusts, arising out of the smoke from the bottomless pit. The prelate Bengelius here beheld those dreadful calamities of the Jews in Persia, part of which have been related under the fourth trumpet; and professor Yung explains this prediction as accomplished by the Crusades to the Holy Land. Though I highly esteem the labours of these justly renowned men, and have pondered their arguments with caution and solicitude; yet my mind has remained incontrovertibly attached to that more ancient opinion, of referring these locusts to the Saracens, for the following reasons. 140 V. TRUMPET, FROM A. D. 622-TO 551. 1. This prediction most evidently represents the rise and successful establishment of a false religion, by which the gospel of Christ, and even reason itself is obscured in certain countries; which was not the case in Persia. 2. The locusts designate the origin of a new power in the world, which had not existed before the opening of the bottomless pit. These locusts are represented like invading armies in march, destroying every thing before ' them; which was not the case with the Persians, who only persecuted the Jews at home in their own country. This might however apply to the Crusades, but their time is by some centuries too late for the period of this prophecy. 4. The star had fallen upon the earth, the continent of the Roman empire, where it had not before existed, and must for this reason admit of being pointed out on the page of history. This characteristic cannot be identified in the persecutions of the Jews by the Persians; nor will it accord with the crusaders, all of which were citizens of countries, formerly belonging to the Romans. 5. It has been argued that Mahomed never was a doctor or minister of the Church, and could therefore not be represented by a star. To which I answer: This emblem is used in Scripture to designate men of great talents, enterprize and usefulness, both Church and state, Dan. viii. 10. Isa. xiv. 12. ch. li. 16. ch. xlix. 13. ch. xliv. 23. Math. xxiv. 29. within the limits of Christendom; which may properly be applied to Mahomed, who himself was acquainted with the gospel, and lived in Arabia, where Christianity had been preached to stated Churches for centuries. But in order to illustrate this point more minutely I would observe, that the regular clergy of the Church only, are designated in Scripture by fixed stars, and by planets which revolve in stated revolutions through their orbits, Isa. xiv. 13. Dan. viii. 10; and false teachers by new and unusual comets, or wandering stars, Jude v. 13. Job xxxviii. 32. MAGADOTH, signa cœlestia; and such a one seems to be intended in this place. These comets become a very striking figure of false teachers, when considered un der the general, and more vulgar conception of them among the ancient Asiatics; amongst whom Chaldea appears to have been the cradle of astronomy, and the guide of public opinion on that subject, for many centuries. The ancient Magi, or wise men, at first considered comets a sort of erratic meteors, of prodigious size; the combustible matter of which, had been collected by certain demons, who aspiring to imitate the Gods, concentrated it as their bodies and habitations. Thus embodied they soar aloft in the air, rush blazing through the vast ether, until they consume themselves or disperse. For they believed all heavenly bodies animated by superior intelligences, and distinguished their excellence, by the different degrees of splendour and magnitude of those luminaries. When therefore false teachers are represented by these wandering stars, they are intimated as wicked men of great talents, in the garb of hypocrisy; as Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2 Cor. xi. 14. Such an erratic comet under this conception, seems to be the figure in the language of the apostle. For how could a key be given to a star without hands? Or how could a star open the bottomless pit by a key, if it was not considered animated by an intelligence? These are actions ascribed to a star, which pre-suppose an embodied mind, capable of reflection. Verse 1. I saw a star fall. This is not an accurate translation of the original, TETTWxóτα, which is the part. of the perf. pro perf. inf. and should have been rendered, H h which had fallen; for St. John did not see its fall, as our common version would induce us to believe. The apostle seems to have chosen this manner of expression, to intimate, that the actual fall of this star happened prior to the sounding of this trumpet, and should only be regarded as a preparation, by which this star became qualified, to be the instrument of this dreadful woe. The appearance of such a star in prophetic writings, indicates the rise, and successful elevation of a great character; and its fall, when it is not thereby extinguished, and still remains a star as in this passage, and ch. viii. 10. either denotes degradation, or degeneracy from virtuous principles and a course of noble actions, into a state of moral ruin, and a train of base, corrupt and vile measures. Thus St. Paul calls the transgression of our first parents αgάτwμα, a fall, Rom. v. 15. 17; and our Lord tells the unregenerated Jews Υμεῖς εκ των κάτω ἐςτὲ, ye are from beneath. John viii. 23. All this has been accomplished in the life of Mahomed; and this prophecy accords with no other event so fully, as with the achievements of the Arabian impostor. He is stated by history as of illustrious birth, and by nature eminently endowed with resolution, penetration and a most attractive eloquence for his undertaking. Being brought up to the mercantile employment, he espoused the widow of a rich merchant, and pursued a successful commerce in Arabia, and the adjacent countries, for many years. In his numerous journies, he became acquainted with many nations, countries, and religions, more especially with Jewish worship, and the gospel of Christ, by which his mind appears to have been illuminated, and all the powers of his soul excited to action, for the accomplishment of that glorious enterprize, the conversion of his countrymen from idolatry, to the knowledge of the true and living God. Thus raised up by Providence, he felt a strong impulse, and great courage, to make vigorous efforts for the salva |
