The Author has been the more induced to give an enlarged list of works on Prophecy, as from his having but little turned his attention to the study of Prophecy. When he published his "Christian Student," he said but little on the subject in that work, and has given a very scanty list of works upon it; and this publication, on that point, may now be considered as supplementary to the List of Books in the Christian Student. He has endeavoured to omit no work of importance that he was acquainted with, because it opposed his own views.

The more generally useful parts of the present work, have been included, in several later editions, in the 7th chapter of the Author's Scripture Help, as immediately connected with it.

It has been a material object with the Author, to avoid as much as possible a controversial spirit, and rather to take up the positions with which his own mind is satisfied, as being scriptural, than to enter into any elaborate defence of them, or controvert those of others; his main object being the edification of the Reader.

The sum of the Author's views, and in which sum, so generally and scripturally is it expressed, there are few Christians who cannot concur, may be given in the words of a prayer used at the most impressive and affecting season, in the church to which he belongs. May every reader heartily and fully present this prayer at the throne of grace. "That it may please thee shortly to accomplish the number of thine elect, and to hasten thy kingdom; that we, with all those that are departed in the true faith of thy holy name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss

both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

May the gracious Redeemer bless this little effort, to the increase of scriptural knowlege, the benefit of his own church, and the good of every one who reads it.

Watton Rectory,

April 20, 1825.

E. BICKERSTETH.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE REV. EDWARD BICKERSTETH.

1. The Scripture Help, 12mo., 58.; abridged, 6d.; Bible Calendar, 4d. 2. A Treatise on Prayer, 12mo. 58.; abridged, 6d.

3. A Treatise on the Lord's Supper, 12mo., 58.; abridged, 6d. ; Companion to the Communion, 28.; roan, 3s.

4. The Christian Hearer, 12mo., 5s. ; abridged, 6d.; the four abridgments bound, 2s. 6d.

5. The Christian Student, 12mo., 98. 6d.

6. The Chief Concerns of Man, 38.

7. Memoir of Simeon Wilhelm, 8d.

8. Preparedness for the Day of Christ, 18. 6d.

9. Christian Psalmody, 28.

SERMONS.-On Justification, 1s. 6d. ; Church Missionary, 6d.

ation Sermon, 18.; Jews' Sermon. Is. 6d. TRACTS-The National Fast of 1832, 1d.; Cottager's Guide, 2d.

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A PRACTICAL GUIDE

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THE PROPHECIES.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE STUDY OF THE PROPHECIES.

THE Evidence of Prophecy is of all others, the most convincing, satisfactory, and even overwhelming, to a wise, learned, and candid mind. There is such an accumulation of proof upon proof in a vast multitude of improbabilities, there is such a chain of evidence for thousands of years, there is such an impossibility in the very nature of things of any forgery; there is such a growing strength in the evidence, from age to age, to our own times, that the moral conviction is conclusive; we cannot but say, when the subject has been calmly and completely investigated, the finger of God is visible in this-it is his own word.

And this evidence, arising from the past and the present fulfilment of prophecy, is connected with the most elevating and comforting hopes as to all that is

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to come; the great things that most concern us as individual believers, and that most concern the Church of Christ, are set before us with the distinctness of history, leading us to the full hope of the richest and most enduring blessedness. The past completion also of prophecy furnishes us with the best rules for understanding what is yet unfulfilled. If it be said there are serious differences among Christian interpreters; these though stumbling to a beginner are not such as at all materially to weaken our conclusions. The differences are rather, as to the modes or time in which the result shall be accomplished, and the exact nature of that result, than the result itself. Nor are they so great as in many of those sciences which men still pursue with the greatest ardour and with many beneficial consequences. O if there were but the same earnestness in pursuing this heavenly science, as stimulates in pursuing earthly sciences, the difficulties and differences, instead of stumbling men and turning them aside, would only increase the zeal of investigation, and the ardent thirst for divine knowledge.

Whosoever considers duly how much of the whole Bible is of a prophetic character, and that our God did undoubtedly design that this part of his word should be studied, and be profitable to his church, cannot but be sensible that the right understanding of the prophecies is a valuable gift to the Christian, and greatly to be esteemed. To understand not only the past, but the present, and the general character of the future according to the Divine Mind, raises us above the petty scenes of this transient world and its little conflicts, into communion with the Divine Being; and our minds open to those larger

views by which God would lead his people to the discovery of his wisdom, power, and love, and while on earth, to have their conversation in heaven.

It is not to be supposed that prophecy is only useful as an evidence of inspiration; it is equally useful as a warning of evil to come, and a support under present trials. Thus Noah was preserved from the deluge, and Lot from the destruction of Sodom, and the first Christians from that of Jerusalem; and had the Antideluvians, and the inhabitants of Sodom, and the Jews, attended to prophecy, they would have escaped destruction. Caleb and Joshua believed in the promised possession of Canaan and entered in; while the children of Israel in general perished in the wilderness; Rahab regarded the prophecy (Joshua ii. 9; Heb. xi. 31.) and was saved, while the men of Jericho perished.

The preaching of prophetic truth is also an important duty as we see in the cases of Noah, Daniel, and Jonah. The preaching of it to Nineveh was attended with a national blessing, and a considerable delay of judgment.

Nor must the revelation of prophecy be confounded with the secret things which belong to God, but rather placed among those things which are revealed and belong to us and our children.

It is most desirable not only that ministers but that Christians in general should give serious attention to this subject, I would not have you to be ignorant concerning a most important future prophecy relating to the second advent of Christ, is the Apostle's statement to the Thessalonian Christians. O how infinitely more worthy is this of our attention, than most of those works often of polluting fancy, or mere