Letters to a minister of the gospel, on his and other interpretations of our Saviour's predictions of His return, recorded Matt. xxiii. xxiv. xxv. : containing a minute examination of these prophecies, and exhibiting the evidence they contain that Christ's coming in the clouds of heaven is personal, and near at hand

Front matter

Sanne OF PRINCE Oy

Eo ocicn, sewn i 7 me ne ia A

Ww oY es , stat ie in ae Clery bi

Preface

‘In the character of the Son of man, the Son of God has gone “into a far country to receive a Kingdom, and fo return.’ fre he left this lower world, He communicated his purpose to those whom he honoured with his love, and who were the chosen companions of his toil. In the prospect of his absence, He consoled them with the promise of the Spirit as the Comforter till his return, and animated their hearts with the prospects of glory which then awaited Him and them. With feelings which once characterized all the followers of Jesus, but which ignorance of their Master’s will has now weakened greatly, these tried and faithful friends on a particular occasion addressed to him an inquiry respecting His Coming. With endearing condescension did the Saviour at once comply with their request, giving them an Extensive Prediction of events from that time forward till the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. On this object of their peculiar desire he particularly enlarged, presenting a detailed account of the circumstances by which it should be attended, as well as a summary of events in the History of his church by which it should be preceded. Regarding this magnificent Prediction of our blessed Lord, there has been a most unhappy discordance among Scripture Exxpositors, which, considered apart, might suggest an jdea of great ambiguity as to its meaning. But a careful if not an unbiassed examination produced an impression on the mind of the author of these pages, that the lamented disiv PREFACE.

crepancies were less occasioned by any difficulties contained in the prediction itself, than they were the result of certain preconceived opinions converning Christ's return, with which its very pointed statements would in no way accord. This conviction was greatly strengthened by that series of Discourses which more especially called forth the present production. The palpable inconsistencies into which an analytical exposition of the prediction betrayed their esteemed author, in endeavouring to support a figurative coming, as it is usually termed, and the benefits derived from the close and. repeated investigations of the prophecy which these discourses naturally induced, suggested the idea that a full exhibition of particulars, and a contrast of statements, might, by the blessing of God, be rendered useful in recalling the church to her former standing on the subject of her Lord’s return. .

Sanctioned though they have been by men of superior discernment and Christian attainments, the Expositions now generally offered of the Saviour’s prediction of his coming seem destitute of all that should command the submission of a faithful and intelligent inquirer. Harsh as such a judgment may seem, itis not uttered unadvisedly, nor is the accusation, preferred without an effort. dispassionately to establish its truth. Various theories of interpretation have been controverted on grounds which lie within the range of the most ordinary understanding, and although the statements and arguments contained in theological writings of high repute have been unhesitatingly rejected, the reasons are uniformly exhibited on which their accuracy is questioned. Let not those whose faith is thus impugned seek to put away from them the imputation, till able to satisfy themselves, at least, of its being unfounded; but, as they would value their Lord’s approbation, let them receive from His mouth a knowledge of the time of his glorious return,

PREFACE. Vv and yield to his intimations that implicit submission which the sacredness of his character imperiously demands.

These Letters have been more immediately addressed to - the reverend gentleman by whose Expositions they were suggested. But although that view contained various peculiarities, there exists such a similarity and necessary connection as naturally elicited the animadversions offered on those by whom the Coming of the Son of man is misappre- _ hended in its nature, even when it has not also been misplaced in point of time. In adopting this method, the author feels satisfied that ample justice has been done towards those from whose Interpretations he is compelled to dissent. Although the Discourses to which these Letters owe their origin, formed part of a regular course on the Gospel according to Matthew, the particular views therein maintained have especially been combated with every circumstance in their favour, which ability, care, and deliberation could afford. Vhey were advocated by a reverend gentleman of acknowledged piety and talent—not in a few casual, hasty, or unstudied observations; but ina long series of above twenty Lectures on the Prophetic part of the Saviour’s Discourse to his disciples, with few interruptions extending over a period of several months—in the com- _ position of which he could avail himself of the aids of all preceding Commentators of similar sentiments—and delivered after attention had been loudly called to the doctrine of the Speedy Advent of the Redeemer, by numerous publieations advocating Millenarian views ; several of which he had perused, and some of the arguments of which he publicly aimed at refuting.

Of these Discourses the author of the following Letters took and preserved very copious notes, the principles of his former work on this subject being thereby assailed. ‘These principles he deemed capable of ample vindication, and vi PREFACE.

conceiving that an important service might be rendered to the cause he has espoused, by a full and deliberate examination of our Saviour’s predictions, he readily accepted of the call then made, that any farther evidence in favour of the premillennial Personal Advent be produced. Believing that much has been exhibited, it is now, with gratitude, committed into the hand of that blessed Spirit who alone can render it of any avail for producing conviction. The execution of his purpose has been unavoidably delayed long beyond what was originally designed; but the subject, instead of diminishing in interest, is one possessed of growing importance. If the Return of Christ was that to which the faith and the hopes of believers were almost uniformly directed by the apostles, and generally cherished by Christians long after the decease of these inspired teachers, certainly it ought not now to be esteemed more lightly, when we have arrived so much nearer to its glory, and when the manifest signs of its approach follow each other in rapid succession. While, therefore, the author desired much to have submitted his remarks immediately upon the close of that series of Discourses by which they were elicited, he regrets the less that frequent interruptions from an impaired state of health have prevented the accomplishment of his design, till his views have acquired additional confirmation by those stupendous events of which the world little knows the issue.

Paisley, September 20th, 1831.

LETTER I. On the importance of the Doctrine of Christ’s Return, and the

Duty of Investigation, - - - - Pace 9

Letter II

A full and combined View of the Saviour's Prediction of His Coming with the Clouds of Heaven, as recorded by the different Evangelists, with the various Interpretations of Expositors, - - ~ - - -

LETTER III].

On the precise Signification of the word translated ‘‘ Genera-

Letter IV

Brief Exposition of the Saviour’s Prediction of His Return, LETTER V.

The Coming of the Son of man farther proved to be at the close of the times of the Gentiles, or Restoration of Israel, -

LETTER VI. On the Figurative Language of Prophecy, and the idea of a

Double Reference in the Prediction, - -

Viil CONTENTS.

Letter VII. Page

On the Views and Questions of the Disciples, and the preceding Prediction of our Lord delivered in the temple, (Mat. xxiii. 37—39,) as confirmatory of His Coming with the

* clouds of heaven being his Personal Return, - %

Letter VIII

That our Lord in His Prediction referred to his Personal Return, proved from the language employed, and the circumstances foretold, - - _ - . a LETTER IX,

That the Coming of the Son of man will be Personal, proved from the various Parables ‘given in illustration of the Prediction, - - - : : “ 4 LETTER X.

On the Signs, Celestial and Terrestrial, which precede the

Coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, . 3

LETTERS, &c.

Letter I

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST'S RETURN, AND THE DUTY OF INVESTIGATION,

It is with no feeling of levity that I thus address you. It can indeed yield me no delight to believe you are in error, nor have I any desire to triumph over the mistaken views of him to whom, under Christ, I have been most indebted for the precious communications of divine truth, and to whom Iam also under obligations of a personal nature. The resolution of endeavouring to disprove your statements and to invalidate your arguments, was not formed without reluctance, nor has it been carried into execution without many a painful emotion. Whatever may be the opinion of others, with the testimony of an approving conscience I can confidently aver, that had there been no higher motive by which. to be actuated than an ungodly desire of signalizing my prowess, or of displaying skill in argumentation, I should not on the present occasion have presented. myself to your notice. Indeed the relation in which we stand, would, in all probability, have deterred me from animadverting on your opinions and ministrations, on any subject of less moment than that which I feel imperatively called thus to discuss.

But renewedly and increasingly impressed with the conviction that the Archangel’s ‘Trump shall sound ere long over an ungodly world, if not in the ear of an unthinking church, I felt not at liberty to abstain from again lifting up the voice of warning. While I willingly testify to your great

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10 IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT, [Ler. 1.

worth, and acknowledge with pleasure how much 1 have been indebted to your ministrations, I should have profited little by your instructions, were I yet ignorant of the duty you so strongly inculcate, of bearing testimony for God, unbiassed by the partialities of friendship, as well as unawed by the frowns of opposition. Often indeed have I been reminded by yourself of the obligations under which every Christian is laid of extending, so far as in his power, the knowledge of the truth revealed unto himself; and it would, jn reality, be an improper requital of services received, did I not wish to cerrect your views where I deem them erroneous. |

With such feelings, it ought not to be regarded as unkind or invidious to point out the mistakes into which you have fallen, or to exhibit how untenable are the opinions you have sought to promulgate. In the spirit of gratitude, therefore, as well as of Christian love, I pray the Lord whom we serve to bless to your soul what truths he may thus enable me to discover, to correct the errors into which I may have fallen, to supply what I may have omitted, and to give you such clear conceptions of his holy word, that you may feel constrained, as I have been, to proclaim His Speedy Coming, at the hazard or with the certainty of dissolving ties of long-endeared relationship, and of weakening bonds of Christian love. Itis indeed with ardent desires of being made instrumental in bringing more fully to your notice the meaning and design of these predictions, [ now address you. But it is also with the assured hope that others may profit, by seeing brought to the test of heavenly wisdom, those opinions on which so many confidently rely without examining for themselves the doctrines of God's holy word, or appreciating aright the glories reserved for His Son.

Such considerations diminish, but do not wholly remove, the difficulty and disagreeableness of the task of exhibiting the unscriptural nature of the expositions you have recently given of an important prediction of the Saviour’s future purpose of condescending love. Still Iam by no means ignorant that such a course, notwithstanding of these explanations, may very probably expose me to the suspicion of unworthy motives, on the part of those who can ill appreciate the influencing power of truth; but the vindication of such a doctrine must be regarded as of sufficient value to warrant,

Ler. I.] AND DUTY OF INVESTIGATION. If in its defence, even the hazard of such an imputation. The time indeed for temporizing is now past, ifit could ever have been excused ; for the full understanding of the predictions here referred to becomes daily more valuable, as it must teach more imperatively the duty of weaning our affections from the engrossing concerns of an evil world, and of continual watchfulness for the Glorious Advent of the Son of Man. If, by the blessing of God, I shall sueceed in convincing you of this precious truth, I know I shall yet receive your thanks, as having conferred a favour of no trivial value. But whatever may be the issne in this respect, I never can divest myself of the incumbent obligation of seeking to vindicate the truth and testimony of God.

The question concerning the premillennial Coming of the Lord, ought not to be esteemed by the Christian as one of minor importance. It involves the honour of his God—the triumph of his Saviour, and the reward of His work— the resurrection of the saints who sleep in death, and the glorious transformation of those who shall be alive, personally to participate in all the joys of Millennial bliss. The annunciation of these forms the great burden of ancient prophecy ; they were frequently referred to by our Lord himself, and are much insisted on by his .apostles. Such considerations gave to the doctrine of the Glorious Advent an importance in the eyes of primitive believers, of which it has been wholly divested by Modern Theology. Rarely as it finds a place in our pulpit discussions, the slightest attention will demonsirate, that there are few doctrines so - frequently referred to in the word of God as the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus, and the glory which shall then be revealed. ‘To one conversant with his Bible no proof of this should be required ; yet it may notbe wholly without advantage to call your attention to a few passages confirmatory of the statement. In doing so I will not carry you back to the writings of Old Testament prediction, or refer to the hopes of those who lived in ages prior to the incarnation of the Redeemer. Numerous and clear as I regard the proofs which might thence be derived, it would require argument to remove your objections, without which you would question their admissibility as evidence. But this is at present unnecessary, since it will be sufficient for our purpose to cite a few from the New Testament Scriptures, which will not

B2 require the aid of argument to prove, even to the most prejudiced, their proper application. Even with such a limitation, we hope to be able to show that the future Coming of the Lord in glory is often stated as an important fact— that our special attention is demanded unto it—that it is used to urge to repentance —that it is addressed to Christians for their consolation —is referred to as a motive to duty—is presented as the period of our great reward—and that it is anticipated by the inspired penmen as the era of the Saviour’s brightest triamph and of their own glorious destiny. And if it was so viewed, and if such were the uses to which it was formerly applied, it should not now be regarded as unimportant to the Christian, nor a Scriptural knowledge of the time of this event be considered as a matter of very trivial value.

With a frequency which forbids quotation, did our Lord himself intimate his future Coming in Glory, and enjoin upon all the duty of watching for His Return. In one form or in another, this event is introduced in nearly all His discourses on record. By parable and by precept, vy comparison and by contrast, in terms more or less direct, it is strongly enforced and many of its circumstances are fully illustrated. Equally did the Saviour inculcate this doctrine on friends and on foes; on the disciples whom he loved, and on those before whom he was arraigned. He taught it in private, and in public; in the guest-chamber, to the select few, and openly in the temple to the assembled multitudes; in the seclusions of Olivet, and at the bar of his unrighteous condemnation. And to all, the unvarying tenor, and not unfrequently the language of his admonition was, “Watch, therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

After the ascension of the Saviour, the same doctrine continued to be taught in like manner by His apostles. They urged it with equal frequency, and that also for the inculeation of the same holiness of heart and of life. It runs through all their addresses with which we have been favoured, whether delivered orally or by epistle. In the very First Sermon which was preached after our Lord had left the earth, Peter reminded his countrymen that David “being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according

Let. I.] AND DUTY OF INVESTIGATION. 13 | to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.” Acts ii. 80. And on this very ground he urged them to repentance; “ For,” says he, ‘the promise ts unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.” ver. 39. Again in the Second Sermon on record, delivered also by Peter after the cure of the lame man, the apostle, again addressing the Jews, calls upon them to repent “ and be converted,

that your sins may be blotted out when the Times of Re- Jreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, AND He sHALL SEND JesusCurisr, which before was preached unto you.” Acts iii. 19, 20.

The same doctrine which the apostles began thus early to preach unto the Jews, they continued also to teach among the Gentiles. Of this their epistles contain abundant evidence, not only in the allusions which these contain to doctrines they had previously declared, but also in the’ statements they directly make upon the subject. Paul thanked God on behalf of the church of Corinth for the attainments they had made, of whom it was his praise, “So that ye come behind in no gift, warrine For the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. i. 7. The believing Jews were taught that “as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many ; and, unto them THAT LOOK For Him, shall He appear the Second TIME, without sin unto salvation.” Heb. ix. 27, 28. The Coming

- of the Lord, with.its attendant glories, was regarded formerly as the Christian’s “ blessed hope,” the contemplation of which should promote every -holy principle in the soul. Thus Paul writing to Titus, says, ‘‘ the grace of God, that bringeth salv ation, has appeared unto all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, 1 righteously and godly, in this present world; LOOKING FoR ¢hat blessed hope, and the Glorious Appearing of the Great God and our Sonioae Jesus Christ.” Titus ii, J1—13. And the power and importance of this doctrine may be inferred from what the apostle immediately adds, ‘‘THESE THINGS SPEAK, and exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” ver. 15.

In the view of his own dissolution, the apostle’s great consolation still was the prospect of glorious reward at the

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Coming of the Lord: ‘I am now ready to be offered,” he says, “and the time of ‘my departure zs at hand: 1 have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth, there ds LAID UP for mea cROWN of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me AT THAT DAY; and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE HIS APPEARING.” 2 Tim. iv. 6,8. Thus “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” he elsewhere says, ‘‘I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ. Jesus;” and all this he states, was, “if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead,’’—the “resurrection of the just,” there can be little reason to doubt. Phil. iii. 11—14. Peter also, when admonished by the Lord that he ‘“ must shortly put off his fleshly tabernacle,’ writes an epistle, the whole subject of which is to urge attention to the ‘“ sure word of Prophecy,” and to instruct concerning ‘ the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,”’ which he enjoins them to be “‘ LOOKING FOR, and hasting unto,” since they had been taught to expect “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness,”’ according to the promise of God concerning the Millennium, by Isaiah. 2 Pet. iii. 12, 18. Is. lxv. 17%. For the church at Thessalonica Paul gave God thanks, that they had been ‘“ turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God; and ¢o wait for his Son from heaven.” 1 Thess. i. 9, 10. .

He consoled believers of that church, bereaved of Christian friends, by the assurance of their being brought back again at the Coming of the Lord: “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so ¢hem also which sleep in Jesus will God BRING WITH HIM... . wherefore comfort one another with these words.’ He reasoned with the Colossians for purity, on the ground of future glory: “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your lite is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, SHALL APPEAR, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify, therefore, your members which are upon the

Ler. I.] AND DUTY OF INVESTIGATION, 15 earth.’ Col, iii. 2—4. Under oppression James exhorts believers to wait for the Coming of the Lord, as the period when all their wrongs shall be redressed ; “ Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the Coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it until he receive the early and the latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts ; Sor the Coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James vy. 7, 8. This was also Paul’s consolation under all the trials and afflictions to which he was exposed: ‘ For, if we be dead with Him, we shal) also live with Him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.” And on this the apostle grounded an important admonition to Timothy as a minister of the gospel. “ Of these things,” says he, “put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting ef the hearers. Study to show thyself unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RiGuTLY dividing the word of truth.’ 2 Tim. ii, 12—15. Even the apostle’s commendation of the Thessalonian church, which he praises beyond any other, testifying that their “faith groweth exceedingly,’ is made to bear on the same doctrine: “‘ We ourselves,” says he, “glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure; which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which ye also suffer : seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled, rest wth us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming Jire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power ; WHEN HE SHALL COME @o be glorifiedin his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.’? 2 Thess. i. 3—10. The contemplation of this happy time to which the apostle had often called their attention, was calculated to produce the most lively emotions of delight. They anticipated with rapture the bright era of the Saviour’s triumph and of their own reward. In the eagerness of desire, these holy saints could have wished, as they indeed expected it to be “ instantly,” and the apostle having shown that it will not be till the destruction of the Man of sin, therefore prays, “the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and the PATIENT wailing for of Christ.” 2 Thess. iii. 5.

Such was the primitive desire for our Lord’s Return, and such was the apostolic use of it. Surely a doctrine so much and so often insisted on in the word of God, is not one of such inferior importance to the Christian that it should engage little of his attention, or rarely be made matter of serious reflection—a doctrine to be stated, perhaps illustrated, once ina life-time, or merely to be alluded to once in ayear. No; by the Saviour and his apostles its belief is evidently regarded as the existence of a living principle, abiding and operative. ‘To it they appeal under every variety of circumstance and condition; and He whoknowsso intimately the mind of man, must have been well aware that such appeals find a ready response in every believing heart; and those who enjoyed his immediate tuition, under the guidance of the Spirit afterwards followed in precisely the same path.

Oh what a loss has Modern Theology sustained by the almost total exclusion of a doctrine which gave such a pathos to the addresses of the Saviour and the epistles of his apostles!—-which ministered consolation under adversity, taught moderation in prosperity, and which served as a salutary corrective to every evil that arose. ‘The prospects which this doctrine reveals to the believer, armed him witha holy heroism which no sufferings could subdue, infused additional efficacy into reproof wherever it was required, and powerfully strengthened the whole tone of Christian morality.

Contrary to the present prevailing practice, the passages already cited, prove that the Coming of Christ was urged by the apostles, not in the way of information of its being a very distant event—an event before which many ages of uninterrupted tranquillity and bliss must certainly elapse—but as one for which they were constantly required to be ooking and waiting. As ifthe church could have no deliverance till her Lord’s Return, their views were carried forward to that event as the end of all their sufferings and peril; and they lived with an ever-present impression of its glory as soon to be revealed. Waiting with anxiety for their Master’s hon-

Ler. I.] AND DUTY OF INVESTIGATION. 17 our and their own reward, they wonld have been loath to think it distant by many years. They manifested a different spirit from those who seem as if they would gladly postpone, for a thousand years, a weight of glory they might be unable to bear, if they do not estimate lightly the promised enjoyment. Now, that we have evidently arrived at the very eve of that time for which the primitive church so anxiously longed, and to which they so earnestly looked, many of the people of God appear as if they would have preferred to live in earlier times, and that instead of obtaining a glorious transformation, they would rather have submitted their mortal frame, as a prey to the Devourer. Had believers in the first ages of the church been made aware, not merely of the eveuits first to occur, but also of the time they should occupy, (for their great mistake arose from their ignorance of the duration of Antichristian domination, ) they would have burned with impatience, and grieved for the delay. They, indeed, needed to be often reminded of the duty “of the patient waiting for of Christ,” a frame of mind, which itis now little necessary toinculcate. Nor isit difficult to discover the reason. Their attention was constantly directed to the Return of Him who is the object of faith, and its importance exhibited. Tor, from the citations already made, more than the importance to the Christian of the doctrine of Christ’s Coming in glory may surely be distinctly inferred.

They do more than prove the frequency with which it is urged and referred to; they prove that it was much looked and longed for, that it was the frequent subject of fervent prayer, and that it was made available for every holy use, by the inspired apostles. How otherwise is it with the church in the present day! Seldom is the doctrine at all introduced; and if now, since attention was called to this fact by Millenarian authors, the words of such texts are sometimes introduced, it is often obviously with reluctance. And well it may, until a change of views is enjoyed : for that it is inconsistent is too easily perceived, to speak of constantly looking for the glorious appearance of the Redeemer, and to press as a duty “‘ the patient waiting for of Christ,” while at the very moment it is believed, if with the same breath the conviction be not expressed, that that Coming will not be till a thousand years after. In other cases also where the language is supposed to be less explicit, or where by detaching a phrase from its context the meaning of the words can be more easily concealed, you will bear me witness that it is not uncommon to connect them with expressions concerning temporal judgments or the death of individuals, with the design of confounding such events with the Coming of the Lord. Of the disingenuousness of such a practice [ do not now speak; but oh is it becoming in Christian ministers so to deal with God’s most holy word and Christ’s most blessed promise ?