In the same sense 2 Thess. 2. 2 is to be taken-" as that the day of Christ is near at hand."-For the apostle there describes, in vivid colors, the apostacy about to come before the fall of the nation, and the Jewish Antichrist about to be revealed. Such, also, are Matt. 16. 28, and other similar passages: "There are some standing here, who shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." And 19. 28: "When the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones," &c. And 24. 30: Then they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds," &c. And John 21. 22: "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" So likewise, Heb. 10. 37: "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."James 5.9" Behold, the Judge standeth before the door.-Rev. 1. 7: " Behold, he cometh with clouds." -And 22. 20: " 'Surely I come quickly." And more of this kind, which all relate to the coming of Christ in ⚫ judgment on the Jewish nation. III. In further agreement of these phrases are those, in which the times preceding that fall are called (a'harith hayyamim) "the last days," or "last times :" that is, the last days or times of the Jewish economy and nation. For in this sense is to be understood that form of speaking in most places throughout the sacred volume, if not indeed in all. As in Isai. 2. 2; Hos. 3. 5; 1 Tim. 4. 1; 2 Tim. 3. 1; 2 Pet. 3. 3; and a multitude of others. I cite, as a witness, St. Peter interpreting the words of Joel, Acts 2. 17 :— the last days I will pour out of my Spirit," &c. is now fulfilled," says Peter; and is not at all to be re "In "This ferred to the last days of the world, but to the last days of Jerusalem. Do you inquire, What are those last days of which Paul and Peter speak in 2 Tim. 3. 1, and 2 Pet. 3. 3? St. John answers [1 John 2. 18]. "Even now there are many Antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." See also 1 Pet. 1. 20: "Christ was manifested in these last times." IV. In like manner, the times succeeding the fall of Jerusalem are called " a new creation,” and “ new heavens and a new earth." Isai. 65. 17: " Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth." When? Read on, and you will find the Jews cut off and rejected, and thenceforward is that new creation, viz. the gospel world among the Gentiles. See also Isai. 51. 16. "But we, The sense of 2 Pet. 3. 13, is the same. according to his promise, expect new heavens and a new earth" that is, "the heaven and earth of the Jewish church and state are about to be burned up, and the Mosaic elements will be consumed by fire; but we, after this consumption, according to that promise by Isaiah, expect a new age, and a new creation, a gospel state among the Gentiles; in which a justifying righteousness will dwell, when those will be justified through faith, who were before very far from righteousness." So likewise Rev. 21. 1: "I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away." And Rom. 8. 19, 20, &c., concerning the Gentile world panting and sighing for the birth of the new creation. To this class belong also those passages, which speak of Ni (olám habba)" a future world," referring to the times of Messiah. For the fall of Jerusalem was Telos Tov aιros (telos tou aionos) "the end of the Jewish age," (or that is, during which the Mosaic times were to continue, of which times, it is said, that they were to continue ) and thenceforward was the beginning of a new world and age, under the reign of Christ, among the Gentiles; when all nations should submit to the sceptre of his gospel. Such were the views, two centuries ago, of this eminent commentator: views, which are now treated as novelties by those who ought to know better, and who thus show the declension of Scriptural knowledge among us. It is, however, surprising, that such men as Lightfoot, Hammond, Whitby, and some others, who saw so far, were not led forward to see farther; or to perceive, that the legitimate extension of their own interpretations nullified those parts of the popular creed, which teach a future visible coming of Christ, a universal judgment, and a literal conflagration of our globe. NEW WORK ON THE SOUL. WILL SHORTLY BE PUBLISHED THE SOUL; OR, AN INQUIRY INTO SCRIPTURAL PSCYCHOLOGY, AS DEVELOPED BY THE USE OF THE TERMS, SOUL, SPIRIT, LIFE, ETC., VIEWED IN ITS BEARINGS ON THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION. BY GEORGE BUSH. Wiley & Putnam have for sale the following Works by Prof. Bush: The HIEROPHANT, 1 vol., (price reduced,) PROPHETIC VISIONS OF DANIEL, Nos. 1 & 2, $1.00 0 25 0 25 For Sale by Wiley & Putnam, 161 Broadway, ANASTASIS; or the Doctrine of the Resurrection: in which it is shown that the Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Body is not sanctioned by Reason or Revelation. By GEORGE BUSH, Professor of Hebrew, N. Y. University. SECOND EDITION. 1 thick vol. 12mo., well printed. $1 00. CONTENTS.-Introduction.-The knowledge of revelation progressive.-Part 1. The rational argument-Objections to the common view-Distinction of personal and bodily identity-The true body of the Resurrection, as inferred by reason.-Part 2. The Scriptural argument-Preliminary remarks-The Old Testament doctrine of the Resurrection-Onomatology; definition of terms-Examination of particular passages-New Testament doctrine of the ResurrectionOrigin and import of the word "Resurrection," as used in the New Testament-The Resurrection of Christ-Examination of particular passages-The Resurrection viewed in connexion with the Judgment -The First Resurrection and the Judgment of the Dead-"The Times of the Restitution of all things"-Christ's "delivering up the kingdom"-The conclusion. "The author occupies an important station in the University of New York, and is advantageously known as a learned commentator on some books of the Old Testament. It would be wrong to depreciate either his attainments or ris general orthodoxy; and all that the most earnest and careful exertion of his powers could enable him to do, he has evidently done, to recommend the sentiments unfolded in this volume. Much patient labor and uncommon ingenuity have been brought to bear upon it. There is also a spirit that cannot fail to be attractive-a spirit of candor and modesty, combined with independence. Educated young men, fond of novel and critical disquisitions, and students of divinity who are anxious to prove all things, will wish to make themselves acquainted with its contents."-London Baptist Magazine. "The deep and universal interest excited by the appearance of this most able work, has already demanded the issue of a second edition. The promulgation of the theory maintained so learnedly and cogently by the author, has given birth to a sharp and somewhat bitter controversy among theologians; and we are sorry to see that the ill-will engendered has, in some instances, led to the impeachment of the motives of the writer. This can never be justifiable, and is, in this case, most unfounded and unjust. No one who knows Professor Bush, will doubt for an instant the perfect conscientiousness of all that he has written or said and the very strong and well-considered argument by which he supports his position, will require something more, by way of answer, than the aspersions to which we have alluded."- N. Y. Courier. "Professor Bush deserves the highest commendation for giving publicity to his views of this important Scriptural truth. These views differ widely from those commonly received by the religious world; and it is rare, indeed, to meet with the boldness which has been exhibited on this occasion. We believe the author must possess, in no common degree, that rare and precious qualityfidelity to one's own convictions of truth, and we heartily commend the work to the philosophical and the pious."-N. Y. Mirror. "What we have read convinces us that Prof. Bush is a deeply-serious believer in the Scriptures, in the soul's immortality, and in future eternal rewards and punishments, and his theories, if adopted, are not calculated to endanger any one's spiritual interests."-Boston Recorder. "An able and learned work."-Christian Observer. |