is propounded only as probable; and probability is perhaps the limit to which, with our feeble faculties, we can arrive in this world, in the interpretation of such mysterious symbols as these. But then, it must be remembered, that there is a certain good even in probabilities. And since this interpretation rests on a considerable amount of primitive testimony of the divinely-appointed Interpreter of Scripture, the Christian Church, and therefore cannot give occasion and encouragement to private and neoterical fancies; since also it is in harmony with the main tenour of Christian teaching; and since it serves to confirm our faith, to excite our love, and to animate our devotions; and since it tends to augment our reverence for God's Holy Word, and makes us more careful to study and obey it;-then, we may venture to affirm, the uses of such a probable interpretation are not probable but certain; and it may reasonably be supposed that the Holy Spirit, Who does nothing in vain, and has written the Apocalypse for our learning', had these uses in view when He revealed these Visions, and pronounced the words, Blessed is

remembered, that the Scriptures are λóyia (@vra, "lively oracles” (Acts vii. 38); and it is remarkable that, in the next Vision, the Reed (representing the Canon of Scripture) is endued with life; for the true reading in Rev. xi. 1, is édóðŋ μoɩ kádaμos déywv, i. e. the Reed speaks, for it is inspired.

Besides these emblems of the Scriptures are to be extended, in a secondary sense, so as to comprehend all persons and all Churches which build their faith on the Written Word of the Old and New Testament. 1 Rom. xv. 4.

he who readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy1.

8. A very important observation arises here. This interpretation accords very felicitously with the known character and office of the Author of the Apocalypse, St. John. He was specially employed by our Blessed Lord to close the Canon of Scripture; and it is in entire harmony with the scope and position of the Apocalypse, the crown and colophon of Holy Writ.

It was very requisite that the Church should receive an assurance concerning the number of the Books of Scripture. St. John was the fittest person to indicate that; and no place so fit for it as the Apocalypse. Malachi closes the Old Testament with a retrospective reference to the Law of Moses and the Statutes and Judgments. St. John authenticates the contents, and displays the divine authority, of Both Testaments.

9. In further illustration of what has been said, let me now invite your attention to another passage in this Book.

The eleventh chapter of the Apocalypse contains a revelation of the condition of the Church Militant on earth. St. John is there ordered to measure the sacred precincts with a REED like a Rod.

3

This direction, it may be observed, is specially appropriate to the Evangelist, St. John, who sur

1 Rev. i. 3.

2 Mal. iv. 4.

3 κάλαμος.

vived all the Apostles, completed the building of the Church, and being the beloved Disciple of the Incarnate Word, Who is the Alpha and Omega of all God's Revelations, closed the Canon of the Holy Scripture. And, it will be remembered that the word "Canon" is derived from the Hebrew Kaneh', the term which is used by Ezekiel in his fortieth and forty-second chapter, and which is the same as the Greek and Latin word κávva, or Reed, and the English cane; and that it signifies a measuring reed, and is therefore well applied to the Divine Reed of Faith, that is, to the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, which are the supreme and sufficient Rule of Christian Doctrine.

Also, the Hebrew measure called the Reed, was

1 Credner, Geschichte des Kanons, Halle, 1847, p. 6. Das griechische Wort kavov, verwandt mit kávva, Rohr, entspreche dem alt-hebräischen

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welches von der Grund-bedeutung Rohr, Halm (kádaμos), die weiteren Bedeutungen gerader Stab, Mess-stab, gerader Schaft, u. s. w. ableitet. . . . Vergl. Apokalypse, xi. 1. káλaμos óμoîos páßde und dazu Victorinus Petavionensis (Gallan. Bibl. Patr. iv. p. 59). Hæc est arundo et mensura Fidei." Origen de Princip. 1, præf. "Certa linea perfectaque Regula (kavov)."-S. Amphilochius (Append. No. xvii.) ends his verses enumerating the books of Scripture, οὗτος ἀψευδέστατος Κανὼν ἂν εἴη τῶν θεοπνεύστων γραφῶν. Bp. Cosin, on the Canon, i. says, "The Books of Scripture are therefore called Canonical, because they have in all times been acknowledged by God's Church to be the Infallible RULE of our Faith." See Galat. vi. 16.

2 Aquinas in Apoc. xxi. Per arundinem auream intelligitur Sacra Scriptura.-Cf. Vitringa, Anacrisis, p. 453. Calamus mensorius, quo dimensio peragenda est, haud dubiè est Verbum Dei, Lex et Testimonium, Lex regni Christi, unicus Canon et norma veri.

E

six cubits, or a man's stature, whence it is called in the Apocalypse (xxi. 15. 17) the measure of a man; and in this respect likewise is a beautiful emblem of Scripture as commensurate with Man in all his faculties, needs, desires, and destiny.

3

This Reed is said to be like unto a Rod. What Rod? it may be asked. The Rod, we reply, mentioned in other places of the Apocalypse,-the Rod of iron with which Christ, and, by His power, all faithful Christians, are there represented as breaking in pieces the potter's vessels of earthly error-the straight Rod of HOLY SCRIPTURE, which is strong and unbending as iron, and cannot be broken. Lest therefore, from the mention of a Reed, any one should imagine that what St. John had in his hand was brittle, or shaken by the wind 5 like a Reed, it is said to be like a Rod; and this Rod is a Rod of iron.

There is a reference to the peculiar character of this Rod of iron in the Apocalyptic words,-He will rule the Nations with a Rod of iron. The word for he will rule is Touave, that is, He will guide as a Shepherd does his flock: and so this rod becomes a pastoral crook. Hence we see the true character of Holy Scripture. It is a Reed for measuring, a Rod

1 See Jahn's Archælogia, § 113.

2 Rev. ii. 27. xii. 5. xix. 15.

3 Berengaud. ad Rev. ii. 24.

cf. Hebr. i. 8, páßdos evðútηtos.

Virga ferrea Evangelium figurat, qua

omnis error destructus est. See also ad xxi. 6.

4 John x. 35.

5 Matth. xi. 7.

6 Rev. xix. 15. See also Ps. ii. 9. Micah vii. 14, in LXX.

of iron for strength and correction, and a shepherd's Staff for guidance, retrieval, and support.

This measuring Reed St. John takes in his hand, and metes out the Sanctuary; showing thereby that the limits of the Faith of the Church are traced by the Reed of Scripture1; and that "whatever is not read in Scripture, nor can be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man as an Article of Faith 2."

10. Next, St. John is informed that the outer part of it and the Holy City will be trodden by the Gentiles for a certain time. Then Almighty God, having spoken of the measuring Reed, and of the admeasurement of the Church, immediately proceeds to speak of Two WITNESSES.-I will give power to My Two Witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These two Witnesses, He proceeds to say, are the two Olive trees, and the two Candlesticks, standing before the God of the earth 3.

It will now be asked, What are these Two Witnesses? And why are they here represented as Olive Trees emptying oil into the golden Candlesticks; and what connexion have they with the measuring Reed, and with the mensuration of the Church? How

1 Victorinus says well on this subject (B. P. M. iii.): Potestatem dicit quam Joannes dimissus (a carcere) exhibuit Ecclesiis. Nam Evangelium postea scripsit, cum essent Valentinus et Ebion et cæteri scholæ Satanæ diffusi per orbem, convenerunt ad Joannem de finitimis provinciis omnes, et compulerunt ut ipse testimonium scriberet. Hæc est arundo et mensura fidei.

2 Thirty-nine Articles, Art. VI.

3 Rev. xi. 1—4.