Second advent library

`cnaxs'r's uconn comme. 147init not know what hour I will come upon thee."Thejudgment threatened in this verse, "I will come uponthee," is undoubtedl aprophecy of the rsecution ofthe Waldenses and llollards, by the Papalhiuthority, andthrough the inquisition, as an instrument, about the closeof the fourteenth century, when, for tlieir departure fromthe true doctrine of the and the commands ofGod, they gosdpel, were persecute and scattered among allnations, so that by the judgments of God, for their transtheywere made instruments in the hands ofEessions, 'od ofspreadinglthe knowledge of the gospel amongthe nations, whic they ought tohave done in obedienceto his word, and for the love of souls. And these judgmentsserved the double purpose of punishment for sin,and opening a door for a more general display of salvation.4th verse, "Thou hast a few names even` in Sardiswhich have not detiled their garments, and they shallwalk with me in white, for they are worthy." Therewere a few even in this age of moral darkness who followedChrist in his laws and ordinances, andmceive the promise thee;of justification before God, " wwith me in white."5th verse, "He that overcometh, the same shall beclothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out hisname out of the book of life; but I will confess his namebefore my Father and before his angels." Wheneverthe phrase, "he that overcometh," is used, it always implies,I think, in the Seri tures, that the persons addressedare, or will pass through a time of persecution; and inthis text the church in this age is shown that those onlywho can endure tribulation and persecution will beat the bar of God as the children of faith.acknowledtgg And then church is again warned to hear and believewhat the saith to the churches."6th verse, ipirit e that hath an ear, let him hear whatthe Spirit saith to the churches."I shall now attempt to show to what age we may cal~eulate the Philadelphia church should answer, and whenthiswasrophecy fulfilled.7th verse, "And to the angel of the church in Philaf