burned up, were those of the old Jewish

sanctuary.

But the apostle goes farther, and adds, Nevertheless we according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.' Ch. v: 13. John refers to the same subject, when he says, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven, and the first earth had passed away, and there was no more sea.' Rev. xxi: 1. This was the sea where the dragon was slain. The new heavens and the new earth is the gospel mount, that was erected where the old mount Sion, which was the old heavens, was destroyed by fire.

Peter says, Even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be un

derstood, which they that are unlearned. and unstable, wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.' 2 Pet. iii: 15, 16. Paul speaks of this same matter to the Hebrews. He tells them the word was preached to them in the wilderness; but their unbelief in the word which was sent unto them, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, made them trees whose fruit withered, were twice dead, plucked up by the roots.' Through their backsliding from God who was their habitation, their fruit withered.

Paul has this subject in view, when he says, 'For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy spirit, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify to them

1

selves the son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.' Heb. vi : 4— 6. The Jews were the people who had fallen away from their allegiance to God, and so were reserved unto destruction by fire. When they were judged out of the books for their backsliding, it proved to be with them according to the scriptures. Their last state was worse than the first, as it ever will be with those who turn away from the commands of God.

This backslidden people, who were twice dead and plucked up by the roots, are those which Jude and Peter call fallen angels. They are also called in scripture, dragons of the wilderness. Daniel and John call them, 'the Beast.' This was the beast which received the wound by Esau's sword, and lived. They did live; but were bound by the Roman laws, and under them allowed some of their former privileges. John had a view

of this beast. 'So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.' Rev. xvii 3. This represents fallen Israel, which was full of blasphemy. It was they who blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, which was not to be forgiven, neither under the law, nor the gospel dispensation; and their end confirmed this saying.

CHAPTER IV.

ON THE OVERTHROW OF THE DRAGON, DEATH AND HELL.

Now we are under the Gospel dispensation: and those beasts which had their lives prolonged for a time and season, of which Daniel speaks, were that portion of fallen Israel which did not suffer in the day of Jerusalem's judgment. These still remained in unbelief, and the mark of blasphemy has not yet been effaced from them; neither will it be, until the deliverer which came out of Sion, shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; then all Israel will be saved. But now they are bowing down their