the locality of His Reign. At first there seemed much obscurity and even contradiction resting on all these points, but on a more careful examination of them, we arrive at the most essential harmony. Yet the passages to be collated lie scattered through the writings of men who lived at very different periods of time, and who were, therefore, altogether 1 unconnected with each other. They were "men of like passions with ourselves," as the varying style of their writings shows-but surely the facts which we have now been examining conclusively prove that, though men, they "spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Pet. i. 21.) "In the writings of men, especially when written by several men at several times, their writings do seldom or never agree, but differ and cross one another. And the reason is, because they are written by several men, who are all guided by several minds and judgments. But the Scriptures, though written by several men in several ages, many unacquainted with one another's writings, yet they all consent and speak the same truth; which is an evidence that it was one and the same Spirit that did dictate them." - SIR MATTHEW HALE: "Of the Chief End of Man." THE CONDITION AND CHARACTER OF THE ETERNAL INHERITANCE. § I.ITS TRUE PHYSICAL NATURE. § III. ITS FAUNA AND FLORA. § IV. -WILL HAVE NO SEA. § v. THE NEW JERUSALEM. ESSAY II. THE CONDITION AND CHARACTER OF THE THE subject of the former Essay must be regarded as the foundation both of this and of those which follow. Unless, therefore, that were fully settled, no good end could be attained; all would be uncertain, and our views upon many of the subjects which must come under discussion would remain obscure and indefinite. It was therefore necessary, not only to place it first in order, but also to investigate it at considerable length, so as, if possible, to remove every doubt, and establish it by the clearest and fullest evidence. It is hoped that this was really done. The subject admitted of a far larger amount of proof than can be brought together on most of the topics which yet remain to be discussed. From this time the greatest care and caution will be necessary; not that these > were before uncalled for, or ever can be; but while the evidence abounded on every hand on almost all the topics touched upon in the last Essay, it will be found to be far less abundant in reference to those which are yet before us. Still we may and must proceed; and if our direct proofs be but comparatively scanty, we must endeavour to make the most of them by a more careful examination and analysis of their exact nature. All we have to do is, to see that we do not go beyond them, nor let mere imagination fill their place; but this being guarded against, we may, and we ought to go to the full length, if possible, of the inspired Record. Where that would lead us, we should seek to follow, for whatever is contained in it is expressly given for our enlightenment. It would not have been revealed at all, if it had not been intended that we should read and understand it. And again, we must remember, that while there are "secret things which belong to the Lord our God, those which are revealed," whatever be their nature, 66 belong to us and to our children." And who shall venture to affirm that future generations, perhaps the coming one, may not discover many deeply important truths (in reference say, among other things, to our |