[Footnote 3: "It has been our lot to hear the voice of the third woe," Faber.--"In this I entirely agree with that expositor." M'Leod. The blinding influence of earth's politics upon the minds of pious men, has often occasioned the hearts of their brethren to "sigh for their inconsistency."] [Footnote 4: The terms "clergy and laity" are of papal origin, and the unlearned Christian should know that they are contrary to the mind of the Holy Spirit. 1 Pet. v. 3. The body of the people are "God's heritage,"--_clergy_.] [Footnote 5: Gibbon.] [Footnote 6: Mosheim.] [Footnote 7: Such is the interpretation of Bishop Newton!] [Footnote 8: Faber.] [Footnote 9: This is the opinion of Mr. Faber.] [Footnote 10: Scott.] [Footnote 11: Scott] [Footnote 12: So Mr. Faber imagined.] [Footnote 13: So designated by Nicholas, late emperor of Russia.] APPENDIX. THE NEW JERUSALEM. Interpreters are much divided in opinion as to the import of this symbol. Some think it represents the church on earth during the period of the millennium; while others, no less learned and pious, consider it as an emblematical representation of the heavenly state. Of those who acquiesce in the former view, some consider the arguments "quite conclusive." It may be conceded that much may be advanced, and with great plausibility, in support of this position. Perhaps the most specious arguments to this purpose are such as the following:--"That the New Jerusalem is distinguished from the Old, because of the superior light and grace of the present dispensation of the Covenant. Moreover, the glowing descriptions of the church militant given by the prophets, especially Isaiah, are thought to be as boldly rhetorical as those of John; yet those lofty flights are confessedly descriptive of the church on earth. Besides, who can conceive how "the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into" the heavenly state? or how are "the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations," when there _are no nations to be healed?_ etc. To these arguments the following answers may be given.