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THE

GENERAL HISTORY

OF THE

CHRISTIAN CHURCH,

FROM

HER BIRTH

ΤΟ

HER FINAL TRIUMPHANT STATE IN HEAVEN:

CHIEFLY DEDUCED FROM

The Apocalypse of St. John,

THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST.

THE SIXTH EDITION,

WITH ADDITIONS, NOT IN ANY FORMER EDITION,

AND SOME REMARKS AND ELUCIDATIONS BY THE AUTHOR,

SIG. PASTORINI. - **

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Right Rev't Charles Walmsley D.D.R.C.Bishop. See prof. p. 6.

Blessed is he, that readeth and heareth the words of this Prophecy.

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PRINTED BY E. N. CONNELLAN, AT THE NEW STANHOPE-
PRESS PRINTING-OFFICE, BOOK AND STATIONARY

WARE-HOUSE, ST PATRICK-STREET.

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THE

EDITOR'S PREFACE

TO THE

SIXTH EDITION.

NOTWITHSTANDING the several editions

1

of PASTORINI'S commentary on the Apocalypse, the work is, by no means, heavy on the hands of the booksellers. It may, in some measure, be considered out of print. To satisfy a prevalent desire for a new and cheap edition, the present publication has been strongly urged. Perhaps it may be advanced, without the imputation of heated fancy, that the times, and the signs of the times, we live in, seem to add a peculiarly new interest to this rare and celebrated production.

The author's views of the awful prophecies, mysteries and judgments contained in the sacred volume, from which he has undertaken to illustrate the General History of the Church, have operated variously, as in course they must, upon various dispositions. In many minds they confirmed the old faith. In some they disturbed, or subverted new opinions. In some they excited, or seemed to excite, anger and ridicule. But, generally,

they have been considered ingenious, interesting, and highly edifying. His admonitions are evidently directed by a spirit of charity, pure and universal-and his illustrations of the sublime text before him exhibit a mind, uncommonly gifted with intuition, assiduity, and deep and discerning research. He seems to have sensibly apprehended that some of the dreadful scourges, menaced in the Revelations, were soon to fall on criminal and unrepenting nations and he forewarns all Christians to strive, by sincere repentance, to avert, if possible, the` impending judgment, or, at least, to be prepared for its awful visitations.

Sensible of the precision and brevity of the inspired writer of the Apocalypse, our author examines every word with scrupulous care, and turns his text on every side, in order to ascertain its true meaning. Unlike former commentators, he confines not his views to the early ages of the Church, but traces the divine economy in her regard from her foundation, through every suc ceeding period, to the end of time and her final triumphant introduction into heaven. For this arduous undertaking his station, talents, and learning had eminently fitted him.

The first edition of the present commentary on the book of Revelations appeared about the year 1771. It was soon bought up-and, after 'much solicitation, the author consented to the preparation of a second edition with additional remarks.

Although no pains were particularly taken by the author or his friends to extend the circulation of the work, it soon found its way into foreign countries. A French translation of it was published in 1778; shortly after it appeared in Latin; in 1785 it was translated into German; and a few years ago, an Italian version was sent to the public. Of the high repute, which this

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