Page:The Last Judgement and Second Coming of the Lord Illustrated.djvu/248

 It is plain that the "abomination of desolation standing in the holy place," denotes the presence of some corrupting principle in the Church. The Church is, undoubtedly, the "holy place," and the introduction into it of false doctrines concerning the Lord, and what should be the life and faith of its members is plainly an abomination, which is sure to bring desolation upon the truth it was designed to teach. Well, therefore, might it be said, "Whoso readeth, let him understand;" that is, they who study the Word ought to perceive these truths. But, amidst all such darkness, some light will be preserved. Hence, those who are in Judæa are taught to flee into the mountains. This means that those who are of the Church must take refuge from such calamities by resorting to the love of God and of their neighbour. To be in Judæa, is to be in an affection for the good things of the Church; and the mountains in which safety is to be found, are those two eminent loves, on which, indeed, hang all the law and the prophets. To be on the house top, is to be in charity, for this is the summit of our spiritual house; and not to come down to take anything out of it, denotes that no inferior condition should ever be preferred. To be in the field, is to be in good, of any degree; and that none should go back to the mere knowledge of truth, is taught by the declaration that such are not to return to take their clothes. Truth is the garment which goodness leaves behind during the process of its advancement, and to return to it would be to relapse and fall away from the progress made and the advantages obtained. They who are with child, and they who give suck in those days, denote those in whom the love of goodness has been quickened, and those who are capable of communicating truth. These are to experience woe in the disastrous times of the Church which are treated of, because of the dangerous influence by which