
Griffin, John. The Encouraging Aspect of the Times or, the Christian's Duty to study the Prophecies of Revelation, in connection with the Events of Providence. A Sermon, Preached in Orange-street Chapel, Portsea, February 26, 1806. Portsea: Printed and Sold by J. Horsey, 1806. Second Edition. [11625]
Removed, no wrapper, 8 1/4 x 5 inches; [i]-vi, [5]-74 pages, Good. Pamphlet.
The text is Matthew 16:3, "O ye Hypocrites, ye can discern the Face of the Sky but can ye not discern the Signs of the Times?"
The author dwells upon the duty of Christian discerning the signs of the times, the things necessary to understand the signs of the times, and the useful purposes of understanding the signs of the times. He interprets the visions of Daniel historically, with the little horn of Antichrist being the Church of Rome. He predicts the conversion of the Jews, and the suppression of evil in the world. The growing signs of that suppression include the English government and constitution, missionary societies and Sunday schools. As to England, "God has evidently used this country as the principal instrument in his hand to accomplish his designs of destroying Antichrist, of ameliorating the condition of man, and of preparing the way for the more universal diffusion of divine truth."
Rev. John Griffin (1769-1834). b. Woburn, England. An Independent minister, Griffin was the pastor of a congregation in Portsea, England. He was minister to and author of the Life of Captain James Wilson, who commanded the ship Duff to convey a team of missionaries to Tahiti, Tonga, and the Marquesas islands.