As though he had said; This shall be one signal token of the event, both as my denunciations relate to a primary accomplishment in the destruction of Jerusalem, and to a more general and dreadful fulfilment in the destruction of Antichrist in the last days. Impostors shall abound. False religionists shall deceive and ruin many. Let us trace the fulfilment of this and several succeeding predictions.
This was fulfilled in relation to Jerusalem. Not long after Christ's ascension, the Samaritan Dositheus appeared and declared himself the Messiah predicted by Moses. Simon Magus also declared himself "The Great Power of God." Soon after, another impostor appeared from the mongrel Samaritans. The church has ever been annoyed by such kind of Samaritans, who have ever been fruitful in vile impostors, crying; "Lo, here; and lo, there." This impostor promised to exhibit to the
people sacred utensils said to be deposited by Moses in Mount Gerizim. Here a new decision must be given from heaven, to the question between the Jews and Samaritans, as to the place of worship; a thing of which
schismatics have ever been exceedingly fond; to derive some new light on their party question directly from above; as though decisions already given were insufficient.
Armed multitudes sallied forth to follow this Messiah, confident their great deliverer had at last made his appearance. But Pilate, the Roman Governor, checked their fanaticism with the sword, and put their fancied Messiah to death.
Another impostor, Theudas, arose. He had the address to persuade multitudes to follow him into the wilderness, under his promise that he would cause the river Jordan to divide. The Roman procurator, Fadus, with a troop of horse, pursued them; slew the impostor, and many others; and dispersed the faction. Deceivers, under the government of Felix, were multiplied, leading off people into the wilderness under the promise and fanatical expectation that they should there see signs and wonders. The old serpent often leads fanatical people into wildernesses of error and delusion, under similar expectations. The vigilant eye of the Roman governor rested on these
