probable issue of the revolutions and commotions which shake the nations, none of them being of such a nature or magnitude, as at all to affect the main arguments; and after fifteen years observation on what has been passing on the political stage of Europe, and attentive reflection on the subjects which I have endeavoured to illustrate, I am more than ever confirmed in all the most essential ideas at first entertained. But, though my confidence is become so confirmed, yet I am sure I shall not be mor tified, but obliged, if any one can demonstrate, by argu ments and facts, that my whole scheme of interpretation, my conjectures and fears, are all delusive. It is not enough to raise objections about the heads or horns of this beast or that, and such like minutiæ; or for a reviewer to pick up two or three detached sentences and hold them up to ridicule: prove that France cannot, or is not likely to be, that street of the great city in which the witnesses were to lie dead three days and a half-that it cannot be that tenth part of the city which was to fall by a political earthquake that there are no grounds for concluding that the French revolution was that earthquake, nor that the restoration of oppressed men to the exercise of their rights may be the predicted political resurrection of the witnesses, (Rev, xi. 3-13.)-demonstrate, from scripture and the nature of the thing, that it is altogether fanciful to suppose that the combination of kings, and the wars and calamities which have succeeded the fall of the tyranny of the Capets, are the realization of the anger of the nations, and of that wrath which fell upon the destroyers of the earth at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, (ver. 18.)— prove, that all our conjectures have been contradicted by the facts of fifteen years; that kingdom after kingdom has not fallen; that Pope and Turk, and all the old, corrupt, and tyrannical systems, which have for ages been the

scourge of the church of God, have not been rapidly hastening to ruin-rapidly overturning-as was asserted would be the case if the French revolution were the event supposed ;-demonstrate all this, and our fears will vanish, and we will candidly acknowledge our error.

It is allowed, that not all which is predicted, by a great deal, is yet accomplished, but if any think the believers in the present fulfilment of the prophecies deluded, let them exercise their benevolence in attempts to undeceive them. Let them shew us that the state and aspect of affairs is altogether in contradiction to the expectations entertained by the weak believers in prophecy, and promulgated to the disturbance of men's peace-that there is no appearance of the breaking to pieces of the civil and ecclesiastical systems of those corrupted Christians, who have made war with the Lamb, (Rev. xvii. 14.)-that there are no circumstances existing in the affairs of the Christian nations, of the Jews, or of the Turks, but what indicate that all things will continue to proceed as in ages pastlet Great Britain realize her good intentions, and deliver Europe from the scourge which Providence has appointed for its affliction, and build up again the walls of Babylon, which are broken down, and then we will shut the book, and candidly confess ourselves deceived. But, whilst convulsions and ruin continue to proceed from nation to nation, and unbelievers produce nothing but scoffs instead of arguments, or confine their animadversions to minute questions of little comparative importance, we must still entertain all the fearful apprehensions which the first shocks of these convulsions produced, and believe, that there are serious grounds to expect that the hour is at hand, when the last stone of Babylon will be razed, and she shall be found no more at all; when the Jews will find

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mercy, and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.

One principal object, in publishing these thoughts on the fulfilment of the prophecies, is to evince the divinity of the holy scriptures, and aid the faith and piety of the weak and wavering. Though, as to the particulars, God's accomplishment of his word is, generally, in a way unthought of by men-for his way is in the sea-yet, if the issue of things, on the whole, should be such as we expect, then the men, who, so long ago, drew the picture. from which we form our judgment-though that judgment be imperfect-must have been holy men of God, inspired by his spirit; and our scriptures are of divine authority.

-Should it prove otherwise, future events will illustrate the truth of God's word; and the author is willing, for the peradventure of being useful, to hazard all the reproach which might be thought due to disappointed illusions.

However, thus far, every thing which has happened, tends to make it more and more probable, that whatever mistakes may have been made in minor matters, yet, that the general impression, as to what is coming on this generation, is not a mere illusion of the fancy. Infidels, for a while, may scoff, and the generality of Christians may continue to say, "What good is to be expected from attention to the prophecies?" but such awful miseries are likely to pursue them, as will make them see the hand that is lifted up. Isa. xxvi. 11.

Whatever sufferings await us, may we be prepared to meet and improve them! That, repenting of our sins, the days of wrath may be shortened! That the rage of the nations may be rebuked, and a merciful Providence say to the devouring sword, It is enough, return to thy scabbard. Instructed by the Gospel, and by bitter experience, may

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mankind be better taught their duty and interest, and peace on earth, and good will to men, be soon proclaimed through all nations; and union and kind offices succeed to dissensions and devastation !—That it may please the Great and Merciful Parent of all, by his blessing, to make this humble attempt to serve the interests of Religion and Humanity, of some use in forwarding the realization of these wishes of all good men, is the most sincere prayer of

THE AUTHOR.