and that the Gospel might have been universally received, instead of being universally opposed. There is no difficulty in conceiving, that the heart of a Nero or a Diocletian might, through the Spirit, have been as effec tually turned to the knowledge and love of the truth, as the heart of a Peter or a Paul. Consequently, there is no difficulty in conceiving, that the Holy Spirit, who was pleased only to operate to a certain extent in the days of the Apostles, may hereafter operate so generally as to render nearly the whole of mankind similar, perhaps even superior, in holiness and genuine piety to the first Christians. All this, I repeat it, may easily be conceived; for who shall presume to limit the extent of God's operations? And, whether I be right or wrong in expecting a miraculous interference of the Divine Word, we are certainly led from prophecy to believe, that some such general diffusion of holiness will assuredly take place, ! and with it (what is indeed its natural consequence) a general diffusion of happiness.

This period, we are taught to expect, will be introduced by the most dreadful political convulsions that the world ever witnessed. Before "the greatness of the kingdom under "the whole heaven," to adopt the language

of Daniel," shall be given to the people of the "saints of the Most High," the tyranny of the two little horns must be broken, and the empire of the great Roman beast, in his last form and under his last head, must be dissolved. In the midst of the expiring struggles of God's enemies, the Jews must be restored and converted. And thus at length, when this tremendous tempest shall have exhausted itself, the glorious day of millennian happiness shall dawn upon a long benighted and distracted world.

What part we may be destined to take in these awful events, may well afford matter of anxious anticipation to all of us, more especially when the present situation of Europe is considered with a reference to prophecy. That some prevailing maritime power of faithful wor shippers will be chiefly instrumental in converting and restoring a part of the Jewish nation, seems to be declared in Scripture more than once with sufficient plainness: but I am persuaded that your Lordship will agree with me, that we may employ ourselves much more profitably in labouring to diffuse the knowledge of the Gospel, and to increase among us the number of the truly pious, than in speculating upon the probability or improbability of our

being the maritime power in question. We live in times, which might produce seriousness. even in the most unthinking; and I am willing to hope, that there actually has been of late years a considerable increase of genuine religion among us. Our situation peculiarly fits us to be the ark, as it were, of God's Church. We must beware of making him our enemy, and then we need not fear what man can do unto us. But, however matters may terminate, your Lordship will have the satisfaction of reflecting, that you have not been silent; that you have raised your voice as a watchman of our Israel; and that, in the solemnity of what you have conceived might be a last address, you have borne your testimony against any relapse into a superstition, from which our pious forefathers separated themselves, and which is destined to fall in the course of God's righteous judgments, ere the glorious kingdom of the mountain shall commence.

I have the honour to be

Your LORDSHIP's most obliged

and dutiful humble Servant,

Feb. 25, 1808.

GEORGE STANLEY FABER.

THE plan, which I have pursued in the follow

my

ing work, is the same as that which I adopted in Dissertation on the 1260 years. It was finished in the spring of the year 1806: and, instead of altering the text, such events as have since occurred, that appeared worthy of our observation, I have animadverted upon in the notes.

The longer I have considered the subject, the more I am confirmed in my former opinions. The passing train of events, the long period of time during which the abominations of Popery have been suffered to prevail from whatever precise era the appointed three times and a half ought to be computed, the very spirit of the age itself, all serve to shew, that we cannot be very far removed from what Daniel calls the time of the end. At least, whatever may be thought of the other particulars, this last, I mean the spirit of the age, seems to

me