Sermon 64

SERMONS

ON

IMPORTANT SUBJECTS.

Sermon 64.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Luke xxi. 10, 11 25, 26, Then said he unto them, JVatioti

shall rise up against nation; and kingdom against kingdom; and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights, and great sighs shall there be from heaven. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with per' plexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming m the earth.

ALL the works of God are worthy of our admiring notice; and to overlook or disregard them, is at once an instance of stupidity and wickedness. It was a. heavy charge against the ancient Jews, that they were sunk in luxury and pleasure, while the signals of divine vengeance should have cast them into the posture of anxious expectation. "The harp and the viol, and the tabret, and the pipe, and wine, are in their feasts ; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands."* And if all the works of God, even those that are ordinary and according to the known course of nature, are

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* Isaiah v. 12.

worthy of observation and wonder; certainly much more so are those which are extraordinary—those which are done by the immediate hand of God, above the course of nature; or which are accomplished according to such laws of nature as are unusual, and intended to be carried jnto execution only in extraordinary periods, and for purposes of uncommon importance. To disregard these, is the more stupjd and inexcuseable, as they have a natural and direct tendency to engage and fix our attention by their new and strange appearances i for things common and familiar to us, cease to be objects of our admiration and wonder, however great and surprising in themselves: whereas, things new and strange, attract the gasie of mankind, though not more astonishing or important than the former. And if these unusual works of God are also prognosticatiye; if these extraordinary appearances in the natural world are signals and premonitions of some important revolutions in the moral world, for which our duty and our interest require us to prepare ;—I say, if this be the case, then, to disregard them is still more stupid, and aggrayatedly wicked ; it is "highly ungrateful to God, who is kindly pleased to give us warning of the impending events, that We may put ourselves into a proper posture to meet with them: and it may be highly injurious tP ourselves, who may feel, to out. cost, the unhappy want of that preparation, which we might have obtained by timely notice of these monitory signs.

Now my present intention is to inquire, Whether unusual phenomena, or appearances, in the natural world, may not be really intended, by the great Ruler of nature, as prognostics or fore-to(:ens of some grand events in the kingdoms of the earth, and in the church, for which it becomes us to prepare; and to pre pare us for which, these monitory presages may be given us?

I own it has been with hesitation, that I have ventured to devote an hour of your sacred time to so unusual an inquiry. But after much thought, that which determined my fluctuating mind, was this consideration : That if these unusual commotions and appearances are intended by divine Providence to be premonitions and signs of some grand and interesting revolutions among mankind, they would miss their end entirely upon us, ynJess we should regard them in that view; and' we should be guilty of hardening ourselves against warnings kindly given us from heaven. But if we should be mistaken in looking upoti

these things in this prognosticalive view, still it would be a harmless, and even a profitable mistake, if it might render us more thoughtful and serious, and set us upon preparing for all events, whether presignified or not.

That which has turned my mind to this inquiry has been the late unusual and strange commotions and appearances in heaven and earth, which have been felt and seen in various parts of the world particularly in Europe and America. An earthquake of prodigious extent and violence has shaken half the globe, buried cities in ru-r ins, split the earth into hideous chasms, which have swallowed many thousands of mankind in Europe and Africa, and tossed the ocean into an unusual ferment for thousands of miles. Great Britain has trembled from shore to shore, and some parts of America s eemed to sympathize with it. Solid rocks have split to pieces, and huge unwieldy mountainous fragments have been hurled to some distance, while the ground a little way off was not affected ; particularly a well-known ledge of rocks, called Whiston,cliffa, in Yorkshire, in England, where a horrid rumbling noise was heard for some days ; and at length, sundry large pieces of rock were torn off and hurled through the air into a valley, one of which was about thirty yards high, and between sixty and seventy broad; and there did not appear to be any cavities in the rock, where air might be imprisoned to cause the rupture. But, (says one that saw it*) one part of the solid stone is cleft from the rest in a perpendicular line, and smooth as if cut with instrui ments." Near this, two pieces of ground, thirty or forty yards in diameter, have been removed entire, without cracks, with all their load of rocks ; " some of which (says the same relater) are as large as the hull of a small ship, and a tree growing out of one of them." In various parts of Europe a strange and unaccountable motion has been observed in the waters, not only that of the sea and the rivers communicating therewith, but even that in canals, ponds, cisterris, and all other large or smaller collections of water ; and that without the least motion of the earth around, or of the vessels which contained the water. Strange meteors and appearances have also been seen in the aerial regions: a fiery Woody-coloured sky—the modern phenomenon of the Aurora

, Mr. John Wesley.—See his Thoughts on the Earthquake at Lisbon, jn excellent and seasonable performance.

Borealis, or a midnight brightness in the north—three unusual circles, intersecting the sun and each other, which some of us have seen not many years ago—unusual rains, hail, thunder and lightning, in England, in the winter season—a severe draught last summer in our country, that threatened many parts of it with famine—irregular tides, and inundations of seas and rivers,* by which much loss has been sustained, and many lives perished. Besides these strange phenomena, which have already appeared, if we regard the calculation of that great philosopher, Doctor Halley, and of some others, we are to expect a visit from that portentous stranger, a comet, in about two years hence ; a huge globe, heated, according to Sir Isaac Newton's calculation, two thousand times hotter than red-hot iron. And Doctor Halley observes, that the last time it revolved, it moved in the same line in which the earth performs her annual course round the sun ; but then the earth was on the other side of her orbit: whereas, in this revolution, it will move not only in the same line, but in the very same part of that line in which the earth moves. And will not this, upon the principles of philosophy, occasion a collision of those two bodies, or such a near approach as would prove fatal to our earth? For such an enormous body of solid fire would burn it to a coal, and cause an universal conflagration; and we have no reason, that I know of, to hope the contrary but from revelation, in which we find many prophecies not yet fulfilled. But upon the principles of infidel-philosophy, this dreadful consequence seems unavoidable.

These are certainly very uncommon things: it is not in every year, nor in every century that they appear. Some of them, particularly earthquakes, inundations, et cstera, are evidently the judgments of a righteous God upon our guilty globe; and in this view they undoubtedly demand a serious regard: but is this the only view we should have of them? May we not look upon these and the other harmless phenomena as signs and forerunners of some revolutions in the world of mankind, as strange and extraOrdinary as these are in the material world? May not the convulsions of the globe be an omen of the agitations and confusions of the kingdoms of men that are to follow? May not a fiery bloody-coloured sky be a signal to the world below to prepare

* Particularly of the Rhone, in France, soms months ago ; and of the sea at Charleston, in South Carolina, about two or three years ago.

ft* scenes of blood and slaughter? And as to comets, may we not use the words of a good philosopher, as well as a divine poet f

"Lord of the armies of the sky;

He marshals all the stars;
Red comets lift his banners high,

And wide proclaim his wars!" Watts.

Are there not some strange events in the womb of Providence? And are not these the struggles and pangs of nature labouring with the prodigious birth ? I will not be peremptory in determining this point. Nor am I about to assume the airs of a prophet, or the low character of a fortune-teller; but I shall humbly offer my opinion with the reasons of it, and then allow you to judge for yourselves. Nor shall I inquire into the philoaop'iy of these things. Perhaps they are all the effects of natural causes, as some of them undoubtedly are. We are not on the one hand to feign needless miracles ;* and on the other hand, I see no reason why We should be so scrupulous, as some seem to be, of supposing the immediate agency of the Divine hand in some unusual appearances above or contrary to the laws of nature. By forming servants to do his work, the Lord of nature has not rendered himself dependent upon them, so that he cannot work without them; and be has no where informed us that he has so tied himself down to them, that he will never work without them; or that because miracles were more frequent in those ages in which the true religion was introduced and confirmed, therefore they shall not be wrought in other ages at all. Such immediate interpositions of the divine hand can afford the Almighty no trouble ; for it is as easy for him to manage the universe without instruments as with them. Upon the whole, I can see no sufficient reason to suppose that he never works but by secondary causes, and according to the established laws of nature, even in-the ordinary ages of the world. Even in such ages there may be some events to be accomplished •which it may be most proper for him to take into his own hands, and order his servants to suspend their agency—to stand still and see the works of God : but to determine this point >s by no means necessary to my present design. These commotions and appearances in nature may be ominous or prognosiicative, and yet be the effects of the established laws of nature; for, be

Vol. III. C

* Nee Deus intersit, nisi dignus rindice nodus incident. Hob.

sides the usual laws established at the creation for the regulation of the world in ordinary times, and which are every day carried into execution, and obvious to common observation ; besides these, I'say, why may there not be, as I hinted, other laws, equally fixed and regular, but not carried into execution, except in extraordinary seasons, and as signals and premonitions of some important events, of which it is proper mankind should have some previous intimations, ,that they may prepare for them? May not the wise Contriver of the machine of nature have placed in it certain hidden springs, which, like the stroke of a clock at the hoiir,_t will , move and operate at the appointed period, and rouse the attention and admiration of a stupid world ? Besides the causes of the daily familiar phenomena of nature, may there not be causes in reserve for some grand purposes to produce some strange unusual phenomena, adapted to the exigencies of some extraordinary periods? All the exigencies of such periods were known to the omniscient Creator when he first formed this vast machine, when he wound it up and put all its wheels in motion ; and there he could easily adjust those latent springs in such a manner, as that they should operate exactly in the appointed period, when it should be fit, that for extraordinary reaso ns-, extraordinary appearances should be produced, whether at the distance of twenty_? an hundred, or a thousand years: there he might place certain powers, for this end, to give an alarm to the world when he should be about to accomplish some important revolution. Thus, you see, .it is not necessary to the present inquiry to determine whether these unusual appearances are miraculous or agreeable to the stated course of nature; for whether you suppose them the one or the other, they may be portentous, and forebode some great

revolutions.

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This is certain, that such strange appearances have been prognosticate in times past, particularly in that period to wjiich my text primarily refers; namely, the destruction of Jerusalem and the church and state of the Jews. It is to that dreadful unparalleled calamity, the predictions in this chapter primarily refer; though, it must be owned, it is described in such language, and under such majestic images, as naturally carry our minds forward to the still more dreadful destruction of this guilty globe at the final judgment. And indeed, it is a very usual thing for the prophets to have two events in view in the same description, the one more immediately, and the other more remotely : and that part of the description which is not fully accomplished in one, has its final and complete accomplishment in the other; particularly, it is common for them to make the judgments God inflicted upon guilty nations in this world, and the overthrow of cities and empires, a representation of his still more glorious and terrible appearance in the character of universal Judge at the last day, lo inflict everlasting punishments, of a more terrible kind, upon the world of the ungodly; and of the universal overthrow and conflagration, of the earth and all that it contains. This is certainly a wise method of instruction, as it makes the events of this life so many hints and mementos of the more important scenes before us at the end of this world, and in that awful eternity which is to follow. Thus, the ruins of cities, the fall of kingdoms, and unusual commotions in the natural and moral world, are made warnings to us to flee from the wrath to come, and provide for our safety in the wrecks of dissolving worlds. In this double view, we should consider the chapter where my te^t lies; though the most, if not all the strange signs and prodigies here foretold, did actually appear before the destruction of Jerusalem.

Then the kingdoms of the earth were in a ferment and perturbation, and rumours of wars spread their terrors from country to country. "Nation rose up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." This may have a particular reference to the insurrection of the Jews, at that time, in various places, particularly at Jerusalem, upon the Roman emperor's ordering his image to be set up in the temple :* and at Alexandria, and about Babylon, where they flew to arms, and many of them were slain.f As the revolutions and destruction of kingdoms are generally brought about by the force of arms; rumours of wars, and insurrections of nations against nations, are the usual forerunners of *uch melancholy events; and to look upon these as a presage, is tot to infer the effect from the cause,. I need not tell you that

'Jussi a Cajo Cacsare effigiem ejus in Templo locare, anna potius ••msere; quern motum Cssaris mors diremit. Tacit. Hist. v.

Pribuerunt Judati speciem motus orta seditione. Id. An. xii.

t Vid. Josephus *g^*<oAeyi«{ xviii. et Philo adv. Flac. To these t might add the tumults and slaughter of the Jews at Casarea, Scythopts, Ptolomais, Tyre, Gadaris, and Damascus; and the wars of the Jews

Perea against the Philadelphians, of the Jews and Galileans against K Samaritans, &e.

this is the present posture of affairs in those parts of the world in which we are most concerned. Armies marching, arms brightening, magazines filling, forts and castles besieged, countries ravaged and deserted, blood streaming by sea and land, and the world of spirits peopling fast; and this ferment is not likely to subside till some important revolution be brought about. Some decisive blow is likely to be given, that may be fatal to one or other of the contending parties, and on whom the blow will falj is as yet an anxious uncertainty, and holds our minds in a painful suspense. May Heavep determine it in favour of religion, liberty, and justice!

The convulsions of the earth were also an omen of the de* Struction of the Jews. "Th^eI.e 6hall be earthquakes in divers places," says our divine prophet. Accordingly, history informs us, that in the reigns of Claudius and Nero, there were frequent earthquakes in Crete, Smyrna, Miletus, Samos, Laodicea, und other places; in all which the Jews were settled, and consequently had their share in the common calamity.* Now, if, as Grotius judges, t earthquakes are not only severe judgments in themselves, but also signs of divine vengeance, which either causes them, or does not hinder them by restraining their natural causes; if, I say, they forebode future calamities and revo. lutions, as well as produce present, certainly our age may stand in the posture of eager expectation, "looking after those things that are coming upon the earth ;" for perhaps there never was a more terrible and extensive earthquake than that which happened about ten months ago, since the universal one, which broke up the fountains of the great deep at the deluge.

The word rendered earthquakes^ in my text, properly signifies shakings or concussions, without determining in what clement ; and therefore may be taken in a larger latitude, to signify unusual tremors and motions, not only in the earth, but in the sea and air. And accordingly the Jewish historian, Josephus, informs us, that at that time there were prodigious storms of the sea, tern

* Josephus gives an account of an earthquake, about this time, in Ju dea also, in which no less than thirty thousand men were swallowed up pe Bell. Jud. c. xix.

j- Terracmotus autem, praterquam quod signa sunt irae divinae, eos au procurantis, aut impedire nolentis, graves etiam cladcs sscpe urbibus ad jferunt. Grot, in Matt. xxiv.

\ Xturfttt.

pesfruous winds, vehement pains, terrible lightnings, and roarings of the trembling earth. And if these wonders have a prognostic qative signification, we and our mother country may forbode unu-. sual things ; for there they have all been perceived.

Another presage of the destruction of Jerusalem, here foretold, was a famine. This was the famine foretold also by Agabus,* which gave occasion for that collection for the poor saints in Ju<Jea, which St. Paul so often and so warmly recommends to the Gentile churches: Josephus also mentions the same famine. This calamity, which is at once a severe judgment and an omen, we have not yet felt in all its extremity; but we have been terri. bly threatened with it, both in Great Britain and Virginia: there, by the deadly plague that has raged so long among the cattle ;t and here, by the severe drought of the last season, which actually reduced many poor families to great straits.

As to the pesiilence, another presage of the destruction of the Jews, and which raged with such unexampled violence during the siege of their metropolis; through the kindness of Providence, Europe and America have not been lately visited w.ith it; but how soon the deadly contagion may break out among us is unknown. This is obvious in the history of the world, that earthquakes, famines, and pestilences,^ have generally been compan* ions, or followed close upon one another. And our cold climate and pure air are no security against the infection: for two Op three years before the first English settlers arrived in New Eng» land, there had been a plague among the Indian natives which had swept off some tribes entirely, and diminished others so much, that the English found the wilderness in some places covered! with sculls and bones; for in some tribes none survived to bury the dead.§ Thus were the heathen east out to make room for

• Acts ix. 28. t !^{n the} y^ear i?⁵⁰.

t iiftof et kotftas famine and pestilence are generally used together iij Greek authors, as Grotius (in loc.) observes : and the reason may be, not only that which he assigns, viz. their resemblance in sound; but also, because they generally happen together, or closely follow upon each other, in the world. Old Hesiod has hipo? Oks xst^iftev.

Seneca also observes, " Solere post magnos terrarum motus pestilentiam neri." (De nat. q. 1. vi.ch. 27.) And he assigns this reason for it, that the air and water are corrupted by the effluvia, from the bowels of the earth, vented through the chasms.

§ See Prince's Chron. of New England, vol. i. p. 99

these pious puritans, as the Canaariites were before the Children of Israel. Now, what was justly inflicted upon the savages, who could not sin with our aggravations, we certainly cannot claim exemption from upon the footing of innocence, nor, I am afraid? of superior goodness ; and we see we cannot promise ourselves exemption from our climate.

The remaining signs of this desolation I shall mention together. Fearful sights, and great signs from heaven—signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars—the sea and waves roaring. The mere simple relations of these portentous appearances strike us with horror: and Josephus, who has left us a full history of these times, informs us they all actually happened at that tragical period. When he enters upon the subject, lie uses some of the very words of this chapter, proposing to speak of the *?>«» and prodigies* which presignified the approaching desolation i and he mentions the following horrendous prognostications: A star in the shape of a sword, or a comet, pointing down upon the city, was seen to hang over it for a whole year. There were other strange and unaccountable meteors seen in the aerial regions: armies in battle-array, and chariots surrounding the country and investing their cities; and this before sun-set. The great gate of the temple, which twenty men could scarcely shut, and which was made fast with bolts and bars, opened of its own accord to let in their enemies; "for so, says Josephus, our wise men understood the omen. At the ninth hour of the night a great light shone upon the temple and the altar, as if it had been noon-day; and at the feast of Pentecost, when the priests went at midnight into the temple to attend their service, they first heard a kind of noise as of persons removing from a place, and then a voice, " Let Us Away From Hence."

Tacitus, a Roman historian of the same age, confirms this, by relating the same things ;f and as he had no connections with the Jews, his testimony is liable to no suspicion. Josephus further adds, what he counts more terrible than all this, that a certain person began, at the feast of Tabernacles, to cry, "A voice against Jerusalernkand the temple! A voice against all

* Evenerunt prodigia, visa; per coelum concurrere acies, rutilautia arma, et subito nubium igne collucere templum, expassac repente delubri fores, et audita major humana vox excedere Deos, simul ingens motus exceden. tinm. Hist. 1. v.

t nnpu* x«< rivulet Lib. vii. c. 31.

the people! Woe, woe to them!" And that he continued cry. ing," Woe! Woe!" incessantly for seven years, notwithstanding all the barbarities the Jews exercised upon him, to silence him; of which he seemed entirely regardless. Josephus also mentions, as I observed, uncommon perturbations and inundations of the sea; hurricanes, thunder and lightning, and subterranean rumblings and bellowings of the trembling globe. Thus exactly does history agree with this prophecy, and prove it true and divine.

I need not tell you that some of these, or the like horrendous portents, have appeared in our age; and we shall presently see, whether they do not probably forebode some grand events to us also, as they did to the Jews.

It is evident, that, at least, some of the Jews and other nations did then consider them as tokens of some dreadful approaching judgments; for we are told in the text, that, as the effects of these appearances, "Men's hearts should fail them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming upon the earth." The posture of eager anxious expectation seemed natural, at such a time, when heaven and earth were struggling and travailing, to bring forth some astonishing revolution. And may not the late extraordinary phenomena of nature cast us into the same posture, and set us upon preparation for some new astonishing scenes ? Certainly they may, and ought, if these phenomena are indeed prefigurative, or portend something future. And that they are really so; that they are intended for that purpose by the supreme Manager of the world, and ought to be looked upon in that view by us, will, I think, appear at least probable from the following considerations:

I. There seems to be a correspondence and propriety in it, that there should be a kind of symfiathy between the natural and moral world; that when the kingdoms of the earth are tossed and agitated, the earth itself should totter and tremble under them ;— that when the light of the rational world, the splendour of courts and kingdoms, is about to be extinguished or obscured, the sun and moon, and other lights of the material world, should abatc their glory too, and, as it were, appear in mourning ;—that when some grand event is hastening to the birth, that terribly illustrious stranger, a comet, should make us a visit, as its harbinger, and shake its horrendous tail over the astonished world :— '-hat when peace is broke among the nations, the harmony of the elements should likewise he broken, and they should fall into transient animosities and conflicts, like the restless beings, for whose use they were formed. There is an apparent congruity and propriety in these things ; and therefore the argument is, at least, plausible : but as it is drawn only from analogy, which does not universally hold, I shall not lay much stress upon it. And yet, on the other hand, as there is an obvious analogy, which does unquestionably hold in many instances, between the natural and moral world,* the argument is not to be utterly disregarded.

3. These unusual appearances are peculiarly adapted to raise the attention of mankind, and prepare them for important revo» Unions.

There is a propriety and advantage, if not a necessity, especially with regard to that part of mankind, (and there are always many such upon earth) whose benefit is intended by these extraordinary events and revolutions, that they be prepared for them. And they cannot prepare for them without some general expectation of them; and they can have no expectation of them, without some warning or premonition of them. Now the ordinary appearances in nature cannot answer this end, because they are ordinary, and therefore not adapted to rouse and fix the attention; and because they really have no such premonitory signification. And as to the word of God, it may have no direct perceivable reference to such extraordinary periods; and, therefore, can give ys no previous warning of their approach.

But these unusual phenomena are peculiarly adapted to this end : their novelty and terror catch the attention of the gazing world.f They stare and shudder, and pause t;nd think, and nat

* See that masterly performance, Bishop Butler's "Analogy, in which This is incomparably illustrated. l

.f Seneca has a remarkable passage to this purpose'- Nemo usque e» tardus, etb¹- s et demissus in tevram est, ut ad Divin> non erigatur, ac tota mente <. .lsurgat ; utiq ; tibi novum aliquid e ccelo ijiracuium fulsJt. Nam quamdiu; , ta decuvrunt, magnitudinem rerum consyetudo subducit Ita enim composite sumus, ut nos quntidiana, etiamsi adrtWatione dig-na sunt, traiiseant: cofitra, minimarum rerum, si insolitx proditfcrunt, spectaculum dulce fiat. Hie itaque ccetus astrorum, quibus rmmr^nsi corporis et s "Milchritudo distihguitur, populum non convocat. At cum aliquid ex more -.-.it^p^il'atum est, omnium -.ultus in ccelo est. Sol spectatorem, nisi cum de.ic: non hab«t. ^'"no observat lunam, nisi Utborantem. Si quid turba turn e« aut prje<^cr ^ uetudinem eraicuit, spectamus, intawogaraus, «»etendip •. Nat.^Q. vii. c. 1.

ilrally bode something important impending. They tremble at the Power which hangs out these tremendous ensigns of his wrath. They reflect upon their guilt, which makes them timorous, and fear the worst. They view the frame of nature with horror, sensible of its frailty and liableness to disorder, and that they may be buried in its ruins. They begin to reflect upon the necessity of preparation for all events in this fluctuating state of things, and seek the favour and protection of the great Ruler of the universe. These prodigies have this natural tendency; and upon some, 'who were unaffected and unreformed by all the ordinary works of God and means of grace, they have actually had this happy effect. Thus some are prepared for the events, which these things forebode; and others have had timely warning, and therefore are inexcusable. Now, if these things have naturally a tendency to promote this benevolent end, is it not a strong presumption, that they are intended for this end by a wise and gracious Providence j that is, that they are intended to answer an end, which they have a natural fitness and tendency to answer? This seems, at least, highly probable. Our stupid and senseless world, which is proof against the energy of the usual means of reformation, seems to need such extraordinary, alarming monitors. And, as it is a maxim of the divine government to consult the advantage of his dutiful subjects, to reform those that are corrigible, and at once to punish and leave inexcusable those that continue obstinate ; and, as he acts upon this maxim in all the judgments he inflicts upon the earth, it seems agreeable to the goodness and justice of God, to give such previous warnings when the dreadful period is at hand, in order to alarm a secure world, and set them upon preparation. This, I say, is agreeable to his perfections; and, therefore, there is some apparent reason to expect it. He may hang out a comet, like a blazing ensign over the nations, to rouse them out of their slumbers. He may cause half the globe to tremble under the inhabitants, in order to strike terror ta^eir impenitent hearts. He may preach to them by the vole" of thunder, and roaring oceans, that they may hear who wer'l - eaf to the gentle voice of his gospel. Such premonitions .would be striking illustrations of the goodness and equity of his administration, who does not usually let the blow fall without previous warning, an-* they would contribute to the right improvement.of such 'di" •sations. This, therefore, I think, we may Woli upon, atl^v^s a probable argument; especially if we add, that, as these unusual appearances are, in their own nature, fit to be premonitions, so, 3. It seems natural to mankind to view them in that light: and they have universally been looked upon in that light in all ages and countries. As to the Jews, the matter is clear; for Josephus tells us, that their wise men actually put this construction upon those alarming appearances, which preceded the destruction of Jerusalem.* And as they had been accustomed to miracles for the confirmation of their religion, they were even extravagant in their demands of this sort of evidence upon every occasion; as we find in the history of the Evangelists. As to the Gentiles, this was the general sentiment of all ranks among them, not only of the vulgar, but of their poets and philosophers. This I could prove from their best authors: but I can now only select a few testimonies. That accurate naturalist, Pliny, says, "An earthquake is not a simple evil; it is at once a present calamity, and ^.foretoken of an equal or greater calamity to come." And he gives this instance of it: "The city of Rome (says he) was never yet shaken with an earthquake, but it portended some future event."t Cicero, the greatest philosopher, perhaps, as well as tbe greatest orator, among the Romans, repeatedly speaks of these things as portentous. "The world has been so formed from the beginning," says he, "that certain signs do precede certain events; some in the lightning, some in strange appearances, some in the stars," &c.^ "How often," says he, in another place, " has the senate ordered the prophetic books of the Sybils to be consulted, when two suns or three moons have appeared; when blazing meteors have been seen in the night; when a strange noise !vas been heard in the air? When the earth in the Priverniam fields sunk to a prodigious depth, and Apulia

* This, as I observed, is also evident from the text; where Christ foretels that these disastrous prodigies should actually cast the nations into distress and perplexity; and that men's hearts, at these premonitions, should fail for fear, and for looking after those things which should come upon the earth.

\ Non simplex malum, ant in ipso motu tantum periculumest; sed par aut majus ostentum, Nunquam urbs Romana tremuit, ut non futuri eventus alicujus id prxnuntium esset. Vide Grotius, in Matt. xxiv. 7.

$ A principio inchoatum esse munduttl, ut certis rebus certa signa prsccuvrcrent, &c. Dedivin. 1. 1.

was shaken with most violent earthquakes; which things," says lie," were portentous, and foreboded terrible wars and pernicious seditious to the people of Rome,"* In another placet be mentions, as striking evidences of a supreme Being, and as omens of some grand futurities, unusual " thunders, hurricanes, storms, snows, hail, devastation, pestilence, the quakings and roarings, and sudden clefts or openings of the earth and rocks f blazing meteors in the heavens, and comets; which lately," says he, " in the wars of Octavianus, were predictions of dreadful calamities ; and a double sun foreboded the extinction of that other sun, Publius Africanus."

To these testimonies I might add those of Tacitus, Suetonius, Plutarch, Homer, Virgil, Horace, and many others of the best authors in the heathen world. But my Lime will not allow me; and besides, it is needless to descend to particulars; for any one that has the least acquaintance with these authors, cannot but know that they are full of omens, prodigies, prognostics, &c. And they hardly relate any important event, without mentioning some strange thing or other that foreboded it: and this is sufficient to show, that this was the common sentiment of mankind in the heathen world.J Indeed, they carried it to an extravagant degree of superstition, and made an omen of almost every thing

, Qiiibus portcntis magna populo Romano bella, perniciosxq; sediliones demmtiabnrtur. Ibid.

f De Nat. Dear. 1. 2. See also a poem recited by .Cicero, de diy. 1.1. (mihi) p. 258.

i To tliis common opinion Milton alludes, when he says, a comet

"from its horrid hair

Shakes pestilence and war"

And that the sun

-from behind the moon,

In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds . •

On half the nations, and with fear of change

Perplexes monarchs" —

To this also the still more sublime psalmist may refer; "They that dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth, («'. e. the. remotest and most barbarous heathen nations) are afraid at thy tokens." (Psalm lxv. 8.1 Remote as they are, these illustrious terrors can reach them; and, barbarous as they are, they can understand their portentous language. "Behold, his ensigns sweep the sky! New comets blaze and lightnings fly: The heathen lands, with wild surprise, From the bright horrors turn their eyes!" Watts.

they met with. Even the flight of birds, the feeding of chick., ens, the entrails of beasts, and a thousand such things, were, with them, significant tokens of some important events. But though this shows their superstition, yet it also seems to show that it is natural to mankind to look upon some things as ominous, and that some extraordinary things are really so. From mankind's generally looking for miracles to prove a religion divine, and from imposters pretending to them, we justly infer that God has so formed our nature, that it is natural to us to expect and regard this sort of evidence in this case; and that God does adapt himself to this innate tendency, and has actually wrought true miracles to attest the true religion : and we may, with equal reason, infer from the superstitions of mankind, with regard to omens and prodigies, that God has given a natural bent to our minds to look for them; and that in extraordinary periods he really does give such previous signs of future events. The consent of mankind is always counted a strong argument, and therefore ought to have its weight in this case.* We ought to guard against superstition in such things: but we should not

* I am much confirmed in my opinion by the following passage in the great Mr. Howe, whom none can justly suspect of superstition or enthusiasm: "It is (says he) not only innocent, but commendable to endeavour the making a due improvement of moral prognostics ; the like may be said of such unusual phenomena as fall out within the sphere, but besides the common course of nature; as comets, or whatever else is wont to be reckoned portentous. The total neglect of which things, I conceive neither agrees with the religious reverence which we owe to the Ruler of the world, nor with common reason and prudence. That they should cause what they are thought to signify, I understand not; nor am I solicitous how they are themselves caused. Let that be as naturally as can be •upposed—that hinders not their being signs to us, more than the natural causation of the bow in the clouds; though that being an appropriate sign for a determinate purpose, its signification cannot but be more certain: and if we should err in supposing them to signify any thing of future events to us all, and that error only lead us into more seriousness., and a more prepared temper of mind for such trouble as may be upon the earth; it will surely be a less dangerous error, than that, on the other hand, would be, if we should err in thinking them to signify nothing; and he thereby made the more supine and secure, and more liable to be surprised by the calamities that shall ensue : besides that, we shall be less excusable in departing from the judgment tf all former times and ages, upon no certainty of being more in the right. And why should we think such things should serve us for no other purpose than only to gratify our curiosity, or furnish us with matter of wonder, or invite us to gaze, and admire I extravagantly affect the philosopher, so as to look upon everything as unmeaning, and a thing of course ; and differ from the rest of mankind, without any good reason for it.

4. History informs us, that such unusual commotions and appearances in the natural world, have, with a surprising regularity, generally preceded unusual commotions and revolutions in the moral world, or among the nations of the earth.

When an hypothesis is supported by experiments and matters of fact, it ought to be received as true. And this argument will appear decisive, if we find, in fact, that such commotions and revolutions in the world have been uniformly preceded by some prodigies: for such an uniformity of such extraordinary periods, cannot be the effect of chance, or of blind natural causes, unadjusted and undirected by an intelligent superior power ; but it must be the effect of design, a wise and good design, to alarm the world, and put them into a proper posture to meet these grand occurrences. Such prodigies seem by the time, manner, and other circumstances of their appearance, to be particularly adapted to be significant and monitory; and we can give no plausible account of their appearing in such periods, in such circumstances, and with so much regularity, but upon this supposition.

Now, I could make it abundantly evident from the history of the world, that such strange commotions and phenomena, have been the usual forerunners, and consequently the prognostications and tokens of great changes and revolutions in the kingdoms of the world ; and that nqt only in the age of miracles, and in the country of Judea, which was under an immediate providence, but (which deserves special notice) in all ages, and in all countries, as far as we can receive intelligence. Of this I shall give a few instances:

Not to mention the dreadful premonitions of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the preternatural darkness, the tremor of the earth, the renting of the rocks, &c at the death of Christ ;* the

It is not fit, indeed, we should be very particular or confident in our interpretations and expectations upon such occasions i but, I conceive, it is very safe to suppose, that some very considerable thing^', either in a way of judgment or mercy, may ensue, according as the cry of persevering wickr edness or of penitential prayer is more or less loud at that time." Howe's works, vol. ii. pp. 129,130.

* Mr. Whiston supposes, that the preternatural darkness of the sun, at that time, was a cometary eclipse; for it could not proceed from the usual assassination of Julius Cxsar, the first Roman emperor, in the senate-house, was an event of the utmost importance, and produced the most terrible consequences to the world. It divided the vast Roman empire into two grand factions, which carried on a most bloody civil war for some years, in which many of the greatest men of Rome, and many thousands of others, lost their lives. Now, almost all authors that write of these times, agree that this event was portended by the most terrible prodigies; such as a preternatural darkness of the sun for a year, tremors and openings of the earth, unusual ferments of the sea, inundations of the Tiber, the river that run by Rome, and the great river Eridanus; unusual thunderings, and eruptions of Mount JEtna; quakings of the Alpine mountains, the clash of arms in the air, strange meteors, and lightnings, and blazing comets.*

cause, viz, the interposition of the moon, because it was at the full; whereas an eclipse of the sun can never happen, but at the change of the moon. He supposes that the comet which then appeared was not only the natural cause of the eclipse, but also of the uncommon phenomena at that time; related, some of them, by the evangelists, and others in the testament of Levi, and the recognitions of Clement, viz. the rocks renting; the sun looking fiery, and seeming for some time to be extinguished, and to tremble; the tides of the ocean and large seas swelling to an unusual height; commotions in the waters to an uncommon depth and in an uncommon degree: the waters of some lakes running down into the clefts newly opened in the earth, and so dried up. (See Whiston's Six Dissertations, p. 164, &c.) It is easy to ace how many of these things have happened in our age. And if they were occasioned by the approach of a comet at that time, it seems to confirm Mr. Wesley's opinion, that the approach of the comet which is to appear in the year 1758, may be the cause of the like strange things now. It very much surprised me to find instances so nearly parallel; and yet Mr. Wilis, ton ascribed the former to a comet, though he wrote about twenty years ago, and knew nothing of the similar phenomena of this year, before the approach of a comet.

* These are the prodigies which Virgil and Horace so beautifully describe:

"Sol tibi sijrna dabit: solem quis dicere falsum

Audeat? Hie etiam excos instare tumultus

Sscpe monet fraudemq; et operta tumescere bella.

lite etiam extincto miseratus Csesare Romam,

Cum caput obscura nitidum femigine texit,

Impiaq; alternant timuerunt scccula noctem.

Tempore quanquam illo tellus quoque et ?equora ponti,

Obscseniq; canes, importunseque volucres,

Signa dabant; Quoties Cyclopum efFervere in agros

The subversion and destruction of the vast Roman empire by the Goths, Vandals, and other savage nations, after it had ruled the world so long, was a revolution of the most awful importance to

Vidimus undantem ruptis fornacibus yttnam,
Flammarumq; globos, liquefactaq; volvere saxa .'
Armorum sonitum toto Germania coelo
Audiit: insolitis tremuerunt motibus Alpes.
Vox quoq ; per lucos vulgo exaudita silentes
Ingens, et simulachra modis pallentia miris
Visa sub obscurum noctis ; pecudesq; locutx,
Infandum! sistunt amnes, terrxq; dehiscunt;
Et mxstum illachrymat templis ebur, aeraq; sudant.
Probuit insano contorquens vortice silvas
Fluviorum rex Eridanus, camposq; per omnes
Cum stabulis armenta tulit. Nee tempore eodem
Tristibus aut extis fibrac apparere minaces,
Aut puteis manare cruor cessavit; et alte
Per noctem resonare, lupis ululantibus, urbes,
Non alias cado ceciderunt plura sereno
Fuigura; nee diri toties arsere comet<e.
Ergo inter sese paribus concurrere telis
Romanas acies iteruni videre Philippi, &c.

Virg. Georg. i. 1. 463—49*.
Jam satis terris nivis, atq; dirac
Grandinis misit Pater, et rubentc
Dexteri sacras jaculatus aries

Terruit urbem—
Vidimus flavum Tiberim, retortis
Littore Etrusco violenter undis,
Ire dejectum monumenta regis.

Templaq; Vestae, &c. Hor.

Pliny also says, Prodigiosus solis defectus, occiso Dictatore Carsare, totius pene anni pallore continuo. L. ii. c. 30.

Seneca intimates, that the destruction of Troy was foreboded by such terrible omens, when he introduces Talthybius, saying,

Vidi, ipse vidi.

Cum subito caeco terra mugitu fremens

Concussa, caecos traxit ex imo sinus.

Movere silvac capita, et excelsum remus

Fragore vasto tonuit, et tucus sacer:

Ida:a ruptis saxa ceciderunt jugis.

Nee sola tellus tremuit: et pontus suum

Adesse Achillem sensit, ac stravit vada.

Tunc scissa tellus apperit immensos specus;

Et hiatus Erebri pervium ad superos iter

Tellure fracta prscbet, ac tumulum levat.

Sen. Trag. Troas, Act 2.

the nations of the earth; and this, we find in history, was preceded and prognosticated by strange commotions and disorders in the natural world, by frequent and extensive earthquakes, felt for many days successively, in most provinces of the empire: the sky appearing all in a flame over the city of Constantinople, the then seat of the empire, which so terrified the inhabitants, and the emperor himself, that they abandoned the city, and fled into the fields : terrible overflowings of the sea, which laid whole countries under water; unusual rains, thunder and lightning, and many other prodigies.* Thus the conflicts and dying struggles of this dissolving empire, struck all nature, as it were, into sympathetic emotions and agonies.

There is nothing more natural, nothing which astronomers can compute with more exactness, than eclipses of the sun and moon ; and yet, these have so regularly and uniformly preceded the first grand breaches, and the total overthrow of kingdoms and nations, that we cannot but think they were intended to signify such revolutions; and thus mankind generally interpreted them. A total eclipse of the sun happened before the captivity of the ten tribes by the Assyrianst—before the captivity of the Jews in Babylon—at the death of Christ, about thirty-seven years and an half before the last destruction of Jerusalem—and about the same number of years before the slaughter of six hundred thousand Jews under Adrian—before the conquest of the Babylonians by the Medes^—and before the fall of the Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman Empires. Mr. Whiston supposes a total eclipse of the sun to precede the first grand breach upon these empires; and a total eclipse of the moon to precede their total overthrow; and that upon a mean, they precede these revolutions about thirty-eight years. Thus, a total eclipse of the sun happened before the first grand breach upon the Assyrian empire, by the miraculous destruction of one hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians, in the days of Hezekiah—before the second grand breach in the destruction of Nineveh: and a total eclipse of the moon before the total overthrow of the Assyrian empire, removed to Babylon by Cyrus—a total eclipse of the sun before

* See Univ. Hist. vol. xvi. p. 445, 469, 476, 515.

j" This, Mr. Whiston supposes, was foretold by Amos, ch. viii. 7—10, and Zach. xiv. 5. And was attended with an earthquake. Amos 1. 1.

f Mr. Whiston appreherids, that this was predicted by Isaiah, ch. xiii. 1—17, v. 9—13.

the first grand breach upon the Persian empire, by the defeat of Xerxes in Greece—a total eclipse of the moon before its final overthrow by Alexander the Great—a total eclipse of the sun before the first grand breach Upon the Grecian empire—a total eclipse of the moon the night before its total overthrow by the Romans—a total eclipse of the sun, visible from Scotland to the Euphrates, before the destruction of the Roman empire, under Augustulus, &c. as Mr. Whiston relates.* On all which, that learned writer makes this remark : " That such a regular correspondence of eclipses, total eclipses of the sun, just before the grand breaches upon every one of the four monarchies, and those all visible through those monarchies; as also that such a regular correspondence of eclipses, total eclipses of the moon, just before the ends of every one of the same four monarchies, and those all visible through those monarchies ; should be all by chance, and without design, is plainly incredible : and if that be incredible, this correspondence can be no other than directly supernatural and providential. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning."t

These instances may suffice as a specimen of the evidence from facts which history affords us in this case. And I must remind you, that these portentous facts are not confined to the age and country of miracles; but are found in various ages, and in various parts of the world, which were not the seats of miraculous operations: and hence, it is probable, these prognostications are intended to be common warnings to mankind in general, in all ages and countries, whensoever some important and extraordinary period is approaching; and they appear, just when these grand exigences render it expedient.^

* See his Six Dissert, from p. 138, to p. 258.

f Id. p. 262.

* 1 might add another argument of considerable weight, that in the language of the prophets, the trembling of the earth, the turning of the sun into darkness, and the moon into blood, the falling of stars, the removal of mountains, blood, fire, and pillars of smoke, &c. do signify the revolutions and subversion of kingdoms and nations. Of this, numberless instances ^might be given. These, indeed, may be understood as bold poetical ima. fes: but if we suppose that such things do generally precede and forebode Such events, the figures are much more natural and easy; being a famil.

Upon- the whole, I think we may, without superstition Op enthusiasm, reflect with awe upon the late strange appearances in nature, as forerunners of some grand events which may nearly affect us in common with the kingdoms of the earth. There is, at least, a great probability for it ; and probability is our guide in most of our actions, and may safely be followed ip, this case.

But what those grand events, what those important revolutions are—whether the works of vengeance or of mercy—whether the blow will fall upon this nation or that; these things I will not pretend to determine, nor hardly venture to conjecture. This is certain, we are now come-to a very dark time—a day of trouble, and reb,uke, and blasphemy ;* and every day seems to grow darker and darker. Our expeditions hitherto have been surprisingly unsuccessful. Our country has been ravaged with impunity. We tremble for the fate of the important island of Minorca, and for the event of the naval engagement in the Mediterranean, 'which, at best, has not been much in our favour, t Oswego, the most important fort on the frontiers of British America, is now in the hands of our enemies; and the slow motions of our northern army afford us but little reason lo hope for reprisals. The power of France, especially by land, is formidable ; and the more so, because thoroughly exasperated. In short, we are alarmed from the highest authority among us,^ that the dispute between the two crowns grows near to a crisis, whether these colonies are still to remain under the happy constitution of Great Britain, or become subject (o the arbitrary power of a despotic prince. Our religion, our liberty, our property, our lives, and every thing dear and valuable, are at stake; and the dye spins dreadfully doubtful:

iar metonymy of the signs for the things signified. And I cannot well sec the propriety of the images, if there be no sympathy between the material and moral world ; or if such commotions in the kingdoms of mankind are not usually attended with correspondent commotions in nature.

* 2 Kings xix. 5.

\ We have since received certain intelligence that Minorca surrendered to the French Marshal, Duke de Richheu, on the 29th of June last, after a brave defence by General Blakeney—that Admiral Byng, in a most cowardly and scandalous manner, refused to attack the French fleet vigorously; and by that means the garrison in Fort St. Philip received no supplies, and were obliged to, surrender.

\ The Governor's Speech to the Assembly, Sept, 20, 1756.

and, which is still more discouraging, the holy Spirit of God is withdrawn from us. We frequent the house of God time after time, and yet see but little appearances of his being at work among us. The work of conversion and reformation goes on but slowly, if at all. Both the inflicted and threatened chastisements of the divine hand, hare little or no effect upon the generality: they are hardy enough to sin on still, in the midst of a sickly neighbourhood and a bleeding country. The horrid sound of war ringing in their ears cannot rouse them from their sinful security. And are not these moral prognostics very alarming, as well as the former natural ones? May not our hearts fail for looking after those things that are coming upon the earth?

What if God be now about to arise and punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquities ; and particularly us, whose sins have been attended with peculiar aggravations, by reason of our peculiar advantages? What if the measure of our iniquity, and that of our mother country, be just, full? It has been filling fast for a long season. We have for a long time sinned on with impunity : but can we expect the reins will always be laid upon our necks, without any check? Is there indeed a God that governs the world, and is he displeased with our sin; and will he not let us know it? The British isle has long been the favourite of Providence: and it is really astonishing to read in history how remarkably Providence has appeared in its favour when on the very brink of ruin: but it has been an ungrateful, guilty spot, of this guilty globe: it has forgot its God in its prosperity ; abused his mercies, and despised his threatenings : and what if the rod that has so long been held over it be now about to smite? What if the commission be now issued forth to the executioners of divine vengeance, " Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe— come, get ye down, for the press is full—the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great ?"* What if the liberty and plenty we have ungratefully abused, be about to be taken from us? What if the holy religion, which we have at once professed and profaned, be about to be exchanged for popish tyranny and superstition? What if the last and most violent struggle of antichrist, or the powers of popery be yet to come, and now beginning? What if, before the glorious victory which shall at length be obtained over Mm by the followers of the Lamb, power be given him to make

* Joel iii. 13.

war with the saints, and overcome them—to wear out the saints of the Most High, and scatter the power of the holy people, ao cording to the~prophecies ol Daniel and the Revelations ?* What if God visit the protestant churches, which are a huge mass of corruption, with a few grains of salt in it, notwithstanding their peculiar advantages, with severe judgments, to purify them, before the happy period of the entire downfall of popery, and the universal conversion of Jews and Gentiles? What if the time be come when judgment must begin at the house of God, his protestant churches ;t and the executioners of his vengeance must begin to slay at the sanctuary of the Lord l\ " The signs of the times" look threatening and gloomy; and who knows but such dread events may be at hand?

And if so, what will become of those crowds of sinners among us, who have sinned away the days of liberty, plenty, and gospel light? With what horror must they enter upon those dark, tremendous scenes ? Alas ! they are unprepared for dismal days— unprepared for death-i-unprepared for eternity! In the midst of terror and desolation, conscience follows them with its horrid portentous alarms: God frowns upon them from above; and all nature musters up its terrors against them around.

Is it not, therefore, the highest wisdom to prepare in time for such dreadful days? Now, sinners, now be reconciled to God; fly to the arms of his grace, which are expanded wide to embrace you: fly to Jesus, the only Saviour, who can protect you in all the disorders of this fluctuating world, and in all the terrors of the final judgment. Make your own conscience your friend, that it may smile upon you within, though the face of nature should frown upon you without. Now become sincere Christians; and you are safe. And now is the most proper time for it. Therefore, "Seek the Lord while he may be found: call upon him while he is near.§ Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains; and while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride, and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive."f

* Rev. xiii. 7. Dan. vii. 25.—xii. 2. + 1 Pet. iv. 17. ^ Ezck.ix. 6.

§ Isaiah lv. 6, fl Jer. xiii. 16, \7.

But, on the other hand, what if the great God be now about to take to him his great power, and reign? What if the kingdoms of the earth are now about to become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ,* and the long-expected period of the conversion of the Jews, and the fulness of the Gentiles, be just come ? This would be a grand revolution indeed: and we cannot expect it will be brought about, without much blood and desolation. Many. thrones must totter and fall; many kingdoms must be overturned, which are now the supports of popery_? mahometanism, and heathenism. In this sense, the gentle Saviour came not to send peace upon earth, but a sword. And who knows but the ferment that is now begun, may work up to this grand revolution? Who knows but the mystery of God is about to be finished, in the days of the voice of the seventh angel ; and that the sixth vial is running, and the seventh about to be poured out upon the persecuting powers of Rome? What if great Babylon is come into remembrance before God; and we shall ere long hear the proclamation, "Babylon is fallen! is fallen !"t If so, " rejoice over her, ye heavens, and ye holy apostles and prophets, foi God hath avenged you on her." What if the signal be now given for the grand decisive conflict between the followers of the Lamb and the followers of the beast? It may be sharp and bloody; and you and I, and millions more, may fall in it. But victory shall soon be determined in favour of the oppressed servants of Jesus. What if he who is called Faithful and True, and who maketh war in righteousness, be about to ascend the white horse of victory and triumph, followed by the armies of heaven, that is, by his faithful servants? And what if, according to the vision, of St. John, the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies, are about to gather together to make war with him that sits on the horse, and his army ?^ The issue of the battle is represented in the same vision : " The beast and the false prophet were taken; and the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse. And an angel standing in the sun," says St. John, "cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come, and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men,

* Rev, ii. 15. f Isaiah xxi. 9. $ Rev. six. X?.

both free and bond, both small and great."^# Accordingly, they were all sated with the dreadful meal. This period, we have reason to expect, though we may not exactly calculate the time of its commencement. The time indeed is determined in prophetic computation, both in Daniel and the Revelations. This grand conflict is to be in the close of three years and a half; time, times and half a time; fortyrtwo months, or twelve hundred and sixty days : all which computations exactly amount to the same sum, viz. twelve hundred and sixty years.f But at what time this period commenced is not fully agreed upon ; and, consequently, it is uncertain when it will end. However, it is generally agreed, that we are not far from the end of it ; and, consequently, matters must be ripening fast for that grand result. If this glorious day be so near, let us bless God and rejoice, though we should be overwhelmed in those commotions that may introduce it* And let it be the matter of our daily prayer that it may be hastened.

Upon the whole, let us endeavour to put ourselves in a posture of readiness to meet with all events that may be approaching. Though I know not these futurities, yet I know it shall be well with them that fear God: but it shall not be well with the wicked; neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.^ "It shall, however, be well with the righteous."§ Their heaven is sure; and while they have a place to go to there, it is little matter to them what become of this earth, and all their mortal interests. The Ruler of the universe is their patron, their tutelary Deity ; and under his

* Rev. xix. 17, 18.

| The ancient year consisted of three hundred and sixty days; and a month of thirty days A prophetic day is a year ; a week, is a week of years, viz. seven years; a month is a month of years, viz. thirty years. Therefore twelve hundred and sixty days, in the prophetical arithmetic, are twelve hundred and sixty years: forty-two months multiplied by thirty, (the number of years in a prophetical month) amount to the same number, 1260 years : three years and a half, /. e. three times three hundred and sixty, and the half of three hundred and sixty, viz. one hundred and eighty, amount also to the same number, twelve hundred and sixty years. Time is one year; times, two years; and half a time is half a year; which is but another way of expressing three years and a half; and makes the same number, twelve hundred and sixty.

\ Eccl. viii. 1$, 13. § Isa, iii. 10, 11.

protection they are safe, come what will. Therefore, put on courage, and shew the world you have a God to go to, in the greatest difficulty; and that you can confidently trust him. But at all adventures, I must say, on the other hand, " Woe unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him."* Suppose these uncommon appearances in nature were wholly insignificant; suppose there were no such thing as war in the world, and you were in no danger of being involved in the ruins of your country: yet, you have death, the king of terrors ; you have an angry conscience, and, which is worse, an angry God, to encounter with; you have the terrors of a dissolving world, and of the final judgment, to pass through.: you have the pains of hell to endure. And are you hardy enough to encounter these without horror? Oh ! that you would be so wise as to be reconciled to God, and make him your friend, whose protection you so much need.

Finally, I would recommend it to you all, to make this a praying time among you; often appear in the posture of petitioners at the throne of grace, in secret, in your families, and in those societies,t which I desired you to set up for this end. Pray for the continuance of your religion and liberty: pray for the establishment of the British throne, and the preservation of the royal life, wh.ich is of so much importance at this critical juncture. Pray for the success of our arms by sea and land, and the restraint and confusion of our enemies. Pray that you and others may be prepared for all occurrences. But, above all, pray that the Holy Spirit of God may be poured out upon us, to work a general reformation. Though all these natural prodigies should be unmeaning, alas! we have moral prognostics enough to make our hearts meditate terror, and forebode some impending judgments; I mean, the general wickedness and impiety that prevail in our country. Alas! I am afraid the voice of this prodigy, though more terrible, and more certainly ominous, than earthquakes or blazing stars, will not be heard till it be too late. But I must repeat the declaration 1 have often made in your hearing, that it will never be well with our country, till there be more of the fear and love of God, more sincere practical religion among

* Isa. iii. 10, 11.

f Societies for prayer, intended to be continued during the present alarming situation of our public affairs.

U9: and that all our military forces will not save us in the issue, without a general repentance and reformation. Could I once convince my countrymen, that there is something in this proposal, I should hegin to entertain some hopes of a speedy deliverance. But, alas! while it is disregarded, as a chimerical project, my heart cannot but forebode some fearful things coming upon us; which may God of his infinite mercy, prevent, for his name's sake. Amen.