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the hope of happier times. (2d. Exod. vol. iii. p. 131.)

Had there occurred only one or two remarkable conincidences on this plan, between prophecy and facts, this might have been attributed to chance, and a considerable degree of doubt would have ensued, upon the occasion of so prodigious a counter-revolution, and an apparent recurrence to the old forms of things. But the coincidence hath been entire and complete, without one instance of a failure; (see the proofs of this at large in the "SEASON AND TIME.") and the very subversion of the late tyranny itself, only adds fresh and stronger confirmation to the system, instead of re-acting against it. For the probability of the duration and stability of the late changes, in the countries subject to the influence of the abyss, must be estimated altogether from conclusions to be drawn from the sources of prophecy, and not from mere conjecture of probabilities and political theory, which have been so often contradicted in these times of confusion in the councils of EDOм, that no rational dependence can any more be placed upon them. How much soever it may be the pleasure of politi

cal dogmatists to treat the idea with contempt, yet I certainly expect that popery will again lift up its ruthless head; but perhaps not yet, or until we make a much nearer approach to the time of the end. A restitution in the present day, at least to the extent which some seem to expect it, appears to me next to an impossibility. For as revolutions do not go back, so neither does time." Vestigia nulla retrorsum."

"all signs portend

A forward course,-no footsteps backwards bend.”

When prophetical periods are elapsed, and all the symbols attached to them, as the signs of their existence, are obliterated and gone; they can not begin again, nor be perpetuated for a single day beyond the predicted time. The fall of BUONAPARTE, whom I considered as the appointed scourge of popery, and the founder of the bestial throne of the ABYSS, affords us no argument that POPERY will be scourged no more, or that the throne of the ABYSS itself will sink, together with its first occupier, into symbolical non-entity. His occupancy of the supreme dignity and power over the bestial confederation, under a new

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name, and under changed ensigns, has been both sufficiently conspicuous and durable, to prove him completely a successor to the great roman beast defunct: and the circumstances of his fall, have added as much confirmation to my system, as it had before derived from his wonderful rise, to that singular state of a paramount elevation. BUONAPArte himself has exhibited the first instance we have yet seen, of the fall of injurious tyrants before the fire of the energy of the two prophets.

The wonderful sagacity of MEDE, had led him to conclude many years ago, what we now sce to be matter of fact. That the war of the witnesses would assume a different character, and a military aspect towards the latter part of it, which portion of time would synchronize with the pouring of the vials; and that the symbolical miracles of the two prophets, in turning the waters into blood, and "killing" their persevering persecutors with "fire out of their mouths," would be limited to the concluding portion of the TESTIMONY, and is not to be understood of its whole duration. (See Key to Apoc. P. ii. p. 10, and 13.2d. Exod. vol. iii. p. 507.-) Facts had sug

gested to me the same idea, before I lately met with it in MEDE's work. The glorious and happy privilege, granted by a merciful providence, to the British Isles, has confirmed MEDE's opinion. They alone, amongst the nations, have been able to withstand the colossal power of the revolutionary abyss, and even to become its tormentor for many years; and at length to effect its symbolical killing, by the fire which issued out of their mouths, at a time when it threatned to overwhelm the liberties of mankind, and consign the world to desolation and military despotism. Through twenty years of war, entirely of a new character, and ferocity of spirit worthy of the abyss, the british prophets have continued to afflict, with all the plagues ascribed to them in their commission (Rev. ii. 5, 6.-2d Exod. vol. iii. p. 275.) the universal destroyer, found to be by every other opponent irresistible. And they have now completed his destiny, as they will in like manner do unto any future tyrants which shall issue from the ABYSS, while the remaining part of their TESTIMONY awaits its full accomplishment. "And if any will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies. And if any man

will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed."

The fire-symbolical of their political influence and military prowess, and quickened by the example of persevering fortitude and consequent success in them, hath accomplished this in the most remarkable manner : and the singular repetition of the very same words twice in one verse, seems to intimate that other tyrants will arise, and will revive the inextinguishable hatred and persecution of the prophets; and after fruitless attempts to “hurt them," will be symbolically so "killed" as the first of their dynasty of the ABYSS has been.*

* I have often remarked the singular accuracy of St. John's language, not to confuse his symbols with contrary ideas. The beast of the abyss is a successional power, like his predecessors; and it is not meant that the beast himself will be thus killed, but only the bearer of his ensigns pro tempore, and the words are guarded against expressing any more— “and if”—any man—“ will hurt them, &c." BUONAPARTE has afforded us the first proof of the truth of this prophecy. Let us hope soon to be gratified with tidings of the like symbolical burning and fall, (after first hanging him up without a figure) of the secondary tyrant of AMERICA, the imitątor and dependant of the INFERNAL JOVE from thẹ ABYSS în

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