But the easy victories of his former achievements deserved to be considered as desolating . massacres of the human species, rather than conquests; and if they cost him a few millions of inconsiderable lives, these could easily be replaced by despotic power, with forced levies even from the ranks of the conquered. They were victories gained by genius and. strength opposed to indecision, infatuation, weakness, and treachery: and by one fated to break down and trample underfoot the most formidable resistance, that a devoted and unblest cause could oppose against him, by hosts already numbered to the sword. But when the mighty instrument of Providence has already executed the work assigned him, and attempts what was not included in his commission, then will God give a signal reproof of his arrogance, and make it manifest that his sword will be only so long irresistible, while it is directed against the enemies of the Lord of Hosts." Shall the axe boast itself against him that beweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that moveth it? as if the rod should shake itself against them

that lift it up. Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, send among his fat ones leanness, and under his glory he shall kindle a burning, like the burning of a fire. And the Lord of Hosts shall stir up a scourge for him, according to the slaughter of Midian, at the rock of Oreb. And as his rod-(in the hand of Moses) was upon the (red) sea, so shall he lift it up (again) after the manner of Egypt."

That is, by some miraculous interposition of his power, similar to the passage of the Red Sea, effected in safety by Israel, while Pharoah's host was overwhelmed in it, as if taken in a snare of their own contriving, in which they designed to have safely and effectually secured the prey already in their power.

Miracles indeed, were at no former period displayed without an occasion worthy of the interference of the Deity.* And having for

* Nec Deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice nodus
inciderit.

Hor. Art. Poet

Nor let a God in person stand display'd,
Unless the laboring plot deserve his aid.

VOL. II.

T

Francis.

so many centuries been wholly withdrawn, I expect considerable difficulty in the attempt to persuade a philosophical age that they are ever to be looked for again, upon any occasion. Yet it is expressly declared that they may be, in several prophecies that refer to this latter period of the last times, and particularly to the return of Israel, and their resettlement in the Holy Land, which is constantly linked together in prophecy, with the fall of papal Rome, and is made in the SIXTH VIAL (now under discussion,) to be one of the plagues of the apostacy. If any occasion can be deemed worthy of a miracle, God's recognizing of his long lost people, and his reconciliation with them, the resurrection of his TWO WITNESSES, and their deliverance in this critical conjuncture, and lastly, the final punishment of the apostacy, which seems to turn upon this hinge; altogether form a case of sufficient importance to justify the expectation of such a conclusion to this MYSTERY OF God."

GREAT

+ Rev. xvi. 12.

The people of Israel, and the remnant of the true church, that has escaped out of the persecution, are now in such perilous circumstances, that no worldly chance can avail to rescue them out of the raging tyrant's grasp, whose measures are taken with caution and subtlety, as well as the most consummate skill, and favoring opportunity. They are

crying to heaven with that turned heart and strong supplication, to which God will never turn a deaf ear, and in this particular instance he has pledged himself, by several special prophecies, that he will hear and grant their prayer, and that their deliverance shall be demonstratively marked as the ACT OF GOD.*

But if upon due consultation taken, nothing of this sort can be conceded to me, yet the longest course of prospering wickedness must have an end and commonly it meets with a dismal winding up of the account, and a fatal catastrophe suitable to its demerits; thus evincing that the sentence of the holy

*Isai. lxv. 24,-See Sect. vi.

Spirit in this case pronounced," He that killeth with the sword-(of persecution and tyranny,)-must be killed with the sword," is not only a prophetical, but even a moral truth. Yet notwithstanding, where individual guilt escapes this award of distributive justice, and goes out of the world in peace, we absolve the divine Providence of the charge of neglect, which the heathens, on such occasions blasphemously brought against heaven; and we look upon it as a pledge of

the certainty of a future and eternal retribu

* Cum rapiant mala fata bonos, (ignoscite fasso)
Solicitor nullos esse putare Deos;

Et sine re nomen deus est, frustraque timetur,

Et stulta populos credulitate movet.

Ovid El.

While ill prevails, and righteousness o'erthrown,
Proclaims the world to very dotage grown,

I oft suspect, (excuse the fault confest,)

The gods non entities, or blind at best;
Jove but an empty name, and nothing more,
Which only superstitious fools adore.

So Job represents the atheistical impiety of prospering sinners: -“What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit shall we have, if we pray unto him "-Job xxi, 15.