Predictions. (86.) It is foretold, that upon the Earth fhall be Diftrefs of Nations with Perplexity; Men's Hearts failing them for Fear, of what is coming upon the World. (87.) It is foretold, that in these last Days, many shall run to and fro, and Knowledge or Learning fhall be increased. Completions. (86.) This Fear is now coming upon the World, and begun upon Occafion of the late Meteors, and Storms, and especially the Earthquakes, and will naturally increase upon the Progrefs of thofe, and other the Signs of impending Judgments, many of thofe Signs being themfelves Judgments alfo. (87) This has long been fulfilled, and is still evidently fulfilling, as to ImprovementofLearning in general, ever fince the Greeks retired from Conftantinople, when it was taken by the Turks, A.D. 1453, and ever fince Printing was invented, which was about the fame Time, especially within this last Century: Nay indeed, fince the Lord Verulam put Men into the right Way of Enquiry, and fince the Inftitution of fuch Socie Predictions. Completions. ties, and Courses of Ex (88.) It is foretold, that the Sea and the Waves will roar with terrible Storms and Tempefts. periments, as directly promote true and real Knowledge or Learning. And if, from the Coherence, we restrain this Increafe of Learning, to that concerned with fuch myftical Prophecies, as Daniel and the Revela. tion, it has been evidently fulfilled ever fince the Days of Mr. Joseph Mede, the first truly great and judicious Expofitor of Prophecies among us. (88.) Thefe terrible Storms and Tempests may be dated from that prodigious one in the South of England, and the adjoining Seas, Nov. 27, 1703, which I well remember, and may be carried on by that of Admiral Balchen, 1748; by that of the East-Indies, April 13 and 14, 1749 ; by that in North Carolina in the West-Indies, October 7 and 8, 1749; by thofe near Cape-Bre ton, Predictions. (89.) It is foretold that, in confequence of fo many terrible Judg ments already begun, or foon approaching, Men's Hearts fhould fail them for Fear, and for looking after thofe Things that are coming on the Earth. (90.) It is foretold, that there fhall appear the Sign of the Son of Man, like that to Conftantine the Great. (91.) It is foretold, that the Son of Man fhall himself, at laft, come in the Clouds of Heaven with great Power and Glory. (92.) It is foretold, that there shall be a very terrible, but to good Men Completions. ton, and near Annapolis in the fame Year; and feveral others at Bristol, and elsewhere; of which our News-Papers still frequently make men Predictions. Men a very joyful great Earthquake, when a tenth Part of an eminent City will be destroyed. Completions. Wickedness; and the two divine Warnings by thefe leffer Earthquakes, almoft confined to that City (for I always take London, Westminster, and Southwark for one large City) I take to belong to no otherCity thanLondon: Nor have I had the leaft Notion of any other City here meant, unless it were Rome, or Conftantinople, or Paris, or Turin: But fince the two of thofe other three, which have by far the greatest Probability, are Rome and Conftantinople; and the Time of Rome's Downfall, is by other Prophecies not before 1866 (fee Pag. 607,608, before, and Essay on the Revelation, Pag. 321, 322.) Since this City has not here that diftinguishing Character of Great added to it, as elsewhere; and this no lefs Predictions. Completions. lefs than fifteen several Times in this Book, Apoc. xi. 8. xiv. 8. xvi. 19. bis, xvii. 1. 5. 18, 19, 21. xix. 2. I fay, xviii. 2. 13. bis, 16. 18. fince these Things are so, and fince the Turks are not to perish at Conftantinople, but in Judea, as we have seen,N°. 31. priùs. The two foregoing Characters of enormous Wickedness, and of the two Earthquakes peculiar to London and its Neighbourhood, fully satisfy me, that no other City is here meant than London; and that accordingly there will foon be there a great Earthquake, and a tenth Part of London will fall; and that in this Earthquake ball be fain feven thousand Names of Men, or Men of Name and Note, and that the reft of its Inhabitants, or that nine Parts |