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 Ætnam, Flammarumq; globos, liquefactaq; volvere saxa? Audiit insolitis tremuerunt motibus Alpes. : Vox quoq; per lucos vulgo exaudita silentes Fluviorum rex Eridanus, camposq; per omnes Jam satis terris nivis, atq; dire Vidimus flavum Tiberim, retortis Littore Etrusco violenter undis, Ire dejectum monumenta regis. Virg. Georg. i. 1. 463–490. Templaq; Vestæ, &c. HOR. Pliny also says, Prodigiosus solis defectus, occiso Dictatore Cæsare, totius penè 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 cæco terra mugitu fremens 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 Medest-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. †This, Mr. Whiston supposes, was foretold by Amos, and Zach. xiv. 5. And was attended with an earthquake. Mr. Whiston apprehends, that this was predicted by 1-17, v. 9-13. ch. viii. 7—10, Amos l. 1. Isaiah, ch. xiii. 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."+ : 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 cperations 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. † Id. p. 262. + I 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. ges: 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 E Upon the whole, I think we may, without superstition or 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 in 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 rebuke, 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.† 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 to 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 to 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 see 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. 3. We have since received certain intelligence that Minorca surrendered to the French Marshal, Duke de Richlieu, 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, have 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 ripecome, 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 him by the followers of the Lamb, power be given him to makę |