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fhines with increafing brightness as time advances in its courfe, and collects ftrength from each fucceeding age. And as the extraordinary events NOW PASSING BEFORE OUR EYES will be found to augment the splendour of its light, and to give force to its ftrength, while they receive in return a ray from Divine truth, which discovers their origin, and points out their courfe; it may be prefumed, that a fummary view of the Prophecies is particularly SUITED TO STRIKE

THE MINDS OF THE PRESENT GENERATION, WHO SEEK IN VAIN FOR ANY OTHER ADEQUATE EXPLANATION OF OCCURRENCES SO DEEPLY INTERESTING

TO THEMSELVES.

HISTORY, which constitutes a material branch of our education, affumes the greatest dignity of character, when the becomes the companion of RELIGION, and the Interpreter of the Oracles of God. Her volumes prefent the most wonderful difcoveries, and reflect the images of the prophetical parts of the Bible. The works of the writers of all

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ages

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countries—whether Pagans-Chriftians Jews-antient, or even modern Infidels-whatever their opinions, preju

dices, or defigns, unfold the mysteries of prediction, show the fulfilment of the Divine will, and in reality advance the interefts of Revelation.

The following Work is intended to fet thefe truths in a striking point of view;

1T DISPLAYS THE HARMONY OF PROPHECY-THE ONE GREAT SCHEME THAT PËRVADES ALL ITS PARTS AND THE CONCURRENCE OF ALL HUMAN EVENTS TO ACCOMPLISH ITS STUPENDOUS PLAN.

Fully aware that this work falls extremely fhort of that excellence which the subject demands, I lament that fuch a sketch of Prophetical and Historical harmony as the times feem urgently to require, delineating present as well as past occurrences with a faithful and an able pencil, and marking them with the colours of ftrong and vivid description, has not hitherto been offered to the public. I am perfuaded, that such a work would most effectually anfwer the ends which these Volumes are most seriously intended to promote-namely, to eftablish the doubtful, to recal the wandering, to awaken the thoughtless, to inftruct the A 4

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PREFACE.

unlearned and more particularly to produce in the minds of the rifing generation fo strong a conviction of the fuperintendence of the Almighty over the affairs of the world-of the Divine origin of the Gospel—and the momentous concerns of another life, that they may view the FOLLY and the WICKEDNESS of the NEW PHILOSOPHY in their proper light, and ever ftand up as THE FIRM SUPPORTERS OF

THE SACRED CAUSE OF CHRISTIANITY.

Before I conclude this Preface, I must make an acknowledgment, which is no lefs due to juftice, than fatisfactory to my own feelings of gratitude. I have received fo much affiftance in the prosecution of this Work, as greatly to invalidate my claims to being reputed its Author. The plan originated with an ardent Friend to the cause of Religion, who was led, by a very extenfive knowledge of History and Scripture, to confider the paffing train of events with peculiar attention; and forcibly ftruck by their agreement with the Divine word, was anxious to represent this enlightening and confolatory truth to the public. From this Perfon, whofe name I am not at liberty to mention, and whofe

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whofe anxiety for the success of this Publication is perfectly difinterefted, I have not only received many judicious corrections of what I had written, but such valuable communications as are defervedly fubftituted for many of the materials which I had prepared for the prefs. I had also the advantage of fubmitting my papers to the perufal of the learned and excellent Prelate, to whom I am allowed the honour of infcribing this Work; to whofe enlightened and comprehenfive views of the fubject of Prophecy itself, I am happy to acknowledge my obligations; and to whom the public are indebted for the firft intimation of the PRINCIPLE that alone can explain the extraordinary events which excite universal attention". I congratulate my Readers on my having obtained fuch important affiftance, as it has ftamped that value upon the Volumes now offered to their notice, which I am confident could not have been derived from my own unaided labours.

See the Bishop of Lincoln's excellent Difcourfe on the Day of Public Thanksgiving, 1797.

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