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thousand images of horror, and afflict me with the extremest anguish, for the part which my country is acting. Whilst I contemplate the scene which Europe now presents, (à scene which blackens as it discloses) and observe the exact conformity of the several parts already disclosed, with the pattern which Inspiration has drawn, I anticipate the future, and seem to feel nothing but earthquakes, 'to hear nothing but thunders, to see nothing but slaughter; and I weep for the calamities of my fellow-creatures.For the glimpse of one pleasant prospect we must stretch our eyes to years to come. -Oh, my country! how am I pained at the apprehension of thy fate! Thou mightest have dwelt in peace, and even turned to thine own advantage the madness of other nations:-but thou hast been deceived, and chosen war; thou hast committed thyself to the horrors of a tempest which threatens to lay in ruins all that is found within the circle of its rage!"Is there no balm in Gilead?"-Are there no means left for the salvation of my country? Is there no physician there ?"

Is there not one wise and patriotic statesman who loves his country, who loves truth and right more than gain, and who may be able to conduct a retreat, and heal our wounds?-Must we stand or fall with Antichrist, and inake the fate of Papal despots our own?-Has that warning no longer any validity," Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues?" O thou Father of mercies, and Disposer of all events, touch the hearts of the rulers of the earth, and let a ray from Thee enlighten their minds! Look with pity on the bleeding nations!-Speedily accom, plish thy promises, and reveal thy mercy !

THE END OF PART SECOND,

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THE

OR,

THE PROBABLE

PROGRESS AND ISSUE

OF THE

COMMOTIONS

WHICH HAVE AGITATED EUROPE

SINCE THE

FRENCH REVOLUTION,

ARGUED FROM THE ASPECT OF THINGS, AND THE WRITINGS OF THE PROPHETS.

PART THE THIRD.

BY J. BICHENO, M. A.

THIRD EDITION.

"Beware lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the Prophets? "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work " in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." PAUL.

PRINTED IN THE YEAR M.DCCC.VIII.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

NEWBURY, April 14, 1797.

NOT only have the public affairs of our own country suddenly assumed an awful aspect, and become alarming in the extreme; but the general state of things, throughout Europe, becomes more and more critical, and seems portentous of some strange and unusual events. Society appears as though in pangs for the birth of some new order of things; and those governments which have stood the blasts of ages, are, all at once, if not overthrown by the assaults of a new species of enthusiasm, yet, tottering to their foundations before the breath of opinion; or rapidly sinking under the loads of debts and taxes, which, by wanton wars abroad, and boundless extravagance and corruption at home, they have brought upon

themselves.

The Revolution in France has put half the world in motion; and its principles and effects equally astonish. It seems to have given a new impulse to the human mind, and to threaten to turn the whole current of human affairs, civil and ecclesiastical. Whence this sudden change, and what does it forebode? We are all deeply interested in what is passing. The clouds gather so black about us, and events so extraordinary are every month turning up, that it becomes next to impossible not to be extremely anxious about the issue. Too many, indeed, for these seven years past, have cared but little for what has been transacting on the theatre of Europe; nor about the part which our own country has acted in the awful drama. The nation has too long been slumbering; and, as if inebriated with excess of prosperity, has seemed alive to nothing but to cheer the minister on every attack upon justice and humanity; and upon our once beloved constitution and liberties-I say too much-they were not the

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