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of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and four-score and five thousand and when they arose in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead" (2 Kings xix. 35-37).

Such are the events which, from the first introduction of the Assyrians into the land of Israel on the invitation of Ahaz, hastened and preceded the ruin of the Ten Tribes. According to the best chronological tables, the date of these transactions stands in the following order:

B. C.

740 Ahaz calls in Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria to his help, who slays Rezin, and leads a small part of Israel into captivity.

731 Shalmaneser invadeth Palestine and maketh Samaria tributary to him.

...

727 Shalmaneser carrieth away Israel into captivity. 724 Shalmaneser lays siege to Samaria.

722 Shalmaneser takes Samaria a second time.

714 Sennacherib invadeth Judea.

708 Sennacherib loseth all his army before the walls

of Jerusalem.

677 ... Esarhaddon finally extinguishes the kingdom of

Israel.

The corresponding dates to this chronology,

era in the history of nations, that may be dated in their rise from the year 1780; come to perfection in 1793; begin to suspend their influence in 1812; and which now, in 1834, threaten in a few years to be renewed with seven-fold violence and desolation? The FRENCH REVOLUTION will instantly present itself to the mind of every reader, as being connected with events of such a character, and corresponding to such dates. The deeply momentous consequences that have followed in the train of this great event; the astonishment and consternation with which Europe beheld and felt its desolating course; the disruption and overturnings of kingdoms and states which it occasioned; and the atheistical principles which it brought into fatal and increasing operation; are terrifically expressed on the opening of the "sixth seal," in the book of Revelation, and by the pouring out of the first five vials, as we have already seen in the "Introduction."

The horrible confusion, wars, and bloodshed, which are there symbolically represented as the judgments and plagues attendant on this most unexampled revolution-a revolution which has developed the dreadful characters, and exhibited the actors of the "last times"-was connected with the most extraordinary circumstances that ever occurred on the stage of time. "The French Revolution," says an able writer

leading events which contributed to and hastened this great catastrophe, likewise occurred. The question, then, which requires to be satisfactorily answered, in connection with this proposition, is,-did any events transpire, answering to these corresponding dates, of such a nature as we might reasonably suppose would happen preparatory to the crisis in the history of nations on the restoration of Israel? If such events did occur, then the probability is great that the hypothesis respecting this term of "seven times" implies a chronological term. And it is not an hypothesis to us of distant uncertainty a few short years will give a full explanation to the whole mystery-nine at the most-when this question will be finally set at rest. The seventh trumpet will likewise be soon sounded, as the sixth, or the Turkish empire, is on the point of expiring; when it is expressly asserted, that "the MYSTERY of God will be finished, as he hath declared unto his servants the prophets." Before this time arrives, additional indications of the near approach of so important a period will no doubt be given, to the satisfaction of all who are willing to be convinced; and few, it is probable, will have reasonable excuse for not being on their watch

tower.

But, to pursue our present inquiry :-Did any events transpire, connected with one great

"The French Revolution awakened more thinking than any similar event in the history of man. During twenty-five years, every nation in the world, that ship could reach or traveller could penetrate, became interested in its issue: not an individual of the human species could be said to be placed beyond its attraction; and throughout all its changes of fortune it never ceased to be an object of fear, expectation, or curiosity, wherever its hopes and its terrors had once been known. It furnished subjects of conversation in almost every language under the sun, and at almost every moment of his daily circuit, in one corner or another of the regions which were visited by his beams. Even in the heart of China, and on the forbidden shores of Japan (where a new form of thought is as rare as a comet, and regarded with as much superstitious terror), the French Revolution, known only by the last echoes that carried its confused rumours to the ends of the earth, excited alarm and apprehension of evils as undefinable as those of enchantment. Meanwhile, through all the countries of Christendom, and more or less in every quarter of the globe, the anomalous war, commenced to suppress it at home, only served to confirm it there, and extend and perpetuate its miseries abroad. There is not a state on the Continent at this day which is nearly the same, in territorial form or internal policy, as it was before

P

the

year 1789, or as it would have been if France had fallen quietly to dust, under the mouldering ruins of its old government. Its contagious revolution has thus, to an incalculable degree, influenced the character, the habits, and, if we may use the expression, the fate of all future generations in those lands where its arms have made way, or its principles have been insinuated." And, finally, Sir Walter Scott speaks of this period of history as the most important, perhaps, during its currency and in its consequences, which the ANNALS OF MANKIND afford."

66

From such distinguished testimonies as these it must be evident, even to the most superficial observer, and to those who are not old enough to recollect the deep impression of horror and consternation produced at the time, that the events of this period were of a nature far out of the common course of God's providence: that they were, in fact, such as might be supposed to happen-such as our judgment tells us were required to happenwhen God's purposes respecting the nations, at the time of the restoration of the Jews, should be on the point of accomplishment.

Such being the case, it now remains to be shewn, in order to prove the correctness of this proposition, "that the shocks among the nations which were caused by the French Revolution have corresponded to those which preceded and hastened Israel's fall and ruin," and that they

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