of HAIL," in the case of Alaric, is applied. And

5th. From Russia, as being thus possessed of Turkey, and having thereby a place in the political firmament of the prophetical empire, answering, as was above observed of Genseric, to the exact phraseology of the symbol, in being said to fall "from heaven:" "And there fell," it is said, "a great hail, out of heaven.”

Dr. Pinkerton, in a work just published, entitled "Russia," and who, from his long residence in that country and his extensive means of information, is well qualified to give an opinion, after enumerating the extent of her military and naval strength, makes the following observation. "Russia has not yet attained the maturity of her strength remain stationary she cannot : and who is able to predict her future greatness, or to tell how far her limits may yet extend? Had Russia a revenue equal to that of England, her armies, under an enterprising spirit like Peter the Great, might soon overrun a great part of Europe. How desirable is it, therefore, that education and the pure principles of the Gospel should extend their influence among the nations of that mighty empire; so that this colossal power, raised up by the Almighty IN THESE LATTER days to fulfil His INSCRUTABLE DECREES -raised up from the descendants of those very tribes that once overturned the Roman empire in the meri

dian of its civilization, and which has now assumed such a commanding position on the frontiers of Europe and Asia-may become the minister of peace and happiness, and not of desolation and thraldom to the human race." (p. 17.) I would merely add to this testimony that of the Emperor Napoleon, who is said frequently to have declared, "that the Russian ascendancy would be the destruction of Europe." (See Sir W. Scott and others.)

The connexion of the great events which have just been considered with the preservation of a "sealed " people-with "the battle of that great day of God Almighty"-with the restoration of the Jewish nation-and with "the kingdoms of the world becoming the kingdoms of our Lord, and of HIS CHRIST"-as these subjects will form very prominent features in the after parts of this work, it will be unnecessary further to enlarge upon them in this Introduction. I will therefore conclude by expressing the conviction of my own mind, that, whilst we should all “sigh and cry for the abominations of the land," and humble ourselves as a nation before God, if so be that mercy may yet be found; yet that in the prospect of these awful times, disastrous and personally calamitous as they will be, it is at once the duty and privilege of every believer to contemplate them with the same composed

frame of mind, with which they are said to be contemplated in heaven; and which is in various places expressed in this wonderful book of the Revelation. For if these things are the theme of thankfulness, and praise, and glory, among the saints and happy spirits before the throne of God and the Lamb, they should be no less so the theme of animated devotion and holy joy with the Lord's people on earth! It is undoubtedly theirs to look beyond the present darkened and surcharged atmosphere-to the righteous dealings of God therein to their own everlasting safety in Christ, their exalted Head-to the dishonour now done to His great Name being for ever effaced-and to the new and glorious dispensation which will ere long arise on the world. We may all, therefore, with a firm reliance on our covenant God and Father in Christ, join with Cowper, the poet of the New Testament, in saying,

"Haste then, and wheel away a shatter'd world,

Ye slow-revolving seasons! we would see

(A sight to which our eyes are strangers yet)
A world that does not dread and hate His laws,
And suffer for its crime; would learn how fair
The creature is that God pronounces good;
How pleasant in itself what pleases Him."

G

PART I.

Fulfilled Chronological Prophecy.

PERIOD I.

FROM THE CALL OF ABRAHAM, AND FROM THE MOCKERY OF ISAAC, TO ISRAEL'S DELIVERANCE OUT OF EGYPT:

430 YEARS,

FROM 1921 TO 1491 BEFORE CHRIST;

AND 400 YEARS,

FROM 1891 TO 1491 BEFORE CHRIST.

CONTENTS.

Call of Abraham-The Patriarchs-Period has TWO DURATIONS-Duration of 400 years-of 430 years-Commencement of these two durations at separate timesFirst commencement, the grant of Canaan-Second commencement, the separation of Isaac and IshmaelThe two durations had a common termination, the deliverance from Egypt-Its exact time could only have been known when it had begun to take place in Moses's commission-Abject state of Israel-Commencement not reckoned from the time the prophecy was givenIts certain fulfilment Application to the present condition of the Jews.