iv whom they were quite new (which doubtless is the case with many others) they are on this account inserted. The Narratives are arranged according to the order of time; yet not with the exactness of a Chronologist. These Narrations, dispersed in various works, being now collected together, will be found convenient for reference; and, from their association, they will probably appear with greater interest. It was my intention to publish a se-. cond volume on the same plan with this. I had collected some of the materials, but that part of my plan, is now given up for want of leisure. Should the work be useful, I gain my object, and have my reward. My prayer is to God for success-my hope of success is in Him, who is all-who does all-and to whom all is due. THOMAS YOUNG.. Margate, October 22, 1818. Providence Displayed, &c. &c. FEARFUL PORTENTS. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman legions, is one of the most awful and interesting catastrophes recorded on the pages of human or sacred history.-A catastrophe, so solemnly predicted, by our blessed Saviour, predicted with so much plainness, and in so astonishingly circumstantial a manner, and its fulfilment so amply confirmed by the most unquestionable historic evidence, may well excite in the mind of the attentive reader, the deepest conviction and the highest amazement. It would carry me beyond my prescribed limits, were I to attempt to enter into a particular detail, examination, and improvement of all the important circumstances connected with the Divine predic B.. tion. But I hope, for with me it is an object, that I may be permitted to suggest, for the information of those of our young friends, whose attention has not been turned to this subject, that there is a rich repast to be found in the writings of many eminent men, whose pens have been employed on this most interesting theme.Those at the foot of this page,* have been mentioned with very high respect. I have transcribed from Josephus, as being fraught with much interest, his surprising account of the strange signs and tokens that appeared before the destruction of Jerusalem which are thus enumerated by him in his preface to the Jewish war. He observes, "These miserable people (his countrymen the Jews) were thus easily persuaded by impostors, who abused the name of God; yet would they not believe, nor give any ear or regard unto certain tokens and signs of the ruin of their city: but as it were, blinded, neither having eyes nor souls, they counterfeited themselves not to see what God foreshewed them. One while there was a comet in form of a * Archbishop Tillotson's Sermon in his Posthu mous works, vol. 2, p. 547.-Bishop Chandler's defence of Christianity, p. 472.-Bishop of London's Lectures, vol. 2. p. 166. Dr. Arthur Young, on Idolatry, vol. 2, p. 216,-Dr. Whitby's and Dr. Adam Clark's notes on the 24th of Matthew; and Dr. R.Jenkins on the Christian Religion. |