saying, "that they were equally defied to show the former things;" supposing that this clause alludes to those which were past. But Bishop Louth renders this passage thus : "Let them approach, and tell us the things that shall The things that shall first happen, what they are, let them tell us, And we will consider them; and we shall know the event." It is certain that by "the former things" is meant, the former of those which were to happen hereafter. He then quotes Jeremiah (x. 2), and contends that "not to be discouraged at the signs of heaven is no command to disbelieve them." To confute this, I give the passage in its connection :-" Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain," &c. The prophet then proceeds to shew that the superstitious fear which the Babylonians had of imaginary signs of evil, had led them to idolatry. This caution against the astrological and idolatrous customs of Babylon, was peculiarly necessary to a people who were soon to be conducted thither as captives. Lieutenant Morrison, lastly, endeavours to shew that the idolatrous observance of times, by the Romans and other heathen nations, is no argument against the mere astrological observance of them; as "when the Moon is with Venus for marriage, &c. which days are never fixed, but vary continually." I reply, that the sacred prohibition is against all superstitious observances of times whether fixed or not; and that as astrology has been proved to be an absurd, knavish, and impious art, all its principles and practices should be rejected with detestation by every man of piety and wisdom. ROYAL NATIVITIES. DR. JOHNSON remarks that at the time Butler's Hudibras was published, astrology had a very extensive dominion; and that "its predictions raised hopes and fears in minds which ought to have rejected it with contempt." What effect Butler's satire upon astrology had upon the public is uncertain, but according to the Doctor, "cheats seldom stand long against laughter." Lieutenant Morrison boasts that "the highest and noblest lady in the land, has honoured him by perusing his Almanack:" as well might a fool plume himself, that the Queen had honoured him by laughing at his folly. However, it may be safely affirmed, that no fears have been raised in her royal mind, by the predictions of this crafty astrologer; and whatever may be his motives for the evil announcements he has made, respecting the early part of her Majesty's reign, his counsel will not be sought as to the best means of averting the evil influences of the stars, and escaping from shadows of his own creation. "Science, with thy resistless light Disperse these phantoms from my sight, These mimic shades of thee." In Zadkiel's Almanack for this year, the Lieut. has the following predictions respecting the Queen : "Summer and autumn of 1839-much grief to the nation; danger of illness [italics] to her Majesty, and the loss of a neur relation. "The winter of 1840-great troubles; changes in the state. "The autumn of 1841-war; also danger to her Majesty's eyes. "The autumn of 1842-a very fatal period; perilous to her Majesty's health; danger of consumption! If the nation be then at war, much loss and defeat; mutiny will attend the Queen's fleets, &c." The Lieutenant then proceeds to give some direful intimations of something "most important early in the twenty seventh year !"—What such a man deserves, I leave her Majesty's loving subjects to determine. In the preface to this Almanack, the Lieutenant remarks "That as it is impossible for two parallel lines ever to diverge, so is it that the WORKS and the WORD OF GOD should ever disagree." |