RICHARD BROTHERS,

A MADMAN nor an IMPOSTOR;

POSSIBILITYOI:HISBEI,NCTItE

PRO P H E T 0 F GOD.

HowEveR contemptible the opinions of all unknown and obfcure individual may appear ill the eyes of thofe, whom affluence and prefent fituation have rendered callous to the whifper­ ings of rearon, and eminently regardlefs of thl: tellimonies of revealed inowluIte, offered to them, by a fellow creature, tl$>ugh prophecy, by permiffion of the Almighty, yet the internal conviaion of their efficacy and truth, obliges me ·to make known my humble tefiimony and belief of Mr. Brothers's Pamphlets, entitled "A re­ vealed Knowledge of the Prophecies, and Times."-But to me, themalice of thore, and the pointed fuafts of envenomed fare arm, that fucb will level againll me will be of little ccnre- quencc; ( 2 ) ( 3 )

canprefume to warn mankind of their errors and ~u~lnec::oa~:g:i~e:a~l~a;e: 7~~in~~;~eadffut~:d~ tbe inevitable dellruElion hovering on their de­ thatintheChriflian and true BdiC1Jer, I /hall find voted heads-fince he is ridiculed, and even thatcandour and encouragement tbat ever dif­ ahufed; if he has the good fortune, (if I may tinguilhestbefoulofthe Man oj God. be permitted to ufe the expreffion) to ef~ape im­ Let not tbe political Zealot, nor the enthu­ prifonment, and fuffering an ignominious trial? liallicaland religious Bigot,accufe me of fana­ Has not this happened? Have we not had recent ticirmand apo!lacy, before they inve!ligatewith infiances of men having been cOt:llinedancl fur..; coolners and deliberation the truth of the ob­ fering hardlhips and all the impunities, that cri­ fervations that will occur in the courfe of this minals conviEled of the bafe!l crimes, have only Effayo Then, if with a /hadow of reafon they undergone_c1ofe confinement-fcanty provi­ can offer a decifion again!l me, I will abide it in fion-guardedbythecreaturesofdefpOlifm, and the fpi;it of meeknefs, relling fatisf1ed in my own fuffering every indignity that the tyranny of mindofthepurityofmyintentioll,andthelince­ power could invent, or tbatthemaliceofanen­ rilyofmyfentimentso ..aged government could poflibly i"niEl? Yet Thai the judgements of God arejull and irre­ thefe virtuous and immaculate men, after hav­ vocable none will furely deny, though few are ing experienced an unparalleled feries of op­ fo wife as tD perceive the time of their execution prelIion, when brought 10 the bar ofjullice, and is at hand. As the firllprincipal llep towards their crimes committed to the invelligalion of their completion, let us only review the calami. men, unhi'!ffid by imerell and authority-thoir ties that have arifen from theprefent dellruElive .innocence was proved" as clear as the noon andunproncipledwar,andthofe that mull jullly day,'1 to the falisfaElion of every honcll and and ne'celfarily follow; yettbough they are every principled heart, and to the Uller confufion of way evident to the calm obferver, and mui!: in­ their malignant oppreffors?_Are fuch then the evitably happen, IElI our wife and prudent hleffings-the boafled blefl/ngs of the Englifll (may I not add fool-bardy) Leginators, are Conllilution, which the venal champions in it determined to purfue it, till its ultimatum is uure, fo glaringly laud to the !kies, and call finallyelofed, by the certain dellruElion of its glorious ?-Poor /hon-fighted Sophills! Ye can­ abettors, alJdthe ruin, fubverlion, and overthrow not fee the venality that fupports it-nor the tot_ of Our deluded and unhappy countr)O-ilut who u:ring con

droops its head, and /hortly will it fall. Caf\ power? And do not our biOtops, in ordainingmen~ iniquity fJourilh for ever-' No I-the mafier piecoe for the facred purpofe of preaching tbe word of of wickednefs-popery-tbat heinous profana­ God, fay, as Qn their knees th~y bend before tionofthefacred Godisrrearly at-ail end. Ai-; them-" Receive the HolY GhoJl Jor the office and ready hasfuperfiiliousidoiatry receivedapower-; :work oJ a Priejl in 1M Churcb, 1WW cOtlllllitted unJ.a ful check-its diabolical progrefs is fioppedl tlxe by the itnprifititm oj Ollr "ands: whoJeJins tholl and its entire annihilation is at hand, when the do.ft Jorgive, theJ are flWgiven., 8;:c. &c. &c." Is faints andfervatltsof the Lord fhallrejoice, and not then the office of a billiop el(aaly fimilar to pralfe the molt high God, that this helliih malk that of -a Pope? none I believe poffeffed of the of falfehood, hypocriry, and deceit, is fallen; -leaft grain of fenfe, can for a moment hcfitate «Babyl!>n the Great, the Mother ofHarlots, and anfwering in the affirmative-And is not this pro_ lhe abominationsoflheeanhnabylonis fallen." - phane faying, "Receive the ~oly Ghr!fl.," an in­ The profeffors ofChrillianity will here exclaim, dignity offered to God, and a violated and irre­ what has our Church and Religion to do wit~ verent 1nfringement on the Divine Power and Popery, are we not Ihe children of God and £01_ authority, to the laltdegreewickedprcfumption, low~rs ofhis blefTed Gofpel ?-I will here arrfwer, and nothing lefs than blafphemy againll: the OlU­ no! ye lire indeed blind prorerror~ but not doer~ nipotent Almighty, who is Lord of all, both in of his word. I would here alk, What are the idle Heaven and on Earth, and in 'Whom relts alone ~nd[uperficial ceremonies at Ihis day obferved all power, might,majefiy, and dominion, for ever III the efiablinled Church of England? me-rely andever,toalleternity? Yet,lliallmanprcCume emblematical types of idolatrous ordinances an.d arrogate to himfelf the power which alone Again, Are not our billiops, who are called is ofGod, the remiffion and forgivenefs of Ens? "~ords fpiritual," nothing mOre than figu_ May I not here quote the words of a man, whofe ratn'eand typicalofa Pope-onlyofthofe there writings in every line, breathe the genuine lan­ are a number felea and chofen, and feldoll\ guage of Divine infpiration, that" ph 4 fa!ft I believe for their eminent piety and virtue. "form o/ordination, is flDt O1Ily dijhonorable to 1M tboughfaying nOlhingof that fubjecr, is not thei; .. King, Parliament, and P~C'Ple 0/ Engla1Ul, but -p~ofellional office thatlhe Popehimfelfprofeffes: , a!fo afhomifvl reproach to tire ByllOPS to lltltmpt f~rgiving VIZ••the of ems, and the appointment " 0 givr., ana to the Ckrgy to kned d«Jm,to T(­ ofpnefis, 10 whom he IIffumeuo invelt the fame (C"uivr.". power? Laying ( 6 ) ( 7 ) Layingafide for the prefent, the convincing cedented in the annals of hillory. After bavill& proofs the Serif 'ure affords ofthe certain downfall giving us a chronological account of J~rufal~m, of Popery, from he evolution of occurrences that and the difperlion of the Jews from therr otIttve have taken place in many parts of Europe, and land, accuralely founded on Scriptural authority; more particularly the recent crifis in neighbour_ be then proceeds to relate the rdurn iftke Jews ing countries, it mull appear to the man of com­ to tluir own land, as recorded by Mtfes and the other monunderftanding, ifhe is theleaft converfant Proplias. in the political hillory of modern events, with­ Nothing is more common in the ancient and out boallingan)' confiderableenthufiallic alfeR­ biographical hillory of nations, tban to find them ation or forefight, that it is drawing very near change their manners and language, nay, even its final clore. Theendeavoursot the learned their rtligio1t and places of habitation, fo that have beenindefatigableinpointiQgouttheAnti fometimes it is a matter ofdifficulty to mark, with Chrijl, fpoken of in the Sacred Writings, to he precifion, from whence they {irIt. fprung. As pow­ Yopery; and the confirmation oftruth, has amply erful armies overcome weak ones, fo are weak rewarded the Expofitor's pains -Nor fhould itbeunnoticedinthisplace,thateveryadver_ ::~~~~~~gdedO~~~i:i;s t~tt~~:::;t;:: ~:~ fary to the Divine Being, who rejeEls the prieftly -pofei:! upon them, and the barbarous ferocity of office of theblelfed Redeemer, is to all intents their baughty conquerors, to leave their native andpurpofes an Antichrij/; and there are at the 'Country, and· to tcaverfe, and fettle in parts Jlrefent day charaElers and feEls, whofe f)'ftem of barren and uncultivated, nay, perhaps, even be­ faith is little other than a coLleElion of herpes. fore unknown. But to return from this apparent digrelIion to Tben, £hall we wonder, after tbe judgement Ihemain purpofeofthis Elfay-to inveftigate the the Almighty bad pronounced by the mouth of truth of Mr. Brothers's pamphlets: The lidi, Mofes, Deuteronomy 28, which in this place .. which COntains among other great and remark_ will not be improper for the reader to perure able things, not revealed to any other perfon on with attention. earlh, the reftoration of the Hebrews to ]erufa­ 64th verfe, And the La d fhall fcaller thee, un~er lem, their revealed Prince and Prophet," (meaning the JtTPl,J among all nations, from the ?pens with the" Trw Age if the World," which, one end of the earth to the otber; and there i~ In pOllltof arrangement and exaditude, unpre- thou fhalt ferve otller Gods, which neither thou cedented ( 8 , ( 9 ,

nor thy fathets have known C'!IetI wood and people are derided, infulted and abufed. Even fione. to England, if we conline ourfelves alone, a 65. And among thefe i1atlOJI& tnou fhalt find Country profeffing the greateft humanity to no cafe, neither £hall the fole of tby feet find reft : {hangers arid foreigners-we fee them wander­ but the'Lord fhall give thee there a trembling ing about theftreets, particularly in the metropolis heart, and failing ofeyes, and forrow of mind. of London; in the moll menial occupation, that 66. And thy life £hall hang in doubt before of carrying a bag at their back, and crying old tbee, and thou £halt fear day and nigbt, and fhaII doaths from door to door, the objeRs of uni­ have none a1furance of thy life, &c. &c. And verfiridiculeand contempt, and of thofe too who the Land of Judea underwent all thefe vicihi.. profefs themfelves Chrillians and members of tudes, and was dcfiitute of all regal govern. Chrift's church; but fhamelefs wretches! have ment, after their difobedience to the laws of God, neither God before their eyes, nor grace in their and degenerating into all the idolatries and other hearts-nay, fo much are they held in derilion impieties that are abominations in hi. fight, in this Chrillian CouDtry; tbat eveD children de~ kindling his wrath into a mighty curfe-They ride them and laugh them to fearn, and we find £hall be fmittm, their flI()t is driLd up, tMy}hillJ bear their habitations in tbe moll ebfcure part of the no fruit, yea, thO'llf;h tht] bring farth"d wiJl I.flaj town, principally at the eaft ~nd of the City. evm the helofled fruit of their womh--my God wilt But neverthelefs they are a People more favored, caj/themawayhecirUfetheytlid.lIDtheare.ffl.untoHim: although fufferings have been more feverely alld tht] }hall he wanderers among the Nations­ infliRed on them than on any other by the (Hofea ix. 16. 17') and certainly the Jew. Almighty; yet they are, though not objeRs of his a1moft ever finee the dellruEUon of their king_ prefent bounty, particularly under his divine care dom by Titus Vefpalian, have been without a and proteRion, and will, in due time, be rellored fix'd abode, and have been fcattered alI over the to their Promifed Land; and God will manifell ea~, neglecting the Lord their Cod-and 1 his regard and receive them into his favour ac­ beheve there is not a kingdom in the known cording to his everlajling covenant which he made :orld but there are Jews to be found in it; "yet to the HllUfe of grad. .dfter thaft days, fa.p the amoJrg' tMfe Natil1ftJ flail they firui 110 lIZfe" Lord, I will pui my law in their inwar-d patts, and :n,.~st~IYf:ay ::~e faid thar their" jut find "' write it in their hearts. and I will he their God, tmd ry where these unfortunate theyjhallbe my People. (Jerem. chap. 23' ver.33·) c The. people ( JO ) ( 11 )

The Lord covenants to the Prophet, toJorgiT1e , In the 36th cbapterof flbe fame Prophet il is their inifJUity, and to remember theirfin no 1T1.ore_ iWritten in the 33d verfe-Thu,jays the Lord God, and thus fays the Lord. "If Heavenaliove can be in the day that I ckanft you fm,/I, aJi Jour iniquities I meafured, and the foundations of the earth willaljo cauflyoutodwell in the cities, and the wafte fearched out beneath, I will aICo caft off the feed places)hall be built, and it lllaJi be faid, this land that of Ifrael for all that they have done." (vcr. 37.) was difolate is become the garden of Eden, and tile The gathering together the Children is clearly wtif/e and difolate ruined cities are fenced and art fuJI confirmed in the Prophet Ezekiel, but more ofinhabitants. From this and the following chap­ efpecially n the 34th chapter. terit appears, that.when the Children of Ifrael are gathered from pn every fide, and 41"e brought 11. For thus fays the Lord Goa, I, even Iy will fcarch for my fiteep and find them out. into tlltir own land-they will be one /'lotion on the mountains of .!frad; and there fhall\bea king \0 12. As the fi1epherd gathers his flock in the rule over them, and David the fcrvant·ofthe day that the {heep are fcaltered, fo will I feek Lord (or rather, I OlOuld fuppore, this revealed out 1IIy {heep, and will deliver lhem from aU defcendant) Here places where they had been fcaltered before the )hall be thei," Prince for ever. cloudy and dark day. .. I wiJl literally quote Mr. Brothers'OlOrtobrer­ vations which follow a number of well rcleaed 13· And I will bring them out from the ~eople. portions of Scripture appertaining to the Jews, and gather them from all countries, and will andtheirreinftatementin their Promifed Land. bring them to their own Land; r will feed them "The vifion of Ezekiel," faphe "relative to on the mountains oflfrael by tbe rivers, and "JerufaIem, aUudes 10 the grandeur and extent make them inhabit the wafte places of the country. "of iI, when rebuilt by the Jewsaftertheirretum "in the year 1798; it will be the Capilal of the 22. I will fave my flock and they fhall be no "'Vorld, and from it will go nee more 10 all more a prey; and I will judge between callie and cattle. "Natiqns the Commands of [he Living God." Now for a few words 011 the poffibiliry of his lI3· And I will fet up one fhepherd over them, being that PRPPHET of the Lord, and LINEAL aM befhall feed them, even 'liyfirvant DAVID, • DEsc.;:l

us perufe the 2d chapter of Ifaiab, read the fir/l~ who,tamenting his fate,bringsdowntbeirgreyhairs recond, and third verfes, and the fourth will be with ~row to the grave--a father torn from his undt:rllood to mean that Jacob .. fhall judge heloved wife, and leaving perhaps a nllmerous .. among the Nations, and fhall rebuke many family of young help!efs children to lament bis .. people; and they fhall beat their fwords intQ fate, and eat the bread of !'oveny and mifery: .. plough-fhares, and their fpears into pruning again, we often find a youth, by the connivance of .. hooks; Nation /hall not lift up fword againft a fordid guardian, fold as it were to death, in c< Nation, neither fhall they learn war any more.'~ orderto gain polTeffion or-his fortune and ellate; No man will furely doubt the authenticity of the when, perhaps, both the youth and bis polTeffions Holy Scriptures-if there is, to him I do not ad­ were intculled to his proteaiop and aare by a near drefsmyfelf; and the man polTelTe of the leafl relation, who repofed in him the greatell mark of knowledge in the facred writings mull ~wn, as this friendfhip and elleem; though fatal experience bleffed prophecy has not yet been fulfilled, for. proves him loll to every fenfe of humanity, ties of the prophet himfelf ~xprefsly fays, !' it will come blood, and feeling of a man. But God fay~ topafsinthelalldays"~butfetting-alidefucha 'f lie who Jells a manJhall furely die for it.l' powerful tellimony of an infpireq wfiter, I would Can 1 poffibly bring a fironger argument to en_ afk any mortal in his fenfes if the prefent mo­ force it (theprophecyJ, nothavingbeenaccom_ ment (,,'hicb teems with blood and flaught~r) will plilbed. Had it been fulfi\led--_would Nation rise IIOt give a direa negative to its having been pe~­ againll Nation, confel'in evil council, and con­ formed? Is not Government ftraining every Ilantly premeditate the flaughter of each other? nerve to raife men for army and nav.y, by all the And from local obfervation, it is certain the oppreffivemeansthathelli/hinventioT\couldform, art of war is as much carelTed by fools, as all the arbitrary cOIllPIlUionthatdtJpo(icarijlocrac) peace is efteemed and defired by the good and could execute, in order to carryon a war, with wife---for in every theet, alley, and court, and ~~ertions, unrelaxed becaufe it is fuppofed, in a even fquares too, we meet men and boys feduced ~oyal opinion, to be jujl and neaifary, though from the plough and bonell indullry, by the all. It tends only to dellroy mllltitudes, and call down prevailing gUIle of Government finelTe--and thevengeanceofGodonthisunfortunatecountry~ glittering gold, the fatal fnare ofminillerial cor_ Daily do we fee the adored fon dragged by a ruption I-to accept the mark of the Beall paren~ memle(s gang from a fond, and indulgent that BA~E of HON01lR, (if it may be tenned fo) 4 Who.. for ( 14) ( 15 ) {or t1~e trifling fum of TWENTY POUNDS ooly, which, in my bumble opinion, does not appear bernac1e of David that is fallen, and c10fe up the more honoura Ie than that fixed on Cain for the breaches thereof; and I will caife up his ruins. :IIuRDERdfhis brother ABEL. and I will build it as in the days of old, &c. &c. Secondly, we will ..dvert to' the third chapter Here it is evident, that afterthe Jewsrefiora_ ofthe Prophet Hofea.· . tion to their own country, (which is a~ clearly 4· For the children of Ifrael /hall be many proved in the l3th, and following verfcs of the days without a King and without a Prince, and fame chapter,) the government of lfrael will be w~thout a facrifice, and without 311 image, anq given to the feed of David.-A righteous hranch, II Wllhout an Ephod. aDd without Teraphim. King tfw.tjkall reign and proJper, and ./hall e.¥ecute 5· Afterwards, the children of Ifr eI /hall re­ judgement andjuflice on the earth. turn, and feek the Lord their God, and Davia 'Henceitisincontrovertiblvcertain,thatasthe their king; ~nd they U1all fear the Lord, apq Jews have not yet been rello~ed to their Promif_ /hall know hlS goodnefS in the latter days. ed Thno, it is indifputable, that it mull /hartly Now ~t is evident the Jews were taught to ex­ take place, in 'or'der to the fulfilment of God's pea a King, and of the feed ofDilvid-and thall holy promife, in truth to Jacob, and in mercy 111 we for a moment doubt, that the Almighty will Abraham, 1JJltich he hasfwarn tl1 our ja#erlftom the negleCt to fulfil Ihe folemn Covenant he made days 0/ old. 'Micah vii. 20. to the children of Ifrael? It will be unnecelfary to enforce any further . Thus fays the Lord, who gives the fun for a argument 10'prove, that a Prophet will be re­ light. by day, and the moon and liars fora light vealed, to lead the Jews to their own laDd, aDd bY.Dlgltt; who divides the feiJ when the waveJl rna] be daily expeEled ; tbougn for fati3fa&ory' il­ ofltroar-lfthofeordinances depart from be_ lullration, I will add the [aft chapter ofMalachi. fore me, fays the Lord, tben the feed of Urael 1. For behold the day cometh that I /hall thall a1fo ce~e from being a nation hefore me for bum as lIn oven; and all the proud, ye and all ever. ]eremlah31,35,and36. . that do wickedly thall be ftubble; and the day of FUCl?er~ore, the relloration ofthe Tabernacle cometh that /hall burn them up, faith the Lord of Hoas, thatitlhallleavethemneitherrootDor the~;::~' c~sa;:~r:~~~::yond all refutation, jll branch. l1thverfe. Inthatdar'IfiillraifeuptheTa_ 2. But unto Y9u that fear my name. fila II the fun of righteoufnefs arife with healing in his bernaclc: wil'iP, ( 16 ) ( 17 )

wings, and /hall go fdrth and grow up as ea)ves .. who came into the world to fave linners-" of the /Iall, others again have affirmed it r('lated to John the S. And ye /hall tread down the wicked, for Bapti/l. who was the harhinger of the coming they /hall be a/hes under the (oles ofyour feet in of our Lord and Saviour, and did come, accord­ the day that I do this, faith the Lord of Hofts. ing to the blelfed Redeemer's own words, .. in ~of~s has defcribed God as a confumingjire, with the flrmgth and pOVicr of Elias---" but as far as which, in the terrible day of his wrath, he will my humble fpeculation leads me, the great Elijah fmite "all the proud," and dellroy all th')r w!i# and Prophet named, implies neither one nor the do wickedly, ofthem leavingneithir root norliranch. pther;* but anotbcr Prophet, who, endued Wilh but the bright fun of righteoufnefs wiII bean: the fpiritofGod, and the power of fire, like un­ forth blellings on thofe who fear his holy name to Elias, will be deputed by the Almighty, to col­ and they /hall thrive" and grow up as the calves leCl: lhe fcattered Jews from all nations, and will 0/ the flail," removing the veil of darknefs from lead them to their own country, which will never more be wrefted out of their own hands, where he ~heir hearts, he will enlighten their underftand_ will prelide over them, and adminifier jufiice mg, an.d pour in it his divine wifdom J and as tbe fierce hon overcometh the lamb and eateth his as a king, and govern and difpenfe judgements as a prophet. The flimfy arguments, however, c~rcafe, fa /haH the righteous triumph over the advancedonbothfides,infupportoflhefore­ Wicked, and tread them under their feet-" for going opinions, are rendered aE!ually vague and they/hal!be'!fhesunderthejoleso/theirjut:" May erroneous, by the very obfervations they them­ we not u~derftand from that phrafe, the wicked fe1vesmaintain; both parties acknowledge the or enemIes of God, are comparatively a/hes o~ Millennium, and that the Jews will be re/lored ~i~1 :ear::~f~;~~~~: j~:~ement by which they to their ancient rites and fplendor; yer /liH aver that Malachi's propbecy isjully accomplijlud, con­ al~he fifth verfe of this chapter has been gene cerningthe coming of the Elijah, &c. If this :h ~ mifunderftood: Behold I willftnd you Elija~ v.. as tbe real cafe, no longer would fathers be e rophet, bifore the clYaing the great and dread.. 0/ turned from their children, nor the cbildren ~l ~::e~:he Lord :-This Elijah and Prophet is S p. d by fome commentators on the holy • J,b. himfdfdenies it is him, John i. 21. " And they.lked hirn"whatart thou, Elias?-.ndhcfaidIamnut. Art .hou Cflptures, to mean the Melliah, JESUS CHRIST. that Prophet I and he anfweredNo- ~' whQ from ( 18 ) ( J9 ) from Iheir falhers-thal is to fay, no longer w6uld the earth be fmote with the curfes of war and tnt BROTHER oj JA~IES, and Jrifes, (f.ld oj 'Juda,an.! tumults,caufing f1aughtcrand bloodlhed,fpread_ ::.a;~. ~:. a;~1U:~ S~;.E~Sr:te~·~r::~~~i~~ ingdeathanddefolation through the world; but f:;: all mankind and nations would be drawn together myfelfdefcendedfromthatJames, the eldell fon in the chords of fociallave and harmany_ of Mary, by Jofeph, whom St. Paul calls the. the kingdom of Chrill would come: yiz. uni_ Lord's brother, is the rearon the Lord God, to vcrfal peace would prevail throughout the whole manifell his regard, faid to me-You may tell world. the King of England I call rou my Nephew." Now. as far as my powers will permit, having This exprelJion has been an ample fe~1l for proved lhat fuch a Prophet mull come to fulfil weak minds, as affording fcope for the ndlcule, the promif~sofGod to the children of lfrael; it of their malignal)t tongues; many. with whom now remains to authenticate Mr. Brothers as th~ I have converfed on the fubjeEl:, have affirmed expefledElias. anddefcendantofDavid. Inthe it an ulttrimpoJlibility that our Saviour could be 8dlpageof the fecondbook, Mr.B.obferves, faid to have brothers and fillers, becaufe he "After the Lord Jefus Chrillwas born of Ihe was conceived by a Virgin, cTtated, and not begotttn, blelfed Virgin Mary, {he was married to Jofeph; as the other children of David; and as for James bywhomlhe had fons and daughters: they were and Simon, &c. &c. being termed brothers of fuppofed, as the unquellionabletefiimonyofthe ~~~ ~~;~~s~;':O;~:~~l~:~:t:~in:~~et~:o~:~: Gorpeldemonllrates to be, his brothers and fif­ ters." St. Paul, in the firfi chapter ofGalatians, trine, I would only anfwer, that if the Inrplred fpe"kingof James. calls him" the Ln'd's brotherl' Apollles, only wrote mtrt and proverbial fa)'lngs, and St. Mark, in the fixth chapter. after hav.­ we cannot wonder that there are fo many un­ Ing rel~ted the people to have wondered when believers in the Holy Scriptures. in the prerent tbey heard Chrillpreaching in the Synagogue on theSabbalh; dercribes many in allonilhment to ~~~~~~~~:~:~~:~:~e~~~u~~~ ign~rant h~ve eXclaimed-From whence has this MAN thif' block to thofe, whofe minds are to\> to tlungs? and what wif@m is this which is given to underlland it, or too obftinate to receIve con­ 1um, that romfuch mighty 'Works are W/'ovght by his viction of its truth. I mull own from my heart, !zands! Is not this th~ Carpmter, tilt Son oj Mary, I helieve that allY man who can trace his line of filiation. to David, is undoubtedl)' fuch a rel<\r the llOl\ ( 20 ) ( !H )

tion to the Almighty. "In tbe fame manner, tern of MOSES, who led the children of Ifrae1 out (as Mr. Bralfey Halhed ingenuou/ly affirms) tbat ~f the land of Egypt inlo the country of Pale­ every Jew to this day is a fon of Abraham; and fiine; and as his million is exaElly fimilar to lhat as we are all of us, beyond a doubt, the fODS of of the firn MOSES, we may with /tria propriety Adam." term him the fecond, as it is he, who in thefe mo­ Mr.Brothersinhisprefacetothefecondpart dern days, will coiled: the fcattered Jews and ofhiswork,laconicallydeclares,"aman that has lHing them to Judea. beenan oflicer in the navy, whofe immediate an­ And by the Expofition given by Mr. Brothers, ceftorshave beenfeparated from the Jews fuch we under/taDd, that the Babylon referred to in a con/iderable length of time, as to make them the t8th chapter of John's Apocalypfe, does not forget they ever belonged to the name, declar­ appertain to Rome, as all commentators have ing himfelf openly to the world a Prophet of defcribed it, but.London. It is clearly repr~fent­ God, the revealed Prince allOtted to order the ed as a capitalfta-port; and furthermore, the fuddenrerurnof the Hebrews from all nations, very merchandize and articles oftraffic.inwhicl! and govern them in the land ofIfrael,will,with our traders are (0 notoriou/ly renown'l:d for fomereafon I allow, excite both aftonilhment dealing in, are fo fatisfaElorily elucidated, as and doubt; but from the multiplied recorded not to leave us for a moment in ccinjeElure, to teftimonies I produce, which no man on earth what country the AponIe fo metaphoricallyal­ ca.n, it ~ught not to prevail with any perfon as luded. In this place it will not be mat Ii pro­ aJuftobJe&ion againft believ;ng what I write." pos, to fay a few words on the fubjeCt of tile trade, "For obferve," continues he, "fome hoftile in which our llritilb traders are fo glaringly no­ ~rofeffion was necelfary for me to be concerned ~orious. ln~ to fulfill the recorded judgement of the fa_ To England 1he SLAVE TRADE is a nigma mJly I am defigned to reprefent in the feat of of reproach of the blacken hue. It is a government:" adverting it is certain to the de­ TRADE, whofe bafis is cruelty and opp-reffion; nouncement of God on David, King of Ifrael~ and exprefsly contrary to the laws of GOD and 1hattheJwoTdJhouldntveTd~artfTOf1Ihishauft. M.. N. It is an abominatim to the LORD, and It alfo plainly appears to'me, that;n all his calls aloud faT diVine vengeanCl, and te> thofe who perfonal concerns, and in his conduct, life, and fupport it; and thofc who fanElion ~t, it will be fower, helhould he an exaCt and figurative pao. il.D everlaaing confu/ion: 0 WrI.IliRFOll.CE! ever immortalized, tern ( u ) ( 23 ) immortalized, and much refpeaed name, to th~ foOn be left in the moll affiiClive anguiOI, then. friends of humanit)',honour, and freedom; it will !he feel the woes of her Daveswllh bitternefs will e\'er be regarded and perpetuated to pofl:c_ and repentance; but remorfe will be a canker­ rit)', witb that tribute of gratitude and applanfe worm to the wounds of her mind, then will DIe which thy meritorious condua in the caufe of lament her avarice of wealth DIOUld ha\'e been virruefojullly demands; and though for awhile gratified by the toils, tears, and torn limbs of her tyrarmic oppreflion may ufurp her haggard power poor Negroes-then will our groans found in her over the venerable endeavours of humanity, ears, filling her foul with the idea of pains her jullice, ere long, will rifefuperiorto the frowns of mercilefs chalhfements occafioned the fia\'es tyranny, and tbemereilefs feourgeof iniquitous which enriched her with their labours. barbarity! Hear the grateful effulio 1 ofa Poor .. Wilberforce, thou knowest that man, born African to tllis friend of an oppreffedNation--.­ on any part of the earth, was never meant to be " Even amid our calamities the thoughts of you the unredeemable /lave of another. Power may w~1I f~othe f~rrows, Our when our tyrants are !hackle our limbs but !he never can depriveu$ , wleldmgtheenfanguinedfcourgeoverourblced_ of our rights, As men we can never lofe the ingloinsandDlOulders, with the; name of \VIL.,. ~:~~~~e~,: I~:v~l~ve~~t~;;~t 7~b;;;:0~~:'~n :~j~~~ :~~'c~~\~~ ::a~il:h~ap~i:~:~~ll~rl:::t:~e~~VAGES' , mentswithourtyrannoustafk-mallers.O,\\'lL­ «Omuchhonoured and beloved WILBERFORCE! BERFORCE! truO:ing to thy virtues, we hope you may you long enjoy the breath of life to blefs will never ceafe to remember our /llRCkles and UIankind\,vilh your benevoJentvirtues,may your our fcourges. You cannot, you will not. defift enemle~ Wither like the reeds of the defert! may from wi!hing for our relloration 10 the common mouma,Jns overwhelm them with oblivion, while rights of men, and to the proteaion of law tbeyralfcyou the God of Our NOItionl againll the mollmercilefs oppreffors, .. Your voice ofmercy has /llaken cruelty,on he"r "Yourlabours have not fucceeded, but your tbrone of "ppreflion !he may not long triumph virtues I;ave immortalized themfelves. 0, defifl: the tornado may rifeandhurlhertoperdition, e~ not from being her advocale! Avarice may. by n fblencemayfoo blallherproduce,andleave~er your perfe"erance, be obliged to relax her grafp ::I~~d on the walle of defpair, wild, frantic, and of tyrallny-!he maybe convincedtbat ... fREE ul as the hean of il poor Negro! fhe mar NATION may be the moO: zealous, faithful, and fooq 3 produai\'e (24 ) ( i5 )

produaive fervaDf--fhc may be convinced tbat DEATH. How do the African traders get their tbofewho labour from fear, render iheir toils naves but by llealingtbem---tbeyvifitthediffer­ fruidefsbydifgull. The free and cheerful mind ent Indian coalls, inveigle the natives on board will ever be the moll advantageous in labour, but tbeirvelfels by luring trifles, and then rob tbem your good fenfe and good heart require no idea! of their liberty, the moll defirable enjoyment or fentiments of mine: taught to ellimatc the mankind can polfefs-confine tbem in the Ihips' value as well as pri\·ilcge of man, you know that bold-fettered in gaIJing chaiDs, and fcarcely­ theenfranchiled fubject iSlhellrength and riches allow them fufficient Cullenance to prefervetheic of the community to which he belongs. A Nation fpirits from linking beneath the ,Prelfure of mi[... of Slaves lVas never fo powerful or wealthy as a fortune, and when liberated from their priCon, fold Nation of FREEMEN. Wealthy as our tyrants lowrttchtdntfi andjlavtry. Are not the Blacks, may be, they wouldencreafe their abundance by theopprelfed.Negroes, as capable of feeling the re!toring us to freedom. A NEGRO has gratitude, pangs of woe as t!}of~owh9 bo~ll themfelvcs Wbitqs and would re!toreten fold: his deliverance from and Europeanos ?-yes ! and oftentitI1es flume tQ chains and fcourges would elevate his heart, nerve our country and religion, polfefs hearts .tl\~r; Ilis Iimbs,and give redoubled energy tobiseflorts Ihrink from treachery and deceit; and epl9.J; for Ihe fervice of thofe who had rellored him to fouls glo~ving with fenfibilitYI hofpitality,. ;an.d bislongwithheldprivilegesofhumanenjoymem." gratitud,e~-whilll we, who exult in our complexio"l CanltbefuppofedtbattheLordwillpermitfuch and manners,a,e guilty of thebafellcrimes, and an execrable trade to continue in violation of his veil beneath afairoutfidtan inwardheo.rt as blacl,<, facred commands, without exciting his wrath to as guile C3l\ make it. But to avoid further C"Ol} • fulfill the judgment he has denounced on fuch an tinuation of a fubjea that mull create in ~Ve[y. heinous infringement 011 human rights ?-Liberty virtuous brean the moll poignant difguft, 1 bave is the gift of God, and woe unto him tbat Ihall not a doubt Mr. If/ilbtrforu and his friends, who dare to infringe upon it--read the judgment of have favouredOthe abolition of this moll deteftable God~ ~e dealers in human JUJh, and tremble for trade, will meet that reward both here and here_ after, that tbeir)audable and indefatigable exer­ ~~~rdel~~:;:~OOd mull be avenged by blood, tions in tb,; caufcof bumanity, fo jolllyentitie or be appeafed bYlbe atonement of t~em: Ine;-a.'Ul He oWho fltalrt/l a mall and j,crtlrtllltim, or but to continue, taking a moments furvey' of Rome in a geograpbical point of view, it h. • fund In Ilil hand, ht }hall furtly bt put 10 1: appears DEATH, ( 1I6

appears !Iualed inland; and Confequentl rro ( 27 ) hs lituatlon, rendered inadequate to thY m e appearances decidedly againfl, them. Taking pofes of carrying on commerce by th. ~ur­ ~lim in the point of view as a MAN-he is hu­ !fence it is, we find it particularl)' d:r:~~:' mane, generous, and polite; as a MORAL CHARAC­ 10 - all thofe branches of mercbantile d e TER, he is grave in his deportment, pious in his ;:at render couDt:ies conrpiclJOus and nO~:~fb~ ~. W~ manners and conduCl:, and univerfally beloved b.y may with reafon then fuppofe that thofe who know him; as a CHRISTIAN and DIVINE do~doi: ISE~~p~r~atR:ty, c~lIed fpiritually 50­ TEACHER, he is in converfdtion and life TH~ fynchronifm of'th! o~cexr: b~~~refore the CHRISTIAN,as far as allthofewho have been in the f habit of viliting him can determine. In conver­ are materially parallel to each oth;'roPhets, fation, he argues, not in rhetorical and flowery HIJ~/ledhasgivenusabeautifil .. ' Mr. (if Mlhe coincidence that h u lil~lIle In fuppert language) with reafon and judgment. and quote.s liire-origin of the two per~o::a~e.T1zes tbe primi_ fcriptural proofs, with unequalled precifion, as the asMofesafcehded from an ar~ , he fays, •• For balis of bis arguments, when alked impertinen,t djd.Mr. Btofh'ers rife from a o~ ~uU-r.ufhes, r~ \ and farcallic quellions by ignorant ptTJons, who ' bred to the navy,': Vre ~Jp, llavlIJg'been' eitherprerurning on their rank or lituation in liff'. theexprefs command f ~ercelve alfo, that by· thought proper to ridiculo and infult him, he has Mr. Brothers cut a w:n~ : ~ord ~od. hi~felf; a,nfwered mildly. and in the true fpirit of humi­ lity, yet his anfwers ~ave been coherent to their perl'orm the fame miracles tb 792, whIch IS to ~ Mofes did of old; and ;lUs~: the fonner one fharne. and generally operated as a choke-peAT to lltll further: anaffimulation his witty. querifls; always avoids running into rhapfodies. and never permits, unchecked, enthu­ Thus I have brought M B ' of my ability to tbe It r' rothers, to the beft fiafiical dirputes to take place in his prefence; the cbara8e;be app~~: :dge of tbe reader, in when he fees accalion to reprove. it is with mild,: tit/a from 11IJ foul I fo1 penly to the world· nefs and juflice; if he approves, it is not with hint 10 be the ~ery ;:nl: declare, I believ; flattery and guile, but gives praire unto God, and ~hofe fun-Iy who bave f~n e profe1fes himfelf. hopes he will flrengthen the heart in the exercifel !'um, call nev~ prefume to and. converfed with of religion; to the approved, he fays, Co on ana profper. and to thofe around he whifpeu, go ~ Al41f °ran J~POSTOIl. as b:~ ~u.either a MAD_ nJohswill have and do likewift. Can we then, in thefe traaS of appearances. hi. life, charaCl:er, and converfation, difcover any thin~ ( 28 ) ( 29 ) thing apparently mad? Reafon cannot always purpofe by jl;tury and dmit. A deceiver m~ft accompany madnefs, though the moll deranged be a complete adept in flattery, and mafter ofdlf­ -lunatic enjoys its intervals, butheis always rea_ fimulation---he mull applaud the actions you fonable, and I believe no man ever thought him never committed, and extol thofe as heavenlY, otherwife, unlefs the vIrtue which he urged was 'which, perhaps in the fight of himfelf and all the laft thing he defired, and the judgmemsof mankind, are as black as hell; he will cringe for God whic\1 he foretold da!hed wIth his own opi. intereft alone, and when he gives a farthing' away nions, th.e rather becaufe they appeared either it is only 'vith the hopes of expecting to gain a merited by his crimes, or detrimental, if not en. pound for it: fo much for the requifites necelfary tirelydeftructiveof his favourite views and pur. for an impoftor. In Mr. Brothers' demeanour fuits; (uch a man indeed, I will allow, might pro~ and conver[.,tion we perceive neitherlurkinghy_ nounce him mad, and fuch only whoft imerefts he poerify nor infidious craft; his behaviour and foils arc the men who would have hima MADMAN; manner appear to be neither forced nor Pllt all, but but the wretches in vain.endeavour.to prove him IIprigbt and bonej/; the vifible emblems of his . fo; for all their formidable attempts and labours to heart and principles, and his actions and conduct, a rifuiation are infufficient to the defired purpofe, feem influenced only by the beft emotions both of redounding like a battery directed againft them. foulandfentiment. Throughoutthewholetenor felves, to their own difcredir, if not conlufion. of his life he has been refpected; in his nautical Thus we have feen how much Mr. Richard capacity on board !hips of war, he has been ad_ ~N Brothers appears in the charaC1:er of a MADM mired by his commanders, efteemed by his fellow_ '~ith and by whom he is thought fo. Now let us officers, and bdoved by the failors under his com. eq~al candour fearch how far his appearance and mand: to this dily they honour him with the aC1:lOnsareconformablewiththofethat muftnecef_ greateft profefsions of efteem, beftow encomiums far~~ ~::~:~::::;:p;::o':h:n~i~e:;oA~~~~::. on his name, and pay the moft venerated panegy. rics to his charaC1:er; as an officer, indefatigable in let the impofition be calculated for whatever end the exercife of his duty, of integrity, and virtue, it may, is generally peculiarly infinuating in his and as a man humane in his feelings, and upright ~~nners ~nd :on"erfation, and wonderfully in_ in all his dealings.---Thus, Is it pollible for a c1mes botn tOlDtereftyouropinionsin his favour moment to declare him an Impoftor, :lad noticing jlnd almoR: imperceptibly fafeioates you .to hi: nOlle of thofe events wllich he foretold long befare PUrpofl; they (31 ) ( 3° ) him flylcd by penons who have neither rearoned they took place) or even were at the time antici_ wiLh a 'Why or wherefore; I cannot find one word pated by the very authors of them? We will en. either by his books or tradition, that in the leaft quire to what purpofe the impofirion was intended, corroborates fuch an opinion; I have perufed and astheauthorofitwould,fettingafidealldoubts, reperufed them, and he fulminates defuuction to be himfelf the firlt object and victim of the fo­ all·parties-dethronement to our prefent king­ lemn delufion. Many people have not hefitated lubverfion to the prefent government both civil to pronounce him that charaCter, but thefe cannot and ecclefiaftical--a fpeedy termination to both convince you, nor even reconcile Lo their own con_ Houfes of Parliament, and violent threats are de­ fdences, I believe, what object he Ci!Jl havein view; nounced againll: the whole Britifh Nation. Does if as an Anarchilt,theyaccufe him of treafonab/e it then appear in the light cf a party conu17I, pratlices, intentionally calculated to ftirup rebel­ fince he only cffers the hopes of mercy from an lion in the minds of men. The anathemas he enraged God to the hearts of thofe who are the pronounces againlt the prefent government will meek and peaceful on earth? but it is evident give the lye to their affertions, for man will drop both minifterial and oppofition parties are jull:ly the taufe, howeverjult it may be fupported, when to be compared to men labouring in the fame he finds that God has taken it up, and will, by his field, but ",ith different implements. The former divine judgment, crulh the cruelty and oppreffion determines at all events to calrY on the war, be for which he has long and vainly endeavoured to the confequences what they may, the latteY main. gain redrefs; the exhortation he has given us to tains it is utterly impraClicable to perfevere in it amend our lives, to live virtuoufly, and in the fear any further, as our refources are exhaufted, and of God, and to refrain from all manner of fin from the inftability of our allies we are unabled cannot be of an roil or tbfigningJplrit; as evil can: to continue it: indeed throughout the whole war not come ou~ of good, it is impoffible to fuppofe we have trufted to the Jlaff if a bruifed. reed, in that the DeVil would prompt to virtue or influence confiding in our allies, who, although they have a man to ~~pagate true religion to ferve his pur_ pledged themfelves to have done all that in them p~fes; as It IS the very bulwark againlt which all laid; it is eafy to be perceived our fubfidies have his attack. are levelled, fince by its power alone been repaid by treachery and impofition, though an tne human heart that of Satan's is tendered omining digreffion; it is certain both parties are contemp'tuous and abortive. As the 'Wor~ng tool directed to the fame point in their own heam ofa particular political pany. which I have heard (let them fay what they pleafe), the difference is, hi the ( 32 )

:he one is refolutein continuiLigthe war,and thd ( 33 ) ther \lould agree and own irs plauGbiliry offuc... can jull:Iy fay, Mr. Brothers employed himfclf in C:fS, If the means adequate could be produced or dill:ributing benefits to the poor and needy; fo ~i;~:~~ m:~u;fwneoha:: iJlewn him, beyond all that he frequently left himfelf dell:itute to fupply political motives wha p ry, not actu~ted by any the wants ofothers. him as an impoJlor ~:~~~; n~\V we wIll examine I will now no further, by lilppofed illu!ions, of­ mull: have fome expeClatio~ :I~~n thIs light, he fered by ignorant perfons, depreciate the character of a man, whom 1 venerate and ell:eem. I will dizement to be Iealized, but we finle's of aggran_ totally regatdlefs ofhuma Mr. Brothers only add, that as from the obfervations, I have de­ flanding unruffled b .n Iaw~ and ddl1enfations, duced, I think it is clearly proved, that he is nei­ ther a Madmalz nor all IlIIpcjior; and though it diffetence all hum:n :~:~ng. with ~e~ermined in :o:~~~ ~\~hl:t 1~:;:nera~le might be a wicked prefumption to fay pofitively ;'0 all the powers of man he is the Prophet of C;od; yet it would be irre­ c~:~t;:n~y:e~o~~e ~~~;~I~ abounding in ;~s ~~ verent to the word of God, to affert abfGlutely he WIthal for his own Ii has fcarcely where~ is not; and as many have doubts, fo alfo many may bel,e-.Je in him, and ofthe latter number I in­ gi,:,e among many__~~orr;r ~ne ~nftance I w.iII clude myfelf: and 1 affert, f.(om the firf!: moment chIldren Were left d ft· po oman and three I faw him, I imbibed a belief of his prophecies hufband, who died a~r~:te by the death of her andmilTion. King: being reduced t In the ferviceof tbe There is in my judgement, :l Jt nt ifai qlwi, fcry, info much thath 0 ;nextremeftateofmi_ fomething fo fhiking in his drefs, and fo awful in goods and bed fro ~ andlady had feized her his countenance, that my ideas of him may be and money, f1arvi~ u:p;:~he:: \yi:hout friends eafier conceived than exprelTed, by any perfon Mr. BrOlhcrs, hearing ofthe ; mevltable, when who has feen him; bur I do not mean to be un­ humanely fem her fi . oman'smisfOrtunes ntas derf!:ood to fay that when I believed, I enterlained her goods, and affor~e~ 'f:r , which redeemed fuch an implicit faith, as not fometimes to have means ofgoing into Wales and her children the doubts arife in my mind on his infallibility; be­ thofe.of her late hUlband :e~~:re herfriends,and caufe, as no mortal is freely exempt from error, he, ~ho IS a man guilry of h . d. An lmpoftor, in a human flate on earth, (t!lough divinely in­ certaInly never delight i~ d:i~lerr crimes, would fpired,) might err and be equally liable to mir­ 2 ggocd; and this I tl!kes; but thus far we may conclude, none of F tAore f ( 34 ) STIMONY thore irregularities are to be perceived in MI'. Brothers's condud: and actions, that generally . o~ T;E T RUT H, mark the Madman, or one deranged in his fenfes ; SPIRIT . nor can we difcover beneath the fand:ity of his Countehance and behaviour a fecret deception, to tupporr the propofition of his being an Impojlor; '. CHAR;c£;;;cO:rHERS, neither can we forefee any private interetr or gra­ RI to overn the HEBREWS, the tification to be derived from fuch a deceptive T~L~: a;~:;: b~fth~~~RD'.~:~~~~~;;:;et:fCo~: impofition. Therefore, fince we cannot determine and refto~: ~illT:'in;:a:t~'~: the Throne of DAVID, 11\ with reafon, we muft wait with patience, till ~:UG~TW God fhall pleate in his divine goodnets, to con­ ZION, in JERUSALEM. • vince us ofhis truth or fallacy. And as the Al­ mighty is the only Propria Perfona, who can un_ AD ~N ~N ESS ravel the mylkry; We mull: tarry patiently and fufpend our opinions, till he fhall grant us a divine PEOPLE ~oFTIHS'RAELJ &c. manifefiation, fo tliar We may be fu11y awate of :laying (through the heat and natural f1uCl:uation of ~o ~ our thoughts,) tbings, ill hajle, that mujl be repe/1ted C.A. LT; CHR 1ST I A N S, iZlleifllre. GENTIlES E A;; ;L ;TH;' E S.

l-I. F. OFFLEY.

r r NI S.