And this spirit, for the diffusion of the truth, is not confined to Britain. It is found among good men of every Christian nation. Perhaps on this day prayers are offered up in behalf of the work, in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. We are encouraged, then, to believe, that the time is come, in the first place, by the consent of good men. When I say good men, T mean religious and devout men, whose minds are not chiefly occupied with the politics and affairs of this world, but who are looking "for the consolation of Israel;" as it is expressed in these words, "Thy kingdom come."

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2. Another circumstance, indicating that the time is at hand, is the general contemplation of the prophecies. The prophecies of Scripture are at this time pondered as seriously in Asia, as in Europe. Even the Jews in the East begin to study the oracles of their prophet Isaiah. And, what is more important, the prophecies begin to be published among heathen nations; and we may expect, that every nation will soon be able to read the divine decree concerning itself.

3. The Holy Scriptures are translating into various languages.

When the Gospel was first to be preached

their discussion of the subject of missions, is but a small part of the nations which seek the word of God...

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to all nations, it was necessary to give a diver sity of tongues; a tongue for each nation; and Was done by the Divine Power, But in this second promulgation, as it were, of the Gospel, the work will probably be carried on by a diversity of translations, a translation for ya each nation. Instead of the gift of tongues, God, by his Providence, is giving to mankind a gift of Scriptures.

4. Another circumstance, which seems to testify that the work is of God, is the commotion in the bands of infidelity against it. "He"rod is troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." A spirit hath issued from the mouth of infidelity, which rageth against Him whose Star appeared in the East, and would destroy the work in its infancy. It rageth not against the Romish Church in the East, though that be Christian; nor against the Armenian Church in the East, though that be Christian; nor against the Greek Church in the East, though that be Christian; but it rageth against the religion of the Bible, that vital religion which aims at the conversion of the hearts of men.

Our Saviour has said, "The Gospel shall be "published among all nations." But these resist the Divine Word, and say it cannot be published in all nations. Our Lord hath said, "Goye into all the world, and preach the Gos"pel to every creature." But these allege,

that the Gospel cannot be preached to every creature, for that " the bond of superstition is "too strong, or that the influence of Christiani"ty, is too weak."

These are unguarded words, and ought not to be heard in a Christian country. These are presumptuous words, arraigning the dispensation of the Most High. Such words as these were once spoken by the philosophers of Greece and Rome, but the Gospel prevailed, and first erected its dominion among them. In process of time the barbarous nations of Europe yielded to its dominion, of which we are evidences at this day. And the nations of Asia will yield to the same power, and the truth will prevail, and the Gospel shall be preached over the whole world.

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5. The last circumstance, which we shall mention, as indicating that the period is come for diffusing the Light of Revelation, is the revolution of nations, and " the signs of the "times."

Men of serious minds, who are learned in the Holy Scriptures, and in the history of the world, look forward to great events. The judge of the future from the past. They have seen great events; events which, twenty years ago, would have appeared almost as improbable, as the conversion of the whole world to Christianity. At no former period have the judgments of

Heaven been so evidently directed against the <nations which are called Christian, as at this day. It is manifest, that God hath a controversy with his people, whatever be the cause. The heathen world enjoys a comparative tranquillity. But the Christian nations are visited, in quick succession, by his awful judgments. What, then, is the cause of the judgments of God on his Christian people? If we believe the declarations of God, in his Holy Word, we shall ascribe them to their rejecting, so generally, the TESTIMONY OF CHRIST. That nation which first "denied His name before men," was first given up to suffer terrible judgments itself, and is now permitted to become the instrument of inflicting judgments on others. And this is agreeable to the ordinary course of God's just and retributive Providence. That kingdom which first seduced others by its infidelity, is now become the instrument of their punish

ment.

The same retributive Providence is "making "inquisition for the blood of the saints." The massacres, fires, and anathemas of a former day filled the minds of men with dismay. We forget these scenes, but all things are present with God. For a long time (as men count time), God kept silence; but the day of retribution is at length arrived, and the seats of the Inqui sition must be purged with blood.

From the fury of these desolating judgments we have hitherto been preserved. Righteous"ness exalteth a nation." (Prov. xvi. 24.). It/ would appear as if God would thus do honour to a Church holding pure doctrine, and to a} State, united with that Church, which hath de-i fended the true Faith, from the superstitions and corruptions which have so long reigned in the Christian world. Lately, indeed, it should seem as if God had selected this nation, as he formerly did his chosen people Israel, to preserve among men a knowledge of the true religion; for we have been called to stand up, as it were "between the living and the dead," in defence » of Christian principles. And although it be true that we have fought rather for our coun-->> try than for our religion, yet it is also true that religion is, in present circumstances, identified, in a certain degree, with the existence of our country... And we trust, that it in the purpose of Providence, by upholding the one, to save the other also. 13

Let this nation, then, weigh well what it is, in God's moral administration of the world, which preserves her at this period. Let her beware of infidelity, and of that moral taint which ever accompanies it. Is it true that any of our chief men begin to laugh at vice," like Voltaire? Let us recal to view the experience of France. We beheld infidelity gradually in

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