a total contempt both of truth, justice, and mercy, as brought that scandal upon all religion, which is hardly removed to this day. Was there more true religion in the preceding century, the age of the reformation? There was doubtless in many countries a considerable reformation of religious opinions: yea, and the modes of worship, which were much changed for the better, both in Germany and several other places. But it is well known that Luther himself complained with his dying breath, "The people that are called by my name, (though I wish they were called by the name of Christ,) are reformed as to their opinions and modes of worship; but their tempers and lives are the same they were before." Even then both justice and mercy were so shamelessly trodden under foot, that an eminent writer computes the number of those that were slaughtered, during those religious contests, to have been no less than forty millions, within the compass of forty years!

15. We may step back above a thousand years from this, without finding any better time. No Historian gives us the least intimation of any such, till we come to the age of Constantine the Great. Of this period several writers have given us most magnificent accounts. Yea, one eminent Author, no less a man than Dr. Newton, the late Bishop of Bristol, has been at no small pains to shew that the conversion of Constantine to Christianity, and the emoluments which he bestowed upon the Church with an unsparing hand, were the events which are signified in the Revelation, by "the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven!"

16. But I cannot in anywise subscribe to the Bishop's' opinion in this matter. So far from it, that I have been long convinced from the whole tenor of Ancient History, that this very event, Constantine's calling himself a Chris-* tian, and pouring that flood of wealth and honour on the Christian Church, the Clergy in particular, was productive of more evil to the Church, than all the Ten Persecutions

put together. From the time that power, riches, and honour of all kinds, were heaped upon the Christians, vice of all kinds came in like a flood, both on the Clergy and Laity. From the time that the Church and State, the kingdoms of Christ and of the world, were so strangely and unnaturally blended together, Christianity and Heathenism were so thoroughly incorporated with each other, that they will hardly ever be divided, till Christ comes to reign upon earth. So that, instead of fancying, that the glory of the New Jerusalem covered the earth at that period, we have terrible proof that it was then, and has ever since been covered with the smoke of the bottomless pit.

17. However, were not the days antecedent to this, those of the third century, better beyond all comparison, than any that followed them? This has been almost universally believed. Few doubt but in the age before Constantine, the Christian Church was in its glory, worshipping God in the beauty of holiness. But was it so indeed? What says St. Cyprian, who lived in the midst of that century, a witness above all exception, and one that sealed the truth with his blood? What account does he give, of what he saw with his own eyes, and heard with his own ears? Such a one as would almost make one imagine he was painting to the life, not the ancient Church of Carthage, but the modern Church of Rome. According to his account, such abominations even then prevailed over all orders of men, that it was not strange God poured out his fury upon them in blood, by the grievous persecutions which followed.

18. Yea, and before this, even in the first century, even in the Apostolic age, what account does St. John give of several of the Churches, which he himself had planted in Asia! How little were those congregations better than many in Europe at this day! Nay, forty or fifty years before that, within thirty years of the descent of the Holy Ghost, were there not such abominations in the Church of Corinth, as were "not even named among the Heathens ?" So early did the "mystery of iniquity" begin to work in the

Christian Church! So little reason have we to appeal to the former days, as though they were "better than these!"

19. To affirm this, therefore, as commonly as it is done, is not only contrary to truth, but is an instance of black ingratitude to God, and a grievous affront to his blessed Spirit. For whoever makes a fair and candid enquiry, will easily perceive that true religion has in no-wise decreased, but greatly increased in the present century. To instance in one capital branch of religion, the love of our neighbour. Is not persecution well nigh vanished from the face of the earth? In what age did Christians of every denos mination shew such forbearance to each other? When before was such lenity shewn by Governors toward their respective subjects? Not only in Great Britain and Ires land; but in France and Germany, yea, every part of Europe? Nothing like this has been seen since the time of Constantine; no, not since the time of the Apostles.

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20. If it be said, "Why this is the fruit of the general infidelity, the Deism which has overspread all Europe:" I answer, whatever be the cause, we have reason greatly to rejoice in the effect. And if the all-wise God has brought so great and universal a good, out of this dreadful evil, so much the more should we magnify his astonishing Power, Wisdom, and Goodness, herein. Indeed so far as we can judge, this was the most direct way, whereby nominal Christians could be prepared, first for tolerating, and afterwards for receiving real Christianity. While the Governors were themselves unacquainted with it, nothing but this could induce them to suffer it. O the depth both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! Causing a total disre gard for all religion, to pave the way for the revival of the only Religion which was worthy of God! I am not assured whether this be the case or not, in France and Germany! But it is so beyond all contradiction in North America: the total indifference of the government there, whether there be any religion or none, leaves room for the propagation

of true, scriptural Religion, without the least let or hinderance.

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21. But above all this, while luxury and profaneness have been increasing on the one hand, on the other, benevolence and compassion toward all the forms of human woe, have increased in a manner not known before, from the earliest ages of the world. In proof of this, we see more Hospi tals, Infirmaries, and other places of public Charity, have been erected, at least in and near London, within this century, than in five hundred years before. And suppose this has been owing in part to vanity, desire of praise, yet have we cause to bless God, that so much good has sprung even from this imperfect motive.

22. I cannot forbear mentioning one instance more, of the goodness of God to us in the present age. He has lifted up his standard in our Islands, both against luxury, profaneness, and vice of every kind. He caused, nearly fifty years ago, as it were, a grain of mustard-seed to be sown near London, and it has now grown and put forth great branches, reaching from sea to sea. Two or three poor people met together, in order to help each other to be real Christians. They increased to hundreds, to thousands, to myriads, still pursuing their one point, real religion, the love of God and man, ruling all their tempers, and words, and actions. Now I will be bold to say, such an event as this, considered in all its circumstances, has not been seen upon earth before, since the time that St. John went to Abraham's Bosom.

23. Shall we now say, "The former days were better than these?" God forbid we should be so unwise and so unthankful. Nay, rather let us praise him all the day long; for he hath dealt bountifully with us. No former time, since the Apostles left the earth, has been better than the present. None has been comparable to it in several respects. We are not born out of due time, but in the day of his power, a day of glorious salvation, wherein he is hastening to renew the whole race of mankind in righteousness

and true holiness. How brightly hath the Sun of Righteousness already shone on various parts of the earth! And how many gracious showers has he already poured down upon his inheritance! How many precious souls has he already gathered into his garner, as ripe shocks of corn! May we be always ready to follow them, crying in our hearts, “Come, LORD JESUS! Come quickly!"