as it not only embraces the stupendous fact of the Incarnation, and some of its immediate consequences, but regards the full effects of this act of mercy in the illumination and salvation of the world, has never yet received its accomplishment. For what is the history of the Christian religion? What is, in fact, the present state of it, and what has been its state for the last fifteen hundred years? Is it, in any comprehensive sense, the praise of the earth? The propagation of Christianity in the two or three first centuries, was indeed rapid. The church appeared likely to be firmly established throughout the world. The praise of the Gospel sounded from every quarter of the globe. A very large portion of Asia, most of the divisions of Europe, with no inconsiderable part of Northern Africa, received the word of salvation. The eyes of mankind were attracted to the splendour of the rising light. But how soon was this light obscured! How soon was the march of truth suspended! How rapidly did the life and power of the religion of Christ decline, and with them the zeal which once animated Christians for propagating the Gospel! Even in the second century, the introduction of a vain philosophy began to weaken the stability of many parts of the sacred edifice. The public reception and establishment of Christianity by the Roman Emperors, great as the blessing in itself

was, unhappily gave occasion to the progress of error and superstition. The wide spread of the Arian heresy soon succeeded, and laid waste the fairest provinces of the Christian commonwealth. The church ceased, even in her own dominions, to be the praise and ornament of the earth.

But, why should I prosecute the gloomy subject? Why need I recal to your minds the desolating triumphs of the Mohammedan Imposture, which swept away before it all, or nearly all, the remains of Christianity in the regions of Asia, Africa, and part of Europe? Or why should I detail the dark strides of the Papal Idolatry, which rested at length in all its gloom on the bright orb of the church in the Western World? It is true some partial gleams burst across the thickening night. Cyprian and Augustine in one age, Anselm and Bernard in another, were the praise of the church. Their labours and writings, especially those of Augustine, formed a bright spot of glory amidst the surrounding darkness. But it was not till the period of the Reformation, under the conduct of Martin Luther, that the church began to emerge from the long eclipse, and to resume her native splendour. Then, indeed, Jehovah visited the earth. A flood of light then broke upon the church, which appeared destined to

illumine, not merely her own dominions, but the remotest corners of the world.

But from that distinguished æra, what has been done? What have been the effects of two hundred and fifty years of evangelical doctrine? Look at Europe itself, the seat of this great blessing. Are not the fairest portions of Christendom still, in the nineteenth century, adhering to the Papal Apostacy? It is an astounding fact, that perhaps more than one half of all those who bear the Christian name, are Roman Catholics. Turn your eye to AFRICA. Where are now the churches in which Cyprian and Augustine taught? The pale crescent of Mahomet has cursed the regions, where the sun of righteousness once shone! In the EAST, what is the condition of Arabia, Persia, the far largest part of Hindostan and Southern India, the Malayan Archipelago, the immense regions of China; to say nothing of the Lesser Asia, Palestine, and the rest of Syria? If we turn to the NEW WORLD, what is the state of the American continents? What is the whole of South America, but one dark spot; scarcely relieved by the faint illumination of a Christianity debased by Popish superstition? I ask, is the church a praise in the earth? I look at home, and inquire, whether the connection of professed Christians with the heathen nations, has not, in many instances, been any thing rather than

a blessing? We may have communicated to them our commerce, our arts, our manners; but have we propagated Christianity by our instructions, and recommended it by our example? Let the shores of Western Africa say what they have learnt from Europeans for the last two hundred years! Let the groans of ten thousand victims attest our barbarity and cupidity of gain! Let the general state of the heathen world expose the languid efforts which have been made for the conversion of mankind!

But even in the Reformed Churches themselves has there been no decline from the piety of better days? Is not the true cause of our inactivity abroad to be found in our indifference and lifeless spirit at home? I speak not of our own church in particular, but of the entire reformed community, and ask whether she has been a praise in the earth? Has she not rather been weakened by disputation, infected by a secular and philosophical spirit, corrupted by error, and divided by factions? Have the pure and holy doctrines of salvation, which brought her out from the corruptions of the Popish Hierarchy, been maintained since her separation? Have the doctrines of repentance for sin, of faith in the sacrifice of Christ, of the grace of God and the influences of the Holy Spirit, of the sufficiency of the Scriptures for salvation, of humility of heart, love to Christ, and

holy obedience,-truths on which the reformed churches were founded-been, in any adequate degree, the theme and glory of her several bodies? We may bless God for any revival of the spirit of the Reformation which begins to present itself; but surely the Christian church has hitherto been in a very limited measure a blessing to mankind. Her own edifice has been tottering to its fall, instead of being established in other lands.

Her own glory has been diminished, instead of her righteousness going forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth!.

But the Church shall yet arise. The gracious purposes of Jehovah shall yet be fulfilled in their season. His mercy shall save, and his power defend her. She shall be adorned with a new light, spirituality, and grace. The triumphant chariot of Messiah shall enter on its course. Kingdoms and states yet unknown to fame shall bless its approach. The news of his victory over death and hell shall spread through the earth. One nation after another shall raise, as it were, the joyful fire-beacon, and transmit to the remotest lands the heavenly tidings. The banners of the cross shall be unfurled, and men shall go forth to plant it in the regions of darkness and woe. The church shall be called by

Isaiah, lxii. 2.