instead of being burned after the general resurrection, should stand uninhabited; and that a bird should come from some distant planet, once in the space of what we here call a century, and should take, at each visit, one particle of earth or water. After the whole globe, ocean and land, should be removed, at this slow rate; if one of the inhabitants of heaven or hell, should cast back a glance of thought upon time, how would it appear to him, in its greatest latitude? Would it not appear as a point; as the smallest star that twinkles on the curtain of night? And yet, he would look upon eternity as but just begun, as no nearer a close, than when the last sentence dropped from the lips of the Judge of quick and dead. Compared to eternity, time, in its whole extent, is short. Time, in its greatest length, is also short, compared with the work which God has to do in it. In time, God has to perform all his works of creation, providence, and redemption. The work of creation began with the commencement of time. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. In the first six days of time, God produced from nothing, that matter, of which the world and all its productions, are composed. He enacted the laws, by which the material world should be governed, and according to which, all its diversified inhabitants should come into being, and live, and move. These laws He is constantly carrying into execution, by his providence, which is his unremitting and powerful agency, forming, upholding, moving and governing, all the elements that compose the world, and all the creatures that inhabit it. All these works of creation and providence, must be performed in time. All that God designs ever to create, ΑΠ He means to create in time. the creatures, whether merely sensitive and animal, or rational and immortal, which He desigus to bring into existence, must receive their life and breath from the Divine hand, during the continuance of the present world.This earth is the only residence of the irrational animals: their use is limited to the scenes of time and sense: when they die, they perish. All the rational creatures, whom God designs to bring into existence for his glory, must be called into life before the end of time: as they must all be present at the day of judgment, which will take place immediately after the end of the world. In time, God has to form the characters of all his intelligent, accountable creatures, and fit them for the revelation of his righteous judgment, at the great and last day. The work of redemption is the end of all the works of creation and providence, and is carried on, and must be completed in time.The eternal purpose, which God purposed in Christ Jesus, is to be carried into complete execution, before the end of the world. In time, God had to prepare the way for the incarnation of Christ, by the apostacy of man, and by the types and predictions of the Mosaick economy-to bring him into the world, at the appointed period-and to effect by his hand, as He had determined in his counsel, all the events of his life and death, of his resurrection and ascension. The promulgation of the gospel, with all its fruits and effects, in relation to both Jews and Gentiles, is the work of time. All that is yet to be done, in fulfilment of prophecy, respecting the purity and glory of Zion, the extinction of her enemies, the spread of the gospel, the restoration of the Jews and the conversion of the Gentiles, must be accomplish- | When Pharaoh asked Jacob, "How ed before the end of time. The old art thou?" Jacob replied, whole work of redemption must "The days of the years of my be finished, and all the millions of pilgrimage, are an hundred and men be raised up and fitted for thirty years: few and evil have the their eternal destiny, before the days of the years of my life been " final conflagration, and the end of Had the same question been put all things. How much God had to Methuselah on his death-bed, it to do in time! How much He has is presumed he would have returnwrought already! All history, sa- ed a similar answer. But, could cred and profane, records but a either Jacob or Methuselah now be fraction of what God has done in asked, how long human life was this world. How much He de- in the patriarchal age; they would signs yet to do, before the final hardly be able to find terms diminconsummation! The whole extent utive enough to express their sense of time is short, when viewed in of its shortness. relation to the work, which God had to perform in it; and which is to lay a foundation for the fullest exercise and brightest display of all his glorious perfections, and the acquisition of the greatest possible sum of created good, through the ceaseless ages of eternity.-tains to a hundred years. Time, in its widest extent, is short, compared with the great, manifold, and marvellous works, which God has to do in it. But, it appears from the connexion, that the apostle, in our text, uses the word time in a more limited sense. He means by it, the period allotted to men, in this state of probation. The term of human life is the time, which the apostle emphatically pronounces short. And if time, in its whole extent, is so short as we have seen; then short, indeed, must be the term of human life. Human life was comparatively short, in the early ages of the world. Methuselah, the oldest man of whom we have any account, lived but nine hundred and sixty-nine years. This period, compared with the whole of time, supposing the age of the world to of the world to be seven thousand years, was a short time. In order to judge rightly of time, it must be viewed, not from its beginning, but from its end. But, if human life was short, in the patriarchal age; what is it now? It is seldom, in these last times, that any one arrives to a tenth part of the age, to which some of the patriarchs lived. It is looked upon as a wonder, if a man now at i.e. "Our from age to seventy years is set." Few Finally, the term of human life appears short indeed, when viewed in connexion with the work which men have to do in it. In time, we have to prepare for eternity. This life is our season of trial, and our only day of grace. All that mankind can ever do, to prepare themselves for their everlasting abode, must be done, before the end of the world and the day of judgment. They are to be judged at the last day, according to the deeds done here in the body: and, according to the sentence then passed, will be their unalterable and eternal state. And how great the work to prepare for eternity! If a man were about to remove into a far distant country, to spend the remainder of his days upon earth, he would think it a great piece of work to prepare for so long a jour- | ney and so long a residence. Days and weeks and months would seem a short time for this work. men are all about to remove to the unseen world, to spend there the remainder of their never-ending existence. And to prepare for the returnless journey and their everlasting abode, they have, at most, a few, fleeting years. Verily, THE TIME IS SHORT. REFLECTIONS. But, With 1. Is time short at the longest? We may hence see a reason, why the great Governour of the world, moves on the wheels of providence with such rapidity. He has been incessantly employed, ever since the commencement of time, both in the natural and moral world, working all things after the counsel of his own will, and carrying into effect his great scheme of redemption, which comprehends all his works and designs. what despatch hath He wrought his great and marvellous works, in ages past! But, in this latter part of the sixth millenary of the world, when time is swiftly running down to eternity, and the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, how rapid is the succession of events! The Lord seems to make haste, in accomplishing his purposes and fulfilling his predictions. The Man of Sin, who had reached the height of his arrogancy and power, has been abased and made weak like another man. 6 Babylon is fallen, and become the habitation of devils.' The throne of the False Prophet totters on its base. And while the blinded Jews, with sick ly impatience, are expecting their Messiah; the Angel of the Apocalypse is flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to all the nations of the earth. The work of God must be done; and the time is short. "For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth," 2. Is time, in its greatest extent, so short as we have seen? We may hence perceive the cause of the desperate efforts, which Satan is making, to injure the kingdom of Christ and ruin the souls of men. He realizes the sarcastick exhortation of our Lord to the hurried traitor, What thou doest, do quickly.' He sees, that the termination of his career, is at hand. Hence he rallies all his legions, and comes, with "dreadful roar," to devour. Never did he work, with greater industry and art, in the children of disobedience. Never did he more effectually blind the minds of them that believe not; lest the light of the glorious gospel should shine unto them. Never were works of darkness more prevalent: Never was diabolical influence more apparent. What strides have heresy and infidelity made, within a few years! What combinations have been formed against the pure doctrines and precepts of Christ! What multitudes, even in Christian lands, are led captives, in the chains of their lusts, by the Adversary, at his will! Wo to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the Devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." 3. Is the time of human life very short? Then it is very precious. There is much to do, which must be done in time, or be left undone forever. If we ever become reconciled to the Divine character, law and government; if we ever exercise repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ; if we ever become interested in the promises of the gospel; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. This life is the only season of probation, which we shall ever have. As we sow now, so we shall reap forever. Every one of our present actions will affect our future and eternal state. In time, short as it is, we must do e all we ever can do, for our own souls, or the souls of others, or for the advancement of Christ's kingdom in the world. How precious, then, is time. How unwise are those, who waste it in idleness, or misspend it in vain amusements, trifling pursuits, or criminal practices. How they will rue their folly, when time shall be lost in eternity! Every day and hour should be actively and usefully employed. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might -Redeeming the time-Be not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." 6 4. Is the time of human life so eousness; an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. As much as time is shorter than eternity, so much less should we set our affections on earthly, than on heavenly things. Hence, saith the apostle, "The time is short; it remaineth, that both they that have wives, be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away." 5. Is the time of human life extremely short? Then how important is the term of a year. It is no inconsiderable part of the longest life. It is a large part of the active and useful season of each one's earthly existence. Compared with the whole of our lives, a year is an important period; how important, then, compared with what remains of our probationary time. Would it not be wise in us, seriously to enquire, what we have done with the year, which is just gone, never to return? How have we spent so great a portion of our appointed time? You think it short? We may hence see the fol- prudent to reckon with your neighly of laying up treasures upon bours once a year: would it not be earth. Is it worth while to make equally so, to reckon with yourgreat exertions to accumulate trea- selves? Is it not desireable to sures, which, at the most, can be know, how the account stands bepossessed but a few days? And tween your souls and your Maker? yet, how many are careful and What have you done to advance troubled about many things, to the your eternal interest, the year total neglect of the one thing past? Are you better prepared for needful! How many are saying, death, judgment and eternity, each one to his soul, like Dives in than you were a year ago? What the parable, Soul, thou hast have you done, these twelve much goods laid up for many months, for the spiritual welfare years; take thine ease, eat, drink, of your families and friends, and and be merry." Ah, and how for the spread of the gospel and many, like that rich fool, will lose the advancement of Christ's cause? their souls? It is the part of wis- Is it not to be apprehended, that dom, to lay up treasure in heaven; there is some one here present, to seek durable riches and right-who, if his Lord should come this day and reckon with him, would hear the cutting reproof, "Thou wicked and slothful servant?" While we render thanks to the Preserver of men for the continuance of our forfeited lives, let us resolve, by Divine grace, to re deem the time; and, should another year be granted us, to spend it as we have reason to think we shall wish we had done, when time with us shall be no more. unto prayer; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. for Lastly. Since the time is short; let not sinners harden their hearts. How much of your precious time gone, and your work eternity not begun! In Your present course of negligence and disobedience, how can you expect to escape the righteous judgment of God? O, be exhorted to awake to righteousness. Time is not only short, but awfully uncertain.— You know not what a day may bring forth. If you do not immediately attend to the things that belong to your peace, it may be forever too late. No longer, then, despise the patience and forbearance of God; but let his goodness lead you to repentance. Let the time past of your lives suffice you to have transgressed the laws and provoked the wrath of God; and 6. Is the time short? Then let saints bear, with patience, the trials and toils of life. The afflictions of the righteous may be many and grievous; but they are short. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Saints Saints will soon be where tears are wiped from all faces. Their sufferings, which are but for a moment, are succeeded by an eternal weight of glory. Followers of Christ, in patience possess ye your souls.be entreated to begin the new Be not weary in well doing; for in due season ye shall reap, if ye faint not. Be sober, and watch ON THE PREVALENCE OF SOCINIANISM. No VI. year with newness of life, that it may be a happy prelude to a happy eternity. AMEN. ever prevail in those churches which are now Socinian? Were their sentiments ever taught in the university of Cambridge. Have not the Hopkinsian Calvinists ever been the most decided and zealous opposers of all the errors connected with Socinianism? Have not the Socinians been the most decided and zealous opposers of Hopkinsian sentiments? It has often been said that Hopkinsianism has led the way to Socinianism. The only reason I have ever heard assigned for believing so, is, that Edwards and Bellamy and Hopkins and Spring and Emmons have lived in NewEngland, and their mode of stating the Calvinistic doctrines has been more prevalent in New-England than elsewhere; and it is in New-England, also, that Socinian-lief but with the opposers of Hopism has prevailed. But where is the proof that the labours of these men have contributed in any degree to the spread of Socinianism? Have the churches to which they ministered, or any churches that embraced their sentiments, become Socinians? Did their sentiments But though the assertion is destitute of proof, and gains no be kinsian sentiments, it may be well to show, from public documents, what kind of sentiments have formerly prevailed in those places where Socinianism now prevails. It was stated, in my first number, that the high Calvinism of the Pilgrims, gradually gave place to |
