the Unitas Fratrum*, compared with their circumstances and refources, must not be omitted on this occafion. They doubtless excite admiration, and thankfulness to God, in every serious mind acquainted with the fubject. But excepting in thefe inftances, I believe the heathens have derived but little knowledge of the gospel, from their connections with Chriftendom for fome ages paft. And I think none of the commercial nations in Europe, have had the propagation of christianity less at heart than the English. What obligations the natives of Africa are under to us, for inftruction or example, may be eftimated, in part, by a curfory furvey of the ftate of our Weft-India iflands.

That the gospel is fo little known in the world, and fo little received where it is known, cannot be so properly ascribed to the will of God, as to the wickednefs and wilfulness of men. Undoubtedly he to whom all things are poffible, who has abfolute power over the hearts of his creatures, could make a way for the univerfal reception of it. And we trust that in his own time he will do fo.

*More generally known amongst us, by the name of the Brethren, or Moravians.

But Power is not his only attribute.

It

would be rash and abfurd to suppose that the great God will do, every thing that he can do. We are fure that he will do what is worthy of himself; but of this, his own infinite wisdom is the only competent judge. What is becoming of his perfections and holy government, we can know no farther than he is pleased to inform us. But it certainly becomes us to lay our hands upon our mouths, and our mouths in the duft, when we contemplate his conduct. Or, if we do speak, to adopt the apostle's language, Oh the depths of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfearchable are his judgments, and his ways paft finding out! For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To whom be glory for ever *.

However, my text is fulfilling, and shall be fulfilled. This joyful found has already been fpread far abroad, in defiance of all attempts to reftrain it. Multitudes from age

to age have heard it, and found it to be the power of God unto falvation. And it would be eafy to prove, if it belonged to my

fub

ject, that the fuperior advantages of civilizaRom. xi. 36.

tion which Christendom enjoys, are remotely owing to the knowledge of revelation. To this must be chiefly ascribed, the different ftate of this island, from what it was when vifited by Julius Cæfar. Yea, our modern philofophers would make but a poor figure, were they defpoiled of all the plumes they have borrowed from the book they affect to defpife. Farther, the purpose of God to fave finners, by faith in his beloved Son, is the primary ground of that patience and long-fuffering which he ftill exercises towards fuch a world as this. And fome imperfect traces of this defign, tranfinitted by tradition, are probably to be found, though wofully disfigured, among every nation and people under heaven: which have at least preserved, in a degree, the notices of right and wrong, and fome faint warnings of conscience, in the most savage state of human nature. But were it not for reafons connected with the defigns of his mercy, we can scarcely conceive that the holy God would have perpetuated the race of mankind in a ftate of rebellion and enmity against his government. Or if he had permitted them to multiply, and left them wholly and abfolutely

I 3

lutely to themfelves, without interpofing some restraints upon their depravity, I believe the inhabitants of the earth, would have been no better than incarnate fiends.

The prophecies both of the Old and New Teftament, encourage us to hope for a time, when the light of gospel truth will break forth with meridian brightness, the glory of the Lord be revealed, and all flefh fhall fee his falvation. As a pledge of this, and of the truth of the whole fcripture, we have, what may be called a ftanding miracle continually before our eyes. I mean the state of the Jews, who, though difperfed far and wide among many nations, are every where preferved a diftinct and separate people. The history of the world affords no other instance of the like kind. The great monarchies, by which they were fucceffively conquered and fcattered, have fucceffively perifhed. Only the names of them remain. But the people whom they despised, and endeavoured to exterminate, fubfift to this day; and though fifted like corn over the earth, and apparentforfaken of God, are ftill preferved by his onderful providence, unaffected by the anges and cuftoms around them; ftill tenacious

2.

cious of the law of Mofes, though the obfervance of it is rendered impracticable. Many days, many ages they have lived, as the prophets foretold they should, without a temple, without facrifice or prieft*. As yet, many heathen nations are permitted to walk in their own ways. But at length the fulnefs of the Gentiles fhall come in, and all Ifrael fhall be faved. The revolutions and commotions in kingdoms and nations, which aftonish and perplex politicians, are all bringing forward this great event. The plan of the human drama, to us, who only fee a fingle fcene, is dark and intricate, but the cataftrophe is approaching; and in the clofe of the whole, the manifold wifdom of God will be admired and adored, and all holy and happy intelligences, will acknowledge with tranfport, He has done all things well.

But the point I am chiefly to prefs upon my hearers, is, that this word of falvation is fent to you. How the great Judge will deal with the heathens, who were never favoured with it, he has not seen fit diftinctly to inform us. But thus far he has affured