and an earnest and fuccefsful preacher of the faith he had laboured to destroy. From the Jews the bufinefs was transferred to the heathens, whofe oppofition was no less unavailing. Though they fometimes affected to boast that they had fuppreffed the chriftian name, the gofpel was propagated in defiance of their attempts to prevent it. The worft and the best of the Roman emperors, were alike induftrious, and alike unfuccefsful, in their endeavours to ftifle the work of God. At length, in the reign of Conftantine, the chriftian religion obtained the fanction and protection of imperial authority. But it foon appeared that the religion of the New Teftament gained little advantage by this revolution. Though the worship of heathen idols gradually declined, and funk into difrepute, the bulk of the people of all ranks were only changed in name. The world ftill lay in wickednefs *, and true christianity was ftill expofed to perfecution. When the name of Chriftian ceafed to be invidious and despicable, new names were foon invented to ftigmatize the real fervants of God; and ecclefiaftical power gradually in* 1 John v. 19. creased, creafed, till the mystery of iniquity reigned for ages in the temple of God. The perfecutions of popery equalled and exceeded those of paganism. And they who afpired to be christians indeed, were constrained, like the worthies of old, to wander on mountains and in deferts, to hide themselves in dens and caves of the earth*. Yet, under all disadvantages, there was ftill a remnant, according to the election of grace, who could not be compelied to wear the mark of the beast. And while perfecutors, who could only kill the body, feemed to weaken the church militant, they increased the number and the fongs of the church triumphant. appearance Το the church of Chrift was often brought low. It was very low at the time of the Reformation. But then it fuddenly was revived, and broke forth like the fun from behind a dark cloud; and the light of the gofpel was diffused far and wide, almoft as at the beginning, in the apostles days. But proteftants were quickly actuated by the same spirit, as their popish and pagan predeceffors had been. The form of chriftianity was profeffed and protected, and the *Heb. xi. 38. t and an earnest and fuccefsful preacher of the faith he had laboured to deftroy. From the Jews the business was transferred to the heathens, whofe oppofition was no less unavailing. Though they fometimes affected to boast that they had fuppreffed the chriftian name, the gofpel was propagated in defiance of their attempts to prevent it. The worft and the beft of the Roman emperors, were alike induftrious, and alike unfuccefsful, in their endeavours to ftifle the work of God. At length, in the reign of Conftantine, the christian religion obtained the fanction and protection of imperial authority. But it foon appeared that the religion of the New Teftament gained little advantage by this revolution. Though the worship of heathen idols gradually declined, and funk into disrepute, the bulk of the people of all ranks were only changed in name. The world ftill lay in wickednefs *, and true christianity was ftill expofed to perfecution. When the name of Chriftian ceased to be invidious and defpicable, new names were foon invented to ftigmatize the real fervants of God; and ecclefiaftical in deferts, to urd caves of the ear:1 vantages, there was fi ing to the destion of gras be compelted to wear the mir the body, feemed to weaken to eat To appearance the church of Cart often brought low. It was ver time of the Reformation. 1 power of it denied and oppofed. And to this day it remains a truth verified by experience, that all who will live godly in Chrift Jefus, muft, in one way or other, fuffer persecution *. Of late years the fanguinary spirit, which, under pretence of doing God fervice, deftroyed his people by fire and tortures, is much fubfided. We live in a time when great pretences are made to candour and moderation. We have reason to be thankful for our religious liberty, to the good providence of God. But, fo far as men are concerned, we are not indebted for it, to a a juft fense and acknowledgment of the right of private judgment, but to the prevalence of fceptical indifference and infidelity. The religion of the gospel was, perhaps, never more despised and hated than at present. We seem to be returning apace to the state of the primitive ages, when there were but two forts of perfons, chriftians and infidels. But notwithstanding all the arts and assaults of men, whether open enemies or pretended friends, the Bible is ftill extant, the gospel is ftill preached, yea, is still spreading. The 2 Tim, iii, 12. Lord F |