uman blood. The interior parts, both Africa and America, are unknown. The countries and islands, lately discovered in the Southern Hemisphere, are left, as they were found, in gross ignorance. The exertions of our navigators to fupply them with sheep and cows, and useful implements, from Europe, were humane and laudable. But it does not appear that the least attempt was made, to impart to them the knowledge of our holy religion. The only miffionary they have from us, (if he be yet living) is, the much fpoken of, Omiah. This man was brought to England, almost from the Antipodes; he spent fome time amongst us, and was then fent back to tell his countrymen what he had feen and heard. But, if he gave a faithful account of our customs, morals, and religion, fo far as they fell within the circle of his own obfervations, the relation would certainly be little to our honour, and, I am afraid, much to their hurt. In brief, a large part of Europe, almost the whole of the other three continents, with the islands in the Eastern and Southern Oceans, are destitute of the true gofpel. But there is a time approaching, called the fulness of the Gen tiles, when the Redeemer's glory shall dawn and fhine upon all nations. And though we cannot fee when, or how, this happy change fhall be effected, yet, in the Lord's hour, mountains shall fink into plains. Nor is it more improbable to us now, than it would have feemed to an inhabitant of Rome, in the time of Julius Cæfar, that the island of Great-Britain, fhould one day be distinguished, by all those privileges, which the providence of God has fince beftowed upon it. 2. That this gospel fhall prevail, not in word only, but in power. Even where the name of Chrift is profeffed, but little of the power of it is, at prefent, known. The fuperftition and falfe worship, generally prevalent, within the pale of the Roman and Greek churches, may be mentioned without offence to Proteftants. But the bulk of the Proteftant countries are equally overfpread with fcepticism and wickednefs. Few comparatively, among Proteftants, are friendly to that gofpel which the apoftles preached; and much fewer are they, who are influenced by it. Perhaps, no nation is favoured with greater advantages for knowing the truth, than our nation, nor any city, more favoured than than this city. I doubt not, but there are perfons now living, who would have been thought eminent Chriftians, if they had lived in the first and happiest age of the church. And I trust their number is greater than we are aware of. The Lord has a hidden people, little known to the world, or to each other. But if we judge by the standard of truth, we must acknowledge, that the power of religious profeffion is very low. How little does it appear in the lives, tempers and purfuits, of the most who hear the gospel? But the time will come, when Chriftians fhall. again be known by their integrity, spiritual mindednefs, and benevolence, and by all the fruits of righteousness, which are, by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. The fall of mystical Babylon, and of Antichrift, in its various forms, and the calling, of the Jews, are events, which are pofitively foretold; and which, when they come to. pafs, will have great effects. Zion, as yet, is only building, but it fhall be built. 3. That the animofities and difputes which prevail among Chriftians fhall ceafe. The obfervation of a late ingenious writer, which, it is to be feared, he was confirmed in, by his own experience, is too much founded in truth." We have just religion enough to "make us hate one another." The fpirit of party, prejudice, bigotry, and interest, a zeal for fystems, forms, modes, and denominations, furnish men with plaufible pretences for indulging their unfanctified pasfions; and deceive them into an opinion, that while they are gratifying their pride and selfwill, they are only labouring to promote the caufe of God and truth. Hence, often, the feuds which obtain among religious people, are pursued with greater violence, and to greater lengths, and are productive of more mifchievous confequences, than the quarrels of drunkards. The lovers of peace, who refuse to take a part in thefe contentions, but rather weep over them in fecret, are cenfured and defpifed as neutrals and cowards, by the angry combatants on all fides, while the world defpifes and laughs at them all. It was not fo in the beginning, nor will it be fo always. The hour is coming, when believers fhall be united in love; fhall agree in all that is effential to a life of faith and holinefs, and fhall live in the exercife of forbearance and tenderness towards each other, other, if, in fome points of finaller importance, they cannot think exactly alike; which poffibly may be the cafe in the best times, in the present imperfect state of human nature. Ephraim then shall no more envy Judah, nor Judah vex Ephraim *. That it will be a time of general peace. 4. At present, the kingdoms, which, by their profeffion, should be fubjects of the Prince of Peace, are perpetually difturbing, invading, and deftroying each other. They live in habits of mutual fear and jealoufy, and maintain great armies on all fides; that each nation may be prepared, if occafion offers, to ftrike the first blow. War is followed as a trade, and cultivated as a science; and they who, with the greatest diligence and fuccefs, spread devastation and ruin far and wide, and deluge the earth with human blood, acquire the title of heroes and conquerors. Can there be a stronger confirmation, of what we read in fcripture, concerning the depravity of man? Can we conceive an employment more fuited to gratify the malignity of fatan and the powers of darkness, if they were permitted to appear and act amongst * Ifa. xi. 13. VOL. II. Р us |