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6. The general commotion among the bands of infidelity, who are hostile to the design, both in Europe and Asia.

7. The consent of good men, in all Christian nations, to promote the design. And,

8. The preservation of our own country, to carry on the work, amidst the ruin or infidelity of other nations.

Behold, then, my brethren, the great undertaking for the promotion of which you are now assembled. If it were in the power of this asssembly to diffuse the blessings of religion over the whole world, would it not be done? Would not all nations be blessed? You perceive that some take a lively interest in this subject while others are less concerned. What is the reason of this difference? It is this: every man; who hath felt the influence of religion on his own heart, will desire to extend the blessing to the rest of mankind; and no one who hath lived without a concern about religion, will be solicitous to communicate to others a gift which he values not himself. At the same time, perhaps, he is not willing to be thought hostile to the work. But there is no neutrality here. "He that is not with Christ," in maintaining his kingdom on earth, "is against Him." And so it appeareth to God, who searcheth the heart." Every one of us is now acting a part in regard to this matter, for which he must give an account hereafter. There is no one, however peculiar he may reckon his situation or circumstances, who is exempted from this responsibility. For this is the criterion of obedience in the sight of God, even our conduct in re"ceiving or rejecting the "record which God hath given to his Son." And no man "receiveth this record," in sincerity and truth, who will not desire to make it known to others. You have heard of the conversion of Mahometans and Hindoos. Yes, our Lord hath said, "Many shall come from the east and from the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac

and Jacob, in the kingdom of Heaven: but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out."

Begin, then, at this time, the solemn inquiry, not merely into the general truth of Christ's religion, but into its divine and converting power. You observe that in this discourse I have distinguished between the name of christianity and the thing. For it seems there are some who have departed from the ancient principles of our reformation, who admit the exist ence of the spirit of God, but deny his influence; who agree not with the apostle Paul, that the "gospel cometh to some in word only," and to others "in power, and in the holy ghost, and in much assurance" and who seem to forget what our Saviour hath said of the "broad road" and the "narrow way." Begin, then, the important inquiry; for "the time is short" and this question will soon be brought to issue before an assembled world. In the mean time I shall offer to you my testimony on this subject.

The operation of the grace of God, in "renewing a right spirit within us," (Ps. li.) is a doctrine professed by the whole faithful church of Christ militant here on earth. The great author of our religion hath himself delivered the doctrine, in the most solemn manner to the world. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" Verily, verily: it is an undoubted truth, an unchangeable principle of the heavenly dispensation, that, except a man be renewed in mind by the Spirit of God, he shall not have power even to see or behold the kingdom of God. What, though many in our day deny this doctrine? A whole nation denied a doctrine, greater, if possible, than this. The very name and religion of Christ have been denied in our time. But if our Saviour hath declared any one doctrine of the gospel more clearly than another, it is this of a spiritual conversion; and the demonstation of its truth is founded in all lands

where his gospel is known.* Christians, differing in almost every thing else, agree in this. Differing in language, custom, colour and in country; differing in forms of worship and church government, in external rites and in internal order; they yet agree in the doctrine of a change of heart, through faith in Christ; for this hath been the grand characteristic of Christ's religion among all nations tongues and kindreds where the gospel hath been preached, through all ages down to this day. This is, in fact, that which distinguishes the religion of God, in Asia, from the religions of men. In every part of the earth where I myself have been, this doctrine is proclaimed, as the hope of the sinner, and the glory of the Saviour. And again, in every place it is oppposed, in a greater or less degree, by the same evil passions of the human heart. In rude nations, the same arguments are brought against it, in substance, which are used here in a learned country. Among ignorant nations, a term of reproach is attached to serious piety, even as it is here among a refined people; thereby proving what our Lord hath taught, That the superior goodness inculcated by his gospel would not be agreeable to all men; and that some "would revile and speak evil of his disciples, for righteousness' sake;" thereby proving what the Apostle Paul hath taught, That "the cross of Christ is an offence" to the natural pride of the human heart; that "the carnal mindis enmity against God;" and that the "natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, because they are spiritually discerned."

The late learned and judicious Paley has given his dying testimony to the truth of this doctrine. (See his sermons, p 119.) A change so entire, so deep, so important as this, I do allow to be a conversion; (he had said before, "there must be a revolution of principle: there must be a revolution within;") and no one who is in the situation above described, can be saved without undergoing it; and he must necessarily both be sensible of it at the time, and remember it all his life afterwards. It is too momentous an event ever to be forgot. A man might as easily forget his escape from shipwreck. Whether it was sudden, or whether it was gradual, if it was effected (and the fruits will prove that,) it was a true conversion; and every such person may justly both believe, and say it himself, that he was converted at a particular assignable time."

Paley here speaks the language of the true church of Christ, in all ages and nations.

I have thought it right, my brethren, to deliver to you my testimony at this time; to assure you that the gospel which begins to enlighten the east, is not "another gospel," as the Apostle speaks, but the same as your own. There is one Sun; there is one Gospel' "There is one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;" and there is one Judgment. May we be all prepared to give our answer on that day!

My brethren, you are now invited to contribute some aid towards the extension of the religion of Christ. You are now called on to give your testimony to its truth. You are now, as it were, to present "your gifts" before Him who was born Saviour of the world; and to send back those "glad tidings" to the east, which the east once sent to you, namely that the light is come, that "the desire of all nations is come." Let every one who prays with his lips, "Thy kingdom come," prove to himself, at this time, his own sincerity, that he really desires in his heart that the kingdom of Christ should come. Blessed is the man who accounts it not only a duty, but a previlege, to dispense "the word of life" amongst his fellow-men. It is indeed, a privilege, and so you will account it hereafter, when you shall behold all nations assembled before the judgment seat of Christ. You will then reflect with joy that you were enabled, at this time, "to confess his name before men," and to afford some aid for the "increase of his gov. ernment" and glory upon earth. And let every one who lends this aid accompany it with prayer, that the act may be blessed to himself in awakening his mind more fully to the unutterable importance of the everlasting gospel,

THE

LIGHT OF THE WORLD..

MATTHEW V. 14.

Ye are the Light of the World.

"IN the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was God," John i, 1. "And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the father, full of grace and truth," John i, 14. And the word, being "manifest in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, seen of angels" in this humble state "preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory," 1 Tim. iii. 16.

This, my brethren, is the sum of that divine record, which is to give light to the world.

Christ is the fountain of light. "I am the light of the world," saith the Eternal Word. When therefore he saith, "Ye are the light of the world," he means not that ye are that light, but are to "to bear witness of that light," John i, 18. Ye are merely instruments of the light (like the greater and lesser lights in the firmament of heaven) to reflect and diffuse it throughout the world.

Christ is the fountain of light, that is, of spiritual light. For, as the light of reason was conferred on the first man Adam, and is natural to all men; so the Light of Life cometh by the second Adam, who is "a quickening spirit, the Lord from heaven." "He that followeth me," saith Christ, "shall have the light of life;" John viii, 12.

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