"We know," saith he, "that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.” 1 John iii, 14.

This is the doctrine of the blessed apostle and evangelist St. John, as expressed in his epistles, and confirmed by his gospel; and this is the heavenly doctrine which our church prays for in the following words:

"Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy church, that it being enlightened by the doctrine of thy blessed apostle and evangelist St. John, may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." This prayer was offered up continually during a long season of darkness, andat length was answered at the appointed time.

In our former discourse we stated that, while the protestant churches were declining in piety, a new enemy appeared. "While men slept, the tares were sown," Matt. xiii, 25. It was about the middle of the last century that infidelity, which had appeared long before, first began to shew itself in strong and general operation. At the very time when the spirit of infidelity was fostering its strength, under the name of philosophy, and preparing for the awful revolutions which followed, the spiritual religion of Christ began to revive, and has since produced the most beneficial effects. True religion and infidelity have shown their proper fruits in our own time; and we can now contrast them with advantage. Let us therefore look back, and examine what have been the effects of each.

Infidelity first caused a whole nation to renounce christianity; and, by natural consequence, destroyed religious hope and moral obligation; that nation, inflamed with cupidity and lust of dominion invaded other nations, deluged them with blood: and at last having acquired the temporal power, would, like

papal Rome, enslave the world, by its despotism.And the principle of its despotism is the same; namely, "To keep the minds of men in the chain of darkness." Thus do infidelity and superstition lead to the same point, by different ways.

The spiritual religion of Christ hath, during the same period, produced very considerable effects.

1. It hath promoted a knowledge of the holy scriptures (the same effect which was produced at the reformation,) and hath thereby cultivated, to a great extent, the principles of the gospel. And, on this foundation hath been built the practice of many excellent virtues (some of them very seasonable in this age of revolution,) such as, subordination, quiet conduct, loyalty, and contentment.

2. It hath promoted the instruction of the poor. The number of those among the lower classes, who, can read the scriptures for themselves, is supposed to have been more than doubled, within the last thirty years.

3. It hath promoted a more general worship of God. The volume of praise and thanksgiving which rises to the Most High from voices in this land, constitutes an acclamation, compared to the feeble sound at a period not very remote.

4. It hath cultivated very extensively a critical knowledge of the holy scpriptures. A reverence for Hebrew learning seems again to be restored to the nation; for persons, even in secular life, begin now to study the Bible in the original tongues; as we know was the case in a former age..

5. But this revival of religion has been more productive of another good, new and extraordinary in its nature; not confined to this country, or to the present time; but extending to remote nations and distant ages.

Christianity hath again, after a lapse of many ages, assumed its true character as "the light of the world." We now behold it animated by its original spirit,

which was to extend its blessings "to all nations." The scriptures are preparing in almost every language, and preachers are going forth into almostevery clime. Within the period of which we speak men have heard the gospel "in their own tongue, wherein they were born," in India, throughout many of its provinces; in different parts of Africa; in the interior of Asia in the western parts of America; in New Holland; and in the isles of the Pacific sea; in the West Indies, and in the northern regions of Greenland and Labrador. Malays, Chinese, Persians, and Arabians, begin now to hear, or read, in "their own tongues the wonderful works of God," Acts ii, 11.

III. It is with propriety then that we distinguish the present period as a third era of the light in the Christian dispensation. Yes, it is true, that while infidelity, like the pillar of the cloud hanging over the Egyptians, Exod. xiv, 20, is rising in awful form, threatening to involve the earth in darkness; the religion of Christ, on the other side, like "a pillar of fire," is giving light to the world. While infidelity is prostrating thrones, and forging chains for mankind, the religion of the Messiah is diffusing its pure and free spirit like a copious stream, into the hearts of men; constraining them not only to cultivate its moral and benevolent principles in their own country, (whereby they resist infidelity with the best weapons) but to communicate them to others; and to enrich, with higher blessings than those of commerce, the most distant climes and nations.

Is it asked why this spirit for diffusing religious knowledge did not sooner appear in this nation; for it seems scarcely to have been thought of at the era of the reformation? The desire was not given, because we had not the means. Our commerce had not extended to the uttermost parts of the earth.— We had no empire in the east. Another reason was, The Romish church held the world in chains. Its

superstition had supplanted us in almost every region. But by the revolution of events, this obstacle is now nearly removed.

It was an opinion delivered by sir Isaac Newton, after the study of the prophetical books, that the power of superstition which had so long enslaved the world, would at last be broken by the strong arm of infidelity. And we have just seen "this strong arm" give the last blow to the temporal power of Rome. This loosens her hold upon remote nations. Now then the fulness of time for enlightening the Gentiles seems to be come, for the obstructions are nearly removed, and the means are granted. And no sooner are the means granted, than the desire is given and thus, in every age, the designs of the Almighty are executed by the sons of men.

But let us now inquire by whom it is that the light of Christianity is diffused throughout the heathen world? To whom has been assigned the honor of leading the way in this undertaking?

Our own church acknowledged the object a hundred years ago, and led the way. Two societies were incorporated for the purpose by the royal sanction; and letters were written by the King of Great Britain and by the Archbishop of Canterbury, to the humble missionaries in the east, to animate, strengthen, and encourage them in their important work.*.

These societies still exist and prosecute the primary objects of their institution. A mission in India has been supported by "the Society for promoting Christian knowledge" with eminent success; for it was under its patronage that the apostolic Swartz preached the gospel to men of "different tongues, kindreds and nations."

But it is evident that, at the present time, missions are conducted to a greater extent by other so

* See letters in Appendix.

cieties than by our own. When the gospel was first preached to the heathen, our Saviour gave the commission to individuals; that is, they were not associated by any power of temporal empire. And it would appear as if it were to be promulgated to the Gentiles a second time, by the same means. But this is a subject which will occupy the serious attention of our church.

The church of Rome certainly considered it to be her duty, as the church of Christ, "to teach all nations." Now it has been so ordered that the church of England should possess at this time a greater facility of access to the remotest nations, than Rome ever had in the plenitude of her power. While therefore we contemplate with a benignant eye the laudable exertions of the subordinate societies, it would well accord with the dignity and character of the church of England, to resume the lead in this work; and, standing as she does like a Pharos among the nations, to be herself the great instrument of light to the world.*

Let this nation understand the voice of that providence which hath exalted her to such a height in the view of mankind. It saith in the words of the text, "let there be light." But when we speak of the nation, we mean the church; and the voice of the church is to be heard at the universities. Is not this the university that gives the light of science to the world? Let it also give the light of religion. We are proud to acknowledge that this seat of learning hath already begun to diffuse the truth of revelation in the heathen world. Some of its members have already gone forth to the east. Men of your own body, who had acquired the highest honors in science, are now in that country engaged in translating the scriptures into the oriental languages. And it would give new ardor to their undertaking, to know that it meets with your countenance and approbation.

Ye shine as lights of the world, holding forth the word of life.” Phil. 18.