But, besides the tyranny of the inquisition, there is in some of the Romish provinces a corruption of Christian doctrine which is scarcely credible. In certain places the rites and ceremonies of Moloch are blended with the worship of Christ.*

It is surely our duty to use the means we possess of introducing a purer christianity into our empire in the east. I shall mention one circumstance which may well animate our exertions. A large province of Romish Christians in the south of India, who are now our subjects, are willing to receive the Bible; and this too, under the countenance of the Romish Bishop, an Italian, and a man of liberal learning. And Providence hath so ordered it, that a translation of the scriptures hath been just prepared for them. This translation has been made by the bishop of the Syrian church. Yes, my brethren, a bishop of the ancient church of Christ in India, has translated the holy scriptures into a new language. That venerable man, who did not know, till lately, that there was a pure church in the western world, is now pressing before many learned men in the west, in promoting the knowledge of the religion of Christ.+

We have now taken a review of three Eras of Light in the Christian dispensation. Do you require further evidence of this being a Third Era? Behold societies forming in every principal city of Great Britain for the purpose of giving the Bible to all nations! Do you ask further proof? Behold the Christian church beginning, after a delay of

and declared, that in consequence of the hold which christianity had obtained through the Roman church on the minds of the natives; there were SEVEN MILLIONS of British subjects in India, with whose sentiments he had the means of becoming perfectly acquainted, and over whose minds he could exercise a commanding control."

See Tenth annual report of the "Society for missions to Africaand the east,” just published: containing the communications of Sir Alexander Johnstone, chief justice of Ceylon. p. 78.

At Anghoor, near Trichinopoly, and in other places.

See in Appendix, Letter of the Bishop of Landaff, on the expediency of an Ecclesiastical establishment for British India.

See Appendix. Account of Syrian Christians.

eighteen centuries, to instruct the Jews, and to attempt the conversion of the ancient people of God. Why did not the church direct her attention sooner to this great undertaking? It was because the Era of Light had not arrived.

It

This learned body have it in their power greatly to promote the extension of Christianity among the Jews. Men have begun to preach the gospel to that people without giving them the gospel in their own language. A translation of the New Testatament into the Hebrew tongue would be a gift worthy of our university to present to them. must appear strange to us, on a retrospect of the fact, that during so long a period, Christians should have reproached the Jews for not believing the New Testament, and yet never have put that volume into their hands in their own language, that they might know what they were to believe!* This conduct of Christians might be called an infatuation, were it not prophesied that thus it should be. They did not think of giving the gospel to a people of whom the Prophet had said, "that they should be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach, and a proverb, and a taunt, and a curse," Jer. xxiv. 9. But we can now "speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished; for it is prophesied again, "That blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in," Rom.

Translations of portions of the New Testament into different dialects of the Hebrew language, have been made by different persons at different times; but these have been rather intended as exercises for the scholar, or for the use of the learned, than for the use of the Jews. The Romish church printed a version of the gospels in Hebrew, and the whole Syriac New Testament in the Hebrew character; but it would not give the book to that people who could read it. In Spain and Portugal they condemned the Jews to the flames, for professing Judaism, but they would not give them the New Testament that they might learn christianity. The English church, which has succeeded the Romish church as first in influence and dignity, has not, as yet, given the New Testament to the Jews. The church of Scotland has not given it The chief praise is due to some of the Protestant divines in Universities on the continent, who published some parts of the New Testament in what is called German Hebrew, and dispersed copies among the Jews, as they had opportunity. It is encouraging to know that even this partial attempt was not witho suecess.

xi. 25. By this prophesy we see that the conversion of the Jews is connected with that of the Gentiles: and is to be, if not contemporaneous, at least, an immediate consequent. But the conversion of the Gentiles has already commenced; and commenced with most remarkable success. And now, be hold the preparation for the conversion of the Jews! Add to this, the Jews themselves contemplate some change to be at hand. It is certainly true that both among the Jews in the east and in the west there is, at this time, an expectation of great events in regard to their own nation. It is not unlike that expectation, which pervaded the Roman empire before the coming of the Messiah.

We are now to notice a remarkable peculiarity in all these three Eras of Light.

- In the first era, when our Saviour preached his own gospel, and performed wonderful works, there were some who denied that the work was from God; and he was said to be "beside himself; and to do these works by the power of the prince of darkness. But our Lord's answer to them was in these words, "The works that I do; bear witness of me, that the father has sent me," John v, 36. And when the apostle Paul preached the gospel of Christ, he was accounted "a fool for Christ's sake: he was reviled, persecuted, and defamed," 1 Cor. iv, 10. But he could appeal to the great work which he performed, "the deliverance of the Gentiles from darkness to light."

In the second era, at the reformation, Luther and those other great teachers whom God so highly honored, were also called enthusiasts, and were accused of a flagrant and misguided zeal. But "the works which they did" testified that they were sent of God, as ambassadors of Christ, of which the conversion of our own nation is an evidence to this day.

In the third era of light, those eminent persons who were chiefly instrumental in diffusing it, were in

like manner called enthusiasts. But the "works which they did, testify that they were also ambassadors of Christ," and "able ministers of the New Testament," preaching unto men the doctrine of life; of which, remote nations as well as our own, will bear witness at a future day.

For let us dispassionately contemplate the works that have followed the revival of religion in this country. We now stand at some distance, and can survey the object in all its parts; and in its just proportion. We stated these words to be.

1. An increased knowledge of the holy scriptures; producing

2. A cultivation of the principles of the gospel, and the practice of the virtues of subordination, loyalty, and contentment.

3. The almost universal instruction of the poor: so that it may be truly said, "The poor have the gospel preached to them."

4. The more general worship of God in our land. 5. The publication of the Bible in new languages; and,

6. The promulgation of christianity among all nations; to Jews and to Gentiles.

Are these works of darkness? Are they not rather the works which are called in scriptures "the fruits of the spirit?" Let a man beware how he arraigns or contemns those works which he may not perfectly comprehend, lest peradventure he should speak a word against the operation of God the Holy Ghost. There are many at this day who say they believe in one God. These may be deists and others. There are many who say they believe in one God the Son, after a certain manner. These may be Socinians, and Pelagians. But the true criterion of the faith of a Christian at this day, is to acknowledge the continued influences of God the Holy Ghost. "By this shall ye know them." For the apostle Paul hath said, "That no man can say that Jesus is the Lord

1

but by the Holy Ghost," 1 Cor. xii, 3. And our Saviour hath said that the Holy Ghost shall abide with his church "for ever." John xiv, 16.

But those who deny then ifluence of the Holy Spirit, will also deny the works of the Spirit. What more undeniable work of the spirit can be visible in the church of Christ than the sending forth preachers to preach the everlasting gospel to the heathen world? What nobler or purer work of righteousness can be imagined than the giving the Holy Bible to all nations? and yet there are many who behold both undertakings with indifference, or even hostility.Others there are who, professing a purer theology, cannot deny the truth and justice of the principle, but they argue against the way: they contend for the old way; as if a man should think to evangelize the world after the fashion of his own parish. They say they would conduct these new and grand designs after the old precedent, when the ruth is, there has been no precedent for what is now doing, in its present extent, for nearly eighteen enturies past. Christ and his Apostles establishedthe first and great pre

cedent.

It may be expected that those who deny the continued influences of the Holy Spirit in the church, will deny that the present is an Era of Light.When Christ came, who was 'the light of the world,” there were many who denied that any light had come. When the truth shone a second time at the reformation, there were many who perceived it not. And though the bright beams of light at the present pe riod far transcend those of the reformation, there are many who behold them not. They wonder indeed to see various societies, which have no connexion with each other, engaged in pursuing the same object. They behold men of different nations and of different languages, animated by the same spirit, promoting the same design, encountering the same dif ficulties, persevering with the same ardor, giving