prepared for perilous and self-de- spend part of the day in adjusting nying services, and disposed cordi- some worldly business, and the resially to unite with their fellow-la-due in sloth or festivity. A few, labourers in promoting the common compared with the whole immense cause; without regard to competi-number, attend at the several places tion, personal interest, or reputa- of public worship; the majority of tion. whom, it is to be feared, having Those who have preached the paid their weekly tribute, think no truths of the gospel, without appli- more about it; being as a man cation or animation, will then pro- who dreameth that he eateth, but bably feel and insist upon their he awaketh and his soul is empty.” practical tendency, and manifest it Others frequent the places where in their own conduct. Some, who the word of God is preached, with have been adverse to the truth, considerable regularity, but continue may be won over to preach the hearers only, and not doers. In short, faith which once they opposed; loi- few comparatively seem to receive terers and hirelings may be con- the "gospel, not as the word of man, verted into faithful, diligent, able, but as-the word of God, which efand disinterested pastors; many la- fectually worketh in them that bebourers will be sent forth into the lieve;" or to worship the Lord in vineyard; and every one who par-spirit and truth; and even these see takes of these fertilizing showers, cause to lament their want of zeal will take heed to the ministry and fervency, and too often maniwhich he hath received of the Lord, fest a languor and a defect in earthat he fulfil it." nestness and activity, where the glory of God, and the benefit of mankind, are concerned.

The change which took place, even in the apostles themselves, after the descent of the Holy Ghost, But if "the Spirit were poured with the conduct of the primitive upon us from on high," the hearts ministers of the gospel, and the ex- of such persons would expand with hortations addressed to them in the holy affections, and be filled with New Testament, abundantly war-divine consolations. They would rant these expectations. become fervent in every religious

If next we survey the mass of duty, and earnest in prayer for their people called Christians, and ob- ministers and brethren, and for a serve their disposition and conduct, blessing on every attempt to propawe shall readily understand what gate the gospel; they would bestow effects would be produced by the pains to impress the instructions of pouring out of the Spirit upon us. Scripture on the minds of their chil Let us, for instance, consider the dren, relatives, and servants; to inhabitants of this city, and their recommend the truth by their exam. behaviour in respect of the Lord's ple, and to enforce it in their conday, the public worship, and the versation: They would say to those preaching of the gospel. We shall with whom they had any influence, in this review see cause to lament," Come ye, and let us go to the that vast multitudes retire into the house of God, and he will teach us country for irreligious recreation, or of his way, and we will walk in his employ the holy Sabbath in travel-paths." Isaiah ii. 3. And as Anling; that crowds assemble in places drew brought Peter, and Philip, of intemperate indulgence, or frivo-Nathaniel, to an acquaintance with lous amusement; and that many Christ, they would endeavour, by

letters, books, and all other means pious part of our congregations, in their power, to lead such as had how often have we reason to lament been strangers to the gospel, to the that there is no more union and afknowledge of the truth as it is in fection among them? And that Jesus, and into the way of life and they are kept at so great a distance salvation. from each other, by their stations

At such a season, formal worship-in life, their different employments, pers would find their hearts engaged talents, and dispositions, or even by in a new manner to attend on the trivial resentments, suspicions, and ordinances of God, and many of prejudices? But the blessing of them would become true believers. which we speak would deliver ChrisThose, who had imbibed false doc- tians from such contracted and selftrines, would perceive that God was ish passions; and they would be of a truth present in our congrega- ready, without hesitation, cordially tions, and be induced to join them- to forgive all who had offended selves to us; a general attention them,-to make concessions and and inquiry would be raised; and amends to those whom they had in"the Lord would daily add unto the jured,-and to seek reconciliation church such as should be saved." with every one who had been in

In this manner it hath frequently any respect alienated from them. been known, that great multitudes, An increase of divine illumination through large districts, have in a and brotherly love would terminate short time been brought to consider or moderate our differences of opitheir ways; the veil, that hides God nion; men would less regard the and eternal things from men's minds, trivial disparity of outward rank, hath been apparently rent; and more except as it reminded them of their hath been done, in bringing men to several duties; they would readily receive the gospel, and to walk in unite in social worship and profitnewness of life, during a few months, able conversation; and in proporthan the very same ministers had tion as these sacred influences restbeen able to accomplish in the ed on their souls, they would abound course of many preceding years. in self-denying beneficence, and in These effects are also proved to be active endeavours to supply the genuine, by their permanency, and wants of the indigent,-to soothe by the holy lives of numbers, after the anguish of the afflicted,—and to the first vehement affections, and alleviate the miseries of mankind. the remarkable circumstances of An attentive meditation on the such revivals, have ceased. Thus apostolical exhortations, and the the thousands that were converted, conduct of the primitive Christians, when the Spirit was poured out on may suffice to convince us, that the day of Pentecost, "continued these must be the effects of the stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine pouring out of the Spirit upon any and fellowship," they "were of one congregation, city, or country; for heart," they had all things in indeed, "the fruits of the Spirit are common," and " great grace was love, joy, peace, long-suffering, genupon them all." But when a reli-tleness, goodness, faith, meekness, gious commotion arises from enthu- and temperance." siasm, false principles, and selfish Should we advert to the state of affections, it often leaves men more immoral and ungodly than they were before.

Again, if we consider the more

religion more at large, we should find, that the remnant, which professes the leading truths of Christianity, and appears to be influenced

by them, is lamentably divided into as Christ receiveth them to the glory parties, about subordinate points of of God." The pouring out of the doctrine, or matters of discipline Spirit will effect, what acts of uniand government. So that, if we formity, conciliatory schemes, or could collect together the whole philosophical candour can never accompany of real believers, we should complish; for it will bring Chrisfind them very discordant in their tians, through whole countries, sentiments, and disposed to magnify" with one mind, and one mouth, to the importance of their several par- glorify God:" to form one church, ticularities; and it would be ex- professing the same fundamental tremely difficult, if not wholly im-doctrines; harmoniously joining in possible, to unite them in religious the same worship, and the celebraservices, or in the same plan for tion of the same ordinances; and promoting the common cause. On zealously concurring to promote the the contrary, it would hardly be conversion of Mahometans, Jews, practicable to exclude subjects of and Pagans, to Scriptural Chrisdoubtful disputation, or to prevent tianity.

such contests and mutual censures These happy effects are predicted as only serve to furnish the enemies by the prophets, under various sigof the gospel with plausible objec-nificant representations; of which tions! Alas, this is an evident it may suffice at present to produce proof, that, as the apostle expresses a single specimen. "The wolf shall it, we are yet carnal, (1 Cor. iii. 3, dwell with the lamb, and the leo4,) however orthodox our creed pard shall lie down with the kid; may be, or how zealously soever and the calf, and the young lion, we contend for it." Hereby," says and the fatling together, and a little our Lord, "shall all men know that child shall lead them. And the ye are my disciples, if ye have love cow and the bear shall feed; their one for another." young ones shall lie down together; But when "the Spirit shall be and the lion shall eat straw like the poured upon us from on high," all ox: and the sucking child shall play "who love the Lord Jesus in sin- on the hole of the asp, and the cerity," will" love one another with weaned child shall put his hand on a pure heart fervently." The pride the cockatrice den. They shall not and selfish passions, which occasion hurt nor destroy in all my holy disputes, will be mortified; the mountain; for the earth shall be minds of Christians will be more full of the knowledge of the Lord, fully illuminated; the harmony of as the waters cover the sea."Scripture will be better understood; Isaiah xi. 6-9; xli. 18—20; xliv. the comparative value of every part 3-5. of religion will be more clearly as- These are some of the effects certained; and men will be ren- which will proportionably follow, dered more humbly sensible of their whenever the Spirit is poured out fallibility, and more eminent in can- upon the church. Many others dour and patience. Thus, while a might be mentioned, did brevity most desirable progress will be permit; and some of them will made, in regulating every thing ac- come in our way, in the subsequent cording to the standard of truth; part of the subject. Christians will be cured, in great

measure, of their propensity to judge

III. Then we proceed to make

or despise their brethren; and will some remarks on the emphatical learn to "receive one another, even word "Until."

A variety of plans are continu- distinguished by certain titles, or ally proposed and adopted, to me- invested with authority in some liorate the condition of mankind, peculiar manner. Yet the disposiand to guard at the same time tion to delight in war seems to have against tyranny in the rulers, and been common to governors of all dethe turbulency of the multitude. scriptions: and the sacred writers, No doubt something may be done characterizing the ungodly, say, in this way to render the state of “ their feet are swift to shed blood." the world more tolerable, than it Universal history is the best comwould otherwise be : for, while civil ment on this text; all the genius of government in general is God's or-mankind, however diversified, has dinance, the peculiar arrangement combined to celebrate successful of it is left in great measure to hu- warriors. The original murderer man prudence; and it may there- has appeared in this respect espefore be also called the ordinance of cially to be the god of this world: man. Rom. xiii. 2. 1 Peter ii. 13. Mars, Bellona, and even Minerva, But too sanguine expectations are (the poet's emblem of prudence in formed, when changes take place, war), were the names under which or when supposed improvements polite nations have worshiped him; are made; and speedy disappoint-and unnumbered millions of human ment is the consequence. The victims have been immolated at his world after all remains full of op- shrine by his renowned priests, who pression or sedition: the rulers and have emulated his ambition and the people generally continue the malignity, and shared the adorasame in disposition, whatever ex- tion which he received. Thus it ternal changes take place: and self- will be in great measure" until the ishness produces its effects, after all Spirit be poured upon us from on the efforts which are made to coun-high." Ambition, resentment, rateract it; even as poison retains its pacity, and interfering interests will destructive efficacy, in whatever continue to excite mankind to war: form it is administered. This will and both the mighty and the mean, in great measure continue to be the will in general deem this one of the case, "until the Spirit be poured most honourable and desirable of upon us from on high," to renew employments; till those happy times' men's hearts to the divine image of arrive, which are predicted in the love and then, they will delight Scriptures, when "the nations shall in equity, goodness, mercy, and beat their swords into ploughshares peace, after the example of our Holy God! which will render human society as happy, as it is now too often miserable.

and their spears into pruning-hooks: and they shall learn war no more." But every degree of that sacred influence will in the meanwhile proAgain, the earth hath in every duce proportionably the same happy age been a field of blood; and the consequences. vast proportion of our race, which It is likewise grievous to reflect has perished by the sword, almost on the severities which are necesexceeds credibility or calculation: sary to maintain peace and order nor can the compassionate mind re- in the community; on the numflect on the subject without horror bers deprived of life, immured in and amazement. The causes of dungeons, and banished to remote this deplorable fact have been sought and desolate regions, that others for, in the different forms of govern- may live in security. While the ment; and the ambition of men silent ravages of licentiousness ap

pear even still more dreadful, to scandals, and false doctrines, which those who have the opportunity, or prevail among such as show more are under the painful necessity of regard to scriptural Christianity, investigating them! The wisdom will not be counteracted; nor will and assiduity of men are well em- that revival of the power of godliployed, in attempting to abate these ness in our congregations, which dire mischiefs: but no effectual re-every friend of evangelical truth medy will be applied, "until the must ardently desire, be effectually Spirit be poured upon us from on introduced, "till the Spirit be pourhigh." Then the divine law will ed upon us from on high." So that be written in men's hearts; and this is the grand desideratum; the justice, benevolence, and universal only adequate remedy for all the temperance, implanted in the soul, evils we witness or hear of, in the will infallibly rectify these disor-church and in the world. Till our ders, which are incurable by all prayers in this respect be answered, other means. we shall see on every side most la

We cannot reflect on the condi- mentable disorders, which we cantion in which the nations remain to not rectify; and few in comparison this day, without lamenting, that so will be found, who have ability or large a proportion of the earth is zeal for making such arduous atstill covered with Pagan darkness, tempts: but this expected event Mahometan delusion, or Jewish in-will raise up and qualify instrucredulity. The ignorance, super-ments for every kind of service; stition, and wickedness, of nominal dispose the minds of multitudes Christians; the prevalence of anti-cordially to unite in vigorous exerscriptural tenets even in the Pro- tions; and render their endeavours testant churches; and the rapid rapidly and extensively successful. progress of impiety, infidelity, and atheism, present a very gloomy prosIV. Then I proceed to point out pect to the mind of a true believer. some instructions, more immediately And when we consider the immense arising from the subject. difficulties of remedying these evils, How ignorant must they be, as and the inadequate effects of the to the very first principles of Chrismost laudable efforts, we are ready tianity, who treat our professed deto sit down in despair. We should pendence on the Holy Spirit, and however remember, that every de- experience of his sacred influences, gree of success far more than coun- with supercilious contempt! A Jew terbalances the expense or labour of of old, would not have been more our exertions: and that we must profanely absurd, in ridiculing the not expect to make very rapid pro- expectation of a Messiah as fanatigress," until the Spirit be poured cism! Even if uninspired men could, upon us from on high."-But then by their superior talents, improve mountains will flow down at the upon the oracles of God, (as some presence of the Lord; nations will of them seem arrogantly disposed be born in a day; a new creation to think), this would no more superwill prepare men's hearts to wel-sede the necessity of divine influcome the gospel: all other difficul- ences, than modern improvements ties will vanish or be surmounted in agriculture render the fertilizing and "the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

The various abuses, divisions,

showers and the genial warmth of the sun unnecessary. Even the preaching of Him, "who spake as ever man spake," was rendered