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described in our text, or into times which much resemble them.

4. There is one observation more, which naturally arises from our text; namely, that the vials of God's wrath will continue to be poured on the christian world, 'till it is reformed.

Under the fourth vial, men repented not of their deeds; and therefore another immediately follows. Under this the same spirit of impiety remains; and a sixth vial succeeds. Still men blaspheme God's འའའའཆས་ name, because of their plagues; and plagues more dreadful, and more extensive soon ensue,

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If men's wickedness is a cause of divine judgments, incorrigibleness is a reason of their continuance. If by preceding plagues they will not be reformed, God threatens that he will punish them seven times more, and still seven times more, for their sins. Such was the rule of God's government over the Jews: And such is the method of his proceeding toward the christian world.

Trumpet sounds after trumpet, to alarm the slumbering church: Vial after vial is poured forth to awaken and reclaim the guilty nations.

It is evidently God's design to purge out of his kingdom all things that offend, and to establish in the earth a kingdom of truth and righteousness; and until this glorious change shall be effected, his judgments will be continued. He has taken in hand the solemn work of reforming a guilty world; and he will see it accomplished..

We flatter ourselves perhaps, that the awful. judgments foretold, are to fall only on the papal nations; and that protestants will be employed as agents to punish the more guilty and corrupt. But we may apply to ourselves the words of the prophet. to the people of Israel, when they cruelly made war on their brethren of Judah: "Are there not with →

you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God ?"

There are sins among the protestant, as well as papal nations; in America as well as Europe. Wherever the plague may first fall, the effects of them will be extensively felt. The vials will be poured out, not only into the seat of the beast, but upon the earth, the rivers, the seas, the air, and even' the sun itself.

From the present aspect of the times, the common analogy of providence, and the predictions and threatenings of scripture, we have reason to expect, that there will be great calamities among the nations of the earth; and that in these calamities we ourselves shall have a share. Our connexion and intercourse with Europe render this probable: And there are also with us, even with us, sins against the Lord..

God is undoubtedly working, in his providence, to bring forward a more happy state of the church and of the world. But there is still much to be done; and great calamities are yet to be expected.

This is the warning of scripture and providence; Prepare to meet your God.

Let us be well established in the great principles of religion; and take heed lest we be drawn away with the error of the wicked. When we see, or hear

that licentious opinions abound, let us remember, that this is an event which the gospel has foretold, and by this circumstance let us be confirmed in our faith.

Perhaps the greatest danger will not be in our day, but in succeeding times. Let us therefore train up our children in the knowledge and belief of the gospel, and form their manners according to its doctrines and precepts.

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They who poison the tender minds of the youth with licentious and deistical notions, or throw in their way books written with a design to ridicule and discredit the gospel, are acting a part most unfriendly to the interest of society, the church of God, and the souls of men.

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Liberality of sentiment, in opposition to blind bigotry, is much to be commended. But let no man, under pretence of liberality in religion, prostrate religion itself. Openness of mind and candour of enquiry are amiable in christian professors; and amiable in the young. But to give their minds a bias in favour of infidelity, and in opposition to the gospel, before they have capacity and oppor tunity for extensive reading and critical researches, is not to promote; but prevent openness and can dour. The gospel is certainly harmless. It has no tendency to make men worse. It will not debase their minds, corrupt their virtue, or render them unfriendly to one another. Its tendency is the reverse. If a man does not believe it to be divine, yet he must believe it to be good. It is impossible therefore that any man, in labouring to obstruct it, should be influenced by laudable motives. They who, by writing or conversation, by pubi lishing or circulating licentious books, spread the principles of infidelity, must have some unworthy design.

It is pretended by some, that if we educate youth in the belief of the gospel, we prejudice their minds, prevent their freedom in enquiry, and make them only christians by tradition.-But if the gospel may be true, and is certainly good, a bias in its favour is, at least, safe; a bias against it may be fatal. It is unjust, however, to call a religious education by the name of prejudice. As well may you give this name to a secular, or civil education. As well may you say, that youthful idleness and

ignorance are fine preparations for future eminence in a secular calling, or a civil profession.

If there is no danger in teaching our children the arts of life, there can be none in teaching them the existence and providence of God, the immortality of the soul, the obligations of virtue, and the doctrine of salvation through a dying Saviour.

These sentiments are so agreeable to the dictates of reason, so adapted to the wants of nature, and so conducive to the peace of the mind, that the benevolent heart will wish their universal influence.

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It becomes us also, to honour the institutions of God, to sanctify his day, attend on his worship and observe his ordinances; for these are the means of promoting knowledge, piety and virtue.

Let every one review his life, repent of his sins, and work out his salvation. Our present term of existence is short; there is a world before us; death is our passage to that world. Prepared for death, we are prepared for every change which precedes it: Secure of heaven we have nothing to fear from this changing world.

Let us by our example recommend religion, support its credit, and aid its influence; and to all our labours add our fervent prayers, that in the midst of the years, God would revive his work, and in wrath remember mercy.

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And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this, for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a Synagogue.

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THE HE person of whom this high character is given, was a Roman Centurion, who commanded a company of soldiers stationed in Capernaum. By residing in Judea, he had acquired a knowledge of, and was become a proselyte to the Jewish religion; and by his justice and benevolence, he had greatly endeared himself to the people among whom he was conversant.

This officer had a servant who was taken dangerously sick. Having heard the fame of Jesus, he desired some of the elders of the Jews, to go and entreat his compassion for this unhappy young man. The elders went; and when they were come to Jesus, they besought him, with great importunity, to grant to the centurion the favour which he asked; alleging this argument, "He is

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