ftroy the followers of the Lamb, which will fo nearly fucceed, that for a fhort term none will dare to appear as his followers. But if infidelity was to intervene the antichriftian defection, and the prevalence of religion in the latter days, is this hypoth efis probable? Is it not more reasonable to expect the deftruction of the witneffes in another way, and by other enemies--by the mockers and scoffers of the last times, who fhould be generated by papal error and fuperftition? And doth not the present state of the world confirm thefe expectations? The catholic religion hath been declining for feveral ages. It received a deadly wound from Luther and his affociates, which hath not yet been healed. From that period it hath dwindled, and is now little more than a name. But infidelity hath been, for almoft an equal term progreffing, and already ftalks out to public view: Yea, it vaunts with fhameless pride, as though fure of victory. And we are constrained to acknowledge, that "of a truth, it hath laid wafte nations and their countries!"

OUR expectation is farther confirmed by obferv. ing the change which is made in the weapons of infernal warfare. Thefe are no longer bonds, imprisonments, tortures and death, but the shafts of ridicule, and fneers of contempt. "Trials of cruel mockings," now exercise the faith and patience of the faints. Religion, the dignity and hope of man, hath become the fport of ftupid infidels! The jeft of forry witlings! These hiffings of the ferpent are every where to be heard!

INFERNAL malice, never before made fo general an attack in this way. Perhaps, with all his fagacity, the adversary did not fufpect that creatures made for eternity could be driven from the way of peace by the derifion of fools, till taught it by experience. But this hath been found his most fuccessful weapon! It hath done greater mischief to christianity, than all the rage of perfecution!

MANY account it honorable, to suffer, pain or lofs, with patience, and to face danger and death with fortitude; but few think themselves honored by fcorn and reproach. Human nature is here attacked on its weakeft fide.

SOME European fcoffers, of high rank, during the last age took the lead in this mode of attack on christianity; and have been followed by a countlefs throng of noble and ignoble, learned and unlearned, down to this day. Few infidels are fo modest as not to affect wit on the subject of religion; few witticifms fo contemptible as not to meet the approbation and receive the applause of brother infidels.

THAT ftrong combinations have been formed against christianity, and alfo against civil government, in the kingdoms of Europe, and that they have too fuccefsfully undermined both, is an acknowledged fact.

In the leaders of thofe confpiracies we discover all the traits of character, attributed in prophecy to the fcoffers who fhould arife in the last days. When every circumftance, in events fo remarka

ble, agree with the predictions, can doubt remain whether the predictions are fulfilled?

THERE hath been faith in this land. It is not yet extinct. But we are importing the principles, and practices of Europe. "The mockers of the laft times" are now to be feen on this fide the Atlantic. "Many follow their pernicious ways." We have reason to expect the evils to increase till "the godly ceafe and the faithful fail" from among us. For when the Son of man cometh fhall he find faith on the earth? This land will also be overfpread with infidelity!" The whole world lie in wickedness!"

THERE may be partial revivals of religion, but no general reformation is to be expected; and after every refreshing, the declenfions will probably be greater than before. Fanatic emotions, here and there, may flatter fome who are friends to religion, but they only ferve to accelerate the fpread of infidelity.

It is a gloomy thought! The ferious foul faddens; forrow fills the good man's heart, if, when he fees little regard paid to religion, he expects yet greater defections! If when he fees but few of those who are rifing into life, paying attention to the best things, he expects ftill fewer of their defcendants to be wife and good! Yea that the declenfions will continue and increase, "till all flesh fhall become corrupt, and the earth be filled with violence!" Would to God these expectations might not be realized; for they are exceedingly diftreffing. But they appear to us to be dictated

by the spirit of truth, and confirmed by the history of the world, and by the progrefs of events opening to view.

ONE Confideration, however, minifters confo. lation, fhining through the gloom; namely, the long, holy, happy period, which may be expected to follow the dark term now approaching.

By dark we mean only in a moral view. Re. specting arts and sciences, mankind may never have been more enlightened than at prefent. But. this is foreign to religion. When Egypt, Greece, and Rome, were the feats of the mufes, they remained as devoid of religious knowledge, as the moft ignorant barbarians. Arts and sciences may ftill flourish, and yet deeper researches be made into the arcana of nature, while religion is dying away and atheism fucceeding in its place.

SOME intervening links are neceffary to connect the present age with the happy times now diftant. Who fhall fill them, the divine fovereign will determine. An hour of temptation must try all who dwell upon the earth. These are the times in which we are tried.

Do we envy thofe who may live during the peaceful reign of the Redeemer? Let us not forget that we are favored above many who have gone before us-above fome of our contemporaries, and probably above those who will fuceeed us, before the commencement of that happy era. Nothing neceffary to falvation is denied us. If ftraitened it is in our own bowels. If faithful to improve the talents put into our hands, " our labor will not be in vain in the Lord"-God will

keep us to his kingdom. There we shall fee Christ's glory, though we may never fee it here as fome others who come after us.

Be it also remembered, that the rewards of the coming world, will be proportioned to the difficulties we may have to encounter here in this. Those who make their way to heaven through darkness and temptations, and force their way through hoftile bands, will rife to greater honors there, than though they had afcended by an eafier and a smoother road. Nothing done or fuffered in the way of duty will loofe its reward. God hath not faid "feek ye my face in vain."

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WHEREFORE, brethren give diligence to make your calling and election fure; for if ye do thefe things, ye fhall never fall; for fo an entrance fhall be ministered unto you abundantly into the ev. erlafting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jefus Christ. To him be glory, both now and forever. Amen."