When the time came that the Almighty would deliver Israel out of Egypt, he employed Moses and Aaron; and when he would restore the captives from Babylon, although we are assured that he stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, to rebuild the temple, there is every reason to believe that Daniel's name and influence were the means of leading to that event; and the Apostles were "workers together with God." Indeed, this doctrine of human agency being employed by Heaven, is so fully taught in Sacred Scripture, that those pagan princes who have punished his people, and other nations, as well as those who have served them, are called his servants. In Ezek. xxix. 18. it is thus written-"Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrusyet had he no wages, nor his army, for the service that he had served. I have, therefore, given the land of Egypt to them, because they served for me, saith the Lord God." And Cyrus is, by the mouth of Isaiah, called the Lord's anointed, and his shepherd, who would perform the Lord's pleasure concerning Jerusalem. Having the promises, let us, therefore, pray and work, for eventually, our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. False theories always lead to extremes. Those err egregiously who trust solely to human efforts, and (as some do) deride appeals to heaven for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit; and those who affirm, that conversion being Heaven's work, the use of means is unnecessary, and may be neglected, do not less err from the truth.

In matters that concern our individual salvation, as well as in what concerns the kingdom of our Saviour, let no theory or system prevent our praying and working; but let us be encouraged by the promise, that he will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him; and since it is God that worketh in us, let us work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Finally, we observe,

IV. The Lord has not deserted any nation. It is remarkable that Heaven vouchsafed such a revelation of future events to a pagan monarch, as was contained

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in Nebuchadnezzar's dream; and from this we may learn, that although the Almighty set apart Abraham's posterity as a peculiar people, and for important purposes, he at no period forsook the rest of the nations, but ruled over them in justice and mercy, giving them rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness. They have been the Lord's servants for judgment or for mercy; and some of them, as Cyrus, have been expressly called by name, and girded for their work, although they have not known him. And though it must be allowed, that ignorance, and iniquity, and cruelty, abound amongst the nations, there is yet amongst many of the heathen, a spirit of faith that the "Heavens do rule,” and that man is accountable to superior powers; and their consciences either accuse or exonerate them. They have, many of them, an accurate sense of natural justice between man and man; and they teach often, as we do, (whatever their practice may be,) truth, benevolence, chastity, and charity. I speak generally of what I have seen and read in modern pagan books-to this praise there are particular exceptions, similar to what is the case in the nations of Christendom: the heathen of that part of the world where I have been, may be divided into three classes, viz. those who believe in Providence, and endeavour, in some degree, to do what they think right; next, those who acknowledge the doctrine in theory, but disregard it in practice, as profligate professors of Christianity do; and thirdly, those who deny the doctrine of Providence, and profess atheism, and annihilation at death. The Chinese divide their sects into three: two of them, called the Budh and the Taou sects, are religionists, who believe in gods, separate spirits, and a future state of rewards and punishments; and the third sect, the followers of Kung-foo-tsze, or, as he is called in Europe, Confucius, who doubt the existence of gods, deny a future state, and consequently any other rewards or punishments than the natural consequences of vice in this life. The Teen, or heaven, of which they speak, is not God, but nature. They teach the practice of truth, justice, and benevolence, to promote personal, domestic, and national

happiness; and for the dignity which it confers on man; whom it elevates, they say, to a sort of equality with that great power in nature, the Heavens. Heaven, earth, and sage men are, according to them, three equals, and coworkers, essential to each other. We have, to-day, allowed that Heaven condescends to employ men; but they blasphemously teach that Heaven cannot dispense with the sage's services.

The heathen have the means of inferring the being and perfections of God from his works; but in this matter their foolish heart is darkened, and they commonly change his glory into a corruptible image. They have knowledge enough to convince them of sin, but of the means of obtaining the remission of sin, they have no correct information; therefore, apart from all other considerations, a benevolent heart will ever delight in using means to convey to them revealed religion, and thereby communicate the knowledge of God, and of his Christ. The character of pagan countries, like the character of Christendom, is black enough, it need not be exaggerated; nor should the little knowledge and morality they have amongst them be over-rated, as has been done by some persons, who would discourage, and if they had power, would absolutely prohibit all efforts to evangelize them. It is a fact, that there are many of the heathen more correct men than many people called Christians; and this is frequently the case with the nominal Christians in small colonies in pagan countries, where the check of public opinion rests on the natives, but is removed from the foreigners. And what crime can be named that does not exist, and even abound, in Christendom! All this is granted, but the comparison should not be between profligate nominal Christians, and a few of the best of the heathen; but between them and the Christians who adopt the principles, imbibe the spirit, and practice the precepts of their religion. And, indeed, the man who has not done this, however well educated, or however high his station in society, is not a competent judge of the merits of this question. I really do not argue, that his nominal Christianity makes him a whit better or happier than the pagan

ism of India or China does the natives of those regions. If the principles of Christianity do not regulate his conduct, purify his heart, bring him near to God, moderate him in prosperity, and soothe him in affliction-in what respect is he a Christian? The merely looking at food upon the table, will not nourish, and strengthen, and make healthy and comfortable, the man who does not choose to eat of it. To him the best and the worst food are alike; but, all must allow, that such a man is not a fit judge of the matter. However, I will not pursue this subject. We should all do well to remember that, as St. Paul said, he is not a Jew who is one merely outwardly. So, the merely being born in Christendom, does not necessarily make us Christians, or real subjects of Messiah's kingdom; still it should also be remembered, that we thereby enjoy great advantages, for which we must be accountable; and if neglected or despised, it may be more tolerable in the day of judgment, for the men of heathen lands than for us.

The king Nebuchadnezzar, after he was recovered from his deplorable state of madness, published a decree, to inform his empire of the signs and wonders that the High God wrought towards him; in this decree he states, that when his understanding returned to him, he " Blessed the Most High, and praised and honoured him that liveth for ever and ever; the king of heaven, whose works are truth, and his ways judgment, and those that walk in pride he is able to abase:-before him all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing, and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth." This is now the language of the same man, who had before set up the lofty image of gold, and commanded all his subjects to worship it, on pain of being burnt to death; and who impiously demanded-who that god was, that could deliver out of his hand. How altered the language! How changed the man! The penitentiary decree which he published, is thought an evidence of his conversion to God-but of that subject man cannot speak with certainty. However, we may infer from what is related, that no change is too hard for the Lord to effect; and

therefore, since he ruleth over all, none need despair, however great the difficulties in the eventual accomplishment of his promises. Let individual Christians, and let all the churches in all lands, and in all ages, praise and honour him, for he liveth for ever and ever; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.

My fellow Christians, before I close, let me recommend the application of the doctrine of our text to your personal and domestic concerns. The Most High ruleth: the Lord reigneth: our affairs are not left to blind chance: it is not an enemy who governs the world. Satan is a powerful and cunning adversary; but he is not supreme. The Lord's arm is omnipotent; he can defend, and support, and carry us safely through all dangers and difficulties. Live near to God and then you are safe.

Are there any here who live at a distance from God? How insecure! Are there any who set God at defiance? Oh, what madness!—Oh, my brother! my sister! acknowledge the Divine Power, and submit to his just dominion, and to his gracious and paternal rule, and then no human nor infernal enemy can do you lasting harm. Impenitent sinner! tremble for thy fate, for neither riches, nor influence, nor health, nor youth, can secure thee against God. Nor rocks, nor hills, falling on thee, can hide thee from the awful effects of his justice. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. But in Jesus, the Redeemer, is to be found for the penitent a hiding place. Let his love melt thine impenitent heart; flee by faith to him and thou too wilt be safe.

Remarks at Dr. Waugh's Chapel, March 28, 1824.

Your venerable pastor, this afternoon, in reference to the pecuniary aid of British Christians towards the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom, used the word "generosity." Now, at the risk of being called a caviller, I do object to the use of this word, because but little has been