ceffary to point out the natural and probable effects of enmity and oppofition to the Gofpel. We are but just emerging from a foaming and furious tide: the tumult and confufion into which it was thrown by irreligious principles, I truft, is fubfiding; and reflection and order return. In the very centre of the chief operation and effect of these principles, Atheism and irreligion are dreaded. The honours of an all-creating and governing mind are celebrated, for bringing men back to order and obedience. Revolutionary France herself, and the worst of her defpots, acknowledge the dreadful effects of irreligion: And he who publicly, and before the world, rejected Christianity, and the Roman Catholic religion, again acknowledges the holy Father, the Pope of Rome, and reftores the priesthood! Roberfpiere, and Bonaparte are advocates for religion!

BUT, it is not by looking back upon that foaming and furious tide, or by figuring or remembering the atrocities of those who caft off all fear of GOD, all the restraints of religion only, that your abhorrence of enmity against the Gospel is awakened and cherishBb 2

ed.

ed By leading you to fcenes of tranquillity, harmony and joy, we fee more distinctly, and more strikingly difplayed, the shocking contraft; and, therefore, the horrible guilt and odioufnefs of the abettors of irreligion. How pleasing and delightful is it to visit the habitations of affection and confidence, of industry, of independence! We confider the inroads of theft, or of feduction, or of ftrife and feparation into them, with much indignation: but, let fire and fword, and devaftation in all its horrors be added, and turn the scenes of peace into mansions of ruin and lamentation, we fall short of the havock and wretchedness made by irreligion, when she pulls down the pillars of faith and peace, and enjoyment.

It is not Scripture only, that says, " Righ"teousness exalteth a nation." Sin is the reproach of any people. Religion removed, the flood-gates of vice are opened: the garden of GOD is turned into a chaos of diforder and wretchedness.

We thank GOD, it is not at the pleasure of the teacher of irreligion and blasphemy, that

that men part with faith, and a good confcience; nor is it at the pleasure of the thief or the robber, the feducer and the incendiary, that property is plundered, virtue is ruined, difgrace is entailed on families, and houses and whole cities are laid in afhes; but, want of fuccefs diminiflies not the criminality of the one or of the other, in the eye of reafon, or of God. As every Chriftian reckons no poffeffion equal to his soul, and its eternal portion; and no happiness to be compared with the joys of falvation; he can regard no person with such horror as the man who attempts to ruin his foul, and to rob him of" the peace of GOD which paffes understanding.'

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To preferve and heighten this indignation, fhall I conduct you to the haunts of folitude, of forrow, and of fuffering? Shall I unfold the ample, the fuitable, the ever precious foothings and confolations, and profpects of faith and devotion? Shall I defcribe compofure and peace, refignation and confidence, exultation and joy, under bereavements and trials, and in the wifhed for approach of diffolution; all inspired by the Gospel of

JESUSTM

JESUS? What think you of him who dashes the cup of falvation from the lip of forrow, and for ever shuts the door of hope? Who, in place of the blooming scenes of the garden of GOD, the joys of immortality, fends the children of sorrow to perpetual darkness, and everlasting sleep? You do not, you cannot think of him, but with abhorrence: Let him be Anathema.

3. I TURN your attention, in the next place, to the history of providence, and the evident and awful marks of the indignation of heaven against the enemies of GOD, and of his CHRIST.

UPON this fubject I might collect information, and bring examples, from different quarters, and from different times. I refer to one fource of information, only; and to a few of the examples it preserves and records, for our instruction and admonition. It is this facred volume.

In the Scriptures we read the threatenings and denunciations of GOD against the enemies

enemies of the Gofpel: we have the history of his inflictions alfo.

WHAT I have faid to you of the sentiments with which you fhould regard the enemies of religion, referring it to yourselves to fay if it is not perfectly just; you find the inspired of GOD fay, that is, in other words, GoD himself says, and refers it to those that are addressed to say, if they can object to their expostulations. Jehu the fon of Hanani "the feer went out to meet him, and faid to 'king Jehoshaphat, Shouldst thou help the

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ungodly, and love them that hate the "LORD? Why do the heathen rage and the

people imagine a vain thing?—He that "fitteth in the heavens fhall laugh: the "LORD fhall have them in derifion: then "fhall he fpeak to them in his wrath, and "vex them in his fore difpleature. Kifs the "Son, left he be angry, and ye perish from "the way.Beware left that come upon

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you which is fpoken of in the prophets, "Behold ye defpifers, and wonder and pe"rish, for I work a work in your days, a "work which ye fhall in no ways believe, "though a man declare it unto you. How

" fhall