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when she withdrew her allegiance from her Lord, and transferred it to them; all these governments are completely annihilated. The harlotry of church and state is dissolved, and the parties are separated for ever. Equally propitious to pure religion are the internal circumstances of the church. All her organization has been broken up; she has been reduced to her elements, and must organize anew. The lambs of Christ will come out of their lurking places, and they will know each other's voice, and run with bleatings towards their great shepherd. There will neither be papist nor protestant, episcopalian, nor presbyterian, nor independent; neither pædobaptist nor antipædobaptist; nor calvinist nor arminian. They will know each other only as christians, and will take the Bible which their Lord gave them as their only rule. There will be more law in those days than ever there was, for the law of God will be their only rule; there will be more liberty than ever there was, for no man will dare to make laws to bind the conscience of Christ's servants. They will have united faith with charity, and faithfulness with forbearance. In that day they will know the meaning of that petition; "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Then the Prince of Peace, by the gospel of peace, will reign in a peaceful kingdom; Melchizedek himself shall then be king in Salem. Talia currite sec'la.

Having thus spoken of the death and resurrection of the witnesses; I am naturally led to my third head of discourse, namely,

III. THE UNIVERSAL DIFFUSION OF THE GOSPEL OVER THE WHOLE EARTH.

That this event succeeds the desolation of society of which we have been speaking, we are taught by Daniel and John. Abundant proof of the same fact could easily be produced from all the prophets of the old and new Testaments. But as I do not wish to bewilder you with a superfluous mass of quotations; and as I have quoted the above named prophets in regard to the approaching calamities, I think that it will sufficiently serve my purpose, and your edification, to show that both of them represent the universal diffusion of the gospel, as the next scene which is to succeed to the general desolation of society.

In the same second chapter of Daniel, which I quoted in the foregoing part of this discourse, the words which succeed to the predicted destruction of the image are these: "And in the days of these kings, shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."*

In like manner, John, after describing the slaying and resurrection of the witnesses; represents the seventh angel as sounding his trumpet, and thus narrates the consequences. "And there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever."+

Again I mention, that I do not intend to dip into the expounding of prophecy farther than is necessary, to ascertain a few grand facts, which are the basis of my

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general argument. And I think, that the passages produced from Daniel and John sufficiently establish the general fact, that the horrible catastrophe, of the slaying of the witnesses, will be followed not only by their resurrection, and establishment in a glorious church upon earth; but also by the universal diffusion of christianity over the whole globe of the earth. The great voices which John heard in heaven exclaimed, "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."

It may be asked, do we behold any incipient measures for the fulfilment of this prophecy, brought into operation by the providence of God? I answer, we do; we see the most decisive measures and means operating more and more effectually every day, towards the production of the consummation so devoutly to be wished. I shall touch them lightly, leaving it to your own imaginations to fill up the outline by facts as well known to you as to me.

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1. Europe is pouring her sons over all the globe, and America has engaged in the blessed work; they are pouring out their sons over the whole globe, as missionaries among the heathen; and although the slow effects of their labours, for a while damped and almost extinguished hopes, which were too enthusiastic and gratuitous to be at once realised; yet recent events have shewed, that the good seed has in some places taken root, and vegetates, furnishing a sufficient promise of a future plentiful harvest.

2. The sons of the christian church; especially (so far as I know entirely) the sons of the European church, are scattered over the world, from the poles to

the equator, learning all languages, and translating the scriptures into all tongues, whether polished or barbarous; no doubt, in order, that when Jesus shall send forth his missionaries into all the kingdoms of this world, there may be preparation for their reception and success. And then the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. Why is Europe thus preparing a way in the wilderness for our Lord, and making his paths straight? Perhaps, she knows not herself what she is doing; I am convinced, that she is doing more than the generality of the agents engaged in the work, know or intend.

For more than a century, christianity has been stationary, if not retrogade, in Europe. Partial and local revivals there have been; but, taking in the immense community of the European nations, there is rather an apostacy from ancient attainments, than a progress in reformation. So it appears to me; but I shall be very happy to find this opinion erroneous. Europe has been doing nothing for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom at home; but she has been doing prodigies in every other part of the globe.

My imagination figures to itself the European church under the emblem of an aged and feeble matron, pointing to her open door, and crying, away, my sons, away; brave every danger, endure every hardship; but go to the heathen; translate the holy scriptures into every tongue, preach the gospel to every creature who will hear you. The holy seed must not be lost; preserve it at least among the barbarians. Away, every one of you who can get away.

"I pedes quo te rapiunt et auræ."

I shall have more than victims enow when God calls for his great sacrifice. This is a pleasing theme; it scarcely requires the sanctified sympathies of christianity, the common affections of humanity seems sufficient, to melt the heart in the contemplation of such scenes. But there are awful days approaching to Europe, and God only knows what portion we may have in the calamitous times ourselves.

3. Another indication, that the Redeemer is preparing the world for a new and extraordinary revolution, may be drawn from the unparalleled exertions to diffuse the sacred scriptures over the whole world. The Bible, the Bible itself, the pure text without comment; is put into the hands of every human creature, who will open his hands to receive the gift. It is not only offered to all, but they are solicited to accept it, it is almost forced upon them by every species of moral importunity. In some instances great fears have been expressed, lest by turning the attention of mankind so exclusively to the sacred scriptures, it might be drawn off from other compositions, which are supposed to be too sacred and valuable, to be sacrificed to any thing. The fear is well founded, I am convinced; and I must give those who entertain it full credit for penetration; whatever I may think of their philanthrophy in regretting the event, or of their wisdom, in attempting counteraction. And now if those liberal minded, open handed christians, who serve God by diffusing his word without comment among others; were only to be as kind to themselves as they are to their neighbours, and to waste less of their time upon human composures, and devote more of it to the study of the sacred volume, I am convinced it would be an offering of a sweet

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