more particularly, on the effects produced by this Anti-christian power, than on the power

itself.

It was 66 a falling away;" an apostacy from the faith of the Gospel, which the Apostles preached; in the original, it is written with peculiar emphasis, "THE falling away, THE apostacy." Though it had already begun to work, it was not to prevail generally till this man of sin, this son of perdition was revealed, or shone forth; he being the great enemy of the truth, the great engine, by which this grand apostacy was to be brought about.

It is this man of sin which the prophet Daniel seems to describe in his seventh chapter, where he says, that "he shall exceed in evil all that went before him ;" and he may be said to do so, either by promoting wickedness in general, or by encouraging idolatry in particular, as the word sin, frequently signifies in Scripture. We may observe also, that the son of perdition, is the title given to Judas Iscariot, which seems to imply, that the man of sin should be like him, a false Apostle like him, should betray Christ; and like him also, be devoted to destruction. It is very remarkable how strikingly similar the features and character of the man of sin are, as described by the Prophet Daniel, and the Apostle St. Paul, in this chapter: the former declares that he "shall speak great swelling words against

the Most High, and shall wear out, or persecute the Saints of the Most High," while the Apostle declares here, "that he opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; that his coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs, and lying wonders, and, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they shall believe a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Here then we may observe, that the subject brought under consideration divides itself into these particular heads:

1st. That grand apostacy, or departure from the faith of the Gospel, which was to become general in the Christian world in the latter days, (in which we may say our lot is cast,) and which was to be effected by the man of sin, the son of perdition; some Anti-christian power, under the direction and influence of the wicked one.

2nd. The manner in which it was to work, "by the working of Satan, with power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness."

3rd. The character of those who should be led away by this apostacy, and join in it, to their

eternal destruction; even those who received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved by it.

And lastly, the very awful state into which they should be brought, by the just judgment of God: for "He shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth."

How fearfully awful is this last passage! seeing that it is not the sentence of man, which might be reversed, but it is the unalterable word of JEHOVAH, the just sentence of the eternal Judge, the King of Heaven.

We shall now proceed to consider each of these heads distinctly; and I would earnestly and affectionately beseech you, by the word of Truth, by all the precious promises, and by all the dreadful judgments, which are contained therein, that as you would obtain and enjoy the one, and flee from and escape the other, you would consider what follows, patiently, and with the most earnest attention, looking up at the same time to the disposer of hearts, that you may be enabled both now and ever, to "receive with meekness, the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."

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It is now 1758 years since the Apostle wrote of these things, to the Church at Thessalonica at which time he declared, that the mystery of iniquity had already begun to work, only, that

he who then let or hindered, would do so, "till he was taken out of the way;" and then, said he, "shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." And here we may remark with thankfulness, how the Lord, for the comfort and encouragement of his people, promised to overcome and destroy this great enemy of the Truth, at the very time that he warned them of his coming; informing them, that as he will surely prevail for a time, so surely he shall be cut off, and destroyed for ever and ever.-Yes, God has herein evidenced the same gracious concern for his people, which he manifested at the fall of man, where, having set forth the awful consequences thereof, he promised immediately after, that "the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head." Gen. iii. 15. Let this consideration teach us at all times, and under all circumstances, however discouraging, to wait patiently on the Lord, depending on the promise of his word; praising him for all that is past, and trusting in the unerring wisdom of his Providence, for all that is to come.

We may perceive then, that the foundation of this apostacy was laid in the Apostle's days, but the increase of it was by degrees, and that several ages passed, before the building

was complete, and the man of sin revealed in full perfection.

It appears from the writings of our ablest Commentators, that what let or hindered in the general opinion of the Church, was the Pagan Roman Empire; which opinion, they observe, might be derived from the Apostle himself, and that therefore, the primitive Christians, in the public offices of the Church, prayed for its peace and welfare; knowing, that when the Roman Empire should be dissolved and broken in pieces, the empire of the man of sin, would be raised upon its ruins: this opinion appears to be confirmed by history; for we find, that after the Roman Empire was dissolved, when the Church increased in power, and usurped an authority and dominion which did not belong to her, even above all other powers on earth, then the man of sin began to be revealed in one heresy and corruption after another, and the grand apostacy appears to have increased continually from that period.

We can easily trace its progress, in the many errors which crept into the Church of Christ, from that time: by consulting the history of the Church, we learn that they were manifold indeed; however, I shall only enumerate such as appear to be sufficient for our present purpose.

And first, we may trace an evident departure