I HAVE not such expectations of a Millenium as many entertain: yet I believe that the figures and expressions of prophecy have never received their accomplishment. They are too grand and ample, to have been fulfilled by any state, which the Church has hitherto seen. Christianity has yet had no face suitable to its dignity. It has savoured hitherto too much of man-of his institutions-of his prejudices-of his follies-of his sin. It must be drawn out-depicted-exhibited demonstrated to the world. Its chief enemies have been the men by whom, under the profession of Hail, Master! it has been distorted, abused, and vilified.

Popery was the master-piece of Satan. I believe him utterly incapable of such another contrivance. It was a systematic and infallible plan, for forming manacles and mufflers for the human mind. It was a well-laid design to render Christianity contemptible, by the abuse of its principles - and its institutions. It was formed to overwhelm to enchant to sit as the great Whore, making the Earth drunk with her fornications.

The Infidel Conspiracy approaches nearest to Popery. But Infidelity is a suicide. It dies by its own malignity. It is known and read of all men. No man was ever injured essentially by it, who was fortified with a small portion of the genuine spirit of Christianity--its contrition and its docility. Nor is it one in its efforts: its end

is one; but its means are disjointed, various, and often clashing. Popery debases and alloys Christianity: but Infidelity is a furnace, wherein it is purified and refined. The injuries done to it by Popery, will be repaired by the very attacks of Infidelity.

In the mean time, Christianity wears an enchanting form to all, who can penetrate through the mists thrown round it by its false friends and its avowed foes. The exiled French Priest raises the pity and indignation of all Christians, while he describes the infernal plots of the Infidel Conspirators against Christianity, and shews them in successful operation against his Church*. We seem, for a while, to forget her errors; and we view her for the moment, only so far as she possesses Christianity in common with ourselves. But, when he charges the origin of this Infidel Conspiracy on the principles asserted by the Waldenses or the Church of Geneva, the enchantment dissolves. We see that he is under the influence of a sophism; by which, having imposed upon himself, he would impose upon others. With him, Christianity and his Church mean one and the same thing. A separation from his Church, is a separation from Christianity; and proceeds on principles which lead necessarily, if pursued to their issues, to every abomination of Infidelity. But let him know that the Church of

VOL. III.

Alluding to Barruel's Memoirs of Jacobinism.
E e

J. P.

Geneva protested against the false friend of Christianity; and that, if the avowed enemy of Christianity had then elevated himself, she would have protested with equal zeal against him. Let him know, that, if his Church had listened to the voice of the Reformer, the enemy of Christianity would have wanted ground for footing to his attacks. The Papist falsely charges the Reformer, as the father of Infidelity: the Infidel maliciously confounds Popery and Christianity: but the true Christian is as far from the licentiousness of the Infidel, as he is from the corruption of the Papist.

I am not inclined to view things in a gloomy aspect. Christianity must undergo a renovation. If God has sent his Son, and has declared that he will exalt him on his throne-the earth and all that it inherit are contemptible in the view of such a plan! If this be God's design-proceed it does, and proceed it will. Christianity is such a holy and spiritual affair, that perhaps all human institutions are to be destroyed to make way for it. Men may fashion things as they will; but, if there is no effusion of the Spirit of God on their institutions, they will remain barren and lifeless. Many Christians appear to have forgotten this.

ON A

CHRISTIAN'S DUTY

IN THESE

EVENTFUL TIMES.

OURS is a period of no common kind. The path of duty to a Christian is now unusually difficult. It seems to me, however, to be comprehended in two words-Be QUIET and USEFUL. The precept is short; but the application of it requires much grace and wisdom. Take not a single step out of a quiet obscurity, to which are not compelled by a sense of utility.

Two parties have divided the world.

The JACOBINS

you

are desperadoes: the earth's torment and plague. Bishop Horsley said well of them, lately from the pulpit-" These are they, who have poisoned Watts's Hymns for Children. These are they, who are making efforts to contaminate every means of access to the public mind. And what is their aim?-What are their pretensions? That they will have neither Lord nor King over them. But, verily, one is their King: whose

name, in the Hebrew tongue, is Abaddon; but, in the Greek tongue, he is called Apollyon; and, in plain English-The Devil.' My soul come not thou near the tents of these wicked men!"

"But the ANTIJACOBINS?"-Their project, as a body, leaves God out of the question. Their proposal is unholy. I cannot be insensible to the Security, Order, and Liberty, with which these kingdoms are favoured above all other nations; but I cannot go forth with these men, as one of their party. I cannot throw up my hat, and shout "Huzza!" Woe to the world, if even THEY prevail !

The world is a lying, empty pageant; and these men are ensnared with the show. My part in it, as a Christian, is to act with simplicity as the servant of God. What does God bid me do? What, in this minute of time, which will be gone and carry me with it into Eternity-what is my path of duty? While enemies blaspheme, and friends are beguiled, let me stand on my watchtower, with the Prophet, listening what the Lord God shall say to me. In any scheme of man I dare not be drunken. We, who are of the day, must be sober. Churchman or Dissenter, if I am a true Christian, I shall talk thus to my connections. The sentiment of the multitude is ensnaring; but the multitude is generally wrong. I must beware of the contagion. Not that I am to push myself into consequence. The matter is between me and