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they formerly did to David and Israel, and the kingdoms of the countries, and leave an important impression upon us. We are either the better or the worse for the times that have gone over us, and may be so to eternity. The vicissitudes that pass over us during a single human life, and the impressions which they leave behind them, are subjects, which, if realized, would overwhelm the mind. There is a current of national changes which are passing continually. What times have passed over the nations of Europe within our remembrance! Some have risen, some have fallen, some enlarged, and some contracted. What multitudes of lives have been lost! How much of human nature has been developed! What evidence has been afforded of the enmity of man's heart against the gospel, and the insufficiency of all human devices to give happiness to the world without it! What seeds have been sown for future change, the fruits of which may be seen to the end of time!

And while the page of history records the acts of the great, whether good or bad, there are others which it overlooks, but which are no less interesting, on account of the near relation they bear to us. There is a current of changes within the circle of our immediate acquaintance. What a number of deaths, of new faces, and of new circumstances! Property, power, and influence, have changed hands; those whose fathers were abject are raised on high; while others, who have been delicately educated, are sunk into wretchedness. Nor do these changes extend merely to our acquaintance, but to ourselves. There are few of us but have had our times of sickness and of health, of prosperity and of adversity, of joy and sorrow; times when unions were formed, and times when they have been dissolved; times when children have been born, and times when they have died; times when we have been so happy that we have thought nothing could make us miserable, and times when we have been so miserable as to despair of ever again being happy.

But these are things mostly of a civil nature. There is also a current of changes continually passing over us of a religious kind. The cause and kingdom of Christ, while in this world, is subject to constant vicissitude. In some places it prospers, in others it dej

clines. Upon the whole, however, it is going on, and it becomes us to mark its progress. It was in one life, that Israel forsook Egypt, and was planted in Canaan in one life they were carried into captivity; and in one life brought back again in one life the Son of God became incarnate, and accomplished our redemption: in one life the gospel was preached almost over the whole earth; in one life the reformation was effected; and it may be in one life that antichrist may come to his end, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. Our life has been cast in an eventful period, and that of our children may be

more so.

But if, as has been remarked, the events of time bear a relation to us, and leave an impression upon us, it becomes us to inquire what impression those times which have passed over us, have left upon our minds :

Great numbers of them are disregarded, and they can leave no good impression. All that was wrought in Judea, in the times of Augustus and Tiberius, was overlooked by the great mass of mankind. It filled some few with joy unspeakable; but the world in general took but little notice of it. The Greeks, Romans, and other nations, went on just as we do; scheming, intriguing, buying, selling, amassing fortunes, spending them, waging wars, and struggling for the highest posts of honour. Many never heard of it, and most that did, cared for none of these things. With what contempt did Festus speak of a cause which came before him, relative to faith in Christ. Certain questions of Jewish superstition, and of one Jesus who was dead, and whom Paul affirmed to be alive! Many of those who beheld the miracles and heard the preaching of the gospel, wondered and perished. Thus things of the greatest moment may pass over us disregarded, and consequently can leave no good impression. It was the same at the reformation from popery. God wrought a great work in that day but the mass of mankind saw it not. They were each pursuing their schemes of ambition, or covetousness, or sensuality; and so did not profit by it: and thus it is at this day. The principal actors upon the theatre of human affairs bave their respective objects in view; but they see not God's hand. Nor is it much otherwise with the

spectators: some admire, others fear, and others are filled with abhorrence; but few regard the works of the Lord, or discern the operations of his hands.

In others, the things which have passed over them may have made some degree of impression upon them, and yet the issue of it may be doubtful. Under threatening providences, or close preaching, they have been affected not a little; have heard the word gladly, and done many things: have been greatly moved, and reformed in their behaviour; but after all, it is doubtful whether their hearts be divorced from their idols.

On some, however, the things which have passed over us have had a good effect, and require to be recollected with thankfulness. One can remember a providence which brought him under the word, or into a praying family, or religious connexion; another, a conversation, a sermon, or a solitary walk, in which he saw and felt the light of life, and from which period his feet were turned from the ways of death.

Finally: A recollection of the times which have passed over us, over Israel, and over the nations, will furnish matter for much humility and trembling, even though we should have profited by them; and if we have not, it is a subject the realizing of which would overwhelm us. What opportunities have we had of glorifying God, which have passed by unnoticed; what instructive lessons, under which we have been dull of learning; what rebukes, without being effectually corrected; and what narrow escapes from temptation, the falling into which had been worse than death! Neither have we sufficiently regarded the operations of God's hand upon the world and the church, so as to be properly affected by them. And if such reflections be furnished in regard of good men, what must be the retrospection of the wicked! Youth has passed over them, and left only the impression of guilt, shame, and remorse; or what is worse, a gust to re-act its follies, even when they have lost the capacity. Prosperity has made them proud, and adversity filled them with hardness and rebellion of heart. They have been afflicted, and have not called upon God; or if they have, no sooner has it subsided, than they have ceased. Death has approached them, and in their fright they have entered

clines. Upon the whole, however, it is going on, and it bec us to mark its progress. It was in one life, that Israel 1 Egypt, and was planted in Canaan in one life they were into captivity; and in one life brought back again : in one Son of God became incarnate, and accomplished our redt in one life the gospel was preached almost over the whol in one life the reformation was effected; and it be i. may that antichrist may come to his end, and the kingdoms of C become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. been cast in an eventful period, and that of our childr

more so.

But if, as has been remarked, the events of time be to us, and leave an impression upon us, it becomes what impression those times which have passed over upon our minds :

Great numbers of them are disregarded, and they good impression. All that was wrought in Judea of Augustus and Tiberius, was overlooked by th of mankind. It filled some few with joy unspeak The Gi world in general took but little notice of it. and other nations, went on just as we do;

schem

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and of one Jesus who was dead, and whom Paul af
Many of those who beheld the miracles and he
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moment may pass over us disregarded, and conse
no good impression. It was the same at the
popery. God wrought a great work in that day
mankind saw it not. They were each pursuin
ambition, or covetousness, or sensuality; and
by it and thus it is at this day. The princip
theatre of human affairs have their respective
but they see not God's hand. Nor is it much

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