The spirit of the apostle's observations, Heb. vi. 4-6, appears somewhat different from the gloss of J. C. Upon the supposition that believers are moral agents, capable of being influenced by proper motives, what difficulty encumbers this striking passage? Is it not the method of inspiration to set life and death before the saints; to address their fears as well as their hopes; to show them, on one hand, the crown of righteousness which awaits the faithful, on the other, the certain ruin which will overtake them, if they turn again to folly? This passage seems not, in spirit, to be different from the cautions, which Jesus frequently gave his disciples. "No man, putting his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of heaven. Ye are the salt of the earth. But if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men." Neither Jesus, nor his apostles ever considered believers in such a light, as to render the most solemn warnings against apostasy, either improper or unnecessary. Who shall find fault, if divine wisdom has chosen to use such warnings, as one means of securing their perseverance? Who shall think of disproving the certain perseverance of the saints by those Scriptures, which were inspired to support it, and which, through grace, are effectual to that purpose?

David has been often introduced, as a standing proof against the doctrine of perseverance; whereas he is a standing proof

in its favour. In him we plainly see, that the saints are interested in the unchangeable grace of God, which secures their perseverance; so that, if they fall, they shall rise again; if they sin, they shall have the gift of repentance. If it be asked, what would have become of David, if he had died in the midst of his crimes? I answer, if he had died impenitent, he would have been lost. But it may, with the same pertinence, be asked, what would have become of Paul, or John, or any of the saints in heaven, if they had died before their conversion? Suppositions may assist our feeble reason, and correct our mistakes. But they hinder not the purpose and operation of infinite grace.

The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal; The Lord knoweth them that are his; and he will keep them by his mighty power through faith unto salvation.

3. If any real difficulties attend this doctrine, they are by no means sufficient to overbalance the direct scripture evidence in its favour, its manifest agreement with the perfections of God and the other truths of the gospel, and its tendency to animate and console the saints.

LUTHER.

A DISSERTATION ON JOHN'S SIXTH VIAL.

No. 3.

Revelation xvi. 12-16. On the interpretation and fulfilment of prophecy it becomes us to speak with modesty and caution; but there is such a resemblance between John's description of the sixth vial, and the events of the present day, that one can hardly forbear to lay them side by side, and contemplate them together.

The word of prophecy and the aspect of the times lead us still to expect great changes in the world. The fall of the papal power and the dissolution of the Turkish empire are events, which cannot be far distant from each other. Mahometanism as well as Popery, must be removed before pure Christianity can generally prevail. As they arose, so they will probably fall, nearly at the same time. If, as interpreters suppose, the prophecy of Daniel, in the eleventh chapter of his book, respects the Turkish empire; then the same period is assigned for the duration of this, as for the duration of the Papal power; viz. a time, times, and half a time, or three and a half years, which are 1260 prophetic days or literal

years. And there are now many circumstances, which threaten the dissolution of that empire.

John, having predicted the great events, which were coming on the world, solemnly calls the attention of mankind to the means of safety at such a perilous season. And, if this is the time, when the sixth vial is running, the warning which he gives is immediately addressed to us; and it sounds to me, like a voice, sent this day, from the skies.

It is remarkable, that John, filled with a sense of the magnitude of the events in his eye, and of the dangers coming on the world, breaks off in the midst of his description of events, to proclaim the warning of Heaven; and then resumes his subject. He introduces the Saviour thus speaking to his people; "Behold, I come, as a thief: Blessed is he, that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Again, having described the judgments under the next vial, he adds, "I heard a voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, come 'out of Babylon, my people, that ye partake not of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities."

It hence appears, that in the judgments, to be executed on the papal nations, other nations will have a share, greater or less, according to their moral and religious state. If we partake of the sins of Babylon, we shall receive of her plagues.

Great events we have already seen, and greater are to be expected. Blessed is he, that

watches and prepares to meet them.

When we consider our present connexion and intercourse with the nations of Europe, and the changes which have taken place, and are still likely to take place among them-when we consider the long course of unusual prosperity, which we have enjoyed, and our present moral and political state-and, when we consider the predictions and warnings of Scripture; we have reason to apprehend, that serious and painful trials are coming on us.

Amidst the commotions of the world, our national security will depend, not so much on our numbers, wealth, and local situation, as on our wisdom, virtue, piety, peace, and union. If we adopt the vices and corruptions, we may expect to share in the calamities of those guilty nations, which God is punishing, and will continue to punish, until they are reclaimed or consumed.

The prevalence of infidelity will succeed to the extinction of popery. This intimation of prophecy is confirmed by observation. But its triumphing will be short; and, when this is past, the triumph of the gospel will be glorious.

The safety of our country will depend on the maintenance of the religion of Christ; on the strict observance of the Lord's day; on a just encouragement of, and respect to the plain institutions of the gospel, and the stated ministry of the word; on the increase of the churches and the preservation of peace and order in them; on a general regard to family religion; and on harmony and mutual confidence in civil society. The apostle warns

us, that, as the Jews were broken off and dispersed by their infidelity, so Christian nations stand by faith. If nations, which have enjoyed the gospel, impiously and ungratefully renounce it, they lose all their security, and become obnoxious to severer punishments, than if they had never known it. To them may be applied God's reproof and threatening to Israel; " You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities."

A regular administration of, and peaceable submission to our own chosen government, are matters of high importance to our security and happiness. Our general constitution is probably as liberal, as can reasonably be desired, and perhaps as can be safe for a people, so numerous and spread over so extensive a territory; and it is as energetic as is necessary for a well-informed and virtuous people. But, if it should be relaxed from its proper energy, or strained beyond its due tone-if it should be mutilated, twisted, and changed, until it cease to be the same; it will become the sport and bauble of conflicting parties, and general confusion will ensue.

The people, if they be wise, will steadily support, and promptly obey their own governmentwill favour no unnecessary innovations-will seek redress of supposed grievances in no other than a constitutional way-will entrust the powers of government in the hands of those only, whose reputed wisdom and integrity entitle them to general confidence. While there is wisdom in rulers, virtue in the people, and union and confidence between both,

there will be little danger from foreign powers.

That there should be different sentiments on many public mea sures is naturally to be expected. But wisdom and virtue will forbid all acrimony of speech and severity of treatment in parties toward each other. Every thing of this kind tends to the corruption of national manners, to the weakness and inefficacy of government, to the obstruction of the channels of information, to insolence and despotism in the dominant party, to discontent and faction in the feebler party, and to loss of liberty in the people. A spirit of free and candid discussion may be useful. But mutual slander, crimination, scurrility, and contest for power endanger the common liberty, and degrade the national dignity. In absolute governments, where the power of the nation is concentrated in a point, parties may be of use to check the progress of despotism; but in republics, where the power is diffused through the body, parties are always dangerous, because they diminish the national strength, and when the parties become nearly equal, the national strength is lost. Party spirit has been the common source of ruin to republican governments.

In public elections preference should always be given to religious characters. "He that ruleth over men, must be just, ruling in the fear of God." If the open enemies of religion should ever become administrators of our government, we should lose all security; for such men have no inherent principle to ensure their fidelity, nor on them will an oath have a binding efficacy.

Foreign influence should be spurned and repelled. If this should ever dictate our elections, direct our councils, control our government, corrupt our religious principles, and vitiate our social manners; we shall of course lose our independence. The rapid increase of foreigners, from whatever nation they come, is dangerous to our liberty. Israel was ruined, when he mixed himself with strangers; for they devoured his substance, and he knew it not. Our independence, virtue and religion are safest with the gradual increase of our natural population.

In a time, when the nations of Europe are convulsed by wars and revolutions, too close a connexion with them may expose us to be shaken by their changes, and perhaps to be crushed by their fall.

Amidst the convulsions of a changing world, it becomes us to rejoice in the immutable justice, wisdom and goodness of the Divine government. We lament the miseries, which attend the wars of nations, and the revolu tions of kingdoms; but it is a consolation to believe that all these calamitous events are preparing the way for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom, which will diffuse peace and happiness over the carth.

While God's judgments are, as we believe, removing the obstructions, which have long lain in the way of a general reformation; we are pleased to see some other appearances, more directly tending to so desirable a result.

Wonderful is the zeal, which has appeared, and the exertions, which have been made in Britain and some other parts of Europe,

.

for spreading the gospel among the unenlightened inhabitants of the world. For this purpose societies have been established, Christians of different sects have united, liberal contributions have been made, able missionaries have been sent forth, Bibles have been printed in different languages, and dispersed among those, who never saw such a book before ; and these measures have been attended with a success, which has exceeded expectation. The same missionary spirit, which has been so conspicuous in Europe, has been extensively felt in America.

As the object of the missionary societies is pious and benevolent, as their number is great, and as their rise in different parts was without concert, as they have met with liberal encouragement, and happy success; we cannot doubt but the hand of God is with them.

Though we cannot conclude, that the great reformation will immediately appear; yet we feel a confidence, that God is now preparing the way for it. And may his name be glorified; may his kingdom come; may his will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven; and may all flesh see his salvation.

To conclude; we may say, in the words of a late Scotch writer, "Never were times more eventful, or appearances more interesting, than at the present day. We behold, on the one hand, infidelity with dreadful irruption extending its ravages far and wide; and, on the other, an amazing accession of zeal and alacrity to the cause of Christianity. Error in all its forms is assiduously and successfully

It seems

propagated; but the progress of evangelical truth is also great. The number of the apparently neutral party daily diminishes; and they are now becoming the worshippers of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, or are receding fast through the mists of scepticism into the dreary regions of speculative and practical atheism. as if Christianity and infidelity were mustering each the host of the battle, and preparing for some great day of God. The enemy is come, like a flood, but the Spirit of the Lord hath lifted up a standard against him. Who then is on the Lord's side? Let him come forth to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." THEOPHILUS.

UNIFORM PIETY EXEMPLIFIED IN THE CONDUCT OF DANIEL.