Baptist. As then, the wicked are not to live till the end of the Millennium, there will be no wicked men upon earth; and consequently all must be righteous, during that blessed period.

10. During the Millennium, knowledge will be greatly increased. Reason and scripture unite in confirming this proposition. There has been a vast increase of knowledge within a few centuries; and as causes, in a great measure the same, are still in operation, we may conclude, that knowledge will greatly increase for centuries to come. From year to year, greater and greater numbers are engaged in the pursuit, and the ardour of each seems only to stimulate the efforts of the rest. One discovery leads to another; this to a third, and so on. That wonderful art of all arts, the art of printing, records, disseminates, and forever preserves, every discovery and improvement, that is worthy of preservation. But, my brethren, all the light that reason can give upon this subject is as darkness, compared with the light of revelation. We are assured by Him, that cannot lie, that many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. The expulsion of the prince of darkness, and the regeneration of the world, will remove many obstacles, and furnish many and great facilities in the acquisition of knowledge. When wars shall cease to desolate; when the Gothic foot shall no more trample upon the flowers of taste; when vice and immorality shall cease; when every kind of intemperance shall be cured; when the earth shall be purged from tyranny and oppression; when the darkness of superstition, the railing of bigotry, and the contracting, blinding influence of illiberality shall cease; when not a single Pharisee shall be left to take away the key of knowledge, or shut up the kingdom of heaven; when the temple of knowledge shall be open to all; when all shall be disposed to enter it; when each one shall delight to assist his fellow to the utmost with what new and amazing progress will the human mind rush forward in the path of understanding. May we not expect that every cottage will be irradiated with science, as well as with religion; and that every peasant will be able not only to

read the bible, but to, read the stars. But, more especially, will men make advances in the knowledge of God, of the bible, of their own souls, of things unseen and eternal. Though they will then have a strong thirst for every kind of useful information, they will have a peculiar relish for that which is spiritual and heavenly.

THE MILLENNIUM.

SERMON XLVI.

[SUBJECT CONTINUED. •]

Rev. xx, 4. AND THEY LIVED AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST

A THOUSAND YEARS.

11. DURING the Millennium, Christians will make much higher attainments in grace, than before. From the beginning of the world, two things have been peculiarly grievous to the pious heart; one, that the righteous have been so few; the other, that these few have been so imperfect. Of all the saints in the Bible, there is scarcely any, of whom there is not also some sin recorded; some sin, to deface the fair page of history, and proclaim to succeeding generations, Let him, that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. And how often have saints, in later ages, pierced through their own souls, by departing from their covenant God. How often has Christ been wounded in the house of his friends. What multitudes have run well for a time, but afterwards left their first love; become lukewarm, indifferent, cold in spiritual matters, and almost forgetful of their Creator, Redeemer, and Judge. But, my brethren, it shall not be forever thus. The time is coming, when the robes of salvation, with which Christians are clothed and adorned, will shine forth with more beauty, than ever has been seen in mortals. We have seen that, during the Millennium, Christians will greatly excel in knowledge. There is rea15*

VOL. II.

son to believe, that they will be still more distinguished by holiness. In that day, there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to the Lord.' The spirits of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, will live in those, who shall reign with Christ during the Millennium; as the spirit of Elias lived in the Baptist. Millennial Christians will have the hearts of martyrs, though they will not be called to suffer martyrdom; they will manifest such a zeal for God, that it will seem as though all the old martyrs had risen from the dead; had risen from the dead, more zealous than ever. It is not to be supposed, that Christians will be entirely free from sin, even in the happiest part of that happy period. But Millennials will not be such imperfect, mourning, melancholy Christians, as their predecessors. So far from it, they will be as kings and priests, reigning and offering incense, before God.

12. In the Millennium, people will enjoy much better health, than before. How numerous, how various, how dreadful, are the diseases, which have disheartened, afflicted and tormented mankind for so many ages. We can scarcely find such an object as a person of adult years, who does not know, by sad experience, what it is to be sick. You will scarcely find, I do not say a city, you will scarcely find a village, where all the inhabitants are in health for a single hour. How many are languishing and drooping for a great part of their lives. Notwithstanding the astonishing improvements, which have been made in the science of anatomy, and the art of healing; the arts of luxury and vice, the horrid arts of producing fevers, consumptions, and almost all kinds of disease, have advanced with a progress nearly or quite equal, and perhaps even superior. It is probable, there is as great a proportion of sickness among mankind now, as there was in the days of Vesalius, Galen or Hippocrates; of David, Moses, or Abraham. But in the days of the Millennium, sickness will be greatly diminished, or wholly unknown. No disease will be then produced by intemperance, nor imprudence, the two causes, that have produced more sickness than perhaps all others. The art of healing and preventing diseases will no doubt be greatly improved.

And not only so, but it is probable, that after a course of ages, the very constitution of man will be improved and renovated, by the practice of virtue, the skill of man, and the blessing of God; as it has been impaired by the practice of vice, and the judgments of heaven. The Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in his wings. And the prediction of Isaiah, evidently referring to the Millennium, will be fulfilled: And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick.

13. During the Millennium, there is reason to believe, that people will live much longer, than men have lived since the days of Moses. The causes, that prevent diseases and promote health, will tend to prolong life. If the human constitution is to be improved, this also will tend to lengthen out the days of man. As it was probably owing to the curse of God, as well as to natural causes, that the life of man was shortened; so it is probable, that by the blessing of God, as well as by natural causes, the life of man will be lengthened. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. The fear of the Lord prolongeth days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

14. In the Millennium, Christians will be much more numerous, than before. Hitherto the flock of Christ has been a little flock; his people have been but a remnant. In but a small part of the inhabited world, has the true religion been known; and comparatively but few in that small part have been found in the strait and narrow way. Many besides Elijah have felt, that they were almost alone in their pilgrimage. My brethren, it will not be always thus. The time is approaching, when the proportion of saints and sinners will be reversed; and of all the nations and tribes and families of the earth, a remnant only shall be left to Satan. And that time will be only introductory to the Millennium; it will be only the twilight of the glorious day. For when all shall know and serve the Lord, not even a remnant shall be left to the expelled and imprisoned adversary. There is also reason to believe, that the population of the world will be