READER, I have now finished this short account of the PERSECUTED FAMILY. In it I have had occasion to introduce thee to some of the sufferings that were endured, and some of the cruelties that were exercised, by our ances tors of the seventeenth century, the former, for the sake of religion, and all the dearest rights of men; the latter, to extirpate liberty, and leave to posterity the chains of servitude. The sufferings of the family, to which I confined myself, did not lead me to bring into view the most exalted christian heroism which was in these times manifested; and, unwilling to shock the tender feelings of the heart, I have studiously avoided some of those monstrous cruelties which were then exercised, and which, without going out of my way I might have introduced. Thou hast seen enough, however, kind reader, of the latter, to abhor it; and of the former, to admire it. I know thou hast praised their patience, and their resignauon, and their hope, and their faith, and their fortitude in death. Thou hast marked their stanch adherence to the dictates of conscience, the ardor of their devotion, and their love of liberty and their country. And, while thou sittest in peace, conscious that thou mayst worship thy God as thou thinkest the Bible orders thee, thou perhaps givest them, who suffered so much to secure thee this liberty. the sacred applause due

to their exertions. It is right that it shoul be so.

But I wish thee not to stop here. I wish thee to trust in and to adore the grace of God, which supported them, and gave them the victory-to admire the wonderful resources of that religion which they professed,-how sufficient they are to instruct and advise the Christian, in the devious and difficult paths,-to keep his heart warm in the coldest winter of adversity, to invigorate him, as he climbs the steepest ascents of virtue,-and to uphold and sustain his soul in the face of the most violent of deaths.

Nor hath the Christian of the present day need only to admire the marvellous sources from which his suffering ancestors drew. He hath not less need than they to draw for himself. His enemies are more concealed, more mannerly, more deceitful, and, therefore, less apt to excite his suspicion, and put him on his guard. Persecution labors to force the Christian out of his way, whether he will or not; and, therefore, the spirit of liberty within him encourages him to make a bold resistance. In the days of peace and prosperity, he is assailed by pleasures, which, endeavouring to draw him out of his path, by the sweetness of their song, and the fairness of their promises, excite little suspicion of their design, and are, therefore, often little resisted.

If the persecuted Christian needs more of comfort, of steadfastness in peril, of patience, resignation, and fortitude,-he who lives in peace

requires more of watchfulness, of self-denial, and of resistance to temptation. If our wants are, therefore, as numerous, so should our applications be to that inexhaustible source, which supplied all theirs, and which will supply all ours, if we approach it with our whole heart

THE END.