Although at the time of our Saviour's advent, there might be a considerable refinement in manners, compared with the grosser ignorance and barbarities of more ancient days; yet mankind still remained in a wretched state respecting morals; forgetful of the God who made them, hostile to each other, and slaves to inordinate lusts.

The Multitude, at every period, in every nation, and under every form of government, were still ignorant and depraved. Their Sovereigns were inflated with pride and ambition; and most of their Philosophers were absorbed and bewildered in vain and unprofitable speculations, which had not the most remote connection with human happiness, or the duties of morality. No one has been able to confute the charge brought against the whole human race, by the Apostle Paul, who includes them " all under sin." His representation of the depraved state of the heathen world, in his epistle to the Romans, will save us the trouble of a particular enlargement under this head. He maintains that, previous to their melancholy rebellion against their heavenly Father, they possessed the power and the means of knowing and of serving him: "For the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen,

being understood from the things that are made: even his eternal power and godhead. But they were without excuse, because, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became foolish; and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." Wherefore God gave them up to every lust, and to every vicious propensity and practice, that can deprave and degrade human beings. They were rendered destitute of personal virtue, became strangers to the social virtues essential to social happiness; and indulged in every species of unrighteousness, which rendered every man a scourge to his neighbour, and an enemy to his God.

The Jewish nation was ready to admit that all the Gentiles were justly in a state of condemnation ; and this people flattered themselves that they were, exclusively, the favourites of heaven. But at no one period of their political existence, did they continue eminent for their piety and virtue; and they were frequently plunged into a state of degeneracy, which is

astonishing, when we reflect upon the numerous advantages they had enjoyed for a series of ages. Although their chastisements finally produced a permanent reform from idolatry, yet their religion had lost its moral influence upon their minds; consisting entirely in a servile conformity to its rituals, with the additional absurd injunctions of their Doctors and Rabbies. At the time of our Saviour's appearance, they were extremely depraved. They were, as a nation, destitute of every moral principle; making void the law, as the rule of right, by their traditions. The depravity of their teachers is fully evinced, by the asperity with which they are reproved, by the meek and humble Jesus. He terms them, "the blind leaders of the blind; a generation of vipers, who make void the law by their traditions; who devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; are zealous to make proselytes, whom they leave much worse than they found; appearing outwardly righteous unto men, but within are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."

Thus St. Paul, expostulating with both Jews and Gentiles, in his epistle to the Romans, pronounces that "they are all under sin; there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become

unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one," &c.*

1

These facts clearly evince, that the parental kindness of our heavenly Father, was not called into exercise by the Obedience, or by the tractable Dispositions of his family. They are always represented as being "children of disobedience, and sold under sin." But having long waited to be gracious, he seized the first moment which his wisdom discovered, to display to an apostate world, the essential Benignity of his character; that they may not any longer be governed by Terror, but be drawn by the cords of Love, those bonds which are most worthy of man. He who knows all things, knew that, notwithstanding the degenerate state of both Jews and Gentiles, a competent number of Individuals among them were capable of being influenced by kindness. He knew that to manifest the riches of his grace, would not be entirely to cast pearls before swine; that some would duly appreciate the precious gift, and communicate it to others. He foresaw, that in consequence of the free, and more civilized intercourse subsisting, at this period, between the different nations of the world, the seed sown in the land of Judea, and the adjacent

*See Rom. iii. 11. 17.

countries, would now take root, flourish, and finally be disseminated over the earth. The fulness of time was now come, to commence his operations upon the best affections of the human heart. He, who in former days, was jealous of his honour, and vindicated his rights by tremendous judgments, now expects that all should join in the acclamation, "Glory to God in the highest, for sending peace on earth, and good will towards men." Such are the considerations which induced the Apostle John to exclaim, "herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins," &c. St. Paul observes, "God commendeth his love towards us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Although the whole family of God was considered as in a state of rebellion and absolute enmity, it was still the object of his parental care and affection. Innumerable are the expressions, in the sacred writings, which vindicate the Universal Father from the weak partialities, which so frequently disgrace the parental character among men. He obviously wills that the reconciliation shall be as extensive as the disaffection. Although, in the progressive operations of his plan, some must have the precedency, yet their privileges are not exclu