condition that those countries which had not yet been reformed should remain under the power of the pope. This abominable truce was punished by the relapse of Hungary and of other countries to the catholic faith; for, in religion, if we seek not more, we shall lose what we have. Geneva, and the adjoining countries, have fallen into a philosophical faith, but little removed from infidelity. The French protestants have largely shared in this defection. In Germany, the Lutheran church has been, to an alarming degree, the prey of Neology, which explains away all the miracles, and neutralises all the doctrines, of Chistianity, so as to render it little else than deism.

The Church of England, from the period of the Restoration, sunk into dreary night. When Romaine and his coadjutors rose, they were lights in a dark place, three or four heralds of the cross amidst many thousands of parish priests who preached another gospel. The Church of Scotland made a fearful approach to the same apostacy. In Ireland, popery has been advancing by rapid strides, till the protestants form but a fraction of the population. The dissenters, in each of the three kingdoms, have kept the lamp of evangelical truth burning, but they also have been lamentably deteriorated by the entrance of Arminianism, which has led to the alarming spread of Arianism first, and then of Socinianism. The rise

of the Methodists has improved all the preceding communions, both established and dissenting. The Greek Church, of which we have lost sight, since its entire separation from the Church of Rome, has risen into importance along with the Russian empire, having been much improved by the efforts of Peter the Great for the promotion of knowledge and civilization. But here also darkness and superstition still retain an empire so powerful that some great reformation is needed to restore the light, and purity, and power, of the religion of Christ. What hope we may entertain of a consummation so devoutly to be wished we may consider.

BOOK III.

THE PROSPECTS OF THE CHURCH.

"KNOWN unto God are all his works, from the foundation of the world. But such knowledge is too wonderful for us," and when, with idle curiosity, we attempt to pry into futurity, he repels us with the just rebuke, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in his own power." If, however, we seek to be

guided and cheered in the path of duty, or to learn how to give to God the glory due to his name, he unfolds before us the roll of prophecy, which contains all that we need to know. The book of Revelation was given to inform the primitive church of "things that must shortly come to pass," that thus the whole volume of Scripture might contain the fortunes of the world, from the creation to the great day of doom. "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this book." For, as "the Lord God will do nothing, but he will reveal it to his servants the prophets," when great changes are coming upon the church and the world, we expose ourselves to severe reproofs, and serious injuries, if we are not prepared to meet them, by having "understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do." Our Saviour is evidently, at this time, repeating his ancient question, "Can ye not discern the signs of the times ?"

Let us look, then, first into the volume of providence, and see what changes God is actually producing; and then into the roll of prophecy, to see what he farther designs to do. The present and the future will throw light on each other.

CHAP. I.-CHANGES OF FAVOURABLE OMEN NOW

TAKING PLACE.

The book of providence presents many important changes, at this eventful moment.

When I speak of providence, I do not mean to exclude what is called the kingdom of grace, or the empire of religion; for providence, taken in its full import, signifies the whole government of God, especially as it superintends the movements of intelligent creatures; and eminently regards the church, which is the object of a special providence. Here, then, we are to behold God breaking up old systems hostile to Christianity-giving increased activity to principles favourable to religion-separating the church from the world—removing numerous evils offensive to God and injurious to man— calling forth the spirit of prayer-granting a more abundant effusion of his grace.

SECT. 1.-The breaking up of old systems hostile to religion is one characteristic of the times.

In Nebuchadnezzar's vision of empire, we saw the kingdom of Christ, as a little stone, cut out of a mountain without hands, smiting the toes of the image of earthly rule, and breaking them to pieces. This taught the church that, in the days when Christ's

kingdom should be approaching to its universal triumphs, it should be the means of breaking up every thing that should stand in its way to prevent its filling the whole earth. The iron legs, which represented the Roman empire, were divided into ten toes, when the barbarous nations, at the decline and fall of that empire, established so many separate kingdoms in Europe.

This divison was eminently conducive to the best interests of mankind. For though one universal, absolute monarchy would have many advantages, if we could always ensure to that empire a perfectly wise and benevolent prince; yet as power is so sure to corrupt and infatuate fallen man, it is far better for the world that governments should be divided, so as to make one ruler a check upon another, and to render them all dependent on the affections and support of the people.

The history of Europe presents many instances in which the division of kingdoms has promoted the liberty of the subject, and rescued the church from a tyrant's grasp. The extreme subdivision of the German empire, enabled the electors and other princes to thwart the attempt of the Emperor Charles V. to crush the reformation.

To prepare for the final triumphs of the kingdom of Christ, a new empire was formed in America.