l/> -TJ THE ‘‘X. TX\.- * r- UmVERSAL SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. A SERMON, PREACHED AT NORTHAMPTON, BEFORE THE HAMPSHIRE MISSIONARY SOCIETY ; . AT tl ; v TTV. THEIR ANNUAL MEETING , AUGUST 25, 1808. i by THE REV. TIMOTHY M. COOLEY, A.M7 " FASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN GRANrtLLR-, MASS. NORTHAMPTON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM BUTLER. 1808. I AT a Meeting of the Hampshire Missionary Society. Augujl 25, 1808 : >10 fTMAHTEOJi TA r " ‘ VOTED y That the Rev. MefTrs. S. Williams and E. Hale, be a Committee to give the Thanks of the Society to the Rev. Mr. COOLEY, for his Sermon, delivered before them, and requeft of him a Copy for the Prefs. A7 TEST. : . P. WILLISTON, RECORDING SECRETARY. THE UNIVERSAL SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. A SERMON, &c. — — — REVELATION, XIV. vi. AND I SAX' ANOTHER ANGEL FLY IN THE MIDST OF HEAVEN \ HAVING THE EVERLAS TING GOSPEL 70 PREACH UNTO THEM THAT l) IV ELL ON THE EARTH, AND TO EVERY NATION, AND KINDRED, AND TONGUE, AND PEOPLE. r _| L 1 1IE apoflle John was banilhed by Nero, a Roman Emperor, to a defolate ifland, called Patmos, “ for the tefti- mony of Jefus Chrift.” While he was here in a date of foli- tude, deprived of opportunities of preaching to the churches, or converfmg with chriftian friends, he was favored with a remarkable intimacy with God, and with a prophetic view of the future fituation of the church. Inftead of being thrown by, as of no further ufe, he was improved as an inftrument of unfpeakable good to the church, by receiving and commit- ting to writing the Revelation, which conftitutes the lafl book in the lacred canon. The perfecutor, by depriving the church in that age, of the prefence of this beloved apof- tle, placed him in a fituation, to w'rite for the comfort of the church in future ages. The Apocalypfe exhibits a prophetic view of the church, from the time of its author to the end of the world. It is written, like many other prophecies, in a (tile highly figur- ative and emblematical. It is not the defign of fcripture prophefv, to make men prophets, by enabling them with exa&nefs to predift future events. Such knowledge would be no advantage to the faints, and might prove very danger- ous in the pofTeflion of finners. It was therefore wife in God, to deliver to us the prophetic fcriptures. in the lan- guage of fymbols, which are attended with fome degree of obfeurity, till they are explaiued by correfponding events. The obfcurity of prophefy is not inconfiftent with the moft perfect precifion, as appears evident from prophefies which have already received their accomplishment. A critical attention to the hiftory of the church, has call light on the revelation of St. John, which has been pronounced by many “ a Sealed book.” The thirteenth chapter of this book deferibes the rife, power, and cruelties of the bead. The fourteenth chapter opens to view a more plcafing Scene. John Saw the lamb Handing on Mount Zion, accompanied by his chofcn difciples. He heard the Songs of the redeemed. He Saw an angel fly in the midfl of Heaven, having the everlafting gofpel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. For many centuries the gofpel has been confined to a very Small part of the inhabited earth. Nine parts out of ten, of that race for which the Savior died, are in the region and fhadow of death. It will not be always thus. The day is haftening on, when the everlafting gofpel Shall be preached to every kindred, and tongue, and people. I requeft the prayers of this aflembly, while I attempt to fhew, I. What we are to understand by the gofpel. II. Why it is called everlafting. III. In what manner, and at what time, the gofpel will be fpread among all nations. i . What are w'e to underftand by the gofpel ? The word gofpel Signifies good neve. r, and is ufed by infpi- red writers, to exprefs the whole Scheme of Salvation, by the obedience and death of the Son of God. It is called the “ gofpel of God,” becaufc it came from the Father, who was the principal contriver of it, as the flrlt perfon in the Sacred Trinity. It is called the “ gofpel of C.hrift,” becaufe Jefus Chrift, by his obedience and Sufferings, prepared the way for the Salvation of Sinners. It is called the “ gofpel of the grace of God,” becaufe it is a diSplay of aftouifhing grace and mercy to men. The exifter.ee of the gofpel Scheme of Salvation, implies the fallen, ruined condition of mankind, and their inability to refeue themfelves from interminable mifery. In order to [ 5 ] difcharge any from the dreadful penalty of the law, there ran ft be a latisfaftory atonement. And without (bedding ot blood “ is no remiflion.” The veracity of God, the honor of his violated law, and the fupport of his moral govern- ment, required the fufferings of the mediator, for the pardon of iin. No finite being could make an atonement. Neither men, nor angels, could fatisfy divine juftice. '1 he Savior of tinners is exprefsly (aid to be the “ true God, and equal with the Father.” The divinity of Chrift is fo interwoven with the whole lcheme of revealed religion, that if we deny this fundamental truth, we drip this holy religion of every thing which can alford the lead comfort fo an awakened, convinced iinner. Since God has font his Son to fave finners, he has made it certain, that forne will be laved. A wife being would not be at luch infinite expence to redeem the world, and then leave it as a matter of mere contingence, what number, or whether any would be faved. An eleft number were given to Chrift, and their falvation fecured by the covenant of redemption. “ All that the Father hath given me, (hall come unto me.”* Perfonal holinefs is effentially necefiliry to give us an in- tereft in the promifes of the gofpel. No divine decree, no atonement, though in iilelf infinitely valuable, will fecure falvation to any, without holinefs of heart and life. Faith and repentance, are the terms of falvation, without which Chrift has died in vain. Such is the oppofition of the human heart to the gcfpcl, that, w ithout the fpecial influences of the fpirir, all with one conlent wiil rejeft the offered mercy. “ No man can come “ unto me,” faith Chrift, “except the Father draw him.’’ “ Ye will not come unto me, that ye mav have life.” From the depravity of man, we infer the neceffity of regeneration, and that this change is wrought by the fpecial influences of the holy fpirir. “ Except a man he born of “ water, and of the fpirir, he cannot fee the kingdom of “ God.” Believers are faid to be “ born not of blood, nor “ of the wiil of the flefn, nor of the will of man, bn*: “ of God.” * John, 6 . 3 ”. [ 6 ] The final perfevercnce of the faints, is a doftrine inti- mately connected with regeneration by Tpecial grace. “ Wc “ are confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun “ a good work will perform it until the day of the Lord “ Jefus.” If it were pofiible for one to fall from grace, it would be pofiible for ten, or a thoufand, or even all the faints ; and Chrift might fail of his church. Having now very briefly exhibited the gofpel fcheme of falvation, I fhall proceed to fhevv, II. Why the gofpel is called everlafiing. 1. Becaufe the plan was laid from eternity. The falvation of men was determined in the councils of Heaven, before time began. When God determined to create man, he forefaw the apofiacy, with all its confe- tjuences. When he created man, and forbade him to eat of the tree of knowledge, he knew that he would difobey, and involve himfelf and his pofierity in deferved ruin. When man rebelled, an omnifcient God was not difap- pointed. The gofpel plan, though not revealed, had been already formed in the divine mind. There is no new thing with God. “ Known unto him are all his works, from the “ beginning of the world.”' When cur fchemes are frufiratcd, and we are difappointed of fome plcafing objcft of purluit, we are compelled, from necelTity, to adopt a different fcheme. Through the imperfection of our wif- dom and forefight, our plans are itnperfeCf ; but the divine plan was perfeCh When the gofpel was publifhed to man in the garden of Eden, it was new to man and angels ; but it w as no new thing with Jehovah. May we notfafely believe, that the Son of God, through eternal ages, contemplated the redemption of the church, with divine delight ? “ Then 1 was by him, rejoicing in the habitable parts of t 5* joyful intelligence, and with facred delight, began to inveft- igare this new fcheme of l'alvation. The incarnation, life, fufferirfgs, and death, of the Son of God, together with every thing which relates to the redemption of the church, have been the fubjetts of their contemplations. Thefe are “ things which the angels defire to look into.” They will never fully comprehend this “ myftery of godlinefs, God manifeft in the flelh.” It will afford them an eternal theme of delightful inveftigation. One objett of redeeming love, was to difplay the char- acter of Jehovah to them. “ To the intent that now unto “ principalities and powers* might be known by the church, “ the manifold wil'dom of God.” In redeeming the church, the infinite benevolence of God appears in a new and glori- ous point of view. Angels can here fee a manifeftation of fuperlative wifdom and infinite mercy. They had never feen divine mercy called into exercife, till they beheld it, in the gofpel plan of falvation. As the cherubims made by Mofes, turned their faces towards the mercy-feat, fo will the cherubims above, with intenfe delight, dwell forever on the merciful dilpenfation of the gofpel. The glorified faints will unite with angels, in fearching into the myfteries of redeeming love. The redeemed here- after, will learn many interefting particulars of our Savior’s life, which are not recorded in the gofpels. Many parts of the gofpel fcheme are impcrfe&ly underftood in the prefent life. The Son of God called his followers difciples , or learners. This fignificant name implies, that they are intro- duced into a lchool where Ghrift is the teacher, and the gofpel is the fcience which his difciples are to ftudy. And will not the difciples of Chrift continue to be learners, under their great teacher* after they arrive in glory ? Will not the gofpel afford ample fcope, for their devout invefti- gations, through eternal ages ? As they increafe in knowl- edge, will they not with deeper humility, admire the com- panions of God to a ruined world ; and be able more and more “ to comprehend what is the breadth, and length, and “ depth, and height ; and to know the love of Chrift, which “ paffeth knowledge, that they may be filled with the “ fulnefs of God.” 4. The gofpel is everlafting in the eflfefts experienced by faints and finners. When St. Paul preached the gofpel at Rome, “ fomc be- lieved, and fome believed not.” Such is the reception it commonly meets with. To fome it becomes a favor of life unto life, and to others a favor of death unto death. Thofe, who believe, and thofe who reject the gofpel, will feel the effects of their conduct to all eternity. The faints will hereafter become perfectly conformed to holinefs, and enter upon a (late of complete and eternal joy. “ They fliall return and come to Zion with fongs and “ everlafting joy upon their heads ; and they fliall obtain “joy and gladnefs, and forrow and fighing fliall flee away.” “ Everlafting joy fliall be unto them.” All the pleafant things of the prefent life will have an end. “ All is vanity.” But the joys which the gofpel propofes are endlefs. “ The “ righteous fliall go away into life eternal.” The effects of the gofpel upon defpiflng unbelievers, will be eternal. It is exprefsly declared by Chrift, that the wicked at the day of judgment “ fliall go away into ever- “ lafting punifliment.” St. Paul has left this folemn warning on record, “ that thofe, who know not God, and “ obey not the gofpel of the Lord Jefus Chrift, fliall be pun- “ ilhed with everlafting definition, from the prefence of the “ Lord, and 'from the glory of his power.” The gofpel which you hear, my brethren, is everlafting. It has already exifted an eternity which is paft : and it will forever exift, the admiration of angels and faints, and the Humbling ftone and rock of offence to devils and impeni- tent ftnners. Our eternal happinefs or mifery depend on the reception we give to it. “ He, then, that is wife, is wife for himfelf, but he that fcorneth, he alone muft bear it.” Let us now proceed to enquire, III. In what manner and at what time the pofoel will be preached among all nations. The manner in which the gofpel will be fpread is evi- dently intimated in the words of the text. I fiuu an angel fly in the midjlof Heaven. s. Ingel is a name, not uncommon- ly applied to minifters of the gofpel. The minifters of the feven churches in Alia, are called angels . Infpiration has L tc J conferred this honorable name, upon the minifters of reli- gion, fo exprefs the nature and high importance of their commi.Tion. By the angel mentioned in the text we are to underftand, either feme eminent reformer in the church who is appoint- ed for extenfive ul’efulnefs, or the chriitiau miniftry collec- tively. The gofpel miniftry was inftituted to continue to the end of the world ; and with very particular reference to the lafl times. In the pall a^s of the church, the gofpel has been fpreau by an evangelical miniftry. This was the cafe in the apoftolic age. A Angle apoftle carried the gofpel to thoufands and perhaps to mill ions. Both under the Jewilh and chriftian difpenfstions, the minifters of religion, have been the ihftruments of dilfufing divine knowledge. If the angel mentioned in the text, reprefent the gofpel miniftry, the “flying of the angel” reprefents the diligence, and zeal with which they are to fulfil their work. And is there not an evident allufion to miffignary labors ? The flight of an angel in the midft of heaven, may very fitly reprefent the rapidity of miflionary journies for heavenly and divine purpofes. There is a plain intimation in the text, I think, that the gofpel will be fpread among all nations, by miffionaries fent forth to preach to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. The miflionary caufe is now in its infancy. Something has beeu already done — yea much ha3 been done. Thoufands, we believe, have been brought into the kingdom of Chrift, by the means of miflionary labors. — But the field is ftill extenfive. The harveft is great, and the laborers are few. With great propriety may we urge the exhortation of our Lord, “ Pray ye, therefore, the “ Lord of the harveft, that lie would fend Forth laborers in- “ to his harveft.” Every attempt to qualify young men of talents and piety for the work of the f’acrcd miniftry, mud be viewed with peculiar pleafure by the friends of religion.* It is pretty evident from prophecy, that the difperfed jews will be called heme to the laud of their fathers, before. ♦We cannot but congratulate the churches upon the cfiubh’ftimmt of a Theological School in thir fhite, which bids fair to be an inililu- tic.i of very great importance to the caufe ol' religion. L M ] the commencement of the Millennium. They cau very eafily leave their prefent homes, and commence a pilgrimage to Jerufalem. They are generally a mercantile people, and can readily collect their eifefls, and prepare for fuch a jour- ney. After they {hall have affembled at the land of Palef- tiue, imprcJTed with concern for the nations among whom they have dwelt, they will be led to devife means to chrif- tianize the world. This nation, colle&ed from their difper- fion, will underlland the languages, cuftoms, ami character of molt of the nations of the earth. Their local fnuation will be favorable. And they will be qualified, above any other nation, to form and carry into dFefif the molt exten- sive fchemes, for diffufing the chriftian religion. Here \(e may look for a nation of mifiionaries. “The Jaw will go “ forth from Jerufalem.” “ For if the calling away of “ them be the reconciling of the world, what lhall the re- 44 ceiving of them be, but lif5 from the dead ?”* At what future time the gofpel will be preached among all nations is an enquiry of importance. Many have fixed the time and been difappointed in their expeditions. Many are prejudiced againft any attempts to inveftigate the fub- jeef. Divines of the prefent day are agreed, that this 5e- firable period is not far dill ant, and, as it draws near, we (hall gain increafing light in determining the prccife time of its commencement. The time when the gcfpel will be preached among a)l nations is revealed in prophecy. “ Secret things belong to “ God, but things revealed belong to us and our children “ forever.” The future glory of the church is deferibed in manypaflages of ancient prophecy, and two of the prophets, Daniel and St. John, have fixed the time w hen it will take place, with great precifion. In the prophecies of Daniel and St. John, a certain period is mentioned during which the enemies of religion Should opprefs the church. This period is varioufly exprefied, and is faid to continue for time , times and an half, or three years and an half — for forty arid two months — for a thoufand two hundred and thrcefcore days . — If we compute a year according to the cuftom of the an- * Romans 1 1. i c. [12 ] dents, to confift of three hundred and fixty days, we fhall find that three years and a half equal forty and twm months, or twelve hundred and fixty days. A day in the language of prophecy is put for a year. Twelve hundred fixty days imply twelve hundred fixty years. At the clofe of this pe- riod the enemies of the church will be deftroyed, and the Jews will return to their own country. The only difficulty attending this fubjcfl lies in determin- ing the time when this period of twelve hundred fixty years began. Two very powerful enemies have arifen, and oppreffed the faints, both of which are diftiu&ly deferibed in prophe- cy. In the year 606 Mahomet made his appearance, and began to propagate his religion in the Eaft. Of him it was predicted, that he fiiould wax great , and caft down Jome of the hofl and of the Jiars to the ground , and that he fjould caji down the truth , and fiould praclfe and prejper , and deftroy the mighty and the holy people, and through his poli- cy jhould caufe craft to profper in his hand.* The Mahome- tan impoftor wms notorious for trampling upon the truth, for deftroying the minifters of Chrift, and profpering in his perfecution of the people of God, and prevailing by the craftincfs of his counfels. The authorities of the papal church have been another very violent enemy of the faints, and have worn them out with perfecutions. The power of the Roman prelate gradually increafed till the year 606, the fame year which gave rife to the Mahometan impoftor, when Boniface was declared univerfal Bifliop and fupreme head of the Catholic church. It is remarkable that Mahomet in the Eaft, and the Pope of Rome in the Weft, two very bitter enemies of the faints W'ho have been “ drunken with their blood,” arofe into pub lie notice the fame year. No other period will afford fo remarkable a concurrence of circumftances as the one under confideration. he period of the church’s tribulation began in 606, Daniel 8. [ *3 ] we can tlien correctly determine, that it will end in the year 1 866 . Whether this calculation, which is advanced by a refpe&able European writer,* be correfl or not, it is evident that the church lias been a long time in fackcloth, and her days of mourning are nearly at an end. The tri- umph of the enemies of religion mult foon ceafe. There is nothing in the prefent ftate of things to difeourage the ex- pectation, that within ftxty years mahometanifm and popery will be exterminated. On the contrary many things are evi- dently confpiring to bring about this event. If the calculation I have now exhibittd be according to truth, we may determine the time when the gofpel will be preached to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and peo- ple. The days of the church’s diflrefs will end in the year i 866. The Jews will then be called in and inherit the land ofPalefline. Such a remarkable event will awaken the at- tention of the world, excite a fpirit of enquiry, and “ many “ lhall run to and fro, and knowledge (hall be increaf- “ed.”" But the bleflednefs of the church will not take place till feventy five years after this period. Dan. 12 . 12 . “ Blcffed is he that waiteth and cometh to the thoufand “ three hundred and five and thirty days.” Then will the gofpel have reached all nations, attended with the mod hap- py efleCts. “ The kingdom and the greatnefs of the king- “ dom, under the whole Heavens,” inftead of being in the hands of the enemies of the crofs of Chrift, “ will be given “ to the people of the fa nts of the Moft High, whofe king- “ dom is an everlafting kingdom, and all dominions {hall ferve him.” The church of Chrift which now is, and ever has been, a little flock, will then extend into all the earth. “ God the Father will give to his Son the heathen for his in- M heritance, and the uttermoft parts of the earth for h s pof- “ feflion.” I fha!I clofe with feveral remarks which the fubjeCt and prefent intereftingoccafion fuggeft. 1 . How thankful ought all to be who enjoy the gof- pel ! However extenfive it will be hereafter, at prefent, it is confined to a favored few. How many of our brethren * Faber. [ *4 ] .sre Grangers to the way of falvation through Chrid ! How many fallen fpirits never had the offer of a Saviour ! How many within our own country, have but a very imperfect knowledge of the way of life, and feldom enjoy au opportu- nity to hear a gofpel fermon ! When we turu our eyes to others, and confider their condition, well may we enquire, 44 who hath made us to differ ?” The everlafling gofpel is our birth right. We were taught it in childhood, and have not, like many others, been deprived of it in our riper years. Let it be the folicitous enquiry of us all, 44 What fhall we 44 render to the Lord for all his benefits ?” Lyery heart which can feel, mud feel the highed emotions of gratitude for the unfpeakable gift of a Saviour, and for the offers of life eternal, through his atoning blood. May we bear it iu mind, that to whom much is given, of them much will be re- quired : and that the fervant which knew' his Lord’s will, and prepared not himfelf, neither did according to his will, fhall be beaten with many dripes 2. Happy are all thofe, wiio 2re intereded in the promifes of the everlading gofpel. All the faints have a perfona! intered in the great things which God is carrying on for his choi'en people, lheir fins are pardoned, and their names are written in the hook of life. They have a good hope through grace, which is as an anchor to the foul, both fure and dedfad, entering into that which is within the veil. They have found, by happy experience, that the ways of wifdom are pleafantnefs, and all her paths are peace. They enjoy a prefent red, and arc favored with feme fore fades of that red, which remaineth for the people of God. The faints are engaged in a caufe which has been near the heart of God from eternity, and which will prove fuccefsful. I’refcnt appearances may be dark and difeoura- iging. Infidelity and vice may yet prevail to a very alarming degree. The faints of the Mod High may be reviled and ridiculed, or fall a facrifice to the violence of perfecivtion. But let all the humble followers of the lamb, lirt up their heads, for their redemption draweth nigh. The happy pe- riod is approaching, when the Lord {hall appear in his glory, to build up Zion. The ancient faints, who lived before the [ 1 5 ] incarnation of the Son of God, “ all died in faith, not “ having received the promifes ; but having feen them afar “ off, and were perfuaded of them, and embraced them, and “ confdfed that they were pilgrims and Grangers on the “ earth.” T hofe, who now conftitute the militant church, will all be gathered to their fathers, before the Millennium (hall commence ; but, being perfnaded of the promifes, they can enjoy that day in profpeft. And they will enjoy it, when it arrives. From their feats in the new Jerufalerii, they will then look down with delight on the great things w hich God is doing for Zion. “ There is joy in Heaven “ over one firmer that repenteth much greater will be the joy, “ when a nation fhall be born in a day.” In allufion to the real friends of Chrilt, we may adopt the words of the queen of Sheba to Solomon, “ Happy are thy men, happy “ are thefe thy fervants, which Hand continually before “ thee, and hear thy wifdom.” 3. The guilt and folly of thofe who oppofe the gofpel, is inexcufably great. The wicked in their oppofition to the gofpel, are oppofmg all the benevolent purposes of God, reflecting the redemp- tion of fallen man. They a:e exerting their influence to flain the glory of God, as it appears in the face of the Mc- 'diator, and to deflroy the happinefs of the uhiverfe. They are fighting the friendly arm, which is extended to pluck them as brands from the burning. And in fhort, they are uniting heart and hand with Satan, the foe of God and man, and lending their influence to build up the kingdom of dark- nefs. Literature and fhining talents, have in fome inftances, been enlifled on their Ode. But thofe who are in any form, whether by open infidelity, or fecret wickednefs, oppofiiig the gofpeJ' will be deftroyed. “ The ungodly (ball not fraud in the judgment, nor flnners in the congregation of* the “ upright.” The exertions of the wricked to deftroy the kingdom cf Chrift, will be ineffectual. They can as eafiiy pluck the fun from the firmament, as prevent the falvation of one of thofe little ones, which believe on the Lord JeTus. Their caufe is defperate. There can be no hope of fuccefs. Omnipotence is pledged for the fupport of religion. £; I the Lord do keep [ i6 ] liiy vineyard, left any hurt it. I keep it night and day.— “ Who will fet the briars and thorns againft me in battle ? “ I would go through them j I would burn them to- “ gether.”* We, my brethren, have a perfonal concern in the gofpel. We have an intereft at flake. We have each of us an im- mortal fpirit, which can be ranfomed in no other way, than through the blood of an incarnate God. Let us, then, enquire with anxiety, what reception we have given to the Lord Jefus ? Have we made him our friend, by a voluntary fubmiflion to his government ? Has the gofpel a command- ing influence cn our feelings and daily practice ? Does it lead us to a life of prayer, humility, and felf-dcnial ? Does it aifengage our affeflions from the flattering objects of time, and fix them on fpiritual things ? Thefe are enquiries, on which it becomes us, as candidates for eternity, to be fatis- fied. Multitudes will go from our world, to people the regions of darknefs, before the Millennium commences. Let us fee to it, that we are fafe. “ Serve the Lord with <£ fear, and rejoice vrith trembling. Kifs the Son, left he be t: angry, and ye perifli from the way, when his anger is “ kindled but a little.” 4. We have reafon to expert,, that there will foon come a period of very great diftrefs, upon the nations of the earth. Such a period is to precede the Millennium. The ca- lamities which will then overtake the inhabitants of the earth, are by infpired writers, deferibed in very aliening language. He that is faithful and true, wall “ tread the “ wineprefs of the fiercenefs and wrath of Almighty God.” “ There fhall be a time of trouble, fuch as never was fince “ there w'as a nation.” Thfe prefent are emphatically evil days. The earth is exceedingly corrupt. Wickednefs of all kinds abounds ; but much greater evils are hafteniug on the world. Infidelity will prevail, and become bold. There fhall come in the laft days, feofters, walking after their own lulls. The wicked will fet their mouths againft the Heav- ens, and curfe their God and king, and look upwards. Re- ftraints will be in a great meafure removed, and men will * ifaiali, 27. 3, 4. f Daniel 12. [ »7 3 a:.; aft like incarnate devils. The enemies of Zion have been for ages ripening for the harveft of the wrath of God. When the inhabitants of the ante-deluvian world became univerfally corrupted, and the earth filled with violence, God deftroyed them all. When the people of Sodom and Go- morrah had corrupted themfelves with every abomination, till the cry of their fin reached Heaven, the Lord deftroyed them with a Ihower of fire and brimftone j and a dead lake covers the ground where thefe famous cities once flood. After the Jewifh nation had caft contempt on the ordinances of God, and defpifed the warnings of their prophets, for many ages, and at lad rejefted and crucified the Son of God, and imprecated his blood on themfelves and their children, they differed an unexampled deflruftion. In like manner will the enemies of the gofpel, who have for centuries oppreffed the faints, very loon be made to drink of that cup of trembling, which they have mingled for others. If the calculations which have been exhibited in the preceding difeourfe, be correft, the enemies of Chrifl will be deflroyed immediately after the expiration of the year 1866. “ The beaft, and ‘ c the kings of the earth and their armies, fhall be gathered “ together to battle ; and the beaft and the falfe prophet “ fhall both be caft alive into the lake of fire, burning with “ brimrtoite.” The battle of the great day will probably be fought in Palefline, and will terminate in the deflruftion of the enemies of religion. 5. It is the duty of all, to ufe the neceffary means to pro- mote the fpread of the gofpel. The church is to be preferved during the dark period which intervenes between this time, and the commencement of the Millennium. It is not improbable, that the church will gradually increafe in this period. As the boldnefs of fcoffers and infidels increafes, there will unqueftionably be an increafed engagednefs among chriftians. Men’s charac- ters will be more decided. Means will be neceffary for the prefervation of the true religion. God will awaken and fanftify Tinners, and build up the church, in the fame manner as he has done heretofore. We have no reafon to expeft miracles. The caufe cf religion is to be maintained,. by a divine bleffmg cn the means of C [ IS ] grace. It is then our duty to make ufe of the appointed means. The facred fcriptures have been a means of awa- kening thoughtlels finners, and increafmg the faith and joy of the faints. It is then infinitely important, that the Bible fliould be circulated among the poor and the ignorant. There are families in our enlightened country, that are dellitute of the Bible, and children are growing up, without knowing that there is fuch a book. There is an obligation on us to fend the facred fcriptures, and other ferious bocks, to the needy within our borders. The diftribution of fuch books has been attended with happy effefts. The preaching of the gofpel has been a means of faving many from eternal death. Many in our land are dellitute of the gofpel. They feldom have an opportunity to hear a fermon. “ They are “ buffering a famine, not of bread, but of hearing the word.” Many of our brethren, who are on their way to a folemn eternity, are in this unhappy condition. Their day of pro- bation is fhort, and their eternal deftinies will loon be fixed. We are pofl'cfl'ed of the means of fending them the gofpel of grace : And what is our duty ? There is a peculiar kind of happinefs in relieving the dif- treffes of men. And where we can relieve the diftrefies of the mind ; where we can lend an aflifting hand, to promote the eternal falvation of any of our brethren, fhall we be backward to duty ? Will not the pleafure arifing from char- ities bellowed to promote fuch an objeft, be a very ample reward ? By fending the gofpel to the dellitute, we may be in fir u mental in faving fome from eternal forrow. And what an occafion of joy, to a heart acquainted with benevolent feel- ings, to be the inltrument of relating an immortal foul from interminable woe, and preparing it for a throne in Heaven ! Our exertions to fpread the gofpel will have a tendency to bring on the latter day glory of the church. We, who are now on the llage, have a very important part to aft in the concerns of the kingdom of Chrilt. David prepared the materials for the Temple, but his eyes were doled in the flumbers of death, before that magnificent llrufturc was com- pleted. So we lhall all lleep in the grave, before the day fipring of Millennian glory enlighten our benighted world. But we can be the humble, inllrumeuts of advancing the f *9 ] honor of our Lord and Savior, and promoting till glory of Zion. And, “ What is noble, let us do it. Make not the obje&ion, that God can accomplilh pofes without our aid. God can accomplilh all his dl of mercy, and he will do it. But, if we reftrain prayer,^ negleft the appointed means, we {hall have no part nor this matter. If we decline to lend our abidance, will do the work, and we fhall fail of a blefiing. As Mor- decai faid to Eflher, “ If thou altogether holdefl: thy peace, “ then lliall their enlargement and deliverance arife from • c another place, but thou and thy father’s houfe Avail “ perilh.”