and much might be added to illustrate and confirm them, which I must reserve to some future occasion. At present, from the short Historical View which I have submitted to you, I shall only deduce the two following reflections :

In the first place, without any farther investigation, than a rapid glance at the history of the Gospel,-without an inquiry into the nature of the Religion itself, or its direct evidences, we may be satisfied how hopeless must be the attempt of those, if any such remain, who would seek to banish the light of Christianity from the world. The whole tenor of that history shows, that the events themselves which seemed destined to overthrow the Gospel, have invariably been those which have established it more firmly, and that additional multitudes have ever crowded into its defence by the very gaps which its enemies had made in its walls and bulwarks. How melancholy was the appearance of this cause at the hour of the Crucifixion, when all those multitudes who had led the triumphal entry of the text, either stood aside to behold their Sovereign slain, or joined in the savage cry which overwhelmed Him,-when his

most faithful disciples betrayed, or denied, or deserted him, and all His plans and objects seemed for ever to be at an end! Yet immediately after this fatal catastrophe, the cause is renewed with additional ardour; the very circumstances that seemed to disgrace and to confound it, are those which are assumed as the corner stones of its stability; and the crucified Jesus is worshipped as a God by innumerable multitudes of every tongue and nation, while the living Prophet was scarcely recognized by his own ungrateful people. In like manner, what were the effects of the persecutions under the tyranny of Heathen Rome ?—the Religion which they sought to destroy was soon elevated to the imperial throne, from which the mandates of persecution had been issued! What was the consequence of that new tide of idolatry, under every horrible and sanguinary form, which, along with the Barbarian Conquerors, threatened to inundate the world, and to sweep before it the Christian name. It rolled along its terrific waves, and disappeared, while the Rock of the Gospel stood unshaken, and became the foundation of that wonderful Spiritual Sovereignty before which the kings of

the nations bowed their diminished heads! When at last the spear of truth and of liberty struck the Tyrant of Superstition upon his throne,-Did the foundations of the Gospel crumble likewise beneath the blow? No, my brethren, it only came forward into clearer view; the dark clouds which surrounded it dissolved away, and the beams of heaven gilded its sides, and instead of supporting the hateful tyranny of man, there now appeared upon its pinnacle the Temple of the Living God! Finally, what has been the result of the tremendous frenzy of our own times? Have all the powers of learning, of ridicule, and of philosophy, moved one stone of that Temple from its base? O, no!-The authors of these attempts have only brought disgrace upon their own presumptuous names, while "from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south," new" multitudes" are crowding into the Holy Place, and the song of triumph is more loudly rising," Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest!" How wise, then, would it be in the opponents of our Faith still to follow the advice of Gamaliel of old !---“ Re

frain from these men and let them alone, for if this. counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."

The second reflection, upon which I shall barely touch, respects the hopes which, from the past history of the Gospel, the faithful are led to form for its future progress. They have seen it successively overcome every kind of opposition, the hostility of persecution, the obstacles arising from the corruptions into which itself had fallen; and lastly, in our time, the opposition of "Science, falsely so called." It is difficult to imagine what enemies are yet to come. The days of persecution are for ever gone, the corruptions of superstition are daily fading away, -presumptuous sophistry has worked itself out, and made use, in their turn, of all the modes of attack, till they have become tedious and even contemptible. It is no flight of enthusiasm, then, to believe, that a more splendid triumph is approaching for the Gospel than it has yet ever known: that its evident connection with every thing that is beneficial for man, with all his moral affections, and all his future prospects,

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will every day come more into view; and that the increasing "multitudes" who follow in the train of its Author, will ever proclaim, with greater assurance, " Jesus, the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee !" Wherefore, " Beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life!"