HAIL, Happy day! and thanks to HIM that made it ſuch! This is indeed a good day, which the Lord hath made for us to be glad and rejoice therein: A day which, if not many prophets, yet many wiſe and righteous men have deſired to ſee; and which we their poſterity are ſo highly favoured of God, as now to behold. Let us therefore ſing a new ſong unto the Lord, whoſe right hand, and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory; whereby he hath made known his ſalvation, and ſhewed his righteouſneſs to the heathen.

WHEREVER the ſinging of a new ſong is mentioned in ſcripture, as it is in divers other places, it has a reference to ſome very ſingular event, by which God manifeſts his power and glory; his loving-kindneſs to his people, or his juſt ſeverity in the puniſhment of their enemies. And it was obſerved to you in the morning, that this paſſage, and the pſalm in general, has a retroſpect to ſome remarkable appearances of God's providence in behalf of his people Iſrael. This is not, however, the ultimate view of the pſalm, or of this paſſage in particular. It is not merely of the hiſtorical, but alſo of the prophetic kind; looking forward to the great things then, and ſtill future; which are moſt ſurely to come to paſs in the latter days, under the reign of the Meſſiah: When God will more ſignally diſplay his ſalvation, and openly ſhew his righteouſneſs to all the gentile nations; giving his ſon the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſſion. Agreeably whereto, the apoſtle John tells us, that he heard a new ſong ſung; in which, it ſeems, the whole rational creation bore a part— And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth; and ſuch as are in the ſea, and all that are in them, heard I ſaying, Bleſſing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that ſitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb for ever and everVid. Rev. v. 9 — 13..

THE text in its ultimate deſign and view, leads our thoughts to the time when this new ſong ſhall be ſung, on occaſion of thoſe great things and glorious events, hereafter to be accompliſhed; of which God's making known his ſalvation to his people of old, and ſhewing his righteouſneſs to the heathen in, and round about the land of Canaan, was typical, and a kind of pledge. But the preſent occaſion leads us more particularly to conſider this paſſage, as an exhortation to praiſe God for the temporal deliverances with which he favours his people, and the ſucceſſes and victories which he grants them over their worldly enemies. However, it was intimated to you, that I ſhould not quite loſe ſight of this paſſage conſidered in its ultimate deſign, or as having a prophetic reference to the glory of Chriſt's kingdom in the latter days: Eſpecially ſince thoſe ſucceſſes with which God hath lately favoured us againſt our papal and heathen enemies, may poſſibly, or rather probably, be one means of, and a ſtep towards, the final accompliſhment of thoſe far greater things which are ſhortly to come to paſs.

THE main buſineſs of my diſcourſe in the morning, was to illuſtrate and confirm an important point of doctrine contained in the text: viz. That God is truly the author of all our deliverances from, ſucceſſes againſt, and victories over, our worldly enemies. His right hand, and his holy arm, ſaith the pſalmiſt, hath gotten him the victory, &c. This is indeed the foundation of all our religious joy and gratitude on ſuch occaſions as the preſent. It was therefore thought proper to enlarge upon this point. And accordingly we traced ſome of the foot-ſteps of divine providence, and the various methods of its operation, in giving ſalvation and victory to thoſe whom it favours; and in accompliſhing its own great deſigns. But having already ſaid what may ſerve in ſome meaſure to clear up and eſtabliſh this important principle of natural and revealed religion; and alſo made ſome ſhort, general reflexions on our late military ſucceſſes: It will now be proper to take a nearer, and more particular view of theſe ſucceſſes, eſpecially here in America, in the reduction of Canada; which, you are ſenſible, is the principal occaſion of our appearing before God this day to ſing a new ſong of praiſe to him. However, ſome other ſucceſſes with which God hath lately favoured the Britiſh arms in other parts, will not be wholly omitted.

SOME of my hearers may probably remember, that on the day of our public thankſgiving the laſt year on the ſurrender of Quebec, the capital of Canada, I conſidered the importance of that acquiſition, not ſo much in itſelf, as with reference to what might probably be the conſequence thereof another campaign, viz. the intire reduction of the whole country: Some of the happy effects whereof were then repreſented to you, upon a preſumption that this muſt be the conſequence of that acquiſition, with the ordinary bleſſing of providence on the Britiſh arms; or unleſs ſomething out of the common courſe of things, ſhould intervene to prevent it. I now heartily congratulate you, my friends and brethren here preſent, and bleſs the great, the eternal God, who preſides over nations and their affairs, that he has not fruſtrated thoſe our hopes; but fulfilled and realized them, in ſome reſpects even beyond what we could have reaſonably expected. But having heretofore conſidered the ſurrender of Quebec in connexion with the ſuppoſed reduction of Canada, as the natural conſequence; and ſpoken ſomewhat particularly of the advantages which muſt reſult to Great-Britain and her colonies from ſuch a conqueſt; you are ſenſible that I have hereby in ſome meaſure anticipated the joy and gratitude of this day; and precluded myſelf from ſaying divers things, which might otherwiſe have been proper on the preſent occaſion: I mean, unleſs I ſhould go into a repetition of the ſame things; of which I am not fond.

HOWEVER, ſince it is proper to ſay ſomething particularly upon this conqueſt, in order to excite our gratitudge to the ſupreme Governor of the world, from whom ſalvation and victory come; I ſhall not ſcrupulouſly avoid every thing that was mentioned on the occaſion aforeſaid: But, touching briefly on thoſe things which were then chiefly enlarged upon, I ſhall now ſpeak more eſpecially of ſuch as neither were, nor could be, taken notice of at that time, without the ſpirit of prophecy.

LET us then conſider the compleatneſs of this conqueſt; the great importance of it to Great-Britain and her American colonies; the little loſs of men with which it has been effected; and ſome of the foot-ſteps of providence therein. After which, we will take a curſory notice of ſome other of our military ſucceſſes ſince the time of our laſt public and general thankſgiving: All which together, afford us the agreeable hopes of ſeeing the preſent calamitous war ſoon brought to a happy period, and demand our moſt grateful acknowledgments to the God of armies.

WE may now, with the greateſt propriety, conſider the conquſt of Canada as compleated. The French no longer hold a ſingle ſort, garriſon, or fortified place, in that country; but there has been a formal ſurrender of the whole by the governor-general thereof to the Britiſh commander; the principal parts whereof had indeed before been brought under, and ſubdued by force of arms. From what we have already heard, it may be reaſonably ſuppoſed that the far greater part of the inhabitants of New France are before this time become Britiſh ſubjects; having taken an oath of allegiance at leaſt of fidelity, to his Majeſty: While the regular troops and marine companies of France, with all officers civil and military, and other perſons of any diſtinction who might promote diſturbances, are embarked, or embarking, for their mother country. The Britiſh troops are actually in poſſeſſion of all places and poſts of any conſequence, ſuch as they deſire to poſſeſs; and in ſufficient numbers. So that if there ſhould be any effort made by the French with their ſavages to recover the country from their conquerors, it muſt certainly, without a miracle, be to no purpoſe. Tho' there is not the leaſt reaſon to ſuſpect there will be any ſuch mad attempt made: Eſpecially when we conſider that the French who remain in the country, are diſarmed; that the ſavages in thoſe parts, with whom they are forbid any commerce, are become our allies; and laſtly, that the Engliſh general has ſhown ſo much clemency and humanity to the Canadians, as to have endeared himſelf to them, and, as we are informed, to make them conſider him, not ſo much their conqueror, as their protector and deliverer from their old tyrannical maſters.It is credibly ſaid, that M. Vaudreuil, the late governor-general of Canada, was almoſt univerſally deteſted by the Canadians for his pride, avarice and cruelty. In ſhort, we may look upon this country as effectually ſubdued; as effectually as it could have been, unleſs fire and ſword had been carried thro' it from one end to the other, to devour without mercy all that came in their way: Which were equally inconſiſtent with the genius of the religion we profeſs, and with the true bravery and generoſity of Britons, how agreeable ſoever it might be to the bloody religion, to the ſavage ſpirit, and the butcherly conduct of our enemies: And it may be added, how much provocation ſoever they have given us, by their former treacheries and barbarities, to treat them in the ſame manner whenever it ſhould be in our power.

THIS conqueſt of New France is moſt important in its nature and conſequences, as well as compleat. The country itſelf is large and fruitful; many parts of it well cultivated, and much more populous, as well as fertile, than we were taught to believe in times paſt. This conqueſt adds at once a large extent of territory to the Britiſh empire in America; and a great number of ſubjects to the Britiſh crown, who may in time become very uſeful ones. All the Indians bordering on Canada, will, or rather are already, become our friends and allies. None of the American ſavages are now our enemies, excepting two or three tribes on the back of our ſouthern colonies, in the intereſt of the French of Louiſiana. Theſe have indeed lately committed the moſt horid outrages, accompanied with the blackeſt treachery; taught them, doubtleſs, by the great maſters thereof, the French, at whoſe inſtigation they commenced their hoſtilities. However, this rupture with thoſe ſavages will probably be of no long continuance. They received a conſiderable check the laſt ſummer, in the deſtruction of ſome of their towns. And they will doubtleſs be awed by the late ſucceſſes of the Britiſh arms; and by plainly ſeeing the Engliſh now ſo ſuperior in America, that they can have no dependence upon the French, either for ſupplies or protection. God hath made known his ſalvation, and openly ſhewed his righteouſneſs, to all the heathen nations in theſe parts of America; who were no ſtrangers to the perſidy, the wicked deſigns and practices of the French. Theſe ſavages who, like ſome more refined politicians, chuſe always to be on the ſtrongeſt ſide, have in times paſt been induſtriouſly fed up by the French with an opinion of their great ſuperiotity; that they ſhould be able at length to ſubdue us, and make a conqueſt of the whole country. But the eyes of almoſt all of them are now ſufficiently opened; and thoſe of the few others, cannot long continue ſhut. They will probably expect in a ſhort time to ſee Louiſiana in the ſame ſituation with Canada—Nor are they ſlow to diſcern, or backward to follow, their own intereſt. So that we may reaſonably depend on having them all in a manner our friends, from Hudſon's Bay to Lake ſuperior; and from thence ſouthward to the gulph of Mexico. Inſtead of having any of them to diſturb, and break up our infant ſettlements from time to time, as heretofore, we ſhall have a large and profitable trade opened with them; even with nations whoſe very names were lately unknown to us. Our colonies, it may be ſuppoſed, will enjoy peace for the future; and with the common bleſſing of providence, be greatly increaſed and enlarged in the courſe of a few years.

THESE things will directly and manifeſtly tend to the emolument of Great-Britain, by prodigiouſly increaſing the demand for her manufactures, enlarging her commerce, and augmenting her maritime power: Eſpecially if the North-american cod-fiſhery ſhould be all, or chiefly, in the hands of Britiſh ſubjects. The French themſelves who ſhall remain in Canada, will be to be ſupplied with European commodities from Great-Britain, as well as the ſavages in America, and her own colonies, probably in a ſhort time increaſed beyond what many perſons will eaſily conceive at preſent. And even the inhabitants of Great-Britain will be greatly multiplied hereby, if not in proportion to thoſe of her colonies; ſince many more thouſand perſons of different occupations, will, by ſuch a vaſt demand and conſumption of her manufactures, readily find the means of ſubſiſtence, than can do ſo at preſent; which is doubtleſs the reaſon why ſhe is not more populous. So that if the ſtrength and honor of a nation conſiſts in the number of its induſtrious people, in an extended commerce, and in riches, whereby ſhe is enabled to raiſe armies, to equip mighty fleets, and to maintain both as occaſion requires; theſe are the advantages which will in the ordinary courſe of things reſult to the Britiſh, from the late ſucceſs of his majeſty's arms in America.The things hinted in this paragraph were more particularly mentioned in the Author's 2d diſcourſe the laſt year, occaſioned by the ſurrender of Quebec: And they are ſince ſet in a very full, clear and ſtrong light in a Tract lately publiſhed in London, and re-printed here, entituled, The Intereſt of Great-Britain conſidered with regard to her Colonies, &c. In this judicious Tract it is computed, that in one century the number of Britiſh ſubjects on this ſide the Atlantic may probably exceed that now on the other; and that Great-Britain herſelf is capable of containing and ſupporting ten times the number of people ſhe does at preſent, could they but find employment by the increaſed demand, and proper returns, for her manufactures. To which nothing can contribute ſo much, and ſo certainly, as the growth of her American colonies.

THE reduction of Canada, ſo important in its nature and conſequences, has, thro' the good providence of God, been compleated with very little loſs of men: With far leſs, indeed, than could well have been imagined, conſidering the number of the enemy, the vigorous effort they made to recover their capital early in the ſpring; and (to give them their due) the ſpirit and reſolution which they have ſhown on ſome other occaſions ſince this war commenced, to defend their country, and to give trouble and annoyance to us. In which attempts they have divers times been far more ſucceſsful, not only than we could have wiſhed, but than was to the honor of the Britiſh arms. Witneſs Oſwego, Fort William Henry, and more eſpecially Ticonderoga! Witneſs alſo Fort Du Queſne, and the banks of the Monongahela, ſtill perhaps white with the bones, if not red with the blood, of our ſlaughter'd troops! When we reflect on theſe things, adding thereto, that the enemy were lately in poſſeſſion of ſeveral poſts and paſſes lying between our armies and them, ſtrong both by nature and art; and that they had the advantage of a perfect knowledge of the country, of which we knew but little: When we reflect on theſe things, could it have been ſuppoſed that general AMHERST, with all his addreſs, his patience and magnanimity, would have been able to compleat the reduction of Canada almoſt without any loſs of men? Excepting thoſe which were drowned in paſſing the difficult and dangerous rapids above Montreal, and thoſe who have been taken off by ſickneſs, I think the whole loſs amounts but to about an hundred i. e. Since the 25th of April, 1760.; in taking the arm'd veſſels of the enemy on the lakes, and ſeveral ſtrong forts advantageouſly ſituated, and vigourouſly defended, of which it was neceſſary to become maſters before the army, or rather armies, could arrive at the iſland of Montreal, where it was commonly ſuppoſed the chief ſcene of action would be. But when the three One by the way of lake Ontario, one by lake Champlain, and the other from Quebec. armies were drawn near together at that place by their reſpective leaders, but all under the general direction and orders of ONE; it ſeems that general AMHERST had little more to do than to make his own terms, and to receive the ſurrender of Montreal and the whole country from the French governor: Little elſe, I ſhould have ſaid, unleſs it were to keep their own enrag'd ſavages from falling upon the French to plunder, butcher and ſcalp them in their turn, by whom theſe ſavages had been ſo long deceived and abuſed.

THE enemy, tho' numerous and well ſupplied, were ſenſible of the ſuperior wiſdom and military accompliſhments of the Britiſh general, the bravery of his officers and troops. They were aſtoniſhed at his having ſurmounted all obſtacles in his advances towards them; wherein they tho't they ſaw the evident footſteps of divine providence, and from whence they preſaged their approaching fate. They were at the ſame time ſo well ſatisfied of the clemency and honor of general AMHERST, that they prudently choſe to lay down their arms and ſubmit, rather than hazard a battle. And by what we hitherto learn, the terms granted to, or rather impoſed on them, were as honourable to the Britiſh general and arms as we could have deſired; tho' ſtill more favourable to the French than ſuch enemies, all circumſtances conſidered, had any right to expect. For tho' all that were found in arms, were to be ſent out of the country, and not to ſerve during the preſent war, againſt his majeſty or his allies; together with other perſons of any diſtinction; yet it ſeems, the main body of the people are permitted to continue in the country, and to enjoy their eſtates under the protection of the Britiſh government, on taking an oath of allegiance, or fidelity to his majeſty. It is ſaid, the articles of ſurrender were pretty numerous; but what they are, is not yet particularly, at leaſt not publickly known amongſt us. They were ſigned Sept. 8. 1760.

THUS has this great conqueſt been compleated, as was ſaid before, with an inconſiderable loſs of men: A conqueſt which will in all probability be followed with very extenſive happy conſequences, both as to Great-Britain and her American colonies, whoſe true intereſts are abſolutely inſeparable: A conqueſt which is likely to be advantageous to the Canadians themſelves, who with their poſterity may live in the country under the Engliſh government, and be far more happy than under the French tyranny: A conqueſt to the honor, not only of the arms, but the humanity of Britons: And a conqueſt wherein the veſtiges of divine providence have been very conſpicuous. There is no need of adding, A conqueſt which will forever render memorable and illuſtrious the name of that diſcrete, wiſe, and truly magnanimous general, who, under God, has effected it; and thereby put ſo happy and glorious a period to the war in this part of America.

THEY who are acquainted with the geography of North-America, may poſſibly ſuppoſe that the reduction of Montreal and Canada might have been ſooner, and more certainly effected, by one grand army by the way of St. Lawrence, than by ſeveral ſmaller ones, conducted thro' ſuch tedious and difficult routs as thoſe of the lakes; eſpecially that of lake Ontario. But there are now probably none but what are convinced, that the plan which has been laid and purſued, was, upon the whole, far the beſt. The general, by thus dividing his army, and coming againſt the enemy on all ſides, hemm'd them in, prevented their eſcaping, or diſperſing here and there in ſmall parties; and ſo has accompliſhed the whole buſineſs at once. Whereas, had they been attacked only by the way of St. Lawrence by one grand army, they would doubtleſs have abandon'd Montreal at its approach; retreated together up the river, where they could hardly have been purſued, or elſe gone off in parties to the ſouthward and weſtward, and otherways, with their arms. So that tho' Montreal had been in our poſſeſſion, yet the country might in effect have remained ſtill unſubdued. This, not to mention ſome other things, ſeems to ſhow, that that which ſome perſons poſſibly imagined a more difficult, expenſive and precarious way of compleating the reduction of Canada, was in reality the beſt; perhaps the only one, in which the conqueſt could have been perfected this campaign —But I ſhall ſay no more of what may ſeem foreign from the buſineſs of a ſermon —It is ſufficient to our preſent purpoſe, that God has appeared very graciouſly for us in conducting this great enterprize to ſo happy a concluſion; from whence we may reaſonably promiſe ourſelves ſuch great and permanent advantages as have been hinted at above.

BUT when I ſpeak of the importance of this acquiſition, you will doubtleſs obſerve, that I go wholly upon the ſuppoſition that it will be retained. What may poſſibly be hereafter; what different turn the war may take; what real occaſion and neceſſity there may be for relinquiſhing this, or any other conqueſts, in order to a peace, no one can certainly tell. But while things continue in ſuch a poſture as they are at preſent thro' the goodneſs of God; while we have ſo fair a proſpect of having it in our power, as we ſhall on that ſuppoſion certainly have a right, to inſiſt upon indemnification for the immenſe expence of treaſure and blood, to which the ambition and injuſtice of France has lately put us, as alſo upon ſecurity for the future to theſe American colonies: while we have ſuch a proſpect, I ſay, I thought it hardly decent to make the ſuppoſition of Canada's ever being delivered up to France; which might be looked upon as a kind of treaſon. At leaſt it might betray, either ſuch a diſaffection to the welfare of Great Britain and her colonies, or ſuch a diſtruſt of the wiſdom and integrity of our ſuperiors, as I wou'd not on any conſideration be thought capable of. And one would think that the other European nations ſhould all in general rejoice to ſee ſome bounds ſet to the power, and ambitious views of France. For, which of them has ſhe not hector'd and threatned in its turn? Which of her neighbours has ſhe not plunder'd and robb'd? ſome of them of wealthy cities, ſome of provinces, and others of whole countries? Which of them can be ſecure againſt her intriegues, treachery, and lawleſs violence, unleſs ſhe is in ſome meaſure humbled and weakned?—There would doubtleſs be ſufficient reaſon for a day of general thankſgiving thro'out Europe, if this were done to purpoſe.

AS was obſerved before, tho' we cannot tell what may yet come to paſs in the courſe of this war, we have reaſon to hope from preſent appearances, that there will be no neceſſity of making ſuch a dear and important ſacrifice as that of Canada, in order to procure a peace: the conſequence of which would be, that the almoſt immenſe treaſure expended in driving the French from their encroachments, and in reducing this country, would be ſcarce better than thrown away. The French would ſoon renew their encroachments and hoſtilities, and ſet their ſavages again to ſcalping. We can never live peaceably with them here as neighbours: For it is almoſt as impoſſible for them to ceaſe from thoſe treacherous and wicked practices, to which they have been ſo long "accuſtomed", as it were for the "Aethiopian to change his ſkin, or the leopard his ſpots". Nor would the intereſt of Great Britain be leſs affected in the end, than that of her colonies, by their regaining their power and independence in Canada: Of which there is at preſent, indeed, no apparent reaſon to be apprehenſive, conſidering how proſperous, by the bleſſing of heaven, his majeſty's arms have been in other inſtances: For an almoſt uninterrupted ſeries of ſucceſſes has attended them for ſeveral years paſt.

AND here let me take occaſion juſt to mention ſome other material ſucceſſes that have lately crowned the Britiſh arms in other parts of the world.

SINCE the day of our common and public thankſgiving on the ſurrender of Quebec, October 25, 1759. The author in his diſcourſes publiſhed on that occaſion, and in the year preceeding▪ took notice of the moſt conſiderable and important ſucceſſes obtained by his majeſty's arms by land and ſea, ſince the beginning of this war. For which reaſon he does not here look any farther back than to the date above. we have received advices here, of ſome conſiderable advantages obtained in the Eaſt-Indies, in the reduction of ſeveral of the enemy's fortreſſes and factories, with ſome of their ſettlements there. And Pondicherry, according to our lateſt accounts, was the only place of which the French were left poſſeſs'd in thoſe parts.

THE Dunkirk ſquadron under the command of the valiant, but unfortunate Thurot, has been chiefly taken or deſtroyed, after going thro' a long ſeries of calamities and diſaſters.

ABOUT the ſame time, one of our admirals Sir Ed. Hawke. fell in with the grand fleet of the enemy from Breſt, where it had been long preparing, in order, as was given out, to cover a diſcent on the coaſt of Britain or Ireland. This fleet was beaten, and diſperſed amongſt the ſhoals upon the coaſt of France Quiberon bay.; when five or ſix capital ſhips were taken and deſtroyed: While a number of others, as it is ſaid, were render'd uſeleſs, by being oblig'd to fly for ſafety to land, to rocks, and into ſhallow rivers. In this important affair there were ſome pretty remarkable circumſtances. The Britiſh admiral's falling in with this fleet, was moſt opportune and ſeaſonable for us, as it was unexpected to the enemy. The French fleet was going to take under her convoy a large number of tranſports lying ready in different ports, after having gotten out of Breſt by ſtealth while the Britiſh fleet was withdrawn. And indeed the latter did not again ſail from its port in the Engliſh channel, 'till the very day the other ſtole out; a circumſtance not unworthy of notice, ſince, humanly ſpeaking, the French fleet had a fair proſpect of reaching its port, or ports, before it could be overtaken. And this it had probably done, had not an inferior Engliſh ſquadron fallen in its way, by which means it was retarded for ſome time. This fleet was ſo inferior to the French, that it muſt in all probability have fallen an eaſy conqueſt thereto. But at the inſtant when ſo unequal an engagement was to begin, appeared admiral HAWKE with the Britiſh flag, and a formidable fleet: Which not only made the enemy glad to quit their deſtin'd prey, but ſtruck them with ſuch terror, as even render'd them incapable of a prudent and ſucceſsful flight. Thus was the little Engliſh ſquadron at once preſerved; the deſign of the French fleet rendered abortive; the great preparations of the enemy for a deſcent, inſignificant; and their moſt powerful fleet diſgraced and ruined upon their own coaſts: A mortifying ſpectacle to the people! And upon the whole, this ſeems to have been almoſt a finiſhing blow to the marine, and naval power of France, before reduced ſo low by repeated diſaſters and loſſes. In all which, the hand of providence is very conſpicuous.

WE have lately had the report of the very ſignal victory obtained by his majeſty's army under prince FERDINAND, over the formidable French army commanded by marſhal Broglio. Which, if true, will not only preſerve Hanover a third time, when threatned with imminent danger; but muſt have an happy influence on the affairs of his majeſty's illuſtrious ally, the king of Pruſſia. But this important news does not appear to be ſo authentic, that we may be juſtified in giving full credence thereto at preſentWe had this news from Liſbon. It was reported that prince Ferdinand had kill'd and taken about 50,000 men, and intirely routed the French army on the borders of Hanover. But we have ſince had the mortification to be aſſured, that this was a falſe rumour; tho' it ſeems ſome conſiderable advantages have been gained by the allied army. And ſince the delivering this diſcourſe, we have alſo had the authentic news of his Pruſſian majeſty's defeating a large corps of the Auſtrian army; killing and taking about 10,000 men, with near 90 pieces of cannon, ammunition, &c. &c. A moſt agreeable and important piece of intelligence.—. And indeed, if one half we have heard were known to be fact, our apprehenſions for Hanover might now be over, as alſo in part, thoſe for his Pruſſian majeſty in this critical conjuncture. Our welfare even here in America, is now nearly connected with that of this illuſtrious king, and of his majeſty's Hanoverian dominions. What the purpoſes of heaven are with reſpect to them, time only will reveal. And if they ſhould maintain their ground this year (God almighty grant they may!) we ſhould have good reaſon to hope, not only that this may prove the laſt campaign of the preſent war; but that ſuch a peace will be concluded, as will be at once glorious to Great-Britain and her allies, and happy for all her dependencies; particularly for her colonies in America. But if, contrary to our hopes, the war ſhould ſtill be protracted, we may take it for granted that Great-Britain, under ſo wiſe, firm and vigorous an adminiſtration as the preſent, will purſue her advantages; and perhaps, by the favour of heaven, add LOUISIANA at leaſt to her other acquiſitions: A conqueſt, tho' of vaſt importance, yet, humanly ſpeaking, of very little difficulty, conſidering the naval power of Britain, and the number of Britiſh troops now in America. Since this diſcourſe was delivered, we hear there are more troops actually embarked for North-America. If it be ſo, it ſeems not improbable that Louiſiana may be the object of their deſtination: From which country, while the French are poſſeſs'd of it, our ſouthern colonies will probably meet with diſturbance; at leaſt by means of murdering and ſcalping parties ſent from time to time upon their frontiers.

BUT having thus reminded you of thoſe ſucceſſes with which God has lately favoured the Britiſh arms, more eſpecially in the conqueſt of Canada; all which ſeem to promiſe an honorable peace, future ſecurity to us here in America, and many advantages both to Great-Britain and her colonies; and which therefore demand our grateful praiſes to the ſupreme Governor of the world: Having done this, I ſay, let us now proceed, as was propoſed, briefly to conſider, what aſpect theſe victories and ſucceſſes have upon the kingdom of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; its farther extenſion, and the accompliſhment of thoſe glorious things which are to come to paſs in the latter days.

IT would indeed be at once juſt matter of reproach to a chriſtian miniſter, and a kind of affront to a chriſtian aſſembly, if in preaching upon ſuch an occaſion as the preſent, he wholly confined his views and diſcourſe to things of a ſecular nature; without conſidering what relation theſe important ſucceſſes have to Chriſt's kingdom. This would betray in him a littleneſs and narrowneſs of mind, and a want of due regard to, and zeal for, the honour of God, or the intereſt of religion in the world. It would alſo be treating his auditors as if he ſuppoſed them wholly immerſed in worldly cares, without a thought of any thing greater or better than a ſhort-liv'd proſperity here below; which, I perſuade myſelf, is not the character of thoſe to whom I am ſpeaking. And beſides; that paſſage of ſcripture, on which my diſcourſe is grounded, naturally leads our thoughts to that time, when our Lord ſhall take to himſelf his great power, and reign as the king of nations, as well as of ſaints.

NOW there are two things to be laid down here, as principles on which to proceed, they being certainly and plainly foretold in the holy ſcriptures. One is, That God will at length in a moſt wonderful manner bring down, humble, and even deſtroy, that corrupt and apoſtate, that idolatrous and perſecuting church, variouſly deſcribed in the holy ſcriptures; particularly under the character of a woman, "having a golden cup in her hand, full of abominations and filthineſs of her fornications. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth"Rev. XVII. 4.5.—"The great whore, which corrupteth the earth with her fornication."Ch. XIX. 2.—"And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of ſaints, and of all that were ſlain upon the earth."Cha. XVIII. 24. That that apoſtate, antichriſtian church, or kingdom, which is thus emblematically deſcribed, is to have her plagues made wonderful, and to be finally brought to ruin, is moſt manifeſt from the ſacred ſcriptures. Nor can proteſtants in this age, one would think, be at any great loſs, what church, or where ſhe is—

THE other thing alluded to above, is, That the goſpel of the kingdom is not only to be "preached for a witneſs" among all nations, but to be actually eſtabliſhed thro'out the world, amongſt Jews and Gentiles. For "the kingdoms of this world are to become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chriſt; and he ſhall reign forever and ever."Rev. XI. 15. The ſcriptures are full of prophecies to this purpoſe; which predictions remain to be fulfilled, either ſooner or later, unleſs we have believed fables inſtead of the word of God, who cannot lie.

NOW we may conſider the great ſucceſſes which God has given to the Britiſh arms in the preſent war, as tending, in ſome meaſure, to the accompliſhment of both theſe events; the deſtruction of the papal power, and the eſtabliſhing of chriſtianity thro'out the world.

FOR firſt, as to the former of them: Theſe ſucceſſes have been obtained by a proteſtant king and nation, againſt the greateſt and moſt powerful nation in the communion of the church of Rome. The French monarch is unqueſtionably the moſt potent of thoſe kings who have "given their kingdom unto the beaſt." But his power is now much diminiſhed, and ſeems in a fair way to be farther reduced. And this will be in effect diminiſhing that of the roman pontiff. Every new acceſſion of power to our own, and to other proteſtant kings and ſtates, will alſo tend to the reduction of that of Rome. It may be farther obſerved here, that as learning increaſes, and runs to and fro in the earth, the influence and authority of the pope declines, as the natural and neceſſary conſequence thereof: And it is now far leſs, even in moſt or all roman catholic countries, than it was ſome centuries ſince. It has declined faſt ſince the beginning of the reformation; when, and ſince, divers kings and nations, and our own among the firſt, came to an open rupture with the pope; utterly diſowning his juriſdiction over them. The king of Portugal has alſo lately come to ſuch a rupture with him, as is not likely to be ſoon healed; and as may, not improbably, iſſue in the pope's loſing forever all authority in that kingdom, however devoted the common people may be to him at preſent. Nor would it be very ſtrange if the king of Spain ſhould ſoon break with him alſo: Since the jeſuits, moſt probably with the pope's connivance, if not by his direction, have been plotting againſt that crown, as well as the king of Portugal; and have actually been carrying on a war againſt the ſubjects of both, in South America. But be that as it will, it ſeems morally impoſſible, conſidering the progreſs which learning has made, and is ſtill making, but that the eyes of all the kings, ſtates, and people in general, now in the communion of the church of Rome, muſt before long be opened. And when they ſhall plainly ſee, how groſly they have been deluded, and how impudently tyrannized over by her, they will of courſe become her enraged enemies; and be avenged on her, as many have been already. For, in the language of inſpiration, Theſe ſhall hate the whore, and ſhall make her deſolate, and naked, and ſhall eat her fleſh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beaſt, until the words of God ſhall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou ſaweſt, is that great city, which reigneth over the king's of the earth.Rev. XVII. 16.17.18. —This remarkable prophecy is partly fulfilled already, in the breaking off of ſo many kings and ſtates from the church of Rome; and their becoming enemies, and ſore ſcourges to her pride and impiety; of which nations our own is the principal. And we may reſt aſſured, that this prediction ſhall in the whole of it, and poſſibly before long, be punctually accompliſhed. In the proſpect of which final ruin coming upon the great whore, or myſtical Babylon, the apoſtle John broke forth thus—Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye holy apoſtles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a ſtone like a great millſtone, and caſt it into the ſea, ſaying, Thus with violence ſhall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and ſhall be found no more at all.Rev. XVIII. 20, 21.

BUT ſecondly, as to the propagation and eſtabliſhment of the goſpel amongſt all nations: Our military ſucceſſes may be conſidered as one ſtep towards the accompliſhing of that great event alſo. Not that the goſpel of Chriſt is to be propagated by force of arms; but theſe ſucceſſes may in ſome meaſure open and prepare the way for ſpreading it, by methods ſuitable to the genius and deſign of this religion. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal; but mighty thro' God—And the ſervant of the Lord muſt not ſtrive, but be gentle unto all men; patient, in meekneſs inſtructing thoſe that oppoſe themſelves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.

THERE are many heathen here in America, who have long had ſome intercourſe both with Us and the French. We have heretofore made attempts, by the bleſſing of heaven to "turn them from darkneſs to light, and from the power of ſatan unto God." But theſe our attempts have not been attended with any great ſucceſs; with leſs indeed, than the endeavours of the French miſſionaries, I had almoſt ſaid, to make them apoſtatize from heatheniſm to popery. Many diſcouragements and obſtacles have been in the way hitherto; ſome of which are now removed. And there ſeems to be a fairer proſpect, by the bleſſing of God, of doing ſomething conſiderable to this end, than ever there has been in times paſt; provided there be wiſdom, in conjunction with a proper zeal, in undertaking and proſecuting ſo good a deſign. God hath in ſome ſenſe already made known his ſalvation, and openly ſhewed his righteouſneſs in the ſight of theſe heathen, by the victories, and great ſucceſſes which he hath given us over our enemies in theſe parts. So that we may ſuppoſe, they will be under leſs temptation to ſay now, than heretofore, "Where is their God?" The prejudices which many of them have imbibed againſt us and our religion, by means of the French miſſionaries repreſenting all proteſtants to them, as bad or worſe than atheiſts, may now in ſome meaſure be abated: At leaſt we ſhall have a better opportunity, and greater advantages, for removing theſe prejudices, than formerly; and to convince all thoſe pagans who have had any knowledge of Us and of the French, that our God is indeed in heaven; and that it is no other than he, whoſe right hand, and his holy arm hath given us, or rather gotten to himſelf, the victory. They will probably be influenced in ſome degree to think favourably of us and our religion, by our great ſucceſſes, and triumphs over thoſe who have ever repreſented us as the enemies of the true God; and to whoſe vain boaſts of their being his peculiar favourites, to whoſe threatnings againſt us, and repeated conſtant treacheries, they have been no ſtrangers; and many of them indeed, the inſtruments of their wicked and villainous deſigns.

TO theſe things it may be added, that theſe numerous tribes of heathen, when they find themſelves wholly dependent upon us, as they muſt be, will probably become in all reſpects more ſubmiſſive and tractable than they uſed to be, either to us or to the French, in times paſt. They could formerly change ſides, and run from one to the other on any trifling occaſion; and held, as it were, the ballance of power between us in their own hands. In theſe circumſtances they thought they had a right to be courted by both, as they actually were: Which made them, if poſſible, more proud, inſolent and barbarous than they naturally are, as well as indocile to the laſt degree. But their having now only one European people on which to depend for neceſſary ſupplies, if a reaſonable, juſt and wiſe uſe is made of this advantage, it will without doubt give us ſuch an aſcendency over them, as will greatly facilitate the work of humanizing and chriſtianizing them.

WE find, agreeably to what has been ſaid above, that the Six Nations are within a few years become more tractable than they uſed to be; I mean, ſince they have ſeen the French power upon the decline here, and in a fair way to be entirely deſtroyed. Thoſe of them who attended general AMHERST into Canada, it is ſaid, were very docile, ſubject to diſcipline and command. Yea, they were tutor'd by him into ſome regard to clemency and mercy; to which they were heretofore almoſt intire ſtrangers. We are informed, that when they had taken ſeveral hundred priſoners on Montreal, who expected nothing but to die in tortures, the ſavages relieved their anxiety by telling them, their orders were, not to put any of their captives to death; tho', as they added, the French uſed to order their Indians to kill all that fell into their hands. A juſt and ſevere reproach; which ſhews, we need not deſpair of humanizing and chriſtianizing the American ſavages; and which muſt have ſtung their priſoners to the ſoul, if they were not paſt feeling! And how agreeable? how edifying muſt it have been, to hear thoſe ſavages thus reproaching theſe good catholic chriſtians, the ſubjects of his moſt chriſtian majeſty, for their barbarity; and trying as it were, by their own better example, to infuſe into them ſome ſenſe of humanity! And, by the way, it may be hoped that the French themſelves who ſhall remain in Canada, or at leaſt their poſterity, will become proteſtants, provided prudent and proper methods, conſiſtent with juſtice and humanity, are taken to make them ſo.

YOU ſee from what has been ſaid, that we have now more encouragement than ever to attempt the chriſtianizing the American heathen; ſome of the obſtacles thereto being removed by the late ſignal ſucceſſes of his Majeſty's arms. And were this accompliſhed, it would be at once a conſiderable enlargement of Chriſt's kingdom, and partly the accompliſhment of that promiſe, that the uttermoſt parts of the earth ſhould be his poſſeſſion. Our ſucceſſes in the Eaſt Indies, and the growth of our ſettlements there, where the natives are ſtill more numerous, and leſs ſavage than in America, bids fair to be a means in time of ſpreading chriſtianity in thoſe parts alſo—And upon the whole (for I may not enlarge) if we attentively look round the world; if we conſider the increaſe of knowledge, both religious and natural, ever ſince the reformation began; and that it is growing more and common in all civilized nations, whereas it uſed before to be confined to a few perſons; if we reflect on the dropping off of one kingdom and ſtate after another from the church of Rome; if we conſider the great increaſe of navigation and commerce, carried on from Europe into all parts of the known world, more eſpecially by proteſtant nations; and the many factories, ſettlements and colonies from chriſtendom, eſtabliſhed in the moſt remote countries; if we reflect on theſe things, I ſay, not to mention any thing at preſent of the order of the prophecies, there ſeems to be ſome reaſon to hope the time is not far diſtant, when both the roman papacy ſhall come to nothing, and the goſpel ſhall be propagated throughout the world; the knowledge of God covering the whole earth as the waters cover the ſeas. Though, by the way, whenever theſe things ſhall be accompliſhed, whether ſooner or later, they will not probably be effected wholly by natural and human means: But by them in conjunction with the extraordinary effuſion of the Holy Spirit, with the moſt ſigna!, undeniable manifeſtations of God's power and grace in favour of his true worſhippers, and the equally viſible manifeſtations of his wrath, and righteous diſpleaſure againſt others; eſpecially thoſe who wilfully uphold errors and corruptions in his church: For this is undeniably the ſcripture account of the matter.

Some of the obſtacles hitherto in the way of goſpelizing the ſavage nations in North America being now removed, it may be hoped that the right honourable and reverend SOCIETY for propagating the goſpel in foreign parts, will, amongſt other objects of their charitable attention, hereafter make this a principal one. And it was with great pleaſure, that the author of this diſcourſe lately read the following paſſage in Dr. ELLIS'S ſermon before that venerable Society the laſt year, at their anniverſary meeting—Out of gratitude for this wonderful goodneſs of God to us, ſays his Lordſhip, we ought freely to contribute to the advancement of his glory, which he graciouſly places in the welfare of mankind. And we are directed to FIT OBJECTS of our charity—There are on the borders of our national colonies and plantations in America, multitudes of ſavages immerſed in groſs ignorance and ſuperſtition, who either have not heard at all of the goſpel of Chriſt, or at leaſt are very far from a competent knowledge, and due practice of it. For theſe, WITHOUT QUESTION, we ought to have a proper concern, and to uſe our endeavours for their effectual converſion, as there may be opportunity.— Dr. ELLIS, Lord Bp. of St. David's.

We may almoſt aſſure ourſelves, that this very important and ſeaſonable hint of his Lordſhip, will have its due weight with the Society; and conſequently, that theſe American ſavages will not be ſo much forgotten and neglected as they have been heretofore. All the good people in New England, where the goſpel has been generally ſo well preached ever ſince its ſettlement, would doubtleſs rejoice to ſee ſuch large ſums as are annually expended in ſupporting epiſcopal miſſions here, applied to the carrying on this good work amongſt the heathen, "who know not God." In New-England only, near 30 of theſe miſſions (beſides ſchools) are now maintained at the charge of that venerable Society: The members whereof can however certainly have no views in the particular applications of their own and others charity, but what are worthy of perſons of the greateſt fidelity, catholiciſm and honor, fir'd with a truly primitive zeal to propagate primitive chriſtianity, and only that. Tho' it is probable that they have been groſly impoſed upon by falſe repreſentations of the ſtate of religion in theſe parts; which has been the occaſion of their employing ſo much of their charitable care about thoſe who ſo little needed it, to the neglect of thoſe who were periſhing for want of it: For which impoſitions, abuſes and miſapplications, their deceivers are anſwerable; if not to them, yet certainly to an HIGHER AUTHORITY.

A FEW reflexions on the preſent ſubject and occaſion, muſt now conclude this diſcourſe, almoſt too long, I fear, already.

IT becomes us to be ſincerely and devoutly thankful to almighty God, who hath delivered us from our enemies in theſe parts, and crowned the arms of our king with ſo many ſucceſſes and victories. We have abundant cauſe for gratitude, both on temporal and ſpiritual accounts: For both our civil and religious privileges are ſecured to us by theſe ſucceſſes; and there is a fair proſpect, that both we and our poſterity may poſſeſs this good land in great peace and proſperity. Let us be admoniſhed to make it manifeſt, that we have a proper ſenſe of God's undeſerved goodneſs to us, by forſaking all our evil practices; whatever is diſpleaſing in his ſight, and ſerving him in holineſs and righteouſneſs according to the goſpel of his Son: As free, and not uſing our liberty for a cloke of maliciouſneſs, but as the ſervants of God. "For ſo is the will of God, that with well-doing we may put to ſilence the ignorance of fooliſh men." The praiſes of our lips, even tho' we ſing unto the Lord "a new ſong," without the obedience of our lives, will be a very inadequate return to him for the many and great mercies which he hath beſtowed upon us, upon our king and nation. Let us therefore keep all his holy commandments; eſpecially let us do juſtly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

LET us moreover, in this way of well-doing, place our hope and truſt in God for the continued ſmiles of his providence upon us, upon the Britiſh counſels, government and arms, till the preſent calamitous war is brought to a happy concluſion: And not only ſo, but till all the enemies of our holy religion are either brought to repentance, or to ruin; and the goſpel of peace ſhall every where prevail. IT is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble his faithful and obedient people. And we may look upon our late victories and ſucceſſes, in conjunction with ſome other things, as pledges and earneſts of the final triumph of the church of Chriſt over all its enemies. Tho' they were not, I ſuppoſe, particularly pointed at in any of the prophecies; yet we may look upon them as a partial accompliſhment of God's general promiſes of deliverance and ſalvation to his people, and his threatnings againſt the enemies, at leaſt the corruptors, of his goſpel. They ſhould therefore encourage us to hope in him for the entire and complete fulfilment of both; when the juſt ſhall be eſtabliſhed, and the wickedneſs of the wicked ſhall come to an end.

HOW ſolid a foundation have the true worſhippers of God according to the goſpel, for peace and compoſure of mind, in reflecting on his ſuperintending providence amidſt all the wars and commotions of the nations, and all the revolutions in ſtates and kingdoms? The righteous are ſtill ſecure under the ſhadow of the Almighty. And theſe changes and revolutions, when the kingdoms are moved, are in effect only God's overturning, overturning, overturning, until He ſhall come in his kingdom, whoſe right it is; and every tongue ſhall confeſs him to be Lord, to the glory of God the Father. "Therefore will not we fear, tho' the earth be removed, and tho' the mountains be carried into the midſt of the ſea: Tho' the waters thereof roar and be troubled; tho' the mountains ſhake with the ſwelling thereof— There is a river, the ſtreams whereof ſhall make glad the city of God; the holy place of the tabernacles of the moſt High. God is in the midſt of her; ſhe ſhall not be moved: God ſhall help her, and that right early." Pſalm XLVI.

WHILE we praiſe God for the late favourable, and very ſignal appearances of his providence, in cauſing us to ſee our deſire upon our enemies, we ſhould beware of every thing that has a tendency to fruſtrate the deſigns of his goodneſs towards us, and to turn his bleſſings into curſes; particularly of pride, effeminacy and luxury. Theſe are commonly the attendants of peace, outward proſperity, riches and ſecurity; and therefore ought to be particularly guarded againſt. When Jeſhurun of old waxed fat, then he kicked, and forgat the God that "rode upon the heavens in his help, and in his excellency upon the ſky." And thus it often comes to paſs, that even the proſperity of fools deſtroyeth them. All hiſtory, ancient and modern, ſacred and profane, is a proof of theſe things; and ſhould ſerve for a warning to us. The Perſians, Greeks and Romans, amongſt innumerable other nations, were ſucceſſively examples of the fatal conſequences of great proſperity without wiſdom and virtue.

DURING the time of ancient Carthage, the only dangerous neighbour and rival of Rome, when the conqueſt of the former was meditated by the latter, there was a debate in the roman ſenate, whether this were expedient or not, if practicable. While ſome thought it would be equally glorious and haphay for Rome to cruſh the only dangerous rival of her power and greatneſs, others were apprehenſive of the conſequences thereof. They feared leſt they ſhould by means of ſuch a conqueſt, and the peace, wealth and ſecurity naturally following, become luxurious, effeminate and corrupt, to their own deſtruction in the end. This proved no imaginary or groundleſs fear: When Carthage was no more, and Rome had ſubdued all her neighbouring enemies, ſhe ſeemed indeed for a while to be more happy than ever: But in proceſs of time, riches and ſecurity produced the moſt fatal effects; the moſt extravagant luxury, venality, and a total depravation of manners. And when her citizens had no longer any foreign enemy to fear, they fell into violent factions, contentions, and civil wars. They loſt their liberty in the end; became wretched by means of their own proſperity and greatneſs; and ſo the roman power was deſtroyed. Thus did luxury, the moſt formidable enemy to any ſtate when it becomes common, invade and triumph over ancient Rome, which had triumphed over all her other enemies; hereby fully revenging on her, not only the fall of Carthage, but of a conquer'd world. —Saevior armis Luxuria incubuit, victumque ulciſcitur orbem. Lucan.

SOMETHING not wholly unlike to this, may poſſibly befall us in time, the American Carthage being ſubdued, unleſs God ſhould give us the wiſdom to avoid thoſe rocks and ſhelves on which ſo many have ſplit, and ſuffered a wretched ſhipwrack. Divine providence has ſet up beacons and land-marks in every age and quarter of the world for our warning and direction; and if we do not take due notice of them, our deſtruction will be almoſt certain, while, as an aggravation of it, we ſhall have no claim even to pity.

BUT to draw to a concluſion: While we bleſs God for our repeated and great ſucceſſes againſt our heathen, and other idolatrous enemies, let us take heed that we ourſelves do not depart from the plain, ſimple doctrine and worſhip of the goſpel, or conform to any of the corrupt principles and modes of worſhip eſtabliſhed in the world. We ought not to leave the clear light of revelation, and the "ſure word of prophecy," to run after the ignes fatui of human creeds, which appeared in the dark and corrupt times of the church, and have ever ſince contributed more or leſs to miſlead the chriſtian world. It becomes us to adhere to the holy ſcriptures as our only rule of faith and practice, diſcipline and worſhip. The "mother of harlots" has many daughters in chriſtendom; "all nations have drank" more or leſs, of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.Revel. XVIII. 3. There has indeed been a great reformation in many nations from ſome of the groſſer errors, ſuperſtitions and corruptions introduced by the papacy, and ſtill upheld in the church of Rome. But in what country, in what nation, is the reformation complete? In what national, or even provincial church, are not ſome of theſe errors and corruptions found? It is worthy of obſervation, that immediately after St. John heard a mighty angel pronounce the fall and utter ruin of myſtical Babylon, he heard ANOTHER voice from heaven, ſaying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her ſins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Chap. XVIII. ver. 4. It nearly concerns all thoſe who ſtill any ways ſymbolize with the leader in the grand apoſtacy, ſeriouſly to attend to this divine admonition. There is ONE who walketh in the midſt of the golden candleſticks, holding the ſtars in his right hand; whoſe eyes are as a flame of fire, and his voice as the ſound of many waters: And all the churches ſhall know, ſaith he, that I am he which ſearcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give unto every one of you according to his works.Rev. II. 3. His fan is in his hand, and he will ere long thoroughly purge his floor, his church and kingdom, of thoſe numerors errors and abuſes which are found in differents parts of it. And altho' theſe errors and corruptions are perhaps even gloried in by ſome churches as their diſtinguiſhing ornaments and excellencies, the breath of the Lord ſhall one day puff them all away like chaff and rubbiſh, with the wilful authors and upholders of them, to be conſumed in the fire of his indignation. They alone, who worſhip the FATHER in ſpirit and in truth, ſhall be eſtabliſhed. Chriſtianity, long obſcur'd and diſgraced by the additions which human pride, human folly and wickedneſs, have made to it, ſhall at length be reſtored to its primitive ſimplicity, beauty and glory, and become a praiſe in the whole earth.

We have Moſes and the prophets, and apoſtles, and the word of Chriſt himſelf; and if we will not hear them, we ſhall be more inexcuſable than the Jews. For the prophets and apoſtles have foretold, that as Iſrael often revolted and brake the covenant, and upon repentance renewed it; ſo there ſhould be a falling away among the Chriſtians, ſoon after the days of the apoſtles; and that in the latter days God would deſtroy the impenitent revolters, and make a new covenant with his people. And the giving ear to the prophets is a fundamental character of the true church.—The authority of emperors, kings and princes is human. The authority of councils, ſynods, biſhops, and preſbyters, is human. The authority of the prophets is divine, and comprehends the ſum of religion, reckoning Moſes and the apoſtles amongſt the prophets. And if an angel from heaven preach any other goſpel, than what they have delivered, let him be accurſed. Sir I. Newton's obſervations on Daniel.

The event of things predicted many ages before, will then be a convincing argument that the world is governed by providence. For as the few & obſcure prophecies concerning Chriſt's firſt coming, were for ſetting up the chriſtian religion, which all nations have ſince corrupted; ſo the many and clear prophecies concerning the things to be done at Chriſt's ſecond coming, are not only for predicting▪ but alſo for effecting a recovery and re-eſtabliſhment of the long-loſt truth, and ſetting up a kingdom wherein dwells righteouſneſs. Newton's obſerv. on the Apocalypſe.

THO' heaven and earth ſhould paſs away and be diſſolved, the word of the Lord ſhall not paſs away, till every promiſe and every threatning thereof is fulfilled. "This," to adopt the language of the prophet, "This is the purpoſe that is purpoſed upon the whole earth; and this is the hand that is ſtretched out upon all nations. For the Lord of Hoſts hath purpoſed, and who ſhall diſannul it? and his hand is ſtretched out, and who ſhall turn it back?"Iſai. XIV. 26 27. Tremble! ye avowed enemies, and all ye wilful perverters of the goſpel, or upholders of error and ſuperſtition in the church of Chriſt, to ſubſerve the ends of your own vain ambition and ſecular intereſts: Your perdition lingereth not! And lift up your heads with joy, ye ſincere followers of the Lamb of God: For your redemption draweth nigh! And to encourage all ſuch to adhere ſteadfaſtly to the faith and worſhip of the goſpel according to the holy ſcriptures, in oppoſition to the many groſs corruptions thereof at this day in moſt parts of chriſtendom: To this end, I ſay, let me now cloſe this long diſcourſe with the words of our bleſſed Lord himſelf to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: And whoſoever hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit ſaith unto the churches!—"Theſe things ſaith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man ſhutteth; and ſhutteth and no man openeth: I know thy works — Thou haſt a little ſtrength, and haſt kept MY WORD, and haſt not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the ſynagogue of Satan— come and worſhip before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Becauſe thou haſt kept the word of my patience, I alſo will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which ſhall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold I come quickly: hold that faſt, which thou haſt, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of MY GOD, and he ſhall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of MY GOD, and the name of the city of MY GOD, the new Jeruſalem WHICH COMETH DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN FROM MY GOD.Revel. III. 6—12.