Struggle of the evil power with the good to retain dominion over the human race-Interposition of the Mediator to • prevent their total destruction at the Flood and the confusion of tongues-Man free to accept the offer of goodAbraham's call and family, in which the plan of man's recovery further unfolds itself-Aim of the evil power to defeat the plan in the patriarchs, and to annihilate their descendants in Egypt-Averted by the birth of MosesReference to God's plan in withdrawing the Israelites into the Wilderness-These movements for our instruction— But all examples useless whilst the common notion is held of a marvellous leap at death from earth to heaven-Contradictory struggles for life in those who hold the opinion

-The Mosaic law a shadow-Made plainer in Solomon -His reign the meridian of time, when the people of God enjoyed happiness, a shadow of that to comeInstances of a prevailing species of false contentment— Epitome of the view of creation-Two-thirds of the population of this country deterred from religious pursuits by religious differences-No possibility of a remedy whilst the common notion is retained of going to heaven at death, which is in direct variance with the letter and whole tenour of Scripture Decline of the Israelitish nation.

The Jews having let go heathen corruptions, and taken up

false spirituality, a change for the worse-At that time Deity was about to be again united to humanity-The Messiah then expected-Influence of Satan in saint-making to prevent the Saviour's reception-Fancied sanctity and knowledge the cause of his rejection.

Satan's false policy in producing it-Assertion that intelligence of his fall has been given-His influence exerted on those who have received it-Humility the only security

against his attacks To be deduced from a knowledge of the ignorance of the animal in human shape-Our divine Lord's declaration of the impossibility of a rich man's entering heaven-How easily made possible by God-Belief in a return to animal existence much more likely to prove a check to the irregularities of life than holding out the terrors of hell-a doctrine disbelieved by the majority of those who hold it out to others-The jarring declarations of Catholics, Protestants, and other sectarian divisions amount to the conclusion that no one can go to heavenSelf-apparent inconsistency of believing that creatures who have already received their reward or punishment are to be brought forward at the judgement-day to be triedBut sectarian perplexities are resorted to to divert the consideration most important-The final doom will not be till the day of judgement-Humility the condition of redemption-This precept given to the Apostles, not to the people to be only humbled to the Apostles.

Christ's charge to his followers to preach the gospel to every creature accompanied with a promise that miraculous signs would follow its reception-Scarcely eighteen centuries have succeeded this charge and promise, and the only signs to be seen in confusion, evasion, and inconsistency, and fancied spirituality.

Sectarian combination with frivolity to cry down inquiry. False pretensions to audible or visible intelligence from the spiritual world detected with ease-But not pretended impressions on the mind.

Sects have been formed from pretended impressions on the mind, but not from pretended intelligence by the eye or ear-Instances of the latter.

Reasons by similes why intelligence may be conveyed through ignorant instruments.

Miracles not to produce faith but to prove it.

The agents of darkness will have supernatural powers as well as those of light.

Such things must precede the destined recovery of the hu

man race.

The human body imperishable before the fall, and must be made so again-The death of Christ the means. Mistakes of the pious as to the influence of the Spirit and the light of the Gospel.

Similar mistakes of the Jews.

Information of Christ's birth little noticed.

Multiplicity of sects proof of spiritual adultery.

Danger of revelation to the piously wise.

Reason the cause of persecution.

Answer to the question if none of the pious are guided by

the Spirit of God.

The grave cannot give the likeness of Christ.

The Apostles not humbled as little children.

Their understanding of heaven.

How understood now.

The Apostles easily silenced.

Professors of religion not so.

Sincerity will secure continued existence..

General notions of the qualifications for heaven canvassed. If man's doom be fixed at death the reason of a day of judgement asked.

The whole church captive to the powers of darkness.
Sectarian divisions the cause.

ADUMBRATION.

PROBABLY there never was an age in which greater profession of religion was made, in this country, than in the present; and yet I am persuaded, that a strict attention to the word of truth will prove, that at no period has Idolatry ever reigned more universally. Infidelity is thereby begotten: for the former is the parent of the latter and the transition is both easy and natural. It is not a change from light to darkness; but from one species of darkness to another. Many a bigot, after talking much of his conversion, new birth, and the like, has been known to become a deist, and more powerful in his argument, than if he never had professed. Some individuals have experienced a change in their sentiments, and quitted the body of worshippers to which for years the had been united, in order to join another body; then, might be heard their pious pastor's denunciations against them, and, in return, their censures of him.

With many circumstances of this nature, I was well acquainted, nearly fifty years ago. They bewildered me. I considered that some understanding of Scripture was necessary,-but, when those who made such high pretensions, as its explainers, differed so widely, how was a simple inquirer to decide?-I attended the different sects, read their writings of the day-and their paper war was violent and severe, at least between two great bodies, then the followers of Mr. Whitfield and Mr. Westley. I knew several among each, and was pained at their division-but, Hervey's Meditations in the Flower Garden, in some degree, relieved my mind. He compares the different bodies of worshippers under the Gospel to the various flowers of the garden, which, although so amazingly diversified in form, colour, and scent, make a pleasing whole. I wished to be in the garden, whether lily, carnation, or rose-I cared little. But this writer makes exceptions. He includes not those who worship images, or who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ, meaning, I presume, Roman Catholics, and Anti-trinitarians. These, in his view, were doubtless nettles, and nightshades. I have nothing to say, either for, or against any separate body of worshippers; but am inclined to believe that all, who really act from principle, will ultimately be set right-that is, all who are free from creaturely attachment and the influence of worldly advantage-who have only the benefit of the soul and the glory of God in view, will be blessed in the end, and brought into his kingdomi

But, although we are not to judge or condemn any sect, yet, surely, it becomes us to inquire, whether, from the divisions existing in the professing world,