that disconsolate woman have been encouraged and consoled by such a departure! In the beginning of the sixteenth century, the Lord raised up for his people a son of thunder, who dared oppose Papal indulgences, and preach the truth as it is in Jesus. This was Luther, the celebrated reformer; whose soul was constantly panting for something very different from secular glory. He was of a penetrating mind, naturally eloquent; and became the wonder of his age. He bid the anathema of Popes, and the decrees of councils, defiance, when opposed to the doctrines and spirit of the gospel. What a luminary in the church, this protestant hero! But the glory of Zion will appear the more conspicuous, and her triumph the most complete, if we take a summary view of her persecutions. These are generally considered ten, by the heathen. The first was under the emperour Nero, thirty-one years after our Lord's ascension. Christians were apprehended, and their tortures and death were aggravated by cruel derision and sport. In the year 95, under Domitian, forty thousand were supposed to have suffered martyrdom. Under Trajan, in the year 100, a persecution was carried on for several years with great violence. The fourth, was under Antonius, when Christians were banished from their houses, plundered, imprisoned, and stoned. The fifth, began in the year 127, under Severus, when great cruelties were committed The sixth, began with the reign of Maximinus, in the year 235. The seventh, under the emperour Decius, in the year 250, was more dreadful than any of the former. The Christians were driven from their habitations, stripped of their estates, tormented with racks, and destroyed by every kind of ignominious death. In the eighth, under Valerian, 257, both men and women suffered death, some by scourging, some by the sword, and others by fire. The ninth, was under Aurelian, in 274. The tenth began in the year 303, in the reign of Dioclesian. In this dread

ful persecution, which lasted ten years, houses filled with Christians were set on fire, and many were tied with ropes, and thrown into the sea. It is related, that seventeen thousand were slain in one month's time. In Holland, fifty thousand are said to have suffered death by the hand of the executioner. But no country, perhaps, has produced more martyrs for the truth than France. More than thirty thousand protestants were destroyed in one massacre. England, Scotland, Ireland, and Spain were also subject to the most dreadful persecutions. But blessed in the eyes of the Lord, is the death of his saints. Yes, and blessed is Zion in the midst of her trials and sufferings. The very means which her enemies used for her overthrow, were overruled for the enlargement of her borders.

Various and glorious are the considerations which might be presented respecting Zion, that her friends may take courage and rejoice.

1st. Her King is the Lord of glory, who possesses all possible perfection. He views her as the apple of his eye; and he is able, and will make all things work together for her good. He will make the wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder of wrath will he restrain. He will suffer no evil to befal Zion, that one of her subjects shall finally be overcome; or that all shall not eventually triumph gloriously. He will deliver her from all her enemies, external and internal; and exalt her far above their heads. Her people shall be his people, and he will be their God. He hath wisdom and goodness infinite; and his arm is omnipotent. Who can compare with him? Have some of the kings and princes of the earth, been worthy of loyal subjects? Still, all glory is due to Zion's King; whose sceptre is a sceptre of righteousness, and his kingdom and dominion eternal.

2d, Let us take a view of Zion, respecting her prosperity and prospects in this world. In the sixteenth century was the glorious reformation in the church; and

the light and power of the gospel overcame persecution, and the combined forces of wicked men and devils. The machinations of secular priests, of Popes and Emperours, to quench and prevent the light and spread of the gospel, were defeated and rendered abortive. The extensive and glorious revivals in the last and present century, are but a few feeble rays for ushering in the millennial day. The whole world must ere long be the kingdom of Christ; and when every part shall be peopled and prosperous, what a vast multitude of subjects! The kingdoms of this world are to become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ. As manifold as shall be the nations, kindreds, and tongues under the whole heaven, so vast will be the inherit

ance of Zion. But what great and glorious conquests yet to be achieved! How will she go on conquering and to conquer, and render her captives loyal subjects. Her victories will not only be glorious achievments; but the earth itself will be blessed, when peopled throughout by the righteous. Could we walk about Zion, and go round about her, so as to tell the towers thereof, what blessed wonders should we tell.

3d. The weapons, with which Zion subdues her enemies, are essentially different from those which are formed against her. They are not instruments of death, but of life and peace. Says the Apostle Paul to his brethren, The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. This is a warfare and conquest for the honour and immortality both of the conquerour and conquered. How different in its nature and effects from the contests and conquests of her enemies! The same Apostle in his epistle to the Ephesians says, We wrestle not against flesh and

blood; but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. But this is the proper way, to promote individual and general good. And for the enemies of Zion to be conquered, and to throw down their weapons of rebellion, is the only possible way to be blessed. Their submission is a victory more glorious than ever was obtained by all the legions of earth. As he that is a servant of Christ is free, and is brought into the glorious liberty of the sons of God; so the subjects of Zion and all her captives, have their names enrolled in the Lamb's book of life.

The

4th. Many and greatly varied are the excellent things, which may be said concerning Zion. Abraham and Moses, Jeremiah and David, John and Paul, Edwards and Whitfield, and thousands of other heaven-born souls, and sons of God, were worthies, who will compare with, and outshine all the kings and nobles of this world. Such were glorious minds, shining brightly in their heavenly armour. graces of Christian meekness and humility, and of prayer in faith, ascend and tower up to the heavens, and draw down blessings on churches and the world, to strengthen, beautify, and enlarge the borders of Zion. The holy angels of God, when need requires, sally out of their spacious, lofty tower, for her defence and protection, and for the dismay and destruction of her enemies. They are guards, who keep a constant watch by day and by night; and never did one of them desert to the enemy, or fall asleep on his post. They fore-warn the people of Zion of danger; rescue them from threatening ruin; and when any become martyrs for the faith, they give their souls a glorious escort to Abraham's bosom. Think of Lot, Moses, and Lazarus. The prayers of the saints, through the grace of God, will not only avail much, and be as shields to ward off the weapons

of

the enemy; but legions of heavenly warriours are her champions. What is yet accomplished, is but the beginning of what is yet to be done.

5th. We may see, that Zion is safe in the midst of dangers. No martyr for the truth was ever safer, than when in the midst of flames. Daniel was safe in the

lion's den; so were Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego, when cast into the fiery furnace. Equally secure, and in the hands of the same God, were all those who counted not their lives dear, though suffering unto death. The powers of earth and of hell, with all their cunning and malice, cannot pluck a soldier of the cross out of the Father's hand. None will be lost but the sons of perdition, the enemies of Zion. Whether a church be small, or a believer vexed by the devil; all is well, for thy God, O Zion, reigneth; and all his people shall reign with him, and be kings and priests unto him for ever. But happy is that people, whose God is the Lord; for he has them engraven on the palms of his hands. All the redeemed, the ransomed of the Lord, shall be brought home to glory with songs of joy, and shouts of victory; and shall walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem, the mount Zion above. Yet a little while, and all their trials will be turned to glorious rewards; and for self denial they will have crowns of rejoicing. By obedience and sufferings they are most effectually prepared for their eternal, blessed inheritance. Saints, thy God Jehovah, hath you secure in the hollow of his hand, in time; and will have you encircled in the bosom of his love in eternity, to whom be glory for ever more. Amen.