favourable conclusion with respect to the state of the heathen ? can they recover themselves from that guilt, degeneracy and misery in which we have seen them involved? or are they recoverable by any other influence, than that of the sovereign good pleasure of the Almighty? can the mind, darkened by error and prejudice, strike out the light of the truth? can the will, so long inclined to every evil, change its own direction, and chuse what is good? can vicious habits and practices be conquered, and the opposite dispositions and conduct be pursued and cultivated by hearts deceitful above all things and desperately wicked-by a nature universally depraved and corrupted? can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots? who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one of Adam's race. Hath not the experiment been long and fully made? and what hath been the effect? have not the heathen waxed worse and worse?-even those who may be thought worthy to be excepted from this general charge, could not with all their superior wisdom and virtue, return to the true God, satisfy their own minds, or reform their neighbours.

Their inventive and cultivated minds have made

many important discoveries and improvements in the various departments of science, of civil gov. ernment, and of the fine and useful arts; but they came not once in sight of the chief good. They acknowledged the existence of innumerable evils, for which they could never find a remedy. They beheld and deplored the ravages of death, but the way to eternal life never opened to their view. From calamity and danger, they inferred the displeasure of the gods, and spared no sacrifice to appease their wrath, while they remained in consummate ignorance of what constituted moral evil, of its real demerit, its fatal tendency, and how to propitiate an offended, angry God.

Could their guilt be expiated by offerings which they sacrificed to devils and not to God, or their sinful natures be purified by superstitious lustra tions? yet their greatest and best men could never contrive or recommend any better institutions or rules.

When all the wisdom of Egypt could prescribe no worship more sensible than that of crocodiles, dogs, cats, and the like-When Lycurgus with all his skill and success in legislation, left the religion of the Spartans unpurified, and in some

essential points their morals ungarded-When the great Chinese Philosopher with all his moralizing refinements could not form the people to any rational piety or purity of manners-When Socrates with all his superiority of understanding, and dignity of character, had not fortitude to maintain an open, explicit consistency, or to defend the principles for which he suffered, or to die in the faith for which he was condemned; but as through life, so in his last moments, he practically sanctioned Grecian idolatry-When Cicero, notwithstanding all his learning, discernment and influence, either was not disposed, or not qualified, to make any effectual change upon the bad religion and manners of the Romans.

When these and many others of high names, did and could do so little towards the reformation of religion and morals, in the civilized and polished times and countries in which they lived, what are we to expect from any others? shall the rude Barbarian instruct himself with more advantage? shall the poor wretches, born and inured to slavery, emancipate their minds from reigning error, prejudice and passion? or shall the roving savage settle to think and inquire? nothing of this kind hath ever yet happened; and though thousands,

of years have elapsed, not one period or country can be mentioned, emerging by its own power from idolatry and vice. As formerly, so now, all the nations unenlightened by divine revelation, are distinguished only by spiritual ignorance, the most ridiculous superstitions, and the grossest immoralities, never suspecting that they are wrong; and without teachers or authority to set them right.

Can these dry bones live? or can any power quicken them but Omnipotence? must they not lie at the mercy of God? from his sovereign throne alone must the all creating command proceed, otherwise they all shall continue as they have done for ages pasta helpless, hopeless,

race.

But have they any claim upon the divine favour? alas! my friends, here too the door of hope is shut, They are found not only without strength, but ungodly; children of disobedience, therefore children of wrath. As the Apostle states it, Rom. i. 18, &c. the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; and so on, to the end of that chapter-Their state of woe then, is the more

desperate, when considered as the penal conse quence of transgression. The Lord therefore only knows, whether they shall ever live again. Like the prophet let us commit their cause to Him. If he is silent, none else can speak the word of life. Are we left then without any answer of peace, or even in any uncertainty? does the scene of prophecy close in this dark gloom of despondency? are we assembled this day, only to hear the final doom of millions of our fellow men? God forbid a more pleasing and grateful task is this day assigned me;

I now gladly address myself to it, by observing in the third place upon this prophecy:-That God has given us the fullest assurance of his good will to Israel and to the heathen, yea hath promised and provided all the means and influence necessary to the accomplishment of the greatest and most gracious purposes. Thus said the Lord to the prophet, verse 4, 5, 6. "Prophesy upon these "bones, and say unto them; O ye dry bones "hear the word of the Lord, thus saith the Lord "God unto these bones; behold, I will cause "breath to enter into you, and ye shall live, and "I will lay sinews upon you, and I will bring up