to the degree. Some are much more purged thanothers; though still, it is a work which adults universally pass through, in a greater or less degree. There is in all who become Christians, a necessity of this law work, in order to the reception of saving grace, and to prepare the soul to admire its excellency. I come now to the III. And last thing, which was, to consider the Apostles experience, as also that of others relative to the change of conversion.Those who suppose that conversion is effected by the same kind of influence with conviction, are much mistaken. Conversion is affected by regeneration, or the operation of the power of God, implanting a new and Divine life in the soul. Regeneration is the Divine operation on the soul, and conversion is the actings of the soul toward God. Thus Ghrist who met Saul, implanted a new temper; or all his conviction would never have disposed him. to embrace Christianity. As in conviction, so in the work of conversion, God acts as a sovereign, as to subjects, as to time, and as to measures of grace imparted. Some have, at once, high and lively prospects. Others have what is more like the dawning light, which but just appears at first. In this work, sinners turn directly about. They see a glory in that which they hated, and the justice, purity and holiness of God shine with transporting lustre. The world appears new, and they discover new beauties in the word of God. Sin appears in a different light from what it ever did before. There appears an infinite glory and lustre in the character of God, and a beauty and sweetness in moral truth. The law of God ap-. pears to be holy, just and good. It was so with the Apostle. He who lately vented his rage against. Christians, now viewed their cause so precious, that he would cheerfully die in its support.. The change which is effected in conversion, is undoubtedly a great change. Grace may at first be implanted in a low degree; yet things will ap pear, after conversion exceedingly different from what they did before. Improvement. 1. We see the nature of the difficulty which bars the sinner from life. There is no want of a capacity. It is alienation of heart from God. This constitutes the impotence and blindness. 2. The sinner has no excuse for neglect of repentance and compliance with the gospel, though nothing but special grace will subject the heart: It is sin and unreasonable opposition which make that grace necessary. 3. How dreadful is the state of the sinner! He flatters himself that he enjoys security. It is true that he does feel thus secure, but it flows all from enmity. His very duties (as he esteems them) are sin. Indeed, however he may flatter himself, there is not the least hope of his return without sovereign mercy. 4. Though sinners do nothing that is compli ance with God's commands, and all their conduct while in an unregenerate state, flows from a selfish, wicked spirit; yet, as God deals with men as rational creatures, strict attention to means is of great importance. 5. We may be led to examine ourselves, wheth er we have ever experienced this change. Many,. no doubt, are deceived, and there is danger that we may take conviction for conversion. DISCOURSE XXVIII. REV. III. 10. Balso will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shalf come upon all the world. THE book of Revelations presents us with a view of the state of the church and world, for a period of at least, three thousand years; and is in terspersed with solemn. warnings, instructions and admonitions, suited to the different periods. In order properly to apply the warnings, it is of importance to labor to understand the application of the predictions.We are first presented with a view of things as they then were; we are presented with a view of the seven churches of Asia, with suitable reproofs and warnings, on account of their back-slidings. The things that were to behereafter, come next, in order, and are divided in to seven periods by the opening of the seven seals. The seventh seal is subdivided into seven periods by the seven trumpets, and the seven trumpets subdivided into seven. periods by the seven vials. These periods respect the whole of the time from the vision of John to the end of the world. So that for nearly two thousand years, there has been no period of the church and world, in which some of the prophecies of this book have not had their accomplishment. The time of the six first periods brings us down not quite three hundred years. It gives us a view of the spread of the gospel and of the triumphs of grace, and also of the persecutions of The destruction the church, till the downfall of the heathenish empire. It also gives us a view of the decline of religion, which made way for the scene that followed. There is, under the six first seals, an intimation of the cry of the martyrs to God to avenge their blood. The first trumpet gives a view of the vengeance and great wrath that was poured out on the power that had persecuted the church. This was a righteous and heavy judgment. The empire was invaded, plundered, and depopulated. was great, as historians tell us. lous parts of Italy were so thinned of inhabitants as to become a forest. -The next trumpet gives a view of the state of the empire and government, under the emblem of a star that fell from heaven.. This opened the bottomless pit, and there came out a smoke, probably representing the mist of ignorance and out of the smoke, locusts which are supposed to represent the Romish hierarchy. This is supposed to be introductory to the dreadful scene of delusion, of which this book gives a striking view, and which, with all its evils and consequences, is, no doubt, the hour of temptation to which Christ refers, in his address and warning to the church of Philadelphia. By the hour of temptation is not meant any definite period, but one which has been, and in its final issue, will be of long duration. I understand it to mean, a season peculiarly suited to delusion, in which men are exceedingly exposed to be carried away. I propose to consider I. When the hour of temptation did, or will take place. II. The propriety of its being said to come on all the world. III. Some things which greatly expose to this hour of temptation.. IV. In what situation we may hope to be kept from the hour of temptation. V. The dreadful consequences of being overtaken by it. I. I shall consider when the hour of temptation did, or will take place, and the nature of the temptation. The epistles to the churches were introductory to what was about to be unfolded, and the events disclosed lead directly to that scene of error, blindness, and blasphemy which has been taking place. It seems to be the design of the spirit of prophecy to hold up and unfold two great scenes; the reign of sin and Satan, and that of the Redeemer which is to follow.As this hour of temptation is the most dreadful hour that ever has been, no doubt he alludes to it. It began, in some degree, at that time. At least there were some dawnings of it. The Apostle Paul, who wrote sometime before, says, "the mystery of iniquity doth already work." The church began to be in a state, in which the members were greatly exposed to temptation, and in great danger of being overcome by it. This hour of temptation was to be of long continuance, after the establishment of Anti-Christ's kingdom, which was to be with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, and was to last twelve hundred and sixty years.-We are probably in, and entering on the most dreadful hour of temptation. Some are indeed flattering themselves that Satan is ready to be bound, and the happy days dawning. I trust that things are hastening on to this state: But it is likely that the most dreadful scene is yet to come. I have not always thought so ; but I am now confirmed in it. The scripture represents, that as Satan sees his time to be drawing to a close, the more he will rage.- Besides, the power of God will shine with peculiar lustre, and the church be prepared |