On this subject, looking forward to the time pro, mised, when, by the preaching of the Gospel, the clouds of Error and Infidelity shall be dispersed before the sun of Righteousness to the uttermost parts of this American world; I have, from my earliest days, felt unusual joy, approaching almost to enthusiastic rapture; and now, looking back to the opportunities which God hath given me of being instrumental in the diffusion of this heavenly Knowledge, in Teaching and Preaching for near half a Century past, somewhat of the glow of former earlier years enters into, and animates, my ebb of life! And if, on the different occasions when I have been called to preach on the great subject now before us; it was impossible to avoid the repetition of some of the same sentiments, and the quotation of many of the same texts, it is hoped the repetitions will not cloy the ear; but be considered as essential to a necessary degree of perfection in the several compositions, and according to the several occasions. I cannot, therefore, but embrace this, probably the last occasion, before so enlightened an audience (although it may be considered as some sort of repetition) still to press home the doctrine, that, according to the whole tenor of Prophecy and Gospel-economy, the accomplishment of this great work of civilization and evangelization, is near at hand. It is promised; it is described in Scripture revelation!-The whole of language and metaphor seems spent in the description of it-" All "people, all flesh, all nations and tongues, all the "isles of the heathen, the abundance of the sea, all "that are afar off, the forces of the Gentiles from

"sea to sea, from the rising up of the Sun to the "going down of the same, from East to the farthest "West-Salvation will be preached, and finally em"braced among the nations of the earth."

Let us not slacken, therefore, but quicken our diligence, and set to our hands with might and valour, to assist pious Christians of every denomination, in making this a land of Gospel-knowledge, as well as Civil-Liberty; always "looking to the rock from whence we are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence we are digged."*

Let me now proceed to apply, what has been offer. ed from the text, concerning the Compassion, which, according to our Saviour's example and doctrine, we owe to our Brethren, who are as "Sheep having no Shepherd."

Hitherto, I have treated this subject upon a large and extensive scale, as relating to all people and all languages and tribes, with whom we, or our posterity, may have temporal intercourse or connection. Nevertheless, it was not my intention to deliver a political, but an evangelical, Sermon; so far, at least, as our Religious and Civil interests could bear a separation.

Professing ourselves, therefore, to be converted and convinced of the Truths of Christianity, we ought to strive with all our might to convert and convince others-and " to strengthen the Brethren, that the name and word of God, and His doctrine, be not blasphemed among the Gentiles." For this end, we are to use every lawful endeavour, and by all the

• Isaiah, Ch. LI. ver.i.

means in our power, to promote such a general, and even universal, Plan of Instruction and Dissemination of divine Knowledge, as hath been described above. Nay, we are not only to be active in so good a work, but active against all its Enemies; especially those who may be found at work along the widely extended, and yet thinly settled, Frontiers of these United States; always bearing in mind the dangers, to which our fellow citizens there lie exposed of falling, or of being seduced into Error, if they are wholly left, "as Sheep without Shepherds," in a vast and dreary Wilderness! Think also of the dangers of their more Western savage neighbours; and may God open your Hearts and your Hands, to give freely and abundantly. Amen.

BEING A SUPPLEMENT TO SERMON XX.

The above was the Conclusion of the Original Sermon, preached in 1793, and prepared for the Press, but not printed, for the following Reasons; viz. A subsequent General Convention of the Bishops, Clergy, and Laity of our Church, considering that little had been -done in sundry of the states, (and in some of them nothing at all) for the Establishment and Promotion of this Charity, (as contemplated by the Act of the General Convention, hereunto prefixed, by way of Preface to the Sermon); and considering further, that the Funds of the "Corporation for the relief of the Widows and Children of our clergy," were divided among the three states of New-York, New-Jersey and Pennsylvania, for the Reasons given in the Appendix to the foregoing Sermon XIX, (because it was found difficult to manage them

by the same Body, as a Corporation, in three separate or distinct States, now become independent of each other by means of the Revolution); it was, therefore, concluded, "That it would be more difficult, and less practicable, without the aid and protection of the Legislature of the Union, to manage the Plan of a General Mission, among the Frontier-Settlers of sixteen or seventeen different states; and extend our aid to our Indian neighbours also.

Both plans were, therefore, suspended, and left to be prosecuted independently of each other, for the separate Benefit of the respective States; where, it is hoped, they will be zealously, and with a holy emulation, re- ' vived and carried into execution.

In order to aid this good purpose, the Author has preserved and published, in the present Collection of his Writings, the original Plans of both Charities, and annexed them to the two Sermons, which were respectively preached at the first introduction of the same.

But, although in the year 1793, when this missionary Sermon was first preached, the Author had heard something, (for Robison's "Proofs of a Conspiracy" had not then appeared in America) concerning a new and Wonder-working Philosophy, which was to supplant, or supply the place of, Christianity; yet he always knew that there were men, "wise above what is written," Enemies to the Cross of Christ, hard at work against his holy name. But he knew not yet "That Associations had been formed and organized, in the old World, and some also in the new, (if we may believe what hath been lately announced in sundry of our news-papers) in order to destroy the blessed Gospel of CHRIST, to root out all religious and civil establishments, and to overturn all existing Governments, throughout the civilized parts of the world."

Convinced, therefore, as we are or ought to be— "That the true Basis of all good Government; of Order, Peace and Happiness, in Society; of Civilization and

the best interests of Mankind,-is the REVEALED WORD OF GOD-the pure Doctrines written and contained in the books of the old and new Testaments, and specially sanctioned by CHRIST himself in his blessed Gospel;" I say, thus convinced, we cannot but look upon ourselves as called to oppose all such Apostles of Infidelity; and if our Zeal and Indignation against them be strongly kindled, happy it is that we have an Apostle of Jesus Christ, nay, the Prince of his Apostles, to sanction and to guide us in our zeal" If they "trouble you, says St. Paul*, and would pervert the "Gospel of Christ-if they strive to remove you from "Him that called you into the Grace of Christ, unto "another Gospel-I say, if we, (even we who are Apostles); or if any men, even the most powerful among men, or indeed more than men-Although " even an Angel from Heaven should preach any other "Gospel unto you, than that which we have preached "unto you, and ye have received, Let him be ac"cursed-If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ"let him be Anathema Maran-atha---let him be accurs"ed," when the Lord comes to judgment.

I forbear, for the present, the adoption of good Dr. Whitby's Commentary upon this passage of St. Paul; and proceed (as some kind of Antidote to this New Philosophy) in the meantime to give an account--

First, Of its Authors; and of its Rise and Progress.

Secondly, Of their Principles, and the Doctrines taught in their Schools.

Thirdly, Of their Characters.

Lastly, I will conclude with a short Address, (possibly the last from the Pulpit or the Press) to the good Citizens of these United States; who, I am persuaded, are yet a great and uncorrupted Majority of the whole, who seek to retain the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and its

Galat. Chap. I. ver. 6, 7, 8, 9-And 1 Corinth, Chap. XVI. ver. 22,