For even heathen despots began at length to perceive, that the christians were their best and most faithful subjects; so that instead of making havoc of the church, the time arrived when, according to prophecy, kings became its nursing-fathers, and queens its nursing mothers.(") Then truly was there occasion for " giving of thanks." From that time forth" the kingdoms of the world" so far advanced to be "the kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ," () that the righteous and beneficent spirit of our holy religion gradually exercised an influence over the enactments of the civil code in divers countries; whilst, on the other hand, the laws of the ecclesiastical community received the sanction of the secular power, and the monarch rejoiced to profess himself the temporal head of the church. Then were the disciples of Jesus no longer driven from city to city, and compelled to meet in darkness and retirement to perform the rites of their worship. Christian temples began to be erected; those who minister in sacred things to be had in honour; the possessors of the soil were encouraged to dedicate a portion of their inheritance for the perpetual religious instruction and spiritual comfort of their vassals and poorer brethren; and such gifts cast into the treasury of God, were secured to the holy uses to which they had been devoted, by all the ratifications which human law can impart.

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All this happened, as we have said, in accordance with the sure word of prophecy. But that word had also spoken of a great and grievous perversion of christianity itself, which was soon to follow; a "mystery of iniquity," (a) which originating in the corrupt principles of human nature, was already working" even in the apostolic age, although not then openly developed. During that age its influence was chiefly discovered in those various schisms and heresies which the authority of the apostles and first fathers of the church could with difficulty suffice to allay. But times succeeded when the evil disposition was no longer so to be restrained, and when the temporary check which external danger had opposed to its increase, was removed: and "then was that man of sin revealed.") Inordinate earthly ambition sought and found the fullest accomplishment of her most extravagant hopes and projects, in professed alliance with the christian name. Then was exhibited the portentous spectacle of a Christian Bishop, who claimed it as his prerogative to dispose of crowns and sceptres at his will, placing his foot upon the necks of kings,-nay even arrogating to himself the attributes of Jehovah, so that "he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he

(a) 2 Thess. ii. 7

(b) Ib.

(c) 2 Thess. ii. 3.

is God.") The perversion became total in the Western Church. It extended its ramificatious to every part of the ecclesiastical system. Corrupt doctrine was brought to support corrupt practice; and both were sustained "with signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." The provisions which had been made by piety and charity, for the christian edification of the people, were then diverted from their purpose, and the monastic orders usurped the possessions of the parochial priesthood. By means of aricular confession and various other devises of the prince of darkness, a tyranny was established, against which neither power, nor obscurity, afforded any protection; which rendered all the dearest possessions of life insecure; which might dissolve at pleasure all the bonds of loyalty, of affection, of consanguity, Superstition thus reigned universally triumphant, until, under the wise and merciful ordination of divine Providence, the very extravagance of the mischief operated to produce its remedy, Both kings and their subjects at length aroused themselves to shake off an intolerable yoke of bondage. But unhappily "the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Mixed with the holier principles which sought only the

(a) 2 Thess. ii, 4.

(b) 2 Thess. ii, 9, 10.

(c) James i, 20.

recovery of the liberty wherewith Christ had made men free," () were gross elements and sordid aims. These were actively and vehemently directed to the demolition of all abuses, real or pretended, but led not to the restoration of primitive truth and order. In many countries of Europe the legitimate episcopal government of the church was lost irrecoverably, through the jealousy occasioned by past misrule; whilst in other countries, where it was retained in name, its essential and salutary power was seriously impaired. And the like may be said of the temporal possessions of the church. Instead of being restored to the wholsome purposes from which popery had abstracted them, they were in our own land shamefully squandered to gratify the insatiable rapacity of profligate courtiers, by an unprincipled monarch, whose example in this particular found too ready an imitation in subsequent reigns. The result became apparent in the next age. An impoverished and degraded clergy, destitute of those appliances which were needed for the instruction and christian edification of the people, was found unequal to sustain the combined assaults of ignorant and enthusiastical sectarians of every denomination, who "turning religion into rebellion and faith into

(a) Gal. v. 1.

faction," overthrew both the altar and the throne, and left a spirit of fanaticism, infidelity, and insubordination as the inheritance of those who should come after.

It is not my purpose to do more than glance at events too prominent to be overlooked in the history of our country. I will, therefore, content myself with remarking, that a course which was heretofore thus miserable in its tendency and consequences, could hardly be found so salutary now, as those would persuade us to imagine, who seem anxiously disposed to try the like experiment over again: disposed to try it, do I say? who have already proceeded far towards the accomplishment of it, in one important integral portion of the United Church of this Empire. But we live in an age which openly professes to despise and discard the wisdom that experience might teach! "That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty," is, as I have stated, the great object, so far as God's providential governance of the affairs of this world is concerned, for the sake of which, St. Paul "exhorts that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made" in the Christian Church" for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority." The attainment of this primary object is scarcely more incompatible with