opposition to the great, wise, and honourable of this world. Human distinctions last not for ever. Death brings all to one common level. Those that now lift up their heads with the greatest haughtiness, must soon mingle in the dust with the meanest of their fellows; and their names and titles, though engraven in marble or in brass, will decay, be antiquated and forgot.

The humble christian is not much inclined to insist on his peculiar privileges where providence has cast his lot; yet there are seasons when it would be injurious to himself and others if he did not. St. Paul was benefitted by asserting his right as a Roman citizen; and who ever blamed him for so doing?

There are some deliberate and confirmed persecutors, who always take pleasure in abusing religious characters; and of degrading and rendering them as ridiculous as possible, in opposition to both reason and justice. But such should remember, that if the insulted party acts in conformity to those laws which the policy or benevolence of the legislature has enacted for their benefit, he that rises against them for using their liberty, offers a double insult, to the one for the formation of such laws, and to the other for availing themselves of the advantages they present. Human nature is, however, the same in all ages: he that is after the flesh will persecute him that is after the Spirit. Conscience is a sacred thing, and the adoption of coercive measures to restrain it, can be productive of nothing but evil. It will promote hypocrisy and infidelity; but it never can be helpful to genuine christianity.

If it should be asked what there is in religious persons that disposes men to persecute them, to what has been al ready advanced may be added the following causes :

The regular and exemplary conduct of religious persons is a reproof to the vices and criminal pursuits of ungodly men. They regard this as the effect of unnecessary preciseness, and despicable meanness. They consider real piety impracticable, and yet observe its rules kept by the persons

they despise, and hear them declare themselves happier than those who are most alive to pleasure and gaiety. The carnal mind wants no such restraints, no such reprovers. demand is for full indulgence, and all that stands in its way is consequently an evil not to be tolerated; and hence arises the opposition to the power, and often to the very form of godliness.

Another cause of persecution arises from the pride of office, and the love of the world.-If such entertain an opinion that their craft is probably in danger, and give way to evil surmisings, the purest morals, and the most evangelical sentiments go for nothing, or are treated as enthusiasm. Thus the Jewish priests and scribes rose in determined opposition to Christ and his first disciples; the pagan priesthood against christianity in general, and its most eminent and zealous ministers in particular; the corrupted popish hierarchy against protestantism and its holy and active supporters; and the protestants of one persuasion against those of another, as power and authority fell into their hands, each regarding themselves as infallible as they got the upperhand, and striving to make others speak just as they spake, have caused many to speak what, in a variety of instances, ought not to have been spoken. Such may applaud themselves; but if they begin to smite their fellowservants, their Lord will unexpectedly make his appearance; "cut them asunder, and appoint them their portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." The Diotrepheses who have loved the pre-eminence will then be brought low indeed!

In some, persecution has arisen from mere revenge.—As when some valiant for the truth upon earth have reproved them for their profligacy, or drawn some of their family or favourites to seek after God, or because the public worship of such has disturbed them, or they have received less deference and homage from them than they expected or thought themselves entitled to; for these, and such like worthy causes, many have suffered in their persons or circumstances, or

have been driven from their habitations and employments; and had not the good providence of God interposed, many with better prospects, would have been reduced to the most afflictive and distressing indigence.

In many it arises from inexcusable ignorance.-They never made religion their study. They regard it as a kind of low morality, and an attendance upon public worship, without any particular care to regard either the one or the other. These are apt to make real godliness their sport, and to sneer at its more solemn or joyful services. They look contemptuously on the humble christian, or heap abuse and scurrility upon him. Many will even go the lengths of cursing and blasphemy to grieve and offend such, and seek to render them as despicable as possible; laying snares for their feet, that they may vilely rejoice at their weaknesses, and render them hereby the more contemptible.

Some have joined with persecutors, because they would not be thought fanatics, or the friends of those reputed as such. This is a point of honour with many in the present day, that will at last prove their disgrace. They will join the laugh against such as fear God, while perhaps their hearts smite them for so doing. They take pleasure in reporting the idle tales which some destitute of truth have invented; and in spreading slander, to the detriment of those who never personally offended them. They will join the wish for their overthrow, and of all their supporters. How strangely infatuated are those who, having superior light, for the sake of avoiding reproach, will join the cry against those whom Jehovah himself condescends to acknowledge for his children! What can they expect but that, if they are ashamed of him before this sinful and adulterous generation, when he comes in his glory he will be ashamed of them; and how will they appear before him in that day?

Another cause is the high-flown notions which some have of learning and philosophy.-I would by no means speak lightly of sound learning. I regard it as a great means of removing many of the asperities of human nature; of enlarging

its powers and capacities, and strengthening it for the investi gation of those subjects which are farther removed from com. mon observation; and the promotion of those things which tend to the comfort, convenience, and even elegance of so ciety, during this transitory state. But to suppose that these things are of such vast importance as some affirm, either in the preachers or hearers of the gospel of God our Saviour, is quite wide of the mark, condemns his wisdom, and opposes the apostle, who declares, that "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world ta confound the things which are mighty," &c.; and the reason he assigns for it is, "that no flesh should glory in his presence." Wise men, whose minds are enlarged to view the extensive fields of science, are so convinced of their comparatively small attainments, that they are far from censuring others on account of learning: they are frequently mere pretenders to wisdom that do this; and perhaps the sum of all their objections is the want of knowing foreign languages, which, if known, are comparatively of little use to the possessor, or, as is often the case, of none at all. Be this as it may, I think it is undeniable that the gospel is framed not with an eye to philosophy, but the interest of the bulk of mankind, who, instead of having time for the study of these abstruse matters, have barely sufficient to earn their livelyhood, or gain a comfortable support for themselves and such as are dependant upon them.

There may be other causes for this unchristian disposition besides those already mentioned; yet no more need be added, we have heard enough. Where the dearest interests of men are at stake, where the rights of conscience are violat ed, and attempts are made to compel men to receive a forced interpretation of God's word, or lose their character, liberty, and perhaps life and all; this is Antichrist unmasked. May we ever be preserved from his treacherous, oppressive, and bloody hands, and thankfully improve our present pri

vileges to our mutual edification, and the glory of our com mon Lord and Saviour!

The advice I would give to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake is,

Be not surprised at it.-If you will live godly in Christ Jesus, amongst those that neither know nor love him, be assured that persecution in some form or other, either open or disguised, will be your lot; yet you have nothing to fear, for "greater is he that is for you, than all that are against you."

Do not retaliate.-Without great care and watchfulness you will be in danger of this, for none are fond of reproach; and all are naturally disposed to resentment when despised, but especially when unjustly despised. It may sometimes be expedient indeed to "answer a fool according to his folly," yet this should be done cautiously and without warmth, or we shall be ruffled, discomposed, and perhaps offend. Therefore guard your words, and if it lies in your power, shew them kindness; bless them, if they curse you; and pray for them when they despitefully use you.

Be not discouraged.—It is no shame to suffer in a righteous cause, as the apostle speaks, "If any man suffer as a christian, let him not be ashamed, but rejoice in that he is made a partaker of Christ's sufferings." Be not then cast down; but rather become bolder in his cause, who will cause his Spirit to rest more abundantly upon you. You have nothing to fear while you trust in him, for the hearts of all are in his hands, and without his permission they shall neither injure your character, deprive you of your substance, nor endanger your person.

Endeavour to improve it.-Regard it as one proof among others that you are of another spirit than that of the world, which persecutes you. Let it be the means of keeping you from sinful company, and of drawing the line of separation between you and those that fear not God. You may also learn by it how far they must be from God and happiness who can thus rise against you for striving to please him, and