. But besides the tyranny of the Inquisition, there is in some of the Romish provinces a corruption of Christian doctrine which is scarcely credible. In certain places the rites and ceremonies of Moloch are blended with the worship of Christ. *

It is surely our duty to use the means we possess of introducing a purer Christianity into our Empire in the East. t I shall mention one circumstance which may well animate our exertions. A large province of Romish Christians in the south of India, who are now our subjects, are willing to receive the Bible; and this too, under the countenance of the Romish bishop, an Italian, and a man of liberal learning. And Providence hath so ordered it, that a translation of the Scriptures hath been just prepared for them. This translation has been made by the Bishop of the Syrian Church. Yes, my brethren, a Bishop of the ancient Church of Christ in India, has translated the Holy Scriptures into a new language. That venerable man, who did not know, till lately, that there was a pure church in the Western

rica and the East,” just published; containing the communications of SIR ALEXANDER JOHNSTONE, Chief Justice of Ceylon. p. 78.

At Aughoor, near Trichinopoly, and in other places + See Christian Researches.

world, is now pressing before many learned men in the West, in promoting the knowledge of the religion of Christ. *

We have now taken a review of three Eras of Light in the Christian dispensation. Do you require further evidence of this being a THIRD Era? Behold societies forming in every principal city of Great Britain for the purpose of giving the BIBLE to all nations! Do you ask further proof? Behold the Christian church beginning, after a delay of eighteen centuries, to instruct the Jews, and to attempt the conversion of the ancient people of God. "Why did not the Church direct her attention sooner to this great undertaking? It was because the Era of Light had not arrived.

ton

This learned body have it in their power greatly to promote the extension of Christianity among the Jews. Men have begun to preach the Gospel to that people without giving them the Gospel in their own language. A Translation of the New Testament into the Hebrew tongue would be a gift worthy of our University to present to them. It must ap

pear strange to us, on a retrospect of the fact, that during so long a period, Christians should

* See Christian Researches.

E

have reproached the Jews for not believing the New Testament, and yet never have put that volume into their hands in their own language, that they might know what they were to believe! This conduct of Christians might be called an infatuation, were it not prophesied that THUS it should be. They did not think of giving the Gospel to a people of whom the Prophet had said," that they should be remov"ed into all the kingdoms of the earth for "their HURT, to be a reproach, and a proverb, "and a taunt, and a curse." Jer. xxiv. 9.

*Translations of portions of the New Testament into dif. ferent dialects of the Hebrew language have been made by different persons at different times; but these have been rather intended as exercises for the scholar, or for the use of the learned, than for the use of the Jews The Romish Church, printed a version of the Gospels in Hebrew, and the whole Syriac New Testament in the Hebrew character; but it would not give the book to that people who could read it. In Spain and Portugal they condemned the Jews to the flames, for professing Judaism, but they would not give them the New Testament that they might learn Christianity. The English Church, which has succeeded the Romish Church as first in influence and dignity, has not, as yet, given the New Testament to the Jews. The Church of Scotland has not given it. The chief praise is due to some of the Protestant divines in Universities on the Continent, who published some parts of the New Testament in what is called German He brew, and dispersed copies among the Jews, as they had op portunity. It is encouraging to know that even this partial attempt was not without success.

But we can now speak comfortably to Jeru“salem, and cry unto her that her WARFARE is "ACCOMPLISHED;" for it is prophesied again,

That blindness in part is happened to Israel, UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come inRom. xi. 25. By this prophecy we see that the conversion of the Jews is connected with that of the Gentiles: and is to be, if not contemporaneus, at least, an immediate consequent. But the conversion of the Gentiles has already commenced; and commenced with most remarkable success. And now behold the preparation for the conversion of the Jews! Add to this, the Jews themselves contemplate some change to be at hand. It is certainly true that both among the Jews in the East and in the West there is, at this time, an expectation of great events in regard to their own nation. It is not unlike that ExPECTATION, which pervaded the Roman Empire before the coming of the Messiah.

We are now to notice a remarkable peculiarity in all these three Eras of Light.

In the first Era, when our SAVIOUR preached his own Gospel, and performed wonderful works, there were some who denied that the work was from God; and he was said to be "beside himself;" and to do these works by the power of the "prince of darkness." But our Lord's answer to them was in these words,

"The WORKS that I do, bear witness of me, "that the Father hath sent me." John v. 36.

And when the apostle Paul preached the Gospel of Christ, he was accounted "a fool for "Christ's sake: he was reviled, persecuted, "and defamed." 1 Cor. iv. 10. But he could appeal to the GREAT WORK which he performed, "the deliverance of the Gentiles from "darkness to light."

In the second Era, at the Reformation, LuTHER and those other great Teachers whom God so highly honoured, were also called Enthusiasts, and were accused of a flagrant and misguided zeal. But "the works which they "did" testified that they were sent of God, as Ambassadors of Christ, of which the conversion of our own nation is an evidence to this day.

In the Third Era of Light, those eminent persons who were chiefly instrumental in diffusing it, were in like manner called Enthusiasts. But the WORKS which they did, tes"tify that they were also Ambassadors of "Christ," and "able ministers of the New "Testament," preaching unto men the doctrine of life; of which, REMOTE nations as well as our own, will bear witness at a future day.

For let us dispassionately contemplate the works that have followed the revival of Reli