of France, and uphold the Bourbon family, whose ancestor was an APOSTATE from the truth, and whose successors have been notorious for their perfidy and cruelty to Protestants, as well as their personal profligacy, and their corruption of the morals of their subjects. This family has been thoroughly devoted to the interests of the antichristian Church, and more deeply marked with all the characteristic features of crime before God, in relation to his law, together with his Gospel, than any family who ever possessed royal authority."

Can this state of things continue? Is it probable that no change will take place? If the Bourbon family, that faithless and bloody family, keep possession of the throne, it will be a paradox in the moral government of God. If every thing in Europe returns quietly to its former state; if the Pope be again seated in his chair, and the inquisition restored in Spain, how grossly erroneous have

e Sully's Memoirs. Gifford's France, during the reigns of Louis XIII., XIV., &c. Laval's history of the Reform in France. Robinson's Mem. of Reform. in France, contained in the lives of Claude and Saurin.

any

been all our calculations of the effects which the discoveries and information of our age would produce! But this state of things cannot last! If it does, it will afford a phenomenon in history, far more extraordinary than that has occurred in this age of wonders! But, I repeat it, this state of things cannot last. The nature of the events which have occurred; the character of the actors in these events; the turbulent spirit and military taste which these events have produced; the lateness of the time; but, above all, the utter disregard manifested towards the Lord and the works of his hand, by the governors of the nations—all forbid such an issue, and forbode still greater calamities to be in store for Europe. No such moral and religious improvement of the providence of God has been made as to warrant even the shadow of hope that the peace of Europe will be permanent. I speak not as a politician, though a sound politician must perceive more than ordinary grounds of apprehension of a new convulsion; but as a Christian, taking the word of prophecy and the dealings of God's providence in all ages, for my guides. Greater judgments

and still heavier sorrows are in store for Europe. And in them we must expect to be more or less involved. Prepare then for the worst, by returning unto the Lord with your whole heart. Then you will be safe in every situation, having God for your helper, your refuge, your portion. AMEN.

THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA.

ACTS XVI. 13, 14, 15.

And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made. And we sat down and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there. And she constrained us.

FAITH Cometh by hearing," saith the apostle, "and hearing by the word of "God"." As salvation is connected with

a Rom. x. 17.

faith, so God orders the events of his providence, that the heirs of eternal life shall hear the word, and receive it in the love of it. Being infinite in his wisdom and power, he never can be disappointed in the exercise of his grace. Having the hearts of all men in his hands, he uses them as his instruments to promote his own purposes, which he purposed in Christ Jesus before the world began. Wherever the lot of his chosen is cast, he will either bring them to the place where his word is known, or he will send his word by suitable messengers, to the place where they reside.

The Acts of the Apostles furnish us with many instances of the truth of these remarks. Among these, that which is contained in the chapter from whence the subject of our discourse is taken, is not the least remarkable. Paul and Timothy having gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in the province of Asia. Being thus diverted from thence they came to Mysia, another adjoining province, intending to go from thence into Bythynia; but the Spirit suffered them not.