The Apostle John exhibits the same views of the modern governments of Europe. I saw a beast rise out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his head the names of blasphemy and the beast, which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion. And it was given to him to make war upon the saints and to overcome them. 36 Thus we find this beast arising out of the sea, like that in Daniel, and like it too, incapable of being symbolized by any one furious beast, but combining the ferocity of all the most fierce. The kings, who are the ten horns of this beast, are represented as committing fornication with the great whore, that siteth on many waters. Such is the metaphor, exhibiting the connection between the civil and spiritual despots of anti-Christian Europe. and the kings of the earth, who have permitted fornication, and live deliciously with her the church of Rome and etc. 37 The connection of the kingdoms of the earth with the Pope's church, is an impure, loathsome and abominable connection, as the metaphor here employed forcibly indicates. That the civil governments of Europe have given themselves up to the support of the Roman apostasy, instead of bowing down before Emmanuel, is expressly declared by this prophet, for God hath put into their hearts to fulfil His will, to agree and give their kingdom to the beast. 38 Instead of conscrating their kingdoms to the Son of God, by a solemn covenant, they have given them to the beast out of the bottomless pit. That the facts recorded by Daniel and John, in their prospective histories of the church, are a faithful representation of the truth, is most amply demonstrated by the state of things, which has existed for many centuries in Europe. The policy of the nations has been so shaped since the early part of the 7th century, as to subserve the grand Roman apostasy, as every intelligent reader of history knows. Cruel, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with the mother of harlots and abominations. After all, facts laid up in the archives of history, however important, are known to comparatively few, especially when they are the facts of remote ages. Such, of late years, has been the remarkable providence of God, that the crowned heads of Europe have given, simultaneously, and most formally, with the eyes of the whole universe fixed upon them, their kingdoms to the beast. The potentates of Europe confederated together, and concentrated their policies, their energies, their armies to crush revolutionary France. A dark cloud collected in the north, and threatened to break over her in thunder and tempest, overwhelming her with a flood of desolation, but the god, who rides in the whirlwind, had decreed otherwise. The republican armies of France are everywhere victorious, and as an overflowing scourge, pass through the surrounding nations, wasting with fire and sword, the very capitals and palaces of those monarchs, who had threatened them with destruction. God made them instrumental in removing the Didom, and taking away the crown and shaking the empires of the world to their foundations, and filling the world with carnage, and in spreading sockcloth over the nations. The thrones of kings that had stood firm for ages tottered, the crowns of princes fell from their heads, and they fled as exiles from their palaces, and from the borders of their kingdoms. Beggared in their resources, they were supported on the charity of others. Napoleon arose out of the stormy sea, and by his powers of mind and military prowess, became the terror of the world. Even those kings that were permitted to enjoy the thrones of their ancestors, held their scepters only by his courtesy. The Roman Catholic Church upon if the inferior orders of her clergy, and all her devotees, felt for a while the desolating power of the conqueror. The Pope became an exile but Napoleon, like those who were before him, became the protector of the mother of Harlots, allied himself to the head of the ancient dynasties, and from that time he gradually sunk, until his power was finally destroyed, and himself banished to a remote island. This mighty conflict fixed the attention of the world upon the contending powers. The ancient kings, restored to their thrones, by formal and general consent, reinstated the spiritual tyrant, the Roman pontiff, in his ghostly dominion, reclothed him in his ancient honours, and raised from the tomb his inquisitorial courts. The Roman Catholic Church casts off her sackcloth, arrays herself in purple and scarlet, and the kings again live deliciously with her. This restoration of the Pope by the powers of Europe, thus effected by solemn treaty and mutual stipulation, was accomplished before the eyes of all nations, is recorded and laid up in the archives of the kingdoms, and cannot be forgotten. All this is the more remarkable, as it has been done at a period near the close of Antichrist's reign. When the little stone cut out of the mountains without hands, shall break in pieces the great image, when the body of the beast is given to the burning flame, all this iniquity will be fresh in the memory of man, and shall cause all people to exclaim, in the language of the angel out of the altar even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. 3. The kingdoms of the world have disregarded the law of God revealed in the Holy Scriptures. This is a fruitful and painful trapayachk. In their constitutions, legislative details, and international regulations, they refer not to the will of God, they burst asunder the cords of moral obligation. In their constitutions, in the election of their kings, the voice of the people is not heard, or if it is ever heard, it is utterly disregarded. The people are considered as made for the sovereigns, and not the sovereigns for the people. their parliaments, states general, and legislative assemblies, are not elected by the majority of the people. The elected franchise in European monarchies is the shadow without the substance. The most powerful branches of their legislatures, their houses of lords and nobles, are appointed by the kings and utterly independent of the people. In many of them, as in Russia and Prussia, the will of the sovereign is the supreme law of the land. Bishops are admitted through right of office, as they pretend to membership in their civil legislatures. All these are in open and notorious violations of the laws of God and rights of men. In Israel, the judges were elected by the people. And the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, thou and thy son, and thy son's son also, for thou hast delivered it from the hand of Midian. 39 Saul and David were raised to the throne by the suffrage of the people, though they had been previously chosen and anointed by divine authority. And all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king, before the Lord in Gilgal. 40 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold we are thy bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leadest out, and broadest in Israel. And the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron. And King David made a league with them in Hebron, before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel. 41 Solomon was elected with acclamation. And all the people said, God save King Solomon, and all the people came up after him, and all the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth went with the sound of them. 42 Christ himself did not exercise worldly authority in the days or his flesh, as the European bishops do, and that even by usurpation. He forbid his disciples to exercise lordship, In their legislative details witness their establishing the worship of idols, and all the superstitious, impious mummery of the Church of Rome, when both the command of God, and the approved example of his kings, enjoined them to destroy idols out of the land, and wish, by solemn national covenant they are bound to do. their unhallowed interference with the rights of conscience, in attempting to force men to become idolaters, in the enforcement of the wicked decrees of idolatrous ecclesiastical councils and profligate pontiffs, in their support of diabolical inquisitions into the sanctuary of private opinion, in the abridgement of the civil privileges of the faithful disciples of Jesus, and in their persecuting with fire and sword, Those who dare to worship God according to the dictates of His Word, they're in positions of enormous burdens of taxes upon their subjects, for the support of their own prodigality, profusion, extravagance and profligacy, and those of idol bishops, their supporting large armies to protect their thrones and palaces the sanctuaries of tyranny, their appointment of ungodly men to offices in the armies, navies, judiciaries, and diplomatic corps, and adjoining the ministers of religion, to prostitute the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and administering it to those impure men, to qualify them for their offices, and finally, for where shall we end this dark catalogue? Their imposing restraints upon the freedom of the press, by which all these evils might be amassed, prove but too amply the wickedness of their legislative details. Our own land is not guiltless. witness the re-guaranteeing by the Constitution, the right to hold men in involuntary bondage, their numerous laws fortifying this outrage on the rights of man, their declarations that men have a right to worship God in whatever manner they think proper, though that worship should blaspheme God, and offer every indignity to His Word, and their profanation of the Sabbath, by authorizing their male stages to travel on the day of sacred rest, their international regulations, the unrighteous wars, which they wage with each other, wasting the human species, and depopulating kingdoms to gratify pride, ambition, or passion, the commissions given to privateers, to legalize the plunder of private property on the high seas, the conquest and oppression of unoffending nations, as those of Southern Asia, and of the East India Islands, They're grasping at, and seizing the provinces of neighboring commonwealths, too, which they have no title, as in the instances of Poland and Norway, and their chicanery and deception. In the formation of treaties, and faithless disregard of them when formed and solemnly ratified. Even when they do enact laws, formally good, it is not out of respect to the authority of God's commanding, and with a view to His honor and the good of His Church, but because it suits their own convenience, as is manifest from their annulling of them at pleasure, and from their legislating in open defiance of them, in so many instances. The Lord is not in all their ways. They decree laws by iniquity. 4. All their authority and power is by usurpation. They obtained originally their power by conquest the power transmitted to them from those northern chieftains, who, with their predatory bands, desolated the Roman Empire, or from imperial and royal conquerors. In no kingdom has the majority of the people established the existing government. Such a right to establish government is not, indeed, recognized on behalf of the people it is not admitted that they possess it. Kings impiously profess to derive their authority from God, and not through the medium of the people. That they act on this principle is plain, from the doctrines which they avow, and from recent events in France, which hath had a government forced upon her at the point of the sword, and contrary to the known will of the citizens. Let them show their commission it will be the sword only. Let them produce their title it will be the sword only. Let them show their charter, it will be the sword only. Whence, says the Apostle James, came wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence even from your lusts, that war in your members? 43 They proceed from passions that are earthly, sensual, devilish. 44 It is partly owing to this, but chiefly from their subjecting their crowns, and professing to hold their commissions from Antichrist, that they are represented by the writer of the Apocalypse, as holding their power from the devil. and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 45 The dragon is that old serpent, called the devil and Satan. He too, whom he gave authority is the fourth beast, whose head bears the horns. Now, as all Protestant commentators consider these ten horns, the modern kingdoms of Europe, the conclusion is absolutely irresistible, that those governments do not derive their authority from God, but from the old serpent, the devil and Satan. as they have received their power from the devil, so they rule for him, and do homage to him. Their subjects who acknowledge, and support them are represented as worshipping the devil. And all the world wondered after the beast, and they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast. 46 True this is a great mystery of iniquity. The interests of the kings of the earth, and of the mystery Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth, and of the devil, are the same. This stupendous system of moral abomination, is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. 47 Satan has organized this system of ecclesiastical and civil iniquity, and all the impure spirits from hell make it their home. Thus it is an earthly pandemonium. as it is the work of the old serpent, the devil and Satan, so it is all a usurpation, for all the power which he exercises in this world is by usurpation. The Son of Man shall cast him out. 5. These governments are encouraged by the countenance which they receive from the Church. I do not now allude to the Church of Rome, that point has been already discussed I mean the Protestant Church. A great majority of the Protestant churches have in all times, since the Reformation, honored the civil governments, as the ordinance of God to them for good. While they have applied, and have triumphantly established their application of the epithet, Mother of Harlots, to the Church of Rome, they have honored the beast on which the woman siteth, and instead of deriving the power of the beast from the old serpent, they have derived it from the God of Heaven, contrary to the express declarations of Scripture. This has been a dead fly in the ointment. Their connection with the beast has given the woman an opportunity of making them in part drunk with the potions of her cup of intoxication. For more than a century and a half, they have been gradually declining. The Protestant churches in France, in Germany, in Prussia, in Switzerland, in Hungary, in Poland, in Britain, and in America, have been intoxicated with the Arminian, Aryan and Sosunian heresies, and strange to tell, many Protestants, even Protestant clergy, in Europe, are infidels. The large Protestant bodies have all lost their tone. What might have been foreseen, they have seen the connection between the temporal and spiritual powers, and have in a great measure ceased to testify against the abominations of both. In many countries especially France, Germany, Prussia and Switzerland, we can hardly distinguish between the Protestants and Papists, except the name. With the departure of soundness in the faith, the power of religion and vital godliness have departed. There are some consoling exceptions, but we exhibit the general aspect of Protestantism. It was long customary for the Minister of Religions in their public prayers, to offer petitions for the destruction of the Kingdom of Antichrist. But at the same time, they prayed for the perpetuity, prosperity and glory of the beast, by praying for the prosperity of those engaged in its support. they either did not see, or would not see, that the interests of Pope Ray and those of the Beast, were so closely connected in the same web, that they must stand and fall together. Since the dethronement of Napoleon, and the re-establishment of the Bourbons, this has become so abundantly conspicuous, that all must not only know, but admit it. Hence, among the established clergy even in Scotland, they have ceased of late to pray for the downfall of the Pope. they are fast ripening for destruction. I shall not here enter into calculations respecting the date of Antichrist's rise the duration of his reign and the period of termination, 48 though all these would strengthen the position they are fast ripening for destruction. We are told by Daniel that the beast shall be slain and his body given to the burning flame so that the deadly wound cannot again be healed. God will destroy Antichrist, the man of sin and son of perdition, with the breath of his mouth, and with the brightness of his coming. The vials of God's wrath shall be poured out upon the seat of the beast. The beast and a false prophet, shall be taken and cast alive into a lake burning with fire and brimstone. 49 Those governments, then, which are the horns of the beast, are destined to destruction, to make way for the bowing of the kingdoms to Messiah. During the Reformation, they were made to shake to their foundations. The Kingdom of the Beast was filled with darkness. The times in which we live have a most striking resemblance to those that preceded the Reformation. Immediately preceding that wonderful event, the kings of Europe were leagued together, and seemed to be firmly seated on their thrones so they are now. United in what they call a holy league, they are all solemnly bound to support one another in their respective dominions, and relying upon the power of this confederacy, they think themselves perfectly secure. Each says, I sit as a queen, and shall see no sorrow. The Roman pontiff and his minions thought their power was on a most secure and immovable foundation, during the 15th century. fortified by their alliances with all the princes of Europe, and relying on the ignorant and superstitious attachment of the people to the Popish religion, they imagined they might practice their tyrannies, and enforce their exactions, without danger to their power. They relied upon the Beast, and said, Who can make war upon the Beast and overcome him? So they say and act now. But there were causes in operation, which soon checked the career of both, and threatened them with destruction. The arts of printing and paper making had been invented, and were in operation, by which there was a prodigious multiplication of intelligence. Copies of the scriptures of historical works of fugitive essays on subjects of religion and literature, could be, and actually were multiplied, with a facility utterly unknown to former ages. As men had access to the means of information, the memories of the Popish Church became subjects of scorn and derision, and when the people became better acquainted with their own rights as human beings, they regarded the oppression of their civil and spiritual rulers as intolerable tyranny. They were thus prepared for breaking off their next yoke of bondage, and embracing the truth presented to them in the preaching of the Apostles of the Reformation. The Roman pontiff himself, Leo X contributed not a little to promote this growing spirit of inquiry, by seeking after, procuring and publishing copies of the ancient Greek and Roman poets, historians, philosophers and orators. A taste for letters and philosophy was cultivated, which are always hostile to superstition and tyranny. In our times, the Bible societies, amply supplied with stereotype plates, and large and increasing funds, are multiplying copies of the scriptures, beyond all former example, and with unparalleled activity, finding out or forcing open channels for their circulation, to an indefinite extent through the papal territories. In relation to the multiplication of Bibles, the invention of the arts of printing and paper making, were not more efficient beyond former times, than Bible societies and stereotype plates are beyond the means of the three last centuries. There is an additional and powerful consideration, it is not an obscure monk, that is preaching the value of this divine book, and recommending it to notice, but kings, princes, nobles, learned and wealthy, and influential men, We see a great angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people. 50 If the preaching of one monk was so efficacious, what will be the effect produced by the means now employed for the diffusion of gospel truth? If that shook the throne of Antichrist, will not this destroy it? If that filled the kingdom of the beast with darkness, will not this demolish it utterly? There is, too, a much more active spirit of inquiry than even that which characterized the latter part of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries. Men run to and fro and knowledge is increased. Every corner of the world is explored the bowels of the earth are laid open scientific researchers are pushed forward with amazing activity. Magazines and other sources of public intelligence are sought after with unusual avidity. In this time of general peace, religious intelligence is everywhere sought after, and affords topics of general conversation. Men are becoming better acquainted with their civil and religious rights, and more disposed to assert them. The attention of men, no longer fixed upon wars and battles, has been called home to inspect the machine of government, and ask why all this oppression? Why all these exactions? Why all this draining off our resources? By what right are we governed? Why are we excluded from electing our own rulers? Shall those whom we have not appointed to govern us, thus empty our coffers and beggar our wives and children? Are me born their slaves? There has been more investigation of all these important points since the peace, consequent on the late re-establishment of the old dynasties, than there had been in many ages before. God, in his providence, seems to have given repose to the world, that men might have leisure to prosecute those inquiries, and become acquainted with the real state of the civil and religious world. The appropriate effects are beginning to result from these causes, in the popular commotions which are agitating Spain, Germany, Prussia and England. The two witnesses of Jesus issuing from the valleys of the Alps, spread over Europe and multiplied greatly, just before the reformation of people, who had always testified against the usurpations and corruptions of the spiritual tyrants. God has multiplied greatly His witnesses, both in Europe and America, and enables them to maintain, publish and defend in the pulpit, and from the press, their testimony against all these evils, and in behalf of the rights of their Lord and Redeemer's crown. They have published, both in the Old World and the New, numerous works, which even their enemies respect. He for whom they bear witness, gives them learning and makes them known. Thus, as before the Reformation, causes apparently quite disconnected, are tending to the production of the same effect. Men who know not God are seeking after their rights as men, and philosophy is holding to them her torch, while the circulation of the Bible presents to the eyes of men, the means of becoming acquainted with their spiritual wretchedness, and the means of deliverance from all the evils of sin, through the blood of Jesus and the sanctification of the Spirit. At the same time, the witnesses of Jesus are unmasking the abominations of the whole mystery of civil and ecclesiastical iniquity. The Lord prosper his work, One other point of resemblance between those periods deserves notice. Both the priests and the civil power seemed, in the 15th century, to be blinded and hardened, so as either not to discover, or not to regard, the causes that were in active operation to shake their power. They regarded neither the voice of providence, nor the warnings of men. Instead of taking any measures to reform the gross abuses that were unmasking, they grasped at still greater power became more tyrannical, and were more profligate in their lives. God hardened their hearts, as he did the heart of Pharaoh. The measures, which they adopted exasperated the popular indignation, and the wickedness of their lives excited public odium and contempt. Is not all this remarkably characteristic of our own times? the crowned heads of Europe and the Popish clergy, have refused to listen to the warning voice of Providence. Lately Mosiah made his appearance among them and garments dyed in blood, traveling in the greatness of his strength he trod down both kings and subjects in his anger trampled upon them in his fury and their blood stained all Israel. The plains of Europe groaned under the heaps of the slain, the crowns of potentates he cast down and trampled in the dust. The blood of the priests stained the altars, which they had polluted with their idolatries. Thrones and temples were made to shake, and were ready to be swallowed by the earthquakes of revolutions but they hardened their hearts, and refused to hear they have not been affrighted, nor have they given glory to God, who hath hardened himself against God and prospered. He that being often reproved, hardenedeth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy, Was there ever a more striking instance of men hardening themselves after many reproofs than we have at present among the powers of Europe? Immediately after God permits the old dynasties to return to their thrones, they unite in giving their kingdoms to the beast of every sin for which wrath had gone forth from the Lord against them. Pharaoh's obstinacy in refusing to let the people go after many judgments was not more striking than that of the kings of Europe in their late measures. They are rushing forward upon destruction. They see not regard not the progress of light and knowledge. It is true, that Pontiff cannot close his eyes upon the circulation of the scriptures, nor on the fatal influence which it is likely to have in the destruction of his power, that he has forbidden it by his bull, and that the Emperor of Germany has employed the civil power, to render the Pope's bull effectual in his hereditary dominions, the circle of Austria but this is a part of their ancient policy, and falls in with their ancient habits, of endeavoring to keep the people in ignorance this was attempted to with a time of the Reformation, but in vain. The very attempt, in this age of inquiry, when intelligence on all subjects circulates so rapidly through every vein of society, is calculated to render them universally odious. An attempt to check the progress of inquiry, is as vain as an effort would be to stay the course of nature, and command the sun not to rise. But numerous potentates are exerting their influence to promote the diffusion of the scriptures, as Leo tended to revive ancient learning, not perceiving that they must undermine their usurped power and oppressive tyranny, not that they value the word of life and rejoice in the light of its living truth, but that God, in whose hand is the king's heart, has caused them to boat a popular opinion. While they are doing so, they are rendering their yoke more oppressive and galling. The increased knowledge of the rights of men and their clamors for freedom have not produced any relaxation from the yoke of oppression, but the contrary. It is true, they are brought into a net. Were they to yield, in the least, to the claims of the people, they are aware that these claims would be increased, and that the spirit of disaffection would be cherished and invigorated. On the other hand, a recurrence to violence and murder, to repress investigation and complaint, must exasperate popular feeling in a tenfold degree. On one thing, however, they all seem to be resolved not to reform their ungodly lives, to retrench their extravagant expenditures, to seek after the truth in the love and practice of it, nor to rule in the fear of the Lord, and for the good of their subjects. Finally, on this particular, the nations are angry and irritated. They have sinned they do sin and sin with a high hand, and they must be miserable. Even in these times of general peace and plenty, they feel the curse of God, in their basket and in their store and their cattle, and in the products of their soil producing, it may be safely affirmed, even more actual misery than was felt at any period, when war raged with its greatest violence. Hence, the nations are angry, because of the wrath of the Lamb, and they will vent their rage against royal and priestly tyrants, who have had so much instrumentality in producing their miseries. All these considerations, like the man's hand upon the wall of Belshazzar's palace, right upon the anti-Christian kingdoms of the earth, men, men, tell, a parsing, Messiah is on his march, the armies of heaven following after him, to remove finally the diadem, and take away the crown to make war upon the dragon, and cast him out and to consume, and to destroy the kingdom and dominion of the fourth beast, and to give the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom unto the whole heaven, to the people of the saints of the Most High. 3. I now proceed to apply the subject. 1. In the words of inspiration come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 51 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. 52 You on yesterday renewed your covenant with God that is, in the taking of the Lord's Supper, and solemnly swore allegiance to the Prince of the kings of the earth. Him you are bound to honor, whatever the nations may do. you cannot serve two masters. Has the dragon, the old serpent, which is called the devil and Satan, given to the beast, the kings of the earth, their power, and seat, and great authority, and you have the word of your God that he has, then you are bound to renounce them, and say not a confederacy with them. Can a man take fire into his bosom, and not be burnt? Can you unite with those who are in a state of open rebellion against your Lord and Master, who not only refuse to acknowledge His Law, but rule for the Prince of Darkness? You know that during the whole of the reign of Antichrist, for 1260 years, the Two Witnesses must prophesy in sackcloth, that sackcloth you profess to wear. You know, too, that the Beast makes war upon these Two Witnesses that he persecutes them, and even slays them. Hence, you may expect, that while you stand at a distance from them, there will be many to speak evil of you, and to revile your testimony. Hence, you may look for, and be prepared to endure privations and sufferings. While you refuse to swear oaths to support, what God has said He will destroy, others who consult their ease, will despise the robes of mourning that you wear. But is not Jesus worthy that you should make all these sacrifices for His name's sake, for the honor of His kingdom, and for the glory of His crown? He died to save you from your sins, and from hell He watches over you by day and night. He supplies all your wants. He sends His Spirit to regenerate, to enlighten, to sanctify, to comfort you. He makes intercession for you within the veil. He is your interpreter one among a thousand. He promises to be with you in death, to give you an unfading crown of righteousness, and to be your portion and unspeakable joy forever and ever. He is worthy then of all, and infinitely more than all the sacrifices that you can make for Him. Choose then, rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, and have respect unto the recompensive reward. Be ye your followers of them who through faith and patience, inherit the promises. Ye have not resisted unto blood striving against sin, as many of your brethren have done before you. Be not ashamed of your sackcloth, it will be found at last to have been a badge of honor. Those who enjoy all the civil privileges which the beast has to bestow, cannot be in sackcloth, but these very privileges are the badges of their shame. The Lord be merciful to the weak and deluded of the flock, who are led into a connection in which they dishonor his name. 2. We are bound to testify against all these evils. If we gain no other point, we have the consolation of performing our duty to the captain of our salvation. We should imitate the example of the inspired writer, who said, I will speak thy word to kings, and will not be moved with shame. Did you, like many other professors, incorporate yourselves with those kingdoms that have given their power to the beast? Did you swear oaths of allegiance to those governments that are organized on principles of rebellion against Messiah? There would be a gross inconsistency in raising your warning voice against the very evils which you would be sworn to maintain. This has been perceived by nearly all those who have entangled themselves in the toils which their own hands have fabricated, and hence, from a regard to carnal ease, whatever they may think, they are usually sad that on the great topic of national subjection to the mediator, you are free, for you have not set a confederacy with those with whom they have set a confederacy. You will not see the nations attempt to trample your Savior's crown in the dust, and be silent, nor tamely hold your peace, when they disregard His laws and His Church, and confer their choicest favors on His most open and daring enemies. You will tell them as Elijah did Ahab, ye are troublers of the nations. Such declarations many avoid through fear of reproach. To do so, is unworthy of the magnanimity of the Christian character, and offers indignity to the memory of our ecclesiastical ancestors, who laid down their lives for the testimony of Jesus. Their example stimulates to decision and boldness. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted and tormented, of whom the world was not worthy. They are hunted like partridges on the mountains. They are taken in prison arraigned, before merciless tribunals condemned and her dragged to the stake, or the scaffold, and their blood streams, or the flame consumes their bodies. But in death they triumph their blood cries for vengeance. From their graves a voice issues, warning us to be faithful. In following their example, we shall, as they were, be supported. Jesus says, I will give power to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy. 53 Those who have been faithful even unto death, have received the crown of life, as all shall do who are faithful unto death. Our testimony shall be victorious, for God will make his people conquerors. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. 54 This is a most consolatory declaration. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and his angels, and their great dragon was cast out. A voice is heard from heaven declaring, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ. This glorious victory over the dragon and all his auxiliary forces the splendid triumph, in which heaven and earth rejoice this utter subversion of the empire of darkness, which paves the way for ushering in the kingdom of God in glorious majesty, is ascribed to the prevalency of the witnesses, who hold the testimony of Jesus, as connected with the efficacy of the blood of the Lamb. This is like the work of God it is the work of God. the man of sorrows that despised Jesus, who had not where to lay his head, gained a triumph over principalities and powers, and made a shoe of them openly, even in his cross. In and by a few poor fishermen, God triumphed over the power of idolatry and impiety, consolidated in the Roman Empire. By the testimony of his two witnesses, in poverty and sackcloth, he triumphs over the dragon, who marches at the head of all the confederated forces of earth and hell. It is not of God to save by many or by few. God chooses the weak things of the world to confound those that are mighty. We are few and feeble in ourselves, but by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony, we shall prevail. If we do not, our sons will see Jesus crowned Lord of all. This duty of bearing testimony devolves, in a very emphatic manner, on the ministers of religion. He has set them as sentinels, to warn the people of the approaches of the enemy, and it is at their peril, if they do not sound an alarm when their foe advances. They are commanded to shew unto the people their sins, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. 55 They are especially enjoined to put the faithful in mind of the evils of the anti-Christian apostasy. After the Apostle Paul has given a rapid, bold and characteristic sketch of the features of the man of sin, he says to Timothy, and to every minister of Jesus, If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in faith and good doctrine. 56 Thus we see faith and good doctrine are at stake in this testimony, and that to maintain it is characteristic of a good minister. 3. We are bound to mourn over these national evils. Sackcloth is a badge of mourning. We are not to mourn that the honors of the world are not heaped upon us, and that we cannot with a good conscience enjoy them, but because God is dishonored by the nations. We have not less cause for lamentation than the good Jeremiah had, when he said O that my head were a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people. 57 God will put our tears into his bottle. And behold there came six men from the way of the higher gate, and one man among them was clothed with linen, with the writer's ink-horn by his side. And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 58 We have every encouragement to, to hope that the time of our redemption draweth nigh that God will, ere long appoint to them that morn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. 59, 4. We are bound to observe the signs of the times. We must watch the movements of the nations, and the condition of particular sections of them, and mark the character of the Church of God, as exhibited in our own times, that we may shape our testimony so as to direct it against the perpetually changing aspects of error and iniquity. The public magazines and journals present abundant means, of becoming acquainted with the measures taken by the Dragon, the Beast, and the Mother of Harlots, and also of ascertaining the actual state and present prospects of the Church, and the measures taken by the Friends of Godliness, in the various sections of the Church, for advancing the cause of religion, and diffusing a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. These sources of intelligence lie open to all, and we should avail ourselves of the facilities of information which they present. Here we have need to be wise as serpents, lest we enter into the passions, which agitate contending political factions, where these take strong hold of the mind, they operate as poison to the meek and quiet spirit of vital piety, which, in the sight of God, is of great price. We should have two objects to learn what men intend to do, and what God is actually doing, these are generally directly opposed to each other. Ungodly men intend only to gratify their own sinful desires, while God, who bringeth light out of darkness, and order out of confusion, overrules all for his own glory and the good of Zion. Here too, there is a special obligation imposed upon the watchman, that when anyone asks, what of the night? They may be able to give an intelligent answer. They should see every cloud that rises out of the sea, though but the size of a man's hand. Christ will upbraid the drowsy watchman. Oh, ye hypocrites, can ye not discern the signs of the times? 5. We must avenge that our testimony is maintained, not for strife and debate, but out of a sincere regard for the glory of God, and for the honor of Him who washes us in His own blood from all our sins, and out of an honest and enlightened zeal for the truth. We are bound to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty, regulating the whole course of our lives as good citizens. God overrules the movements and deeds of governments, bad as they are, for the preservation of some degree of social order. He has the hearts of kings in His hand, and turns them as the rivers of waters, whatever so ever He will. He imposes restraints upon their ambition, and says to it, Hitherto shalt thou come and no further. We should not then fret ourselves unquietly, but in patience possess our souls. In all our efforts for advancing the glory of Emmanuel, and in all our attempts to induce men to place the crown of dominion on the head of Messiah, we should remember that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual and mighty through God to the pulling down or strongholds. We are to rely upon the agency of the Spirit of God accompanying His Word for accomplishing a glorious work. we have his promise that his word shall not return unto him void, but shall accomplish that whereunto he has sent it. 60. While exercising faith on this and similar promises, we must commit the word of our testimony to him, for whose honor we are concerned, and by a patient perseverance in well-doing, put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 61. 6. We must pray fervently and effectually, Thy kingdom come. We have great encouragement much to strengthen our faith in the performance of this duty. The most consolatory promises are scattered in the whole firmament of Revelation. God, who cannot lie, has declared that the gathering of the people shall be unto Shiloh, that in the seed of Abraham all nations shall be blessed that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be exalted above the mountains, and established above the hills, and that all nations shall flow into it, that the little stone cut out of the mountains, shall become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth, that the saints shall take the kingdom, that the martyrs of Jesus shall live and reign with Christ a thousand years that the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, that but when should we be done with the enumeration? For all these things God will be inquired of by the house of Israel, that He may do for them. In relation to this, as well as all things that relate to our own personal sanctification and glorification, He has said, Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find. It is true, that this involves a prayer for the destruction of Antichrist, and that this will be affected by great judgment signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring. At the tremendous calamities which are impending, human nature revolts men's faces turn pale, and men's hearts are ready to fail them for fear. But it is long, since the saints were taught to sing by fearful works unto our prayers, thine answer dost express. The vials of God's wrath poured out for the destruction of the beast, are put into the hands of the angels, who are employed in this work of judgment, by one of the four beasts. These are by the most judicious commentators, understood to be the ministers of the church below, and the agency of one of them in delivering the vials, is understood to mean the prayers of the saints, Messiah does inflict punishment on his enemies, in answer to the prayers of his people. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar, that was before the throne. And the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. Immediately after the presenting of the prayers of the saints on the golden altar, the same censer that contained them is filled with coals, and in answer to the prayers of the saints, they are cast into the earth, producing tempest, thunders, lightnings, and desolating earthquakes, to overturn, swallow up and destroy iniquitous thrones. the prayers that you offer up for the removal of usurped diadems, and the prostration of bloodstained thrones, are heard in heaven, harmonizing with those of the souls under the altar. And I saw under the altar, the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony, which they held and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge, and avenge our blood on men that dwell on the earth? 62 If our hearts are in unison with those of the glorified martyrs of Jesus, we need not fear that they are unholy. The blood of Jesus, which gives efficacy to our testimony, will give efficacy to our prayers. We have encouragement in the signs of the times. Is not God uniting thee? Has He not united nearly all the energies of the Protestant world, in sending abroad the Word of God? Are not the prayers of all the good, going with these copies of the scriptures, that are traveling to the remotest corners of the earth? The prevalence of Bible truth and Bible precepts, over all the imaginations of depraved man, is the very thing we wait to see. This is the sum of all our wishes. To effect this, the world is put in motion. In this we begin to see even now, an answer to our prayers. The day begins to dawn. We see the first rays of the millennial morning streaming over the mountains of future years. Our Redeemer is on His march, and the brightness of light is before Him. The mountains will flow down at His presence. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, thou shalt become a plain. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. All kings shall bow down before Him. All nations shall serve Him. Amen. This Reformation audio track is a production of Stillwater's Revival Books. You are welcome to make copies and give them to those in need. SWRB makes thousands of classic Reformation resources available, free and for sale, in audio, video, and printed formats. It is likely that the sermon or book that you just listened to is also available on cassette or video, or as a printed book or booklet. Our many free resources, as well as our complete mail-order catalog, Thank you by phone at 780-450-3730 by fax at 780-468-1096 or by mail at 4710-37A Edmonton, that's E-D-M-O-N-T-O-N Alberta, abbreviated capital A, capital B, Canada, T6L3T5. You may also request a free printed catalog. And remember that John Kelvin, in defending the Reformation's regulative principle of worship, or what is sometimes called the scriptural law of worship, commenting on the words of God, which I commanded them not, neither came into my heart. From his commentary on Jeremiah 731, writes, God here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions, since He condemns by this one phrase, I have not commanded them, whatever the Jews devised. There is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions than that they are not commanded by God. For when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies, and attend not to His commands, they pervert true religion. And if this principle was adopted by the Papists, all those fictitious modes of worship in which they absurdly exercise themselves would fall to the ground. It is indeed a horrible thing for the Papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God by performing their own superstitions. There is an immense number of them, as it is well known, and as it manifestly appears. Were they to admit this principle, that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying his word, they would be delivered from their deep abyss of error. The Prophet's words, then, are very important, when he says that God had commanded no such thing, and that it never came to his mind, as though he had said that men assume too much wisdom when they devise what he never required, nay, what he never knew.