tector, assuredly he is; but for him, not a breeze but might prove our destruction.

He is designated in our text, by the title Captain; Captain of salvation. I am no military man, but I conceive this character points out a few of those shining traits, that exhibit a dazzling assemblage in the complex character of the Redeemer. Let us consider this character, a captain acts by commission, so did Jesus; the Father hath committed all things to the Son. He received his commission from the High Court of Heaven. A captain bears his commission for two purposes; the one to promote the happiness of his company, and the other to disable the enemy. In the first chatacter it is his duty to look after, and attend to his whole company, every individual who is put under his care, to see that they are accommodated, according to their station and exigencies, that their wants are supplied, that they are not reduced to unnecessary hardships,; in one word, that their situation is made as eligible as possible, and that they are furnished with every consolation of which their various life is susceptible, and he is also, both by precept and by example, to do all in his power to preserve their minds and their morals from injury.

In the second character, he is to watch every possible occasion to discomfit, to weaken, and ultimately to conquer the enemy. In all these respects Jesus Christ, the illustrious Captain of our salvation, hath well supported these characters.

But the people refuse to enlist under the banners of this Captain of salvation, although they know that life eternal is in his gift. Well, it is for this very reason, that our Saviour sustained these various characters, that he might bring many sons to glory. Jesus shall bring them; other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them also I must bring in. But why must he? because, it was for this very purpose he was manifested. Because,

Thirdly, These events were well pleasing to God. It was a catastrophe appointed by the divine Nature, and, therefore, sure and

For Omnipotence most undoubtedly doth and will accomplish all his pleasure. It was the pleasure of God, that the Captain of our salvation should bring many sons unto glory. "God so loved the world, he gave them his Son." But how was the pleasure of the Lord to prosper in his hands? Through his sufferings. And did he not suffer? Behold, and see, if ever sufferings were like unto his sufferings. He was a man of sorrow, and acquainted with grief from his youth up. He was smitten for our transgression, wounded VOL. I.

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for our iniquities, and the chastisement of our peace was upon him. How great was his agony, when our iniquities compassed him about! View him in the garden of Gethsemane,, see him sweat as it were great drops of blood! and tell me, was ever sorrow like unto his sorrow?

To make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings! Was then Jesus Christ imperfect? No, certainly; as God and man he was perfect; he was the Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile; even in his conception he was perfect: that holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God But, surely, no testimonies can be necessary to prove that the Redeemer of men, that Jesus Christ, in his individual person, was in his birth, in his life, and in his death, immaculate, completely perfect. Yet as a Saviour he was not made perfect in or by sufferings, until he had swallowed the bitter cup to the very dregs; the aggregate or perfection of those sufferings, due for the manifold transgressions of the children of men, were to be endured in the person of the head of every man. In these sufferings he was to be made perfect. We esteemed him smitten of God, and afflicted, but he was enduring affliction that he might be made perfect by sufferings; finish the atonement; bring in everlasting righteousness, in the name of those individuals which constituted his mystical body, and thus bring many sons unto glory.

The gospel of God, our Saviour, will surely and mightily prevail. I have passed a delightful hour with an episcopal clergyman. We have united in tracing the records of our common Father's will; we have carefully examined the items, and we are positive he hath bequeathed us an inheritance, and not us only, but every individual of the human race, an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and which fadeth not away. O! exclaimed the venerable man, in a kind of extacy, it is, it is, it must be true, and it is most marvellous in my eyes.

This good and candid clergyman informed me, that some years since, he had read the travels of Cyrus, and was, from that moment, convinced that God would, in the fulness of his time, bring all men to the knowledge of himself: and thus he adjusted the matter in his own mind. God Almighty determined, in his great wisdom and goodness, even before the transgression of our first parents, that they should be restored. Yet, as he did not think proper to make

the first pair acquainted with this glorious truth: so, although determined upon the ultimate and complete salvation of the wandering race of Adam, he, however, did not intend they should listen to these glad tidings, until the day of final consummation.

But, said he, when I first heard you proclaim this grace from the pulpit, and attempt to prove it as really taught in the word of God, where I did not, nor could not see it, I became perfectly astonished, and listening with great attention, I wondered in what manner you would proceed, or how you could possibly extricate yourself from the difficulties, in which I fancied you would be involved. But who can describe my extreme surprise, my amazement, when I saw every time I attended your lectures, that this doctrine which I had cherished in a corner of my heart, was in fact a scripture doctrine, and that God hath absolutely been pleased to make it in the sacred Oracles, as plain as any thing, which in his most holy word, he has vouchsafed to teach to the children of men.

My soul rejoiceth at such a confession, from such a mouth-Yes, the light of life will spread far and wide, it will run and be glorified -Amen, and Amen.

My subject last evening, was the eight first verses of the 2d chapter of Paul's first Epistle to Timothy:

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men ;

"For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

"Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an Apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

"I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting."

Two clergymen were among my congregation; they both accompanied me home; one tarried to converse with me, and the other

in the most formal manner stalked toward me, and reaching out his !

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hand as far as he could extend his arm from his elbow to the top of his fingers, making a straight line; his palm toward me, his thumb perpendicular, his countenance averted, just touched my hand without altering his position a single point, and in a faint manner with a voice scarcely audible, told me he wished me well. Poor gentleman; I believe he was glad to be fairly out of the house. The remaining clergyman said:

Clergyman. Do you know the Reverend Mr. S

Sir?

M. I have a slight acquaintance with him, Sir.

C. I suppose you have preached publicly in, Sir?

M. Yes, Sir.

C. And how do you find matters there, Sir?

M. Much as usual, Sir.

*C. How do they attend?

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M. Why, Sir, I have generally the happiness to have an attentive audience, whatever may be the motive.

C. I mean, are there a considerable number who attend?

M. As many always, as the house in which I preach will contain. The meeting-house I have been accustomed to occupy, was injured by the British troops, and is not now in a condition to receive an audience, and there is no other church in-, which can be obtained for me; nor should I have had liberty to preach there, if it had not been private property. The clergyman stationed in that house, did all he could to prevent me, in the same manner his brethren do elsewhere.

C. Pray, Sir, do you never ask yourself this question: What can be the reason why clergymen show you less favour, than men of other characters?

M. Yes, Sir, I have asked myself that question frequently and seriously, and have received very serious answers. I have been told it was their interest to oppose me, and that other characters were less concerned. Were I to enter this town in the character of a merchant, this gentleman, it may be, would not so freely lend me the use of his house; because it would not be so much for his interest.

C. Why, to be sure, there may be some of that sort, but I would hope

M. O, Sir, I do not mean to cast reflections; I believe there are many very serious, and humanly speaking, good men among the

clergy, who verily think with themselves that they ought to do many things against me, and that it would be doing God service to obtain an act of the legislature for my destruction.

C. To be sure it is a sad thing, that there is so much difference among Christians.

I had intended to have transcribed the whole of this conversation, but perhaps it is as well that we are interrupted.

I yesterday made one of a very large party, collected at the house of one of the first characters in this town. Our circle was respectable for quality and for numbers. It was composed of gentlemen learned in the law, of individuals most eminent in the faculty, and of clergymen of high reputation. An interesting conversation took place, which, although it involved a subject, on which I have often been called to expatiate, I cannot forbear committing to paper. It was commenced by an attorney at law, who, seated directly opposite to me, thus, in a serious and solemn manner addressed me:

Attorney. I am no Christian, Sir, although from my soul I wish well to my species.

M. Well, Sir, I am right glad that you are in a country, where you run no risk of suffering in mind, body or estate by a declaration so unequivocal.

A. I am under the influence of principle, Sir; I disdain to hold up false lights; I do not believe that what you call Divine Revelation, merits that character; and to speak a plain truth, with the pardon of this good company, I will venture to say, that what is denominated divine Revelation, has every mark and evidence of human fabrication; it is notoriously inconsistent, all a contradiction from the beginning to the end, and it is therefore I am convinced it is not divine.

M. Well, Sir, you are undoubtedly right; your argument is based on reason; and did the scripture appear to me as it does to you, I should make the same declaration.

A. Why, Sir, with your permission, I will mention two portions of scripture, which if you can reconcile, if you can produce them to my understanding in a consistent point of view, I will immediately renounce Deism, embrace Christianity, and proclaim myself a convert to its doctrines.

M. And if I do not, I will renounce Revelation, and acknowledge myself a Deist.