“ Let us be thankful to God, small appearance of national cruelty hath for a long time appeared at home; but casting our eyes abroad and viewing, what a cruel time of slave-trade we have authorised! what wars we have kindled and continued to serve pride, and policy. ”

“ Besides, many of the great and leading men in the nation look upon religion as nothing, only as far as subservient to civil interest; and are beginning to think the burden of supporting these cities of the nations far greater than all the benefit they produce to society. So they, viz. the established churches, I mean so far as relates to temporals, are more supported by the views of rulers than the rules of Christ. Whenever they see their infignificancy and forsake them, then they must fall, while the true church of Christ shall stand firm on himself, as its infallible rock ”

“ Let every sincere believer look and watch with prayer, for his great Lord coming, who hath all power in heaven and in earth, who will purge his sanctuary with the spirit of judgment, and with the spirit of burning, and take out of his church and from among his people every thing that offends, when all the vessels of the church shall be holy; yea, holiness shall be engraven on the very bells of the horses in the new Jerusalem, and there shall be nothing to hurt, far less to destroy, in all God’s holy mountain. ”

“ Whatever Deists, or the unthinking part of mankind, may alledge otherwise, by a just acquaintance, and continued examination of God’s word and works, the Christian will acquire a pleasure and composure of heart, amidst the reeling confusion of events which perplex and torment the unthinking world, and even distracft the grovelling sensualist. ”

“ The church of Christ will appear most beautiful when stript of all that is esteemed among men, which is an abomination in the sight of God.
The course of a few years hath produced great things, and great events seem near their birth. When the christian sees the carnal world in perplexity, he needs not be troubled amidst these alarms. In their patience, let those who trust in God through the Saviour, possess their souls and lift up heads, for their redemption draweth nigh. ”

“ I have seen in my small acquaintance with the world, that as riches and grandeur increased, self sensuality and pride came into dominion, both in hearts and families, while self-denial, humility, and christian charity, were scarce respected, and duty became the servant of taste. ”

“ That we may in time be prepared against such convulsions as appear to shake and overturn the present condition and order of states and kingdoms, with all the connected interests dependant on them, let us instead of being the friends of party, civil or religious, study judicious friendship, which is the true image of the universal God, and our great duty to the universe. ”

“ The spiritual evils, represented by these names of dragon, old serpent, devil and satan, being discovered, bound, and imprisoned by the agreeable connection and prudence of all orders of mankind, shall not have the liberty to act the part they have formerly done, according to the rules of the powers of darkness; but all degrees of men forsaking proud and selfish principles, shall strive who shall become most extensively useful, and best serve each other, seeking the good of the whole, shall find most good to themselves. ”

“ The events that seem to be coming forward, incline me to conclude, that ruling principles, even respecting this world, will change sides. From what hath been felt in former ages both by Jews, heathens, and christians, whoever fought most the welfare of mankind, have been most wickedly persecuted and destroyed by them. Whoever appeared to excel in virtue or holiness, became the butt of malice ”

“ THE blessed tenderness of conscience, according to God’s word, I soon hope will be no more burdened by tests of party; where by men on pretence of covenanting with God, I am afraid, are only striving to confirm and collect proselytes to names and dictinctions. ”

“ By such wisdom and power as this, the powers of darkness appear to be bound and sealed up in their own dungeon, for an appointed season, which appears beginning in the present and henceforth aera; I am perswaded that the real principles of moral evil will become so clear, that laws not formed to bind it up, both in civil and religious concerns, will become unpopular and so be repalled. ”

“ Is it to be thought criminally strange, that a nation long over-burdened with superstitious holidays, should in ignorant hurry and anger, shake off the appointed times of Divine worship with those of human device. But, I fear if the French were to turn the reproach against many of us who are most forward to criminate them, what a formal shame would many of our church-services appear ”

“ But it appears, in this last age or millenium, persons will become popular as the experience of their usefulness shall recommend them, and will lose their influence when they lose their virtue, and those will be set by themselves whose narrow mind seek only self. ”

“ Let us be ready to know, as well when we offend others as when others offend us, and drive to see our own faults as large as we see those even of our greatest enemy’s, and be as forward with sincere repentance and humility, to seek forgiveness of those we have wickedly offended, as we could with them who have offended us, with true penitence to ask our forgiveness ”

“ This is followed in the 18th verse, with voices, and thunders, and lightnings, which, I take, to relate to the cries and pleadings against popery and absolute power throughout Europe, and especially in France, before the late Revolution; and the thunderings and lightnings to be the struggles and battles with fire-arms, bringing about and accomplishing that great earthquake or revolution, which in many circumstances, excels all other shakings or commotions that have been since mankind were upon earth. ”

“ To speak of tiends is Jewish, where a a whole tribe, or twelve, were employed; in the christian dispensation all is plain and simple; one person in proper conveniency may teach and administer all the gospel ordinances to one thousand, at least; three or five hundred can come to one minister, how unjust, that he should live to the tenth income of all these. ”

“ I THINK it therefore needful, to advise the young, and especially young students who are pursuing their learning at an university, to strive, not for these excellencies which please the carnal fancy, but how they shall obtain and be enabled to recomment the most pure and durable knowledge. Every devote mind may raise his gratitude, and bless God, that the mist of popery no more darkens the country ”

“ Teachers and pastors are admitted into the churches established by law, by the leading powers of the nations, and according to the rules of national policy, and not called by the flock of Christ, as the only judges who know his voice and will not follow strangers. The ministers in establifhed churches are supported by the nations and not by the milk of the christian flock ”

“ And young students, instead of looking forward to all the indulging pleasures of some emolument among established churches, or becoming noticed by the rulers of the nation, should set their eye to spread the true knowledge of religion, among Jews, papists, Mahometans, and pagans ”

“ Rejoice over her ye followers of Christ, and especially his ministers, when God’s judgments are made known upon Babylon, come out from her and reform from her sins, least her plagues overtake you, which I fear will reach some of God’s people, who have not the prudence to force the evil and avoid it, but pass on in simplicity and so be punished. ”

“ The common people, who like small stones in a building, support and connect the great, are falling into dissenting parties, where they find the doctrine and exercises of christianity more lively, and the government more scriptural. ”

“ But, let the carnal clergymen tremble, who have in a lordly manner, oppressed the heritage of the Lord, broken in pieces his people, and offended his little ones, because they had the civil power on their side. ”