purpose of calling in the Gentiles', yet even in his first discourse to the Jews, immediately after the descent of the Holy Ghost, plainly enough shows, that in general he saw the full extent of his commission. "For the promise," saith he, "is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar-off," (that is, however strangers from the covenants of promise, however distant in place or time ;)" even as many as the Lord our God shall call." And in his next discourse to them, he cites this promise made to Abraham, the blessings of which extended to all mankind; at the same time intimating, that the Jews had only the prerogative of a prior invitation to accept it. "Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham,-And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first, God having raised up his son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniqui

ties 2."

The Jews had a peculiar claim to this privilege. "To them belonged the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;" being chosen instruments in the hand of God, in order to convey the accomplishment of his gracious purposes to the rest of mankind. As Christ himself descended from them; as they were his brethren,

1 Acts x.

3 Rom ix. 4.

2 Acts iii. 25, 26.

and his kinsmen, according to the flesh; even this circumstance might reasonably recommend them to some peculiar regard in that respect, to some distinguishing mark of his favour.

Such was the situation of the first preachers of the Gospel, with regard to the objects of their mission, the whole world as divided into Jews and Gentiles; the former prepared for the reception of the faith of Christ, and the doctrines of the Gospel, by being furnished with principles of true religion, by having been taught to expect a Saviour, the Messiah long pointed out to them by their prophets, and by having in their own law a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ; the latter overwhelmed with ignorance and superstition, enslaved to their lusts and passions, their vices, and their prejudices the former commended to the first regard of their countrymen commissioned to instruct them; the latter not rejected of God, but designed to be introduced into his kingdom in such manner, as the conduct of his ancient people on this occasion, and other circumstances of times, and seasons, and events, should render most agreeable to his all-perfect wisdom.

The situation of this venerable Society, at its first institution, may be considered as somewhat similar. It was incorporated by a great prince, whose life was spent in asserting the civil and religious liberties of mankind; in general, as its name imports, for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; but with an especial and more immediate view to the supplying of our American

colonies with learned and orthodox ministers, for the public worship of God, and the instruction of the people in true religion.

The state of religion among the inhabitants of our colonies was very rightly made the first and principal object of the care of this Society. Their near relation to us, as fellow-subjects and countrymen, as friends and brethren, gave them the strongest claim to our pious assistance; and, had they been aliens, and even enemies, the wretchedness of their condition in that respect was such, as to render them proper objects of our compassion and charity. They became likewise the first object, in regard to the further views of the Society itself, and the extensive design of its institution. The establishment of the American colonies was always considered as affording the happiest opportunity of instructing the natives; as the proper medium, through which the inestimable blessing of the Gospel might be conveyed to their heathen neighbours. Their charters from the first pointed out this method, and provided for the religious and civil government of the people, for this as a principal reason expressly assigned,-" that their good life and conversation might win and invite the natives of the country to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Saviour of mankind." But how could these be instrumental in the good work of converting infidels, and reforming barbarians, who were themselves, for the most part, falling off from the true faith, and sinking into vice, irreligion, and barbarism? Instead of being teachers, they had need of being taught

again the first principles of religion; and, so far from supplying the proper means of promoting Christianity, they lay as a stumbling-block in the way, and an obstacle to its progress. To preserve the small remains of true religion among these our brethren; to restore it, where it was lost; to raise it from its shamefully neglected and miserably fallen condition; and to improve it to a state, in which it might recommend itself to the native heathens; this became the first object of the Society in point of prudence and expediency, as well as of duty and obligation.

That a provision for the public worship of God was either wholly neglected, or very insufficiently made, in most of our American colonies at their first settlement, is to be ascribed to the manner in which they were at first settled. That great work, -much greater in the event, than the attempt itself promised, begun with effect in the former part of the last century, and carried on with success through the whole of that period,—was in its several parts the result rather of accident and occasion, than of any regular design, considerately planned and uniformly pursued. As avarice and ambition, as distress and necessity, as religious zeal and impatience of oppression, as any other occasional impulse, seconded the prevailing spirit of enterprise; multitudes transported themselves to those newly discovered regions, in hopes of finding relief from their different grievances, and of obtaining there the several objects of their desires. Religion was but one among many and various motives; and accordingly, though the go

vernment, which gave them authority to make their several settlements, very rightly, in every instance, represented the support and propagation of Christianity as a principal reason, and made it an express condition, of their grants; yet there were but few of these adventurers, who paid any regard to this most important charge. The state of religion through the greater part of the colonies, as certified by undoubted testimonies, in answer to the inquiries made by this Society at its first institution, presented a scene truly deplorable: a multitude of rising states spreading over a great extent of coast along that vast continent, increasing in wealth, power, and populousness, yet at the same time degenerating from the manners and faith of their ancestors, and sinking into ignorance and irreligion a number of Christian societies almost destitute of the worship, and of the word of God; without churches, without ministers, without sacraments. The Society immediately applied their utmost attention and abilities to the redress of these calamitous circumstances of their brethren. Those of the communion of the Church of England, the proper object of their care, laboured under a peculiar disadvantage and singular distress; as their great distance from the mother country cut them off from an easy and ready supply of regular ministers from thence; nor could their own at that time furnish subjects, either properly qualified for the ministry, or able and willing to seek so far the necessary means of admission to it. The Society assisted their brethren in this great difficulty: unable to remove the burthen, they helped them

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