flames, and lift up their eyes in torments. The faints who had their evil things in this life will be comforted in the next; and the wicked whofe eyes ftood out with fatnefs, and who had more than heart could wish, will be tormented. That which he feemed to have. dreadful fource of his agonies. It increased the gnawings of the undying worm, and administered: fewel to the devouring flame. Ap-. prehenfions that they might foon arrive, to testify against him all his But that which it is now more especially defigned to notice, as of moft ferious and fingular moment, is the prayer of the rich man, in the quenchlefs flame, that his brethren might be warned not to come into the fame place of torment, and be eternal companions with him in his dark abode. He found his torments to be unutterable, and that he could obtain no relief or mitigation of them; not a drop of water to cool his burning tongue. He was therefore anxious to prevent the increase of them. He was compaffed with tormentors already and trembled at the increase of their numbers. He knew his brethren had been most intimately connected with him in his fins, that by his infidelity and horrid example, he had been leading them to deftruction, and done them immenfe injury; and that they above all other perfons could witnefs a-wickednefs, and with that implagainst him, expofe him to shame and eternally torment him. Thefe are the only reafons to be affigned for his defire to prevent their coming into that place of torment. There is no benevolence, or holy love in hell. Were men holy they would be faints, and dwell in heav en, and not with devouring fire. Men have no natural affection in hell. Some in this world arrive at fuch a degree of wickednefs as to have none; much lefs will they haveany in hell. The divine oracles teach us, that from him that hath not, fhall be taken away even that which he hath; or even that Rom. i. 31. 2 Tim. iii. 3. cable hatred and revenge which a fenfe of the immenfe injuries he had done them might infpire, to reproach, execrate and torment him, filled him with the most dreadful alarm. The divine Saviour, before whom hell is naked and deftruction hath no covering, knew how perfectly to reprefent the cafe; and, for the warning of near relatives, friends, and accomplices in fin, has given them thefe intimations, that they will be the greatest tormentors of each other in the future ftate. This, it is apprehended, is clearly the doc trine of this interesting paffage. † Matth. xiii. 12. Luke viii. 18, * There are various confiderations | paint them in the most degrading and hateful point of view, and to be putting a fword into the hands of all the powers of darknefs, to wound and torment them. They can, above all others, not only harrow up each other's confciences, but furnish all the infernal legions with materials for the fame infernal work, and roufe them to action. Befides, the mutual injuries which they will now know, that they have done each other, how they have deceived, blinded and hardened each other in fin, how they have tempted, beguiled and which may serve to corroborate this point. The near relation in which brethren and fifters, and other relatives and friends ftand to each other, the peculiar endearments which fubfift between them, the special advantages and opportunities which they have to do each other good, and mutually to promote one another'sfpiritual welfare; in conjunction with the commands of God, enjoining upon them all relative duties, muft, beyond all calculation, enhance their guilt in neglecting them, and of being, by their errors and wickedness inftru-like infernal fpirits, urged one amental of each other's perdition.nother on to the burning pit, will God will render to them according to their deeds. They will have a most affecting knowledge of the magnitude of their offences, and of the injuries which they have done to each other. A confciouf-inveterate and implacable enemies nefs of thefe will continually prefs them with the moft intolerable fhame and anguish. The prefence of those whom they have thus injured and deftroyed, will keep alive and more deeply imprefs this confcioufnefs. It will inceffantly and eternally increafe and give edge to their felf-reproach and felf-condemnation. Such friends who have deftroyed each other, will be everlasting monitors of each other's wickedness. Thus they will blow up the flame and increafe the torment. Further, none can fo difclofe all the wickedness of one another, as thofe moft acquainted with each other, and molt intimately connected and leagued together in courfes of fin. They can moft clearly and fully bring it into view, moft pofitively witness against it, in all its ingratitude, bafenefs and aggravations. They, above all others, will therefore be able to publifh their crimes, and forever to eternally blow them up to the higheft poffible degree of hatred, revenge and rage against each other. The company and even fight of each other, like that of the most will inflame their mutual rage and miferies. Their mutual hatred and tormenting of each other will for ever keep alive, and increase the torments of their infernal prifon. Some profitable remarks may be made on thefe reprefentations. 1. That the pocrest and most miferable faints are bleffed. They are not only pardoned, adopted and made heirs of all things; but they fhall foon exchange their beggarly garments for robes of righteoufnefs and joy; their indigence and hunger, for feafting and fulnefs; their fores, fickneffes and pains, for health, ease and pleafures for ever more. O indigent, afflicted chriftian, take courage, lift up thine head and fing, hallelujah! A fpark of grace, even with poverty, reproach and pain, is better than all the gold, fcarlet and fumptuous fare of the wicked. Be patient, contented, and blefs God for his grace, and you shall be comforted and your joy fall no man take from you. one another. Wo unto you that laugh now: for ye shall mourn and weep. 4. How cautious fhould breth 2. That there is no juft ground to fret at the profperity of the wicked, or in the leaft degree toren, fifters and other near relatives envy them, in their moft glorious be of injuring each other, by vi ftate. After all, it fhall be ill with cious Hives and bad examples, them. They have their portion in leaft all their mutual endearments, this life. It is unfatisfying and their influence with each other, momentary. When the wicked and the whole tenor of their living Spring as the grafs, and when all fhould terminate in endless for the workers of iniquity do flourish; rows? Where perfons are united it is that they fhall be deftroyed for in the tendereft ties of nature, ever. This night their fouls may they have great influence with each be required of them. Then whofe other, and their bad examples will will be their fcarlet, fine linen and have the most deadly tendenfumptuous fare. To whom will cy. A fenfual, wanton, gambling, they flee for help? And where will wicked brother, or fifter, may they leave their glory? ruin a whole family. Wicked husbands may deftroy their wives, entail the curfe of the Almighty upon their pofterity, unto the third and fourth generation, and be inftrumental of their mutually and eternally execrating and tormenting one another. 3. That hell muft be a place unutterably dreadful, as there all are tormented with the burning flame; as there is no relief; not a drop of water to cool a fcorched tongue; as the state of all is unalterably fixed; and thence is no poflibility of efcape. How muft it be rendered ftill more tremendous, in that there not only fatan and all his infernal legions will be tormentors, but even brethren, fifters, all friends and affociates, who have lived and died in fin will alfo unite in the dreadful employment? Yea, will be among the most enraged, and terrible tormentors of one another? So much the more as they have lived together in delicacy and pleafure; fo much the more as they have been leagued together in jovial clubs, mocking at fin; reproaching good people; concerting plans to deftroy their influence; fetting up a laugh against the fcriptures, blafpheming the Saviour, and animating each other in fin, fo much the more torment and forrow will the Lord give them. So much the more will they give 5. It is a natural reflection, that it immediately concerns all near relatives and companions in fin, who live at eafe, in wealth and pleasure, most seriously to contemplate what the end of these things will be. Yes, that they behold the miferable Dives lifting up his eyes in torments :-Hear his unpitied groans, and unavailing pray. ers Contemplate his fixed, unalterable condition, and know, that except they repent, they fhall all likewife perish. BOANERGES. that of divine grace, in the converfion of finners, holds the firft rank. In compliance with the wish of many, I have concluded, very briefly to give a general ftatement of the late work of divine grace among the people of this parish. In the fummer and fall of the year 1783, which was previous to my miniftry and acquaintance in this town, there was a very confiderable revival of religion; the happy fruit of which was, that nearly fifty were added to the church. This was the firft fpecial and visible work of divine grace, after the fettlement of the town, a term of about forty years. In confequence of this revival, lectures and conferences were frequently attended, for feveral years. This was the pleasing state of things, until, and after my fettlement in the gospel ministry, which was in the fummer of 1787. to individuals to use influence to perfuade their connections and neighbours to attend. The conference was fmall in the beginning, but conftantly increased, during that and the following year. In the winter of 1798, we had, in different neighbourhoods, two, and often three crouded conferences in a week, eagerly attentive to the difcuffion of bible doctrines, and the explanation of difficult paffages of fcripture. This, together with prayer and finging, was the whole bufinefs of our conferences; and fome people attended, even for years, merely as to a fchool for improvement in knowledge. But it is apprehended, that there was an uncommon fpirit of prayer a mong a few, for the outpouring of the fpirit of God. Not more than five or fix hopeful conversions had been manifefted in the parifh for ten years; and the chief of these were within the first year, after the ferious refolution of attending conferences. But in the month of October 1799, after all means had feemed to become unfuccefsful, and prof Attention to things divine had, by this time, however, greatly declined, and a growing inattention, among the body of the people, was manifeft, for about ten years.During this interval of fpecial di-pects had become very gloomy, it vine influence, fad were the fcenes of controverfy in town, refpecting the location of a new meeting houfe; and in the church, refpecting difcipline and practice. pleafed God to manifeft his glorious power, in arrefting the atten tion of multitudes, not merely to dry fpeculations, but to the vaft concerns of their own fouls.→→→ Though it is to be acknowledged, that, under the greatest preffure of conviction, we generally discover doctrines of total depravity, election, regeneration, atonement and pardon by the blood of Chrift, &c. When all these evils had fubfided, and infidelity, which had been formidable, in troublesome times, in a great measure difappear-ed the most folemn attention to the ed; there was discoverable, in ferious profeffors, an uncommon concern for the welfare of Zion. Near the beginning of the year 1797, it was privately contemplated by ferious members of the church, to fet up a religious conference, to be attended, at least, once a month. The plan was propofed to the church; and it was recommended VOL. II. No. 6. The agitation of people's minds was not very visible, under their convictions; nor did we discover any thing which borders on enthufiafm, in thofe who obtained a comfortable hope of reconciliation to God, through Jefus Chrift. We D d think, that the appearances of perfons who were fubjects of divine influence, were not oftentatious, but ferious. Difficulties we had to encounter, as is commonly the cafe, on fimilar occafions. About this time, originated the greateft exertions to propagate the doctrines of univerfalifm. The profpect, of fuccefs in these exertions was for a season, very threatning. There were many befides, who viewed awakenings in an unfavorable light; and were induced from appearances, to neglect the house of God, and even to fpeak reproachfully of what we confidered as the work of the Lord. Under thefe circumftances, it is eafy to conceive, that our affemblies on the Lord's day were not increased, though our conferences were greatly crouded. All our hope, therefore, that the church and fociety would be fupported, depended on a belief of the doctrine of divine fovereignty. This doctrine became very precious in those days of trial; and to this we found many stubborn enemies converted. As vifible and hopeful fruits of this glorious vifitation of divine grace, about fifty-five have been added to the church; and feveral more have been added in confequence of a revival of their hopes of an earlier date. Sixty-fix is the number added, fince the beginning of the late revival. It is now more than a year and a half, fince there has been a vifible abatement of ferious impreffions; and an increase of that ftvpidity and vanity, for which mankind are notorious. But, in a review of paft fcenes, and past events, it is hoped, that fome among us feel the importance of walking in the path of the juft.Conferences are yet attended frequently; but not by large numbers. It is hoped, that Chriftians among us will feel their peculiar obligation and encouragement, to persevere in the improvement of this, and all other means of inftruction, and it appears to be the ardent prayer of fome, that God would return unte us in loving kindness, and not take away his holy fpirit from us. JACOB CATLIN. New-Marlborough, } Memoirs of Mrs. REBECCA MILLS, confort of the Rev. SAMUEL MILLS of Chefter, in SAYBROOK CONNECTICUT ; and Extra&s from her writings. M RS. MILLS wasthe daugh-' ter of Col. John Belden of Wethersfield, Connecticut. She was born A. D. 1764. From her infancy fhe difcovered a tender and lovely difpofition, which endeared her earliest years to her valuable acquaintance. She was very refpectful to her parents-her It is remarkable, that by ex-grandparents alfo, who lived to adamination for admiffion to the vanced age, found the tender affistchurch, it has appeared, in ma-ing hand in this grand daughter. ny inftances, that ferious impref- Her youth was adorned with befions began, one, two, or three coming fobriety. She was very years before any visible appearance affiduous to obtain a good educa of awakening; and, that these tion, and to promote the learning impreffions were concealed, in and good conduct, of a younger fome inftances, even from bofom brother and fifter. friends, until after a hope was entertained of faving converfion to God. Her father once moved with his family into a retired fituation= |