enabled to discern the efficacy of the attribute their conversion to his miSaviour's sacrifice. nistry. His last sermon was deDuring a lapse of twenty-two livered on Lord's-day, September years, he continued an honourable 22, from those memorable words member of the church; and such"Thy God hath commanded thy was the consistency of his walk, that | strength; strengthen, O God, that at the age of twenty-six he was which thou hast wrought for us." called to the office of deacon, and afterwards to the ministry. After the decease of the Rev. J. Gill, the church invited him to labour amongst them, and his ministry being much approved, he acceded to an unanimous call to take on him the pastoral office; and on January 1, 1812, he was ordained. During these five years he preached with considerable success, twenty-eight persons were added to the church in this short period, nineteen of whom he baptized, many of them being seals to his ministry. Though of a weak constitution he preached occasionally in the villages. Into the objects of the "Herts Union" for evangelizing the uninstructed vil lagers in the neighbourhood, he entered with all his heart. He also manifested a tender regard for the interests of the young who belonged to his congregation; and some, who are now members of the church, During his last short illness, when able to converse, his mind appeared to those about him calm and composed. Fixed on the Rock of Ages, relying entirely on the faithfulness and veracity of his covenant. God and Father, he appeared to have no agitation of mind. He continued almost perpétually dosing till Friday evening, when he became much worse; and though from this time unable to articulate very intelligibly, he continued either preaching or praying till the following morning at 6 o'clock, Oct. 5, 1816, when he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, aged 42 years: and on the following Thursday he was buried, in the ground adjoining the meeting-house. A large concourse of people, and several of the neighbouring ministers, attended, to manifest their respect to his character. St. Albans. J. W. W. Review. Six Views of Believers' Baptism:- public discussion, by the writers of 1. As an act of sublime worship to our denomination. We have been the adorable Persons in the God-repeatedly attacked, and not always head-2. As a representation of with much of truth or decency, and the sufferings of Christ, his death, we have, when the occasion seemed burial, and resurrection-3. As the to require it, repelled these attacks answer of a good conscience towards by the unalterable word of God. God-4. As an emblem of regene- Old arguments are often repeated ration and sanctification-5. As a after a decent lapse of time since powerful obligation to newness of they were last refuted, and somelife in a course of gospel obedience times a new one is brought against -6. As a lively figure of the natu- us, and, as in a late instance, it is ral death of every Christian. By introduced with shouts of victory John Fellows. Fourth edition. before the contest has begun, instead of waiting for the issue of the conflict. Believers' baptism, as long as the New Testament remains, will, the church of God repelling the we are fully assured, continue in arguments by which it may be as THE Controversy respecting baptism has of late occupied a consider able portion of the public attention, but on that attention it has never been improperly obtruded, in any sailed, as the majestic cliff abides | The Life of Philip Melancthon; com from age to age, while the waves of the ocean foam and die at its base. The word of God contains no precept in which the aspersion of infants is enjoined on us as a Christian institute, nor any example of its having been practised, at any time, as Christian baptism in the church of God; but the places chosen for the administration of this rite, the things it is expressly said to represent, and the Greek words employed to describe the ordinance in the sacred pages, will for ever decide in favour of immersion: while the requisition of personal religion, as essential to an union with the Christian church and a communion in her holy rites, enforces the rejection of infants and unbelievers as persons not qualified to receive those sacred institutions. We admit, that the question respecting the subject of baptism is of most importance, and the six views of the appointment given by our author very fully prove, the utter impossibility of rightly receiving it without knowledge and saving faith. This little pamphlet is admirably written, in a spirit of true devotion, and should be universally read by all who desire in every part of the instituted worship of God to attend to it in spirit and in truth. As a specimen of the style of this cheap and very excellent tract, we give the following passage, taken from the fourth page: "And however lightly the inconsiderate part of mankind may affect to treat this ordinance, it ought to be remembered that Christ himself considered it, and submitted to it, as an important part of that righteousness which it became even the Son of God to fulfil. As this ordinance is to he once performed, and not repeated, every Christian ought to be particularly careful that it is done in a right manner; or the benefit arising to the soul from this institution is lost, and lost for ever. We ought, with the utmost deliberation and care, to consider the nature of its first institution the manner of its primitive performance the glorious heart-reviving truths it figuratively brings to our view, and its own native dignity, as an action, of the positive or ritual kind, the most great and noble in itself, and wellpleasing to God, that is possible for us to perform on this side heaven." prising an account of the most important transactions of the Reformation. By Francis Augastus Cox, A. M. Second Edition. UNGRATEFUL as the world has too often been to some of its greatest benefactors, they have not all had cause to complain of its injustice. In a very early age, the Egyptians, recollecting the services of their deceased kings and heroes, élevated them to the rank of deities, and paid them religious adoration. And Greece, the inventress of statues, raised them very liberally to her heroes and her gods. Nor have the, nations of the earth generally neglected to reward those conquerors who delivered them from their enemies, or those wise and generous princes who lived to felicitate their subjects. Statues have exhibited their form and their features, historians have recorded their actions, while poets have given immortality to their characters and their fame. Truth, however, obliges us to remark, that, while more than justice has been done to the distinguished sons of this world, the children of light have not always been valued according to their deeds; and the records of heaven will faithfully and for ever preserve representations of character and of conduct but little known in this world of folly and of sin. Indeed, in not a few instances, the case is worse than has yet been represented: comparatively, it would have been mercy to have consigned the servants of God and benefactors of man, as to their principles and exploits, to entire and lasting night, instead of writing their history with a general disregard to truth. this injustice, few illustrious men have suffered more in their reputation, as far as certain writers have been believed, than the champions of the Reformation. Luther, and Melancthon, and Calvin, and Knox, rendered services to mankind which have, perhaps, on the whole, never been exceeded: exhibited talents, benevolence, and piety, of the most elevated order: but, if the popish historians were believed, they were entirely destitute of wisdom, integrity, and goodness. Of Infatuated and malignant abet-parated, each would have been but little suited to the work, which united, they were enabled to perform. Mr. Cox, in the work before us, has well expressed this happy association of character and talent: fearless mind; he was incessantly active; his ardour in the pursuit of knowledge, and in the propagation of what he knew, inextinguishable. Never, scarcely, did the hand of God form a fitter instrument to do a greater work! It was, however, happy for Luther, that he did not stand alone, but was provided with an associate in his principal labours, tors of a degrading and impious superstition! you would have been happy to have consumed their bodies to ashes, and no one will marvel that you have laboured to blast their reputation. Of these glorious" Luther possessed a vigorous and liberators of enslaved minds, the well-informed, in every age, have known enough to excite admiration, and stimulate gratitude; but till Dr. M'Crie published his life of Knox, and Mr. Cox that of Melanothon, these wonderful men could not be, by very much, so justly estimated, in every respect, as they will henceforth be; and no human being, who can afford the purchase, should re-adapted, in a remarkable degree, to main another day destitute of these very useful volumes. In the Christian church evils have existed from the first ages of its existence; but after Constantine had taken, what was regarded as the church of God, into his favour, to protect and bless it, the larger body of professors of Christianity, seduced and enslaved by their leaders, departed in many respects from the faith and order which the sacred oracles teach. Elevated to great dignity, and possessed of emoluments of office and station extensively luerative, the professed ministers of the gospel lived chiefly to maintain and extend their power and wealth, till, at length, the bishop of Rome attained supreme authority over what was styled the church of God. Through ages of darkness and impurity, this odious tyranny had continued: Waldus, Wickliffe, Huss, and Jerome of Prague, had assailed the monster with all their might; but the time was not come to inflict a deadly wound. In the sixteenth century, the glorious Reformation from Popery was effected: an event which has transmitted its invaluable fruits down to this age, and, in a bigh degree, to this nation. An event, to the accomplishment of which, Philip Melancthon greatly contributed. Martin Luther, it must be admitted, was the great leader in this noble cause; but without Melancthon, he would have been, as far as human agency is concerned, comparatively inefficient. Had these servants of God been se "In supply his deficiencies, to correct 66 66 Our author appears to have taken great pains in collecting materials: Seckendorf, Dupin, Mosheim, Camerarius, Melchin Adam, Bayle, Brucker, and a variety of other writers, have been carefully, consulted; so that (as we are informed by the author) whatever informa¬ tion is communicated respecting persons or things, may be deemed authentic." In this instructive and valuable work now on our table, are square, London: with a Portrait. garded as a posthumous publica- long and enfeebling affliction has rendered him virtually dead to the world. In this superannuation of his faculties, we sincerely condole with the whole circle of his friends, and especially with that more deeply interested portion of them, who have, for so considerable a period of time, known him as their pastor and spiritual guide. well represented the early life and education, the extensive erudition and learned labours, and solid piety, of Melancthon. It is one of the most powerful, nay, it is the most powerful recommendation of any book, that it possesses a direct and strong tendency to excite and ad-author be not actually deceased, a vance piety in the heart of the attentive reader; and Mr. Cox has acted like a good minister of Jesus Christ,in the regard he has paid to this great object. We are pleased and purified while we view the reformer, in these pages, so greatly distinguished by fidelity in all his promises, relations, and engagements; humility unfeigned and uniform; a temper, gentle, frank, and singuIn most cases we should exceedlarly benevolent; and unwearied ingly disapprove the sort of publicaand very laborious exertions in the tion which is here presented to our promotion of truth and righteous-critical inspection, and say, in limine, ness. Beside what more directly respects Melancthon, the volume before us contains much general and valuable information respecting the commencement, progress, character, and fruits of the Reformation; as well as interesting notices of distinguished persons who, in different countries, were fellow-labourers with him. And to all the friends of religious liberty it will ever be interesting, as presenting to the astonished and indignant mind, a faithful representation of the ignorance, superstition, lying wonders, general deception, profligacy, tyranny, and cruelty, of the corrupt church of Rome. A short specimen or two of the style has been interwoven with our remarks; and we close this article with a cordial expression of thanks to the author, for this improved edition of a work, which evinces so much useful research, is so well written, communicates so much information, and must, if generally and attentively read, effect so much good. It is adorned with a respectable engraving, a full-length portrait of the illustrious man whose life it contains, and with a fac-simile of his writing. that it is unfair to the repute of a public character, to take down in short hand his ordinary addresses from the pulpit, and afterwards exhibit them as specimens of his talents. First, the modes of expression must be frequently altered, from the impossibility of the most adroit stenographist completely following the preacher, when, in the free communications of a pastor to his people, it may be easily imagined that he would indulge in many colloquial modes of speaking, and introduce many thoughts, considerably his own, which he might not choose to be committed to paper; or, at least, retailed to the public. In the next place, the selection of the discourses is so wholly a matter of the publisher's individual taste and opinion, that it might often hapwould have been the very last which pen, that those actually chosen, the preacher himself would have wished to appear, had he been in the condition choice. Many other remarks might to make the be offered, of the same kind, and which apply to almost every posthumous publication; but we are anxious to compress the present ar¬ ticle within our assigned limits, and Sermons, by the Rev. John Martin, therefore shall only say, with regard more than forty years Pastor of the to the propriety of giving these disBaptist Church formerly meeting courses to the world, they seem, in Grafton-street, Soho, and according to every testimony we now in Keppel-street, Bedford-have received of his mode of preach, ing, so truly characteristic, that we willingly admit them to have been correctly taken from the preacher's lips; and almost, perhaps entirely, furnish an exception to the general rule we would prescribe, not to give to the public the loose papers and scrapiana of departed worthies, who either wished them destroyed, or forgot they were in existence; nor, above all things, to kill a man before his time. face of my feet, what is there there? Fire? If fire, what fire?—Water? If water, what water?-Strata? If so, of what kind? No doubt he would say, You ask an impertinent question the reason of man cannot reach to that. He might, perhaps, if he had wit as well as reason, say to me, Sir, whatever there is at such a depth, you see what is above; here is food and pasturage, bere is water for your use, and likely means to obtain a sound and sober livelihood: leave then what is at such a depth: at With regard to the discourses tend to the surface, and that which lies themselves, which must stand or fall within your own ken.' But if reason is so in general estimation, according to limited, that it could not give an answer to the question just now proposed, what their real merits, they possess so could the reasoner reply, if I asked, much peculiarity, that we really find Doth God purpose to save? Will he it perplexing to know how to consave all men, or many? Is that 'salvation vey any just idea of them to our by this medium, or that? Is it to be ens readers. They are in language per-joyed so, or so? Or is it to be enjoyed fectly plain and unadorned. At every paragraph one is reminded that the preacher seemed to cherish a perpetual self-consciousness of saying important things; which in fact ought, in some measure, to be the feeling of every public instructor: but in this case it seems to have existed in an extreme degree. Common truths are dealt forth in an oracular manner; the sentences are short, and seem to have been uttered with a nod. If we could use the word in a perfectly unexceptionable sense, which we are anxious to do, we should call them entertaining. The sentiments are so arranged and expressed, as to keep attention alive. Allusions are sometimes happily made to circumstances well known in private or commercial life, which illustrate more important subjects; so that there is, in Lord Bacon's phrase, a frequent appeal to "men's business and bosoms." There is, besides, a glow of piety, which proves the preacher was in earnest, and deeply felt what he uttered; though it is sometimes too much expended on mere truisms, or puerilities. It will be sufficient to justify our criticism, to quote a single passage; and almost any one selected at random will furnish a fair specimen of these volumes: "Any man of reason knows that reason is limited. Suppose I ask the great. est reasoner upon the face of the earth, so improper a question as this, Pray, Sir, tell me,-three miles below the sur in a different manner?' People have been fond of talking about all this, but nothing can be more certain than that all depends upon the will of God; and that unless God reveals his will in his word, of all these things we actually know nothing at all: it is all one mass of conjecture,idleknoweth the things of a man, but the ness, and impertinence. For what man spirit of man that is in him? And how should we explore, how should we ascend to heaven, how should we know, from sun, moon, stars, and fruitful seasons here, what will be in another world? Or, how shall we tell who the Lord will redeem; or how there shall be hope concerning us, unless he hath made a declaration of it? Now it is undeniable, that the scriptures are full of this wisdom: it is undeniable that they treat on the subject: they inform us that God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. They inform us of a covenant, ordered in all things, and sure. They inform us of a Redeemer, Advocate, and Intercessor, and a great One, who surmounts every difficulty; and who is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him." Page 8, Vol. i. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. An Attempt to support the Diversity of Future Rewards. 8vo. Price 2s. Memoirs and Remains of the late Rev, Charles Buck. By John Styles, D.D. A Series of Pastoral Letters on Nonconformity, from a Dissenting Minister to a Youth in his Congregation, will shortly appear in a duodecimo volume. |