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ready enough to receive these neither let it be afraid :” and while truths as the comfort of his he remembers these things he heart; but there is great danger rejoiceth in Him, because he knowlest he be in error with regard to eth that Jesus spake the “Truth;” them. He sees but the actions for the Spirit witnesseth with his themselves; he traces them not to Spirit that he is a child of God. their motives ; he knows not whence These, Sir, are a few remarks they proceed, or wherefore he is upon the comforts of Self-examiinduced to pursue them. It is nation, as leading to the enjoyment possible that he may be under the of the highest privilege which man influence of a false peace, of the could possess, that of communion real nature of which he is ignorant and intercourse with Almighty The Lord says in his declarations God. It has other peculiarities as concerning those who have brought to the comfort which it affords. It forth such fruit, “ Israel is an serves much to keep us from hypo, empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit crisy, and to preserve our minds in, unto himself,proving the neces. a state of temperate, holy, sacred sity there is for a purity of motive, peace; to keep us in the sense of as well as of practice. But he who a Divine presence, which interferes diligently searcheth for the earnest with sin, and permits not that we of the Spirits influence, who longeth should yield to the powers of to glorify his Father's name, sen- temptation, or grieve the Holy sible of all his unworthiness, yet Spirit. It points out more clearly rejoiceth in this that he knoweth to us the longsuffering and patiwho it is that “ worketh in him ence of God teaching us to be both to will and to do of his good "kind and forgiving one to another." pleasure.” He remembers the price It leads to that manifestation of that was paid upon Calvary to pro- the love of God which proclaims cure him this blessed spirit; he recalls that “ as the heavens are high above to mind the sufferings of Him who the earth, so great is the Lord's said, “it is needful for you that I mercy towards them that fear Him:” go away, for if I go not away, the and wbile we reflect upon these Comforter will not come unto you; things, we discover the power and but if I depart I will send Him unto the truth of that word which says, you;” he forgets not his last ex: “ Israel was not forsaken, nor Judah hortations, “ Peace I leave with of her God, though the land was you, my peace I give unto you, not filled with sin against the Holy as the world giveth, give I unto One of Israel.” you; let not your heart be troubled,

ON SALVATION.

SALVATION is a term, the full definition of which appears frequently to be imperfectly apprehended, even by those who are in some measure partakers of its blessings. It is not unfrequently limited to some thing altogether future; either to a future deliverance from the penalty

of sin, or a prospective and distinct admission into the kingdom of hea. ven. In the anticipation of such a consummated salvation, the Christian reposes with grateful joy. But then this salvation is intimately and irreversibly connected with earth, commencing at the moment when

J

On Salvation.

263 the soul, being delivered from the however much their services, as unbondage of corruption and sleep broken and sinless, may transcend. of sin, enters upon that new life With respect to another ground of which never ends! which death error—the ignorance of man with itself does not destroy, but only regard to the nature of the future matures and heightens. Yes, state, as exhibited in the unerring blessed be God, salvation is begun word of Truth-enough is revealed on earth, and consummated in eter- to enable us to examine ourselves as nity. Its nature is not changed, to our meetness. What are my tastes, only purified, when faith is lost in pursuits, employments? Where sight, and swallowed up in victory. centre the unwatched tendency of It is the implantation of the impe.. my thoughts, and especially as it rishable seed, which must be sown regards the Sabbath ? How do its upon earth, ere it can flourish in holy train of duties harmonize with the Paradise above: it is the first my habitual frame of mind ? Is the link in that chain of mercy, which Sabbath “a delight,” or a wearifixed firmly on the cross of Christ, ness? Do I long for its approach, leads up to heaven.

or is it an undesired interruption ? Salvation, therefore, in its full If the latter should prove the case, and gospel meaning, is the begin- I can in no wise be a partaker of ning of heaven in the soul of man; that salvation, the perfection of securing to him, not only the glo- which is, an eternal Sabbath. Even rious privileges of a future state, were it possible to obtain it, heaven but the abiding realities, and endur- would not be heaven to the worldly, ing benefits of the life that now is the trifling, or the vain : its ceaseIt not only “blots out the hand. less hallelujahs, would awaken no writing that was against us,” but responsive burst of joy from hearts delivers us from the dominion of never tuned to the Redeemer's the law as a covenant, breaking praise; and its triumphant ascripthe chain wherewith we were bound. tions of “glory to the Lamb," The error of many consists in would be a tasteless and unmeaning separating time from eternity, as ceremony. Oh! that the writer, though there were a great gulf and every reader of these remarks, fixed between them; and in a prac- may diligently seek to obtain an tical ignorance of the nature of that interest in that salvation wrought inheritance prepared for the people out for them by the great Captain of God, as to its employments, and of their salvation, and be enabled its pleasures. In degree, time and experimentally to realize that grace eternity are linked in indissoluble of God which bringeth salvation connexion, with reference to our into the soul, by renewing it into state, and hence arises the absolute the image of Him that created it, necessity of a change of heart, ere ever remembering that the gospel man can be “ made meet” for the provision is not an inadequate proinheritance of the saints of light, vision, but that it is commensurate while the believer whose desire with our present wants, as well as is to live to God in this world, our future felicity: that it subdues and who consecrates to his service the power of evil, as well as cancels his best endowments, and his the act of condemnation, and rebrightest gifts, presents a sacrifice lieves us, not only from the misery which the inhabitants of the upper of everlasting sin, but from the world in all their noblest homage, bondage, and misery of sin in the can offer nothing superior in kind; present life.

H. M.

« COMMIT THY WAY UNTO THE LORD."

Ir pleases God often to permit bis of Him who searcheth the heart. people to be placed in very painful “Thou most upright doth weigh the and difficult circumstances; their path of the just." “ The Lord is a way is hedged up, the path of duty God of knowledge, and by Him is not discernible, and they know actions are weigbed.” not where to turn; under these Let, however, the afflicted Chriscircumstances they seek counsel of tian be encouraged, the dealings the Lord, and their prayer is, of God with his children are to “ Lead me in a plain path.” Under our finite minds mysterious, and the Old Testament dispensation the trial may be such as to require the Lord condescended to engage strong faith to bear up under its in intercourse with his people, pressure ; but our way is not hid He conversed with Abraham “face from the Lord, He knoweth it, and to face,” as a man speaketh to his when faith may be ready to fail, He friend, but we live in a day when can support and strengthen the neither by open vision nor visions soul, He is with his people while in the night is the will of God passing through the fire and through made known; but, in whatever situ. the water, the one shall not conation he may be placed, the Christ. sume them nor the other overwhelm tian will find in the Sacred Volume them; what He was to Israel of what is strikingly suitable to his old, He is now; in all our affliction own case; the written word will be He is afflicted. It is cheering to a lamp to his feet, and a light look forward to the period when unto his path. Most deeply is it to the conflict with sin and Satan will be regretted that so few compara- be over, when we shall be safely tively know how to appreciate this landed where nothing that can blessed book, as to make it their harass or molest the Christian shall counsellor and the rule of their find an entrance. lives. Not only the Scriptures do In conclusion, the tried Christian direct the conduct of individual is reminded of the sin and danger Christians, but in special cases of of having recourse to any other difficulty, the Lord frequently acts expedient for deliverance, than what upon the mind, by the influence the word of God will warrant, of His Holy Spirit, saying to instead of casting his burden upon the soul, “This is the way, walk the Lord, he may be resting on the ye in it.” How delightful to a creature; but it is expressly declared, child of God is the assurance that "cursed is the man that trusteth his path, however rugged, is marked in man, and maketh flesh his arm.” out by a Divine hand, and that he How soon, when he pleases, can will at length be assuredly led by God confound the wisdom of the a right way to the land of eternal wise, and turn their counsel into rest.

foolishness; creatures are to us True Christians, while conscien- only what the Lord makes them, tiously acting as in the sight of and whenever we apply to them for God, are often misjudged by an advice and counsel, it should be in ungodly world; unbending integrity humble dependance upon His espesubjects many to severe animadver- cial aid—“Commit thy way unto sion, but be it remembered that the Lord, trust also in him, and he what is bigbly esteemed among shall bring it to pass.” men is abomination in the sight

ANNA.

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REVIEW OF BOOKS. The whole works of the Right Rev. The Memoir of the Author is

Edward Reynolds, D. D. Lord drawn up with considerable ability Bishop of Norwich, now first col. by Mr. Chalmers, especially, conlected, with a Portrait of the sidering the slender materials which Author, by Alexander Chalmers, are in existence. Dr. Reynolds F. S. A. Six Volumes. 8vo. was born at Southampton in 1599, Holdsworth.

brought up at the Grammar School

in that place, and admitted at Mer. It is somewhat singular, that no ton College, Oxford, in 1615. uniform Edition of the works of Here he distinguished himself by this distinguished Prelate should his classical attainments; and, on bave appeared until a hundred and entering into Orders, was elected fifty years after bis decease ; espe- to the preachership of Lincoln's cially when we consider the promi- Inn. In 1631, he was presented nent part which he acted in those to the rectory of Braunston in troublous times, the excellence of Northamptonshire, and held the his character, the dignity to which living until he was made Bishop he was advanced, and above all, the of Norwich, in 1660, where he intrinsic merit of his writings. died, July 28, 1676. The pious Doddridge long since During the whole of these characterised Bishop Reynolds as troublous times Dr. Reynolds ap“ a most elaborate writer.” “He pears conspicuous for piety and has,” observes the Doctor, “many moderation. He was called to surprising similes; his style is re- eminent 'stations and difficult sermarkably laconic; a world of things vices, being appointed by Parliaare gently touched upon, which ment one of the Assembly of show his extensive acquaintance Divines to consider of all matters with human nature, as well as his respecting the reformation of the great labour.” With this charac.. church. He was one of the Comter we in the main agree; but it mittee appointed by the Assembly would not be consistent with our to examine and approve ministers; plan to enter into any elaborate re- and of the Committee of accommoview of works which have been so dation for reconciling the Indelong before the public. A few pendent and Presbyterian forms remarks, therefore, concerning the of church government. He was present edition and some extracts one of the preachers sent by Parfrom the Memoir of the Author liament to Oxford, and afterwards must close this article.

one of the visitors, where, on the exThis edition is neatly and on the pulsion of Dr. Fell, he succeeded to whole accurately printed. The the Deanery of Christ Church, from omission of a general Index is a which he was subsequently ejected serious defect; and the Tables of on refusing to take the oath called Contents, though extensive, are the engagement which bound the far from supplying this defect, swearer · to be true and faithful to being most obscurely arranged the government established without Bishop Reynolds, like most of the King or House of Peers.' He often authors of his day, introduces topics preached in London, and occain places where they cannot be sionally before the Parliament. On anticipated ; and a good Index of all these difficult and bazardous subjects therefore is of considerable occasions, he appears to have importance, and certainly ought to been distinguished for integrity, have been supplied to an uniform and prudence, and piety, and as far respectable edition like the present. as possible to have restrained JULY 1828.

2 M

hserves.

and moderated the violence of not appear to have taken any very others.

active part in its proceedings, or at Mr. Chalmers noticing the re- least bis name is not mentioned mark of Wood, that Mr. Reynolds among the speakers. sided with the Presbyterians, having The principal speakers were, as Baillie been long before Puritanically in

says, but few, and REYNOLDS certainly

was not one of the few. In what manclined, observes,

ner he voted, we cannot now learn. The “ Puritanical inclination” of

The Independents formed a vigorous REYNOLDS seems to be discoverable

opposition, but the controlling power of only in his religious principles, or pro- the Scotch commissioners always created bably in the strict piety and decorum

an apparent majority. Whatever may of his life. His character, in these

have been the force or eagerness of their respects, stood high when he was at

debates, there is much evidence to prove

debates, there is much evid college, and was well known to the that while they denied liberty of conreligious world, long before the meeting

science to the nation at large, they were of the Assembly of Divines, by his

not themselves free. “ explication of the cx. Psalm,” first

Their first object was to agree to cerpublished in 1632; his “ Exposition

tain rules for their meeting ; but how ill of the xivth. chapter of Hosea," 1638;

all rules were observed may appear from and by his “ Meditations on the Holy

the catalogue of sins above mentioned. Sacrament of the Lord's Supper,” pub

p. xxxii. There seems to have been, as lished in 1639.

already observed, no compulsion as to Neither from these, nor any other

attendance. Their names were to be extant records, can we learn that he

called over, and those absent marked, originally dissented from any part of

but there their power appears to have the discipline and ceremonies of the

ended. Many who were nominated or church in which he had been ordained;

appointed as members never attended, and from those sermons which he was,

as Drs. Brownrig, Hacket, Hammond, invited to preach on public occasions,

Prideaux, Saunderson, Ward, and we can find no expressions of dissatis

Archbishop Usher ; and others attended faction, but, on the contrary, many per

oniy partially. Those who took an suasions to loyalty of principle, as well

active part were few, but they were the as to holiness of life. Nor is there in

leading speakers, and their names occur this any thing very inconsistent with

on most occasions. According to Baillie, what followed. During the whole period

four parts out of five did not speak at that he, with many others who after

all; yet he thinks that many of these wards conformed to the establishment,

were much abler men than those that was carried down the revolutionary

did speak. Whence he, a stranger, stream, we find that, whenever he could

derived this knowledge of their inexert his proper force, whenever he dividual characters, it would now be could express his wishes or his opinions, useless to inquire. without control, those tended to kingly

Although they were called together to government, and to a hierarchy, under

establish a free, instead of that tyrannical certain modifications. This circum

church of which they and many of their stance, added to the mildness and

ancestors had grievously complained, moderation of his temper, will account

their fundamental principles were adfor all of his public conduct which we

verse to every thing that is called freecan discover in the histories of that

dom. They consented, at first, to a returbulent age. He was certainly, for

straint on the press, which has never some time, ranked among the adherents

since been so rigorously imposed. The of a party, but never was inflexible;

ordinance by which they were called to and that party came nearer to his politi

form the Assembly, obliged them “pot cal opinions in later, as well as in early

to divulge, by printing, or writing, or life, than his biographers have noticed.

otherwise, their opinions or advices P. xxiii.

touching the matters proposed to them The meinoir contains some in by parliament, without the consent of teresting particulars with reference

both or either Houses."

That this law was enforced in the to the assembly of Divines. Dr.

strictest manner, soon appeared in the Reynolds, indeed, though a mem

case of the learned Dr. Featly, who was ber of that assembly, and appointed expelled for imparting some of their on several of its committees, does proceedings to Archbishop Usher, and

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