and follow him, but may in these of the natural man, we may say favoured times without much tribu. as a general truth, it was well that lation enter into the kingdom. it was in thy heart. Attempts to Alas ! were an Apostle or a do good are pleasing and acceptable Christian of olden time to come to God; nay, those very efforts amongst us ; were even our Scott which at first are rejected with or Newton,' or Romaine or Cecil indignation, and seem only to excite to arise from the dead, what may hostile feelings, are often secretly we reasonably conclude would be owned and blessed of him with their views ? Did some of them whom we have to do. The find it necessary to decline the language of indignation is often invitations of their hearers, because the cloke for secret respect, and he they could not turn such assemblies who rebuketh his neighbour will to any profitable account; and usually at length find more favor would they find the numerous and than he that flattereth with bis lips. the late parties of the present Where, however, the treasure is, day more conducive to spiritual there will the heart be also. If we edification ? Or would not they are savouring the things of God, characterize much of the pro- we shall delight to speak of them, fession of these times, as a Religion will not be confined to the superficial religion ; a skin-deep church or the closet. It will come Christianity ; a Laodicean state; into the social circle. It will mix an attempt to unite the service with our business, and with our of God and of the world ;-a name pleasure. In our business it will and a form; rather than a spirit produce diligence, integrity, faithand a substance. Let us judge fulness, resignation, patience, meekourselves that we be not judged ness, submission. We shall use of the Lord ; let us diligently ex- our gains with moderation ; bear amine our hearts and lives by the our losses with equanimity, and act rule of his word and ever remember so as to convince the keen observer how decisive are the commands that we have a treasure in heaven. against being conformed to this Religion will mingle with our world, and how awful the judgments pleasures, they will be pure, and denounced against those who are holy, and heavenly. They will be ashamed of him and his words. such as are calculated to lead our It is indeed true that many have minds to God, to fit us for his been prejudiced against religion by service; to allow of easy transition the injudicious language of its to prayer and praise and meditation professors. Doubtless we are not on the things of God--on a heavento cast our pearls before swine, ly mansion-on the glories of a lest they turn again and rend us. blessed state ; and the believer will The young convert is ready to thus be prevented from engaging in suppose that he has only to state many of those amusements which his views and feelings to compel modern evangelicals have discovered universal acquiescence; but he will are consistent with the gospel of soon find that Old Adam is too Christ. hard for young Melanctbon :' and In recording these observations, may perhaps discover that his efforts Mr. Editor, I would earnestly strive to do good have only the more against a censorious or uncharitable confirmed the carnal mind in spirit, remembering how often there enmity against God. But still, has been a beam in mine own eye while the Christian may and ought which has incapacitated me for to be humbled at every such in- removing the mote from my brostance wherein he has indiscreetly thers eye. While I suggest these or imprudently aroused the enmity hints, I would say to myself, as well as to every reader, Let us for renewal of our mind;" shining as these things humble ourselves lights in the world, looking for, deeply before the Lord of Sabaoth! and hastening unto the coming of Oh let not “the day of the Lord the day of God”-our“ tongue come upon us unawares;” let us speaking aloud of His righteousever remember, “ If any man love nesss"_" weeping also with our the world the love of the Father is brethren who weep, and rejoicing not in him "-" to be carnally with those who rejoice”-“making minded is death "--" if any man confession with the mouth unto have not the Spirit of Christ he is salvation"--"overcoming all things pone of His.” That of his disciples by the blood of the Lamb, and by it is declared, “ because ye are not the word of the testimony”- let us of the world even as I am not of the “ arise and shake ourselves from world, therefore the world hateth the dust,” “ savouring no longer you”- let us“ remember from the things that be of men, but the whence we are fallen, be zealous and things that be of God”--so shall repent, and do the first works”- we adorn the doctrine of God let us " seek those things which are our Saviour, and be made meet to above,” not conformed to this be partakers of the inheritance of world's maxims, not drinking into the saints in light." its spirit, but “ transforiped by the Gs. LETTER OF THE REV. J. CONANT, TO A YOUNG CLERGYMAN. MY DEAR NEPHEW-I have desired your Aunt Woolston to send me my Grandfather's Sermons, but your father will keep the two first volumes for your use; and when you return tbem to me I will send you two more, till you have had as many as you choose; but shall keep the property of them in my own hands. I give you joy of the living to which you are presented, and hope you will live long to enjoy it. As I am many years older and have had many years more experience in our profession than yourself, I know you will not take it unkindly if I tell you freely what I think are the principal duties of a clergyman. In the first place it is necessary that he should love his parishioners as if they were his own children. The more you love your parishioners, the more earnest you will be to discharge your duties towards them, by instructing the ignorant, relieving the needy, directing the erroneous, reclaiming the vicious, and admonishing them of their faults with great tenderness and affectionate concern for their everlasting welfare. You must be indefatigable in catechising the children of your parish, not only in Lent, but all other times, till they understand perfectly their baptismal vow, and are well prepared for confirmation, and then for the Lord's Supper. You are earnestly to pray to God for your flock every day of your life. You are to be a visible example to your flock, in all holy conversation and godliness. You are to visit the sick of your parish not only when you are sent for, but at all times, showing yourself ready to give them the best assistance you can, and offering to pray with them and for them that they may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, You are to use your utmost endeavours to preserve your flock from all false doctrine and vicious practices. It will become you to read attentively the Ordination Office every The life of a clergyman, if he Ember week, that you may know discharges his duty diligently, and consider the sacred office you faithfully, and conscientiously, is, have taken upon yourself; and beyond all doubt the happiest life with fasting and humiliation offer upon earth : but if he be covetous, up the prayers appointed in our if he be so mean as to set his heart Liturgy for those who are to be on the riches, honours, and pleaordained.. sures of this world, in preference to Be very solemn, sedate, devout the love of God and his duty, he and audible in reading the prayers can then bave no peace of mind, and other offices of the church, his conscience will be always reespecially in the administration of proaching and condemning him the sacraments. while he lives, and when he dies Never baptize privately, when he will be summoned to appear the public office of baptism can before the judgment seat of Christ. much more properly be used. But if you trust in God you will Let your sermons be always plain appear with hope and comfort at and practical, and never use the that great day. Read 1 Pet. v. 2, least affectation either in your lan- 3, 4. Ezek. iii, 17—21. Isaiah guage or in your manner of delivery. lviii. 1. 2 Tim. iv. 2. 5. 1 Cor. Affectation is always disgustful ix. 27. 2 Tim. ii, 15. i Tim. iv. wherever it is seen, but in a minis. 16. Acts xx. 28. Ezek. xxxiv. ter of Christ it is abominable. 2, 3, 4. John xxi. 15, 16, 17. Always appear very earnest, dis- The Epistles to Timothy and tinct, and audible in the pulpit ; and Titus abound with instructions and very grave, solemn, and devout in admonitions to the clergy. These the reading-desk. you cannot read too often; you If it be possible, as much as lies should meditate upon them day in you, live peaceably with your and night, till they become habineighbours, and the God of love tual to you. and peace will be with you. You will find some bad examMake it your principal care to ples, even among the clergy; but reconcile differences, and to prevent not so many, or so bad as their all contentions, heart-burnings, ill. enemies make them to be. A will, malice, and revenge, among worthy clergyman, that is intent on your parishioners. doing his duty is not much observed, Ministers of the Gospel are the and seldom talked of; but if he ambassadors of Christ. They ought falls into a fault, he will then be therefore to be reverenced for their talked of, and the whole nighbourwork's sake. He that despises them hood will ring of it in a few hours. (doing their duty) despiseth not I shall always remember you in man, but God; they must take all my prayers as a brother clergyman, possible care they do not bring and a fellow-labourer in the Gospel. the Sacred Function into contempt I am an old man, and full of by any imprudent conduct, or any infirmities; my memory is gone. I vicious practices. forget the beginning of a sentence Ministers have, or ought to have, before I get to the end of it; I can a decent maintenance from the scarce write legibly, and you will people, to secure them from con- hardly be able to find out my tempt and poverty. But a main- meaning, however I have the plea. tenance ought not to be their prin- sure, in this last stage of life, of cipal view or design in undertaking assuring you that I am with the this office, but to promote the glory truest affection, of God by the salvation of the souls Your most loving friend, committed to their trust. March 10, 1774. J. CONANT. REVIEW OF BOOKS. A Treatise on the Doctrine of the in the very texture of the sacred volume. Atonement. By Charles Jerram, And I mention this, not so much with M. A. 8vo. Pp. xviii. and 330. the view of apologizing for the sparing manner in which I have entered into Wilson. 1828. critical discussions of particular texts, Four Discourses on the Sacrifice and as for satisfying the merely English Priesthood of Jesus Christ, and reader, that this fundamental doctrine on Atonement and Redemption. does not rest on one or two insulated texts, which might probably admit of By John Pye Smith, D.D. 8vo. another construction, but has its origin Pp. xvi. and 316. Holdsworth. in the common sense meaning of multi1828. plied and undisputed passages of holy There are some very curious writ. The author of this Treatise values legitimate criticism and minute intercoincidences with reference to these pretation very highly, and some portion two Publications. They are both of his time and humble talent has been the productions of individuals of spent upon them; but, in a case like considerable eminence and exten, the present, he would rather rest his sive usefulness as Scholars, Authors, cause on the number and variety of Tutors, and Ministers. They both scripture evidence, than on the clearest relate to the same subject. They result of verbal criticism.-P.193. are both enlargements of former The scholar who likes to explore Publications. They appear at the the grounds and reasons of things, same time, and they agree in the may perbaps prefer Dr. Smith's same grand and important views Discourses; for ourselves we prefer of Doctrinal Truth. Mr. Jerram's Treatise, and conceive They differ indeed in style and it better calculated for general in manner. The same Truths are readers, and especially adapted to stated in different order. Obiec- those who are exposed to the tions are in one case met by antici- dangerous heresy of the Socinians. pation, in another more fully stated, Mr. J's Treatise consists of but in both decisively answered. four Sections. 1. The Importance There is a more direct appeal to of the Doctrine. 2. Answer to criticism in Dr. Smith's Discourses, Objections. 3. Scriptural Evidence and a greater degree of deference in support of the Ductrine. 4. The to the doubtful claims of German Doctrine not inconsistent with the critics, but you have the solid fruits constituted order and fitness of of learning and criticism in Mr. things. Each of these Sections is Jerram, with less of learned disqui divided into chapters, and the two divided into chapters, an sition. The following extract from last summed up in an appropriate a note of Mr. Jerram deserves conclusion. attention The following is an extract from I am quite aware that the correctness Section 1. Chapter 2. entitled, A of the authorized translation of two or General Statement of the Doctrine. three of these texts has been questioned; With regard to the doctrine itself, it and if the truth of the doctrine of the has a special relation to the reconciliaAtonement rested on these alone, it tion of man with God; for it is the would be an indispensable duty to go Atonement of Christ which opens the into a minute criticism of them: but it way for this reconciliation. The Scrip not upon one or two passages that the tures, as we well know, represent the doctrine is founded, nor on the turn human race as having, by transgression, which may be given to a few detached incurred the displeasure of God, and expressions : but upon the broad and brought themselves under the sentence prominent and self-evident meaning of of condemnation. Now the Truth and almost innumerable passages, expressed Justice of the Divine Being seem to in every variety of form, and interwoven raise an insuperable barrier against the SEPT, 1828. 2 Y is reversing of this dreadful penalty by because the enemies of this doctrine human means. In this difficulty, God direct their principal efforts against the himself provides a remedy. He sends particular notions which some Christians his own Son into the world, who makes attach to the specific quantum of merit an atoning sacrifice; and, as St. Peter in the atoning sacrifice : and when they asserts, “ suffers for sins, the just for the have, as they think, invalidated these, unjust, that he might bring us unto they imagine they have demolished the God.” With this offering God is well doctrine of the Atonement, as held in pleased. He can now “be just, and common by orthodox Christians. They the justifier of him who believeth in contrive, in this way, to shift the docJesus ;” and out of regard to this sacri trine from its scriptural foundation, and fice, he offers pardon and salvation to place it on the peculiar notions of some every penitent sinner. classes of Christians. The true state This is a brief statement of the doc of the controversy is this. The advertrine of the Atonement, and compre saries of the doctrine assert, that nothing hends all that is essential respecting it. is wanted to make way for the pardon of It may be summed up in the following sin, on the repentance of the offender, particulars. FIRST, The Death of Christ but the mercy of God: that the death upon the cross was an atoning and expia- of Jesus Christ is not an atoning and tory sacrifice. SECONDLY, God, out of expiatory sacrifice, and has nothing to do regard to it, can consistently pardon sin. with that pardon : and that God confers THIRDLY, In conferring this blessing, he this blessing through Christ, as he does has regard to it as the condition and con other ordinary favours. It is on this sideration on account of which he bestows point that we are at issue; for we mainit. These points will, I trust, be fully made tain, on the contrary, that God has out in the course of this discussion. At thought fit to require, as a condition or present I would merely observe, that consideration, in order to his pardoning when we speak of the death or sacrifice sin, something distinct from the repentof Christ as being the only foundation ance of the offender; and that this is the of a sinner's pardon, we mean no more death of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is than that it is the only condition and an atoning and expiatory sacrifice. I consideration, on account of which God may believe more than this respecting does actually forgive sin. It is not the merit of Christ's death. I may necessary that we should prove that this maintain, as I do, with our church, that death is an exact equivalent for the it is “a full, perfect, and sufficient demerit of transgression, or that it forms sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for such a complete satisfaction for the sins the sins of the whole world.” I may of the world, as rigid justice might go further, which I do not, and express demand; or that it lays God under such my belief that this death is an exact an obligation to cancel the debt of sin, equivalent, in point of suffering, for the as a creditor would be laid, who has penalty of man's transgression : I may received the full extent of his demands. refine even upon this, and contend that These are points which have no essential there was, to the most minute numerical connexion with the doctrine of the calculation, an equality between the Atonement. They may be thought to sufferings of Christ and the punishment grow out of it, and may be the subject due to every sin, of every individual of fair discussion among Christians; who shall be ultimately saved by Jesus but they do not necessarily belong to it: Christ : and that if more or fewer than and it would be highly inexpedient to this number had been intended to be clog the doctrine itself with any thing saved, a proportionably greater or less that is irrelevant or extraneous. It is degree of suffering must have been sufficient for our purpose, if we can endured : but no part of this is common establish the position that the death of ground, on which the orthodox ChrisChrist has such a connexion with the tian contends with the opponents of the pardon of sin, as that God never does doctrine of the Atonement: it is pecuconfer that blessing without having liar to Christians among themselves, regard to it; and further, that it is the and the whole may be affirmed or indispensable condition or consideration denied, without in the least affecting the on account of which he does forgive the grand question, as resting on scriptural penitent, and that he does so in refer authority.-Pp. 5–10. ence to its being an atoning and expiatory sacrifice. 9 With respect to Sacrifice in I lay the more stress upon this point, general, Mr. Jerram observes : |