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Flanders, confuted by his reason. We record with greater pleasure ings, some of his Roman Catholic his treatise against Transubstancountrymen.

tiation, and his defence of the His sympathies seem to have Protestant view of the Sacrament. been much excited by witnessing Being appointed one of the Assemthe distressed state of the Protestants bly of Divines who met at Westin Holland. He expressed his minster, his opinion on some points wishes that some national interests of theology were controverted, and then in dispute between the two the majority declaring against him, nations, might be given up on he submitted; and also subscribed the part of England, if by such the covenant, though he had conconciliation the condition of the tended for a moderate episcopacy, Reformed Dutch might be bettered. divesting the prelates of their seats

A Mr. Balmford and others in the House of Lords, and abolspreading a report that Dr. Featly, ishing the rest of the hierarchy. the Archbishop's chaplain, who had He engaged likewise with the licensed his work on lots, had assembly in writing annotations on regretted that circumstance, and the Bible, wherein those upon Isaiah, had declared that if it were to be Jeremiah, and the Lamentations, licensed again, he would refuse his fell to his share. He was now sanction, Mr. Gataker published, offered, upon the removal of Dr. in 1623, a defence of his former Comber, the mastership of Trinity work. It appears that the Doctor College, Cambridge, by the Earl acknowledged the strength of the of Manchester, which he declined arguments used by the author, but on account of his health. His thought it imprudent to send them frequent headaches, however, did out to the world, and wished that not prevent him altogether from he would rather exercise his talent the prosecution of some important in the confutation of Popery. To studies. Besides some dissertations deliver you my judgment and of a critical nature, he took part advice in a word,' wrote the Doctor with those divines who opposed to him, 'enough has been done, what has been termed Antinomian and you have sifted the point of views of the gospel, and who lots to the bran. Let me advise dreaded the abyss into which the you hereafter not to dispute any rash imaginations of some popular longer on games of hazard, but ministers seemed to be hurrying rather employ your able pen against them. Mr. John Saltmarsh, having the sorcerers of Egypt, now published a treatise on free grace, abounding in every place, and which belonged to this peculiar making advantage of the least school in divinity, Gataker, in difference among us, who hold the 1646, composed an answer, entitled, like precious faith, purged from the "A mistake or misconstruction dross of their superstitions. This removed ; ' in which he observed, counsel was not given without “That it seemed a thing much to good reason. It was, to say the be feared, that the course affected least, an ineligible line of argument by some, and much delighted in by for such a man as Gataker to adopt. others, of extracting divinity in a His opponent, Balmford, justly kind of chemical way, into quaint exclaimed, “How will gamesters and curious, but groundless and insult the scrupulous, now they useless speculations, and (as he have so learned a patron of their ventured to call them) even chimgaming?' Some respectable fo. erical conceits, would, if it held reigners too were offended at his on, as much corrupt the simreasoning, among whom were Amnes plicity of the gospel, and the and Voetius.

doctrine of faith, as ever the quirks

and quillets of the old schoolmen proved to be tertian, and though did.'

not severe, yet happening to one In 1647 he recovered in strength so infirm and aged, seemed the so far as to be able to go to church, herald of dissolution. This was but imprudently preaching, burst a followed by almost continual fever. blood-vessel; being considered re. He was calm and composed, and vived, he again ventured to mount discovered a heart weaned from the pulpit, which brought on alar- earthly vanities, and anticipating ming symptoms; he still however celestial realities. He said to his continued to administer the sacra- friend Mr. Ashe, whom he re. ments, and to deliver short dis- quested to perform the last offices courses at funerals. Being unable for him, “I am now conflicting to preach, he published several with my last adversary, though I learned works which have been believe the sting is taken out. esteemned.

Nature will struggle, but I humbly He was the first of the forty submit unto the good pleasure of seven ministers, who in 1648 sub- God. I heartily beg the pardon scribed the remonstrance to the of my many sins, especially of my Army, and the General, against the want of sedulity and fidelity in my design of trying and executing the public and private charge, hoping King. He disliked the principles to be washed with Christ's blood, and practices of the Independent and desiring to be translated into faction; and, as he found it vain to that everlasting rest, wbich God plead for moderate episcopacy, the hath prepared for them who are current of the times setting in so interested in his Christ. And I strong against bishops, he endea- pray God to bless you, and bis voured to uphold the presbyterian whole ministry every where!” polity. Among the maintainers of On the twenty-sixth, being much the same system, he had some worn, he exclaimed, “How long, friends still in power, who protec. Lord, how long, come speedily!" ted him in his legal rights against At three in the aftesnoon, he called the ambition or the fanaticism of for his sister, son, and daughter, to the Independent agitators. But receive his last charge. “My heart when it appeared that he was rather fails, and my strength fails, but suspected than countenanced by the God is ny fortress, and the strong government, some of his parish- rock of my salvation. Into thy ioners refused payment of their hand therefore I commend my share of the composition for the soul; for thou hast redeemed me, tithes of their houses, which upon O God of Truth !-Son, you have an amicable law-suit had been de- a great charge, look to it, instruct creed him in the Court of Exche- your wife and family in the fear of quer, and in satisfaction for which, God, and discharge your ministry he consented to accept of forty conscientiously. Sister, I thought pounds per annum. Being unable you might have gone before me, to execute the duties of bis bene. but God calls for me first. I hope fice, he was very willing to resign, we shall meet in heaven." He and pressed this measure for several admonished his - daughter to mind years. In 1653 we find him en- the world less and God more, for gaged in a controversy with Lilly, that all things without piety and the celebrated Astrologer, about the true fear of God are worth the certainty of his art, which he nothing. The next day his voice had maintained was revealed to was less articulate, but his under mankind by the good angels. standing was active. About six in

He was seized with a fainting fit the evening he called for bis son to on the eighth of July, 1654, which commend his soul unto God, and endeavoured to speak, but was not and retentive memory. He was quite intelligible; yet by his ges- remarkable for soberness of mind, tures he gave assurance that he and viewed with much jealousy the understood perfectly, and concurred fond fancies and wild conceits which with the devotions used in his prevailed in his day, and which he behalf. Within an hour after he considered as dangerous to the best breathed his last, and was trans- interests of mankind on the one lated into that rest which he so hand, as antiquated superstitions on often and earnestly desired in ano- ' the other. He was a faithful shepther world, because he could obtain herd, diffident and modest, bút none in this.

immovable when convinced that Mr. Gataker was of middle stat his purpose was right. He was ure, spare habit, lively countenance, married four times, and had almost fresh complexion, temperate in completed the eightieth year of his diet; cheerful in conversation; of earthly pilgrimage at the period of quick apprehension, solid judgment, his removal.

A FATHER'S MEDITATION ON THE FOURTH ANNIVER

SARY OF THE DEATH OF A BELOVED CHILD.

ALTHOUGH four years have now he trusteth in thee Often have they elapsed since the removal of my been troubled at beholding in thee beloved child, yet the wound which more decided marks of adoption was then inflicted is still open, and than they could discover in thembleeds afresh this morning. But. I selves. Often did the beams of bless the Lord that he has con- heavenly brightness which played tinued to apply to it a healing over thy placid countenance, speak balm, and that I can look up to to them a language, which none Him in the full assurance, that all but a parent's heart can understand. the allotments of his providence Often did they learn from thee a are the offspring of unbounded lesson, which calmed them in their love, and wisely designed to make disquietudes, and led them to adore the thoughtless consider, and to the grace that could cause so young warn his people to trim their lamps, a tree to produce such rich and and to have their lights burning, abundant fruit. The recollection that they may be ready to meet of thee still does them good. It him in glory when their redeemed serves to weaken their attachment souls shall leave their earthly taber- to a world in which they cannot nacles, and with them all their long remain, to remind them that cares, and sorrows, and tempta- their home is above, that their true tions. Young as thou wast, my and abiding enjoyment is above, beloved child, divine knowledge and that the fulness of the blessmade thee wise unto salvation, and ings which faith embraces is also often have thy beloved parents above. Though thou art dead, yet listened with delight to thy wise my beloved child, thou still speakand spiritual remarks, indicative of est, and we hear thy voice. Thou a mind at peace with God and speakest both from the grave and weaned from earth. Often have from the throne of God, and while they looked with wonder and de- we are warned that we we must go light upon thy composedness of to the place that is appointed for spirit, which so strikingly attested all living, we are encouraged to the truth of the words, thou wilt look beyond it, and to hope for the keep him in perfect peace whose ripe grapes, not of Eshcol in an mind is stayed upon thee, because earthly Canaan, but those which

are to be found in the Paradise of thou didst bear to her. O then let God. Weak, timid, gentle, inex- us magnify the Lord together. perienced in thyself, thou wast Thou art in a triumphant state, we enabled by grace to obtain a com- only in a militant one. Thou art plete victory over disease, and sin, safe within the walls of the heaand death. Thy consolations here venly Zion, we are still in tbe wilwere abundant, but now they are derness surrounded by enemies, but without measure and without end. may we by the holy Spirit be enaNow thou art drinking endless bled to exclaim, thanks be unto God pleasures in. Every afðiction is who giveth us the victory, through now forgotten, every thought is our Lord Jesus Christ Contrary to now fled for ever, and the Saviour human expectation, I am spared to whom thou didst love, and follow, write these lines, for since I pended and glorify, and with whom thy the last upon this subject, I had, as spirit did maintain sweet commu- I conceived, a near view of eternity, nion, is now the sole object of thy and nothing have I to build my contemplation and of thy perfect hope upon, but the Saviour in unmixed love. Other objects occu- whom thou didst confide: He was pied a large portion of thy tender all my salvation and all my desire. care and love while here. O my Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget beloved child, thy parents can never not all his benefits, who crowneth forget thy desire to please them, thee with loving kindness and tender thy dear sister now treading in thy mercies. AMICUS HIBERNICUS. steps is keenly sensible of the love Feb. 25, 1829.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REV. D. WILSON'S SERMON TO

CHILDREN.*

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the

children crying in the Temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David ; they were sore displeased,-And said unto him, Hearest thou what they say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea, have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise ? Matt. xxi, 15, 16.

MR. W. commences his sermon by intimating an intention of addressing the children of his parish every year, on the Friday before Midsummer-day, at morning prayer.

'Give me (says the affectionate pastor) your attention. Let each little boy and girl look at me, and hearken, just as if he were the only child in church, and there were no person whatever present but him self.

‘And besides this, pray to God, dear children, each of you, for his blessing upon wbat I shall say. I can only speak to the outward ear; it is God who must speak to the

* A Sermon preached to Children, at the Parish Church of St. Mary's, Islington, on Friday, June 19, 1829,

heart. Just as a man sows the land, and plants the flowers in the garden; but it is God who alone can send down the rain from heaven, and make them to bring forth fruit.

I. We begin with the CHIEF THINGS IN THE HISTORY ITSELF.

There are many importapt particulars in it, which will appear, if we compare the different gospels together.

1. Our Lord sent for an ass's colt, and foretold all the circumstances about it.

Jesus Christ was just about to die as a sacrifice for our sins at Jerusalem. Five days before the crucifixion, he came near to Bethany and Bethphage, and “sent forth two of his disciples, and saith

unto them, Go your way into the is the joy and praises of the multivillage over against you,” “and as tudes. “And when he was come soon as ye be entered into it, strait- nigh, even now at the descent way ye shall find an ass tied and a of the Mount of Olives, the colt with her, whereon yet never whole multitude of the disciples man sat; loose him and bring him spread their garments in the way, hither unto me. And if any man and others cut down branches from say ought unto you, ye shall say, the palm-trees and strewed them in The Lord hath need of him, and the way; and the multitudes that straitway he will send him hither.” went before and that followed began

This is the first thing to be to rejoice and praise God with a noticed in the history. You see loud voice, saying, Hosanna to the Jesus Christ knows everything, Son of David; Hosanna in the and can rule the wills of men at highest ; blessed be the King that ever such a distance. He is God cometh in the name of the Lord ; as well as man. Though he ap- peace in heaven, and glory in the peared on earth poor and lowly, highest." and had no ass nor ass's colt of his Here I must tell you, that the own; yet he was almighty in power Jews used to cut down branches and infinite in wisdom, as appears from the trees at the feast of Taberby his predicting so many minute nacles, and to sing Hosannas : the things, and causing them to bappen meaning of which word is, “Save exactly as he had said.

now, I beseech thee;' or, • Grant 2. The second particular is, the salvation, I pray thee. But the fulfilment of a prophecy of the Old remarkable thing is, that they Testament in this event; "all this should do this at the entrance of was done that it might be fulfilled the despised Jesus into Jerusalem. which was spoken by the prophet,” Many causes led them to act thus. (namely, the prophet Zechariah, The fame of Christ's miracles durix. 9,) “ Fear not, daughter of ing three years had spread far and Sion, behold thy King cometh wide ; tbe raising of Lazarus from unto thee, meek and sitting the dead, (which took place just upon an ass, and a colt the foal before this time) had led numbers of an ass.”

by curiosity to seek to see Jesus ; All the chief events in our Lord's it was the feast of the Passover, life were foretold by the holy pro- when the Jews from all parts of the phets, hundreds of years before he country flocked to Jerusalem ; was born. There are three pro- many amongst the people were phecies concerning Christ fulfilled convinced he was the Messiah, and in the history before us, as I shall a few were his sincere and humble show you. The one in Zechariah disciples. Above all, the secret is the first; and very remarkable guidance of God's providence led it was, that Christ's meek and the whole multitude to follow the lowly character should be thus set example of the few who began. forth. Jesus Christ was a king; Thus they spread their garments but not like the kings of the earth. in the way ; cut down branches He did not enter his royal city in from the palm-trees; and praised outward pomp and glory, and with and blessed God in the very words chariots and horses, as the con- long ago foretold by the prophet querors of this world do; but he David; a part of which words our entered it in humble triumph, as Lord before, in the course of his the meek and lowly Saviour, the doctrine, had expressly applied to man of sorrows, riding upon an himself; and this is the second ass's colt.

prophecy to be noted in this history; 3. The third point in the history “The stone which the builders

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