had left I had pursued, that God had given me up to a reprobate mind, me to fill up the measure of my iniquilies. At these seasons I often eudeavoured to pray; but my heart was hard. I frequently formed many resolutions and determinations to abstain from those things which I knew were hateful to God, and would, if continued in, terminate in my everlasting ruin; but, alas! still I loved sin; and although reformation might continue for a time, yet when the same temptations presented themselves before me, so great was the depravity of my nature, that I soon fell into the snare, and committed the same transgressions as before. In this situation I continued five years. My parents beheld me with sorrow, they knew it was not with me as they could wish'; but they were little acquainted with my conduct, and knew still less of the iniquity and perverseness of my heart! In the year 1801, being desirous of obtaining a more extensive knowledge of my business, I left my situation at N-n, and came up to London; where it pleased God, in his wonderful mercy, to cast my lot in a family where Christ was worshipped and beloved. I had not been in this situation long, before its pleased God to lay upon me the rod of affliction; and, in my calamity, I thought upon God, and was troubled. I reviewed my past conduct; and saw that I had treated God in the most ungrateful' and rebellious manner, and deserved nothing from his hands but everlasting misery. My hard heart was softened; and I cried unto the Lord for mercy to pardon my sins, and health, that I might manifest the sincerity of my repentance, by giving myself up to his service: he is mercy heard my supplications, and speedily restored me to health and strength. As soon as I was able, I read Mr. Hervey's Theron and Aspasio; and soon after, Doddridge's Sermons on Regeneration; and God was pleased abundantly to bless them to my soul; for by the reading these books, connected with the ministry of Mr. S, of London, my mind was, 1 trust, savingly enlightened I saw myself to be a poor, guilty, lost, and ruined sinner; and earnestly implored merey and forgiveness for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ; and I trust I did not implore it in vain: he heard my supplications for mercy, and discovered to me his ability and willingness to save to the uttermost ! Some time after this, I joined the church of Christ under the care of Mr. S- ; of which I continued a member till I came down to Gosport. Thus, my dear friend, I have related to you some of the dealings of God with my soul, and the reasons of the hope that I am a true Christian; and I now continue in the land of the living as a monument of rich and suvereign grace. Good Children, a Blessing to their Parents. CHILDREN, the fifth commandment confirms all your other numberless and powerful obligations, often to enquire, How may I become a blessing to my parents? Ingenuousness of disposition should make this the very summit of your ambition, to be a credit and a comfort to your parents; to swerten,, perhaps, to lengthen the lives of those from whom, under God, you have received your owa; and God, the liewarder, usually gives to such a conduct, even in this life, a most observable recompence. But it is possible that you may be the happy instruments of more than a little good to the souls of your parents. Should they even be pious parents, you may, by some delicate methods, he the instruments of their growth in piety and preparation for the heavenly world. Happy, thrice happy children, who are thus favoured ! Among the Arabians, a father sometimes takes his name from an eminent son, as well as a son from his reputable father. Truly, a son may be such a blessing to a father, that the best surname for the glad father would be, The Father of such a Mather's Essays to do Good, p. 51. enc.' 6 Dbituary. ed in the solemn services of God. In MISS ANN THOMPSON, died September 5, 1809, aged 19. Tars truly amiable young person was made a partaker of the grace of God at a very early period of Afe. Like Timothy, she knew the holy Scriptures from a child ;' and was made wise unto salvation, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. From the age of 12 years, till she left this world, she discovered Our greatly esteemed young friend manifested an affectionate a steady attachment to the person and interest of the precious Reconcein for the everlasting welfare deemer; and, by her temper, conof the poor children belonging to duct, and conversation, proved that the Sunday School to which she the doctrines of grace, to which she attended. Her exertions for their was firmly attached, had been re- spiritual improvement were geneceived by that faith which is pro-rally followed with weeping and supduced by the influence of the Holy plication on the Lord's Day evenGhost. She possessed the most hum-ig, knowing well that the success bling views of the natural depravity of all means depended upon the diof her heart, of the turpitude of vine blessing. moral evil, and of the numberless transgressions of thought, word, and deed, which she had committed against God; and nothing afforded her the least ground of encouragement to hope for pardon and salvation, but the obedience and death of Jesus. Here hung ali her hope. The following lines, Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on thee!' exactly described the views and feelings of her mind. Though she was blessed with an amiable natural temper, and, through grace, was preserved from outward vices; yet she saw so much evil in her heart, and detected herself in so many things contrary to the purity of that Being who sees the inmost mind, and discovers the thought afar off,' that she was convinced no works of her own could possibly atone for her sins, nothing but the everlasting righteousness' of the Lord Jesus Christ could render her complete in the presence of Jehovah! Her hatred of sin increased with her years. She often groaned and wept in the bitterness of her soul, on account of the interruption she found from indwelling corruption, when engag She was sensible of the vast importance of prayer; and seldom did she engage, even in any ordinary concern, without asking counsel of God. It might truly be said, That she acknowledged Him in all her ways. Those who best knew her, were often impressed with that tenderness of conscience which she so eminently possessed. Her observations on the vanity of this world, the supreme importance of personal religion, and the glories of a future state, were often rendered peculiarly useful, even to aged and experienced Christians. The oldest person in her domestic circle, has frequently derived advantage from her seasonable, judicious, and pious remarks, particularly when any thing had transpired to produce uneasiness of mind, In April last, she was seized by a disorder which terminated in death. During her illness she was exercised with extreme bodily sufferings; which God enabled her to bear with great patience. Her sister, one day, seeing that her sufferings were exceedingly severe, wept over her; to whom she said, ' Remember, I am out of Hell, - why should a living man complain?'. At another time, having endured great agony for several nights, she said, I would willingly lie forty years in this pain, could I enjoy as much of the Lord's presence as I have lately enjoyed!' But her joy in God was not unin terrupted she was left to experi ence the want of comfort. Her soul was assaulted by the cruel adversary; yet the Holy Spirit lifted up a standard against him. Her mind was again released from fetters and darkness; and, before she left her worn-down tabernacle, she was perfectly composed and tranquil. The night on which she died, she was carried to her room, and undressed herself without any assistauce; when, suddenly, she said to her mother, I am going, indeed I am; my sight fails me.' She was assisted to lie down; and, in about an hour and a quarter after, she quietly expired. Then were All her sorrows left below, I When only 12 years of age, she wrote thus: My soul, art thou prepared to meet God? Were 1 to die, to which place should I go, to Heaven or Hell? The Lord's name be praised! I have a little hope that, if I should die, I should go to Christ; which is far better. trust, I am renewed by his grace; and that when I die, I shall be with bim! Lord draw me, and I shall run after thee!' I find my affections too much fixed on things temporal, and seldom think of things eternal. O what a weighty concern is the salvation of my never-dying' soul;- I must be for ever happy or miserable! Hide thy face from my sins,' &c. - Do I feel my need of a Saviour? Indeed, I do! I know that all my righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and I trust in his righteousness, for I know none of my works will avail! Never be ashamed of Christ! Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may, When I've no crimes to wash away!' · Lord, I do desire this day to take thee as my Father, Christ Jesus as my Redeemer, the Holy Spirit as my Sanctifier, the word of God as my guide, — the people of God as my companions, and Heaven for my home!' Ann Thompson, aged 13 years and nine months. Lord enable me to keep it! he en When I contemplate Death, I am lost in thought! Important subject! yet I cannot give it its true importance. Who can tell what it is? No one has ever returned to say what it is. This we know, It is the separation of soul and body; and what must it be to separate two so closely united! To the unbeliever what must it be! But to the believer Jesus has deprived Death of his sting! tered the grave; and, I doubt not, he attends the death bed of his people. Natural affection prompts a parent to be with his child at that trying moment, and Jesus, who is a tender father, will never permit. an earthly parent to excel him! What and shall I fear to die !-shall I dread the cold embrace of the ghastly monster! My Saviour has hitherto conquered all my enemies ; and shall he not vanquish death? Yes, my dear Redcemer, I trust thou has redeemed my soul from the jaws of Hell! O give me grace to meet death with courage!' . 08 -1 God has granted her the desire of her heart. She is now where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.'-- Let the young, who read this Obituary, remember the uncertainty of all earthly things. Are you young and healthy? --so was she'! Are you blessed with godly parents? was she? Are you in comfortable circumstances? so was she! Are you in prospect of forming an important' conection? So was she! But all her earthly expectations have vanished! Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth!' 'One thing is needfu'! If you are interested in Jesus, all is well; all will be well for ever! 6 Then, to five is Christ,-to die will be gain!' J. H. Tottenham Court Chapel. REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS, &c. A Sermon, preached at Scarborough, at the Primary Visitation of the Most Rev. Edward Lord Archbishop of York, July 28, 1809. By the Rev. Francis Wrangham, M. A. F. R. S. of Trinity College, Cambridge. 38. 6d. [Continued from page 469.] ASSERTIONS, whenever practieable (says Mr W.) should be associated with proofs.' We cheerfully subscribe to this canon; and intend to be governed by it in our examination of his Picture of Calvinism, by the writings of John Calvin himself. As the theological sentiments of that Reformier are to be found in bis Institutes of the Christian Religion, we shall present our readers with an epitome of that work, quoting and translating such passages as are adduced by Mr. W. We are con vinced that this is the most effectual way of rendering justice to Calvin. Quoting dislocated passages, and ad ducing garbled extracts, without at tending to the context, or the continuity of argument, is unjust, and deserves to be reprobated by every impartial mind. Let none of our readers, however, imagine that we design to rescue either the name or writings of Calvin from any fair and just animadversions. Truth is dearer to us than the name of Calvin ; but we are confident he deserves none of that abusive language with which it has of late become fashion able to load his name. la forming the plan of his Institutes, Calvin adopted, as his model, the Apostics Creed, as a summary the most familiar to all classes of Christians in that age. His Institutions, therefore, like that symbol, consist of four parts, and treat of four subjects: 1st, Of God the Father; 28, Of the Son of God; 3d, Of the Holy Spirit, and, 4th, Of the Church. Just views of the divine character, ought ever to be considered as fundamental in all real religion: Calvin, therefore, employs his first book on this important subject; the whole of which is well worth the careful perusal of the theological student +. The second book treats of the Redeemer. It opens with an affect. ing description of the depravation of our nature by the Fall, and states the practical uses of such a subject ; especially to produce the deepest abasement of mind before the God of purity. . Original Sin he defines to he 'the hereditary corruption and pravity of our nature, diffused through all the powers of the soul, which renders us guilty before God,' and produces in us the rks which the holy Scripture calls the works of the flesh, all sinful actions. — ' Yet,' says he, away with those who would make God the author of sin ! our destruction is not from God, but from the works of our own flesh. We perish for no other reason, than because we degenerated from our first condition. Nor, let any person object, that God might have better consulted our felicity in preventing the fall of Adam.’ Our auther then enters extensively into the slavery of sin, and its various proofs; especially, that arising from the doctrine of regeneration, and concludes, Restat igitur, &c, (lib. ii. chap. 2, sect. 20) Therefore, that the way into the kingdom of Heaven is opened to none, except those on whom the Holy Spirit, by his own illumination, shall bestow a new mind *.' When God imps us to rectitude, he abolishes whatever is of our own * John iii. 3. + A translation of the Institutes of Calvin, by three or four competent persons, qualified to illustrate their author by notes, theological, historical, and critical, is quite a desideratum, and might be attended with many good effects. The Letters too of the Reformer would shed considerable light upon some controverted topics, if arranged and translated in the same way. will.', (Aboletur quicquid est propriae nostræ voluntatis). When I say he abolishes the will, I mean not as it is will, but as it is turned from evil to good *. He then states, (lib. ii. chap, 3. sect. 9.) that from the corruption of our nature proceeds nothing but sin. Excludit Christus, &c. Christ excludes all opinion of power, however little.' He does not say we are too weak to be sufficient for ourselves; but,' Without me ye can do nothing +.' Prior pars boni operis, &c. The first part of a good action is will; the second, execution; - God is the author of both.' -to Ad id quod dicere solent, &c. But as they are accustomed to say, After we have received the first grace, our own endeavours co-ope: rate with subsequent grace :' this I reply, if they mean that, after having been subdued by the power of the Lord to the obedience of righteousness, we voluntarily go forward, and are inclined to follow the operation of grace, I say nothing against it. But if they mean that man derives from himself that by which he supports the grace of God, they are most egregiously deceived.' Calvin then proceeds to state, That man thus ruined, must seek for redemption in Jesus Christ; and concludes the second book with an excellent dissertation, in five parts, on the Person and Work of the Redeemer, In the third book, Calvin treats of the Holy Spirit, and the manner in which we receive the grace of Christ, and of its fruits and effects; the principal topics of this book are seven-1. Of the Operations of the Holy Spirit as the source of faith, a new life, and all holy actions (chap. i.) 2. He subjoins a treatise on faith, not as the meritorious cause, but as the hand by which we embrace the Redeemer (chap. 2.) 3. That this saving faith may be better known, he points out its legitimate fruits:-repentance, mortification of sin, and the Christian life; which he most justly describes (chap. 6-10.) 4. To shew more extensively the advantages of fa th, he treats of justification,—and on Christian liberty as an appendix to justification: a liberty which he ably defends, jet, carefully distinguishes it from licentiousness. (ch. 11-19.) 5 He treats of prayer as a chief exercise of faith, and as the means by which we daily receive the blessings of God. (caap. 20.) 6. And seeing all who hear the gospel do not actually embrace it. lest it should be unaccountable, he subjoins a dissertation on Election. (chap.21 −24.) La entering upon this subject, Calvin says, He is determined to abide by what he conceives to be the sense of the sacred scriptures; Ao speak when they speak, and to be mule when they are silent. He admits the doctrine maybe cavilled at a' but he does not consider this a sufficient reason for passing it over, because on this ground the doctrine of a Trinity in Unity, the proper atonement of Christ, and other topics, are exposed to the like treatment. He first views Election, nationally, in the posterity of Abraham; then, in a more limited manner, in Jacob and his descendants, while Esau and his posterity are passed by; and finally, as all are not Israel that are of Israel, he treats of an election of persons, and thinks that the Scriptures clearly shew, Eterno et immutabili consilio, &c. (lib. iii. c. 21, s. 7.) That God, by eternal immutable counsel, both appointed whom in future he would take to salvation, and, on the other hand, whom he would condemn to destruction. This counsel, as to the Elect, is founded in gratuitous mercy, without any respect to human merit; but, as to those whom he appoints to condemnation, the way of life is foreclosed by a just and irreprehensible, but incomprehensible judgment.' (lib. iii, ch. 21. sect. 7. After answering four objections. he proceeds to shew, that election is confirmed to us by the calling of God; which is accomplished, not * Calvin here expressly comments on Ezek. xxxvi. 26. + Here Calvin comments upon John xv. 1-3. |