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voured briefly to explain, may be termed a description of the Christian's treasure. How true is it that "godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come!" It is indeed " a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation." Yet is it true, on the other hand, that many devout persons endure a vast proportion of suffering during their journey to eternity. The same, how ever, may be asserted of many ungodly persons also. But the afflic tions of a believer are softened and blessed by these three considerations. 1. He expected them, or at least was prepared for them; consequently, he is not thrown into confusion and wretchedness when they actually come, 2. He regards them as the soul's medicine, and receives them that his spiritual sickness may be healed. 3. Grace comes with them, and calls into action patience and a serene confidence in God through Christ, that the end will be peace. Still, therefore, all things are kis; and to the treasures above mentioned are now added resignation, hope, confidence.

In conclusion, let us seriously inquire how far all things are ours; how far we possess and value an interest and property in the ministers and other means of the Gospel. Let us examine in what degree life is ours; sanctified by a wise use of it, and introducing us to the mysterious privilege of viewing death itself as a valued possession. Let us pursue the inquiry by ascertaining what we are doing with things present, and in what manner we look towards things to come. Then let us examine well whether we are Christ's, and submit ourselves without reserve to that grand scheme of redemption, which, as its chief end, magnifies the glory of God, and by which Christ is God's. If we are not Christ's, we are the property, the slaves, of this world; we are in bondage to the prince of darkness himself. "His servants ye are to whom ye obey." At this hour, as ever since the first

preaching of the Gospel, mankind are divided into the two parties of such as are Christ's, and such as are not. Between the rival kingdoms of light and darkness, there is no neutral ground. We are either with Christ or against him. If with him, then freely shall all things be ours; riches unsearchable, crowns incorruptible, rest everlasting. May God grant to us such riches, such crowns, such rest, through the entirely sufficient and abundant merits of Jesus Christ! Amen.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

As you were pleased to insert a collation, which I some time since submitted to you, of the different opinions of Bishop Wilson and Bishop Tomline on the same passage in St. Matthew, I beg leave now to offer a few similar observations.

I must set out by disclaiming the intention of speaking evil of dignities, and especially of mitred dignity. Nevertheless, when I discover a marked and most important diversity of opinion between those writers of our Established Church, whose authority we are accustomed, nay, universally called on, to respect, I may venture to point out that diversity, with a view to our determining which opinion is the true one, and embracing it. It is considered as no disrespect to the most eminent writers on the sciences or philosophy, to trace the discordance of principle which appears in the works they have offered to the world. On the contrary, such a measure is approved, as indispensable to the removal of those errors which would obscure the light of scientific or philosophical knowledge. That truth should be pursued by similar means, in so high a subject as religion, scarcely requires to be established by argument.

When I read the statement of the Christian doctrine of "regeneration," as given in the Bishop of Lincoln's "Refutation of Calvin

ism," I could not but recollect a diametrically opposite view of it, which is presented to us by the learned and proverbially sober Tillotson, Archbishop of Canterbury. The Bishop of Lincoln seems to impute to the Calvinist alone, the supposition of the soul of man being regenerated after baptism. But let us come to the comparison I have in view, as the best illustration of the justice of the Bishop's sentiments.

The Bishop of Tillotson, Archbp. Lincoln. of Canterbury.

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"This great and I shall shew wonderful change [his Grace says [his Lordship is in a sermon on plainly speaking Gal. vi. 15, vide of baptism] is, as 2d vol. foliol it were, a new that this doctrine nature." Refuta- of the conversion tion, p. 84, 2d ed.

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and regeneration The word re- of a sinner being generation, there- effected in an infore, is in Scrip- stant and all at ture, solely and once, is not well exclusively appli-grounded either ed to the one im- upon Scripture, mediate effect of or experience." baptism, once ad- Again (p. 340): ministered, and is Regeneration never used as sy- and sanctification nonimous to the are attributed to repentance or re-the same causes, formation of a the principal and Christian; or to instrumental; to express any ope- the Spirit of God, ration of the Holy and to the word Ghost upon the of God. We are human mind, sub- said to be born sequent to bap- of the Spirit, and tism." (p. 86.) to be sanctified by the Holy Ghost; to be begotten by the word of truth, and to be sanctified by the word of truth, which is the word of God. So that Scripture speaks of them as the same thing." (He does not here name baptism.)

"Neither Scrip- "After many ture," (p. 92), strugglings" (p. "nor the writings 343)" and conof our church, flicts with their authorize us to lusts, and the call upon those strong bias of who have been evil habits, this baptized, whether resolution, assistin their infancy ed by the grace or at a mature of God, does efage, to regene- fectually prevail, rate themselves, and make a real or to expect rege- change both in neration through the temper of the workings of their minds, and the Holy Ghost." the course of their

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lives; and when that is done, and not before, they· are said to be regenerate."

Regenera"It is said," (p. tion" (p. 98) " of 341), "that one those who are al- of the main difready baptized, by ferences between the forcible ope- regeneration and ration of the Spi-sanctification, is rit, is one of this, that regethe doctrines by neration is incawhich the weak pable of degrees, credulity + of un- and that all that thinking persons are regenerate is imposed upon are equally so." in the present" But this is a times."

The opposes

mere fancy and imagination." Bishop Though the altoge-Archbishop is ther the doctrine even speaking of "sudden con-against sudden version," (p. 93). conversions "A sensible ope- usually happenration of the Holy ing, he still says, Spirit, effecting a Some men, by total and instan- an extraordinary taneous change power of God's

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tion rests under the shade of the archi-episcopal mitre, he will no longer, I trust, charge the supporters of it with thoughtlessness and "weak credulity."

PASTOR.

hearts grace upon their and dispositions." hearts, are suddenly changed, and strangely reclaimed from a very wicked and vicious, to a very religious and virtaous course of life; and that which others attain by slower degrees, and great conflicts with themselves, before they can gain the upper hand of their lusts, these arrive at all of a sudden, by a mighty resolution wrought in them by the power of God's grace, and, as it were, by a new bias and inclination put upon their souls." (p. 341.)

P. S. It ought not to be overlooked,

that the Bishop of Lincoln has recommended Tillotson's Works in the list of books which he has prescribed for the student in theology.

Ought we not to ask, therefore' and ought we not to determine also, by an unprejudiced appeal to the pure word of God, which of the above distinguished prelates of our church has afforded us a just view of the important doctrine of regeneration? For it is impossible that two comments, which so diametrically oppose each other, should both be in unison with Scripture. Leaving it to your readers to decide in favour of that view of regeneration which appears to them most correct and scriptural, I may, nevertheless, presume to add, that the animadversions heaped on those who maintain the doctrine of regeneration as separable from baptism, ought to be tempered by the recollection, that the sober Archbishop Tillotson" maintained this very doctrine. And when the Bishop of Lincoln shall recollect (for his Lordship must have surely forgotten this circumstance), that the doctrine in quesCHRIST. OBSERV. No. 132.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

THE following passage, in Sir Matthew Hale's Works, appears very much to bear upon the controversy relative to the British and Foreign Bible Society. As that great man's attachment to the Established Church was never suspected, his authority will be the more satisfactory to your readers.

A FRIEND TO THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

"As the rule to attain our chief end, must come from God; and as the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God; so we say, that these Scriptures are the rule, and the only rule, to attain our chief end. Good books of other men, good education, good sermons, the determinations of the church, are good helps; but there is no other rule but this. It is by this rule that we must try other men's books and sermons, yea, the very church itself. Thus the Bereans tried the doctrine of the Apostles themselves, by the Scriptures which they then had, and are commended for it. And Peter prefers the evidence of the Scriptures, before a voice from heaven *. And Christ himself appeals to the Scriptures, to justify himself and his doctrine +. And if the Scriptures be the only rule,

"1. Then, not a natural conscience, especially as the case now stands with mankind; for that is many times corrupted and false princi

• 2 Peter i. 18, 19. ↑ John vi. 39. 5 G

pled, puts good for evil, and evil for good. It is, and may be, a great help, guide, and direction, not a perfect rule.

"2. Then, not the writings and traditions of men: God, that appoints the end and means, must be the discoverer of the means of our salvation.

3. Then, not pretended revelations: those may be men's imaginations, or the devil's delusions; to prevent and discover which, God hath set up this great and standing revelation of his Scriptures.

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siness, until I have first retired, at least for a few moments, to a pri vate place, and implored God for his assistance and blessing.

"I will neither do, nor undertake any thing, which I would abstain from doing if Jesus Christ were standing visibly before me; nor any thing of which I think it possible that I shall repent in the uncertain hour of my certain death. I will, with the Divine aid, accustom myself to do every thing, without exception, in the name of Jesus Christ, and as his disciple; to sigh to God continually for the Holy Ghost; and to preserve myself in a constant disposition for prayer. "Every day shall be distinguish ed by at least one particular work of love.

4. Then, not the church: for that may err; and it hath no way to evidence itself, but by the Scriptures, which are its foundation. "The business of man's salvation is of that importance, and the wisdom of God so great, that he will not commit so weighty a matter to such uncertain rules as these, but bath provided one of his own making, the Holy Scriptures."-Thirlwall's "I will never eat or drink so Edition of Hale's Works. vol. ii. p.

318.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

PERMIT me, through the medium of the Christian Observer,' to lay before the public the following resolutions of the estimable Lavater. And, whilst he, being dead, yet speaketh," may those who hear earnestly pray for that devotional spirit, and heavenly-mindedness, which characterised this excellent man!

May a spark of that Divine love, which animated his soul, animate theirs also, till they shall at length "shine together, as stars in the firmament of heaven!"

W. F.

DAILY RESOLUTIONS OF J. C. LAVATER. « I will never, either in the morning or evening, proceed to any bu

"Every day I will be especially attentive to promote the benefit and advantage of my own family in particular.

much as shall occasion to me the least inconvenience or hindrance in my business; and between mealtimes (a morsel in the evening excepted), I will abstain as much as possible from eating, and from wine.

"Wherever I I will first pray go, to God that I may commit no sin, there, but be the cause of some good.

"I will never lay down to sleep without prayer, nor, when I am in. health, sleep longer than, at most, eight hours.

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"I will every evening examine my conduct through the day, by these rules, and faithfully in my journal how often I offend against them.

"O God! thou seest what I have here written. May I be able to morning with sincerity, and every read these my resolutions every evening with joy and the clear approbation of my conscience."

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MISCELLANEOUS.

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To the Editor of the Christian Observer. THE kind attention you have paid to every branch of our family (complainants, I grant, for the most part), in giving publicity to our plaints, encourages me to hope that you will be equally kind to a neg lected female, whose wrongs, long borne with silent patience, have at length compelled her to make this appeal to the public.

Our family, Sir, is of acknowledged antiquity, and has been respected for some centuries by the good. My mother is a most respectable matron, and I have two elder sisters, who, with myself, are all the children of my mother's house. But pardon, Sir, the involuntary emotions of nature: I cannot mention my mother, without experiencing sensations of admiration and love, to which I would willingly give ex

ed. Thousands, who partook of the blessings of her bounty, many of them in a lavish measure, while they loudly extolled her liberality, yet neglected her service, and turned away from her peculiar graces with a chilling disregard.

After having paid this short tribute of affection to a beloved parent, permit me now to introduce my sisters to your notice, before I say any thing of myself. I would only premise, that though we are three, there is but little difference in our ages; we were all born nearly about the same time. In painting the character of my eldest sister, it is very difficult to convey any adequate idea of the rare dignity and excellence of the original. Her matchless simplicity; the harmonious, rich, and heaven-born elevation of her expressions; her comprehensive feeling for human wants; pression were I able: let it suffice to her peculiar felicity in adapting her say, that she is one of the most holy remedies and her consolations to family upon record. She had many every case of distress; her copious Sisters, some older than herself, but flow of unaffected piety; her spotnone of superior or even equal pro- less purity; her unbounded love of mise: she is therefore called the man; and her unreserved devotion to fairest daughter of the Reformation. the will of God in all things, have My grandfather is a venerable per- uniformly engaged the esteem of all sonage, descended directly from who have cultivated a familiar interHeaven many ages since, but still course with her. But there is in my of sound constitution and undimi- sister one quality which peculiarly nished vigour. Indeed, of late his distinguishes her, and forces a triface has been lighted up with a bute of respect and admiration from smile of peculiar complacency, in every unprejudiced beholder; and consequence of the marked respect that is, her marked resemblance to which has been paid him through- my grandfather, the venerable perout this land; and the efforts which sonage already introduced to your have been made in it to procure for notice. My grandfather's claim to him a similar degree of respect in a heavenly descent is generally alevery part of the world, whether ci- lowed, and my sister's resemblance vilized or uncivilized. My mother of him is so striking, that some have also has of late been cheered by even gone so far as to say that she witnessing the return of no inconsi- bears the majestic impress of a derable share of that almost univer- Divine original, so legibly in her sal regard which she experienced in countenance, that he that runs may her youth, but of which for many read it. years she had been unjustly depriv

But, endued as my sister is with

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