fo toilfome, that they cannot honor God in his fanctuary on the fabbath. Upon this principle, was there no fuch divine inftitution, they would be neceffitated to refrain from their fecular employments. In countries where the papal influence hath spread, and many days in the courfe of the year, have been confecrated, by human authority, to religious fervices, we fee, in be laid afide, and man and beaft enjoy a refpite from toil, must be highly grateful. After the labors of the week the tranquillity and rest of the fabbath are peculiarly agreeable. They fit for renewed exertion with increafed vigour. Strength is recovered-nature worn down with exceffive toil, is refreshed, and the ufual tafk of the week is performed with wonted energy, activity and pleafure.fome meafure, the pernicious elHuman affairs would lofe their order and proper feafon without the fabbath. The all-wife Creator perfectly knew what was adapted to the ftate and circumftances of man. Divine wisdom is very eminently difplayed in the portion of time feparated for holy purposes. A lefs portion would not have anfwered the design of its appointment, in the refreshment of man and beaft; a greater would too much have diminished the period neceffa ry for fecular purfuits. It is altogether probable that as much or even more extenfive bufinefs is performed in the fix, than would be in the feven days. Man is far more vigorous and capable of activity than he could be was there no day of reft. Should it be faid, that the feelings and circumstances of individuals would point out the proper period of reft, it is obferved; that there is a mutual dependence and connexion, in the affairs of life, between the members of community, which extend to branches of business so numerous as to render it neceffary that activity should at the fame time pervade the whole. Otherwise fome who would be active from inclination would be hindered in their occupations by the inactivity of others. Delay and confufion could not be avoided. It is now the complaint of fome, that the labors of the week are fects refulting from their multiplication. The proportion of time confumed in the numberless rites of fuperftition hath caused the arts and business of life to be neglected, and poverty to overwhelm many, who, were they induftrious, might enjoy cafe and plenty. The fabbath alfo greatly contributes to cleanliness, which is the parent of health. It affords a very proper, and a univerfal opportunity, to attend to this important point in the prefervation and happiness of life. (To le Continued) A. TO THE EDITORS OF THE CON- AZINE. GENTLEMEN, AS expofitions of doubtful the objects embraced by your Magpaffages of fcripture, are among Dr. Guyfe's Paraphrafe, and note azine, I offer you for publication on John x. 34, 35 and 36. To which I have taken the liberty of adding a few remarks. Yours, &c. THE TEXT. JESUS anfwered them, is it not written in your law, I faid ye are Gods? If he called them Gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the fcripture cannot be broken: Say ye of him, whom the Father hath fanctified, and fent into the world, Thou blafphemeft; because I faid I am the Son of God. Ο PARAPHRASE. diate word he had committed the UR bleffed Lord, far from blaming them, (the Jews) as if they mifconftrued his words, anfwered their cavil againft them, in the juft fenfe in which they had taken them: Saying, How unrea-fwers to the high title under which fonable is your being thus furious they prefigured him; how peragainst me, for fpeaking of myself, verfe and daring is it in you to in these high terms, as that Son of charge blafphemy upon me, for apGod, who is God, one in nature plying terms proper to Deity to with the Father? If ye look into myfelf, as fignifying my oneness in the fcriptures, which ye profefs to nature and perfection with the be guided by, do ye not find that Father? Since I am the great anGod there fays of your Judges and titype and fubftance of those types Rulers, who in their office were and fhadows, and am in truth, types of the Meffiah,* I have faid what they were only in name, &c. ye are Gods, and all of you children of the Moft High. Pfal. lxxxii. 6. If then he stiled those Magiftrates Gods, because by his own imme THE foregoing paraphrase and note of Dr. Guyfe, have ftruck my mind with conviction that the title of Gods given to the Jewish * The sense, in which interpreters rulers was altogether typical. The have ufually confidered the term Gods in this place, as fignifying Magiftrates types were of the nature of prophin general, has, I think, mifled them ecies, they clearly foretold the exin their account of this and the fol- iftence of the antitype. The Jewlowing verfes, and very much funk ish Magiftrates being typically Gods, and embarrassed Chrift's argument in and addreffed as fuch by the Most them; and is hardly reconcilable to High himself, was a plain predicany tolerable fenfe of his reafoning tion that the Meffiah the antitype, from them, that the feripture cannot be broken. It feems therefore to me, that fhould be truly God. This idea the perfons here fpoken of, under the gives force and consistency to our title of Gods, are not as has been com- Saviour's reasoning, and adds an monly thought, Magiftrates barely important meaning to the last clause confidered as fuch, on account of of the 35th verfe, And the fcriptheir refembling God's dominion in the exercife of their power, or acting tures cannot be broken, which on therein by authority and commiffion any other fuppofition appears to from him. I much question whether have no meaning at all, and to be the title of Gods is ever given in fcrip- totally unconnected with the other ture to Magiftrates in common; but, parts of the fentence. But if we as I apprehend, it relates only to Jew-admit, that the title in confideraith Magiftrates, who were typical of Chrift, whofe authority was fhadowed tion was given the Jewish Magifout by that, which they exercised in trates in a typical fenfe only, then the commonwealth and church of If- undoubtedly it predicted the real racl, and to whom it was to be trans- divinity of Chrilt. And the preferred, when he should appear to fet up his kingdom in the world; and fodictions of fcripture must be fulfilled-the Meffiah must be God equal with the Father. this denomination of Gods is not metaphorical, but typical, &c. And therefore it was perverfe indeed in, ing an holy and reverend use of the Jews, to accufe our Saviour of his names, titles, attributes, ordi. blafphemy, for claiming to be,nances, word and works; and in what the types had foretold he improving his appointed seasons of fhould be. Should this conftruc-worthip, efpecially his holy Sab-, tion be admitted, I have to enquire bath, in the moft lively exercifes whether any Magiftrates at this of it, whether fecret, private, or day can be confidered as types of public, earneftly regarding his auChrift? And if not, Whether we thority as the reafon, and intendhave any fcripture warrant for giving his glory as your chief end in ing them the title of Gods? all. 6 FROM THE LONDON EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. Letters on the exemplary behaviour of Minifters. By the late Rev. JOHN BROWN of Haddington. (Continued from p. 100.) LETTER III. DEAR SIR, WHILE you carefully a the void the vices mentioned formerly, and, through the Spirit of God, mortify the feveral inward lufts from which they proceed, you must in the fame manner ftudy the exercife of every faving grace, Chriflian temper, and practice, towards God, your neighbour, and yourself; as taught by of God to grace deny ungodlinefs and worldly lufts, and to live foberly, righteoufly, and godly in this prefent evil world." In the ftudy of holiness and devotion towards God, your faving graces and Chriftian tempers must, in a lively and vigorous manner, be exercifed in knowing, acknowledg ing, worshipping, and glorifying him as God, and your God in Chrift. They ought to be employed in like manner, in receiv ing, obferving, and keeping pure and entire all the inflituted ordinances of his worship; in mak 1 Chron. xxviii. 9. Deut. xxvi. 17. Matth. iv. 10. Deut. xxxii. 46, and xii. 32. In regard to your own perfon, labour to have your heart habitually fpiritual, lively, burning with love and holy zeal, inflamed and conftrained by the redeeming love Cherifh of Christ shed abroad in it, and by the powerful influences of his Spirit dwelling therein. the deepest humility, meeknefs and lowlinefs of spirit. Study to poffefs a courageous difpofition of mind, and as much hardiness of bodily conftitution as poffible. Study an habitual and orderly acSatan's temptations, mortifying tivity of difpofition,† in refifting affections as to the objects on which your finful luftst‡in regulating your they fhould be placed, the bounds within which they fhould be kept, and the due fubordination in which they fhould move. A fluggish and lazy as well as a timorous difpofition is of infinitely bad tendency in a minifter, and may draw thoufands, and of himself in the upon him the eternal damnation of P. xxix. 2. Rev. xv. 3, 4. Eccl. V. I. P. cxxxviii. 1, 2. Job xxxvi. 24. If Iviii. 13, 14. I Cor. x. 31. || If. vi. 6. Luke xii. 35. 2 Cor. v. 14. Rom. v. 5, and viii. 5. Luke xiv. 11. Matth. xviii. 4. Num. xii. 3. Pfalm cxxxviii. 6. Prov. iii. 34, and xvi. 19. Matth. xi. 28. Acts xx. 19. 1 Pet. v. 5. Fph. iii. 8. 2 Tim. i. 7, 8, and ii. 1, 3- Acts xx. 24. 1 Tim. v. 23† 1 Cor. ix. 24-27, and xvi. 13. Eph. vi. 12, 13. Gal. v. 17, 24. $$ Col. iii. 1, 5. 1 Tim. iii. 2, 3. and iv. 12. 1 Cor. vii. 29-31. Gal. vi. 14 neceffary in your choice of a pious, * moft tremendous form. Study an heavenly temper, as having your Saviour, Maiter, and portion in heaven; as employed in walking and bringing others to heaven; and as expecting your infinitely great and gracious reward in heav. en. Study univerfal decency or becomingness, in all your words, deeds, geftures, and drefs, fuitable to your office, your age, your gifts, the graces which you ought to exercife, and the circumstances in which Providence hath placed you and the church of Chrift.-ate delight in your wife, fympathy This will render your honeft and pious actions, lovely, even to the enemies of your religion.* In bearing adverfity, efpecially fufferings for righteoufnefs' fake, ftudy to exercise an earnest and vigorous faith in God's promifes; hope of his gracious and feasonable fupport, and deliverance; patience, fortitude and conftancy under his correction, and kindly refignation to it; wifdom and prudence in judging of the troubles and their caufes, and in ufing proper means for removing them. Thus you will attain to the most honorable as well as profitable part of the Christian life, and be fitted for directing and comforting others in their adversity.‡ In your family, you ought carefully to choose fervants that are prudent and fearers of God. But much more circumfpection, and gracious direction from God are If. lvi. 10, 11. Ezek. ii. 6. Matth. xxiv. 48-51, and xxv. 24-30. 1 Cor. ix. 16, 27. ¶ 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18. Col. ii. 1, 2. Phil. iii. 20. Heb. xii. 1, 2. • Job xxxii. 6. 1 Cor. xiv. 30, 40. 2 Tim. ii. 1, 3, 10, and i. 8. Pf. xxxix. 9. 1 Sam. iii. 18. Acts xx. 24, and xxi. 13. 2 Sam. xv. 26, and xvi. 10-12. 2 Cor. vi. 4. 2 Chron. xx. 12-20. If. viii. 17. Mic. vii. 7-9. James i. 4. Heb. xii. 1-11. 2 Cor. i. 3-II. 1 Theff. iii. 7, 8. with her in trouble, and patient bearing of her infirmities. The children whom God may give you fhould be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, without either finful indulgence or cruelty in your dealings with them, and in due time appointed to fome proper bufinefs anfwerable to their inclinations, abilities, and flation in life.|| Your fervants should have not only proper work and wages, but ought to be carefully inftructed, along with your chil dren, in the principles of religion, and required and encouraged to obferve the fecret, private, and public ordinances thereof. §§ I am yours, J. B. (To be continued.) LETTER IX. From the Rev. AARON WOOLWORTH of Bridgehampton, LongInland: I GENTLEMEN, TAKE the liberty to fend to you fome account of the work of God, in this quarter, laft winter and fpring. It has indeed been glorious. "The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad." The attention, in this place, began to be confiderable the beginning of laft November. Before this, and as early as the preceding July or Auguft, there were manifeft appearances of fpecial feriousness upon the minds of a few individuals. Perhaps, previous to the month of November, there had three or four inftances of hopeful converfion taken place; and a fomewhat larger number of perfons appeared under conviction. From this time, our weekly meetings for prayer and Chriftian conference, which had been kept up, principally, thro the fummer preceding began to be more frequented. About the laft of No. vember or the beginning of December, there was a more rapid increase in the attention, both as to the extent and folemnity of it. Our affemblies on the Lord's day were much more full and folemn; and the conference meetings which inftead of once were now attended twice in the week were crouded. The work continued to spread thro the month of December, when the glorious cloud of divine influence feemed to encircle the whole congregation. On new-year's day we attended public worship both in the afternoon and evening. At each fervice the houfe of God was much threnged; and an univerfal, eager, and profoundly filent attention to the word preached, ftrikingly marked the deep folemnity of the audience. Never before did we wit nefs fuch a new-year's day. The Lord was manifeftly and powerfully prefent. Numbers were hopefully brought into the liberty of the gofpel, and filled with joy and peace in believing; and many oth ers became the fubjects of that earneft folicitude about their falvation, which continued with them, till they obtained hope of their reconciliation to God. Subfequent to this it was found that no private houfes would contain the people who flocked to conferences, even though there were two or three meetings at the fame time. Of courfe our appointments were afterwards made in the church. For nearly three weeks, public worship was attended every evening; and the houfe of God was, in common, much more crouded than it used formerly to be, even on the fabbath. Many who lived at the diftance of two and three miles, were conftant attendants. The things of religion appeared to engrofs the minds of all claffes. Such as had been at the greatest remove from ferious confideration were folemnly awakened; and the ftout-hearted made to bow under fearful apprehenfions of the wrath to come. Among finners the common enquiry was "what fhall I do to be faved?" The care of the foul they confidered as indeed the one thing needful. Worldly business beyond what feemed immediately neceffary was, in a great measure, laid afide and made to give place to the concerns and interefts of e ternity. Much time was spent in vifiting from houfe to houfe, and religious converfation became univerfal. Little elfe was to be heard in any circle. Many were mourning under a penetrating fenfe of the |
