REVIEW OF BOOKS.

Sermons. By the Rev. J. Jones, Minister's Joy, from 3 Jobn 4. in

M. A. Minister of St. Andrew's which Mr. J. treats of the occaChurch, Liverpool. 8vo. Pp. xiv. sion of the Minister's Joy, and the

and 440. Hatcbards. 1829. grounds of it. He describes the Sermons, Chiefly Practical. By the Minister as rejoicing, · Rev. Edward Bather, M. A. When he perceives that his children

Archdeacon of Salon. Vol. II. continue to hold fast the doctrines of the Svo. Pp. xii, and 570. Hatchards, gospel, 1829.

Andafterillustrating this position, Miscellaneous Sermons, preached in observes,

the Parish Church of Chellen 2. The minister's joy, however, is ham. By the Rev. Francis Close, not complete until it recoguises in A. M. Svo. Pp. xx. and 480.

his people a heuvenly conduct, as well

as correct sentiment. It is but too Hatchards. 1829.

possible for men to “hold the truth in

uprighteousness." They hold it, it may AMIDST the depressing feelings be, from the mere bias of education, or which recent events have naturally the force of evidence,- not from the excited, the receipt of these volumes conviction which “experience," only afforded us no small encourage

can afford. They hold it for purposes ment. Here are three individuals

of false confidence, or spiritual pride, or labouring in distinct and important

love of controversy : they suffer it not to

restrain them from sin, or excite them places, who, in the space of a few

to holiness: they render it an object of weeks present each to the people of dislike to others, and a source of aggrahis charge a volume of Sermons, vated condemnation to themselves ! originally composed for their bene These are far from forming the subjects fit, and now published to stir up

of a faithful pastor's joy : for such as their minds by way of remembrance.

these he blushes before men, and weeps

before God: “Rivers of tears run down How many of like sentiments and

his eyes, because they keep not God's character, may we conclude, are

laws.”. For such as these did the proclaiming to their congregations mourning prophet exclaim, “O that my the same important truths, who yet head were waters, and mine eyes a from various circumstances have fountain of tears, that I might weep day not exhibited their discourses in a and night! My soul shall weep in secret more permanent form. The review

places for your pride.” These men form

a numerous sect in every age of the of such circumstances emboldens as

church. There were multitudes of them to thank God, and take courage. in the days of St. Paul. “ For many

We notice, in the first instance, walk," he observes, “ of whom I have the volume of Mr. Jones, princi told you often, and now tell you even pally because we do not recollect weeping, that they are the enemies of having had the pleasure of meeting

the cross of Christ : whose end is deswith him as an author. We are

truction, whose God is their belly, and here favoured with twenty-three

whose glory is in their shame; who

mind earthly things." sermons, which may be justly cha To “ walk in truth," is to walk conracterized as exhibiting sound doc sistently with truth. And how much trine in an attractive and impressive does this imply! We profess that the form, The Sermons are rather doctrines of the cross, which we have short, but will, on this account, be

embraced, are “ doctrines according to esteemed by many as more adapted

godliness :” our walk, then, must be a

godly walk. We admit that they who for family reading, for which in

are Christ's are required to “mortify various respects, they are well their members which are upon the calculated.

earth :" our walk, then, must be a morThe first Sermon is entitled, the tified walk. We consent to the stateMAY 1829,

2 B

ment that where our « treasure is, there word requires, but the full import of will our heart be also”-that our “life is your obligations to God and Christ. hid with Christ in God”--that “our Consider the price paid for your redempconversation or citizenship is in heaven, tion—the condemnation from which from whence also we expect the you have been delivered- your present Saviour:” our walk, then, must be a enjoyment of the means of grace, and heavenly walk. It must be a walk, in your hopes of future and endless felicity. short, consistent with our principles, Ought you not to be “holy in all manwith our professed object and pursuit. ner of conversation and godliness," In every rank, and in every age of life, studying in all things to glorify Him, there is a suitable deportment to be who hath called you to this state of salobserved. The conduct which may be vation? Ought you pot, under the conconsistent with the gaiety of youth, or straining influence of the love of Christ, the ignorance of the rustic, would not to strive, day by day, to “live no longer be tolerated in the man of learning or unto yourselves, but unto him who died of years : it would be termed inconsis- for you, and rose again?” Assuredly tent with his dignity, his acquirements, you ought, This, and this alone, will or his age. And thus it is in the case suffice to constitute that " walking in we are considering. There is a certain truth,” which, when exemplified by his course of action, and a certain kind of people, proves the fruitful occasion of deportment, becoming the character of ministerial joy.-Jones, pp. 10–14. the “Christian," a departure from The Tenth Sermon, entitled, which must be termed “inconsistency The Christian's Sure Confidence, with truth."

from Psalm lxii. 5-10. contains · This consistency between a Christian's walk and the “truth” which he professes

the following passage, which has should be maintained in everything; in

the number of opponents would It is a remarkable fact that mankind be materially diminished. We have, in every age, indulged the fond differ from his conclusions, but expectation of a future, however distant, admire his spirit. The following

renovation of the world. Philosophers

have united with poets in upholding the passages may afford a fair specimen

wishes and the hopes of their fellow men. of Mr. J.'s views on this subject,

They have spoken in fable, and sung in and the manner in which these views verse of the return of that “golden are stated. He is explaining Rom. age,” when all shall be, as it once was, viii. 19-23.

pure, and perfect, and serene. It seems Survey the wide surface of the globe, difficult, at first sight, to understand how and say how large a portion of it lies the deliverance of the creation from its useless and waste! Is not vanity the present bondage can be concomitant characteristic of lands and continents, with the second coming of our Lord. on which the rain falleth plentifully, and If, indeed, the common opinion respectthe sun shineth in his strength, but ing the second advent, and the abode of which no man inhabiteth? They are the the righteous after their resurrection habitation of dragons, the joy of wild from the grave, be correct, I know not asses.” How often, and how abund- how to explain the passage, except by antly, do the dry land and waters pour rendering it altogether figurative: and forth, apparently in vain, the creatures even then, the figure must necessarily after their kind! They live but to prove have some reference to the accomplishthe sport of the tempest, or the perse ment of corresponding realities. This cuted victims of each other's devouring is one, therefore, of the many passages appetite.

of holy writ which seem to favour the But man, alas! is of all animals the notion that our Saviour's second advent most degraded by the fall. See whole shall precede the millennium. The tribes and nations of his species reduced apostle is speaking of a time when the almost to a level with the brute ! Behold sons of God shall be manifested in glory them pining in want and misery, in all when they shall attain their glorious the feebleness and stupidity of the Hot- liberty—when they shall receive their tentot, or in all the recklessness and adoption, and the redemption of their ferocity of the savage. You shudder at body. What is this period, but that of the sight; you are humbled to think the second advent, with which the how low human nature has sunk! But resurrection of the just is always conto a spiritual eye there is an aspect in nected in scripture? If, then, this event which it appears to have sunk lower should precede the millennium, or rather still—with reference, I mean, to the should introduce it, we see at once how moral image it has lost! “God made the expectations of the world will be man upright, but he hath sought out fully realized ; for then shall be fulfilled many inventions." Unsatisfying as the the various promises and predictions world is, he invariably seeks his happi- appertaining to the latter day. ness from it. God is not in all' his .If however we are determined to *7 thoughts. To him he flies not in his reject the idea of a personal advent of distress, but to the creature, impotent our Lord previous to the millennium, like himself-to the creature “made (and I would not, myself, dare to speak subject to vanity.”

dogmatically on the subject) then the This state of things is not, however, deliverance and renovation of the world to last for ever. A day is coming, even spoken of in the text must be considthe “time of the restitution of all ered as taking place at the consummation things," when the creation shall no lon- of all things, when, after the general ger be subject to vanity, but shall be resurrection, it shall be purified by fire. renovated, emancipated, and purified. Let us attend to what the scripture says Accordingly, the apostle proceeds, in on the subject. Not to occupy your his personification, to represent the time by a reference to texts which apworld as exercising a hope of this final pear to have an indistinct bearing on result. Ver. 20. “In hope that the the point, I would at once direct your creation itself also shall be delivered attention to the following very striking from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

* We would suggest to Mr. J. the omis. For we know that the whole creation

sion of these three words in his next groaneth and travaileth in pain together edition ; many reject the idea, who are until now."

not determined to reject it.

passages from the third chapter of the without sin unto salvation." It is evisecond epistle of St. Peter : " Knowing dent that the “hope of righteousness * this first, that there shall come in the spoken of in the text, has a direet relast days scoffers, walking after their ference to the period and consequences own lusts, and saying, Where is the of the second advent, Accordingly we promise of his coming ?"-P. 103. find that the apostle connects it most

Is this, then, the great event to which closely with this glorious event: “Lookthe creation is supposed to look forward, ing for that blessed hope, and the glorious by the apostle, with such intense desire ? appearing of the great God and our What! to its own destruction! Such Saviour Jesus Christ;” or, to give it a would very naturally be our surprise, stronger emphasis, such as the original if we were not assured that the creation appears to warrant, “ Looking for that will be so far from suffering annihila- blessed hope, even the glorious appeartion by these tremendous fames, that, ing of our great God and Saviour Jesus on the contrary, it will be thereby Christ." purified. Having been emptied of its The appearing or manifestation of inhabitants by the decisions of the Jesus Christ is always connected, in the judgment-day,—the wicked banished writings of the apostle, with the conto their dreadful abode, the righteous summation of the hopes of the righteous. caught up together with the Lord in the Then, and not till then, will the prize air,-time and opportunity will be af- of their high calling of God in Christ forded for the work at once of destruction Jesus be awarded them. St. Paul himand renovation.-P. 104. i

self, though “ in a strait betwixt two, All this seems strongly to support a having a desire to depart and to be with very ancient opinion in the church, that Christ, which was far better," did not this earth, in its renovated state, shall be expect to receive his complete felicity, the everlasting abode of the righteous. and his “ crowning honours," til} the The learned Bishop Butler, who held day when the last trumpet should sound, that opinion, quotes the language of announcing the glorious advent of the several authorities to prove its antiquity, Lord of life, and awakening the dead in and adds, " Why should the new hea. Cbrist from their sleep in the grave. ven and the new earth be destroyed, Jones, Pp. 60, 61. when there shall be no more sin, when Such, my brethren, is the hope of there shall be no more curse, when there righteousness, which the apostle, in the shall be no more death? The heaven text, describes himself and his fellow and the earth of old, for the wickedness Christians as waiting for. It is the bope of man, perished by water : the heaven of that endless happiness and glory and the earth which are now, are re- which the church of Christ shall realize served unto fire, against the day of judg- at" his appearing and his kingdom "ment, and perdition of ungodly men; when he shall come and receive them to but why should not the new heaven and himself, that where be is, there they the new earth be preserved, wherein may be also. It is the hope of the redwelleth righteousness ?'—Pp.105, 106. surrection of that gladsome day, when We fully, however agree with

all the saints that have slept, and all the

saints that shall then be found alive Mr. J.'s concluding observation, upon the earth, shall be respectively which seems too much lost sight raised, and transformed into the image of by many.

of their Lord. It is the hope of reunion But which-soever of these theories we with a glorious body, which shall be no adopt, or whether we in some sort com longer a bindrance, but a hanumaid, lo bine the two, the practical reflections the spiritual exercises of the mind. It which flow from this subject are nearly

is a hope, in short, of heaven, with all the same.—Jones, 106.

rich, and varied, and everlasting

blessedness. There are some fine passages in Who that contemplates the happiness the fourth sermon on the Hope of of that world, into which nothing tbat Righteousness, but we can only defileth shall ever enter-where there find room for the following extract shall be neither sin por sorrow, but endwith which we must for the present

less joy and peace where they shall go take leave of Mr. J.

no more out where they see as

they are seen, and know even as they : But when shall this be? When our are known-where the vision of the Saviour shau « come the second time Almighty shall be beheld in unclouded majesty and beauty-where Jesus, in his Christ. If he has the least insight into glorified body, shall shine in the full his own character, or to the requiresplendour of his diety-and where his ments of the gospel, he must needs dread redeemed, saved out of every kingdom, the arrival of an event for which he is so and nation, and people, shall meet to unprepared.-Pp. 62-65. getber in his likeness, to see him, to dwell with him, to commune with him

Archdeacon Bather's volume confor evermore, who that contemplates tains twenty-four sermons, which these ingredients of the “ hope of right- are marked by the same peculiarieousness,” can forbear from crying out, ties as distinguish bis former in the language of holy desire and ear- volume Sound principles and nest importunity,“ Come, Lord Jesus,

sus, correct practice, delivered in a style come quickly!"" Yet this is not, my brethren, a cry

ry combining a considerable degree which is frequently heard among us of quaintness and originality, a certain token that our religious views The eighteenth sermon is enand feelings fall far short of those of the titled, The impenitent under the primitive believers in life and spiritu- Gospel, more guilty than the ality. It was one of their characteristics, Heathen. The text is Matt. ix. that they " waited,” “ looked forward

21, 22. to," and “ longed for," the second coming of their Lord. In this glorious event The plain doctrine which we collect they seemed to centre all their hopes. from bence is this; that as the sins of With them the coming of Christ was men who have the light of the gospel, synonymous with the realization of all are much greater than the sins of the that is desirable—with freedom from worst men can be who have it not, so every evil, and with the possession of their condemnation in the day of judg. every good. They " waited” for it as ment will be far heavier. an event most devoutly to be wished : In the application of this to ourselves they cheered their minds in the con- it will be necessary to consider templation of it, when drooping under 1. First, the advantages for knowing the troubles which they were called to and serving God, which we at this day bear: yea, for this hope which was possess. before them, they learned to glory in We are certainly not circumstanced tribulation, not counting even their lives exactly as our Lord's own hearers were; dear unto them, so that they might yet bold as the assertion may at first “ finish their course with joy."

sight appear, our spiritual advantages, But is it so now! Look at the taking all things into the account, can multitudes around you. They are pro hardly be looked upon as less than fessedly “ Christians”- they have been their's. In some respects undoubtedly baptised with the same baptism-they they are less, but in others they are even receive the same word—they name the greater : at all events, thus much may same name, as did the primitive be be confidently affirmed, and is very, lievers. But, alas! they possess not the easy to be proved. We have most same spirit. To the majority, it is to be abundant evidence of the truth of the feared, the second advent of Christ is gospel. We have all the assistance either fraught with no interest at all, or that is necessary to enable us to underis a subject of unmingled dread. And, stand it: and when we do understand indeed, living as the majority do, it is it, we cannot possibly deny God's love not at all surprising. For the same to be manifested in it towards ourselves, Jesus who shall come to be glorified in a manner the most affecting and in his saints, and to be admired in all most stupendous. them that believe,” shall also “be re- I shall not enter into any exposition vealed from heaven with his holy of the evidences we possess of our angels, taking vengeance on them that Lord's Messiahship, and of the truth know not God, and obey not the gospel of the religion which he taught. You of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall admit, by calling yourselves Christians, be punished with everlasting destruc- and by appearing in God's house, that tion from the presence of the Lord, and you have evidence enough to satisfy from the glory of his power:" It is only you: but if our Lord's hearers be supthe grossest self-delusion which can posed to have had a great advantage persuade an ungodly man that his hap- over us, in that they saw his miracles, piness is connected with the advent of whereas we do bụt read the record of