36 his errors, and to increase human pu- | when touched by the spear of Ithurity and happiness, may be expected riel, starts up, surprised at himself, to refer to it the language of revela- and discovered to the world. tion:"Peace be within thy walls, Our honest friend, Jeremiah Rinand prosperity within thy palaces." gletub, without any ceremony, exBut before he opens his bosom to the poses the sins of this history-writing full impression of such a sentiment, Cushion: its sectarianism, its misin reference to a particular sect, he tating and discolouring of facts, its should possess the best reasons for defamation, its denial of the right of its adoption; and should be all vigi- | private judgment, its justifying the lance while he cherishes it, lest some extortion of payment for religious evil temper toward others should instruction, which we neither apenter his heart, as Satan did the prove nor attend; its artful and inplace in which the children of God jurious representation of the characwere assembled together. The man ter, conduct, and death, of Charles who can, with an approving con- the First; with several other historiscience, style the episcopal church in cal iniquities. Nor has our author this country, "a truly spiritual one," | failed to reprobate that ecclesiastical may certainly be forgiven by those pomp and circumstance which many who dissent from his opinion, if he so much admire. He gives a lumiis zealous in her cause. But let him nous history of its origin, and conrejoice when true religion is pro- trasts it with the pure simplicity and moted, even in " barns ;" and let him spirituality of the religion of Christ. do ample justice to the excellencies National establishments of religion of men, who belong to the household he clearly proves to be unscriptural, of God, although they do not to the and not beneficial. The dissenters, religion of houses;" and all that too, receive a due portion of notice. tends to raise suspicions of their mo- They are justly represented as genetives, and opposition to their holy rally acting on the defensive, as not exertions, let him with anxiety avoid. chargeable with Charles's death, and Every man should have liberty to as benefactors to their country, in worship God according to the doc-preserving her expiring liberties by trines and mandates of divine reve- great and generous sacrifices. Nor lation, of which he is to be the is it the least valuable part of this judge; and to disseminate his opi- work, in which the great principles nions as far as his ability extends, of toleration are laid down, the evils if they affect not the civil rights of of persecution described, the prostithe community at large. To enforce tution of the Lord's supper lamentsuch principles as these, and to op-ed, the injustice of the corporation pose those of an opposite nature,were and test acts proved, the folly of atthe reasons why our author appears to tempting to force uniformity in relihave written the Legend of the Velvet gion exhibited, the character and Cushion; a performance which we conduct of Charles the First justly recommend every one to peruse with painted, and the causes and the auattention, who desires to possess just thors of his death clearly ascertained. views of religious liberty, of noncon- Much, however, as we admire this formity, and of some of the most im- work, justice requires that we refer portant events recorded in the his- to its faults. The allusion in the tory of his country. We have to 34th page is vulgar, and, in another thank the Velvet Cushion (for, if it respect, objectionable, Sometimes could write its own history, it can there is a coarseness in the language receive our gratitude) for being the and illustration, as in page 42. The occasion of producing this masterly scriptures are now and then quoted, and useful book. But it has hap-in places that render the passages pened, in this case, as in every other in which truth has had to contend with error, that the good cause has triumphed. He who, like Satan at the ear of Eve, forms fantasms and dreams to serve his own party, ludicrous. The puns, we think, are not beauties; and the picture of Charles, and the defence of the puritans, might have been shorter: and, as a general remark, we think that, while justice shines in every Diary of Mr. Joseph Williams, edited by the Rev. B. Fawcett, M. A. in 1779." Nor can a more just and correct analysis of the work be given, than that which the very respectable editor has furnished in his page, the writer, when he wrote his | Letters, was not, at least on one side, much given to tenderness and mercy. But, beside its other good qualities, and which, indeed, are so many, as to render its few blemishes comparatively trifling, it has exam-preface. ples of very able and fine writing. "Here, it is humbly hoped, ChrisWe give the following passage as a tians, of very different attainments in specimen of the style and spirit of the divine life, whether weak or the work :-"The church of Eng- strong in faith; whether engaged in land cannot be happy, while other painful conflicts with their spiritual churches flourish around her; she enemies, or triumphing over them; affects to tremble for the ark of God; may see reason to conclude, that, but what is this but the cowardly as in water face answereth to face, apprehensions of a man who doubts so the heart of man to man.'-Here, the divine origin of the gospel; or the men of trade and worldly busiwho thinks that the Almighty Being ness may learn, the perfect consis feels no peculiar solicitude for its tence between the duties of life and success, and that he only can for- of godliness; between their minding ward it by means of human power earth, and making sure of heaven; and human policy, superadded to and how absurd and iniquitous it is, the energies of his truth and the in- to make light of religion, and 'go fluence of his Spirit. The great bar- their ways,' in the neglect of it, 'one rier to the success of true religion, to his farm, another to his merchanI have no doubt, must be thrown dize. They may here perceive, how down. All that opposes unsophisti- rational and scriptural it is, to ‘accated Christianity, and all that would knowledge God in all their ways,' pervert and corrupt it, must be swept and thereby turn success or disap away, that the universal church may pointment, prosperity or adversity, arise purified and glorious, decked into occasions of greater nearness as a bride, to meet her descending and devotedness to God, more cor-. Lord! The church of Rome, the dial delight in him, and fuller enchurch of France, the hierarchy of joyment of him. Here, the lovers of England, and every other secular learning and science may trace the religious establishment, will then labours necessary for attaining selflose their distinctive, excluding, and knowledge. Here, the proud and persecuting character; the living passionate may discern, that the dif stones will be gathered from their ficulties of being clothed with huruins; and all together, with the my-mility,' and of putting on the incorriads of the redeemed in every clime, ruptible ornament of a meek and form one vast temple, to be a recep- quiet spirit,' are not insurmountable. tacle of the Divine Majesty for Here, the indolent and slothful have ever!" a convincing proof, that the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.' An enlarged Series of Extracts from Here, they who did run well,' but the Diary, Meditations, and Letters, were easily hindered, that they of Mr. Joseph Williams, of Kid- should not obey the truth,' are taught derminster; with Notes, biographi- both the duty and happiness of becal and explanatory. To which are ing steadfast, unmovable, always annexed, some original Letters from abounding in the work of the Lord." Ministers, &c. occasioned by his Here, doubting and trembling souls, death; and an Index; embellished with all their load of perplexity and with a Portrait. By Benjamin uneasiness concerning their eternal Hanbury, a descendant of the Author.state, have before them an example WE cordially subscribe to the declaration of the present editor, that "few books have been more acceptable to the religious public, than the 6 6 of one, who, in some seasons of his life, exactly resembled themselves; though, at other times, he rejoiced with joy unspeakable, and full of happiness and external comfort of man; by imparting light and expansion to his mind, by giving a po cing and perfecting the arts. These advantages, for we allude to the sciences of this world, however, terminate with life; and, if we would possess knowledge that will serve to direct our steps on earth, that will gild the dark clouds that hover over the valley of the shadow of death, and that will accompany us into eternity, for ever to regulate and delight the mind, we must turn to the discoveries of the glorious gos glory.' Here, parents and heads of families are prompted to try themselves, whether they are manifesting their own piety, by earnest endea-lish to his manners, and by introduvours, to form Christ in' their children and servants, and what disinterested, zealous, and prudent measures they are pursuing, for the present and everlasting happiness of the next generation; that when they themselves die, their successors may rise up, and call them blessed.'Even the most devout and heavenly minds will here have the pleasure to see, what they themselves feel, that Mr. Williams never thought himself already perfect; but was ever rest-pel of the blessed God. The apostle, less in his desires and endeavours to love God more ardently, to have greater zeal and success in doing good to others, and that he might win Christ, and be found in him!'" In the present edition, besides the addition of much new matter, to give the greater interest to the work, the names of the several parties alluded to, (which prudence might require the compiler of the first edition to omit) are now nearly all introduced; and, in most instances too, the superscriptions to the epistolary matter are given; and several biographical notes are also added. To the numerous descendants of Mr. W. and their connections, this complete edition of his Diary and Letters, cannot but prove a most acceptable present. To such as are acquainted with his character and writings, we need say nothing in their favour. To others, we hesitate not to recommend the book; and doubt not but they will find themselves, as we have been, most amply rewarded by the perusal of it. Advice and Encouragement to Young Ministers; Two Sermons, addressed principally to the Students of the Two Baptist Academies, at Stepney and at Bristol: the First, preached June 23d, 1814, at the Rev. Dr. Rippon's Meeting, Carter - Lane, Southwark; the Second, August 3d, 1814, at the Rev. Dr. Ryland's, Broad-Mead, Bristol. By Joseph Kinghorn. THE Sciences have contributed, in a high degree, to the intellectual who was so correctly informed on the subject, has said, "I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Man is born in sin, and in sin he grows up, and in iniquity ho lives, and under the condemnation of it he passes into eternity, a melancholy tormented spirit, to exist for ever in despair and torture, if not delivered by the salvation of the gospel. This light of life is, therefore, necessary to the Greek and the barbarian: all the human race have sinned, and must be brought nigh unto God, by Him who died, the just for the unjust, or perish everlastingly. The ordinary means of communicating this saving health to a diseased and dying world, are found in the gospel ministry; for "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" And, as the Christian ministry has been employed, from the beginning, in the dissemination of the truth of God, and is to be so used down to the end of time, it is greatly important that those who engage in its duties should be entirely fitted to discharge them; hence it is, that pious and enlightened men have united to impart to young ministers, as much as possible of useful and sacred knowledge; ignorance is not the mother of Christian devotion, and a ministry, sound in learning and piety, is the glory of the church of God. matters of the divine law, respecting the motives, studies, and labours of Christian ministers, are explained with perspicuity, and enforced with a direct and honest energy. The man of God appears to feel a paternal solicitude for the competency, general excellence of the young ministers to whom the sermons were particularly addressed. With a proper zeal, he urges them to attain information, and, with his eye on the Seminaries, into which pious young | war a good warfare." These weighty men enter, whose ministerial gifts have been previously ascertained, in order to acquire necessary and useful information, and to form a habit of close application to study, are among the wisest and best of human institutions. Moses, and Isaiah, and Paul, who were princi-zeal, activity, usefulness, purity, and pal men among the prophets and the apostles, were possessed of much learning. The scriptures allude to the sciences, to ancient and long departed customs and manners, and in them are things hard to be un-tribunal of God, he entreats them to derstood, so that an expounder of acquire these mental riches, to be these divine oracles had need to used, in future years of exertion, in be a laborious student, and a well- the erection and beautifying of the informed man. Knowledge, and a living temples of God. The tendency habit of laborious study, he should, of these discourses, like that of the at the very least, possess, if he is doctrines of revelation, is to increase destitute of what is usually styled the wisdom and purity of these rising learning; and these, when add- servants of our God. It blesses them, ed to ardent piety, will not fail, and, if properly regarded, will make through the divine benediction, to them a blessing. Cold, formal, ethi– make him an able minister of the cal distributers of erudition, pretty New Testament. The two sermons or pompous declaimers, vain men torbefore us are much adapted to bene- mented with a feverish thirst for hufit Christian ministers, especially our man applause, he ardently wishes his younger brethren, who have separated hearers not to be: looking to the end themselves, for a time, from active of mortal things, reflecting on the duties, that they may intermeddle apostacy and immortality of man, with all wisdom. The text of the and, not forgetting the design of the first discourse is taken from 1 Tim. gospel of mercy, he appears every iv. 15.—This passage, the preacher where to say: “O men of God, follow supposes particularly to refer to the after righteousness, godliness, faith, 13th verse, where Timothy is exhort-love, patience, meekness. Take heed ed to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine; and, viewed in this light, the words before us suggest: First, That Christian ministers should seriously consider what will improve their knowledge and usefulness. "Meditate on these things." Secondly, That they should attend to them with diligence. "Give thyself wholly to them." Thirdly, That the end which they should have in view, and which, by such means will be answered, is, "that their profiting may appear unto all." The second discourse is grounded on 1 Tim. i. 18, 19, in which, the preacher observes, there are two things presented to our view: First, What Timothy was to hold," faith and a good conscience." Secondly, The end for which he was to hold them," that thou by them mightest to yourselves, and unto your doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this you shall both save yourselves and them that hear you." We very cordially, and with much earnestness recommend these discourses to the attention of Christians of all denominations. A Dictionary of Religious Opinions, &c. By William Jones, 12mo. 1815. Gale and Co. FOR books of this class there has been lately a very great demand. Religious bodies have, within the last few years, come in contact with the government and the parliament; and, on various occasions, have attracted the attention of the country at large. And the Bible Society has Preparing for Publication: brought Christians of all denomina- | LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. tions into closer intercourse than was ever known before. We do not say that this is not a good book, but the "Author of the History of the Waldenses," and Editor of the "Biblical Cyclopædia," could have made a better. IMMANUEL; a letter on Isaiah, vii. 14, and on other subjects, relative to the character of the Messiah; addressed to George Hardinge, Esq. In answer to Strictures of a Modern Jew. "Unto the Jews I became as a Jew," 1 Cor. ix. 20. By Edward Davies, Prebendary in the Church of Brecon, and Rector of Bishopston in Gower. In the Advertisement, Mr. Jones observes, "The Christian world, as it is called, is but of small extent, embracing not more than one-fifth of the population of the earth. If the inhabited known world were divided the late Rev. A. Fuller will be speedily It is expected a Life and Remains of into thirty parts, it would be found, prepared, but it is not yet determined that nineteen of them are still pos- whether they will be prefixed to his works, sessed by Pagans, six by Jews and (of which a regular edition is intended to Mahometans, and five only by Chris-be given to the Public, according to his tians of all denominations. Out of own directions) or, be published previously these nominal Christians, not more in a separate Volume, by Dr. Ryland. than one-third of them are protest-Considerable materials have been furnishants: and how many amongst themed by his own family, and others of his all are Christians, indeed, can be friends. known only to the Great Searcher of Hearts." If this little book should not be entirely superseded by the new edition of Hannah Adams, (with Mr. Fuller's Essay on Truth) we should earnestly recommend it to the editor, to give authorities in the next edition. The want of these is a great defect. In the article Quakers, p. 197, Mr. Jones says, "with regard to the resurrection of the body, their language is much less decisive, and of doubtful import, though many among them avow their belief of a literal resurrection. We hope good authorities cannot be produced for this statement. In p. 237, it is asserted, that "the socinians have generally united with the Bible Societies in their laudable exertions to circulate the scriptures, affording, in this instance, an honourable proof of candour and liberality." We very much question the correctness of this statement. Mr Jones takes the population of the world at 800 millions. The account stands thus: Mr. Brook's Dissent from the Established Church, justified by an Appeal to Facts, having been some time out of print, a 3d Edition, improved, will soon appear. The Messiah's Advent; or, Remarks on The Peculiar Doctrines of Grace, accuMessrs. E. and R. Erskines, Thomas Bos rately stated and illustrated, by the Rev. about the Marrow of Modern Divinity; ton, &c. on occasion of the Controversy to which will be prefixed, an Account of the Lives of the above and other Divines, who made that noble stand for gospel Truth; compiled by J. Brown, Minister, Whitburn. "The Indwelling and Righteousness of Christ, no Security against corporeal death; but, the source of spiritual and eternal life :" a Sermon, delivered at the interment of the late Rev. Andrew Fuller, by the Rev. J. Ryland, D.D. of Bristol. The Rev. R. Frost of Dunmow, is about to publish a Manuscript, containing some, remarkable passages in the Life of his venerable ancestor, the late Mr. W. Kiffeu, an eminent Minister of the Baptist denomination in London, written by himself. The Rev. Dr. Colquhoun, of Leith, means soon to publish a treatise on the Law and Gospel. "Ecclesiastical, Historical, and Civil Memorials, relating chiefly to RELIGION, and the REFORMATION of it, and the Emergencies of the Church of England. under KING HENRY VIII. KING EDWARD VI. and QUEEN MARY I; also 3 A |