Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

to the third heaven, where he heard and at the present moment, there is a mulsaw things which he could not describe titude which r no man can number, enin human language. Such was the im-joying all the delights, and inconceipression which the glory of this vision vably glorious pleasures of the celestial made upon the apostle's mind, that he paradise, are only so many puerile nodeclares he could not tell whether he tions which we entertain in consewas in the body or out of the body: this quence of our ignorance of modern phiMr. Belsham chooses to interpret thus: losophy! From the language of some "All that the apostle can reasonably be of the Notes in the work before us, we understood to say is, that he should not should be disposed to conclude, that the decide, whether it were a real or a vi- author entertained ideas of the nature sionary scene. The impression was so of man, far superior to those we have vivid, that he could not ascertain whe- been noticing. Thus we find him ther it was a real fact, or a scenic repre- quoting Dr. Chandler, in illustration of sentation, supernaturally represented to Eph. iii. 16. "inward man] the mind his mind. We may be well satisfied and spirit, (Rom. vii. 22. 2 Cor. iv. 16.) that it was the latter; because, there is of which the body is only the outward no such place as that which the gross clothing and habitation." And, in anophilosophy of the Jews called the third ther place" The spirit of a man is the heaven, which was supposed to be a man himself." Now, judging from these glorious place, beyond the region of the expressions, one would naturally supclouds and the region of the stars, pose, that Mr. B. entertained the comwhere God manifested his peculiar pre- mon opinion, that it is the mind that sence by some splendid symbol. The makes the man; and that, as the gross discoveries of modern philosophy con- body of flesh and blood in which this cerning the true structure of the uni- real man dwells, as in a tabernacle, is verse, have put an end to all such constantly changing its identity, and puerile conceits." This language, to often suffers much mutilation without say the least of it, is not overburdened in the least impairing or injuring the inwith modesty. The apostle brings for- ternal or spiritual inhabitant-the putward a fact in confirmation of his apos- ting it off altogether, could not any tolical authority, for the truth of which more affect the actual existence of he makes the most solemn appeal to "the man himself," than the putting it the living God; but his expositor gently off in part. But no; the admission of reminds him, that he was altogether in this would be allowing the possibility a mistake on the subject; for, that the of the soul, immediately on its quitting whole was a phantom of the imagina- the body, rising to the enjoyment of tion, is evident from the discoveries of heavenly felicity, instead of being remodern philosophy; to have believed in duced to a state of torpor and unconthe reality of such a scene, must have sciousness, and sleeping a brazen sleep been a puerile conceit; so, that it would for thousands of ages. appear, that Paul had not then put away all childish things!

Having thus got rid of the spiritual world, there is no difficulty in disposing of those who are supposed to be its inhabitants. Angels are imaginary beings, or, at most, earthly messengers; the dead who have slumbered for ages, will slumber on undisturbed for thousands of ages yet to come, for any thing we know to the contrary; the idea of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, being now in a place called heaven; the belief, that the instant a man leaves the body, he is present, in the possession of all the powers and faculties with which his Creator has endowed him, with an innumerable company of angels and the spirits of just men made perfect ;-that

VOL. VIII.

1

But we must pass on to notice very briefly a circumstance or two more, that rather surprised us as coming from the pen of one who offers himself to the attention of the world as an Expositor of Scripture. There is no symbol of union more frequently made use of in the Old Testament, to represent the connexion between the Lord and his church, than that of marriage; we really think it wholly unnecessary to quote examples, since they are so numerous, and must be so well known to every person. This manner of speaking of this indissoluble union is frequently adopted in the Book of Revelation, and is introduced by Paul in several of his Epistles. It may, without the least fear of refutation, be affirmed that a more appropriate symbol could not have

3 C

been used to set forth the nature of the all-important doctrine conveyed under it; and however much Unitarians may affect to pity the ignorance of those who think so, we are far from envying them their superior wisdom, being well assured that unless such a union do really take place between Christ and those who are called by his name, they must be separated for ever. But from Mr. Belsham's reasoning on this subject, it appears that he considers the introduction of it by Paul as one of his numerous failings, for he says, "The apostle here follows the turn of his mind, probably owing to his Pharisaic education, to pursue analogies from the Old Testament." And, in reference to the opinions of Newcome and Doddridge, which are decidedly different from his own, he remarks, notwithstanding the folly and affectation of pretending to be without the bias of system: "Surely nothing but attachment to a favourite system could have ever induced these learned and pious writers to have given an interpretation to the apostle's language, to which neither the words themselves, nor the context afford the slightest countenance." In this way the most obvious truths of the WORD OF GOD are set aside by men pretending to teach us the way of salvation by Christ Jesus; we might have said, who would exhort us to be imitators of the apostle, whose great desire was to win Christ and be found in him, and who at the same time tell us, that "With Christ himself personally considered, we can have nothing to do; and the manner in which many enthusiastic persons have expressed themselves on this subject is highly reprehensible."

Although we cannot possibly enter at large on the sentiment, yet we should think ourselves culpable indeed if we did not express our most decided and unqualified disapprobation of the manner in which Mr. Belsham, copying, it is true, his predecessors, speaks of the law and the gospel. The language which he and they use on this subject, plainly implies that between the doctrines of Moses and those of Jesus Christ there is a kind of irreconcileable enmity. We are much astonished that this subject has never yet been properly explained, although we have treatises without number extant on the nature of the law of Moses, and also on that of the gospel. In all of them, of which we

have any knowledge, the improper dis-
tinction of which we complain is kept
up; and although some of them ap-
proximate nearer the truth than others,
we have seen none of them that does
not either directly or indirectly furnish
but too much ground for the existence
of that system, which combines in itself
the very essence of stupid ignorance,-
a compound of sensual vulgarity, and
the rant of extravagance. Our readers
are aware that we refer to what is known
in the world by the name of ANTINO-
MIANISM. This monster of the mud
has been CHECKED, but as it is his very
nature to break through every restraint,
so he, like the demoniacs of old, has
burst his fetters asunder; he has been
CHASED from the abodes of consistent
Christianity, but his total destitution of
all moral feeling has urged him to
return; and at the present day he is
belching out his pestiferous breath in
raving vociferations about a damning
law, and a saving gospel; a covenant of
works, and a covenant of grace; an
abolished law, a finished salvation, and
a free grace gospel, in every town and
village of the kingdom. In this repre-
sentation, however, truth and error are
strangely blended together; for what is
the tendency of such unqualified lan-
guage, but to lead to the supposition
that the whole of our Lord's doctrine is
at irreconcileable enmity with the pre-
cepts of Moses? But, did the apostles
say or teach any other things than those
which Moses and the prophets did say
should come? or rather, is not the
glorious gospel of the blessed God as
contained in the New Testament, an
amplification of the law of Moses-an
enforcing of it in all its spiritual extent
and bearings on the conduct of men in
all the various departments of life? does
the doctrine of Jesus require any thing
short of the love of God and our neigh-
bour? and did Moses and the prophets
enjoin either less or more? Let then
such distinctions, as that we have alluded
to, be shewn to mean something, or let
them be for ever discarded, as tending
to destroy the harmony of the Word of
God.

It was our intention to have entered particularly into our Author's reasoning on the Epistle to the Hebrews; but our remarks have already extended beyond the limits we assigned to them at the outset, and we have been under the necessity of omitting several points of

importance, on which we meant to touch. We may just observe, however, that Mr. B. rejects all the evidence advanced by abler critics than himself, of this Epistle having been written by Paul, and ascribes it to some unknown Hebrew Christian who lived before the destruction of Jerusalem. He pays him some compliments at the commencement of his Exposition of this Epistle; but before he has proceeded far, and long before he arrives at the end of it, he endeavours to make it appear that this uninspired Hebrew Christian was little else than a fanatical | allegorizer of the Old Testament, a man who did not evince much of the spirit of Christianity; but who, while he entertained a high opinion of himself, could treat his brethren to whom he wrote, with no small degree of contempt; or, in Mr. Belsham's own words-"This writer who was no apostle, and who appears to be well satisfied with his own skill in figurative interpretation, speaks disparagingly of the Hebrew converts, because of their want of skill in this sort of learning, and their disrelish to it."

instance, it is sufficient to observe, once for all, that no two objects in the creation ever differed more from each other, than the Christianity for which Mr. Belsham is contending, does from the Christianity inculcated in the New Testament; nor does truth and error, or light and darkness, or, in their final results, will even heaven and hell, be found to form a more striking contrast.

But we have said enough; we have travelled through these four volumes with feelings similar to those of the man whose fate it is to traverse a barren desert in a cold and inhospitable climate; and never did a weary weather-beaten traveller with more pleasure lay aside his staff and betake himself to rest, than we now lay down the pen, to pursue some object that will yield us intellectual delight. It is with unfeigned regret that we contemplate so much talent and so much time devoted to such a purpose. Mr. Belsham's Exposition will, no doubt, be highly extolled by his brethren; but whatever excellencies they may be able to discover in it, to us it appears destitute of the grand recommendation which a work of this nature It may possibly be expected by some ought to possess, namely, a tendency to of our readers that we should produce promote genuine religion, by affording specimens of Mr. Belsham's improved exalted views of the character of the translation, and examine their claims to Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. validity; but, did our limits allow of Here then we take our leave of the this being done, which certainly is not author, without a single wish ever to the case, we are at a loss to see what open his volumes again, or to read a valuable end could be answered by it. second time a single page of them; the Every reflecting mind must be fully effect they have already produced on us aware, that to make the New Testament makes us anxious to lay them on the speak the language of Socinianism, end-shelf, and to shrink from their benumbless alterations in the translation are ing influence as we would from the necessary. But the amount of the whole touch of the torpedo. of what our learned critic produces, has long been before the public, in what is called "The Improved," that is, the Socinian "Version of the New Testament," a work of which Mr. B. claim to be the foster-father. The peculiar excellency of the work before us, if excellency it have any, must consist in its Exposition and Notes, and the support which these yield to the Socinian system of doctrines. Whatever variations are introduced into the translation, therefore, are obviously made with the view of accommodating it to that system; for, as the learned Dr. George Campbell pertinently observes, the true partisan of whatever denomination, never fails to accommodate the dictates of the Spirit to that of the party. And in the present

Infant as well as Believers' Baptism proved from Scripture authority and example; and pouring, sprinkling, or washing, proved to be the only scriptural mode of administration, &c. BY A MINISTER OF THE WORD OF GOD. London, R. Baynes, Ivy Lane, 1822, pp. 44. Price 6d.

In announcing the new edition of Mr. Pengilly's pamphlet last month, we adverted to the strenuous efforts now making by the Podobaptists to uphold that human rite, the sprinkling of infants. Not a month, indeed, passes over our heads, in which we are not favored with some new pasquinado on

this subject, not half of which can we get time to read. In general, however, we find the writers are very angry with the Baptists, whose profession is spreading every where as the light encreases, and men get disentangled from the tra ditions of their forefathers. We have not selected the pamphlet before us for notice, on account of its superior merit, though for aught we know, it is as good as most of them; but because we perceive that the author has honoured us with a signal share of his regard-more indeed than we either desire or deserve. He is not content with exhibiting "the folly and partiality" of the Editor of this Magazine, but lest any person should remain unacquainted with his name, he displays it in Capitals! At the conclusion of his pamphlet, he very wisely puts his Podobaptist readers on their guard against certain dangerous writers on the subject of Baptism, and here again we come in for a share of his notice. But we shall print the whole of his advice for the good of the public.

"Let me put you upon your guard in reading certain authors on the subject of plunging, &c. if they come in your way; such, for instance, as PENGILLY, of Newcastle, whose method is very insinuating, and calculated to mislead the unwary simple-hearted reader. Beware, especially, of his very unfair manner of selecting unconnected sentences from authors of our persuasion, who have unfortunately been inadvertent and unguarded in their expressions. There is also WILSON's Manual, which is very calculated to blind and prejudice the young Christian, by his laying great stress on Believers' Baptism, as though we were opposed to it, &c.

BIRT'S Reply to Burder's excellent Treatise, is another that the young Christian should be guarded against; as we are very sorry to observe how wickedly, or to say the least, how erroneously he has represented the idea of infant salvation, as held by the Podobaptists, as though we excluded them all from the benefits of eternal salvation, dying in their infancy without the ordinance of baptism! Let our young friends, therefore, be aware of this and every unfounded prejudice raised against us; and remember that we do not lay that stress upon Infant Baptism, as though it was a saving ordinance, and so as to exclude all others from eternal salvation, dying in their infancy without the ordinance.

Beware also of WM. JONES's Biblical

pointed out in the Evangelical Magazine, 1820, to which he has never dared to give a reply. But in the New Evangelical Magazine, of which he is the Editor, he has the trumperies of the Church of Rome," &c. ventured to call Infant Sprinkling one of

But begging this writer's pardon, his statement of the matter is not correct; and "A Minister of the Word of God" ought not to misrepresent and tell lies, even to serve the holy cause of Infant Baptism! The facts are these: Several papers appeared in the Old Evangelical Magazine, (August, Sept. and Oct. 1819,) containing animadversions on the "History of the Waldenses," but to all of them a reply was given through the medium of the same journal, and it was also printed in the New Evangelical Magazine, vol. V. page 371; such a reply, too, as fully justified the work from the charge of "partiality." This quietus proved exceedingly mortifying to the correspondents and readers of the Old Evangelical, one of whom addressed a letter to the Editor of that work, remonstrating with him for allowing the author of the History of the Waldenses to have the last word! Accordingly another paper was inserted in that journal, headed by an intimation from the Editor, that no reply to it would be allowed to find admission!! How, then, dare this "Minister of the Word" publish such a notorious untruth, as that which is contained in his concluding paragraph? We now tell him, that if he will gain from Mr. Burder a promise that it shall be inserted in the Old Evangelical Magazine, the Author of the History of the Waldenses will reply to that letter without delay, and give it such an answer as it deserves. Or if the advocates of Infant Baptism like it better, he will meet any one of them who is competent to the undertaking, in the fair field of discussion, on the question itself of the divine authority of Infant Baptism, provided the controversy shall be carried on through the columns of that Magazine; though he disdains to enter the lists with this "Minister of the Word," who is so incompetent to handle an argument, that the very first line of his pamphlet contains a gross blunder.

Poor man! he is tremblingly alive Cyclopædia on the subject, especially bis for the honours of Podobaptism, and very partial statement of the baptism of the 10 doubt, conscientiously engaged in Waldenses, in a History which he has pub- its defence. He has very wisely caulished of them. This partiality has beentioned his friends against reading such

pro

human writings, as are likely to unhinge | and the flow of soul." And, if the ther minds, and seduce them from the bable time of his return be known, how right way. There was only one para- delightful are the anticipations which graph wanting to complete the climax hope excites in the friendly bosom. Of of his antidotes, and as we are always all the annual publications of the presorry to see any human being labouring sent day, numerous as they are, there in vain, we shall now subjoin for his is not one that we long so much to see benefit, a sentence of no great length, as Time's Telescope; for there is none which would make an admirable finish | from which, in times past, we have deto his pamphlet. rived greater pleasure and profit. The volume upon our table is the tenth which has appeared in annual succession; and, if the work continue to be conducted for the time to come, with ability equal to that which has hitherto appeared in it, the publication bids fair to be as permanent as the Almanack itself. But, indeed, its reputation is now so fully established, that it stands. in no need of any recommendation from us, or it should certainly have it. We scarcely know a work in which the utile and the dulce are more happily blended. The present volume, indeed, is enriched with, “ AN ODE ON TIME,” composed purposely for the publication, by BERNARD BARTON, of such rare excellence, in point of poetical merit, that we cannot resist the tempta tion of extracting a few of the stanzas ; and, the more so, as the Poet has dexterously sketched in them, the prominent features of the work to which it is prefixed. The reader will keep in view that the Address is to TIME.

"Beware of searching the Bible for proofs of Infant Sprinkling; depend upon it you will labour in the fire for very vanity if you do so! The subject is never once mentioned from Genesis to Revelation; on the contrary, every thing that is said by the sacred writers concerning the ordinance of Baptism, most clearly evinces that the Lord Jesus Christ intended it only for those who are made disciples by teaching-that is, such as are born again of the incorruptible seed of the word, through the power of the Holy Spirit; and that immersion is the only proper mode of administering it. Besides, has not Dr. | Jeremy Taylor long since remarked this peculiarity in the case of Infant Baptism, that truth and evidence take different sides in relation to it. Infant sprinkling, you know, must be right, for how is it possible that so many wise and good men could mistake on this subject! But if you act wisely, you will never perplex yourselves with hunting for evidence of it in the Bible, where assuredly it is not to be found. No, no! read the late Dr. Edward Williams's volumes on the subject, or Dr. Ralph Wardlaw's Lectures on the Abrahamic Covenant; or, as that pamphlet has been long out of print, you may content yourselves with Mr. H. F. Burder's Sermon on the Right of Infants to Baptism, which is an epitome of Dr. Wardlaw's publication. Do this, and you will stand fast in the good old way, and be secure from the snare of these "plunging brethren."

Time's Telescope for 1823; or, a complete
Guide to the Almanack, &c. London:
Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, pr. 9s.
boards.

THERE are few things in human life more gratifying than to meet an old friend after a temporary absence, with whose company you have been pleased, and in whose society you have been accustomed to enjoy "the feast of reason,

This annual offering at thy Shrine
May well thy power attest;
"Precept on Precept, Line on Line,"
By Thee are here imprest!
Man is, indeed, thy Chronicler,
But Thou-thy varied Calendar

Canst still interpret best;
And Contemplation must impart
Its moral uses to the beart.
Unto her pensive, musing eye
Each feast, or fast-appears
A fruitless effort to defy

The silent lapse of years:-
And yet some soothing thoughts are blent
With such a transient monument;--

And noblest hopes and fears
By turns elate, and awe the soul,
As we thy records thus unrol.
Such fears and hopes may well engage
Our thoughts, in turning o'er
Thy brief OBITUARY PAGE,

Its annals to explore:→
There, each succeeding year, we find
The exit of some mighty mind,-
Whose rich and varied store
Fulfilled the purpose of Heaven,
For which its ample wealth was given,
There too, perchance, are found enrolled
Some scarcely known to Fame;
Of whom, though little can be told
The World's applause to claim,-
A brief inscription points the lot,
And for a while keeps unforgot
Their Being's end, and aim

« НазадПродовжити »