Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

bis intredaction. "It is animating and instructive to have before our eyes the pious breathings of a soul aspiring to the highest degrees of sanctity and virtue; and from a deep conviction that a devotion of the heart to God is at once the duty and happiness of man, striving to break asunder the bonds of innate corruption, and raise itself to the greatest and most excellent objects. But it is still more animating and instructive, when we can follow it to the verge of eternity, and behold it shaking off its earthly fetters, with hopes full of immortality. In this point of view, the following Memoir iscalculated to interest all.

Mr. Pryor was born in London, n 1780. When he was 19, the symptoms of a consumptive disorder induced him to spend three years in warmer climates; during which, his understanding, naturally strong, and improved by a liberal education, received much additional advantage; and his taste for the fine arts was much gratified by his visit to Italy. But his disorder gained ground, notwithstanding all his efforts to recover health; and had advanced so far in the year 1807, as to leave little doubt of its fatal ter mination.

But as death gradually approach ed, hisevangelical views appeared to brighten; his piely became more mature; his consolations were in creased; and on the 3d of August 1807, be expired in the hope of the Gospel. The account of his last hours is peculiarly interesting.

On the 2d of August a material alteration was visible in his complaints; but it afforded us great consolation to observe, that his faith and hopes grew more full of immortality the nearer he approached his end. The spirit of prayer and love rested upon him; and a sweet appearance of serenity clothed his pallid features.

The next day, about one o'clock, hearing that his aunt was below, he desired to see her, that he might bid her a last farewell. The Lord,' jaid he, supports me wonderfully. I think I shall never see you again: give my love to all: I trust we shall all meet again,' When his sister ex

6

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

pressed the comfort which she felt in hearing what he had just said, he replied, I feel strong hope, thro' the infinite, unulterable, adorable mercy of God. My ouly hope is in the blood of thy ever - blessed Son! they who believe in the Son shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Soon afterwards, with uplifted hands, he said, Holy Father, thy will be done!' His end was now fast approaching; he was aware of it, and fixing his eyes most intensely upon his sister and cousin, extended both his bands to them, in token no doubt of his last farewell. At intervals he uttered the following expressions: Iam dying :-some time afterwards, I fear I shall revives' and on being questioned whether he really said so, he repcated the words slowly and distinctly, as if he were anxious they should be understood: I fear I shall revive; I feel some vital strength remaining. These were his last words. The immortal spirit was soon after set free from its earthly tenement; and in the very moment of its departure, an expression of sweetness and benignity more than mortai beamed upon his features, proclaiming, as it were, to all around, that he was become 'a fellow-citizen with the saints, and of the household of God.' Eph. ii.

We recommend the perusal of this litt volume to our readers in general, and especially to young persons,

The Christian's Consalation;

or2

the Preciousness of Christ to all who believe. 24mo, price 28. By Mr. Cox.

THIS is an excellent little work, written in a neat and perspicuous style. The author arranges his subject in the following manuer:chap. 1. On the need of faith to an experimental acquaintance with the preciousness of Christ. 2. On what account Christ is precious to those who believe. 3. On the particular reasons in which Christ is found especially precious to believers. 4. On the use of the means which endear Christ to believers. 5. On the evidences of the preciousness of Christ to us, 6. On the happy state of believers, to whom Christ is pre

1

cious, contrasted with that of unbelievers. The whole is truly evangelical, and forms a valuable addition to those works which are calculated for usefulness. The following extract will afford a specimen of the author's style: In the holy Scriptures, a serious Christian will find something very suitable and refreshing to the soul, where a careless reader discovers nothing in teresting; just as the botanist plucks, in his walks, many a rare plant, which others would pass by unaoticed; or, perhaps, trample under their feet. Not that we are to labour, in order to find spiritual meaaings, in defiance of the plain import of language, and the direct scope of the sacred writers. The wild notions that some people have attempted to draw from the Scripture, when a weak judgment is overpowered by a warm and ungoverned imagination, ought to warn us to take beed how we read, as well as how we hear. Such a method of interpreting the Scriptures, is calculated to bring contempt on the oracles of truth; it gives a boundless licence to invent schemes the most absurd; and yet covers them with appeals to Scripture. Still the weak and uninformed are often exceedingly delighted with this way of misrepresenting, under the shew of explaining the word of God."

The Detestable Nature of Sin, a Sermon, preached at Lewes, before the Sussex Mission Society, by John Styles, price 18.

Mr. Styles has published this discourse, in compliance with the wishes of his brethren and friends; and that the world may be furnished with another proof, that the legitimate tendency of Evangelical Doctrines is to promote the interesis of the purest morality.' The text is Jer. xliv. 4, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.' The preacher first considers sin in its relations, and in its natural influence upon the character and happiness of intelligent creatures; and then exbibits those striking proofs of God's abhorrence of sin, which he has displayed in the government of the moral world. Thes: important

points are treated in an able and impressive manner, well calculated to inspire a just detestation of the worst of all evils.

An account of the Sussex Mission Society is appended. Listitutions of this kind are adapted to the very useful purpose of introducing the truths of the gospel among the uuinstructed villagers, of whom there are very many in the county of Sussex.

General Redemption the only proper Basis of General Benevolence. A Letter addressed to R. Hawker, D. D. suggested by his Defence of the Female Penitentiary. By J. Evans, A. M. 2d Edition, wilk Animadversions on the Eclectic Review, 8vo, price Is.

1

THE object of this pamphlet is, to convict the Calvinists of inconsisteucy; in that, notwithstanding their creed being gloomy and misanthropic, their principles are the most benevolent, and their conduct full of mercy and kiudness;-as in the instance of Dr. Hawker, and the friends of the Penitentiary.

We deny, however, Mr. Evans's premises, and the fairness of his conclusion. His portraiture of Calvinists, we consider as a perfect caricature. We believe, that in no case does God decree the death of a sinner irrespective of his sins, nor does he delight in punishment.

2. We take not the divine de erees, which are unknown and induct; but the revealed will of scrutable, for the rule of our CORGod, which, as it respects us and our fellow-creatures is, that we do justice, and love mercy.'

1

.

3. Admitting all that Mr. Evans supposes us to believe with respect to the future fates of men, we should reason very differently. American lady, whose husband's A good character gave her no room to hope well of his future state, remarked, I do all I can to make him comfortable on earth, because I have no prospect of his happiness herçafter.' So, could we foresee the future misery of a Judas or a Nero, it is no reason why we should torment him before the time.” Even a gaoler is not to be excused in unnecessary se verity to the criminal that is condemned to die.

Upon the whole, if Mr. E. had any other view than to catch a temporary popularity from the name of Dr. Hawker, we think he has completely failed. His Animadversions we leave to the Eclectic Reviewer.

Strictures on a Work, entitled ‹ Żeal without Innovation.' Reprinted from the Eclectic Review for June, July, and September, 1809; to which are prefixed, Observations on the Controversy between the Puritans and the Established Church. Price 18. 6d.

We are extremely happy to recommend this most able performance to all our readers. They will find it an effectual antidote to the pernicious spirit of the work which it undertakes to examine. Unfet tered by any party principles, zealous only for the cause of evangelical truth and religious liberty, animated by a most liberal and cordial spirit towards good men of all denominations, the writer of this critique is an admirable constrast to the author of Zeal without Innovation.' He has ably vindicated the Dissenters, the evangelical clergy, and in particular the character of Mr. Whitfield, from anmerited reproach; and has incidentally inculcated vaBious general principles of prime importance with singular ability and effect. His style is worthy of the best age of English literature; and will suffer nothing from a comparison with that of Addison, Boling broke, or Goldsmith.

[ocr errors]

In our opinion, the critique does honour to the writer, and the excellent publication in which it first appeared. The reprinting of it in a form and at a price suited to general circulation, is a public benefit; and, as far as our recommendation can avail it, will be universally read.

A few pages (not before printed) are now prefixed to the critique; in which the Puritans are vindicated on the broad ground that a Christian church has no right to impose terms of communion distinct from these enjoined by Christ and his apostles; or, at any rate, if they have such a right, that those terms ought not

[merged small][ocr errors]

A Vindication of the Jews; by Way of Reply to the Letter addressed by Perseverans to the English Israelile, humbly submitted to the Consideration of the Missionary Society, and the London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews. By T. Witherby. 8vo, 78. THE design of this volume is to dissuade Christians from attempting the conversion of the Jews in the present dispersed state of that people; and the spirit of meekness with which it is written does credit to the feelings of the author. He regards such attempts as seducing the Jews from the covenant made by Jehovah with their forefathers; and deprecates any measures which have a compulsory appearance, by inducing children to leave their parents; or holding out encouragement to worthless characters, who may profess Christianity for the sake of worldly gain. He also censures that publicity which has of late been given to measures concerted for their conversion, by the posting of large bills about the streets of the metropolis; and especially every altempt to excite the Jews to public controversy, as having a tendency to induce them to blaspheme the holy name by which we are called,' and thus to increase the sum of mo ral evil, and subject the Jews to punishment by the laws of the land. The author adduces the conduct of Mr. David Levi, when challenged to controversy by Dr. Priestly, as a proof of this, although he considers that no blame attaches to the Jews, as a body, for the conduct of an individual member of their community.

It may appear somewhat singular, that in reading nearly 200 pages of this work, the reader would be led to suppose that the worthy author had lost sight of that important prophecy of Moses: I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and will put my words in his mouth; and he

1

shall speak unto them all that I shall command him and it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words, which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.' Deut. xviii.

18, 19.

The reader might readily suppose that he was reading the writings of one who did not believe that this Prophet is already come, until he draws near to the close of the work, when it appears that the author infers, from the prophecies he has quoted, that the Jews o i those tribes which are known in Europe, will not be led to repent and turn to the Lord, under their spiritual David, the Messiah, until after they have returned to their own land. He conceives also, that the efforts of Missionary Societies, and particularly of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in causing the Scriptures to be circulated in various languages, may be happily instrumental in awakening the attention of the ten tribes, which are dispersed abroad,' to the books of Moses and the Prophets; and thereby induce that train of re flections which will ultimately lead to their retura also to their own country, when Judah and Ephraim shall become one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one King shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.'- Ezek. xxxvii. 22.

Without entering into a discus-sion of the designs of Providence, with regard to the conversion of the Jews as a body, we conceive that this question does not affect the duty of Christians to aim at the conversion of individuals among them; and that such attempts are not alienating their minds from the obedience which they owe to the law of Moses is evident, from the assertion of our blessed Lord, That he was not come to destroy, but to fulfil the law.'

We are encouraged to preach the gospel to the Jews, not only by the example of the apostles, who, in every place, commenced their ministry with the house of Israel; but also by the command of our di

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

vine Master, That repentance and
remission of sins should be preached
in his name among all nations, be-
ginning at Jerusalem.' Accordingly,
we find that the first fruits of the
apostles' ministry were an abundant
accession of converts from among
the Jews, although we conceive that
the objections brought by this au-
thor, against the attempts made by
the Missionary Society for the con
version of modern Jews, would have
equally applied to the ministry of
the apostles, in the various parts of
the world which were visited by
them.

[ocr errors]

The author appears to be under
mistake, when he asserts, p. 177,
178, That Christians in general,
and the Missionary Society in par-
ticular, admit, That it is Jehovah,
God of Israel, who hath scattered
Israel into all nations; but will not
admit that it is because they have
forsaken the covenant of Jehovah,
the God of their fathers. We be-

leve, that not only the Missionary
Society, but Christians in general,
are fully persuaded that they have
been scattered among the nations
for this very cause; and that they
broke that covenant when they re-
jected Jesus, the Prophet foretold
by Moses; and whatever may be the
expectation of the author respecting
the prosperity of Israel,' we would
remind him, as a Christian, that the
Jews can only be truly prosperous
when they shall return to Jehovah
in the way of his own appointment,

through the Mediator of the new
covenant; and that it will avail
them nothing to be the keepers of
the oracles of God, whilst they con
tinue to despise him who is the sum
and substance of those oracles. The
long dispersion of the Jews is a
standing proof of the fulfilment of
the prophecy of the Lord Jesus
(Matt. xxiv. 44); and the parable
which precedes this awful threaten-
ing, plainly evinces that their dis-
persion took place in consequence
of their rejection of Him' of whom
Moses in the Law and the Prophets
did write.' It must, therefore, be
the imperious duty of every Chris-
tian to attempt, at every seasonable
opportunity, to convince them of
their awful delusion, and to bring

F

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

The Death of the Widow's only Son, a Sermon, occasioned by the Decease of E. O. Ives, Esq. of Tichfield, Hants, by John Hunt.

THIS is a solemn, affectionate, and faithful discourse, on an interesting subject; well adapted to improve the mournful event which gave occasion to its delivery. It is pub lished to gratify the request of friendship; and, with a hope, that it may be useful in the circle where respect for the deceased will obtain for it a reading,'- -we hope its usefulness will be more extensive.

The Poor Man's Morning Portion : being a Selection of a verse of Scripture, with short Observations for every Day in the Year. By R. Hawker, D. D. 2d Edition, 12mo, 3s,-fine paper, 4s.

To say that these short meditations are evangelical, --that they display the glory of the Lord Jesus in a variety of views, and the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart, is quite unnecessary to those acquainted with the writings of Dr. Hawker. There is one point, however, in which we wish the Dr. had been more cautious. We are no enemy to the chaste use of types and alle gories, but we think there is great danger in their abuse; and that thereby the character of Jesus may be sometimes dishonoured, and the Scriptures made to bend too much like a nose of wax,' though nothing can be farther from the deign of this writer. We beg leave to submit to him a reconsideration of some of the texts occasionally intro duced, and the adoption, in a new edition of others more immediately adapted to his comment.

[ocr errors]

With this cautionary hint we cordially recommend this little volume

to our readers; and think it m alsò, in some respects, be useful to young Ministers and Itinerants, as suggesting some leading ideas for their enlargement in the pulpit.

The Ordination Service of the Rev. Jacob Snelgar, at Crendon Lane, High Wycomb, Bucks, price 2s 6d.

Mr. Douglas, of Reading, deli, vered an introductory discourse, the heads only of which are detailed, Mr. Snelgar has given us, at large, an account of his religious experience and views. The charge, which is generally delivered by a se-, nior minister, was, on this occasion given by Mr. Bannister, of Wareham, whose ministry had been peculiarly useful to him, and contains many excellent and judicious direc tions, which would have done credit to a much older preacher. The sermon to the people, from Mat. x. 41, by Mr. John Clayton, jun. (which was not composed with a view for publication) exhibits The character of a minister; the reception with which he should meet; and the recompence by which those who thus receive him shall be crowned.'

-May Mr. S., and every faithful minister, enjoy such a reception { every steady and affectionate peo, ple, such a recompence!

Published by the Religious Tract Society, The Substance of Leslie's Short and Easy Method with the Deists; and the Truth of Christianity demonstrated, by the same Author.

In our Magazine for December last, we noticed, with approbation, The Life of William Kelly;' a tract, of the narrative kind. That which is now before us, is argu mentative; and is a well executed abridgment of two pamphlets, which have long been known, and highly esteemed. We are happy to see the R. T. Society, judiciously including in their publications, modern compositions, with the valuable works of those who, being dead, yet speak; and bringing before the public biographical narratives of the

« VorigeDoorgaan »