of the clergy so generally directed to this subject at these annual meetings; as hereby the confidence of the would-be-thought only True Churchmen must be considerably abated.

We were peculiarly gratified in the perusal of a note appended to this sound and seasonable discourse, in which the author exposes to proper contempt what has been ridiculously called moderate Calvinism. Mr. Gregor ob

serves:

"The very nature of Calvinism admits of no mitigation, no abatement, no change. The substraction of any one of Calvin's peculiar tenets interrupts the operation of the rest, destroys the coherency of all the corresponding parts, and breaks in pieces the structure of the whole system. Those doctrines of Calvin, which are PECULIAR UNTO HIM, can alone, with any colour of propriety, be denominated CALVINISTIC: nor can this term be predicated of any doctrines maintained by others, unless they coincide with the PECULIAR DOCTRINES Which Calvin held on the same points. Now the peculiar doctrines of Calvin are recorded by Calvin himself. And according to his faith, the whole of Adam's offspring, in consequence of that transgression, which God himself had preordained, became one mass of perdition and corruption: furthermore, from amongst the vast multitude of individual human beings, which were to composé this mass, Almighty God decreed, before the foundation of the world, to bring SOME to everlasting salvation, and to damn all the rest eternally. But the Scripture saith without holiness no man shall see the Lord.' 'We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one' may receive the things done in his body according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.' These, and numberless other clear and decisive scriptural declarations, formed a strong objection to Calvin's theory: and it became necessary to remove it. And the expedient, to which Calvin had recourse, was the IRRESISTIBLE GRACE OF GOD: which by fixing upon the elect, should constrain them to be holy, and by passing over the rest, leave THOSE in their natural and necessary state of corruption and perdition, who were preordained unto damnation. The impossibility of the elect's ever falling off from grace, is a corollary, which necessarily results from this last doctrine. It is evident from this brief statement of Calvin's peculiar system, that each separate proposition, of which it consists, pre-supposes the existence, aid, and co-operation of all the rest. They must all stand or falt together. The moderate Calvinist would fain dwell upon ELECTION only, and pass over REPROBATION: but all his ingenuity cannot put them asunder.' CHOICE implies REJECTION if there be some who ARE elected, there must be neces

Vol. X. Churchm. Mag. June 1806. 30 sarily

6

sarily others who ARE NOT elected, by whatsoever name they may be distinguished. It appears also, that Calvin's righteous, who are decreed to be saved, become righteous by COMPULSION and Calvin's wicked, who are doomed unto damnation, remain wicked from NECESSITY! Now this certainly is not according to the analogy' of our notions of GOODNESS and GUILT on other occasions. But we are asked, had not the glorious Being who created the world a right to create it for what purposes he pleased.' May not God do what he will with his own? Yes, we may answer, God might create the world for what purposes HE pleased: he may do what HE will: for we are well assured that the JUDGE OF ALL THE WORLD WILL DO RIGHT.’ We cannot contemplate God's power abstractedly from his other attributes. They who are so scrupulously fearful lest they should be guilty of impiety towards God by appearing, in any wise, to set limits unto his power, should take heed, that impiety be not applied in those things, which they think it POSSIBLE for him to do: and whilst they confidently build ther system of ABSOLUTE DECREES upon God's sovereign authority, they would do well to consider, whether that authority be not infringed by those very decrees themselves.

“But our renunciation of Calvinism is considered as a proof, that we renounce the doctrine of SALVATION BY GRACE.

We

deny the consequence and the charge. And what is Calvinism, that it should claim an exclusive title to the doctrine of grace? Does divine grace MORE ABOUND in absolute decrees, or in the doctrines of our Church, according to which, salvation is attainable by ALL men, by a due and grateful use of those GRACIOUS MEANS, which are vouchsafed unto ALL through Jesus Christ? Is there more grace manifested in that' ELECTION' of Calvin, which is confined unto the few' and which implies the damnation of the many,' or in the doctrine of election, as it is holden by our Church, which is suspended upon conditions, and which, through the gracious aid, which is promised unto us, ALL MAY make SURE.

"But we are accused of laying too much stress upon good works, as if there were MERIT in them. As we preach unto those, who HAVE BEEN ADMITTED INTO THE COVENANT OF GRACE, we speak unto them as persons enjoying the PRIVILEGES OF THAT COVENANT: and we accordingly preach up good works, not as the MERITORIOUS CAUSE of our justification, but as the INDISPENSABLE CONDITION of it. We are persuaded, that INDEPENDENTLY OF THAT COVENANT OF GRACE, we are unworthy to offer unto God any sacrifice; but being admitted into it by baptism, we trust that he will accept our imperfect obedience, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ."

We recommend the serious perusal of this sermon to Mr. OVERTON, and the CHRISTIAN OBSERVER.

POETRY.

For the Othodox Churchman's Magazine.

THE SONG OF DEBORAH PARAPHRASED.

(JUDGES V.)

A College Exercise.

YE bright cherubic choir, who whilom deign'd
Or on the top of TABOR, holy mount,
Or on the banks of Kishon, ancient stream,
To raise our falling host, propitious now
Your softer, not less welcome aid inspire;
While I, with grateful, tho' advent'rous voice,
High argument! JEHOVAH's triumphs sing.

Powers and dominions, who exalted sit
In royal state, while vassal nations pay
Submissive homage, trembling at your nod,
Attentive hear; and learn how vain the pomp
Of thronging legions, vain th' glittering pride.

Which thrones irradiates.---Frown but Heaven's high king,
Fade all their glories.---How from SEIR's grey top,
O'er Edom's sacred plains, th' Almighty rode !
The driven clouds were scatter'd finto drops;
Low bow'd th' eternal mountains; at his sight
The sinking hills were levell'd; conscious shook
Ee'n SINAI shook with rev'rence as he pass'd.

But ah! what horror opens to my view,
Since Shamgar gave th' afflicted people laws,
What scenes of sorrow and of wild despair,.
Hath Israel mourn'd! her solitary streets
Reecho'd dreadful to rapacious hosts,
Who fierce for plunder, rang'd the public ways
Unpunish'd, unrestrain'd: helpless the while,
Forlorn, deserted, through the lonely brake,
Unharbour'd wilderness, or perilous heath,
The trav'ler stole; oft he in vain explor'd
The kindly welcome of the neighbouring cots,
Late seats of hospitality, nor there
The pleasing face of friendly man beheld;
All comfortless the dreary walls he found,
Sad place of desolation. O'er the plains

No sportful herds were wand'ring.---Waste and wild
Th' extended prospect lay, where whilom, peace,
With sister plenty, hand in hand diffus'd
The various blessings of th' golden year.
Each lonely city mourn'd her thousands lost,
Distress'd, unpeopled, o'er the gilded tow'rs
Sat horror brooding; through the vaulted roofs
The jubilee no more, or sprightly choir
Symphoniac echo'd; but the doleful shrieks
Of piercing anguish, and the groans of death.
O how unlike the chosen seat of God!

But whence on ISRAEL could such misery fall
Why sat she down in bitterness of soul,
Sad victim of despair; forgot the pomp,

And triumphs of big war; where erst she shone,
Midst thousands arm'd victorious? now no more.
The pleasing terror of the field provok'd
Ambition's sons to battle; fearful, pin'd,
Disconsolate, (but, O how fallen, how chang'd!)
Her pride of heroes, who alone oppos'd
Combating legions, trembling at the gleams
Of the bright helmet, and the glittering spear.
Such was heav'n's wrath; for Israel's sons ador'd
Their molten Gods, and rites religious paid
To sculptur'd deities; the incorruptible
Changing into corruptible imagery;
Bow'd lowly to the idolized herd,
Shrin'd in the sanctuary of Heav'n's high king.

While thus my alienated country mourn'd
I Deb'rah rose, and with a mother's fondness,
Whose tender bosom swells with anxious thoughts,
(When pines her early pledge of future joys)
Implor'd the mercy of avenging Heav'n,
With adoration pure; renounc'd the rites
Of idol worshippers; restor'd the shrines,
Holy of Holies, seat of spiritual guest.
And, O how glorious was the sudden change!
Fell pestilence, and loathsome famine fled
To lands of sorrow; blithsome health 'gan smile
And o'er the faded face of nature spread
Her influence bland; the bed of sickness left
Reviving chiefs: I, foremost in the war,
Summon'd to arms, while thirst of vengeance glow'd
In ev'ry breast, and deeds of fame inspir'd.

To

To you, ye glorious partners of the war,
High beats my bosom, when my mind recalls
Virtuous ambition, covetous of fate,

Let but her country triumph in her fall.
For this shall future ages bear engrav'd
Your living honours on their grateful breasts.
Hence IR'EL, joyful mother, shall behold
Her heroes, by your just examples fir'd
Extend her power o'er nations yet unborn.

Ye ministers of justice, who maintain
Your country's sacred laws, in happier days,
Blest with the calmn of peace, grateful prepare
Hymns of deliv'rance to JEHOVAH's praise:
He, gracious, gave us sacred laws; from him
Came happier days, bless'd with the calms of peace.
O ye, who o'er the fruitful meadows ride,
High borne on camels, and most gladsome view
The ripening plenty of the laughing plains,
With eager gratitude JEHOVAH praise:

He, bounteous, bade the meadows fruitful spring,
And plenty ripen o'er the laughing plains.

Ye, who through darkling groves and thickets wild,
Through dreary caverns, shagg'd with horrid thorn,
O'er flow'ry hillock, or through valleys green,
Your way with joy and safety journey on,
And share the store of hospitable man:
Sweet intercourse! JEHOVAH's triumphs sing:
He the dark grove with joy and safety fill'd

Drear wild and cavern, shagg'd with horrid thorn:
He deck'd the flowering hill and valley green,
And bless'd with store the hospitable man.

Now liberty, fair nymph, and heavenly guest,
Wide opes the brazen gates, which erst dismay
Close barr'd with many a boit; the joyful crew
Swarm from imprisonment, and o'er the plains
In fond description picture out the war.

Here join'd the armies---here the CANAAN kings
Rais'd high their tents, which whiten'd all the field.

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Here SISERA bade retreat---here BARAK's strength, Unequall'd, mow'd whole legions; and here fled

Nations discomfited by DEB'RAH's sword.

Th'