Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

ars, how naturally would pride swell his heart, and lead him to deny God's glory! For the same reason the wise temporal prince, who would humble any one of his subjects, should heap upon him partial favours, and raise him to sonie dignified station, in preference to others more deserving; for should his subjects believe him just and impartial in his government, they must of course become haughty, and arrogate to themselves the glory of his administration, And if princes have not yet adopted this policy, it is because (such is the blindness of men, and such their attachment to old habits) that no one yet has ever had the wisdom to reduce this modern logic to practice. And what is indeed very worthy of remark, the truth of this reasoning is wonderfully confirmed by the well known fact, that all the warmest advocates for this doctrine, and especially the great INVENTOR of MODERN LOGIC, have themselves been unusually free from spiritual pride, and totally unassuming. Nay, to deny, that God rewards and punishes men without regard to their works, is to deny his sovereignty. And it ought to be high treason in every temporal kingdom, to maintain that the monarch has any regard to merits or demerits in the distribution of justice for being a denial of his power, it tends to subvert his government.

Thirdly, Moral and religious duties are in like manner incontrovertibly proved. Thus for an example: whatever an unregenerate person does is sinful: if he prays or searches the scriptures, he but displeases God and adds to his guilt: therefore every man ought, in wisdom and duty to God, to pray and search the scriptures.

No works that a man can do will avail any thing to the salvation of his soul; of course every one will be condemned, who does not work out his own salvation. Every work, which a man does, renders him more deserving of eternal punishment: if then he would escape eternal punishment, he must work with all diligence."

The great business of a gospel preacher is to tell people that they can do nothing for this end he is bound to "reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine;"" for this is a faithful saying, and he must affirm constantly, that they who have believed in Jesus Christ, be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."

Fourthly, By the same happy mode of reasoning, the moderns have found the true spirit of prayer. it is now clearly ascertained that to pray by the spirit is nothing more nor less than to pray without premeditation. And for this very plain reason; that what a man preconsiders, weighs in his mind and rationally approves, cannot come from his heart: that only comes from the heart, which is uttered extempore, without forethought or reflection. This reasoning is founded on the well known principle of new divinity, that God's blessing does not attend the means of his own appointment: or that he will not help those who make any attempt to help themselves by a holy life. This principle we might illustrate also by temporal things, in which no doubt, it is equally true. But the above will suffice for a sample of the pure abstract reasoning, by which the doctrines and duties of the gospel are explained and inculcated. At some future time, perhaps I may shew how happily the same logic has been used in reasoning from the scriptures.

Health and fraternity.—JOHN CALVIN.

CHRISTIAN COUNSEL.

X.

IN

Let

N all things resign and give up yourself to the guidance and direction of Almighty God. Be sure never to allow yourself in the practice of any known sin. Let t your obedience be uniform, your life regular and consistent. your behaviour be serious and modest; your prayers fervent; your reading the holy scriptures humble and frequent; your charity free and secret.Mind not altogether your own interest, but endeavour to do all the good you can to those with whom you associate. Avoid censoriousness, positiveness, and loud speaking, which are certain signs of a proud and imperious mind. Remember God's all-seeing eye; Christ's atonement; and the strict account you have to make at the bar of inexorable justice; and you will then lave so as not to be afraid to die.

14

A PARAPHRASE OF PSALM CXLVIII.

WRITTEN BY THE LEARNED AND INGENIOUS DR. OGILVIE, at 16 years of age.

A PSALM.

BEGIN, my soul, th' exalted lay, Let each earaptur'd thought obey,

And praise th' Almighty's name. Lo, heaven and earth, and sea and skies, In one melodious concert rise,

To swell tn' inspiring theme.

2. Ye fields of light, celestial plains, Where gay transporting beauty reigns, Ye scenes divinely fair; [claim, Your Maker's wond rous power proTell how ne form'd your shining frame, And breath'd the fluid air.

3. Ye angels, catch the thrilling sound; While all th' a loring tarones around

His boundless mercy sing;
Let ev'ry list'ning saint above
Wake all the tuneful soul of love,

And touch the sweetest string.

4. Join, ye loud spheres, the vocal choir; Thou dazzling orb of liquid fire,

The mighty chorus aid: Soon as grey evening gilds the plain, Thoamoon, protract the melting strain And praise him in the shade.

5. Thou, heav'n of heav'ns, his vast abode;

Ye clouds, proclaim your forming God, Who call'd you worlds from night; "Ye shades dispel!"-th' Eternal said; At once th' involving darkness fled,

And nature sprung to light.

6. Whate'er a blooming world contains, That wings the air, that skims the plains, United praise bestow :

Ye dragons, sound his awful name To heav'n aloud; and roar acclaim, Ye swelling deeps below.

7. Let every element rejoice; Ye thunders, burst with awful voice To him who bids you roll :

G

[ocr errors]

His praise in softer notes declare,
Each whisp'ring breeze of yielding air,
And breathe it to the soul.

8. To him, ye graceful cedars, bow;
Ye tow'ring mountains, bending low,
Your great Creator own;
Tell, when attrighted nature shook,
How Sinai kindled at his look,
And trembled at his frown.

9. Ye flocks that haunt the humble
Ye insects flutt'ring on the gale, [vale,
In mutual concourse rise;
Crop the gay rose's vermeil bloom,
And waft its spoils, a sweet perfume,
In incense to the skies.

10. Wake, all ye mounting tribes, and sing;.

Ye plumy warblers of the spring,
Harmonious anthems raise

To him who shap'd your finer mould, Who tipp'd your glittering wings with gold,

And tun'd your voice to praise.

11. Let man, by nobler passions sway'd, The feeling heart, the judging head In heavenly praise employ; Spread his tremendous name around, Till heaven's broad arch rings back the The gen'ral burst of joy. [sound,

12. Ye, whom the charms of grandeur please, Nurs'd on the downy lap of ease,

Fall prostrate at his throne; Ye princes, rulers, all adore ; Praise him, ye kings, who makes An image of his own.

your [power

13. Ye fair, by nature form'd to move, O praise th' eternal source of love,

With youth's enliv'ning fire: Let age take up the tuneful lay, Sigh his bless'd name-then soar away, And ask an angel's lyre.

A HYMN.

OD of goodness, source of love! From thy glorious throne above, Look with pity on thy race, Saew the brightness of thy face. Lead us through this vale below, State of trouble-scene of woe. Calm, REDEEMER, every fear, Wipe away each briny tear;

Nor forsake us, God of pow'r,
In the awful dying hour!
Then vouchsafe thy sacred aid,
Brighten death's dark gloomy shade!.
Give us, Lord, from earth to rise
To thy glorious Paradise;
Let us soar on Angel's wings,
To thy presence, King of kings!

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

What wonderful tidings from heaven we hear!
The voice of the Cherub awaken the morn,
Proclaiming to mortals,-" A Saviour is born."

2. Hear angels uniting with angels to show
God's glory on high and man's peace here below!
See Seraphs encompass our Father above

To welcome us home to the arms of his love.

3. Shall angels sing praises and seraphs rejoice,
And man, O ungrateful, not join his glad voice!
Lo heaven resounds with redemption and grace;
"Good will" to a fall'n—a mis rable race.

4. Let earth join her voice with the heavenly throng,
Let saints and archangels unite in the song.
Let Jew and let Gentile salute the bright morn,
And sing thro' all nations, "A Saviour is born."

5. How humble the monarch that Israel must own!
A manger his cradle-a stable his throne.

How low he descends from his mansion above
To raise us to hope, and inspire us with love!

6. Let love then inspire us loud praises to sing

To Christ our Redeemer, our God and our King.
While life is our portion we'll welcome this morn,
Proclaiming with angels, "A Saviour is born."

13

Χ.

ANECDOTES

FOR THE CHURCHMAN'S MAGAZINE.

STRAYING FLOCKS.

TE sometimes hear clergymen complaining of the instability of their people, in leaving their parish churches to attend upon the ministry of more popular preachers. Good old Bishop Latimer told such complaining divines, Feed your flock better, and then they won't stray."

TRUE COURAGE.

A MILITARY officer, who was so unfashionable as to profess religion, being challenged by another, coolly returned this answer" Tell him that though I fear not man, I am afraid of offending God; and though i want not courage to face a cannon, I dare not venture to rush into the mouth of hell.”

A SINGULAR CONFESSION.

A PROFESSOR in one of the German universities, whose unconcern for religion in general was notorious, was not less remarkable for the care which he took in the religious instruction of his children: One of his friends, astonished at this inconsistency, asking him the reason of his conduct, he answered, “It is because I wish my children may enjoy more peace of mind, and more content in this life than has ever fallen to my lot; and this they can obtain by no other means than by possessing more faith than myself.

THE CHRISTIAN.

A CHRISTIAN on his death bed, being asked how he was, answered, well" do you think, said his friend, you shall die? “Yes,” replied he, “but. that gives me no uneasiness; if I die I shall be with God; and if I live, God will be with me."

Marriages, Obituary, &c.

DANGER OF UNBELIEF.

I HAVE known unlearned men, says a German Divine, who have been se deeply affected with the uncertainty of human knowledge, that they have frankly confessed, that were they to cease to be Christians, they would easily fall into the temptation of believing nothing: The best fate they could then hope for could be but that of Seneca, and Cicero, who with all their investigation, came to this conclusion, "that future happiness was rather to be wished, than hoped for, with any certainty."

MARRIAGES:

MARRIED, by the Rev. Mr. Baldwin on the 27th of November, Mr. Samuel Wilmot of NEW-HAVEN, to Miss Polly DeForest of STRATFORD.-The same day, Mr. Benjamin Stilman, of NEW-HAVEN, to Miss Anna Uffoot, of STRATFORD-By the Rev. Mr. Shelton, on the 4th of December, Mr. Abel Nichols of GREENFIELD, to Miss Courance Gloves of WESTON.-At NEWTOWN, by the Rev. Daniel Burhans, Mr. Peter_Shepard to Miss Funny Sherman—Mr. Nichols Curtis to Miss Sarah Ann Bennit—Mr. Hawley Stillson to Miss Anna Foot—Mr. Eleazer Peck to Miss Lucy Beers—Mr. Jacob Beers to Miss Laura Tousey--Mr. Isaac Peck to Miss Aurilla Bottsford-Mr. Ebenezer Thompson of BETHLEHEM to Miss Jerusha Ward -Mr. Enos Canfield, ARLINGTON, (Ver.) to Miss Sarah Beers—Mr. Squire Knapp to Miss Abigail Osborne, GREEN-FARMS..

OBITUARY.

During the late sickness in STRATFORD, the following persons fell a sacrifice to the prevalent disorder, a malignant Dysentary.

Mrs. Eunice Curtis—A child of Mr. Wm. M'Eune—Also, one of Mr. Curtis Blackman-One of Mr. Merritt-And one of Mr. Wm. Curtis.-Wife of Mr. John Stratton-Mrs. Abigail Lillingston-Child of Air Judson WellsAlso, one of Mr. Nathan Burritt-Two of Capt. Samuel Curtis-One of Mr. Lewis LeGrand Cannon-Two of Mr. James Cannon-One of Mr. Joseph Fubbel-One of Mr. Samuel Edwards-Wife and child of Mr. Abner Judson. Miss Betsey Judson-One child of Mr. Wm. Fairchild-Two of Mr. LeGrand Wells-One of Mr. Judson Plumb-Widow Abigail Hawley-One child of Airs. Abigail Fairchild-Miss Esther Patterson-wo children of Mr. Abraham Lewis-One of Mr. Benjamin Uffoot-One of Col. Matthias Nichol -And one of Mr. Lewis Wheeler-Mrs. Martha Osborne-A child of Mr. William Walker.

OF OTHER DISORDERS.

Polly Burritt; Consumption--William Curtis; Affection of the Liver— A child of Elijah Ufoot; Teething-Mrs. Aner Howe; Affection of the Liver-Phineas Lovejoy; Yellow Fever-Wife of Brewster Dayton; Consumption -Josiah Burrows; Mortification-Wife of Lemuel Bangs; Billious Fever.

Departed this life, at STAMFORD, the 30th of November, Mrs. Martha Jarvis, in the 77th year of her age.-At STRATFIELD, the 24th of November, Mrs. Elizabeth Suley, in the 62d year of her age.-At STRATFORD, the 7th of December, Miss Nancy Nichols, in the 23d year of her age.

ΝΟΤΕ.

The Presbyters and Deacons of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, are earnestly requested to transmit to the Printers of this Magazine, as early as possible, an account of the Marriages and Deaths in their respective parishes, during the month of January, together with such other matters as they may thank proper to communicate.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The piece, entitled, "An Inquiry into the difference between Innocency and Holiness," has been received, and is under consideration.

An explanation of the doctrine of Faith and Works, received from A. B. shall appear in the next number.

ERRATUM.]—Eighth page, Art. 3d, line 1st, after the word "vacant," the out the words" by death or otherwise.".

[blocks in formation]

CONCLUDED FROM NO. 1, PAGE 6.

Thirdly. WHAT these powers of the Church are, and to whom each of them belongs in particular, the Scripture will inform us.They may be reduced under the following heads, viz. The power, 1. Of preaching. 2. Of prayer. 3. Of baptism. 4. Of celebrating the Lord's Supper. 5. Of confirming persons baptized. 6. Of ordaining ministers. 7. Of making canons. 8. Of jurisdiction. 9. Of demanding maintenance,

First, The first of these powers is that of preaching the Gospel, which naturally precedes all the rest, because it is the means which God has been pleased to appoint for converting men to the Christian faith, in order to bring them into his Church, wherein the other powers are exercised. None have a right to preach without a commission; for how shall they preach except they be sent? (n) Our Lord himself was sent and commissioned by the Father to preach the Gospel, (o) and this was one of the functions to which he was anointed by the Holy Spirit. In like manner he solemnly called and set apart his apostles to this office, (p) and gave them commission to teach all nations. (q) And this branch of the apostolic office, viz. preaching the Gospel, was derived to their successors the Bishops. Hence St. Paul charges Timothy to preach the word, (r) and one previous qualification required of such as were to be ordained Bishops, is, that they be apt to teach; (8) but this power was not confined to the Bishops, or superior order of ministers in the Church, for the apostle calls the Presbyters his fellow-labourers, that is, his associates in preaching the Gospel; and Philip who was only a Deacon, preached the word in Samaria. All the different orders exercised this function; the Bishops, as invested with the plentitude of power, the Priests and Deacons by an authority derived from them.

7

Secondly, Another religious act, which has always been appropriated to the Clergy, is offering to God the prayers of the Church. In secret, every man is his own orator; and in private families, performance of divine worship is incumbent on them, to whom the care and government of the family belong; but in the public congregations of Christians, divine worship must be celebrated only by those to whom it has pleased God to commit this office. The presenting of the people's prayers to God, and interceding with him to bless them, has always been reckoned an essential part of the sacerdotal office. The apostles join the offices of preaching and prayer together: We, say they, will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (t) St. James directs sick persons to send for the Presbyters of the Church to pray and intercede for them, (v) that their sins may be forgiven. And the twenty-four Elders in the Revelation, who represent the ministers of the Christian Church, have every one of them golden rials full of incense, which is the prayers of the saints. (u)

(n) Rom. x. 14, 15, (0) Luke iv. 18. (p) Mark iii. 14. vi. 7, (q) Mat. xxviii. 19. (r) 1 Tim. iv. 1, 2. (s) 1 Tim. iii. 3. (t) Acts vi. 4. (v) James v. 14. (u) Rey. v. 8, C

« ZurückWeiter »