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in a future state of rewards and punishments. On the other hand, by the more philosophical class, the doctrine of the inward word is made the fruitful source of manifold mischief. Swedenborg and his followers long since united fanaticism with frigid, independent, and unscriptural reasoning; and later days have exhibited fanatical reasoners of a yet more infidel complexion. The grossest superstition and bigotry are not unfrequently at present seen hand and hand with the most decided infidelity. Nor is the nullifying of Scripture, as a divine record, (with which error we find nevertheless united the belief of a Christ merely within us,) confined now to illiterate mystics, but errors of the kind have begun to be abetted even by divines themselves; and this has aided in spreading abroad the most extravagant distraction, confusion, and scepticism, upon the fundamental matters of religion. The dogma likewise of predestination has, since the ecclesiastical union between the Reformed and the Lutherans, obtained such an ascendant among the latter, that Bengel's anticipations upon this subject may be considered as realized.

The demoralization of christian countries has kept pace with the increase of infidelity within them: and Bengel was right in expecting that this demoralization would be expressly seen in the multiplication of offences against the Seventh Commandment.

Experience, especially of late years, has clearly evinced how much this alteration in the spirit of the times has been promoted by newspapers and periodical publications; meanwhile, however, there have not been wanting men of "skill and understanding," who have demonstrated that the Scriptures, as a connected whole, are every way worthy of their Divine Author. Hess, Köppen, and others, have been eminent in showing this.

Bengel said, that the emerging of better times would be like vegetation pricking forth from under the dissolving snow. And we may easily observe, in our own day, instances of the kind sufficient to warrant a hope that the real Christian church is gradually emerging to an improved condition.

Missions to the Jews and heathen could effect but little in Bengel's days. But how much has been done in the present century, or at least how much preparation has been made, for the most extensive good! Into how many languages have the Scriptures been translated, and how few discovered nations have not had at least one messenger of the gospel sent among them!

As Bengel's anticipations have been thus far fulfilled, can we be surprised that many should regard all this as argument for

expecting that the still more important things which he anticipated, and which men are now fearfully looking for," will, in like manner, come to pass? However, as there is so much of the kind yet remaining unaccomplished, we can hardly think it possible that all will be comprised within the brief space of time now remaining to the expiration of the year 1836; especially as even the preparations for many of such things seem not to have. been begun. For at present there is not the remotest appearance of Jerusalem's increasing to a population of seventy thousand; yet Bengel said, that all would go on with comparative smoothness, till something remarkable should happen there.

It is true that in 1830, the spirit of rebellion suddenly and fearfully broke out again. Still we hear nothing as yet of any personal Antichrist fixing his seat at Rome.

Neither has the "false prophet" ever yet clearly discovered himself. For, though the order of Jesuits seem to be zealously prosecuting their craft, no Jesuit has assumed the character of a general agitator.

Many imagined that the mark of the Beast was the tricoloured cockade of the first French Revolution; but this having been only a political and not a religious badge, can be no decisive mark of Antichrist.

The "harvest" and the "vintage," consequently the seven vials, are yet future. This is evident from the vast increase of population up to the present time.

Thus are many predicted and expected events, and some of the most important of them, not yet arrived. But who shall say that they will not shortly come to pass? Had even nothing already occurred at the periods which Bengel anticipated, nay, had many events taken quite a different turn from what they did, and from what he expected they would, ought we therefore to think he had better have withholden his apocalyptical researches from the world? He has been accused of perplexing some subjects of this prophecy with unprofitable subtilties, and of having added to others his own gratuitous alarms. But, not to mention that the abuse of a thing is no argument that it cannot be rightly used, we surely ought not to overlook the good which Bengel has actually accomplished by means of that very system of apocalyptical interpretation, for the invention and publication of which some have been so ready to censure him. His testimony against the papal domination was, of itself, a word in season; for a dangerous latitudinarianism with respect to popery had,

even in his time, begun to show itself within the pale of the protestant church. And in the succeeding period of very general infidelity, the temptation of lapsing to Romanism was strongly felt by many of the more honest and pious Protestants. His views have been likewise a means of preserving very many from schism; and his warnings against infidelity, and against its awful consequences, will be found of use to those who have not yet learnt openly or secretly to abet it. Such warnings, moreover, have proved most efficacious, when drawn from apocalyptical considerations; and Bengel's manner of conceiving and giving them was most unaffected. They were uttered from the convictions of his heart; from convictions impressed upon him by the word of God. And as conscience obliged him to cause his warning voice to be heard, who can condemn him for following that voice himself? Lastly, should what may happen in future years, render such apocalyptical admonitions more necessary for Christendom than ever, will it not appear a peculiar providence, that Bengel was gifted, more than a hundred years ago, with such deep insight into the mysteries of the kingdom of God?

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PART IV.

BENGEL'S PRIVATE LIFE.

CHAPTER I.

AS A FAMILY MAN.

SOON after Bengel had become settled in his permanent station at Denkendorf, he looked out for a pious helpmate to share with him the vicissitudes of human life. He was persuaded, he said, that "the heart is so formed by nature, that it cannot easily renounce every kind of recourse to and refuge in 'the creature,' and that the married state is one of his own wise and gracious ordinances." Such a friend he found in the family of Frederic Seeger, Esq., receiver-general of the provincial estates, whose daughter, Joanna Regina, became endeared to him, as much by her simple piety as by her excellent understanding and disposition. She was engaged to him in April 1714, and they were married in the following June. As, in forming a connexion of this kind, very much depends "on how persons understand each other at first setting out," (which is another of his own remarks,) some passages of his letters to this lady will show how important he considered it, that their mutual alliance should be hallowed by mutual union with Christ.

"Jesus is all in all !

"My beloved and esteemed Friend,

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'April 17, 1714.

"I have continual confidence that what has commenced between us will, by the blessing of the Most High, be the occasion of constantly renewed felicity. May the pure love of Jesus fully occupy us, and keep us in tranquillity and peace!"

* Rom. viii. 19.

"20th April.

"Our absence just now from each other may be turned to our spiritual benefit, if we make a proper use of it. Souls that would depend only on God, and live entirely to his glory, have to undergo many self-denials to deliver them from all undue attachment to the creature. Let our mutual absence, therefore, which will be but short, be employed in learning to find our chief delight, more in Him, yes, than in each other. Though we have never seen Christ in the flesh, we cleave to him in spirit; and we know that our love of him, and our desire to enjoy his perfect presence, are to be of far more consequence to us than each other's company. May he therefore dispose our united hearts more and more to himself, and possess them entirely. Thus I remain, now and for ever, my beloved friend's most faithful and attached," &c.

“27th April.

“Only let us endeavour more and more unremittingly to exercise lively confidence in God, and to be conscious that we really love him, and we shall never want any manner of thing that is good. This, too, will be the best preparation we can make for our marriage.'

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“4th May.

"No greater joy can I have than to see that my most valued friend is enjoying the grace of God, walking in the love of her Saviour, and thus realizing every true enjoyment at once. This must be the one great concern with us both, and must never, through our alliance with each other, be lost sight of, much less hindered; but promoted. Our heart should be quite as decidedly with the Supreme Lover of our souls, as yours, I am sure, is with me; and we should believe His love towards us to be infinitely greater than we are able to imagine. The best way to experience the truth of this, is to retire into quietness of spirit, into secret communion and childlike converse with him. This is a grace indeed; and as I heartily desire it for us both, I make it a subject of prayer continually. For it is the best foundation for the permanency of our mutual affection, and for the happiness of our union; a union, the comfort and benefit of which are not to be confined to a few early days. And in this way I am, and by God's grace intend to be through life, a life to be spent by us according to his will,

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My highly esteemed and truly dear friend,

"Yours,

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