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we have no evidence in corroboration. Every friendly advance to amity has been made by the half-protestant, half-catholic members of society to their own sacrifice, not by the true espousers of infallibility of doctrine and council, and supremacy in the pope of Rome. Let these advocates sign a recantation of their grossly absurd opinions on this subject, and give hostages to the nation for their peaceable demeanour, then it will at least prove that they are not sinister in the end they aim at, and are consequently entitled to consideration.

On the ground of civil exclusions from official stations, the catholic cannot expect the boon to be ceded to him by the violation of our Magna Charta. If, indeed, these official eminences be the compendium of his wishes, and the climax of his towering ambition, he possesses the same power of attaining them as others. It is follyegregious folly, and trifling with reason, to argue the impossibility of conforming to the customary modes, deemed by law essential, preparatory to these admissions. In our view, the very refusal to conformity in those to whom pardon of sin is obtained so cheaply, under the frail guise of tender consciences, is purely hypocritical; and only furnishes a reason for their exclusion, by betraying the artifice which guides their conduct; and, instead of promoting the desired relaxation, should teach protestants to rally round their citadel and strengthen their ramparts, and check their first emotions of desire to infringe on their freedom; the experience of the past having indubitably proved their gross abuse of power with which they were once invested, and their premeditated determination to extinguish from the earth all who avow enmity to their faith. We differ widely from our author, and others of his class, who conceive we want no security, and that we possess it in ourselves, and "in our constitution," while, strange enough, he recommends an inroad on its system! (See page 6.) We deny, fully, the power of natural light; and can never admit the omnipotency of self-created influence, which is the fashionable doctrine in his creed, the doctrine of the day in which we live; and, we may add, the doctrine of darkness and gross error.

These sons of superior light and influence, confederating with darkness and intrigue for the dissemination of their light, think, vainly, that they are invulnerable to any contaminating influence. They deem it a matter of impossibility, (at least, so it is manifest by their conduct) to become the subjects of conviction to erroneous doctrines; and imagine that the dark clouds of papal heresy, by which they are surrounded, can have no subverting effect on the stamina of their full assurance of faith; and never dream of any product, in the open field of controversy, but immeasurable conversion of the advocates of papal doctrines to their faith. But, are the blessings of light and knowledge reserved exclusively for this generation; and do not the promoters and upholders of the Romish system possess equal native talent and acuteness of penetration, and sagacity as the protestant? We answer, truly. Why, then, should the code of the latter, detached from extraordinary influence, become exclusively impervious to attack?

Totally indifferent to contradiction on this subject, we assert, that, even sacred truth itself, weilded by mighty men, by the superaddition of logical arguments in all their never-ending ramifications; without such disputes are directed under the Holy Spirit's immediate influence, with a view to the glory of God in Christ, they are pervious to superior powers, and capable of defeat; they can, in absence of such supernatural influence, produce no good effect on the mind by extinguishing its natural enmity to revelation and only tend to gratify an unjustifiable ambition for victory. Be assured, this is not the result of divine operation, the sole end of which is to glorify Christ, not to foster vain-glory and cherish fame.

The evident substituton of the Holy Ghost's influence in illuminating the mind, and diffusing abroad therein the rays of spiritual understanding for the light of reason, is the very root of our opposition to these dissenting ministers, who have, from their own testimony, been formidable partizans in effecting inroads in the constitution as it was originally instituted, which has opened a door to more urgent appeals for further encroachments. In this cause pride has experienced gratification; self righteousness has been exalted by adulation; and each have had full scope in the arcana on the bustings and in the pulpit. What will not a worldly spirit covet? This is a principle of action most to be dreaded in its influence. In proportion as it operates, the sublime doctrines of Calvary which opposes its dominion will be withheld from the craving people. The abiding presence of Christ within the soul, and the sovereign efficacy of God the Holy Ghost in the revelation of his glories to the immortal spirit, cannot be evidenced when his holy truth is slanderously libelled, either by a total rejection of it from their creed, or by an offered apology for its non-introduction to their audience on account of its dangerous tendency.

This ingenious writer might have told the noble personage to whom he addressed his epistolatory communication, with greater truth, that his principles, when connected with a spiritual view of the subject, did" need an apology." That he is not convinced of the proposition indicates a painful defect in spiritual perceptibility and vision. We will tell him, that until his divinity moves in a retrogade motion until it reaches the period of the revolution, when purity of truth was freely inculcated and advanced, and harmonizes with its soundness, it will ever require apology. The injury done to the church of God by a mock system of divinity is incalculable, and cannot be repaired by human means. We shudder at the awful responsibility the propagators of error have entailed on themselves, and the consequent lethargy of the laity. There must be a complete revision of conduct and sentiment on the glorious subject of redeeming love (so little known and felt) before such ministers are qualified to administer true celestial balm to the household of faith. We are persuaded that no means, whether they be the result of accurate reasoning, or accomplished by fasting, or penance, or prayer, while the immortal truths

of covenant love are denounced and disregarded as unprofitable to the soul, and while the blessed Redeemer is degraded by stripping from his brow the well earned laurels of our great salvation, will prove efficient in restoring to the church a renewal of the blessings she enjoyed in the age we have referred to. Again, we repeat there must be a return to the open and fearless defence of the doctrines of Calvin, of Luther, and other eminent reformers of the church, whose garments were rolled in blood. Would to God we could see this small hand in the cloud which encircles us without experiencing its accompanying shock. Here our hope falters, our hand shakes while we declare that appearances assume a contrary aspect, and that instead of witnessing the cheering beams of hope penetrating through the dark clouds, the clouds become more dense and threatening, and portend a heavy storm. And what may we not expect while the majority of dissenting ministers see not the evil, nor like Ninevah repent in dust and ashes! What may we not expect while men, whose only recommendation to the sacred office of ministerial functions consists in academical honours and attainments, think proper to refine the immortal oracles from supposed imperfections and impurities, and prostitute their talent by sacrilegious immolations. The anonymous writer assumes an air of consolation (and we would not debar him from his enjoyment) from the opportunity of publishing to the world the subscribing ministers to the Anti-Catholic Petition, and with no small share of sarcasm has he commented on their merit. He must however give them credit for general consistency. If it be any consolation to him and to his party to enjoy fellowship with men who pour contempt and ridicule on the blood of the Lamb, by the denial of his Godhead, and the personality and sovereign influence of the Holy Ghost, we pity them, we pray for them; while it affords us consolation too, that those whom he ignorantly treats with levity and scorn have not so learned Christ. These have honours and enjoyments peculiar to their love of truth, which honours and enjoyments it is their humble desire for their bitterest enemies mutually and richly to participate.

It had a

The remarks contained in the pamphlet (note page 11,) relative to the Beresford Street Chapel Petition, call for a more extended reply than our pages will admit. Never did a petition, in our opinion, speak more truly, justly, and consistently the orthodox faith of that congregation and others of a similar character. special bearing on the marked inconsistency of the Red Cross Street Union, and its reasoning on the subject of corporate bodies was well directed and completely to the purpose. It may be very convenient to say, "it is very characteristic - but totally irrelevant." It is perfectly characteristic in those who briefly allude to a subject merely to declare against it without offering reasonable objections to it. We are well assured the worthy Doctor who prepared it is capable of competing with a host of such adversaries, and will never be moved, through rich grace, from his hold of truth by such measures.

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infinite blessing indeed would it be to Israel were Christ who forms the prominent feature in his ministry, so blessedly exalted as the Holy Spirit thus enables him to do on the part of the ever blessed gospel. From thence he is seen, from thence his attracting influence is engaged sweetly by his hearers. For ourselves, careful as we would be to exalt the Redeemer alone for the blessings his ministry have imparted to our spirits, we can nevertheless scarcely think of past seasons wherein we have been charmed by his spiritual dilations on this darling theme, without passing encomiums, which though justly' true, might be thought by some to have no intermediate connection with the present subject. We must not, however, allow his enemies securely to attack either in secret ambush or by public declamation, without congratulating his flock on the high blessings they enjoy by his development of truth, and are assured they will join us in the conviction that he is worthy a record among the names and in the rank of divines in the primitive ages of christianity, and of a Whitfield, a Romaine, and a Hawker in later periods.

It having been the will of our covenant God to surrender to his enemies the object they desired, we would lie passive in his hands and wait his appointed measures. It is some pleasure to know that the sword is theirs, the hand is his, and that through him we can do all things, and suffer all things. To him be glory for ever.

Amen.

Sermons on Baptism, by the late Rev. James Dore, A. M. with a Preface and Notes, by William Newman, D. D. Second Edition. (Palmer.)

THE above is the second edition of two sermons, prepared for the press by the late Rev. Mr. Dore, which have, since his decease, been committed to the care of Dr. Newman, of Bow; who has introduced them to the public, under the ardent hope that the prejudices of his opponents may be subdued, and that others may be conciliated, and confirmed in their adherence to the command of the great Head of the church; to abrogate which, our author considers would be establishing a dangerous precedent. The motive for publishing will be seen, in the preface of the work, to have arisen from a challenge, in the eleventh hour, to prove that, "baptism is a divine ordinance of perpetual obligation; that none but believers in Christ are personally and legally interested in it; that the mode of administration by the total immersion of the body in water, must not be altered; and that to be "born of water" in addition to being "born of the Spirit," is necessary to a man's entering into "the kingdom of God" on earth, that is, the visible church: none of which points were controverted during the two first centuries."

We have not time, or space, to admit of any observations, more than to express our conviction that both discourses are fully entitled to the merit the Rev. Doctor has ascribed to them; which is heightened from the mildness of temper in which he offers his statements, and urges his appeals.

POETRY.

ON DR. HAWKER'S TWENTY-FIRST VILLAGE SERMON,

PREACHED IN THE CHURCH OF CHARLES, PLYMOUTH.

HAIL, holy, holy, holy, LORD,

For thee we bow with one accord,

JEHOVAH ALEHIM.

Exalted is thy throne on high,

Thy glory fills the earth and sky,
Thy praise shall never end.

The seraphs who thy throne surround,
With holy reverence fall down,

And worship THEE, the LORD;
Who was, and is, and is to come,

The ONE in THREE, and THREE in ONE,
O'er all ALMIGHTY LORD.

The elders cast before thy throne
Their crowns, and ever, ever own,
All glory due to THEE,

For all things at thy will were made,
Thy pow'r the vast foundation laid,
Thy pleasure LORD they be.

The heav'n of heav'ns cannot contain
Thee, MIGHTY GOD, whose endless reign

Is bliss supremely great;

Thy train doth fill thy church below,
With joys divine which freely flow
Around thy glorious state.

So glorious is thy holiness,
JEHOVAH JAH our RIGHTEOUSNESS,
That seraphs veil their sight,
Whilst one to one unceasing cry,
Holy, holy, holy MOST HIGH,
Eternal life, and light.

Angelic hosts their pow'rs employ
To sound abroad with sacred joy,

Thy love in songs of praise:

'Fore thee they bow with humble knee, And own their bliss, their all to thee,

JEHOVAH of all grace.

Isa. vi. 1-3.

Rev. iv. 6. Rev. vii. 11.

Rev. iv. 10, 11.

1 Kings viii. 27. Dan. iv. 34. Nehem. ix. 5. 1 Tim. vi. 15. Isa. vi. 1.

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Numberless thousands bought with blood,
The purchase of the LORD my GOD,
Stand round about the throne;
They too enjoy the right hand place,
Being sons of God, and heirs of grace,
Co- heirs with CHRIST the SON.

Isa. vi. 2, 3.

Rev. vii. 11.

Rev. vii. 9. Matt. xxv. 23.

Rom. viii. 17.

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