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this christian rite of initiation. The analogy between the mosaick and christian dispensations, which furnishes many of the arguments, and illustrations on the subject of baptism, was no doubt much more sensibly felt by the early christians, than it can be by believers at the present day. They had been accustomed to that kind of anthropomorphitism which is to be found in the Old Testament descriptions of the divine communications to the posterity of Abraham. The terms covenant, oath, league, seal, charter, &c. were familiar to the ears of the Jewish people; and they naturally sought for something of the same kind under a new and more liberal dispensation. Hence baptism acquired considerable significancy, as an initiation into a new sovenant, a seal of gracious promises a sign of peculiar privil ges, &c. and this language, in conformity to the Hebrew phraseology, is still preserved among christians, though the ideas, which it conveys, have lost much of that distinctness and peculiarity, which they originally possessed with the Jews.

Upon ideas of this kind, much of Dr. Smith's discourse is employed. The foundation of almost all his re

marks is laid in the presumption, that baptism is to christians, what circumcision was to Abraham and his posterity; and relying on this substitution of the one for the other, he has chosen for his text, Romans, iii. 1, 2. For ourselves, we are perfectly willing that a preliminary so commonly received, should be universally granted, especially if the benefits of the ordinance can by it be more convincingly established, or ingeniously explained. But, if this postulate should be refused, or if, according to Dr. Smith's own observations, baptism should be shown to be originally a Jewish rite,

adopted by our Saviour as a teacher's common mode of initiation, and established in the christian church, without any declared analogy to circumcision, we know not that much could be said in reply.

This sermon has three divisions.

1. The nature and design of baptism may be rendered obvious to the capacity of every hearer, from two sources of illustration, one is the use and application of a similar rite, which was frequent in the ancient Jewish nation, whence probchurch; the other is the denomination, ably it was transferred into the christian borrowed from the Abrahamic dispensa. tion of the covenant, which from the very first ages, it has received among christians, of a scal of the covenant of grace.

2. What profit is there, then, in being baptised? What are the benefits of baptism? This question I might proceed immediately to resolve, but that it is necessary, in the first place, to ascertain the proper ubjects of this holy ordinance. For, on the right of our children to receive the seal of the covenant depends, in my view, its principal advantages. This right, then, is demonstrated from analogy; from scripture example; and from the whole stream of the history of the primitive church.

The following paragraphs, which are included in the second division, upon the right of parents to present their children, may be interesting to many.

Having offered to your consideration, in a few plain and obvious principles, the right of infants, born within the church, to the seal of the covenant, and the blessings of which they become partakers by it; it may not be unuseful more particularly to designate the limits of the visible church, and to point out the nature and extent of that profession of the name of Christ which entitles a parent to offer, and the church to receive his infant offspring in this holy ordinance. And happy shall I be, if, by the following brief reflections, I shall be able to remove the doubts, or compose the solicitudes of any serious and well disposed mind upon this subject.

The principal doubt turns on this single point, whether the church on earth consists only of those who are truly regenerated, and have added sincere, and new obedience to their open profession of the name of their Redeemer; or embraces all those who, having been baptised, and continuing to profess the name and doctrines of the Saviour, submit themselves to the counsels, admonitions, reproofs and to the whole discipline of that spiritual body whose head is Christ.

The constitution of the Jewish church, the counterpart and type of the christian, will assist us to determine this question. All who believed in Moses, the great prophet of God, and submitted to his law, were embraced in the external bonds, and received the distinguishing seal of the covenant. But they were not all Israel who were of Israel. A distinction existed among them, which must always exist upon earth among the professing disciples of Christ, between the visible, and the invisible church. The latter is composed of those only who, by sincere piety, and an entire renovation of heart, bear the inward image of their Lord and Master. The former embraces all who are united together under the profession of the same system of doctrines, who enjoy the same ordinances, and who submit to the same discipline for regulating the exterior order and manners of its members. To the church of Israel, comprehending the entire nation, were the oracles of God committed. And the seal of that gracious covenant which was contained and explained in these oracles, and exhibited to the ancient church, under a thousand typical rites, was impressed on all their offspring, and, and on al! who were born in their houses and trained up in the knowledge of divine truth under their care. Analogy, then, will lead us to extend the application of the christian seal to the households, and especially to the children of all who are members of the visible church; that is, who have been themselves baptised, who acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, who profess to embrace the holy scriptures of truth as containing the only certain rule of duty, and the only foundation of their immortal hopes; who submit themselves and their households to the discipline and instructions of the church, and who promise to concur with

her in the pious education and government of all those whom nature hath given to their affection, or providence hath subjected to their authority.

To the invisible church baptism cannot be confined, because men have no certain rule by which to discriminate it from the mass of visible professors. Let me speak freely to those of my brethren who believe that somewhat more is necessary in the recipient to the validity of this ordinance than regular morals, an open profession of the faith and submission to the discipline of the church. Is it because they esteem the actual sanctification of the parent essential to the rightful administration of baptism to the child? Who then can know with certainty that he is baptised? Do they say, that it is at least necessary that, in the judgment of charity, a parent should be a sincere believer? Where is the scripture rule which rests the benefit of baptism on our judgment of the internal state of a man's heart; or makes it the standard by which we are to admit his infant to the external privileges of the covenant of grace? Will not those judgments of charity vary in different churches? Will they not vary, perhaps, in different ministers in the same church? Too carnestly he cannot be admonished, indeed, that vital and universal holiness of heart and life is essential to salvation, and is essential to the faithful and acceptable discharge of this, and of every duty in the sight of God; yet is it not essential to the validity of this ordinance, and its spiritual benefit to his infant offspring.

3. In the last place, to answer the great inquiry, What profit is there in this our christian circumcision? What are the privileges it confers? What are the obligations it imposes?

In baptism the great charter of our salvation, with all its gracious promises, its merciful conditions, and immortal hopes, is confirmed by the seal of God. That transfer which, under the spiritual dominion of the Redeemer, has been made of our infant offspring from the curse and condemnation of the first cov enant to the grace of the second, is, in this ordinance, palpably exhibited to our senses. Inestimable benignity and condescension! thus to be met by God, if I may speak so, at our first entrance into being, with the gracious propositions of

eternal life through Jesus Christ, confirm ed to sense, as well as to faith, by a rite so solemn! The testament of our dying Saviour, sealed with his most precious blood, is visibly offered anew to believers and their offspring, at every repetition of this baptismal symbol. Christians! what subjects of gratitude and praise, what animating encouragements to early piety do we find in this merciful condescension of God; in this gracious care of the Redeemer, extended over all the infant seed of the church!

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which, as it contains nothing superfluous, contains nothing new.

The style of Dr. Smith is sufficiently perspicuous, and sometimes eloquent. We feel the want, however, of more conciseness of phrase and condensation of thought. Without being guilty of absolute repetition, he weakens the force of his sentiments by a superabundance of epithets, and unnecessary circumlocution. Upon the whole, we heartily recommend this discourse to the perusal of christians.

RETROSPECTIVE NOTICE OF AMERICAN LITERATURE.

ARTICLE 3.

M. T. Cicero's Cato Major, or his Discourse of Old Age, with Explanatory Notes. Philadelphia, printed by Benjamin Franklin. 1744. 4to. pp. 159.

THE history of this book is not a little curious. It is the first translation of a classick, and the best which has appeared in this country. The author was a Mr. Logan, of Philadelphia, and the printer was Benjamin Franklin. The translation was made in the year 1734, when the translator was in his sixtieth year, but it was not printed till the year 1744. The type is large, clear, and elegant, to assist the eyes of the aged; and the whole typographical execution reflects the highest honour on Dr. Franklin's press. Though the book has the appearance of an octavo, the pages will be found to be in quarto. The Greek words are sometimes printed in Italicks, and sometimes in Greek characters; an irregularity for which we cannot Vol. V. No. V.

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account. The advertisement written by Dr. Franklin, we shall here insert entire, because it has not apof Dr. F.'s works. peared, we believe, in any collection

THE PRINTER TO THE READER.

This Version of Cicero's Tract de Sen ectute, was made ten years since, by the honourable and learned Mr. Logan, of this city; undertaken partly for his own amusement, (being then in his 60th year, which is said to be nearly the age of the author when he wrote it,) but principally for the entertainment of a neighbour,

then in his grand climacteric; and the notes were drawn up solely on that neighbour's account, who was not so well acquainted as himself with the Roman history and language: Some other friends, however, (among whom I had

the honour to be ranked) obtained copies of it in M. S. And, as I believed it to be in itself equal at least, if not far preferable to any other translation of the same Piece extant in our language, besides the advantage it has of so many valuable notes, which at the same time they clear up the text, are highly instructive and entertaining, I resolved to give it an impression, being confident

that the publick would not unfavourably receive it.

I

A certain Freed-man of Cicero's is reported to have said of a medicinal well, discovered in his time, wonderful for the virtue of its waters in restoring sight to the aged, That it was a Gift of the bounti ful Gods to men, to the end that all might now bave the pleasure of reading his Master's works. As that well, if still in being, is at too great a distance for our use, have, Gentle Reader, as thou seest, printed this piece of Cicero's in a large and fair character, that those who begin to think on the subject of OLD AGE, (which seldom happens till their sight is somewhat impair'd by its approaches,) may not, in reading, by the Pain small letters give the eyes, feel the Pleasure of the mind in the least allayed.

I shall add to these few lines my hearty wish, that this first translation of a Classic in this Western World, may be fol

lowed with many others, performed with equal judgment and success; and be a happy omen, that Philadelphia shall be come the seat of the American Muses.

Philadelphia, Feb. 1743-4.

In the year 1750, the book was reprinted in London, in 1751, at Glasgow, and in 1778, another edition appeared in London, where Dr. Franklin's name was inscribed in the title page, as the author. This however, was a mere bookseller's trick to promote the sale.

As this work is the only translation of an ancient classick, which has appeared in this country, if you except Alexander's Virgil, "the clandestine refuge of schoolboys," and a version of Horace's odes,*

**

*The Lyrick works of Horace translated into English verse, with other poems, by a native of America, 8vo. Phil. 1786. "To praise this publication, would be gross violation of conscience." Monthly Rev. We should be extremely

we shall give it a more minute examination, than is probably author. ized by its intrinsick merit. The

numerous translations, which had been previously made of this aureus libellus are much inferiour to Logan's, and it would, perhaps. have retained a considerable reputa ion even to the present day, had it not been eclipsed by the version of the incomparable Melmoth; and to be excelled only by him is almost equivalent to praise, especially to a translator in 1734. Till within the last fifty years, the principles of translation were not well understood; and after a correct idea is formed of a perfect translation, it will be found almost as difficult, as original composition. The best writers though the easiest to understand, are always the most difficult to render, and Cicero, the most polished of the Romans, appears to no advantage, except in the translation of Melm th. style of this author, in his original works, as well as in his translations, a stile, which charms every reader, learned, or unlearned; though it seems to exhibit the most easy elegance, and attainable simplicity, will yet be found to possess that kind of perfectin desesperée, which it is more easy to praise than to analyze. Of the style of Mr. Logan, therefore, we shall say little, because it can bear no competition with Melmoth's; but the faithfulness of the translation, we are more at liberty to examine and to judge. "Est aliquid prodire tenus, si non datur ultra.”

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The

obliged to any person, who would furnish us with a copy of this work.

CATALOGUE.

OF NEW PUBLICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, FOR MAY, 1808.

Sunt bona, sunt quædam mediocria, sunt mala plura.................MArt.

NEW WORKS.

A Discourse on the Nature, the proper subjects, and the benefits of Baptism, with a brief Appendix, on the mode of administering the ordinance. By the Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith, D. D. President of the College of New-Jersey. Philadelphia, published by B. B. Hopkins & Co. Fry & Kammerer, printers. 8vo. pp. 50.

No. II. of the Minor Novelist; containing, 1st, He loves me more than his life; or Ludwig, Clara and Randolph; a tale, from the German. 2d, Epinette and Melise, or the two Widows, a tale, from the French. 3d, an Essay on Romances and Novels. Published and sold by Wright, Goodenow & Stockwell, Boston and Troy, N. Y.

The 8th number of the Christian Monitor, by a Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, &c. Boston. Munroe, Francis and Parker.

The Nightingale, or Polite Amatory Songster, a selection of delieate, pathetick and elegant Songs, designed chiefly for the Ladies. To which is added an Appendix, containing some of the most popular New Songs. Boston, published and sold by William Blagrove. E. C. Beals, printer. pp. 144. price 75 cents.

A letter to the Hon. J. Q. Adams, occasioned by his letter to the Hon. Mr. Otis. By Alfred. Printed in America. 8vo. pp. 43.

An Appeal to the Tribunal of Publick Justice, being a concise statement of the facts, which led to the extraordinary case of Stockton vs. Hopkins. By Thomas Hopkins. Philadelphia, printed for the author. 8vo. pp. 48.

The Analyst, or Mathematical Museum, vol. 1, No. 1, containing new elucidations, discoveries, and improvements in various branches of the mathematicks, with collections of questions proposed

and resolved by ingenious correspon dents. Philadelphia, published by Wm. P. Farrand & Co. Fry & Kammerer, printers. 8vo. pp. 20.

Campbell & Mitchel, New-York, have published No. 2, of the American Artillerist's Companion, or elements of artillery, by Louis D. Tousard.

The Military Companion, being a system of company discipline founded on the regulations of Baron Steuben, late major-general and inspector-general of the United States, containing the manual exercise, facings, steps, turnings, wheelings, miscellaneous evolutions, firings, &c. together with the duty of officers and privates. Designed for the use of the militia. Newburyport, printed by W. & J. Gilman. 18mo. pp. 45. price 25 cents.

By

A Discourse delivered, Mar. 13, 1808, in consequence of the death of Deacon Thomas Thompson, who departed Mar. 7th, in the 66th year of his age. Samuel Spring, D. D. Newburyport, printed by E. W. Allen, and sold by Thomas & Whipple. 8vo. pp. 24. price 124 cents.

The Boston Primer; being an improvement of the New-England Primer; containing, among many other things suitable for young children, Dr. Watts's Catechism, the Assembly's Catechism, with a variety of instructive Lessons and Hymns, suited to the capacities of Children, and designed to assist them in learning to spell and read. Boston, printed and published by Manning & Loring. 24mo. price 12 cents.

Patriotism & Piety. The Speeches of his Excellency Caleb Strong, Esq. to the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; with their Answers; and Official Papers of his Excellency, from 1800 to 1807. Newburyport.

The Signs of Perilous times, a Sermon,

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