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this point. It seems to us an easy mat-
ter for every one to decide. The most
simple reader of the Bible may satisfy
himself beyond a doubt, of these plain
and solemn facts which are stated in
that the second
numerous passages-
coming of the Saviour will be attended
by the resurrection and judgment of all
mankind-by the condemnation of all
the wicked, and the glorification of all
the saved-and by the conflagration of
the world. These facts are inscribed
with piercing and awful brightness on
the sacred pages. But if these final
solemnities shall attend the coming of
the Redeemer, if all mankind shall be
removed to the abodes of eternity and
the world be consumed, there will plainly
be no time or room for the wonders and
glories which the Millenarians have pic-
tured out and rejoiced in.

There is one important passage of Scripture which is so expressly opposed to their views, so decisive on the point that the Millenium will take place before the second coming of our Lord, that we wonder how they can hold their views in the face of such a declaration. "Repent ye therefore and be converted, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ who before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of the restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." Acts iii. 19-21. We cite from the volume before us Mr. Faber's improved rendering of the latter part of this passage, and some of his excellent remaks upon it:

"There can be no doubt that the clause ought to be rendered: whom heaven must receive, until the times of the accomplishment of all the things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

"From this translation, which with the ancients, I conceive to exhibit the true sense of the original, the inference is sufficiently obvious.

"If heaven must receive and retain Christ, until the fall accomplishment of all the things which God hath spoken by the prophets, since the world began, down to the time

when the Apostle uttered the passage now, under consideration: then, assuredly, the literal second advent of Christ cannot take place until after the complete expiration of the Millenarian period of blessedness. For Daniel, and Isaiah, and Joel, and Zachariah, all foretel the occurrence of such a period, as immediately following the conversion of Judah and sychronical overthrow of the great Roman confederacy. But, according to St. Peter, heaven must retain Christ, until the accomplishment of all the prophecies which had been delivered anterior to the time when he made such a declaration. Therefore beaven must retain Christ, until all the ancient prophecies, respecting the Millennial period of blessedness upon earth, shall have received their full accomplishment: and, consequently, the literal second advent of Christ cannot occur, until after the close of the same predicted millennial period of blessedness." p. 163.

While we much lament the unbound

ed wildness of fancy, together with the
waste of time and effort which many
are expending upon this subject, we
cannot but hope that some good will
result from the controversy. If it shall
awaken more devout and thoughtful at-
tention to the prophecies which depict
the future piety and glory of the church
among Christians in general, and thus
tend to increase a spirit of prayer and
activity for their final accomplishment,
a great benefit will be secured. Every
thing of this sort is most valuable for
our own minds and for the good of
others. We have long been disposed
to think that most Christians do not
give half attention enough to the pre-
dictions of Scripture concerning the
kingdom of Christ, which we are as-
sured will at some future period, and
perhaps in a short time, illuminate and
bless this lost world with a spiritual
beauty and glory so transcendent that
we cannot fully conceive it. Leaving
all inferior anticipations and details of
the great scene out of view, which can-
not be decided till the period shall
come, we may meditate and repose on
the glorious assurance with unspeakable
delight, that our divine Saviour will gain
a perfect conquest over all that is op-
posed to him, and extend the light and
holiness of his dominion over the globe.
This world shall be renovated and saved.

This holy and maguificent anticipation, proved their views to be quite unscriptural, and even absurd. We must, however, remark, that he has frequently written with a severity of tone which we cannot approve, how much soever he might have been provoked by the dogmatism and contempt displayed by some of the party to whom he is opposed. We earnestly wish for all religious controversy to be conducted with the mild and benignant temper of true religion. Those who wander from the truth in the things of God, deserve our pity, but not our contempt.

so beautiful to the fancy, so consoling to the heart, so animating to our hopes, so inspiring and devotional in all its effects, should be constantly cherished by such as love their Saviour and love their race. The certain prospect of this transporting and sublime improvement in the condition and character of mankind, ought to have a large and delightful place in our contemplations. When meditated in the clear and beautiful lights which the word of God has shed over it for our consolation, and with a sober and devotional spirit, it presents a scene of glory and holiness to contemplate and love, inferior only to the perfection and splendour of heaven where God will be all in all.

The Divinely appointed Means for preserving a prosperous, or restoring a declining Church. A Sermon, preached at the Baptist Monthly Meeting, held at Maze Pond, Southwark, Nov. 18, 1828. In which it is recommended to the Baptist Churches, speedily to observe a Day of Humiliation and Prayer; with an Appendix, on the Nature and End of Christian Fasting. By JOSEPH IVIMEY. Wightman and Co.

We have no taste for speculation in these sacred matters. We wish to turn all our views of this blessed period to a devout and practical account. We wish our readers to do the same. Let each of them remember and feel, even the most weak and humble, that he can do something towards promoting the glorious completion of all that a Christian THIS is an earnest, warm-hearted Sershould fervently desire on earth. Be-mon, from Heb. x. 19-25. After insides constantly praying for it in faith and hope, each may be assured that every little effort he makes, whether to give his money, or to teach a child to read the word of God, or to instruct a servant, or to improve a friend, or to set a holy example to his family and neighbours, will be employed by the gracious Redeemer among the infinity of means by which he will accomplish the spiritual restoration and happiness of mankind. Every Christian should feel a devout ambition to share in the glory of this blessed and splendid consummation, which, though he will not behold on earth, he will hear of in heaven with rapturous adoration and de-ance upon the public means of grace.” light.

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troductory observations on the early declensions in the primitive churches of Galatia, and five out of the seven churches in Asia Minor, mentioned in the second and third chapters of the book of the Revelations, and on the exhortations in the Epistle to the Hebrews, from which Mr. Ivimey has taken his text, he points out four "divinely prescribed remedies," as the means of reformation, wherever churches are tending to declension; and these are "1. United Prayer. 2. A steady adherence to the faith of the Gospel, and a consistent profession of it. 3. Mutual Affection. 4. Constant attend

In the course of the Sermon, the worthy author, in addition to his important remarks on these topics, presents his readers with a number of historical details, illustrating different parts of his subject; and notices with great pleasure the accounts of revivals in religion now taking place in Wales, and in America; and by this means

shews us, from what the goodness of God has done in times past, and is doing at the present time, the encouragement we have still to pray and hope that he will not "forsake the work of his own hands."

change which is essential to their future happiness? None but the Most High. Such persons do not think how forcibly they prove the doctrine which they hear, and which we fear they sometimes deride, that the salvation of a sinner is the work of the Lord alone; for if outward means could secure it, many of them would not be in their present situation. It is painful also to see how many in the profession of the faith of the Gos

In the "Appendix, on the nature and end of Christian Fasting," Mr. Ivimey gives us a condensed history of what is stated on the subject of fasting, both in the Old and New Testaments; and towards the close says, "My conclusion pel, appear to feel very little of its inis, that as a Christian practice, fasting|ternal vivifying influence. We do not, is to be attended to whenever the presence of Christ is not enjoyed, and the evidences of his blessing are not experienced, whether by individual believers, or by congregated communities."

of course, know how they are engaged in their retirements; what attention they give to the word of God and prayer, either in their families or in privacy; or how far they are in real earnest in maintaining the inward conflict with the corrupt tendencies of our nature;-but was there a strong sense of the excellence and reality of the great sentiments of the Gospel, and an earuest engagement of heart in attending unto them, surely we should see effects arising from these causes, for which we now look in vain. The world, and the things of the world, its trifles, its habits, and we fear too often its follies, engage their attention. To these they pay a marked regard, they warmly pursue them, and are cold and indifferent only in the great concerns of eternity! It would be a happy thing if we were all to ask ourselves, whether we also are not influenced by the contagious atmosphere in which we live? Were we better Christians, we might surely hope that those around us would be better also. We wish this sermon may be ex

Although our limits do not admit of an extended review of a single sermon, we may be permitted to add a few general observations. The four "divinely prescribed remedies," mentioned above as the basis of this discourse, are of undeniable importance. God grant that | they may all be felt, and practically regarded in proportion to their consequence! We then might hope that the Lord would revive us again, and cause his people to rejoice in his goodness. It is a remarkable, and we trust a favourable circumstance, that there is a feeling of the need of a revival in congregations and churches, not deficient either in members or in attendance. It is we hope distinctly perceived by many in our churches, that something more is still wanting to their real prosperity. What they earnestly wish to see is the conversion of sinners, the animating influence of the hopes and motives exhi-tensively read, and that the endeavours bited in the Gospel, proving that they are indeed made alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is painful and lamentable that many, perhaps in all our congregations, attend with tolerable regularity from year to year, who we cannot hope are converted unto God. In them we see no signs of a new heart and a right spirit. They hear the appeals and invitations of the Gospel, without being affected by them. We look at them both with grief and pity, and say, surely they cannot all die thus! But who can effect that great

and prayers of the author and of his brethren may be followed by a copious effusion of the divine blessing.

The Advantages of Union among Brethren. A Sermon preached to the Baptist Association for the Counties of York and Lancaster, at Hebden Bridge, May 29, 1823. By PETER SCOTT. PERHAPS there is no class of productions with which the press teems, more ephemeral than that of single sermons. There are some of value, many indiffe

fected all. It was a feeling of holy love and melting teuderness which pervaded

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fluence seemed to descend, soft and penetrating as the dew of Hermon." When, at the close of the sermon, the minister of the place gave out that hymn—

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rent, and not a few which venture from the snug retirement of a minister's desk, which possess but little claim, and in-the whole congregation. A sacred indeed stand but little chance to be heard amongst the many candidates for public attention. But though few of these can hope to survive a short-lived day, or to float down the stream of time to another age, we are not disposed much to regret their publication. They have. their local interests and temporary advantages. There is a little circle in a burst of feeling prevented his prowhich they are respectively prized, for ceeding. "Did you ever,” said another their relative value at least, if not for minister, after the singing, "hear any their intrinsic worth. They are che-thing so much like heaven !'' rished memorials of a dear friend, or a beloved pastor.

It is not to be expected that in such a miscellany as ours we should do much more than merely to announce the greater part of those which come under our notice. A full review of some of them would be needless, and perhaps worse. To subject these productions of pions zeal to that ordeal, through which we, as reviewers, have the privilege of making authors pass-to weigh them in the balances of rigid criticism, and pronounce them wanting, would wound the feelings of many, and do good to none. And of those which we think are entitled to commendation, but a brief account is generally given; our space is too limited to admit of any thing more. But we feel now and then disposed to step out of our usual track, and the present occasion is one which, we think, will justify us in doing this.

The sermon before us is evidently the production of a vigorous mind, of one accustomed to think and reason, as well as to declaim; who, rich in his own resources, is not confined to mere common-place remarks. It was delivered at an Association of Baptist churches in the counties of York and Lancaster. The impression produced by the delivery of this discourse was, we are informed by those who heard it, so deep and general as is seldom witnessed on such occasions. The effect was not admira

"Blessed be the tie that binds

Our hearts in mutual love," &c.*

Mr. Scott, in a short and modest preface, expresses his apprehension that the discourse "will appear very different in print, from what it did when uttered by the living voice." This may be the case; it will to a considerable degree, doubtless, be the case. It will not be read with that preparation of devotional exercises which preceded the hearing of it. In a large and listening auditory, the presence of a considerable number of persous united in the same exercise, the expression of feeling visible in the countenance, contribute, by the power of sympathy, greatly to aid the impression. When a minister enters the pulpit fresh from the closet, where he has been holding intercourse with God, while his subject fills his soul, and his heart is all on a glow with it, there is a pathos, a living power in his ministrations, which no talents, however great, can command; no eloquence, however brilliant, can excite. In the printed sermons of G. Whitfield, which were taken down in short hand, who can discern the cause of the extraordinary effects which were produced? But the sacred feeling to which we have alluded gives a tone to the voice, an expression to the countenance, an eloquence to every look, to every motion, which irresistibly touch the heart. The

This beautiful hymn was the composition of the late venerable Dr. Fawcett, long

tion of talent, surprize at originality, the pastor of the church where the associa delight in the beauties of composition;tion was held. The recollection of his emiit was not the man, nor his manner, but nent piety, and his "labour of love," was his subject, that interested all, and af- not probably without its effect..

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warmth and tenderness of the speaker | We scarcely know what passages to are communicated to the hearers, with select, as a specimen of the author's the quickness and certainty of the elec- style and manner of treating his subtric fluid. There is a spirit which at-ject. The following have the recomtends such preaching, which is too ethe-mendation of being short. There are real to be fixed in words and sentences, many parts of the discourse of much which the press with all its power can- superior interest, but they are too long not represent nor communicate. for extracts.

That this was one great cause of the effect produced by the delivery of this sermon we have no doubt; but after every deduction made on this account, there will remain, even in the reading of it, much that is adapted to interest, affect, and profit the mind.

"It is only in congenial society that the tenderest sympathies, and dearest charities of our nature, are fully awakened and called into delightful exercise, that we enjoy the feast of reason and the flow of soul," and all the inexhaustible treasures of the heart;

and these are the true rieles: for we know who has said, a good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth good things.' The gratification of the senses is low and poor, being enjoyed equally with us, if not in a superior degree, by the inferior animals; and that opulence which is merely of an intellectual nature, however highly prized, and eagerly sought by many, is after all of a very inferior description, being possessed in a supereminent degree, even by the devils. But the riches of the heart, consisting in an upright will, and holy and benevolent affections, not only raise us to a level with the angels, but assimilate us to God himself, and transform us into his brightest image; for God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.' Thus he is imparadised in the very bosom of felicity." p. 27.

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The subject itself is as important as it is delightful: it is that brotherly love which the inspired writers so highly evlogize, as cementing and beautifying the Christian church. In discussing this topic the preacher seems quite at home; it is a subject on which he has evidently thought closely, and felt deeply. He enters on it as a man fully convinced of the importance of what he has to communicate, and most anxious to impress it on the minds of others, with the simplicity and the earnestness of true sincerity. It is presented in many interesting points of view; and if many of the ideas are not new, there is generally an originality in the manner in which they are exhibited. The style of the author is rather pointed and sententious than full and flowing. There is no fas-religion, to turn the house of God into a den tidious selection of words, nor great anxiety about the harmonious structure of sentences: he aims at sense more than sound. The discourse is enriched with many apposite quotations of Scripture, and some of them are very happily

introduced.

After some explanatory remarks, Mr. Scott briefly illustrates the statement of the text with reference to friends, to families, and to nations; he then proceeds more largely to shew its application to the Christian church; in doing which he forcibly depicts the evils of disaffection and strife, and the beauties, the delights, the advantages of Christian union. He closes by shortly stating the means of realizing this important object, and affectionately recommending it to all the followers of the Saviour.

"A bad spirit may be as offensive to God and injurious to man as immoral conduct, though it is not generally considered so. It cannot be more consistent with true

who sport with firebrands, arrows, and death, of lions, than into a den of thieves. Those and are ready to call down fire from heaven upon all who oppose them, or differ from them, know not what manner of spirit they are of. They have quite mistaken the nareligion of love, intended not to excite, but ture and design of Christianity, which is a to allay these evil passions, and reconcile men to God and each other. Controversy may be sometimes unavoidable; it may often be necessary to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, but never bitterly or furiously. The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.' Therefore mark them that cause divisions contrary to the doctrine which ye have received, and avoid them :' such are infectious and dangerous characters." p. 51.

ters and people brought all that is dear and "Often, alas! has the carnality of minissacred to the very brink of the precipice, and would as often have cast it down headlong, had it not been prevented by an invi

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