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waiting, and returned to the King. This text was ftill the topick of converfation; and Rochefter moved to call in David, who, he faid, he found was well acquainted with the Scriptures. David appeared, and being afked the queftion, produced his Bible, and read the text, (Judges ix. 13.) The King fmiled, the Queen afked pardon, and the Chaplain blubed. Rochefter now afked the doctor, if he could interpret the text, fince it was produced; but he was mute. He therefore requested David to interpret it, who immediately replied, "How much wine cheereth man, your lordship knows and to fhow you how it cheereth God, I beg leave to remind you, that, under the Old Teftament difpenfation, there were meat offerings, and drink offerings. The latter confifted of wine, which was typical of the blood of the Mediator; which, by a metaphor, was faid to cheer God, as he was well pleased in the way of falvation that he had appointed; whereby his juftice was fatisfied, his law fulfilled, his mercy reigned, his grace triumphed, all the divine perfections harmonized, the finner was faved, and God in Chrift glorified."

The King was agreeably furprifed at this unexpected and fenfible expofition Rochefter applauded; and after fome farcaftic reflections upon the Chaplain, very gravely moved, that his majefty would be pleased to make the Chaplain his Cook, and the Cook his Chaplain.

It is much to be regretted that the works of the illuftrious Calvin are fo little read in the prefent day. Every person who is acquainted with the writings of our moft eminent reformers, both in

England and Scotland, fuch as Hooker, Cranmer, Knox, &c. knows that no man was held in higher eftimation by thofe diftinguished characters than John Calvin, and no human compofitions were more read and admired by them than his. Nor was it only by perfons of the above description that Calvin's writings were efteemed. The depth and ingenuity of his thoughts, the ftrength and accuracy of his reafoning, and the purity and elegance of his diction, have led many who had no relish for the Gospel to perufe his works.

The celebrated infidel, Lord Bolingbroke, was a remarkable inftance of this; and the following anecdote, in proof of it, may be depended on. One day, a Clergyman of his Lordship's acquaintance, (Mr. Ch, who died Vicar of Batterfea) happened to call on him, when he was reading in Calvin's Inftitutes. "You have found me," faid his Lordship, "reading John Calvin. He was indeed a man of great parts, profound fenfe, and vaft learning. He handles the doctrines of grace in a very masterly manner." "Doctrines of grace !" replied the Clergyman, "the doctrines of grace have fet all mankind together by the ears." "I am furprifed to hear you fay fo," answered Lord Bolingbroke, “you who profefs to believe and to preach Chriftianity. Those doctrines are certainly the doctrines of the Bible: and, if I believed the Bible, I must believe them. And, let me feriously tell you, that I think the greatest miracle in the world is, the fubfiftence of Chriflianity, and its continued preservation as a religion, when the preaching of it is committed to the care of fuch un chriftian gentlemen as you."

Religious Monitor,

Review of New Publications.

A Scripture Catechism, or System of Religious Instruction in the words of Scripture. Being a selection of the most plain and important texts, so arranged as to give a systematic view of the principal doctrines and duties of our Holy Religion. Intended as an Assistant to Christian Ministers, Parents, and Instructors, in the Religious Education of Children and Youth, adapted to the use of Schools and Families. By a Clergyman of Massachusetts. 12mo. pp. 114. 37 cents. Cambridge. Hilliard. 1804.

AN early acquaintance with the SACRED SCRIPTURES is the best means of establishing the moral and religious principles of children and youth. They at once furnish a perfect rule of life, show the way of salvation, and exhibit the most impressive motives to holiness. Whoever, therefore, facilitates the acquirement of scriptural knowledge, renders an essential service to the rising genera tion, and, by consequence, to his country, and to the world. Such is the benevolent office, which the anonymous compiler of the work before us has attempted to execute; and, we think, with success. He has taken pains to bring into a coherent and systematic form, the principal doctrines and duties, contained in the Bible; and to arrange them in a method, adapted to enlighten the understanding, aid the memory, and impress the heart.

The qualifications requisite to the proper execution of such a work, are, thorough acquaintance with the scriptures; judgment to discern, and diligence to collect, the most appropriate passages for the several articles of doctrine and duty; and, in the disposition of

them, a conscientious regard to the meaning of the inspired authors, so far, as from the most obvious construction of words, from their coherence with what precedes and follows them, and from a fair comparison of scripture with scripture, that meaning can be acsertained. These qualifica tions the compiler of this work appears to have in a good degree possessed. The selection is, what its name imports; and the parent who seeks the religious instruc tion of his children, need not hesi tate to commit to their hands this SCRIPTURAL CATECHISM.

But after all, we are ready to regret the publication of this or any other newly formed catechism, lest it supersede the use of that most excellent system, the Assembly's Shorter Chatechism, which we prefer before all other works of the kind. Nor do we see any more reason for confining ourselves to the express words of inspiration in catechisms, than in preaching, or in any other mode of religious instruction.

That a judgment may be form ed from the work itself, a speci men of it is subjoined.

SECT. I.

Q. What are the first principles of religion?

A. He that cometh to God must be

lieve that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.*

Q. How may all men know, there is a

God?

4. The invisible things, (attributes) of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead; so that they are without excuse.

Q. What is the light of nature?
A.That which may be known of God

References to the particular places where the quoted passages are found, are inserted in the margin.

is manifest in them, (i.e. Gentiles) for God hath shewed it unto them. These having not the law (i. e. the bible) are a law to themselves. Their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing, or else excusing one another.

Q. What other rule hath God given to direct us, how all may glorify and enjoy him?

4. The holy scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly fur nished unto all good works.

SECT. VIII. p. 29.

Q. What is the sum of the first table of the ten commandments ?

A. Worship God.

Here we think the answer of Jesus ought not to have been omitted, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with," &c.

Q. What is the sum of the second table, or six last precepts of the moral law?

4. All things, whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

The views which this work exhibitsof some leading doctrines of the gospel, appear from the following questions with their an

swers.

SECT. V. p. 22.

Q. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

4. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. He is the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him.

Q. What is regeneration, or effectual calling?

4. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become

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The Author.

God who hath called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart, and give you an heart of flesh, and I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. Yet I will, for this be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them, saith the Lord God. Cast away all your transgressions, and make you a new heart, and a new spirit, for why will ye die, O house of Israel, for I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, saith the Lord; wherefore turn yourselves, and live. Means.

Born again, not of corruptible but of incorruptible seed, by the "word of God," which liveth and abideth for Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth. Necessity.

ever.

Without holiness none shall see the Lord. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Fruit and design.

We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

SECT. VI.
Q. What is justification?

A. Be it known unto you, that

through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by him all that believe, are justified from all things (i. e. exempted from all sins)' from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God, that he might be just, and the justifier of him who believeth in je

sus.

We have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law, for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

From the INTRODUCTION we learn the reason of the compilerfor adopting this method, and his motives for undertaking the work. "Considering the facility, and superiour advantages of conveying instruction to young minds in the form of question and answer, and that the method, as well as language of the catechism in common use, had long been familiar to the mind and ears of numbers yet among us, it was thought best, to arrange the following selection chiefly under the questions of that venerable system." "Although his original design was the benefit of parents and youth under his pastoral care, together with his own assistance in their religious instruction, yet he hopes that others, and particularly young ministers, as well as Christian parents, will here find a useful assistant in the great duty of catechizing children. Its introduction to schools was the proposal and request of his friends, and for this purpose, that part which treats of moral duties, has been enlarged, and the whole divided into sections proper for reading."

The Address to PARENTS, which closes the Introduction, contains much important truth; though the language, in which it is conveyed, will not uniformly stand the test of criticism.

The work is decently and correctly printed, except the marginal references, in which are some errors. Should this work receive a second impression, it is hoped that the errors in the marginal references will be carefully corrected.

An attempt to explain God's gracious covenant with believers, and illustrate the duty of parents to embrace the covenant, dedicate their children in baptism, and

train them up in the fear of God. By John H. Church, Pastor of the church in Pelham, N. H. Amherst, Cushing.

In the first discourse, founded on Gen. xvii. 7. the author under. takes to explain the nature of God's covenant with believers, and to prove that this covenant, in a very important sense, embraces their offspring. From the cove nant state of the children of be lievers, the author infers the design, the reasonableness, and propriety of infant baptism. The subject has of late received much attention from men of different sentiments. It has been examined by the most profound understandings, by the most extensive erudition, and by the most critical discernment; and has often excited the warmest and most violent passions. This last circumstance has, in this, as in every other in: stance, been a great hindrance to the knowledge and influence of the truth. If every writer and preacher would treat the subject with that dispassionate, serious, tender spirit, and with that patience in research, and candour of judg ment, which evidently characterize the author of these discourses; we should have greater reason, than we now have, to expect that light would increase, and the truth soon prevail.

The second discourse inculcates the duty of parents to educate their children in a religious manner. They both deserve serious and attentive perusal. The style has the merit of plainness and perspicuity. The title is too particular and prolix.

We have just seen another discourse by the same author. preached at Haverhill and at Pelham on the last days of fasting and prayer in Massachusetts and Newhamp

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The importance of virtue and piety as qualifications of civil rulers. A discourse delivered March 21, 1805, by Daniel Dana, A. M. Pastor of a Presbyterian church in Newburyport. Blunt, N. P. THE author chose for his text, that passage of scripture, II. Sam. xxiii. 3, than which none could be found more striking, or more suited to his purpose. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me; He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. In a very serious and impressive manner the preacher shows, "that virtue and religion are most important qualifications of a civil ruler." The views he takes of the subject are various. His arguments appear pertinent and conclusive. Though it is difficult to produce any thing new on a subject so frequently and so ably handled; yet we think the style, the sentiments, and the spirit of this discourse not only justify its publication, but honour the cause of truth. The sermon contains a seasonable antidote against the unseasonable, unscriptural, and atheistical opinion, that religion is not to be considered a necessary qualification of a civil ruler; an opinion which we should suppose could never be admitted, much less prevail in a christian land, did not facts prove the contrary.

We observe only one particular fault. The subject is treated throughout in so candid and unexceptionable a manner, that the

very laboured apology at the beginning, and at the end, must appear useless to every serious reader, and must have appeared unnecessary to every sober minded hearer.

Nature displayed in her mode of teaching language to man; or a new and infallible method of acquiring a language in the shortest time possible; deduced from the analysis of the human mind, and consequently suited to every capacity. Adapted to the French, by N. G. DUFIEF, of Philadel phia, 2 vols. 8vo. 903 pp. Philadelphia, T. L. Plowman, 1804. THE author of these volumes informs us, in his preliminary discourse, that he arrived at Philadelphia, in 1793, and purchased books for learning the English language, when the alarm excited by the malignant fever compelled him to seek a retreat at Princeton. Here he discovered that by accident he had left his Grammars at Philadelphia, and not being able to procure them, he resolved to attempt to learn the language, with the help of other books. The mode he adopted was to select French words, and look for the corresponding English words in a dictionary,carefully committing them to memory, with the pronunciation. He then proceeded to select and learn whole phrases and sentences, and finally began to read good authors, without having learnt the rules of Grammar. The success of this attempt was surprising to himself. He acquired a competent knowledge of the English, in a much less time than is usually requisite, in the common mode. This led him to read the most celebrated authors on grammar and philosophy,in which he found opinions confirmatory of the justness of his own ideas, that

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