me, those I have counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." About two years after his college had given him the vicarage of Everton, his mind was brought to embrace those views of the method of a sinner's acceptance before God which are revealed in the New Testament, and the preaching of which speedily produced such extraordinary effects on the people of the district, that in the first year of his evangelical ministry he was visited by more than a thousand persons under concern for their souls, amongst whom was the Rev. Mr. Hicks, clergyman of a neighbouring parish. Assisted by Mr. Hicks, "his own son in the faith," Mr. Berridge preached with amazing success, so that it was computed that by their joint labours about four thousand persons were awakened to a concern for their souls in the space of twelve months. This extraordinary work of God induced the Rev. John Wesley to visit Everton in 1759, an account of which he gave to the Countess of Huntingdon, in the following words. "Mr. Berridge appears to be one of the most simple, as well as most sensible men, of all whom it pleased God to employ in reviving primitive Christianity. Multitudes of people now come twelve or fourteen miles to hear him; and very few came in vain. His word is with power; he speaks as plain and home as John Nelson, but with all the propriety of Mr. Romaine, and the tenderness of Mr. Hervey.” The following account of a protracted meeting held at Everton about the same time, will illustrate the extraordinary work of God which was carried on by the instrumentality of this eminent minister. "Soon after Mr. Romaine had gone to Everton, Lady Huntingdon, accompanied by Mr. Madan, proceeded thither, anxious to witness the astonishing effects which had there resulted from the preaching of the Gospel. She had intimated her intention to Mr. Berridge some days before her departure from London, and on the morning after their arrival, at an early hour, an amazing concourse of people had been collected from all parts. At seven o'clock Mr. Berridge preached in a field near the church, when the power of God fell upon the assembled multitude in a very uncommon manner. At eleven o'clock public service commenced in the church. Mr. Hicks read prayers, after which Mr. Venn explained the joy that is in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.' In the afternoon, the church being unable to contain a fifth of the people, Mr. Madan stood in the open air and cried to the listening multitude, ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.' The following day there was a public service again; Mr. Fletcher read prayers, and Mr. Madan spoke very energetically on 'Ye must be born again.' The congregation was immense, the windows being filled within and without. In the afternoon, Mr. Berridge read prayers, and Mr. Venn enforced these solemn words on an attentive congregation-This is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.' Great numbers, who were unable to gain admittance, remained about the church after the service was concluded: Mr. Berridge addressed them from the words of the prophet-‘Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.' "The arrival of Lady Huntingdon at Everton, and the preaching of the ministers who accompanied her, was quickly reported for many miles round, and awakened considerable attention, insomuch that on the following day it was judged ten thousand at least assembled to hear. While Mr. Venn was enforcing those awful words of the prophet-The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,' several persons, both men and women sunk down and wept bitterly. In the afternoon a still greater multitude collected. The evening being calm and still, all heard distinctly, whilst Mr. Berridge preached on these words- Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.' Towards the close of the sermon, five persons, almost at once, sunk down as dead. Others cried with a loud and bitter cry, 'What must we do to be saved?' In a little time all was silent, and Mr. Berridge finished his sermon, after which the service concluded with singing 'Arm of the Lord, awake! awake! Thine own immortal strength put on, &c.'"* The proceedings of the Vicar of Everton were well known in the University of Cambridge, and viewed with surprise and contempt by the collegians in general; and the few who at that period dared to sympathize either with his principles or pursuits were likely to share in the obloquy and scorn that were heaped upon his name. Amongst the leaders of that little band was ROWLAND HILL, Esq., the son of Sir Rowland Hill, Bart., of Hawkstone, Salop, who, having received his grammar learning at Eaton, entered St. John's College at the close of 1764. He had been at Cambridge but a few weeks when the venerable Mr. Berridge, hearing of his piety and zeal, addressed to him the following note of invitation, which is the first of a series of letters that we intend to give to our readers. "To Rowland Hill, Esq. "Grandchester, Dec. 18th, 1764. SIR,-Mr. T. P. was at my house last week, and desired me to call upon you when I went to Cambridge. I am now at Grandchester, a mile from you, where I preached last night and this morning, and where I shall abide till three in the afternoon. Will you take a walk over? The bearer of this is Mr. Matthews, who lives at G.-Mill, at whose house I am. If you love Jesus Christ you will not be surprised at this freedom taken with you by a stranger, who seeks your acquaintance only out of his love to Christ and his people. "I am, for his sake, your affectionate servant, "JOHN BERRIDGE." Mr. Hill accepted this frank invitation, which led him to spend the Christmas recess at Everton. This was a cheering circumstance to one who was so despised for his opinions, that the poor shoe-black at St. John's was the only person in the University who ventured publicly to give him a friendly smile. Much refreshed in spirit by the society of Mr. Berridge and his Christian associates, Mr. Hill informed the pious members of his family of his enjoyment. His sister, Miss Jane Hill, thus replied to his communication:-"We rejoice much at the happy Christmas you spent with Mr. Berridge, as well as at other opportunities you have of conversing with the dear children of God, whose experience, discourse, and admonition, I trust, you will find abundantly blessed to your soul. But, my brother Hill and self, both think it * The Life and Times of the Countess of Huntingdon, vol. i. p. 399. proper to give you a caution how you go too frequently to Mr. Berridge: for should it be discovered, I need not tell you the storm it would raise." This prudent advice did not deter her brother Rowland from cultivating the friendship of the despised apostle of the eastern counties. His fervent zeal for the salvation of men led him to imitate the irregularities of the vicar of Everton, which indeed "raised" the predicted "storm." "For visiting the sick and imprisoned, and expounding the Scripture in private houses,' " Mr. Hill met with no less than six refusals of orders, before he could obtain ordination. The following letters from Mr. Berridge relate to the perplexities that Mr. Hill felt, especially in consequence of the hostility of Sir Rowland and Lady Hill to his erratic ministrations. "Everton, January 19th, 1770. "DEAR SIR,-As the eyes of a servant wait upon the hand of his master, so should our eyes wait upon the Lord. A servant is guided by his master's hand as well as by his word; and the servants of God must be guided by Providence as well as by the written word. Your situation and conduct, I think, must be regulated altogether by the providential hand. It behoves you to stand still, and not to hurry; keep your eyes upon Jesus; and pray much that he may give you a spiritual eye to discern his providential finger, and a spiritual heart to follow its directions. When the cloud seems to move towards any place, prepare to follow it, but pray still to be kept from the delusions of your own spirit, and from the wrong counsel of others. If you walk in this path, neither guided by your own, nor mine, nor any other foolish judgment, but simply waiting upon the Lord, he will certainly direct your way; and if, to mortify your pride, he suffer you at any time to mistake his mind, and act indiscreetly, as he suffered Peter in the affair of Malchus, when he has rebuked you, he will soon heal Malchus's ear, and set all matters right again. Be not anxious about orders, they will come as soon as wanted, nor be anxious about any thing, but to know the Lord's will, and do the Lord's work. One of your master's titles is "Counsellor," and a wonderful counsellor he is. Therefore, ask no counsel, and take no counsel, but of the Lord; so shall you walk more evenly, than if you had the whole congregation of Gospel divines at your elbow every moment to advise you. Your late successful expedition seems a providential prelude for field-preaching next summer; and if Yorkshire is to be the field of action, Wales must lay out of your way; and as the master has set his young ass a braying, it seems not likely that he should send him to Wales for a schooling. However, this is all but conjecture, and I would not give a groat for a hat brim-full of such wisdom. The cloudy pillar must direct you; keep to that and you are safe. I called you an ass, and I would have you always think yourself one, and always pray the master to ride on his ass when you go to preach; there will be plenty of hosanna, and you will go on triumphantly. Oh, 'tis a glorious thing to dance before the ark, and make ourselves vile, as David did. What if you are taunted as David was, mind it not. Jesus will kiss and bless you. I long to see you a right Gospel ass, kicking up your heels and braying before a deluded people and mad prophets. Avoid no dirt, refuse no shame, but part with all your honour for Jesus, as freely as he parted with heaven for you. As Paul was, so be thou-a fool for Christ's sake, yea, the very scum and offscouring of all things. If the Lord makes you take the field in the spring, and gives success, you may expect that friends and foes will fasten upon you like leeches; and needfully fasten, to draw out the hot and bad blood which a successful expedition will occasion. *Sidney's Life of Sir Richard Hill, Bart., p. 73. "I am now able, blessed be God, to preach twice on a Sunday, and once on a Wednesday; a very small matter indeed, but I am become somewhat thankful for a day, or a week, of small things. Whether this strength will continue, when the hot season returns, I know not, nor is it needful to know at present; this only do I know, that all my troubles are of my own procuring; my pride sets my feet in the stocks, and brings fresh rods and more furrows on my back. I know Jesus loves me, and therefore takes the trouble to scourge me soundly. I feel the furnace humble my heart, and yet I seem full of pride still. May Jesus bless and direct you, and lift up the light of his countenance on us. "Grace be with you, and with your, "JOHN BERRIDGE." "Everton, Oct. 31, 1770. "DEAR SIR,-When God designs any for special service, he prepares them for it by special trials. Joseph must be hated by his brethren, banished his country, villainously accused, and then imprisoned, before he becomes the ruler of Egypt. David must be despised by his brethren, banished the court, and hunted like a flea in the wilderness, before he takes Judah's sceptre. I look upon your present trials as a happy omen of future service-and if you continue waiting and praying, a door will open by and by. Be not solicitous about orders; as soon as they are wanted they will drop into your lap. In the mean time be the Lord's running footman, a gip of Christ's college, ready to run at every man's call. And, perhaps, you may find more pleasure in this rambling service than in any other. Jesus loves his scouts, for he was once a scout himself; and all that can perform the office of a gip cheerfully shall have many a kind look, and many a good bit, from their master.* The spaniel that has been hunting all day is allowed to come between his master's legs at night, and gets kissed, and stroked, and fed; whilst old Sly, the house-dog, is kicked from the fire, and often goes supperless to bed. I would observe further concerning your present situation, it may possibly grow more dusky before it clears up. The darkest moment in the whole nuchthemeron is just before day-break. Be not, therefore, discouraged, if your sky becomes more dark and cloudy. Your affairs must come to a crisis and at that crisis the Lord comes. Abraham must go to the summit of the mount, bind his dear Isaac, take the knife in his hand, and point it at the poor child's throat, and then the Lord appears. In the mount he will be seen.-Oh, for faith and patience. The Lord has good reasons to delay his coming, and blessed are they that wait for Him. Fear not, only believe; stand still, and let the Lord work his own work, and take his own time, and you shall see his salvation. I have had a miserable summer. Jesus flogging, and poor Jack pouting and snarling. I am now better, and can preach once a week, blessed be God. Give my dear love to Mr. Buckley; he must be honest and bold for Jesus if he can welcome you. What a mercy it is that there are some left who are not afraid of the cross, nor afraid to receive a stigmatized pilgrim. Go on, my dear Sir, and may your coat be more bespattered for Jesus. The more muck the more money, says the farmer, and so says the bold Christian-nothing so scandalous in his eyes as a clean coat, clean shoes, and flannel nightcap. The Lord bless you-and be gracious to, "JOHN BERRIDGE." "Everton, May 8, 1771. "DEAR ROWLY,-My heart sends you some of its kindest love, and breathes it tenderest wishes for you. I feel my heart go out towards you whilst I am writing, and can embrace you as my second self. How soft and sweet are those silken cords * "Gip" and "Scout" are quaint college terms for menial servants, not found in the dictionaries. which the dear Redeemer twines and ties about the hearts of his children!-How different from mere natural affection, and much more from vicious self-love! Surely it is a pleasant thing to love with a pure heart fervently, and something of this love I feel for you, which brings a melting tear into my eye, and refreshes my very body as I write. Grace, mercy, and peace be with you. May heavenly truth beam into your soul, and heavenly love influence your heart. I suppose you are now arrived in the West, and are working as a labourer in your master's vineyard. Be faithful and diligent, and look up to your master continually for direction and assistance. Remember his gracious promise, 'Lo! I am with you always, even to the end of the world.' He will supply you with wisdom, strength, and courage-for he sends none upon a warfare at their own cost. I think your chief work for a season will be to break up fallow ground. This suits the accents of your voice at present. God will give you other tongues when they are wanted; but now he sends you out to thresh the mountains, and a glorious threshing it is. "Go forth, my dear Rowly, wherever you are invited, into the devil's territories; carry the Redeemer's standard along with you, and blow the Gospel trumpet boldly, fearing nothing but yourself. If you meet with success, as I trust you will, expect clamour and threats from the world, snarls and grins from dry professors, and a little venom now and then from the children. These bitter herbs make good sauce for a young recruiting-sergeant, whose heart would be lifted up with pride, if it was not kept down by these pressures. The more success you meet with, the more opposition will you find; but Jesus sitteth above the water-floods, and remaineth a king for ever. His eye is ever upon you, and his heavenly guards surround you. Therefore, fear not! Go on humbly, go on boldly, trusting only in Jesus, and all opposition shall fall before you. Make the Scriptures your only study, and be much in prayer. The apostles gave themselves to the word of God and to prayer. Do thou likewise. Labour to have your mind in a heavenly frame; this will make your work pleasant, and your preaching and your conversation savoury. Now is your time to work for Jesus; you have health and youth on your side, and no church or wife on your back. The world is all before you, and Providence your guide and guard. Go out, therefore, and work whilst the day lasteth, and may the Lord Jesus water your own soul, and give ten thousand seals to your ministry. "I am with great affection yours, "JOHN BERRIDGE." appear in the Some of the results of Mr. Hill's visit to Bristol will next paper. CRITICAL EXPOSITION OF HEBREWS VI. 4, 5, 6. HAVING thus expounded the various portions of this passage, I come now, in conclusion, to consider an important question; Is the whole description characteristic of true believers, or only of such as had made considerable progress in the knowledge of the truth, but yet were not in reality the true disciples of Christ? It is most probable that the authorized translators were of the former opinion, and considered the apostle as stating a supposable case. Hence their rendering of καὶ παρα Téσovтas, if they shall fall away, a rendering, which is totally inadmissible by philology. So also Dr. John Edwards in his "Veritas Redux,” who thinks the phraseology too strong to be referred to any but the regenerate. Perhaps, however, the majority of Calvinistic divines in |