been neglected and treated as Antinomianism by the carnal professors of the Gospel? And have not some of the Lord's little flock gone aside to avoid the cross attached to such? And have not the defects and infirmities of such men of God been magnified, misrepresented, and their characters defamed, traduced, and blazoned forth, if possible, to destroy their usefulness, by those professing godliness, even by men of like passions? and who are (as the Collect for twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity asserts) in "bands of those sins which by our frailty we have committed." And as the Collect preceding acknowledges "God to be the author of all godliness," and in others, that Christ is exalted as a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins." Why on the Arminian system are the people told that they must be the beginners with or assistants to God, in these matters, and in believing in the Lord Jesus Christ? Whereas the ninth article of the Church says, "Man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh, called in the Greek, phronema sarkos, which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh, is not subject to the law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle doth confess, that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin." So also in the tenth article, " Man cannot turn and prepare himself by his own nature, strength, and good works, to faith, and calling upon God: wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will." Why are these humbling doctrines kept back and not more preached and insisted on? as well as those contained in the eleventh and nine following articles, so plainly and scripturally expressed? May I venture to answer why? Because they are too humbling to man's proud and unconverted nature; and the preaching of them cuts off the hope of the worldlyminded, the Pharisee, and Arminian, trusting in good works. But the neglecting to preach and insist on that fundamental doctrine of the Trinity of persons in Jehovah and the doctrine of election by the Father of all Christ's sheep, and reprobation of the seed of the serpent called the goats, of redemption, atonement and perfect righteousness of the Son, regeneration, spiritual illumination, and source of all comfort by the Holy Ghost, together with the distinct and personal natures of Christ as God-man, mediator before he took our likeness in the flesh; or how could he, as the Son of man, as well as the Son of God, have come down from where he was before his ascension, ba k there, after he offered up his body on the cross as a "full and perfect satisfaction and atonement for the sins of the whole world," which he had to bear away for ever that they may go free. All the heights and depths, and lengths and breadths, of that love of God in Christ, which is discovered and unveiled to the Church by the Holy Spirit, and after being born again. May, then, these glorious doctrines of truth be the theme of believers on all occa sions, and in the face of every enemy be more insisted on, as the root and producer of all godliness, and good works in the Church. Then will there be a separation of the precious from the vile," the people of God made to rejoice and have exceeding great joy, amid this world of hypocrisy, sin, formality, and popery, the root of all which is Arminianism, and that is the leprosy which hath stained the walls of many Churches. May God in his mercy appear, and raise up more spiritual and zealous men, valiant in the cause of Christ, and then will the Lord's arm be made bare to punish his enemies, and the consolation of his dear people be apparent, to the honour of a Triune Jehovah.-Your's very truly, &c. &c. TWO LETTERS RELATIVE TO SWEDENBORG'S VIEWS. ADDRESSED TO A FRIEND. LETTER THE FIRST. MY DEAR FRIEND,-Having looked over that part of the letter you wished me to read, which refers more particularly to what is set forth in the writings of Swedenborg, I will very briefly give you my opinion. The remarks in the letter you handed to us on this subject are indeed a sad amalgamation of truth and error; the latter fearfully predominates, and the sentiments set forth are not only highly injurious, but, if 1 mistake not, the writer's views on the atonement, blasphemous. The Scriptures compared to the writings of Swedenborg, are put into the back-ground as a dead letter; and although often quoted in support of his views, are sadly perverted from their true and literal meaning. Our Lord says, "Search the Scriptures, for they are the things which testify of me;" and does he not also say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." We read in the word of God, that false Christs shall arise, deceiving, if possible, the very elect; and surely this is applicable to Swedenborg or any other pretended founder of a false religion, whose followers put that honour on them or their writings which is due only to the Triune Jehovah. This is indeed awful, Satan being transformed into an angel of light. I have often heard of Swedenborg, but never had such an insight into his views as is contained in the letter now before me; he is both unsound and unscriptural; the religion he teaches is full of self-exultation, and self-righteousness; it is indeed the religion of nature, and not what is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. No man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost, and it is plainly declared, that if any man preach any other gospel, let him be accursed. Repentance and reformation, which the writer speaks of, will avail nothing without an interest in a Saviour's blood. Take away the grand expiating sacrifice on the cross, and you take away the only sure foundation of a sinner's hope, for there is no other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved than the name of Jesus. I do not as a Christian comprehend what is meant by the three principles instead of three Persons in the Trinity; if we do away with personalities in the grand mystery of Trinity in Unity, we fritter away the sum and substance of gospel truth. I consider the doctrine of the Holy Trinity most clearly set forth in the Athanasian Creed, and I feel exceedingly jealous of any intermeddling with this grand fundamental doctrine of our holy religion, nor would I read, or recommend to be read, any work or writings that would tend to unhinge the mind on these subjects-a prayerful study of the Holy Scriptures will convince every child of God that sufficient is revealed therein for our salvation; and it is impossible by any cunning craftiness of men, to blot out of the word of God that truth which shines as a sunbeam throughout the blessed volume: "That this is a faithful saying, worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." May we each build our hope for eternal life on this rock, which is as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast; every other dependance will assuredly fail, and all who are not secured in Christ will be eternally lost.-I am, &c. A. A. POETRY. No. I. A PARAPHRASE ON THE FORTY-SECOND PSALM, DESCRIBING DAVID'S ZEAL TO SERVE GOD IN THE TEMPLE, WHILE HE ENCOURAGES HIS SOUL TO TRUST IN CHRIST. As pants the thirsty hart for cooling streams, Whole days and nights to vex my soul, they cry, The Lord commands his love to me by day, Unceasing songs of praise my tongue shall sing, "Vain boaster," they exclaim, "Where is thy Lord? My best thoughts shall his word and works employ, REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF Reminiscences of Past Experiences. THIS is a very handsome little volume, beautifully printed, and neatly got up. with a very nice portrait of Mrs. Soper, whose countenance bespeaks every thing that is kind and amiable. There is a great deal in this little book which we thoroughly approve of, and there is also very much we most decidedly object to. There are many passages, which some professors, ignorant of the true meaning of Scripture and the nature and character of spiritual operation, advance as evidences of conversion to God, but which have nothing whatever to do with the matter, and by which many are deceived into the supposition of being Christians. We are highly pleased with such passages as the following: "All day long did I praise the Lord with joyful lips; beholding myself clothed in a Redeemer's righteousness, and walking sensibly in the sunshine of his immediate presence." "I often broke out thus: many years have I embraced, in theory, the BOOKS. blessed doctrines which the Gospel holds out; many years have 1 received the doctrine of the righteousness of Christ being imputed to those who believe, as God's truth; yet so different is it to my view now, when conscious that I stand in it, that it cannot be comprehended but by those who have been driven out of themselves to seek for glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life in him who alone has it to bestow." Without saying more upon the matter of the book, we shall present to our readers a very valuable letter, received from a Christian friend, to whom we lent the little volume :— a "My dear Friend,-I have read the little book with attention, I cannot say with great profit; but I think it may be classed among the inte resting ones of the present day, when so many professors are writing their experiences.' Mrs. Soper was witness to the truth of this passage: I Without faith it is impossible to please God;' also, being justified by faith we have peace with God.' Until she was enabled to take hold on he skirts of Him that was a Jew, of Roman Catholic Concession the Cause of England's Degradation. London: Painter, 342, Strand. 1839. 8vo. p. 17. THIS is one of the most excellent pamphlets that has fallen into our hands in these idolatrous times, de she found she could not do any thing acceptable; whatever her good desires were, she had no peace or joy; in one word, she had not the Spirit, how then could she have the fruits? Such biographers would do well if they began their Christian lives where the Holy Spirit begins with them, we should be saved the troutailing the awful consequences that ble of wading through pages have already resulted, and are likely words unscriptural, therefore not in- hereafter to result, from the governstructive; all before is shadow, all ment of this country granting "Roafter substance; man Catholic Concession." The authe carnal mind thor clearly shows, that until that fatal bill be rescinded, no prosperity, vail, as popery blights and curses either national or spiritual, can pre cordially recommend all our truly every thing which it touches. We Protestant countrymen to purchase this pamphlet, as being well worth not only its stated price, sixpence, but the consideration and approbation of all who wish well to "Church and State." is enmity against God, it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.' As long as we have a carnal mind only, what have we to tell of ourselves that will give glory to God, or edify our fellow-creatures ?' Forgetting the things that are behind, let perfection in Christ be our theme. "Mrs. Soper knew how to estimate the preaching of the Gospel : when deprived of the great privilege of hearing, she wasweeping and envying the sparrows which built their nests about Zion.' She was not singular when she said, 'I found a wise and efficient ministry so opportune and wholesome, that it was a kind of comparative earthly paradise to my mind, proving that faith cometh by hearing, and by the dews of the Holy Spirit I have had the abundance of solid comfort, amidst all the stormy tempests of the way.' Mrs. Soper acknowledges that her love to God was only the return of His love to her, this love made known by her believing in the finished work of Christ, then the song of praise began to His grace, to His holiness, to His power, and to His glory. The book of Psalms was delightful to her, particularly those songs of degrees, wherein all things in heaven and earth are called upon to praise the name of the Lord.' She has the start of us, my dearest friend; but of this I am confident, that He that hath began the good work, will carry it on until we leave this very beautiful world, and shall be for ever with the Author and Finisher of our faith. Lord increase that which is Thy own gift.-Your's sincerely and affectionately, "E." A Word to the Puritans of 1839. By a LAYMAN. London: Painter, 342, Strand. 1839. 8vo. p. 13. valuable pamphlet, and we have THIS, like the former, is a very great pleasure in recommending it. The spirit and style of it is all that we could desire, and a single perusal will not fail of conveying much valuable instruction. But we must, at the same time, say that, although we like the tract ever so much, we do not rightly comprehend what the author means in the use of the word "Calvinistic;" if by it he means that system of church government established by Calvin in Geneva, we boldly declare the same to be contrary to God's word and the universal government of the church previous to Calvin's time; but if, by the term, he means the theological views of Calvin, then we can assure him that both the formularies, articles, and homilies of our church are |