consequently a justified person, who thoroughly grieves for his sin, and purposes, with God's grace, to lead a new life. Why then all this rant against the external signs of penitence? and why these constant endeavours to drive men off from the plain and scriptural doctrine of repentance, consisting in a sorrow for sin and newness of life, in order that they may obtain some hidden and secret experience of a justification in a simple reliance upon the Lord Jesus Christ?" The passage from Zachariah which is here adduced, though undoubtedly it refers to the coming of the Messiah, and the benefits of redemption, is to be taken for a general purgation of the Jewish people, an alteration of their polity, and the formation of a new state of things. We have mentioned this as furnishing another instance of the miserable perversion of scriptural language which these texturists have recourse to, in order to give something like a divine colour to their peculiar opinions. When Mr. Simeon talks of men's uniting their own fancied merits with the merits of Christ," we candidly confess that we do not clearly comprehend him, nor can we well conceive how any man of common sense could entertain such an absurd idea. The merits of Christ are of a nature so different from any that the best of human beings can lay a claim to, as to render it impossible we should suppose, for any person to think of such a union. But if the preacher means that we are not to consider repentance and good works as necessary and indispensible conditions for obtaining and preserving an interest in the merits of Christ, we recede from his position with abhorrence, as an Antinomian error fraught with the most pernicious effects. We no more pretend that "men are justified by their repentance or obedience only," than we admit that they can be "justified by faith, or by simply relying upon the Lord Jesus Christ" only. But we do contend, that without this repentance, and its fruits of righteousness and true holiness, the highest degree of faith, and the strongest assurance of an interest in Christ's merits, will only prove a self-delusion of the most dreadful kind. Our remarks upon this discourse and its principles would extend to a great length, if we were to notice all that we find radically objectionable in it; but we trust that we have given the substance of the contents, as well as a confutation of this "Compendium of Calvinism" under the specious title of " the Churchuran's Confession." Repentance and Reform the only Ground of Divine Favour. A Sermon preached at West-Tilbury, Essex, on Wednesday, February 26, 1806; being the Day appointed by His Majesty for a General Fust. By the Rev. Sir ADAM GORDON, Bart. Rector of that Parish, &c. Printed in Aid of the Patriotic Fund, 8vo. Pp. 39. T HIS is a very sound and serious discourse upon Isaiah V. 25. "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still;" which appropriate passage of holy writ is extremely well applied to the existing circumstances of this nation. After adverting to the recent thanksgiving for the greatest naval victory upon record, and the "removal of the renowned commander who was honoured with the instrumentality of our success," the preacher notices in a becoming and impressive manner another "very great national calamity, which sorely evinceth that troubles come not singly." "There is," as he justly observes," multiplied cause of self-abasement throughout the land, and for earnest recourse to the Supreme Director for counsel and support under these accumulated visitations. You will too readily anticipate (my brethren) that I allude to the severity of the public loss in the death of the late Prime Minister of the country; one of the most wise, virtuous, and deeply to be regretted patriots, that ever graced the annals of our history.' This is indeed, a subject which cannot be too deeply impressed upon the mind of every Briton at this awful crisis: since all the consequences which have hitherto resulted from it plainly prove, that the "righteous hath been removed out of trouble" and "from the evil to come.". We may well fear that the visitations of the Almighty, which are about to follow, will bear a direful proportion to a judgment of such severity, as hath deprived us of a minister whose transcendent wisdom was only equalled by the purity of his patriotism. We extract, with a melancholy pleasure, the following sketch of this great man over whose tomb we have every day fresh cause to mourn. "In the recital of his worth," says the reverend baronet, “I trust I may be considered as recording grateful acknowledgement for the blessing of heaven in continuing him so long the honour and saviour of his country. "Shall we receive good, and shall we not receive evil at the hands of him" who at all times, and in all situations, knoweth what is best for us?" When we revert then, to the very early period of his life at which he embarked in the arduous office of prime minister of such an empire as Great Britain; when we consider the long course of time (upwards of twenty years) that he stood immovable, through the high veneration of his unshaken virtue, pure zeal for the public good, and under a vast variety of most interesting events, and furious po litical struggles; what (next to the protection of Heaven) could have kept him at the helm of the state, but his intrepid firmness of mind, matured wisdom, and exalted reputation? In short, (for neither the time nor place will allow me to dwell upon a subject for which there is such ample field for praise) his memorable loyalty, and uniform patriotism, were both so closely tried, on many the most delicate and important occasions, and ever so deservedly extolled by the impartial, unprejudiced, wise, and virtuous portion of the community, that one may fairly pronounce, though it is not improbable they may be equalled, it is impossible they can be excelled. With a mind far superior to all personal advantages, or public emoluments, though solicited by choice and respectable friends to obtain the means of increasing the splendour of his suite, and the merited lustre of his elevated station; he ever declined the well-intentioned, affectionate advice with magnanimous refusal; and in the glorious enjoyment of unrivalled disinterestedness, (the credit of which is fully granted by his most violent opponents as to political opinions) and the inward testimony of an upright mind, he evinced the dignified firmness of the REAL patrician: and renouncing the vain appendages of pomp and power, died, as he lived, in straitened circumstances, leaving to future times the bright example of patriotic virtue." "But after all, the grand criterion is the close of life; and here the character of our justly admired patriot shines in its purest lustre. The last words (it is reported) the expiring patriot uttered, were indicative of the feelings that actuated his whole laborious life---“O THE TIMES!!! MY COUNTRY!!!" How obvious is the interpretation! The TIMES teeming with danger to the welfare of the community, occupies his latest thought. The TIMES Corrupt through dissipation and self-interest, profligacy of manners, discordant principles, and the dread consequence that might attend the treacherous subtlety of a cajoling foe---this breaks his peace. The TIMES poisoned by infidelity and ingratitude, and blinded from perceiving the true interests of church and state, alarm his fears for the approaching vengeance of an offended Deity. These combined calamities agitate the weakened frame. But now, quite on the verge of eternity, he meets his fate with pious resignation. Having pronounced farewell to the arduous post allotted him on this toilsome, perilous stage, he discovers, what only can uphold the soul soul in death, the Christian's hope. He discards the pomp and vanity of all human glory; feels and acknowledges himself most worthless in the sight of infinite purity and justice; and solely acceptable through the merits of the Redeemer, Not so the last sad scene of the departing Libertine; the doubting Infidel; or even the deluded Papist: agonizing remorse, degrading, but fruitless hope of ending their being like the beasts that perish; or the precarious, dangerous prospect, built on the flattering, groundless persuasions of sinful dust and ashes like themselves, mark the last exit of such unhappy mortals." From what we have thus given, it will appear that this sermon possesses superior claims to praise, and will afford gratification in the perusal to every lover of rational piety. POETRY Lines addressed to a Robin-Red-Breast, which inhabited Bristol Cathedral near fifteen years, and received its subsistence from the hands of the Verger. During the time of divine service, it usually perched on one of the. mitres of the organ, and accompanied the solemnity with offering up its harmonious praise. SWEET social bird! whose soft harmonious lays Nor dread the chilling frost, nor boisterous wind, Check the shrill numbers of thy cheerful song. Vol. X. Churchm. Mag. for May, 1806. 3 E No cautious gunner, whose unerring sight Peace then, sweet warbler, to thy fluttering heart, Now shake thy downy plumes, now gladlier pay Thou, perch'd on high, shalt here th' adoring throng, Each tongue with music, and each heart with fire. The above beautiful little piece was written by the Rev. JAMES LOVE, A. M. fellow of Baliol college, Oxford, and one of the minor eanons of Bristol cathedral. He was also assistant to the Rev. Dr. (afterwards Sir James) Stonhouse, when he was lecturer of All Saints in that city. He died October, 18, 1773, aged 29. Dr. Stonhouse made a collection from a few friends, and erected a monument to his memory in the cathedral, on which is inseribed the following epitaph, written by Mrs. Hannah More. When worthless grandeur fills th' embellish'd urn, Stranger! should'st thou approach this awful shrine, The friend, the son, the christian, the divine, Let those who knew him, those who lov'd him, speak. Oh! let them in some pause of anguish say, How soon th' unfetter'd spirit wing'd its way From earth to heaven, from blessing to be blest. |