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86 'Spirit the third, the Father the first;" or, "Jesus has made satisfaction " for sin ;" or, 66 man, by the fall of Adam, has lost the use of his reason "and freewill." All this is church system, respecting certain expressions in scripture, and a declaration how the church interpreted the Bible when "those doctrines were defined, and what inferences she drew from certain expressions in scripture."

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The eloquent' Dr. Ammon, of Dresden, in his review of the "Discourses," speaking of miracles affirms :

"Whether Jesus walked on or in the sea-whether it was madness or the evil spirit, which destroyed the herd of swine;-whether the fish brought to Peter a newly coined stater in his mouth, or one uncoined, like Aurora rising with golden mouth, is of little, very little importance. None but an exegetical coxcomb can apprehend from hence any danger to his puny soul."

He

We cannot withhold one instance of the learned Dr. B.'s chicanery. says, in attempting to rebut the charge of rationalism," I do not agree with the rationalist system of Dr. Wegscheider, as will evidently appear by referring to my printed works; but still, one who like him acknowledges the holy scriptures as the word of God, whether mediately, or immediately,-who expresses himself on the subject of christianity as he does :-of such a man it cannot be asserted, except through misapprehension, or party prejudice, that he 'threatens the destruction of all that is dear, sacred, and holy.' And further: whoever condemns Wegscheider's views (that God enlightened Jesus and the apostles-though not in a supernatural manner) as irreligion, and as a daringness of disbelief,' must equally condemn the apostle Paul, who addressing the pagan Athenians, upon the universal energy of the Godhead, says, God is not far from every one of us, for in him we live, and move, and have our being.' Now Bretschneider's quotation from this writer stands thus :

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"As the Author of the Christian religion, in instituting it, combined the highest sanctity and piety with the purest precepts of virtue, and thus admirably accommodated himself to the divine will, and as both from the origin and progress of that religion, it is easily discoverable that the help and favour of Providence wonderfully assisted him; therefore the institution of Christianity is most justly accounted the work of God himself, and with equal justice, Jesus and his apostles are accounted the messengers and ministers of God."

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Quite sure are we that the reader will not require to be told, in what particulars these several paragraphs prove, as has been stated before, a daring rejection of the essential truths of divine revelation. And yet, Dr. B. the organ of the " evangelic-theologians," affirms that "this mode of thinking is to be regarded as the definitive result of theological research during the last eighty years!" Horrible as is the result of this analysis of the "Apology for the Modern Theology of Protestant Germany," we pledge ourselves to its correctness,—“ even our enemies themselves being judges." "Can we then wonder (says Mr. Evanson) at Mr. Rose having designated this" as a fearful pest, which threatens the destruction of all that is dear, sacred, and holy in christianity?" i. e. of all those " articles of a standing church" (articuli stantis ecclesiæ,) for which Wickliffe, Knox, and Luther

fought, and Huss, Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer bled at the stake? Is not this, at least, one of the Avatars of that antichrist of infidelity, whom, with the beast and the false prophet," the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the brightness of his coming?"

It is due to those respectable clergymen to remark, that Mr. Rose has replied to the Apologist, in the "Christian Remembrancer" for October and November last; and Mr. Evanson declares, "that so gentlemanly, temperate, and masterly a refutation, it has seldom been his good fortune to read." "In this arena, at least, (Mr. E. adds) Bretschneider has been prostrated never again to rise !"

Christ's Name Precious: a Sermon delivered at Beresford Chapel, Walworth. By Edward Andrews, LL.D. Palmer.

1. The

THIS Sermon is founded on the Song of Solomon i. 1, 2. Dr. Andrews contemplates the preciousness of the name of Christ by the consideration of four particulars in the words of the text. designation," the Song of Songs:" denoting, super-excellence, cheerfulness, peace. 2. The desire," let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for thy love is better than wine:" denoting, token, medium, superiority. 3. The description," because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth:" denoting fragrance, goodness, variety. 4. The declaration,—" thy name is as ointment poured forth :" denoting, character, application, freeness.

For the gratification of the few of our readers who may not be acquainted with the author's writings and ministry, we copy the con

cise and excellent introduction.

Perhaps no book in the sacred canon has of late been so much neglected, and so little understood, as the Song of Solomon. At the time of the Reformation, it was the language of piety; its images were the sighs of devotion. There are some, however, among us now who scrupulously depreciate it; not so much on account of the mock purity which affects to think it exceptionable, as of the deep and rooted hatred which modern sciolists in religion entertain towards a book which cannot be understood by mere talkers concerning Christianity, nor explained on the principles of a preposterous Pelagianism, which is now in high favour with the public. Everlasting love, and deep spirituality, are the glories which this Song displays; and he who would avoid the doctrine, may be expected to shun its record: and to look contemptuously on others who esteem the Song of Songs as more precious than fine gold, and love to range its pages as in a field of sweets, a grove of fragrance, where truth and beauty for ever bloom, and fruits imperishable delight a holy taste.

"In unison with the character of the Hebrew language, divine truths are set forth in this book by allusions to natural facts and relations: it is called a Song of Loves, because it sets forth the loves of Christ and his church; the loves of the Deity, Father, Son, and Spirit, to the souls of men who were to be redeemed by eternal grace and mercy."

The discourse is conducted with the Doctor's accustomed vigour and spirituality, and will, we doubt not, be blessed to many by whom that extatic "Song" has been hitherto lightly appreciated.

THE

Spiritual Magazine ;

OR,

SAINTS TREASURY.

"There are Three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST: and these Three are One."

"Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

1 John v. 7.

Jude 3.

FEBRUARY, 1828.

(For the Spiritual Magazine.)

THE SAINTS' PRIVILEGE AND DUTY.
"Looking unto Jesus."- Heb. xii. 2.

THE glorious theme of St. Paul, was Christ. Knowing from his own experience the worth of Christ, feeling a fervent love to him, and anxious that his fellow sinners should look to him and be saved, he made the person and work of Christ the chief topic of all his discourses. In the words immediately preceding the text, St. Paul gives an exhortation," Wherefore laying aside," &c. as if the apostle had said, in the strength of omnipotence aim to remove every thing that would hinder you in your christian course, or turn you aside from the path of obedience; especially watch against that sin which doth most easily beset you, that sin to which your constitution and circumstances most incline you, and run with patience the race that is set before you. A variety of difficulties lie in your way, many are arising to cast you down; you have need therefore of patience and fortitude. To acquire this, be constantly looking unto Jesus; look off from all your trials and enemies to him who endured the contradiction of sinners against himself, and can and will strengthen you. This exhortation, my beloved brother, is given to you: amidst all the snares and trials of the world, you are called upon to be looking off unto him, till having fought the good fight you enter heaven to be for ever with the Lord. Permit me then to call your attention,

1. To the seasons when believers are to look to Jesus. 2. The blessings for what they are to look to Jesus.

3. The encouragements which they have to look to Jesus.

1. The seasons when believers are to look to Jesus. The whole of a believer's life is to be one continual looking unto Jesus. As his

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spiritual life is derived from Christ, so it is maintained by Christ. Helpless in himself, he must rely on Christ every moment, and trust to his direction every step. Amidst all the difficulties that surround him, he is to keep Christ in view, and depend upon his promise, "I will never leave thee, yea, I will never forsake thee." But there are some seasons when believers are called upon in an especial manner to look to Jesus.

The time of affliction is one of these seasons. All the comfort that the saints receive under trials is from Christ. It was he who appointed all their trials in the everlasting covenant, and who hath declared he will be with them in trouble. It is from him all those consolations are derived, by which they are enabled to rejoice in the furnace of affliction, and to say, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." In the season of afflictions, believers are therefore to look to Jesus. They are to come with all their difficulties and trials to Christ; to look up to him in the language of Hezekiah, “O Lord, I am oppressed, undertake thou for me." They are to view him as one that is afflicted in all their afflictions, as one touched with the feeling of their infirmities. The happiness derived from their looking to Jesus under trial is unspeakably great; every dark cloud disperses, every misery sinks into nothing, while the eye of faith is stedfastly fixed on Christ. Every cup of affliction becomes a cup of salvation, whilst Christ is seen in all the plenitude of his mercy and riches of his grace. There is a something in Christ that causes believers whilst viewing him to lose sight of all their afflictions, to forget the things that are behind, and to say with confidence, "our light afflictions which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

The time of temptation is also another season when believers are to look to Jesus. The saints whilst passing through this wilderness are exercised with many temptations from their corrupt nature, and the prince of darkness: under their temptations all their strength and security are in Christ. Without his almighty grace the least temptation must draw them aside; with it all the combined powers of darkness cannot injure. Strengthened by his might, thousands have passed securely through the fears of temptation, and are now in that celestial kingdom where the wicked cease from troubling. Under temptation, believers are therefore to look to Jesus; they are to view him as their covenant God who hath all their enemies in his hand, and who hath appointed the bounds of their spiritual foes. They are to look up to Jesus, as he hath said, "when the enemy cometh in like a flood, I will lift up a standard against him." They are to remember that he suffered being tempted, and therefore is able to succour them that are tempted. Forgetful of their enemies, they are to cast themselves upon the unchangeable promise, "I will strengthen thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." The happiness derived from thus looking to Jesus in the time of temptation is great: whilst the saints are stedfastly looking to Calvary, no enemy can cast them down; all temptations vanish before the cross. Looking to Jesus, the believer finds his spiritual

strength renewed, the pleasures of sin become loathsome, the world fades upon his view, and he is more than a conqueror over all his spiritual foes. He sees in Christ all that can make him happy, and rejoices in hope of that day when he shall put his feet upon the neck of all his enemies.

But believers are also to look to Jesus in the time of persecution and at the hour of death. True believers called by the Holy Spirit must expect persecution in this world. It is impossible in the very nature of things that the carnal mind should be friendly to them; their principles, their pursuits, their objects, are entirely different from those of the men of the world, and therefore he that is born of the flesh must and will persecute him that is born after the Spirit. Under these persecutions, believers are to look to Jesus. They are to view all their persecutors in the hands of Christ, to remember that not an hair of their head can be touched without his sovereign permission, and that all their persecutions as well as other trials must work together for their good. And when the last conflict begins, when the day of terrors appears to view, then believers are to look to Jesus; to view him as one that hath overcome death for his people, and opened to them the gate of everlasting life. They are to look to Jesus as one who hath promised to go down to the grave with them, and to raise their bodies at the last day conformed to his likeness. Thus looking to Jesus, persecutions and death will lose all their power. The believer whilst looking to Jesus can bid defiance to the rage of his enemies; he can say with joy, "Welcome death, welcome the grave." I see in the grave the footsteps of my Redeemer; I know that as he arose, so all his followers must, and therefore, "O death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory." Thus every step of their journey the saints are to be looking to Jesus; to be looking off from every thing in themselves and all that is in the world to Christ. Expect not a single comfort but from him; trace all thy mercies up to him, and live upon him as thy all in all.

This is to be done in a spirit of humble dependance upon the Lord. As faith is wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit, so all its exercises are of the Holy Spirit. It is in the Lord's strength alone that the believer can look to Jesus. So powerful are the temptations that lie in his way, so prone his nature to depart from Christ, that he must be drawn to Christ every step of his journey; the Spirit of God must daily bring to his remembrance the things of Christ, and exalt his person and work in his view, that he may look up to Christ as all his salvation and all his desire. Now it is the delightful employ of the Holy Spirit to lead the believer daily from all creature dependance to Christ. He shews the believer his own weakness and unworthiness, and leads him daily to Christ, as his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. When tried and tempted, he leads him to see that all his strength and comfort are in Christ. Wheresoever secreted he brings him to a throne of grace with the fervent language, "The Lord hath been my helper," and in death darts his views to Christ as the resurrection and the life. O how important

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