Son of God;" but likeness is not identity. (3) It is said that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest;" but if Melchisedec were Jesus Christ himself, how could Christ be after the similitude of Melchisedec? Was he made after his own similitude? (4) "Every high priest must be taken from among men," but if Melchisedec were Jesus Christ that could not have been the case, for Christ had no material substance till born of the Virgin. (5) Paul's aim is to show an analogy be tween the priesthood of Melchisedec and the priesthood of Christ, making one typical of the other; but if Melchisedec were Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ must have been a type of himself, which is contrary to an admitted canon in typology-that no type can typify itself. (6) Paul mentions the order of Melchisedec, and says Christ was made a priest after the order of Melchisedec, and not after Aaron. The word here translated order is from a verb that signifies to appoint, settle, dispose; and is applied to setting officers of war in their places, Luke vii. 8; to the ordinations of grace, Acts xiii. 48; to a decent management of church affairs, 1 Cor. xiv. 40; to the order of Christian life, Col. ii. 5, and implies in this place a distinct kind of priesthood ordained and arranged by Divine authority. There are but two kinds of typical priesthoods mentioned in Scripture-Melchisedec's and Aaron's. The first supplied a more illustrious type than the second. It had peculiarities and excellencies which the Aaronic priesthood never exhibited. And although it is true that whatever was essential to the priesthood of Aaron, was exemplified in the priesthood of Christ, it is equally true that seeing one priesthood had a character of eminency, as an ordained type, which the other had not, the Son of God should be made a priest after the order of Melchisedec, and not after Aaron. As for example: Melchisedec was made a priest by the word and appointment of God, without any external ceremony-his priesthood did not arise from descent or pedigree, for he has no recorded genealogy, and nothing more is to be predicated of him than the Scripture notices. Designed omissions are instructive.-It did not arise out of the law of primogeniture, for he is said to be without father and without mother.-Nor did his priesthood commence or terminate at any fixed age, for his age is not given, and he was never superannuated, being a priest all his life, as set forth in the Scriptures; and as designed omissions are evidences of God's order, the omission of the death of this mysterious personage witnesseth that he liveth, typically; and that both in his person and priesthood he was intended to be an apt and lively representation of the person and priesthood of God's everlasting Son. To name no more, though more might be named, the sacerdotal and royal offices united in the person of Melchisedec, whose order implied à royal descent. We can give no opinion upon what is asserted to be an obscure rendering of the Greek versions in reference to the "order of Melchisedec;" but in the " Peschito,' as translated by the late Mr. Etheridge, and sold by Mr. Stewart, King William-street, Charing-cross, verses second and third of chap. vii., are thus given: "Now his name, being expounded (is) the King of Righteousness; and again Malek-Sholem, which is King of Peace. Whose father and mother are not written in the genealogies; neither the beginning of his days nor the conclusion of his life; but in the likeness of the son of Aloha standeth his priesthood for ever." ." That is to say, neither the type nor the antitype was of priestly descent. Both Melchisedec and Christ belonged to the order of kings. One was king of Salem, the other was of the royal line of David; so that they were priests of the same order, namely, the royal order, in distinction from the priestly. The type was drawn by the Spirit of God; and as it was drawn so it must stand. We have occasionally commended Mr. Odling's publications, or some of them; and though in the present work he has laboured under a mistake, he has nevertheless given utterance to some charming truths respecting the antiquity of the person, power, and glory of the Son of God. Mr. Odling is a Pre-existerian; and persons embracing that doctrine, not having read Bishop Fowler, Flavel, Castrell, Hussey, Allen, Murray, or Stevens only-may safely purchase his book. Strict Baptist Mission.-This is the eighth annual report of a foreign mission for preaching the gospel in distant countries as it is exhibited by a group of churches united for that purpose. It is of recent date, as its report evinces, and differs from other missions both as to what it is and what it is not. As for instance; it is not a society, or such an organization as passes under that name; but a local combination of a few churches in distinction from the central organization of a denominational body. Again, it is not worked by paid agencies, such as secretaries, travelling agents, collectors, &c.; all labour is gratuitously performed, so that every farthing finds its way to its object-bating the slight expenditure of printing and public meetings a plan so simple, so scriptural, so economical, and so facile, as to require neither defence nor commendation. It also differs from those missionary societies which seek the conversion of the whole world, and adapt their doctrines and teachings to that end. This mission recognizes the cardinal doctrines of unconditional election, particular redemption, and effectual vocation through the person, office, and saving acts of the Holy Ghost; thus rendering the gospel instrumentally efficacious to as many as the Lord our God shall call,-keeping distinctly in view the ordinations of sovereign grace, the wisdom of means and ends, and the triumphs of our great Redeemer in gathering out of the world a people for his praise. Nor does it ignore Divine authority in institutional worship; but requires faith and baptism in all participants of the Lord's supper. In these respects, and a few others, it differs from all denominational organizations for foreign labours in its principle of association, its mode of action, and its intercourse with the agents it employs, and from most missionary societies in the doctrinal forms of Divine truth it presents, while it stands out in open contrast to the Baptist Missionary Society which has abandoned-if it ever held the principle of Strict communion. WARE, HERTS. This "Strict Baptist Mission," which is now an established fact, is working admirably, and we see no reason why the principle should not be tried throughout the country. Why, for instance, might not local combinations be forthwith commenced at Cambridge, Chatteris, St. Neot's, Wellingborough, Norwich, Grundisburgh, Wattisham, and other places? What doth hinder? Many are waiting for the means of making a free grace gospel known in foreign parts, and would hail with pleasure the existence of churches grouped in fraternal union for missionary work, which is the privilege and duty of every Christian Church. Let the trial be made. Baptist Tract Society, instituted in 1841. -This is a society, perhaps worked as economically and as efficiently as an organization of the kind can be. We are glad to see by the report that this needed institution is in a healthy state, and is keeping up an ample supply of tracts on Strict Communion principles. We may just say that some of the tracts are well and ably written, many go at once to the point with telling effect, and but few, that we know of, contain objectionable matter. We commend it to tract distributors, and wish it great success. Intelligence. THE ninth anniversary of Zoar Chapel was held on July 7th. Mr. Sampford, pastor, commenced the service by giving out "Arise, O King of grace, arise." Mr. Flack preached in the morning from 1 Sam. vii. 12, a text very suitable for the occasion. He had known the cause from its rise to the present, and could say by experi ence, "Hitherto the Lord hath helped us." Mr. Stringer preached in the afternoon from Eph. ii. 21, 22; showing that without our precious Christ the building would be nothing. He spoke of Him as the foundation-the chief corner-stone, in whom we are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. After the service, about one hundred partook of tea, and they all appeared to be happy and satisfied. Mr. Bowles, of Hertford, read and prayed; Mr. Stringer preached from 1 Cor. i. 7, 8, and he spoke most blessedly upon the confirming, and who it was that did confirm, so that he, like all God's sent THE VOICE OF TRUTH; OR, Baptist Record. "SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE." IN ESSENTIALS, UNITY; IN NON-ESSENTIALS, LIBERTY; IN ALL THINGS, CHARITY. Vol. VIII. OCTOBER, 1869. Expositions and Essays. No. 94. CHRISTIAN SOBRIETY AND WATCHFULNESS. The substance of a Sermon preached at Chesham, Bucks, on Lord's-day evening, August 29, 1869. BY MR. G. BURRELL. "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."-1 PETER v. 8, GRACIOUS and spiritual exhortations are as important in their place, as are the great doctrines, promises, and invitations of the glorious gospel, although they are and may be ignored by some highflying professors of religion; for it is very evident, both the Lord Jesus Christ and all the apostles, dealt very largely with exhortations. If we were to take all the exhortations of the word out of the Epistles, a considerable part would be wanting; therefore, says Paul to the Hebrews:"And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation;" and in his Epistles to Timothy and Titus, he urges upon them the necessity of preaching, not only the doctrines and promises of the everlasting gospel, but also the exhortations and precepts of the word. "These things," says Paul to Titus, "I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works." "These things are good and profitable unto men." "These things teach and exhort; and if any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing," &c. It is very evident that the exhortative part of the word of God, is as necessary as the other parts thereof, or we should not have had it, as our God has done nothing and said nothing that is superfluous in his holy word: therefore, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous ness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." But while this is the case, it is most important in dealing with the exhortations of the word, that we should address them to the proper characters and enforce them on the right ground. This our dear Lord and Master always did; for he knew the inmost heart of every one he addressed, and he never addressed spiritual exhortations to the spiritually dead; and so also the apostles we shall find always specified character in the exhortation or reproof, and always urged the strongest motives to obedience. In these two Epistles, for instance, we see how powerful were the arguments used by the apostle while enforcing the exhortations to holiness of walk and conduct. (1 Peter i. 17, 18). "If ye call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." What motives are urged here to holy walking,consider whose you are, how sacred and precious the relationship, and at what an amazing price you have been bought; also how distinguished from the rest of mankind (see 2nd chapter): "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation; that ye should shew forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." And then again, in urging the exhortations of the word, how necessary it is they should be urged in a gospel spirit! How did the apostles themselves act in this respect? In the first place, through rich grace, they were examples in their own life and conduct, as Paul says, in writing to the Philippian church (Phil. iv. 9): "Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you." "I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Rom xii. 1); and again in this Epistle, Peter frequently addresses them to whom he wrote as "dearly beloved," and uses the same loving Christlike spirit: "I beseech you." And then again, how able to admonish and administer wholesome exhortations was the apostle Peter! When he wrote this Epistle, he was an elder, a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that should be revealed: and how very weighty and sufficient, especially from the mouth of Peter, the aged and experienced apostle, was such an exhortation as we have contained in our text, seeing he had learned sobriety in such a sharp and painful, yet profitable school as he did. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." We have in the first place to notice the two-fold exhortation-"Be sober, be vigilant." 2nd. The reason urged by the apostle for sobriety and watchfulness, --because "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 3rd. We have to notice one or two blessings and consoling truths, implied by the language of the text. In the first place-Sobriety and vigilance. Of course, with respect to the sobriety here mentioned, the apostle is speaking of Christian sobriety, or the sobriety of the mind. These two words "be sober," occur more than once or twice in these Epistles of Peter. In the 1st chapter of his 1st Epistle, we find them thus recorded (13th verse)," Wherefore, gird up your loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." In the second place we have the exhortation in the 4 chapter and 7 verse: "But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." What a solemn consideration is urged here to Christian sobriety! and then again in the words before us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." What, then, is the nature of the sobriety here spoken of?" We answer, it is the sobriety of the mind." "Young men exhort to be sober-minded: that the aged men be sober." Sobriety is the opposite of rashness and heedlessness, as levity is the opposite of gravity. When a person is under the influence of drink, literally, certain consequences will be sure to follow. To a certain extent such persons are insensible to danger; they say things which they would not think of saying, and do things they would not do uninfluenced by the drink; so also the mind under certain influences be comes intoxicated. How solemn that exhortation to the disciples by the great Lord and Master, and how needful to his followers now! "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come on you unawares.' Here is spiritual intoxication: it does not speak of the head, but of the heart overcharged either with the cares of the world on the one hand, or the pleasures of the world on the other. What words are here used to represent the state of the Christian's soul, under certain influences," surfeiting, drunkenness, and cares." We read of some whose eyes stand out with fatness, who have more than heart can wish. These are the ungodly, I know; but we see the effects of these things on the minds of the ungodly, and we also see one reason why the Lord in love and wisdom, withholds for the most part, much worldly prosperity from his dear people; for these things are always attended with great snares. For they that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.' Oh! worldly prosperity is a slippery place, from whence many have fallen: they have been inebriated or intoxicated by their position, and have fallen from their profession. "Demas hath forsaken me," said Paul, "having loved this present world." It was this made the prophet Agur pray as he did: "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me; lest I be full and deny thee,......or lest I be poor and steal." "Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked." If much of this world's goods were really beneficial to the souls of God's beloved family, depend upon it, dear hearers, the love of the Father is such, the children would be sure to have it; but he knows best. "His thoughts are high, his love is wise, His wounds a cure intend; And though he does not always smile, 66 He loves unto the end." 66 The cares of the world too, as well as its pleasures, alas! too oft make the poor oppressed heart to reel. When the heart is overcharged with cares and anxieties of this present life, we stagger to and fro like a drunken man, and are at our wits' end; while the winds blow against us, and the storm rages, and fears rise high, lest we should sink and become a wreck. And both when lifted up with worldly prosperity, or bowed down with a load of adversity, how apt we are, as a person intoxicated, to speak very rashly and impetuously! See the prophet Asaph, in the 73rd Psalm. See poor David. I said in my haste, All men are liars." See the prophet Jeremiah, how he expresses himself under the influence of a bad spirit: Wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail." See Jonah: "I do well to be angry, even unto death." And even the meek Moses was not free from the sad inflence of unbelief and rebellion: he spake unadvisedly with his lips, when he smote the rock. On the other hand, to be inflated, and lifted up with self, is not to be sober. Oh when self gets the pre-eminence we are in a dangerous position. Pride always goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Thus it was with the apostle Peter. How very confidently he spoke ! "Though all men should forsake thee, yet will not I." Ah, Peter from this dizzy height of self-confidence fell and broke his bones, and therefore, from a sorrowful, yet from a grace-healed heart he was well qualified to say to those to whom he wrote, "Be sober." Blessed be God, through rich, sovereign, and almighty grace, Satan's sifting of Peter was all for his good,-the devil gained for his pains what belonged to himself in Peter-Peter's false-confidence and pride; but Peter himself came out much improved by the sifting, to strengthen his brethren, and to warn and spiritually exhort them to beware of self. How important, then, the exhortation, and how very needful! "Be sober:" sober in thy words, sober in thy judgment of men and things in general. Judge not |