Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

one of its constituent portions, as seen when separated by the prism, and which, when they are all blended together produce that harmonious and beautiful element by which we are enabled to discern objects in their real character, it would no longer be that which we are accustomed to recognise as the light of heaven, but it would cast upon every object a different hue. And so it is in regard to the revelation of God. Men may preach what is in the Scriptures, but that which they preach in the general is not THE Gospel, unless they actually set before their hearers "the whole counsel of God." If they shun to declare this,-whether it be precept, or promise, or doctrine they keep back,-it destroys the harmony of God's revelation; it communicates a different tinge, as a whole, to that which they do bring forward; and may lead men to commit very serious errors themselves, and to prove great stumbling blocks to others. But how much more must this be the case, when those doctrines are kept in the back ground which are its principal features; and without which we are after all walking by the glimmering of twilight only, instead of, by the light of day! The principle upon which union in the British and Foreign Bible Society is maintained appears culpable in this point of view. Some parties merge little or nothing by coming forward and descanting on what they call the common ground of Christianity; but those who cannot, or who ought not, to open their mouths but to exalt the Saviour, must be compromised;there must be an understanding, tacit indeed but implied, not to get upon topics notoriously offensive to those with whom they coalesce; unless indeed they will be deliberately guilty of inviting the cooperation of certain denominations,

;

only to annoy and to insult them.

I will close these observations by expressing my own unfeigned concern, that there should be frequent instances to be met with of ministers who possess sufficient evangelical light to understand most of the important doctrines of the Gospel, and who are aware of the vast importance of bringing them forward, who nevertheless are guilty of suppressing or obscuring them. Their delusion is singular: they could not excuse it to their conscience to deny any truth,-yea not to preach truth : but they are afraid of having that truth discerned and understood. They know "that the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God;" and that there is an enmity in the carnal heart which is likely to be called forth when they are pressed home: the object therefore is to make such an exhibition of divine truth as shall not offend or startle the natural man. Books are written, and sermons are preached, in which essential doctrines, if not kept back, are nevertheless so couched in vague or obscure terms, that their real point and force are never discerned: the worldly reader may gape over them, and the self-righteous hearer may vacantly listen, yet never discover, from any light thrown upon surrounding objects, that he is brought within the radiance of an excellent glory; and because no offence is given, it is boasted of as an exceedingly "judicious statement."

Such are some of the devices of "Satan transformed into an angel of light." May the children of God have grace to discern him through every plausible disguise! and in proportion as he would himself either hinder the Gospel or utter pernicious falsehoods, may they "shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life!" (Phil. 11. 15.)

BETA.

88

Review of Books.

(4) Researches and Missionary Labours among the Jews, Mohammedans, and other Sects, by the REV. JOSEPH WOLFF, during his travels between the years 1831 and 1834 from Malta to Egypt, Constantinople, Armenia, Persia, Khorossaun, Toorkestaun, Bokhara, Balkh, Cabool in Afghanistaun, the Himmalayah Mountains, Cashmeer, Hindoostaun, the Coast of Abyssinia, and Yemen.

Lond. Nisbet, 1835, 8vo. pp. 540. 2d Edit.

We peruse the Journals of Mr. Wolff with a peculiar interest. No individual has perhaps given greater publicity to the doctrine of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, than has this well known Missionary to the world. Wheresoever he goes, he proclaims the approaching advent of the Messiah in glory, together with various other circumstances of the prophetic word, which he conceives will be the accompaniments or the immediate precursors of the day of God. But whilst those, who are led "to wait for his Son from heaven," must rejoice when the attention of their fellow mortals is drawn toward "that blessed hope," they will at the same time be solicitous, that the doctrine should be set forth in a manner consistent with the whole of divine revelation, and with the general interests of the kingdom of God: and we confess, that we not only have experienced a degree of nervous apprehension on this head, as we have followed this remarkable individual through his extraordinary course; but we have likewise felt that, in some instances, he has done harm to the cause he advocates, rather than good, first by unjustifiable, and secondly by imperfect statements.

We are truly glad however to perceive, in the volume now before us, evidence that the judgement of Mr. Wolff improves as he grows in Christian experience, and that he the meekness walks with more of " of wisdom." In some points he has already modified his opinions; and in regard to others, he manifests

such candour and teachableness towards those who remonstrate with him, that we quite expect to see a visible amelioration with every fresh journal he may publish. We were gratified to learn, previous to his volume making its appearance, that notwithstanding early intimacies and associations, he had been preserved in his simplicity free from the Irvingite delusions; and that on his recent visit to England he had most earnestly and affectionately, but very faithfully, exhorted some of his former friends, and pointed out to them the error of their ways.

Mr. Wolff however had taken up -if not with opinions peculiar to the Irvingites, yet with opinions on some points which found advocates chiefly among the members of that community, (though entertained also by others;) and which we believe were originally broached by persons who afterwards were led into their error. We allude particularly to the manner in which Missionary exertions have been disparaged, and an odium attempted to be fixed on all societies having for their object to evangelize the world. We have in the first Volume of the Investigator entered largely into the Missionary question, and shown what very erroneous notions have been entertained by the ardent friends of missions, with regard to the result to be looked for from the agency now at work; and what very unscriptural

statements

are continually heard from the platforms of some of our evangelical societies. But there is a wide difference between endeavouring to bring christians to view their present missionary labors, and the probable result of those labors, more in accordance with the word of God; and endeavouring to paralyse their exertions altogether. In bringing back men's expectations to the word of God, and leading them "to strive lawfully," we may indeed lose much spurious excitement to a work; but we shall be far more likely to persevere and patiently to labour and suffer; and may with much more confidence look for the blessing from on high. We are happy however to state, that in this matter Mr. Wolff has decidedly retraced his steps. The great utility of these societies has in various instances forced itself upon his notice, as he has journied through heathen countries; and he has honourably and freely given glory to God.

We are happy also to lend our aid toward dis-abusing the christian public of a prejudice against Mr. Wolff on another point. He complains at page 198, that some had asserted, that since he believed the personal reign of Christ, he had ceased to preach Jesus Christ crucified. Mr. Wolff is not the only one who has suffered in this respect; but whilst many have had this odium most unjustly affixed to them, some have given real occasion for it. There is a tendency among all men to make too much of a discovery, and to magnify beyond their just proportions important truths, which have been previously overlooked: and sometimes the ministers of the Gospel have been provoked to dwell more than they otherwise would have done upon a doctrine, by the resistance which they met with to it. Thus it happens, that those who are most zealous to set forth the doc

trines of divine grace are sometimes accused of dwelling exclusively on these topics to the neglect of enforcing evangelical tempers and works and duties;—and doubtless there is often as much foundation for the charge, as in the instance of the preachers of the Second Advent being accused of giving it undue prominency. Mr. Wolff's Journal however in a measure exculpates him from the charge; and particularly, on the occasion when he complains, he had been conversing (he says) during a whole night on Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

[ocr errors]

save

We must here however, in passing, warn our Readers against an opposite extreme in this matter. Some, when they point to the fact, that St. Paul resolved to know nothing among the Corinthians Jesus Christ and him crucified," (1 Cor. 11. 2) conclude that he confined himself to the single tenet of the atonement through the blood of Christ. Nothing can be more absurd, or more completely refuted by the contents of that very epistle in which the above declaration is found. There is not, on the one hand, so large a portion of the apostle's writings any where, in which the doctrine of the crossis, abstractedly,dwelt so little on; and in which on the other hand, topics connected with the second advent are dwelt so largely

on.

Witness the long exposition in chapter xv. on the kingdom of Christ and the resurrection; and the allusions to the judgment, and to the rule of the saints in chapters IV. and

[blocks in formation]

tle's statement ?-Decidedly not. Christ is the foundation, and all these things are the superstructure erected on it. By the cross we are led to consider the sinfulness of sin, the need of regeneration, and the only mode of justification ;-by the cross we are admonished that we must also crucify the lusts of the flesh and be conformed to the death of Christ ;and by the cross we are reminded of the joy set before the Lord, for which he endured this death, and unto the lively hope of which joy we also are begotten by the resurrection of Christ from the dead."Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on hands, and of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. -And this will we do, if God permit." (Heb. vi. 1, 2.)

Whilst however we exonerate Mr. Wolff from blame in the above matters, we desire to see him more considerate in regard to his mode of stating prophetical doctrine itself. We shall quote a passage illustrative of what we mean. At page 482 we find a letter to him from the Portuguese Viceroy at Goa, dated 6th Nov. 1833, in which we read as follows: "You assure me that the said Old and New Testament, which contains the glorious news of the establishment of our Lord Jesus Christ's personal reign on earth in the city of Jerusalem fourteen years hence, is presented for my edification.'

[ocr errors]

Now we hold, that there are certain broad truths of prophecy which are literally and distinctly revealed, and which are as susceptible of clear demonstration, as are those truths which are commonly called the doctrines of grace; and though there may be literal passages of a seemingly opposite tendency, yet this a

gain is no more than is the case in regard to the aforementioned doctrines of grace; and they are as reconcileable in the one case as in the other. Such are the wrath which is coming upon the nations; the_conversion and restoration of the Jews; the premillennial advent of Christ; the resurrection of the saints at the same time; and the kingdom then to be manifested in glory. We repeat, that we consider these points openly revealed, and demonstrable by the plainest and most simple principles. But there are points also which are veiled in symbols and in metaphors; or in other ways rendered obscure to us; insomuch that scarcely any two expositors of Scripture are led to the same conclusions in regard to them. We allude to some of the things contained in Daniel and in the Apocalypse, and among them more especially to the dates. It is questioned among many students of prophecy, if it be given to man to know more than the prognostics which indicate our Lord's being at hand, and which are to be judged of by the signs of the times, whilst the actual year of his coming is involved in an obscurity which none can successfully penetrate. Mr. Wolff must well know, that many of his prophetical friends, who aim at these things, do nevertheless differ among themselves; and however therefore it may be useful (and we would insist upon the utility) for those whose senses are exercised to discern, and who can receive strong meat to discuss these things; yet we very decidedly deprecate their being made the groundwork of discussion among men, who, instead of being received to doubtful disputations, have need to be taught the first principles of the doctrine of Christ,-such as Roman Catholics, Mahometans, Infidels, and Idolaters. We make no objection therefore to Mr. Wolff's writing to the Indian chief Runjeet

[ocr errors]

Singh, exhorting him and his people to repent, and declaring that Jesus Christ is the son of God, who died for our sins, rose again, and went to heaven; and that He will come again in the clouds of heaven; and that great judgments are already beginning to announce his coming: viz. pestilence, earthquakes, and cholera morbus." (p. 261.)-They are not the signs perhaps which we should chiefly select; but they are among them; and if the statement be followed up by the other signs, we should deem it unobjectionable. But when he fixes upon the precise year 1847 for the coming of the Lord, he leaves the plain and beaten track of exposition, and (as we think) gets into the thicket. Mr. Wolff must be aware, that other dates, assigned on plausible grounds, have failed: the time is passed over and we are not saved." If it be justifiable in Mr. Wolff, as a follower of Mr. Frere, to preach the year 1847, it is justifiable in the admirers of Bengelius to preach the year 1836. --Let us suppose then, that under similar circumstances Rabbins and Mullahs and Papists had been by some other missionary advertised of the latter date for the Lord's coming, that this year should pass away without the event taking place, —and that Mr. Wolff should in the year 1837 meet with some of these, and be thus addressed by them, when he proclaims the year 1847:-" Begone, thou false prophet! one of thine own sect has been here and given to us a sign, that he whom thou callest Jesus should appear in Jerusalem in 1836; but the sign is not come to pass; and we have now therefore clear testimony, from a prophet of thine own, that thy religion is not true." Now when we consider the signs of the times, we confess we are so moved by them as to think it by no means improbable that the

Lord may appear before the year 1847, in which case, though Mr. Wolff would not save his own individual credit, as to that particular year, yet would the injury likely to result to christianity be averted; but in the mean while we confess, that we tremble for the possible result among those individuals in heathen countries who are mindful of the words of Mr. Wolff, and who have received their knowledge of christianity only from him.

There are many things of a similarly objectionable character betrayed in the long controversy between Mr. Wolff, and the learned Emeer Seyed Ahmed at Lucknow. Mussulman as he is, he nevertheless, as we think, obtains the advantage, in some points, against the Christian-Jew. Thus he writes to Mr. Wolff,-" To fix years is contrary to the words of Christ, for it is written in Matt. xxiv. 36, But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.' You said in answer to this at the conference, 'that the meaning of this verse is, that no one knows the day and hour except God, but it does not say that the year cannot be known.' This is surprising, &c." (p. 387.) And then he presses objections which drive Mr. Wolff back upon that ground, from which he should not have been tempted to advance in the first instance ;-that our Lord does not intend to say by this, "that the approach of the time shall not be known, but that the exact day and hour knoweth no man; enough he does say shall be known by the signs of the times to induce us to prepare for his coming, as Noah prepared the ark; for he compares those days to the days of Noah." (p. 394.) We think that Mr. Wolff here greatly modifies his statement, and makes an important concession to the shrewd Mahometan. And we

« AnteriorContinuar »