re praise, our hearts, as a church, rejoiced, our spirits were freshed; and, if ever the people were waiting for the preacher to arrive, either at his own house or in other places, he endeavoured to redeem and improve the time, by prayer, reading, and expounding the word of God. One instance of this sort was as follows: He was informed, that Mr. F. a clergyman in the established church, was awakened, preached in a way very different to his neighbours; and that he preached, once a month, in a small chapel, about three miles from Alcaston. There the good and morning, when they had to go out to plough. He used to tell both them and me, that "not a servant should go over the threshold of his door, before they had bent their knees unto the Lord." After breakfast, it was his custom to call all together, that were near the house, to worship God. In the evening, reading, prayer, and praise, were repeated, with and for the family; and when he and his dear aged partner entered their bed-chamber, they again bent the knee, and called upon God.Sometimes I have hearkened until my heart has melted, my eyes run down with tears, and my soul been elevated to God. Such ear-old man went, with a warm heart. nest pleadings with God (for a The bell tolled; the people asblessing on the word and ordi- sembled; but the minister did nances, on churches and pastors, not come. After waiting some on the whole Israel of God, and time, Mr. Evans, perceiving there for the conversion and salvation was a large Bible on the desk, of men) seldom proceeds from went and opened it, and thus adthe heart and lips of even the dressed the congregation:-"My godly. It was seldom he took a dear friends, here is an excellent meal of food without having the Bible; and we may well employ Bible by him, and never without the time, till the minister comes, imploring a blessing, and giving by reading a portion of the blessed thanks; and often, while others word of God. I shall read to you were eating at his table, he would part of the Epistle to the Epheread and expound the word of sians, and make a few remarks God to them, and weep over those upon it."-He then began, read, he feared did not know the Lord. and expounded, the whole of that He was clear and well established epistle; the assembly were all in the doctrines of grace and the attention. When he came to the ordinances of the gospel; but close, he said-" I suppose Mr. manifested great love to all the F. will not come now; and, as it saints, and was much beloved by is growing late, I think we had them. His zeal, at times, was so better be going home."-So saygreat, that many would have ing, he closed the book; and left thought he went rather too far, in the desk; when some in the conreproving, exhorting, cautioning, gregation said" But, Master and instructing others; but there Evans, will you pray with us bewere such openness, affection, and fore we part?" He replied, "Yes, godly simplicity, in what he did I will.” Kneeling down by the and said, that I have never known communion rails, and the congrehim give offence; for all said,gation kneeling also, he poured "he is what he appears to be."- out his heart in fervent prayer for Whenever he came amongst us, them.-Hearing of this, I requestand took the lead in prayer anded he would not do so again; as, awake, uttering these words: He was, in person, one of the finest old men I ever beheld; about six feet high, robust, a clear skin, fresh colour, lively blue eyes; the most perfect symmetry in his features; silver hair, parted in front; and his venerable locks falling on his well-formed shoul-tory. ders; a countenance, open as In about sixteen months after mid-day, and mild as a summer the death of Mr. Evans, his son, evening; while he stood erect, at Mr. Thomas Evans, was removed the age of eighty, as a man in the by death also, leaving a widow bloom of youth, it was impos- and two children. He was a man sible to see, and not venerate; to of blameless life, of genuine piety, know, and not love him. But, and great meekness. In his death, beautiful as that body was, which the church lost a valuable mem had been a temple for God, the ber, his wife a tender and faithful time drew nigh, when the earthly husband, and his children a kind tabernacle was to be dissolved. and godly parent. His illness was He had, first, an affection of the short, but his sufferings great.→→→ lungs, attended with a violent He was taken with a pain in one cough; then of the liver, which of his teeth. It was thought best, terminated in dropsy and death. by his medical attendants, to exA short time before his dissolu- tract the tooth. The attempt tion, I was preaching, as usual, produced inflammation, which at the house, when we attended to was followed by fever, the forma the supper ordinance. On our tion of matter, delirium, and being seated at the table, he said, death. On the Wednesday be"With desire have I desired to fore his dissolution, I preached at eat this passover with you, before the house, from John, viii. 51, I depart." It was, indeed, a night" If a man keep my saying, he much to be remembered!--After this, he grew weaker, but continued to pray with, and for, all around him; and exhorted them, with purpose of heart, to cleave to the Lord.On the day he died, he sung, most sweetly, shall never see death." After sermon, he addressed me as follows; My dear brother, I have sat up in bed, and not had one pain all the while you have been preaching. I heard every word; and the Lord sent you to deliver every word for me. I never had such a season. Blessed be his holy name, I do believe on Christ, and I shall not taste of death.""Indeed, he appeared ripe for glory. On the morrow, At times, he was rather deli-i left him rather better; but, on rious; but was not ever permitted to speak unadvisedly with his lips. He dozed, and would often "And when this lisping, stammering Lies silent in the grave, the Saturday night, his delirium came on, and he expired on Lord's day evening, Oct, 17, 1802, | in the 40th year of his age. He' I think you do,'-" But I am was interred by the side of his ve- grown almost dark, and cannot nerable father. None felt the see" But you can hear?' stroke more sensibly than his " Yes, and I think I know your mother; for he was the son of voice, is it Mr. P. ?" Yes,' "I am her old age; and his piety, and glad to see you; but I am so old, dutiful and affectionate conduct, I know nothing of the people, had greatly endeared him to her, nor what they be about; nor do The dear old lady had, for some I want to know." Well, you time, been too feeble to take an | know one thing ?" What is active part in the family; but, her | that ? - That you are a sinner. sight being continued, she gene-"Oh, I do; I am nothing but a rally, for years, spent at least six mass of sin and corruption." And hours every day, in reading the you know another thing, That scriptures and prayer. In these Christ is a Saviour!' “Oh yes, exercises, she sought retirement | blessed, sweet, sweet, dear, sweet and communion with God, and | Jesus ! Oh his love, why he died often forgot the hour of dinner or for us! here is love. He died for tea until some of the family would | us all, did he ? ، Yes, for all that remind her of it, to whom she has believe on him, I mean; and do frequently said," This is very you believe on him?'"Oh yes, I naughty and cruel of you now to do, blessed, sweet Jesus!" And interrupt my communion with | how came you to believe on him P God, and disturb me while read- “ Wby, he enabled me, to be sure; ing his blessed word; I was so we can do nothing of ourselves; happy, and you could not leave it is all of grace." What do you me alone; I am sure I have been do now you cannot read?' "My but a bit;" when she had actu- grandson reads. for me."- And ally been thus engaged for at least does the Lord comfort your four hours. About three years | heart? “ Oh yes, sweet Jesus, he after, she left Alcaston, and went is with me, he will not leave me. to reside with her other children Oh his love? I long to be with at Oswestry, and Knocking. At him; but I must not be impatient; length her strength failed her, so I must not grieve my dear sweet that she could not attend upon Lord, but I must wait his time, the means of grace, and her sight, sweet Jesus!" She desired her that she could not read; but love to the church; and I left "her heart was fixed," and the her rejoicing, that I had seen one remnant of her days were spent of the Lord's right-hand planting in praise and prayer. Her chil-bearing such rich fruit in her dren were kind and attentive to her, for which she thanked both God and them; for several years she was wholly with her, daughter, Mrs. Vaughan, of Knocking, | twelve miles from Shrewsbury, of November, she sweetly fell Here I called to see her twice the asleep in Jesus. I endeavoured last summer. These visits afford- to improve the event by preaching ed me pleasure and instruction. on Job, v. 26, "Thou shalt come On entering the room, and asking to thy grave in a full age, like as her how she was, she replied, “I | a shock of corn cometh in, in his do not know you," No,' said I, season.". | 102d year : fruits of humility, gratitude, faith, hope, love, and patience; surely, thought I, “God is her rock, and there is no changing in him. ". On the 17th Review. Thirty-four Sermons, on the most interesting Doctrines of the Gospel, by that eminently great Divine and Reformer, Martin Luther : to which are prefixed, Memoirs of his Life, by Philip Melancthon, &c. THE reformation from popery, in which Lutheracted so pre-eminent a part, will ever be regarded, by enlightened and pious men, as an event of the highest order, whose results have promoted the felicity of man, and the glory of a righteous and holy God. cess. indications of future eminence, gradual advances to power and command, first achievements, and mature exertions and sucLet us do justice to the men of God, who, whatever be their fate on earth, will, in heaven, be had in eternal remembrance. The work before us consists of two parts, the first of which is, Memoirs of Luther, chiefly written by Melancthon. These relations give a clear view of Luther's studies, acquisitions, and state of mind previously to the proclamations of Tetzel respecting the efficacy of the popish indulgences; of the holy indignation with which our reformer regarded this conduct of the Dominican, and the immediate efforts he used to counteract the mischief. Here we behold Luther submissive to the constituted au Waldus, Wickliffe, Huss, and Jerome, of Prague, employed all the faculties and energies they possessed in attempting to oppose and extirpate the pernicious heresies of Rome. From this infamous church, as if it were a mountain set on fire of hell, proceeded a stream of burning lava that was desolating the earth, against which these heroes strug-thorities, as far as the commands gled in vain. But the Author and Patron of truth and righteousness raised up Martin Luther and Philip Melancthon, and the Roman pontiff trembled on his throne! Protected and succeeded by the hand of God, these great and holy men, with their several coadjutors, attacked the popish beast, and inflicted a wound, under the effects of which the brute has ever since languished, and will, we trust, at no distant period, expire. When a naval or military hero obtains victories that confer lasting and substantial benefits on nations, and in which eminent skill and bravery were displayed, we are happy to possess and eager to peruse accounts of their origin, education, early of heaven would permit ; prudent in the midst of astonishing provocations and difficulties, and all the while possessed of peculiar ardour. He stands before us a minister of the word of life; and we are delighted to view the torch of truth in the hand of piety, which gives additional efficacy to its holy light. Here we are introduced to a man of apostolic spirit, so ardently attached to truth as to rise superior to every danger in her defence and propagation, who, engaged in the cause of God, feared neither monarchs, priests, cardinals, popes, the angels, nor the prince of darkness. A man who attained the highest honours, possessed the most extensive influence, had very great opportunities of amass- | fluence of the papal church. The ing riches, and died poor. work of Mr. Cox evinces great research, is elegantly written, and well deserves a place in every library. Both these works are accompanied with excellent engravings, full-length portraits of the two illustrious men whose lives they contain. The memoirs are not long, but are full and satisfactory, and may be regarded as a recital of the leading events of the Reformation, and the life of the reformer. They are principally indebted to Robertson's Charles V, Roscoe's Leo X, Bower's Life of Luther, Milner's Church History, and Cox's Life of Melancthon. We would recommend the perusal of Melancthon's life in connection with the work before us. Mr. Cox has deserved well of mankind for so fine and accurate a picture of one of its greatest benefactors. Here are admirably represented the early life, amiable temper, extensive erudition, learned labours, and well-merited, extensive, and solid fame of this extraordinary man. But, above all, we were charmed with the picture of his piety. Here we learn that Melancthon was greatly distinguished by fidelity, humility, mildness, frankness, benevolence, almost unexampled liberality, and unwearied diligence in the work of the Lord. He was candid, disinterested, unostentatious, and an example of suffering affliction and patience. Mr. Cox's work abounds also with important notices of eminent persons, who, in different countries, were correspondents and fellow labourers with Melancthon; nor does it fail to present a striking view of the ignorance, superstition, lying wonders, and general deception, profligacy, tyranny, and cruelty of the corrupt church of Rome. Luther and Melancthon are well described as to the wonderful suitability of their characters, tempers, talents, and acquirements for co-operation in the glorious work of emancipating nations from the pestilential in The sermons, which form the second part of the volume now on our table, are truly evangelical, abounding with ingenious remarks and explanations of scripture ; they are written with considerable energy and vivacity, and have a holy tendency. However, like all human productions, they have imperfections. Not a few of the observations are fanciful; and, while we have a very high opinion of Luther as a divine, we are obliged to observe, that some of his expressions about the mother of our Lord, the law of God, and Christian baptism, are rather unguarded. Perhaps we cannot do better than give the character which Melanc thon has drawn of Luther as a writer and a preacher. "Pomeranus," says he, "is a grammarian, and explains the force of words: I profess logic, and teach the management and nature of arguments: Justus Jonas is an orator, and discourses with copiousness and elegance. But Luther is omnia in omnibus, complete in every thing, a very iniracle among men; whatever he says, whatever he writes, penetrates the mind." Zuinglius, who was his opponent on one point of doctrine, bore this testimony to Luther: "As far as I can judge, Luther is a very brave soldier of Christ, who examines the scriptures with a diligence which no person else has used for the last thousand years." --As a specimen of the style and doctrine of |