of you a temple of living stones. Like a wise workmaster have I laid the foundation, for I first began to preach you Christ. Now cometh there another, and buildeth upon this my foundation, intending to instruct you further in the ways of Christ. But let every man take heed how he buildeth or preach unto you, for no man can lay any other foundation than is laid already; for all our building and preaching leaneth only on this point and principal stone, to declare unto you what Christ hath done for you. "If any build on this foundation gold, silver, or precious stones; that is, if any man preach purely the word of God, which is likened to gold, silver, and precious stones, because that as these are not consumed with material fire, but rather made more pure, even so the pure word of God suffereth neither hurt nor damage in spiritual fire, that is, temptation and persecution. "Or else, if any man build upon this foundation wood, hay, or stubble; that is, if a man of good intent (but yet through ignorance) preach and teach you to stick unto ceremonies and men's traditions, (although they seem never so glorious) and to such things as are not grounded on scripture (as St. Cyprian taught and defended, to re-baptise him that was once baptised and after fallen into heresy; yea, and many bishops consented unto him, yet was it surely a great error) this is wood, hay, and stubble, that cannot endure the fire of temptation and light of God's word. "Every man's work shall be declared, for the day shall open it. Albeit it prospers for a season in the dark and cannot be perceived; yet when the day cometh, which is the light of God's word, it shall be espied and judged. The day shall open it that shall be revealed in fire, and the fire shall prove every man's work what it is. Fire signifieth temptation, tribulation, persecution, &c. which shall prove every man's works. If any man's work that he hath builded do abide this fire, that is, if the words that a man hath preached do abide all assaults and temptations, it is a token that they are surely grounded on the scripture of God, and then shall the preacher receive his reward. If any man's work be burnt, that is, if the preacher's words will not abide the trial and light, but vanish away, then is it a token that they are not well grounded on scripture, and so shall he suffer hurt, for it shall be a great cross and vexation to the preacher's heart that he hath been so deceived himself, and hath also led others into his error. Notwithstanding, he shall be saved, because of his faith in the foundation, which is Christ, and his ignorance shall be pardoned, since he erreth not of a malicious purpose, but of a good zeal. But yet, shall it be, as it were, a fire to him; for it shall grieve his heart to see that he had laboured in vain, and that he must destroy the same which he before, through ignorance, preached. This is the process and pure understanding of the text. "There is no man but he granteth that these words, foundation, laying of foundation, building, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble, are figuratively spoken; and why can they not suffer that this word fire be so taken too? But where they find this word fire, whatsoever the process be, there plant they purgatory by and by, without any further consideration. And yet, if they had any judgment at all, they might well perceive by Paul's own words, that he took not this word fire for material fire, as they grossly imagine, but proceeded in his allegory, and spake it figuratively; for Paul saith, he shall be saved, but so as it were through fire. Mark well his words; he saith not that he shall be saved through fire; but as it were through fire, signifying that it shall be a great grief and vexation unto him. So that by these words of Paul, a very child may perceive what he meant. "Furthermore, if they be so stiff-necked that they will not bow to the truth, but still persevere in their own phantasies, feigning purgatory out of this place, then will I boldly say unto them, that there shall no man enter into it but only preachers. For in this place Paul only speaketh of them, and affirmeth that it is their preaching and learning that shall be so proved through fire, and that such a preacher shall be saved, but yet as it were through fire. And therefore may the temporalty be of good comfort, for I promise them that by this text they shall never have hurt in this their painful purgatory." The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions, being a selection of a verse of Scripture, with short Observations for every Morning and Evening throughout the year. A new Edition, in 1 Vol., 8vo. Palmer. This is a very handsome edition of a highly popular work, and we witness its publication with much pleasure in so captivating a form. The inferior quality of the paper, and the small size of the type, in all the former editions, rendered the perusal very burdensome to readers of an advanced age, and has long been cause of complaint by all. They will therefore hail this edition, which is printed on very good paper, and in a bold clear type, and possesses the advantage which no other edition afforded, viz., the arrangement of the meditation on the succeeding page to that allotted for the morning of the same day. In the advertisement, the Publisher states this to have been long the wish of the venerable Author, but which could not before be accomplished, for reasons which however he does not name. This edition, so admirably improved, we cordially recommend to all our readers, as a most valuable acquisition to their libraries. The fulness and power of the Gospel, in Six Sermons, preached in St. George's Chapel, Dublin; by the Rev. George Hare, A. B., late Assistant Chaplain. Tims, Dublin. Among the numerous volumes of sermons published in the present day, there are but few which exhibit the doctrines of our holy religion and the precepts connected therewith, which will ever be dear to all savingly taught by God the Holy Ghost-in a clear and scriptural manner. Often in the commencement of many popular discourses, we may find the preacher begin in the language of Canaan, but ere he draws to a close, the jargon of Ashdod is too prominent, and we involuntarily exclaim, "who is on the Lord's side, who?" The above remark does not however refer to the volume now before us, from the perusal of which we derived much pleasure. It contains six sermons: the two first are founded on 1 Thess. ii. 13.: the third on Rom. iii. 20, 21.: the fourth on Phil. ii. 15. the fifth on 1 Thess. v. 17.: and the sixth on Psalm xcix. 5. and we can most cheerfully recommend them. The preacher discovers himself to be a scribe well instructed, and we do not doubt he has himself both tasted, felt, and handled these things, which he holds forth to others. In speaking of election he thus writes,— 6 "Predestination unto life is the eternal purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel, secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour,' &c. I shall make no further observation on this beautiful' passage, but remark, how well it coincides with the passage of scripture we are now considering: "God, from the beginning, hath chosen you unto salvation." But you will perhaps be inclined to interrogate me on this subject: where,' you will ask, 'is it recorded? and what is the authority upon which it is founded?' To these questions I shall answer in the most explicit manner: it is recorded in the 17th Article of the Church of England, as you may see from the Book of Common Prayer; and it was written by those champions of the cause of God, who, as his instruments, were made the means of delivering his people in these countries, from the galling chains of Popish superstition, "unto the glorious liberty of the children of God." Yes, brethren, the Reformers of the Church of England (to whom we, as members of the Establishment owe, under God, every thing we now possess) were so powerfully impressed with the truth and glory of the divine election, that they have left this testimony as a perpetual memorial of their faith and hope, by which, although being dead, yet now they speak; and it would be well if every individual of those who profess themselves to be the children, and successors of these holy men of old, would not only listen to their voice, as speaking to them from the grave, but would also, convinced of its truth, openly and consistently profess it before men. How desirable this is, may appear from the importance of the subject. Some things are true, but not important, while there are others, which are not only true, but also equally important; this is the case with the truth in question; it is as important as it is true. It is important as it regards God, for it alone secures to him the whole glory of our salvation, which he claims to himself so constantly in his word; it makes him the first mover in the work of grace, not only advancing towards his people in a way of mercy, but conferring upon them grace effectual, and sufficient to lead them to himself—as making them a present of salvation, when in themselves they were not only devoid of spiritual life, but actually found in open rebellion, and avowed enmity to his name. Those who deny this doctrine, cannot thus fully glorify God; they must allow some natural -some inherent strength in man, by which he is enabled to secure to himself the blessing of salvation, which is called into action by those who are saved, but which is neglected, and suffered to remain inactive by those who are lost. Hence, the glory becomes divided-one part of it only is given to the Redeemer, while the other redounds to the believing sinner, who has made himself to differ from others by laying hold of the blessing of eternal life. It is not only important as it regards God and his glory, but it is also important as it regards us, and is calculated to have the most powerful tendency in leading to holiness, and entire devotedness of heart and life to the service of God, all those who are really impressed with its sacred truth: I say, all those who are impressed, because there are many who profess this peculiar distinguishing doctrine of the bible, who are not at all under the influence of the gospel of Christ, and cannot therefore be expected to adorn it by their lives and conversation. Such persons have not been taught by the Holy Ghost-they have not received into their heart that doctrine which is according to godliness-they are deceivers of their own souls, and false witnesses against the truth. But those who are really impressed with a sense of their election in Christ, have the strongest obligation to the service of God that can possibly be laid upon them. This is evident-the more God has done for us, the greater is our obligation to love. Those who con ceive he has done little, will love little-while those who conceive he has done much, will be bound to love much. Now, election shews us that God has done all-ALL that it was necessary-ALL that it was possible for him to do; beginning, as well as completing the work, with a freeness, liberality, and munificence, passing all human knowledge, or conception; and therefore it is calculated to make us love much, and to be completely and entirely devoted to his cause, in righteousness and true holiness, all the days of our lives.' We add one quotation more with which we must close "Another motive which should lead us to this delightful occupation is, that our faith may be exercised and increased-faith not only in God as the Creator and Preserver of all things, from whom we have our being, and by whose providential kindness we are upheld, but also faith in the peculiar and endearing character in which he has been pleased to reveal himself to his people in Jesus Christ, as a loving and tender Father, who has reconciled them unto himself by the death of his Son, and made them at peace by his blood-as having their interest, their advancement, their comfort so much at heart, as that he will withhold no good, which in his wisdom and foreknowledge he sees to be for their real and spiritual advantage-and as making all things, even the most unpleasant and unpromising events, work together for good, in bringing them nearer and nearer to himself, and in preserving them to his heavenly kingdom. This is indeed the revealed character of God to his chosen and redeemed people; and what encouragement may they not draw from it in their approach to him, that they shall have the things which they seek of his mercy." The True Humanity of Christ. A Second and Third Letter to the Editor of the Morning Watch, or Quarterly Journal of Prophecy. By Robert Harkness Carne, A.B. 8vo.-Palmer. The first Letter on this subject has been before noticed; and the pamphlet now before us, is a continuation of the argument in two additional Letters to the Editor of the same periodical work to which the first was addressed. We are happy to find some able writers to oppose the unscriptural and Christ-debasing doctrine of the mortality, and consequent sinfulness of that humanity, which was taken into personal union with the Son of God. Mr. Carne displays much talent in defending the immortality, sinlessness, and incorruptibility of the human nature of Christ, both from scripture arguments and physical demonstrations. He contends that the humanity of Christ was not derived from the virgin, but was the immediate workmanship of the Holy Ghost. And in a long train of arguments, well calculated for the minister and the scholar, defends the positions he lays down in a manner creditable to himself, and beneficial to the cause of truth. From the nature of the subject viewed as a physical disquisition we cannot recommend the perusal of the work to our general readers, but by the man of science it will doubtless be read with peculiar interest; and we only do justice to our author in adding, that he appears studiously to have sought for the most chaste expressions to convey his ideas to the reader. POETRY. THE BRUISED REED. "A bruised reed shall he not break."-Isa. xlii. 3. SINNER arrested, tried and cast, Thou canst not seek His face in vain ; But hast thou thus for mercy cried, Does Jesus seem to frown on thee? Amidst the gloom there's this bright streak, "A bruised reed He shall not break." Believer, hast thou seen his face, Art thou afflicted, tempted, tried, "He shall not break the bruised reed." Backslider, art thou careless grown, But think not thou canst ever prove |