covenant, nor have either parent a member of any church." “Robinson proceeds after this, to reason from the nature of this 'seal,' that it ought not to be administered without faith coming between, either of the party to be baptized, or of one parent at the least.' If it be said, that God's gracious promise is extended to those 'afar off;' our author replies, 'I grant it, except infidel ity, or other sin, come between, by which the now: both which are wicked and absurd to affirm. Or they must say, that circumcision was not the sign and seal of the righteousness of faith;' and, then, they openly contradict the scripture, Rom. iv. 11.' If "Here our author takes up another position, and moves with all the energy of one who duly cultivated the blessing for which he was contending, and who had availed himself of the gospel privilege of imparting the external sign. 'As the apostle,' he writes, in Rom. v. comparents with themselves break off their seed, externally and actually from the communion of pareth our natural estate in Adam, and our the church.' He decides, that the seal of the spiritual in Christ, so may we in this case. we cannot justly object against God's work in righteousness of faith, which baptism is, doth nature; but do believe that our infants are no more belong to the 'seed' of godless parents, reasonable creatures, and are born not brute than doth the comfort flowing from the righ-beasts, but men; though actually' they can teousness of faith unto the parents themselves.' And, with Tertullian, he concludes, let such children come, when they are grown to years; let them, when they have learned and are taught wherefore they come; let them then be made Christians [baptized] when they can know Christ.'"-Hanbury, vol. i. p. 374. Nor was this at all unreasonable in those who maintained regeneration by Christian parentage. Baptismal regeneration is the doctrine of the churches of Rome and England; our brethren repudiate this, but the basis of their system is parental regeneration. It has been maintained, by some of the congregationalists at least, that infants born of Christian parents have the graces of repentance, faith, regeneration, &c., virtually. As born into the world, "they are not wholly destitute of faith, regeneration, &c."; and baptism is the seal of that grace which they derived from their natural birth. "That infants have the faith and love of God in them, and regeneration in their measure, Ainsworth says, in his own phrase, is thus proved. They to whom God giveth the sign and seal of righteousness by faith, and of regeneration, they have faith and regeneration. For God giveth no lying sign; he sealeth no vain or false covenants. But God gave to infants circumcision, which was the sign' and 'seal' of the righteousness of faith and regeneration. Therefore, infants had, and consequently now have, faith and regeneration; though not in the crop or harvest, by declaration; yet in the bud and beginnings of all Christian graces.' They that deny this consequence, he adds, 'must either make God the author of a lying sign and seal of the covenant to Abraham and his infants; or they must hold, that infants had those graces then but not VOL. V.-FOURTH SERIES. manifest no reason or understanding more than beasts; yea, a young lamb knoweth and discerneth its dam sooner than an infant knoweth his mother: then neither can we justly object against God's work in grace: but are to believe that our infants are sanctified creatures and are born believers, not infidels, though outwardly they can manifest no faith or sanctification unto us. "And why should it be thought incredible, that God should work faith in infants? If because we know not, or perceive not, how it can be: let us consider, that we know not the way of our natural birth, and other earthly things. How, then, can we know heavenly things? If we make question of the power of God: nothing is impossible with Him. He made all things of nothing; He can make the dumb beast speak with a man's voice; He can make the babe in the mother's womb to be affected, and leap for joy, at the voice of words spoken to the mother. And, can He not also work 2 At the risk of being identified with the "faithless and crooked generation" abovementioned, we must confess that it is in our view no small flaw in the general consent pleaded against us, that some baptize their infants because they are Christian children, and some because they desire to make them such; some because the infants possess the grace, and therefore should have the sign, and some because they do not possess the grace, but with the sign will receive it; some pleading for baptism as a boon which should be conferred on all infants, and some as a special privilege belonging to the children of believers. But more difficulties remain to be solved, by those who adopt the restrictive system. Are the children of all pious persons entitled to baptism, or is it to be confined to the offspring of those parents who are actually church members? We find the position asserted by some and denied by others," that the children of godly and approved Christians are not to be baptized until their parents be set members of some particular congregation;" and much argument is adduced on both sides. Then again, if the parents have been excommunicated from the church, does their excommunication deprive the infant of the privilege it might have enjoyed had it entered the world a little sooner? And will the faith of a grandfather suffice, in case there be no faith in the father, to entitle the grandchild to baptism; or is the entail cut off through the father's unbelief? An influential writer, Mr. Davenport, 1672, gives the following opinion. "Some think that the children of confederates are so complete members that they should be excommunicated in case of demerit. I cannot easily assent thereunto; for that would imply that they have an immediate right in all church privileges, which I do not grant nor believe; but that as the church looks upon them tanquam in lumbis parentum, so also if the grown members of the church observe vicious qualities and practices in them, they do not deal with them immediately in those steps of proceeding required in Matt, xviii. to bring matters to the church; but they deal with their parents to discharge their duty in educating their children according to the rule in Eph. vi. 4. To this sense Dr. Ames applieth that text 1 Cor. vii. 14. Nor may their children be baptized till [who] themselves have [not] taken hold of the covenant with the church in their own right. For the children of church members, when they come to age, for not taking hold of the covenant with the church, do be come non-members, and are so to be looked at by the church, if they desert church-fellowship, either departing from them in place, as Esau into Mount Seir, or withdrawing from their communion, or if the church withdraw from them. In such cases, they are not so much as implicitly members. Therefore their children may not be baptized. For the right that infants have unto baptism is in their next and immediate parents, because the apostle, in 1 Cor. vii. 14, doth so limit it; because the apostasy of the next parents takes off the federal holiness of their seed, as we see in the posterity of Isbmael and Esau; because if infants should have this right in their grandfathers where shall we stop? Shall it be extended to a thousand generations, as some misapply that promise in Exodus xx. 6: that cannot be true; for then the children of the Jews, and Turks, and heathen, all the world over, have a right to baptism in some of their ancestors within that time, contrary to Rom. xi. 17.' ”—Hanbury, vol. ii. p. 63. On the other hand, in a document entitled "The Way of the Churches of Christ in New England," 1645, propositions occur, which Mr. Hanbury says "should seem to be the result of profound deliberation among several, perhaps many heads and hearts ;" and this is one. "Baptism may be orderly administered to the children of such parents as have professed their faith and repentance before the church, as above; or, where either of the parents have made such profession. Or it may be considered also, whether the children may not be baptized have made such profession, and are still living to where either the grandfather or grandmother undertake for the Christian education of the child for it may be conceived, where there is a stipulation of the covenant on God's part, and a restipulation on man's part, there may be an obligation of the covenant on both parts. Or if these fail, what hindereth but that, if the parents will resign their infant to be educated in the house of any godly member of the church, the child may be lawfully baptized in the right of its household governor, according to the proportion of the law, Gen. xvii. 12, 13?' "— Hanbury, vol. ii. p. 578. Such differences of opinion would naturally occur among thinking men, mission of members, thinking that the one fixed species of ordeal, to which the churches, or more frequently perhaps the deacons, have been disposed to sub anxious to do right, but having neither precept nor precedent to guide them. It is not inexplicable that it should have been a standing question among our congregational brethren, "Whose child-ject all persons desirous of uniting with ren have a right to baptism?" In taking a review of the history of any section of the Christian church, the candid observer will see much to deplore; and in considering the present condition of the purest communities, much to call for humility and grave de liberation. The concluding chapter of Dr. Vaughan's work treats of certain improvements which in his judgment are desirable in the practice of English congregationalists; and it will afford us pleasure to find that they engage the attention of the churches, both of his denomination and our own. He deems it desirable that ministers should be more solicitous than some of them are, to exercise care and judgment in their mode of placing truth before their hearers; that they should cultivate a grave and natural demeanour in their intercourse with society, and take the same inartificial manner with them into the pulpit. He recommends a modification of the usages prevailing extensively in the ad them, has operated in not a few connexions as though devised by some special foe to the body, for the purpose of letting all the ignorance and coarseness of society into the churches, and precluding all its intelligence and delicacy from them. He disapproves of the custom of restricting the ministerial and pastoral offices in large churches to one person; believing that a variety of gifts and habits which cannot possibly meet in one individual are necessary for their welfare, and that, under the present system, pastoral duty must necessarily be left in much the greater part undone, or, if performed in any shape, be devolved on a number of deacons, who thus become co-pastors in every respect except that perhaps they are not preachers. On these, and some other topics, it would have afforded us gratification to allow Dr. Vaughan to explain his convictions in his own words; but the space allotted for this article is already full, and we can only add a general recommendation of the volume. BRIEF NOTICES. Elements of Mental and Moral Science. By GEORGE PAYNE, LL.D. Second edition, enlarged. London: J. Gladding. 8vo. pp. 418. The first edition of this work, having been published in 1828, is extensively known among those who are conversant with the studies which it was intended to promote. To them it may suffice to say, that the author has seen reason to modify some of the doctrines which he then taught, relating to attention—the nature of the emotions-the distinction between desire and volition-the liberty of the will and especially in the department of moral science, he has made important alterations and added much new matter. To persons unacquainted with the work, it is not irrelevant to mention the fact that since its appearance he has produced an excellent volume, to which we have before adverted, on Divine Sovereignty. We mention this on the present occasion, because the pupil is more completely at the mercy of his teacher in studying mental and moral science, perhaps, than science of any other kind. It would be safer to study theology under the guidance of an infidel than mental and moral philosophy; as his sophistries would be more readily detected, and more indisputably confuted. The soundness of Dr. Payne's theological system renders him a much safer guide than most other metaphysicians. In many instances, we fear that studies of this description have superseded the study of the scriptures, and in. duced in preachers a habit of appealing to reason instead of the divine oracles; but the utility of this species of science when wisely directed is great, and acquaintance with its principles, as here developed, would have prevented the promulgation of some errors which have done much mischief in our churches. Four Discourses on the Sacrifice and Priesthood of Jesus Christ, and the Atonement and Redemption thence accruing: with supplementary notes and illustrations. By JoHN PYE SMITH, D.D., F.R.S. Second edition, enlarged. London: 16mo. pp. 367. Price 6s. It was greatly to be regretted that these learned and carefully written dissertations should be out of print. The subjects to which they relate are of paramount importance, and the critical remarks on passages of scripture relating to those subjects ought to be in the bands of every one competent to make use of them. The venerable author has subjected the whole to a careful revision: in the discourses he found no reason for alteration; but he has made considerable additions to the notes, which now constitute nearly one half of the volume. Valuable indices, both topical and textual, are appended. Pietas Ecclesiæ, or the Dissenter's Text Book; being a Review of England's Hierarchy, in its Principles and Practice. By WILLIAM PALMER. London: Palmer. 8vo. pp. 309. The design of this work is to pourtray the established church as it exists at the present moment, and call attention to its delinquencies. This is done in a series of esays, entitled, The Church Magazine-The Church of EnglandPopery of the Church of England-Popery of Puseyism-Apostolical Succession-The Common Prayer-Book-Episcopal UniformityClerical Subscription-Wealth of the Church -Church Rates-Intolerance of the Church of England-Dissenterism and Churchism- What is to be done with the Establishment? The author possesses a vigorous mind, is fully alive to the evils of the system on which he animadverts, and has accumulated large stores of information applicable to the subject. His sentiments are just and important; but the style in which they are enforced is not exactly to our taste it is too declamatory and deals too much in hyperboles and strong phrases. It improves however as he advances, and should we at some future day receive from his hands another volume, we shall open it with the greater interest for our acquaintance with this. : A Hand-book for Popular Use in testing the feel, that any confirmation of our sacredly che- Mr. Dawson, who died a few months ago in the sixty-ninth year of his age, was a popular preacher among the Wesleyan Methodists. Till nearly the end of his days he carried on business in Yorkshire as a farmer, but preached very frequently and with great acceptance. Energetic, frank, humorous, and coarse, his style of address arrested the attention of the uneducated, while many auditors of cultivated minds tolerated things which they could not admire, and did homage to the power which he possessed of affecting the passions. The peculiarities of the denomination to which he belonged were strongly marked in his character, and his biography will be much more valued by readers of the same connexion than by others. It abounds, however, with amusing anecdotes, dialogues, and repartees, and contains some passages on which all who wish to study human nature in its variety of aspects may meditate with advantage. Four Lectures to Young Men; delivered at the The author appears to have been provoked to prepare and publish this work, by some vigorous efforts made by unitarians in his neighbourhood are-The connexion between the discoveries of The subjects of these instructive discourses to disseminate their mischievous tenets. He designs to put into the hands of unlearned science and true religion-Indifference to the readers a manual containing a view of the doc- claims of revealed religion unreasonable The trines he opposes, together with a defence of temptations of young men to embrace infidel the orthodox faith, and a refutation of objec- principles-and, The excellency of the knowtions. All this is done, so far as the matter is ledge of God. They are part of a course of concerned, in a satisfactory way; we must, lectures recently delivered in St. George's however, be allowed to object to the manner in Church, Edinburgh, by ministers belonging to which Mr. Allan treats his opponents. No the different denominations. It is remarked man, especially no Christian minister, gains in the advertisement prefixed, that this attracany thing in the estimation of serious readers tive feature of unity is retained in this small by using harsh language. We never could volume, the four lecturers being a seceder, an quite admire the sledge-hammer style of Arch-independent, a Scottish churchman, and bishop Magce, however much we might reepiscopalian. spect his learning and his zeal for the truth; yet he would have stood aghast at some of the phrases of our Scottish friend. We will only refer to pages 13, 20, and 107, where are passages not only undignified, but offensively low. With the whole spirit of the book, too, we must confess ourselves dissatisfied. We cannot but an Sermons preached in the Church of the United Twenty sermons, plain, evangelical, and de votional; in which the author's attachment to his own community is exhibited, without any thing to give offence to his fellow-Christians. The doctrine is Calvinistic, and the cast of the discourses experimental. If we had any cause of regret, it was to find that the author's system did not allow him oftener to reiterate our Lord's injunction to all his hearers, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel." By Lucilla; or the Reading of the Bible. An ingenious and lively work, intended, on which regards the Bible as a merely human the one hand, as "an antidote to infidelity, composition, and to popery, on the other, which would restrict the reading of the sacred books." It is delightfully free from that asperity which is often found in works of this nature:-perhaps it is open to the charge of excessive candour. The Biblical Geography of Asia Minor, Phanicia, and Arabia. By E. F. C. ROSENMÜLLER, D.D., Ordinary Professor of Oriental Languages in the University of Leipsic. Translated from the German, by the Rev. N. MORREN, A.M. With an Appendix, containing an Abstract of the more important Geographical Illustrations of Messrs. Robinson and Smith, in their “Biblical Researches" A pamphlet issued by the Antislavery Soin Mount Sinai, Arabia Petræa, and Pho-ciety, in order to furnish the public with evinicia. Edinburgh: pp. 362. Price 6s. This is the third and concluding portion of Mr. Morren's translation of a learned and comprehensive work, which has received already so much commendation in these pages that it is only necessary to say now, that it constitutes the eleventh, seventeenth, and thirty-fourth volumes of Clark's Biblical Cabinet. Mesopotamia and Assyria, from the earliest ages to the present time; with Illustrations of their Natural History. By J. BAILLIE FRASER, Esq., Author of "An Historical and Descriptive Account of Persia," &c. With a Map, and Engravings by Jackson. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. Pp. 383. So much of the sacred narrative, and so considerable a portion of Old Testament prophecy, relates to these countries, that an acquaintance with their history, both in ancient and modern times, is essential to the interpretation of many parts of scripture. This volume is an epitome of all the knowledge requisite for this purpose, furnishing a condensed account of their history and aspect, moral, physical, and political, derived from a variety of sources, and arranged with care and skill. It is one of a series of volumes, chiefly geographical, entitled the Edinburgh Cabinet Library. John Huss: a Memoir, illustrating some of the workings of Popery in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Translated from the German. By MARGARETT ANNE WYATT. With an introductory Note on Popery, by a Beneficed Clergyman of the Anglican Church. Seeley & Burnside. Pp. xxxi. 136. The story of the Bohemian martyr is interesting, and might have been safely recommended, had it appeared without the observations of the beneficed clergyman, who is much nearer to popery than he seems to suppose. As it is, the book is more likely to do harm than good. Confessions of an Apostate. By the Author of "Felix de Lisle." London: Seeley and Burnside. Foolscap 8vo. pp. 154. A skilfully written and exciting tale, intended to illustrate the tendencies of the Oxford tractarian system. It is however but a legend, and legends are not the weapons required in the present conflict. Emigration from India. The Export of Coolies and other Labourers to Mauritius. London: Svo., pp. 74. Price 6d. dence of the turpitude of the Coolie trade; and The Eclectic Review, March, 1842, London: An excellent number. Those of our readers who possess it may find on pages 269-271 some observations of great importance relating to the constitution of our churches, which, if they have not noticed them already, are deserving of their serious attention. The Christian Miscellany and Weekly Family A new periodical conducted by respectable ministers of the church of Scotland in a respectable manner. RECENT PUBLICATIONS Approved. The Works of WILLIAM JAY, collected and revised by himself. Volume II. Morning and Evening Ex ercises. April to June. London: C. A. Bartlett. 8vo. pp. 603. Observations on the Book of Ruth, and on the word Redeemer. By the Rev. H. B. MACARTNEY, Rector of Creagh. Dublin: W. Curry, Jun. 18mo. pp. 107. Christian Consistency; or the Connexion between Experimental and Practical Religion. Designed for Young Christians. By E. MANNERING, of Holywell Mount Chapel. Second Edition. London: Baynes. 18mo. pp. 187. A Pastoral Letter: addressed to the Church of Christ assembling for worship in the Baptist Chapel, Wellington Square, Hastings. By J. M. CRAMP. 12mo. pp. 24. Price 3d. The Claims of the Missionary Work in Western Africa, and the Importance of Training a Native Ministry. An Address delivered at the First Ordination Service in the Centenary Hall, Bishopsgate Street Within. By JOHN BEECHAM, one of the General Secretaries of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. London: Mason. 8vo. pp. 16. |