PastoralSketches

byJ.C.Philpot

TableofContents

WilliamTiptaft

WilliamGadsby

JohnWarburton

ThePuritans

JohnBunyan

MartinLuther

JohnCalvin

GeorgeWhitefield

JohnGrace

WilliamHuntington

AugustusToplady

JohnBerridge

JohnGill

SamuelRutherford

GeorgeIsbell

WilliamTiptaft

(ExcerptedfromJ.C.Philpot's"MemoirofWilliamTiptaft")

IfeelthatmyMemoirgivesbutafeebleanddefectiverecordofWilliamTiptaft.Those featuresofhisnaturalandspiritualcharacterwhichwonfrom all who knew him such renowned affection and esteem, were sopersonal and practical that they were better seen in him, than can bedescribedofhim.Hisdaily,Imayalmostsayhourly,self-denialwassuchas I believe few others have ever witnessed. He seemed ever ready tomake any personal sacrifice for the glory of God, or the good of Hispeople.Time,money,health,strength,andlifeitself—hedidnotconsiderhisown.He felthewasbutastewardwhoheld themin trust,andwhomightbecalledatanyhourtorenderanaccountofhisstewardship.ToliveforGod—towalkinHisfear—toserveandpleaseHim—topreachHistruth—to do His work—to know and obey His will—and be made ablessingtoHispeople—seemedtobehisdailyendandaim.

I have known men—of greater natural abilities—of deeper and morediversified experience—of more shining pulpit gifts—of more enlargedviewsofdivinetruth;butIhaveneverseenanyone,whetherministerorprivateChristian,whoapproachedhiminpracticalgodliness—andwhichwas carried out with undeviating consistency for the 35 years duringwhichIhadthepleasureandprofitofhisfriendship.

The churches of truthneeded an example of the practical power of thedoctrines which they profess. A light, loose, antinomian spirit had toomuch prevailed—andwith a great deal of religious talking, therewas averysmallamountofreligiouswalking.Buthoweverlowquickenedsoulsorlivingchurchesmaysink,theyhavestillaconsciencemadetenderinthe fear of God, and to this conscience William Tiptaft's keen, pithyremarks,and,aboveall—hisgodlylifeandshiningexample,commendedthemselves.

And as he honoredGod, so didGodhonor him.His last dayswere hisbestdays.Hewasburiedamidstthesobsandtearsofapeoplewholovedandreveredhim—andhehas left tousall thebenefit andblessingofa

conspicuousexampleofvitalgodlinessandpracticalreligion,aswellasatestimonyofthefaithfulnessofGodtoHisownWordandwork.

Ihavealwaysthoughtthathisdistinguishingfeature,throughthewholeofhisspirituallife,wasthefearofGod—manifestingitselfinamostself-denying, upright, practicalwalk and conduct.Where shallwe find one,who, from thebeginning to the endofhisprofession, livedandwalkedlikeTiptaft?Truly inhim the fearof theLordwasa fountainof life, todepart fromthesnaresofdeath.This fear,as thebeginningofwisdom,wasimplantedinhissoul.Itsfirsteffectswere—toseparatehimfromtheworld—to lead him to solitude and reflection—and give him anearnestnessandseriousnessofcharacterwhichwereinstrikingcontrastwiththelightnessandfrivolityofhiscollegelife.

ThosewhoknewWilliamTiptaftknowthatnoministerfearedmanless—or God more. He was full of zeal and earnestness—of a most bold,undauntedspirit—andcountedthesmilesofmenasdustinthebalance.

Yet,oneofthemostmarkedfeaturesofhischaracterwasthesympathyhe felt with the poor, and the thoroughness with which he identifiedhimselfwith their feelings, views and interests.Hewas eminently—thepoorman'sfriend.

WilliamGadsby

ATributeofHighEsteemandLove.

When the Lord called to Himself the soul of our dear friend, WilliamGadsby,withtruthitmightbesaid,"Thereisagreatmanfallenthisdayin Israel" (2 Sam. 3:38).Webelievewe are but speaking in full unisonwith the feelings and sentiments of the living family of God in this

country when we say that, taking him all in all, we have lost in Mr.Gadsby the greatestminister that God has raised up since the days ofHuntington.

Ourremarkswemayconvenientlythrowundertwoheads—whathewasviewedNATURALLY—andwhathewasviewedspiritually.

His natural intellect seems to us to have been singularly clear, sound,penetrating, and sagacious.Wehave in our daymetwithmenofmorecapaciousmind,greaterreasoningpowers,andmorevariedandversatiletalents—but with few or none so quick-sighted and ready-witted. Heseemedatonceintuitivelytopenetratethroughthefoldsofdelusionanderror,andwithaglanceofhiseyetolookintotheveryheartofeverythingthathe turnedhis attention to.We venture to say that fewpeople everspoke to Mr. Gadsby without his knowing pretty well the end of thesentencebeforetheyhadgothalfwaythroughit,orbeforehisquickandhumorouseyehadnotalreadydeciphered the characterof the speaker.Hisquick,readywittedreplies,embodyingsomuchinafewwords,willbelongrememberedbythosewhoheardthemfromthepulpitorintheparlour.

Though not possessed of much education (an advantage, by the way,muchoverrated),hewasamanofmuch reflection, andmaybe said inthiswaytohaveeducatedhisownmindfarbetterthanschoolorcollegecouldhavedoneforhim.Hismindwasofthatclasswhichrisesaccordingtotheemergency.Somemindssinkandfailwhenunusualcircumstancesand pressing difficulties arise. ... But there are other minds (and Mr.Gadsby's was one of that class) which rise with, and are called out bydifficultiesandemergencies,andshinemostconspicuouslywhenweakermindsgiveway.

TheLordhadappointedMr.Gadsbytobealeader,andtostandforhalfacentury in the front rank ofHis spiritual army.He therefore bestoweduponhimamindnottobedauntedwithdifficultiesanddangers,buttorisewithand tobeready foreverynewemergency.Hewas tooccupyapostalsoinkeen-wittedandenergeticManchester—where,perhaps,ofallplaces in the kingdom, strength, decision, and soundness of mind aremostrequired;andtolabormuchintheNorth,wherebrainsorthelack

of them are quickly perceived by its sagacious inhabitants. The Lordthereforegavehimamindeminentlyadapted forhispost.Classicsandmathematics, grammar and history, and all the lumber of academiclearning were not needed; but an acute, sagacious, clear, and soundunderstandingwasrequiredforsuchacommandingpost,asMr.Gadsbywastooccupy.Weonlyknewhimwhenhismentalfacultieswereguidedbygrace,andmadetoglorifyGod;but,viewedinthatlight,weconsiderthathismentalendowmentswereadmirablyfittedforhispost.

Benevolenceand sympathywith suffering, in every shapeand form,webelievetohavebeennaturaltoMr.Gadsby;andthoughitmaybehardtodefinetowhatextentandinwhatdirectiongraceenlargedandguidedhisnaturaldisposition,wedonotdoubtthat,evenhadhelivedanddiedinastateofnature,thecharacterofhumanity,kindnessandaffection,wouldhavebeenstampeduponhismemory.

Butwepass on to viewhimSPIRITUALLY, andherewe freely confessourinabilitytodohimjustice.Weshallbrieflymentionfirstwhatstrikesus as the prominent features of his ministry, and then what we haveobservedinhimasconnectedwithhisChristianprofession.

Thorough soundness in every point seems to have been peculiarlystampeduponhisministry.Whetherhehandleddoctrine,experience,orprecept—hisspeechandhispreachingweresound,clearandscriptural.We know no preacher whowas so equally great in these three leadingbranches of the Christian ministry. Some may have excelled him inclearness and fullness of doctrinal statement; othersmay have enteredmoredeeplyandfullyintoaChristian'sdiversifiedexperience;andothersmay havemore powerfully enforced the precepts of the gospel. Butwenever heard anyonewhowas so uniformly great in all—and so clearly,ably and scripturally gave to each their place, and yet blended theirdistinct colors into one harmonious gospel tint. In doctrine hewas notdry,inexperiencehewasnotvisionary,andinprecepthewasnotlegal—but,inawaypeculiarlyhisown,hesoworkedthemuptogetherthattheyweredistinctandyetunited,relievingeachotherwithoutconfusion,andlike the three strands of a rope, strengthening each other withoutcumbrousknotorloosetangle.

In handling DOCTRINE he showed "integrity" (Titus 2:7), and wassingularlyfreefromfancifulinterpretations,strainedandmysticalviewsupondark texts, and that false spiritualizationwhichpasseswithmanyforwondrousdepth,butwhichhevaluedatitsdueworth.Inreadinghispublished sermons we have been much struck with the soundness,clearness, simplicity and sobriety of his interpretations. He saw tooclearly thathisdoctrinewas thedoctrineof theScriptures towrestanypartoftheWordfromitsconnection,ortorestatruthuponatextwhichdidnotclearlydeclareit,whenthereweresomanypassagesinwhichtheHolySpirithadplainlyrevealedit.

His object was not that William Gadsby should be admired for hisingenuity, learning, depth of eloquence—but that the God of all graceshould be glorified. He did not dare to make the pulpit a stage for'creature display', still less a platform from which he might keep up aperpetual excitement by some new view of a passage, some startlingparadox, some dazzling array of figures and illustrations—the wholesermonbeingtoillustratethistext—"WhosogreatamanasI?"

In doctrine his favorite topic was the union of the Church with hercovenant Head, and all the spiritual blessings that spring out of thatunion. Nor did he ever keep back the grand truths which are usuallydenominatedCalvinistic,butwhichshouldratherbecalled'Bibletruths'.

Election, in particular,was a point hemuchdwelt upon, and it usuallyoccupiedaprominentplaceinallhisdiscourses.Nomanwaslessafraidof the doctrine frightening and alarming people, or being a stumbling-blockinthewayoftheenquirer.Hehadnoideaofsmugglingpeopleintoreligion, and insinuating Calvinism so gently that they were madeCalvinistsalmostbefore theyknewit.Heknewthat thedoctrinewasofGod—and,astheservantofGod,heproclaimeditonthewallsofZion.

ThedoctrineoftheTrinitytoowasadarlingtopicwithhim.Hewellknewthatitwasthegrandfoundationstoneofrevealedtruth,andthatoutofaTriuneGodflowedallthemerciesandblessingsthatarebestowedupontheChurchofChrist.

Inaword,heheld"thetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth."

No novelty in doctrine allured him from the old path. For nearly fiftyyearshe stoodupon thebattlementsofZion,holding forth thewordoflife;andfromthebeginningtotheendofhisministrymaintained,withundeviatingconsistency,thesameglorioustruths,andsealedthematlastwithhisdyingbreath.

"Amonginnumerablefalse,unmoved,Unshaken,unseduced,unterrified,Hisloyaltyhekept,hisloveandzeal;Nornumber,norexample,withhimwrought,Toswervefromtruth,orchangehisconstantmind,Thoughsingle."

InhandlingEXPERIENCE, intowhichhe seemedmoreparticularly ledduringthelatteryearsofhislife,heneithersetupaveryhigh—noraverylowstandard.Buthealwaysinsistedstronglyuponsuchanexperimentalknowledge of the spirituality of God's law as should completely throwdownandcuttopiecesallcreaturerighteousness,andalwayscontendedforsuchanexperimentalknowledgeofChristasshouldbringpardonandpeace.Noman ever,we believe, expressed himselfmore strongly uponthedeepcorruptionoftheheart,itsdeceitfulness,horriblefilthiness,andthoroughhelplessness.

Onepointwehaveoftenadmired inhisministry;hewould touchuponsuchspotsasnootherministerthatweknoweverdaredapproach.Andthis he did in a way peculiar to himself. He did not give glowingdescriptionsofhumandepravity;butsometimesinawayofwarning,andsometimes with self-abhorrence, and sometimes as a word ofencouragement to poor backsliders—he would touch upon sins whichwouldmakepiousprofessorsliftuptheireyeswithmockhorror.Buthehit the rightnail on thehead, asmanyofGod's childrenknow to theirsoul'sjoy.Ofsinheneverspokebutwiththegreatestabhorrence;buthewasnotoneofthosewhoareallholinessinthepulpit,andallfilthinessoutofit.

Anotherpointwhichwehavethoughthehandledinawaypeculiarlyhisown, and with great sweetness and power, was, to use his favoriteexpression, "the riches ofmatchless grace."Werewe tomention a text

which seems to sum up his preaching, it would be Romans 5:20-21,"Moreoverthelawenteredthatsinmightabound"—(thesewerehisviewsuponthelaw)"butwheresinabounded"(whatafieldforopeningup,ashewouldsometimesdo,theaboundingsof inwardsinandfilth!)"gracedidmuchmoreabound"—herehewasathomeintracingoutthegloriesofsovereign,distinguishinggrace.ThegloryofGod'sgrace,fromitsfirstrise in the eternal covenant, to its full consummation in futureblessedness,wasindeedhisdarlingtheme.Whenspeakingoftheheightsof super-angelic glory to which the blessed Redeemer had raised theChurch, he was sometimes carried, as it were, beyond himself. Agrandeur and dignity clothed his ideas, and he spoke with such powerandauthority,thatitseemedalmostasifhehadbeeninthethirdheaven,andwascomebacktotelluswhathehadseenandheardthere!

Great originality, all must admit, was stamped upon his ministry. Hisideas and expressions were borrowed from none. His figures andcomparisons were singularly original and pertinent, and generallyconveyedhismeaninginastrikingmanner.Fewmen'sreportedsermonsbearreadingsowellashis—thatgreattestwhetherthere isanysterlingstuffinthem.Verysimple,andyetveryclear,veryfullofmatter,andthatofthechoicestkind,withthetextthoroughlyworkedout,andthatinthemostexperimentalmanner.

Afriendofoursandhiswellcharacterized,wethink,inonesentenceMr.Gadsby'sministry."Itcontains,"saidhe,"thecreamofallthepreachersIever heard." We think this is an appropriate expression. His sermonswere not 'skimmedmilk'—butwere rich in unction savor, and power—andpossessedafullnessanddepthsuchaswefindinnootherreportedsermonsthatwehaveseen.

But our limits remind us that we must not dwell too long upon hisministry, and therefore we proceed to drop a few hints on hisCHRISTIAN CHARACTER, more especially as it came under ourpersonalobservation.

1. One feature we have often admired in Mr. Gadsby's character—hissingular HUMILITY. Who ever heard him angle for praise? Who everheardhimboastingof,orevenalludingto—hispopularityasapreacher—

hislargecongregation—hisgiftsfortheministry—hisacceptancewiththepeople of God—his numerous invitations to preach at different places,andtheblessing thatgenerallyresteduponhispulpit labors?Whoeverperceived him, in the most indirect manner, fishing to learn who hadheard him well, and dabbling in that wretched love of flattery—which,disgustinginall,isdoublysointheministersofthegospel?

We have seen him, after some of the grandest sermons we have everheard in our lives, sitting with no self-approving smile upon hiscountenance—nomock-bashfullooks,asifwaitingtoreceivetheincenseof flattery—no self-enthroned dignity of state as king of the pulpit andlordofthevestry—butlikealittlechild,simpleandhumble,thechiefofsinners,andlessthantheleastofallsaints.Greatashewasasaminister,and deservedly esteemed and loved, there was nothing in him of 'thegreatmaster'.Nomanwasevermorefreefrompriestlydignityorfleshlyholiness.Itwasnotwithhim,"Iamthegreatmantobelistenedtobymyknotofadmirers—whatIsayislaw—andallyouhavetodoistoapprove."Suchparlourpriest-craftthehonestsoulofWilliamGadsbyabhorred!

2. His conduct out of the pulpit, as far as our observation goes, wassingularlyconsistentwithallhisprofessioninit.Wedonotspeakhereofmereoutwardconsistency.Whatbutalyingtongue,everfoundavisibleblemishinhisfiftyyearsministry?Butinthelittlecourtesiesoflife,whoeverentertainedamorecourteousvisitorthanhe?Whoofthenumerousfriendswhoatdifferentplacesreceivedhimintotheirhouseseversawinhim an overbearing, fretful, covetous, selfish, proud disposition?Kindnessandfriendship,andcourtesytoall,sometimeseventoa fault,shoneforthinhim.

3.Andwhoeverheardhimslanderandbackbite,orpeddlegossipfromhousetohouse?Admittedashewasintothebosomofsomanyfamilies,whoeverknewhimtotalkofwhathemusthaveseenandwitnessedinsomany places? Naturally disposed to humour, what a fund there wouldhavebeenforhisquickandready-wittedtongue!Butwhoeverheardhimmakeanyallusion,excepttothekindnessofhisentertainers,orwhoeverknewhimcarrytalesfromoneendofEnglandtotheother?

4.Howsingularlyfree,too,wasourdepartedfriendfromrunningdown

and depreciating brotherministers!We never once heard him drop anunkindallusionorsayadisparagingwordagainstaministeroftruth.Hishand never carried a secret dagger to stab his brethren with. On thecontrary,wehavethoughthimtooopenheartedandlong-armed,andtooready to receive asmen of Godministers whose only recommendationwas a sound Calvinistic creed. If he erred, it was that he thought andspoke toowell of someprofessing godliness—fromwhom themaskhassincedropped.Butof this aministermightbe sure, that ifMr.Gadsbyreceivedhimasabrother,hetreatedhimassuchbehindhisbackaswellasbeforehisface.Heneversoughttoexalthimselfbydepreciatingthem,andwas the last to say aword to their discredit, orwhich, if repeated,wouldwoundtheirminds.

5.Andtothiswemayadd,that,ashewasthelasttodepreciate,sowashethelasttoflatter.Hiskindnessandbrotherlylovekepthimfromtheone,and his sincerity preserved him from the other. He neither said crudethingstowound—norsmooththingstoplease.Hedidnottyrannizewithviolenttemper—norfawnwithcantingservility.Heneithertooklibertiesnorallowed them;heknewhisplaceandkept it; andwhile,bya calm,courteousdemeanor,hepreservedtherespectduetohimasaChristianman and minister, he was frank, free, and obliging. In fact, he rathererred,nowandthen,aswehavehinted,onthesideofcourtesy.Hewasdesirous of making himself agreeable, and sometimes this led him torepeatthethrice-toldtale,andtell thewell-knownanecdote,sometimeshumourous,butusuallyprofitable inits intention,andalmostalwaystodepreciatehimself.

Butwe feelwemust stop.Our limitsdonotallowus todwelluponhisextensive labors in the ministry, his frequent and long journeyings topreach the gospel—his self-denying and temperate habits of life—hisprudenceindomesticandmonetarymatters—hiskindnessandliberalitytothepoor—thenoblemanlinessofhischaracter—andhisentirefreedomfromcant,hypocrisy,andwhine.Wehighlyesteemedandlovedhim,andreverehismemorywithgrowingaffection.Weconsider itaprivilege tohaveknownhim,andwouldnotbeintheranksofthosewhodespisedorslanderedhimforathousandworlds.

JohnWarburton

ATributeofAffectionandRegard

Who that knows anything of the wondrous doings and dealings of theLordinprovidenceandgracecansaythatmiracleshaveceased?Itistruethat the croaking ravenno longer brings bread and flesh,morning andeveningtoanElijahbythebrookCherith;nordoesthepalsiedleavehisbed,orthedeadcomeoutofhisgrave,asinthedayswhenJesuswalkedherebelow.Butwondersasgreat,thoughlessvisibletotheeyeofsense,aredailyandhourlywroughtbythesameJesus,nowsittingattherighthandofGod.

The life and death of our dear and esteemed friend, the late Mr.Warburton,proclaimthistruthaswithtrumpettonguetothosewhohaveearstohear,andwriteitup,aswitharayoflight,tothosewhohaveeyestoseehowgreatarethesignsoftheLord,andhowmightyHiswondersto those who fear and love His great Name. He was indeed a specialinstance of thosemiracles of providence and gracewhich testify to thepowerandpresence,themercyandloveofaCovenantJehovah.

ButmostChristianshaveahistoryoftheirown,awondroustaletotelloftheprovidenceofGod, asdisplayed in theirpast life—dull, indeed, andtrivialtocarnalmen,unimportantanduninteresting,ifnotascoffandajest,tosuchaswouldpushGodoutofthegovernmentofHisownworld—butpreciousbeyondallprice to themselves,asaffording them, throughitsintimateconnectionwiththeworkofgrace,blessedevidencesoftheirpresentsonshipandfuture inheritance.Whenfaith is in livingexercise,and can roll out and read the long, and, it may be, intricate scroll ofbygoneyears—sweetisittoseetheprovidenceofGodinwellneareveryline.

Howeverlongmaybethechain,itisalllinkedtogetherfrombeginningtoend, nor can one link be severed without breaking asunder the

connectionofthewhole.

Whybornofsuchandsuchparents?Whyso,inearliestinfancy,broughtup?Whysocircumstancedinchildhood?Whysosituatedinthisorthatlocality? Why exposed at this or that period, to such trials anddifficulties?Whydirectedtosuchaspotasyearsgrewon?Why,intenderyouth, cast into this or that deep trouble, and heart-breaking sorrow?Whythesefairprospectsblighted,thosewarmaffectionswithered,theseairy castles shattered—when least expecting, and least able to bear theshock?Whythissuddenandunexpectedturnofevents,bringingonthehourwhengracefirstvisitedtheirsouls?

All who have any living experience of the 'path of the just' have theirindividual life-history in which they can at times trace the wonder-workinghandofGodholdingthemarvelouschain—andwindingoutlinkbylinkallthesevariedcircumstances.

All,itistrue,cannottellthemovinghistoryrecordedinMr.Warburton's"Mercies of a CovenantGod." They have neither had the deep troublesnortheblesseddeliverancesoftheLancashireweaver.Theirgoodshavenotbeenmarkedforrent,northeyandtheirchildrentrundledofftotheworkhouse.Theyhavenothadtheheavytrialsintheirfamilies, intheirchurches,or in theirownsouls,whichInfiniteWisdomhadassigned toour departed friend. Still less have they had his great blessings andpowerfulmanifestationsof the loveandgoodnessofGod inprovidenceandgrace.Norhastheirtongue,ifministers,beenclothedwiththatrichsavoranddivineunctionwhichsomarkedhiswordsinthepulpit,andintheparlour.

GoddesignedhimforagreatworkintheChurchofChrist,andthereforeabundantly and eminently qualified him for it. However at the timehiddenfromhiseyes—hisheavytrials inprovidence—hisdeepandlongpoverty—the sinkings of his own despondingmind—the continual debtintowhichhewasplunged—hisdismalandgloomyforebodingsofastillworse future—his fearsofbringingareproachonthecauseofGod—thetemptations of Satan with which he was assailed—the hidings of theLord'sface—hisquakingsandtremblingslesthehadrununsent—andthewhole series of anxieties anddistresses throughwhichhewas called to

pass—all, connected as theywerewith themanifestations ofGod's loveandmercytohissoul—weremysteriously tendingtomakehimwhatheeventuallywas—aministertothesufferingChurchofChrist,a feederofthe 'flock of slaughter', a feeling experimental man of God to themourners inZion, the broken in heart, and the contrite in spirit. As inPaul, God chose an instrument wherein "to show forth all patience tothosewhowouldhereafterbelieveonHimtoeverlastinglife,"soinJohnWarburton the Lord chose a vessel ofmercy to show the power ofHisgraceaboveallthewisdomofthecreature.

But it has been well and wisely said that though God saves by "thefoolishness of preaching"—He does not send fools to preach. This iseminentlytrueintheinstancebeforeus.Mr.Warburtonwasnotamanoflearning, or evenmuch education—but hewas naturally possessed of asound,vigorousunderstanding,withoutwhichoriginalgift,mereschool-cramisnearlyuseless.Greatmistakesprevailonthissubject.Educationisoneofthegrandidolsofthepresentday,andiscontinuallyspokenofandcriedupastheonethingneedful,notonlytorootoutofthelandallimmoralityandvice—but toconvert the risinggeneration intoa raceofphilosophers, lawyers, statesmen and divines. It is quietly assumedalmostasafirstprinciple—amerematterofcourse,thatthemindofmanisnaturallylikeapeachtreeoravine,whichhasonlytobetrainedinacertainwayandlaidintoacertainlength,anditissurethentoproduceunceasingcropoffruit;orthatitresemblesabaleofcotton,whichmaybefolded,doubledanddrawn,twistedandspun,wovenandprintedintoanylength,shapesize,andpatternthatthemanufacturerchooses.

Justasiftheoriginalforce,andfeeblenessofthemind,itsnaturalqualityand staple, were of no account—and just as if education could convertweak intellect into a strong one—and schools and colleges turn outMiltonsandBaconsbycontract,atsomuchapupil.Theschoolandtheacademycannotturna 'noodle' intoaNewton,noreducateablockheadintoagenius.Wedonotdenythateducationwill,accordingtotheliteralmeaningoftheword,drawoutwhatisinthemind—butitmustfirstbeinthemind.Youmaydrawanddraw,butyourthreadwillneverhaveanystrengthor length,unless therebeat thebottomtheneedfulstapleandtherequisitesupply.

What Mr. Warburton might have been, had his naturally strong andvigorousintellectbeencultivatedbyasoundeducationinearlyboyhoodandyouth,cannotnowbesaid.Butmostprobably,wemightrathersaymostcertainly—itwouldhaveruinedhim.WemighthavehadWarburtonthe acute lawyer, or Warburton the learned divine—but we would nothave had Warburton the preacher, Warburton the feeling andexperimentalminister,thetriedandexercisedmanofGod.Thathemightnotbethusspoiled,GodHimselftookchargeofhiseducation,byplacinghim in early youth, not in an academy for young gentlemen, nor in aclassicalandcommercialestablishment—butintheschoolofChrist.

'Moses' was made his schoolmaster, and first caught hold of him inBoltonChurch,where, insteadof charminghis earswith themelodioustonesoftheneworgan—hesoundedinthemsuchaterriblepealofdeath,hell,andjudgmenttocome—thathispupildroppeddownhalfdeadathisfeet. Here he learned his A B C in experimental religion—here Mosesshookoverhim for the first time the rod—here the first lessongiven tohim,amidmany sighsand tears,was to learn to spell the first letterofthat dreadful sentence—"Cursed is everyone that continues not in allthingswritteninthebookofthelawtodothem."

What school or college could have experimentally taught him what hefirst learnedinBoltonChurch—thathewasasinner,underthecurseofGod's righteous law? What labored course of lectures, free library, orinstituteof learning, couldhavemadehimcryout, "Godbemerciful tomeasinner!"allthewayhome,untilhisbreast-bonewassore?

Education is admirable in its way, excellent for a time state—but noeducation—classical, theological, moral, or religious—could havemade,thoughitmighthavemarred,aJohnWarburton—eitherasaChristianoraminister,orbroughthimwithsighsandgroanstotheRedeemer'sfeet.And when peace and pardon first reached his heart—when rich, free,sovereign,andsuperaboundinggracepouredsalvationintohissoul,ashesatinMr.Roby'schapel—helearnedmoreinonemomentwhattheloveofGodwas—whenceitcame,andwhereitled,whatitcoulddo,andwhatblissandblessedness it couldcreate—thanall thedoctorsandproctors,pastors and masters, schoolmasters or scholars, lecturers or libraries,teachersortutors,couldhavetaughthiminhalfacentury!

Whenfiercetemptationsassailedhissoul,whenhellroseupinarms,andSatan—enragedtoseesousefula tool lost tohisserviceandenlisted inGod's—hurledhis fierydarts thick and fast against him—hewas still atschool, still learning better andwiser lessons than the Academy or theUniversitycouldhavetaughthim.

When dark clouds rested upon him in providence—when poverty andneedknockedhardathisdoor—whenlittleworkandscantywages,hardtimes and an increasing family plunged him into a sea of debt anddistress—hewasstill learningdeepandblessed lessons,never taughtatcollegeorlearnedattheuniversity.Whenthecloudsofdarknessbrokeinshowersuponhishead—whentheSunofrighteousnessgleameduponhispath, inprovidence andgrace—whenhe could setupanEbenezerhereandahillMizar there—whenhecould"lookfromthetopofShenirandHermon,fromthelions'dens,fromthemountainsoftheleopards,"andsee the valley beneath all flowing with milk and wine—what books orbook-makers couldhave taughthim therewas suchaGod in Israel—orhaveraisedupinhisheartsuchfaith,hope,andlovetowardsHim?

Sowithallhis longexperienceof theupsanddowns, insandouts, joysand sorrows, risings and sinkings, feastings and fastings, smiles andtears,songsandsighs,merciesandmiseries,heavensandhellsofalivingexperience—whatsubstitutecouldbefoundinhumangenius,orhumanlearning,forthiscourseofheavenlyinstruction?

WearenotsettingupMr.Warburton—butthegraceofGodinhim.Weare not daubing hismemorywith oily eulogy—extolling and idolizing awormofearth—ordressingouthispoorcoldremainswithcarnalflatteryandemptypraise.Couldhespeakoutofthegraveyard,hewouldbidus,with that voice which has struck awe into whole congregations—to besilent.Andwouldadmonishusintonesthatwouldmakeustremble,toascribethegloryfirstandlasttoGod.BythegraceofGodalonehewaswhat he was. Grace began, grace carried on, and grace completed thewholework,fromfirsttolast,uponhissoul.

Great, especially in his early days, were his afflictions, andproportionatelygreatwerehisconsolations.ButtheLordwaswithhimin

all his troubles and sorrows, temporal and spiritual—and brought himtriumphantthroughthemall.Hisdebtswhichhadlainsoheavyaburdenupon him for many years, he was enabled honorably and fully todischarge,mainly through the blessing of the Lord resting on his littlework,"TheMerciesofaCovenantGod."Thushisveryprovidentialtrialsprovedprovidentialblessings,andhisdebtswerepaidbyhisexperienceoftheirburden.

Yetifmanyhismiseries—manywerehismercies.Hewasblessedwithalargemeasureofhealthand strength formanyyears—was favoredwithanaffectionatewifeand family, someofwhomhehad thehappinessofseeing calledby grace—wasmuch lovedand esteemedby the churchofChrist,towhichhewasmadesosignalablessing—wassparedtoagoodoldage,withoutmanyofitsusualinfirmities—wassweetlysupportedonhisbedofsicknessandlanguishingbythepresenceandloveofhisdearLord—and,aftermanylongingstobegone,yieldeduphisspiritintoHisbosomwith"Hallelujah"uponhislips.

He was not, indeed, without his faults and failings; but these muchsprangfrom,andwerecloselyconnectedwith,thewarmthofhisnaturalfeelings. If at timeshewas irritable, it arose,not frommoroseness andsullenness of temper—but from that samedepth andwarmthof feelingwhich,flowinginanotherchannel,madehimsofondofhiswife,childrenand grandchildren—and so opened his heart to sympathize with theirafflictionsandtrials,andtakesuchalivelyinterestinalltheirconcerns.He was also often considered overbearing with his church andcongregation.ButScriptureandexperiencealikeshowthat inachurch,asineveryothergroup,theremustbeorderandgovernment.Ifthenthepastordoesnotexercisehislegitimateinfluenceandauthority,therearethoseineverychurchwhowillruletherestiftheycan—andastheothermembers will not quietly submit to this, the necessary consequence isstrifeandconfusion.

IfMr.Warburtonheldthereinswithafirmhand,andsometimessharplylashedtheunruly,itwas,inmostcases,forthegeneralgoodofthewhole.Heviewedhimselfasthefatherofthechurchandcongregation,asindeedhe was—for the former church was chiefly made up of his spiritualchildren—and the latter church was gathered and kept together by his

giftsandgrace.Ifthen,asafather,hefedthem—asafatherhethoughtitright to govern them. His post was to lead, not to follow—to rule andgovern—not to yield and obey. If sometimes he stretched his powerbeyondtheusuallimitsofapastor,andusedtherodaswellasthecrookin ruling the church and congregation committed to his charge—itwasnottoexalthimself,makedivisions,orintroduceerror—butforthegoodofthecauseandthegloryofGod.

Hewasnaturallygiftedwithmuchsoundgoodsense,knewtheweaknessandwickednessofthehumanheart,andseeinghowsoondivisionsariseinachurch,andwhathavoctheymakeofitsprosperityandpeace,heatonce,withhisbroad,weightyfoot,trampledupontherisingflamewhichother ministers, of weaker and less determined minds, would letsmoulderon—lest, inputtingitout, theyshouldburntheirownfingers.Lack of order and discipline is a prevailing evil in our churches—andwhenapastorusestheauthoritywhichtheLordhasgivenhimtoruleaswellasfeedthechurch,acryissoonraisedbythosewhoareopposedtoallorderanddiscipline—thatheistyrannicalandarbitrary.

Hemight sometimes, when thwarted and opposed, speak sharply, andlook angry—and there was something in his fine, portly person,commanding look,and loudvoice, that struck terror into the timidandsilencedthetalkative—butatendererheartneverbeatbeforethethroneofgraceandatthefootstoolofmercy.Thereindeedhewasalittlechild—a babe, a humble, broken-hearted sinner. Much has been said of histemper and obstinacy, especially of late years, when painful divisionsbroke out in his church. But we challenge all his opponents anddetractors to name a minister more broken and humble than he wasbefore God.We have knownmanyministers,many good and graciousservants of God, but we never knew a man more tender in real soulfeeling,morebroken,andsimple,andchild-like,whenthehandofGodwasuponhim.Histemperwasnaturallystubbornandobstinate,butthismadethecontrastallthegreatertowhathewasbygrace.

Thousands can testify towhathewas in thepulpit.Noonewhoknowswhatspiritualtenderness,divinesensations,andheavenlyblessingsare,could hear him pray or preach, when the Lord was with him—withoutfeelingtherewasapeculiarsavorandpowerinhiswords.Thisdewand

unction,withwhichhewasfavoredaboveanylivingminister,madehimsoacceptable to the triedandexperienced familyofGod. Itwasnothisgiftsof eloquence,orpowersof thoughtandexpression—itwasnot thebeauty of his language, or the force of his arguments—for in theseexternal thingshedidnotshine—thatdrewsuchcrowds tohearhim inLondon and the country—but the peculiar savor and sweetness thatdroppedfromhislips.

HewastrulyandpeculiarlyanexperimentalministerofGod'struth.Hepreachedwhat he knew in his own soul by the power ofGod—what hehad tasted, felt, and handled of the word of life for himself—what hadbeen wrought in his heart and conscience by the operations andinfluences of the Holy Spirit. For him it was eminently true, that "theheart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips"(Proverbs16:23).Hewas, therefore,"aministerof theSpirit,notof theletter,""aworkmanwhoneedednottobeashamed,rightlydividingthewordoftruth."HehonoredGod—andGodhonoredhim.

Nominister in these last fiftyyears, exceptingMr.HuntingtonandMr.Gadsby,hasbeensoblessedtothechurchofGod,orhadsomanysealstohis ministry. Let those men or ministers who, for years, have beensnarlingathimandsecretlywhisperingtheirslanders,produceasmanywitnesses on their behalf. Let them search and see whether God hasblessed them as He blessedMr.Warburton. Can they preach with hissavorandpower?CantheydescribethetrialsandafflictionsofthepeopleofGodashecould?orthefeelingsofthesoulunderHissmiles,ashewasenabledto?

ThePuritans

The Puritans, called so derisively from their purity of principle andconduct,werehooteddown,anddrivenfromsocietyasdisturbersofthepublicpeace.Theyhadnoneed to separate themselves from theworld,theworldseparatedthemfromitself.Thusonegrandpointwasgained.Thechurchandtheworldwerereallyseparated.Ranksofsocietyinthosedaysweremuchmoremarkedbyoutwarddistinctionsthaninourown.The gayest dresses, the richest silks, the most gaudy colors were then

wornbyallofbothsexeswhoaspired toworldlydistinction.Herewereour Puritan ancestors specially distinguished. Their plain garb andunadornedapparelatoncemarkedthem.Thismadeagulfbetweentheworld and them, now too much bridged over. And as thus they weredriven out of theworld, theyweremore closely unitedwith each otherthanwehaveinourdayanyconceptionof.Twodistinctforceswerethusat work to bring together the people of God—external persecution andinternal love.Onedroveand theotherdrew;oneclosed thecircle fromwithout,andtheotherattractedinthecirclefromwithin.

But as in all ages grain and chaff have been strewn on the same floor,wheatandtareshavegrownupinthesamefield,fish,goodandbad,haveswum in the same net, the Puritan assemblies were not exempt fromadmixture. If there was a Judas among the disciples, an Ananias andSapphira among the Pentecostal converts, a Demas among Paul'spersonalfriends,werethePuritanslikelytobe,accordingtotheirname,apure heap of unmixed grain? But this very circumstance exercised apeculiar influence on theirministry andwritings. If there had been no'Talkatives'inthelittlemeetingsatBedford,whatmaterialswouldtherehave been for Bunyan's inimitable life-portrait? If no 'Mr. By-ends' or'Mr.Hold-the-world'were to be foundwithin reach of the Tinker's eyeandvoice,theywouldnothavefallenwithinthescopeoftheTinker'spen.'Mr.Money-love',itwillberemembered,saystohisgoodfriendBy-ends,"They, and we, and you, Sir, I hope, are going on pilgrimage." Andpilgrimage in those days did not mean complying with the Act ofUniformity.Inthis,however,aselsewhere,weseegoodspringingoutofevil.

Being thrown by the circumstances already mentioned more closelytogether, if there was on one side deeper hypocrisy, there was on theother clearer discernment. In their small assemblies character becamemorecloselywatched,andthereforebetterknown.Professorsofreligionlivedmoreundereachother'seye.Therewasmorespiritualconversation;more discussion of doctrine and experience; more marked displays ofGod's providence; more mutual communion and affection; moresympathy and communion;more bearing of each other's burdens; andmoregeneralequalityandbrotherhoodthanwehaveanyideaof.Those

whoexperimentallyknewthethingsofGodlivedmoreundertheirpowerandinfluencethaninourday;andreligion,asapersonalreality,waswiththemmoreamatterofdailyandhourlyexperienceandconsideration.Asa necessary consequence, counterfeits were better got up. If the coinsfromheaven'sminthadinthosedaysaclearerring,wereofbrighterhue,boreamoredeeply-cutimpress,andshowedacloserresemblancetotheSovereign'simage,themasteroftheinfernalmintwasnotthenbehindinhisimitativecoinage.Thecrude,mis-shaped,basemoneyofthepresentday would not have passed in times when Bunyan and Owen wereassayers. Their sharp eyes would soon have detected the clumsycounterfeit. This has made the Puritan writers so searching, sodiscriminating, so minute in the marks which they lay down of a realworkofgrace.

ButthePuritanministerswerealsomenmightyintheScriptures.Whentheyhadopportunitytheyhadbeenhardstudents.Dr.Owenwasoneofthemostlearnedmenoftheseventeenthcentury,andwasappointedbyCromwellDeanofChristChurchandVice-ChancelloroftheUniversityofOxford,mainlyfortheadvantageofthestudents.Mostalsooftheejectedministersweremenofabilityand learning.Butpersecutiondrovethemfrom public libraries; and poverty soon compelled them to part withbooksforbread.AlearnedministrywasratheranidolwiththePuritans;and this idol was to be broken. Having to defend the truth from theassaultsofPoperyontheonehandandinfidelityontheother,theyhadbeen compelled, as they considered, to study works of learning. But,hunted down by informers, haled beforemagistrates, hooted bymobs,and immured in prisons, they had little time for learned researches.PovertymadethemdigotherrootsthanthoseofHebrewwords;andtheprisontaughtthemtotaglacesinsteadofturningoverlexicons.Hidingina wood by day, and preaching in a cottage by night, expecting everymomenttohearthedoordrivenin,werenotsituationsfavorabletohardreading.Foliosandquartos, theusualsizedbooksof thatday,werenotreadilycarriedaboutwhensoldierswereontheirtrack;andahollowtreeoradampcellarmadebutanindifferentstudy.Thusweretheydriventostudy theheart insteadofbooks, and towatch themovementsof graceand the workings of sin instead of confuting the infidel arguments ofHobbes,orreplyingtotheobjectionsofSocinus.

Theworkofgraceonthesoul,itsvariouscounterfeits,howfarapersonmay go and not be a Christian, the certainmarks of regeneration, theoppositionmade to it by sin and Satan, the privileges and duties of abeliever, the misery and danger of an unconverted state, the work ofChrist on the cross, and the influences and operations of the blessedSpirit on the heart—these and similar topics form the staple of thewritings of the Puritans. And though in some points, such as the law,general invitations, &c., they may be obscure, or even erroneous, yetwhere they are at home there is a peculiar weight and power in theirworks.Theyareeminentlyscripturalandinvariablypractical.Theywerekeen anatomists of thehumanheart, dissecting its hidden fibers to theverycore.Itsdeceitfulnessandhypocrisywerewellknowntothem,andtheypossessedapeculiarabilityinlayingbareallitspretensesandfalserefuges. They were sometimes, perhaps, too systematic, and wouldscarcely tolerate the least deviation from the prescribed formulas ofdoctrineandexperience.Buttheywereablessedgeneration,maintainingalivebytheirwritings,whenpersecutionhadmuchsilencedtheirvoices,the hidden life of godliness in the hearts of hundreds; and by sendingabroad from their hiding-places their spiritual and savory works, theymuchmadeupbytheirpenwhathadbeenlostfromtheirtongue.

ThewritingsofthePuritansarethebrightestmirroroftheircharacter,aswell as themost enduring evidence of theirworth; for in them, as in amirror,weseereflectedthefeaturesofthemen,and,wemayadd,ofthatwondrous era when religion in this country was not a shadow but asubstance, not a form but a power, not a name but a living reality,pervadingallclassesandrankstoadegreeneverbefore,andneversinceknown.Thenappearedalongandsuccessiveseriesofwritersuponeveryreligious subject, doctrinal, practical, and experimental, who filled thelandwiththeirworks.

ThehistoryofthePuritans,asareligiousbodyofEngland,reachesfromtheaccessionofQueenElizabeth,(A.D.1558,)totheRevolution(1688.)But theirwritings, at leastmost of those preserved to the present day,have not so wide a range. The early Puritans were chiefly engaged incontroversy against the corruptionsof theEstablishment, the spreadofPoperyandArminianism,andthearbitrarypowerof thebishops.Their

writings, therefore,werenot of the same experimental character as thelater productions of the same school. The press also being heavilyfettered,andnopublicationspermittedbutthosewhichwerelicensedbythe Authorities in Church and State, truth was gagged, and its voicechoked in the very utterance.When before thewriter stood the pillorywith the Westminster mob, at its foot the executioner with the hotbrandingironinonehandandtheshearsintheother,andbehinditacellin Newgate for life, it required some boldness of heart to put pen topaper,andpapertopress.InLaud'sbosomtherewasnomorepityforaPuritan than now rests in the bosom of a London magistrate for agarotter;andastopunishment,thereisnottheleastcomparison,fornocriminaloutofRussiawouldnowbetreatedaswasDr.Leighton.

But when what is usually called the Great Rebellion, but what shouldrather be termed the uprising of the English people against the mostdeterminedconspiracyofChurchandKingtooverthrowalltheirancientlawsandliberties,brokeout,andinitsprogressandresultsliberated,toalargeextent,thepublicpress,thenappearedalongandsuccessiveseriesof writers upon every religious subject, doctrinal, practical, andexperimental,whofilledthelandwiththeirworks.

Thereligiousactivityofthatageitisalmostimpossibleforustoconceive,andthecontrastwhichitformswiththepresentissomethingabsolutelymarvelous.Thechangeisasgreatasthatofamanonedayinfullvigorofmentalandbodilyhealth,andthenext lyingonhisbedwithaparalyticstroke; or that of a fire blazing high, and casting heat and flame in alldirections,andthensunkdownintoaheapofblackashes,underwhichitfeebly and faintly smoulders. When, too, we consider other points ofcomparison, the contrast will appear more marvelous still. England atthat period, say from A.D. 1640 to 1660, may well be contrasted withEngland of the last twenty years. It was then very thinly inhabited, itswholepopulationprobablynotexceedingfourorfivemillion.Therewerenogreattowns;manufactureswerebutscanty,thewoollenbeingtheonlyoneofanyimportance;theroadsmostmiserable,andtowheel-carriagesalmost impassable. And yet,with all these disadvantages, therewas anenergy in writing, reading, and spreading religious works all over thelengthandbreadthofthelandasmuchbeyondthepresentapathyasthe

seriousearnestness,theardentzeal,theChristiandevotedness,thegodlylife,andtheunweariedlaborsofthePuritanministersoutshinethewordsandworksoftheirdegeneratedescendants.

In thosedaysmenbreathedreligion,atereligion,drankreligion. In theHouseofCommons,OliverCromwellwouldspeakmoreinonehalfhourof the grace of God, the work of the Spirit, and the blessedness ofknowingandservingtheLord,thanmostministersinourdayinawholehour's sermon; and the very soldiers in his armyover theirwatch-fireswouldreadmoreintheirlittleblackbiblesbytheluridlight,andtalktoeachothermoreofthepreciousthingsofGodinoneevening,thanmanyofourgreatdivineswoulddoofeitherinaweek.

We by no means intend to express an opinion that all this was realreligion,vitalgodliness.Thereisnofirewithoutsmoke;but,again,thereisnosmokewithoutfire.Shadowisnotsubstance;butthereisnoshadowwithoutit;andthelargerthesubstancethegreatertheshadow.Thereis,indeed,theformwithoutthepower;butformpresumestheexistenceofpower, asmuch as the image of David, whichMichalmade in the bedwithapillowofgoat'shair forhisbolster,(1Sam.19:16,)presumedtheexistenceofDavid.Inthosedaystherewas,youwillperhapssay,muchfalsefire,hypocrisy,delusion,enthusiasm,andwildfanaticism.Nodoubttherewas.Butfalsefireimpliestruefire,orwhyshoulditbefalse?If,ashasbeenwellsaid,hypocrisybethetributepaidtogodliness,theremustbe the tribute receiver as well as the tribute payer. So with delusion,enthusiasm, and fanaticism. Where would be the place for theseimitationsofthelight,life,andpoweroftheSpirit—exceptinadaywhenhisoperationswerespeciallymanifest?

ButSatanisoftentransformed,youwillsay,intoanangeloflight.True—buttheremustbeangelsof light to inducethearchdeceiver toattemptthe transformation.Thus, aftermakingall thedeductions thata friend,notanenemy,tovitalgodlinessmayassume,wemustbelievethatinthatdaytherewasablessedamountofreal,experimentalreligion.Howmencould find time towrite,money tobuy, leisure to read,andstrength todigest the ponderous folios which issued from the pens of Owen,Goodwin, Charnock, Manton, Howe, etc., seems at the present day analmostinexplicablemystery,ofwhichweknowbutonesolution—thatin

those days there was a large number of people in different classes ofsocietywhotookthedeepestandmostlivelyinterestinthethingswhichconcernedtheireverlastingpeace.

Now, such writers must have had readers of a similar spirit withthemselves—solid, serious, spiritually-minded men, with a heavenlysobriety of spirit, well-ripened judgment, and clear discernment in thethingsofGod.Thereisnofairerorbettertestofanagethanitsapprovedauthors,fortheyrepresentandembodyitsspirit.

Butwhilewehavesufficiently,wethink,indicatedourhighopinionofthevalue of these good old Puritan divines, we would carefully guardourselvesagainsttheconclusionwhichsomemightthencedrawthatwefullyagreewithalltheirviewsandsentiments.Thisisveryfarfrombeingthe case; for in some points we most widely differ from them, as, forinstance,inoffersofgrace,progressivesanctification,thelawbeingaruleof life, calls to the dead. Upon these points, mainly through Mr.Huntington'swritings,thechurchofGodhasmorelightthaninthedaysof thePuritans; andasweare to callnomanmasteron earth, andareboundtowalkaccordingtothelightwhichisgivenus,itdoesnotmakeus inconsistent to revere and admire the Puritan writers, and yet nottreadservilelyintheirfootsteps.Wefollowthemasfarastheyfollowtheword;butwhentheydepartfromthat,wedepartfromthem.ThisisourChristianliberty;andaslongasweuseitnotasacloakoflicentiousness,butasenablingustoservetheLordinnewnessofthespiritandnotintheoldnessoftheletter,nonecanjustlycondemnusforinconsistency.

JohnBunyan

John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" is known wherever the Englishlanguage is spoken. No, it has become known beyond those limits, bymeansoftranslationintomostoftheEuropean,andintosomeOrientaltongues. A great critic and historian has said that the seventeenthcentury, so prolific in writers, produced but two thoroughly originalworks,whichwouldbehandeddowntoposterity;anditwasnoteworthy

that both these were produced by the pens of Dissenters—Bunyan's"Pilgrim'sProgress,"andMilton's"ParadiseLost."

Bunyan himself, we believe, was not aware of his own peculiar genius.Owingnothingtoeducation,hispowerful intellectgrewlikeawildtree,unprunedandunnailedtouniversitywall,butitmadeupinstrengthforwhatitmightlackinsymmetry.Hepossessedbynaturethreeraregifts,which educationmight have refined, but could not have imparted, andpossibly might have weakened—a most vivid imagination,—a singularpower of dramatic representation,—and a most expressive style andlanguage.Thefirstandlastareself-evident;thesecondmayrequireafewwordsofexplanation.Bunyanpossessed,then,oneoftherarestfacultiesof the human mind—the power of so throwing himself into the verycharacterwhichhewasdrawingthathemakeshimspeakexactlyasthatpersonwouldhavespokenhadheactuallyexisted.

APuritan inprinciple andpractice,he justly abhorred the theater; andyet, without knowing it, he possessed in the highest degree that verytalent in which consists the perfection of that species of writing. Bymeansofthispeculiartalent,hismenandwomenaretousassubstantialrealities,asthoroughlyliving,breathingcharactersasiftheyhadactuallyexisted. Christian, Pliable and Obstinate, Faithful and Hopeful, withmatronly,prudentChristiana,andmodest,maidenlike,timorousMercy—weknowthemallasifwehadlivednextdoortothem.Thisperhapsishismost striking faculty, andhasmade the "Pilgrim'sProgress" a spiritualdrama. What life and animation has this gift cast over it! Look, as asample, at Obstinate's short and characteristic sentences. "Tush! awaywithyourbook.Willyougobackwithusorno?""What,morefoolsstill!"Comparethesesharp,short, ironsentenceswithPliable'ssoft,wax-like,ductile words, "And do you think that the words of your book arecertainly true?" How his pliable disposition is shown by this soft,drawling sentence to turn andwind itself round Christian's belief! Butwhatapeculiargiftwasthistostrikeoffwithafewwordstwocharacterswhich have imprinted themselves on the minds of hundreds ofthousands!Butlookalsoathisvivid,powerful,picturesqueimagination.How image after image comes forth with unflagging interest andboundlessvariety!What forceandpower inhispictures!TheSloughof

Despond,andtheWicketGate,andtheHillofDifficulty,andtheCastleofGiantDespair,theValleyoftheShadowofDeath,VanityFair,Faithful'strial, and the closeof all—thepassageof theDarkRiver—whydoes themerementionofthesescenesrecallthematoncesodistinctlytomind?

Because they are drawn by a master's hand, giving form and body toscenes pictured in his imagination as living realities. His hand butexecutedwhathiseyesaw;andthushisvividimaginationhasengravedthemmoredeeplyonourmemorythanmanysceneswhichwehaveseenwithourbodilyeyes.Isanybooksowellremembered?Hasanymadesovivid an impression?And allwithout the least effort on the part of thewriter.

Thethirdstrikingfeatureistheplain,clear,strong,noble,goodoldSaxonEnglish in which it is written, a style so admirably suited to the greatmass of readers, and at the same time possessing, from its purity andsimplicity,apeculiarcharmforthemostrefinedEnglishear.

"But,"suggestsareader,"youhavemerelynoticedthegeniusofBunyan!Whatwasthat?Itwasonlynature.Therewasnograce inthat.Whydoyounotspeakofhisgraceandexperience,andtheteachingoftheSpiritinhissoul?"But,mygoodfriend,don'tyouseehowtheLordbestowedthisgeniusonapoorilliteratetinkerforaspecialpurpose?Didnotgracesanctifyhisnaturalgenius,anddirectittothegloryofGodandthegoodofhispeople?Anddon'tyouperceivehowthispeculiargenius,ofwhichyou think so lightly,was absolutely necessary to produce the "Pilgrim'sProgress," aworkwhichwill livewhenourheadsare laid low?Bunyanwasnotstrivingaftereffect,beyondthebestofalleffects—beingmadeablessing to the church of God. He was not aiming at a dramaticrepresentationofcharacter,whichaplaywrightmightwellenvy.HesawChristianwithhismind'seyeintheSloughofDespond.Hisownfeethadbeen fast held there. He saw and heard him in the dungeons of GiantDespair.Hehadlaintherehimself,andtheironhadenteredintohissoul.Hedidnotsitdownasaplay-writertoproduceadrama,ofwhicheverycharacter and scene were thoroughly fictitious. He had himself passedthroughallthescenes,andwas,underthenameofChristian,theleadingcharacter, the hero of the piece. The successive scenes were all deeplyimbeddedinhismemory,andtheycameforthfromhismindandpenas

thedeepestandmostsolemnrealities.

Hetherefore,underanallegory,describedwhathehimselfhadseen,andwhere he himself had been, as a voyager in the Arctic regions mightdepict the frozen seas andpiercing climatewhere the iceberg dwells inlonely grandeur; or as a tropical travelermight retrace the bright skiesandlovelyisleswherethesunwalksinitsmeridianglory.ThusBunyanishimself reflected from every page of the "Pilgrim's Progress."He is thepilgrim who progresses from the City of Destruction to the heavenlyJerusalem.It is, infact,hisownexperiencesofarmodifiedasnottobeexclusive.Hedidnot,likesome,setuphisownexperienceasastandardfromwhichtheremustnotbetheslightestdeviation.Mercy,whohardlyknowswhyorwhereforeshesetout,excepttoaccompanyChristiana,isdrawnasavesselofmercyasmuchasChristian,whospendshisnightsinsighs and tears. But still he has drawn with vigorous hand a certaindefinitepath, intracingwhichthehighestgeniusandthegreatestgracecombined to produce awork blessed beyondmeasure to the church ofGod,andyetsoanimatedwithnaturaltalentastobehandeddowntoanearthly immortality.Whoshallsay thehandofGodwasnothere?Whobut he raised the immortal tinker to this distinction? The same handwhich tookDavid from the sheep-cotes to feed his people Israel raisedBunyanfromthetinker'sbarrowtofeedthechurchofGod;andthesamepower which gave David strength and skill to sling the stone put intoBunyan'shandapenwhichhasdonefarmoreexecution.

But besides these extraordinary endowments of genius and grace,Bunyan'sexperiencewasinitselfpeculiarlycalculatedtoproduceaworklike the"Pilgrim'sProgress."Werewe tocharacterize thisexperience inone short sentence we should say it was the abiding power of eternalthingsrestingonhissoul.Hedidnotonlybelieve,hesaw.ThewordofGoddidnotmerely speak tohim; it entered intohis inmost soul.Hell,withitssulphurousflames,Heaven,withitsgloriousabodes,weretohimmoredistinctrealitiesthantheearthonwhichhetrod;forthelatterwasbut temporal, while the former were eternal; the one but a passingshadow, the other an enduring reality. Sowhen the law sent its cursesintohisinmostconscience,hesawmoreclearlyitslightnings,andheardmore distinctly its thunders, than his outward eyes ever saw the vivid

flash or his natural ears ever heard the pealing thunders of a passingstorm.Thedarkcloudsofthenaturalskysoonrolledaway,andceasedtopeal forth their terrors, but the Law knew no intermission for time oreternity.Thus,too,whenChristwasrevealedtohim,hesawhimbytheeyeoffaithmoredistinctlythanheeversawanyliteralobjectbytheeyeofsense;forthenaturalsunitself, thebrightestofallobjects,couldbutfill his eye, but the Sun of Righteousness filled his very soul.When hetalkedwithGod,hetalkedtohimmorereally,truly,andintimatelythanhecouldevertalkwithanearthlyfriend,fortoGodhecouldunbosomallhisheart,whichhecouldnotdotoanyhumancompanion.Hisspiritualsorrows faroutweighedallhis temporalgriefs,andhisspiritual joys farsurpassed all his earthly delights. The oneweremeasured by time, theotherbyeternity;manwasbutthesubjectofone,Godtheobjectoftheother.TheexperienceofthepowerofeternalthingsmadeBunyansuchamightypreacher.

"ForIhavebeeninmypreaching,especiallywhenIhavebeenengagedinthe doctrine of life byChrist,withoutworks, as if an angel ofGodhadstoodatmybacktoencourageme.Oh!ithasbeenwithsuchpowerandheavenly evidence upon my own soul, while I have been laboring tounfold it, to demonstrate it, and to fasten it upon the consciences ofothers,thatIcouldnotbecontentedwithsaying,Ibelieve,andamsure;methought Iwasmore thansure (if itbe lawful toexpressmyself) thatthosethingswhichthenIassertedweretrue."

Hiswasnocut-and-driedministry,buttheoutpouringofhiswholeheart;and asGodhad blessed himwith remarkable powers of expression, hesentarrowafterarrowfromhisfullquiver,lodgingtheminthehearer'sconscienceup to thevery feather.Hewasnotwhatmencommonlycalleloquent,andyetwasso inthehighestsenseof theterm, forhiswordswere words of fire. The most manly fervor was combined with thegreatestsimplicity; languagewhichachildcouldunderstandcameforthfromhislips,butagiantwieldedthewords.Blowafterblow,thrustafterthrustcamefromhisvigoroushand.Thesubjectwassimple,themannerof handling it was simple; but the simplicity was that of the life-guardsman's sword, of which the hilt is not gilded nor blade filigreed.Ornamentwouldbeforeigntothemassivestrengthofeither.Bunyanwill

makehimselfunderstood.Heusesmanywords,butnot a cloudof idleepithets.Hethusaddressesatthesametimetheunderstandingandtheconscience, and reaches the latter through the former.Thepoint of theswordenterstheunderstanding;onehome-thrustcarriesthebladedeepinto the conscience. This is the perfection of preaching—clear thoughtsandwordswhichpassatonceintotheunderstanding,andhome-thrustswhich reach the very soul. Howmany preachers and writers fail here!Confused ideas, cloudy, long, entangled sentences, which require theutmost stretch of attention to understand, perplex alike speaker andhearer. "What is the man driving at? Poor fellow! he hardly knowshimself what he means;" and similar thoughts rise up almostinvoluntarily within. Others again speak and write with tolerableclearness,buttheirwordsarelikeJonathan'sarrows.Nonehitthemark.Thearrowisbeyondthelad,andtheconscienceisnomoretouchedthanthegreatstoneEzel,behindwhichDavidhidhimself.

Bunyan was a most prolific writer. His mind teemed with divinethoughts. His heart was ever bubbling up with good matter, and thismade his tongue the pen of a ready writer. Besides the "Pilgrim'sProgress" and "Grace Abounding," his two best works, for in them hiswholeheartlay,his"HolyWar,""TheTwoCovenants,"hislittle"TreatiseonPrayer," his "BrokenHeart theBest Sacrifice," andotherswhichweneed not name, are deeply impregnated with Bunyan's peculiar powerandspirit.Thereissomepowerfulwritinginthethreetreatisescontainedinthelittlevolumebeforeus.

Thatheisinplacessomewhatlegal,andspeakstoomuchofthe"offers"ofthegospel,wefreelyadmit.Thiswastheprevailingtheologyoftheday,fromwhichscarcelyanywriterofthatperiodwasfree.Buthesometimesemploys the word "offers" where we should rather use the term"promises"or"invitations;" thesesaid"offers"beingnotsomuchoffersofgracetodeadsinnersaspromisesofmercytoGod'slivingfamilywhofeeltheyaresinners.

Butweareunwillingtodwellonhisblemishes.TheLord,whoseservanthewas,honoredhiminlife,waswithhimindeath,andhisnamewillbedeartothechurchofGodwhilethereisaremnantontheearth.

MartinLuther

WhenanythinggreathastobedoneonearthforthegloryofGodandtheadvanceofhiskingdom,hisusual,ifnotinvariablewayhashithertobeento raise up some one instrument, or several instruments, whom heendues with grace, wisdom, and power for the work to be done, andwhose laborsheblesses tobring about the end thathehasdeterminedshouldbeaccomplished. Joseph to feed the childrenof Israel inEgypt;Moses tobring themoutof thehouseofbondage;Joshua to lead theminto the promised land; the Judges that succeeded Joshua, such asGideon and Jephtha, to deliver them from the various captivities intowhich they fell; Elijah to destroy the idolatry of Baal, and restore theworship of theGod of their fathers; Ezra andNehemiah to bring themback from Babylon, and rebuild the city and temple—all these are somany marked instances of the Lord's using special and choseninstrumentstobringabouthisappointedends.Haditbeenhissovereignwill, he might have worked otherwise. He might, for instance, haveimpressed it at once on theminds of all the children of Israel to leaveEgyptwithoutanyparticular leaderorguide,orunderoneof theirownchoosing;orhemighthavemade them,asoneman,byasimultaneousrising,burstthechainsoftheMidianiteswithouttheswordofGideon;orhemighthaveledthembacktohimselffromtheworshipofBaalwithoutthe ministry of Elijah. But no! he would select and qualify some oneindividual who should be his chosen instrument, and in whom and bywhomhewouldworkbyhisSpiritandgracetoaccomplishhisdestinedpurpose.

WhenwecomedowntoNewTestamenttimes,weseethesameprinciplestillatwork,andthesameagencyemployed.TheLordJesusChristchosedisciplesthattheymightbeconstantlywithhim,toreceivethewordsoflifeandtruthfromhisownsacredlips,and,whenbaptizedwiththeHolySpiritandwithfire,togoforthasapostlestopreachthegospelamongallnationsfortheobedienceoffaith.Paul,thegreatapostleoftheGentiles,is a special instance of the point we are seeking to establish, and onewhich sets it in the fullest, clearest light.How striking in this point of

viewarethewordsoftheLordtoAnaniasconcerninghim:"Goyourway:forhe isachosenvesseluntome,tobearmynamebeforetheGentiles,andkings,andthechildrenofIsrael."(Acts9:15.)AllthattheLorddidbyPaulhemighthavedonewithoutPaul.With a look, a touch, aword, abreath,anationmighthavebeenborninaday,ormyriadshavestartedup,likethebonesinthevalleyofvision,andstoodupupontheirfeetanexceedinggreatarmy.

But no! Paul was to be the chosen vessel to bear his name before theGentiles.ThemadPharisee,thebloodthirstypersecutor,thewasterofthechurchofGod,wastopreachthefaithwhichoncehedestroyed.Hewhostood by when the blood of the martyred Stephen was shed, and,consentinguntohisdeath,kepttheclothingofthemthatslewhim—thiswas theman who was to suffer all things for the elect's sake, to be inlaborsmoreabundantthanallhisfellow-servants,andtotravelfromseatosea,andfromshoretoshore,thatbyhimasachoseninstrumenttheLordmightopentheeyesofelectGentiles,andturnthemfromdarknesstolight,andfromthepowerofSatanuntoGod.

InthetimeswhichfollowedtheNewTestamentrecords,whenerrorandcorruptionhaddone their sadwork,we still find the sameprinciple inoperation when God made his right arm bare. When Arianism, in thefourthcentury, threatenedtodrownthe truthas it is inJesusaswithaflood from themouth of the serpent, and the faithful few, like Eli, sattrembling for the ark of God, Athanasius was raised up to assert anddefendthefundamentaldoctrineoftheTrinity.Soalonedidthischoseninstrument stand,andsoboldlydidhemaintain the field, that itwasacommonsayingof theperiod,"Athanasiusagainstall theworld,andalltheworldagainstAthanasius."Butweoweit,humanlyspeaking,tothisundaunted champion that the grand foundation doctrine of the Trinitywas preserved to the church. When Pelagianism, or the doctrine ofhuman merit, rather more than a century later, was spreading itspoisonousinfluencefarandwide,Augustinewasraiseduptoexposeandoverthrow it.When the densest darkness of Popish error, and,wemayadd,ofRomishoppression,wassettlingdeepandwideon thiscountry,Wycliffe was called forth to herald in, and, as it were, antedate theReformation.WhenWycliffe'sfollowershere,andJohnHuss,Jeromeof

Prague, towhomhiswritingshadbeenblessed, on the continent,werecrushedbytheironhandofpersecution,andtheRomishchurchseemedtohavesecuredforherselfundisputedswayoverthemindsandlibertiesofmen,GodraisedupLuther,andwroughtbyhimthegreatestandmostblessedworksincethedaysofprimitiveChristianity.

LUTHERisperhapsoneofthestrongestinstanceswhichcanbeadducedof the truth of the principle we are seeking to establish—that not onlydoes the Lord work by human instruments, but usually by one selectinstrument;andit iswithaspecialeyetohiminthispointofviewthattheprecedingsketchhasbeentracedout.Forlackofseeingthis,notonlythecharacterofLuther,buttheverynatureoftheReformationitself,hasbeentotallymisapprehended.Theonlywriterinthemultitudeofauthors,civilandreligious,whohavedrawntheirpensinbehalfoforagainsttheReformation,whoseemstohavethoroughlyseenthis,isD'Aubigne;andintheclearappreciationofthispointliesthechiefvalueofhiswork.Heclearly saw that the Reformationwasworked out in Luther's soul, andthat thus Luther was not so much a Reformer as the Reformation; inother words, that the abuses, the errors, the burdens against which hetestified by voice and pen with such amazing energy and power, wereerrors and burdens under which his own soul had well near sunk indespair; and that the truths which he preached with such force andfeeling had been brought into his heart by the power of God, whosemightyinstrumenthewas.Thusaserroraftererrorwasopenedupinhissoul by the testimony of the Spirit in the word of truth and in hisconscience,hedenouncedthemin"thoughtsthatbreatheandwordsthatburn;"andsimilarly,asoneblessed truthafteranotherwas revealed tohis heart and applied to his soul, he declared it with voice, and pendippedinthedewofheaven.

The Reformation, therefore, at least in Germany, was, so to speak,gradually drawn out of Luther's soul. He did not come forth as atheologian fully furnished with a scheme of doctrines, or as a warriorarmedatallpoints,butadvancedslowly,ashimselfa learner, fromoneposition to another, gradually feeling his way onward; taking up,therefore, no ground on which he had not been clearly set down, andwhichhecouldnotfirmlymaintainfromtheexpresstestimonyofGod.It

is true that this gradual progress of hismind involved him at times incontradictionsandinconsistencies,nottosaymistakesanderrors,whichhis enemies have availed themselves of to sully and tarnish one of thenoblestcharacters,bothnaturallyandspiritually,thattheworldhaseverseen.It is thedistinguishingfeatureof low,basemindsto fix theireyeson the blemishes of those noble characters, whose excellencies theycannotunderstandforwantofsimilarnoblefeelingsinthemselves.Anyone can censure, criticize, and find fault; but any one cannot admire,value, or rightly appreciate, for to do so requires a sympathywith thatwhichdeservesadmiration.Envyandjealousymaypromptthedetractingremark;buthumilityandagenuineapprovalofwhat isexcellent for itsownsakewillalonedrawforththeadmiringexpression.Admiration,orwhatapopularwriterofthepresentdaycalls"hero-worship,"shouldnotindeedblindustothefaultsofgreatmen.

But a discerning eye, while it admits Luther's inconsistencies, seesdisplayedmoremanifestly thereby themercy andwisdom of God. TheLord, indeed,wasnomore theauthorofLuther'serrors thanhewasofLuther's sins, but as he mercifully pardoned the one, so he graciouslypassedbytheother,andover-ruledbothtohisownglory.Severalgreatadvantageswere,however,securedbytheslowandgradualwaywherebyLutheradvancedonwardinthepathofReformation.

1. He won his way thereby gradually and slowly in the understanding,conscience, andaffectionsof thepeopleofGod,who received the truthfromhismouthandpenbythesamegradualprocessashehimselfhadlearnedit.Hadheatonceburstforthintoall thefullblazeoftruth,thelightwouldhavebeentoostrongforeyessealedindarknessforages.But,likethesun,hislightbrokegraduallyupontheeyesofmen,andthustheycouldfollowhimasheclamberedslowlyuptothefullmeridian.Thusheand thosewhomhe taught grew together, and themasterwasnever somuchinadvanceofthepupilastobeoutofsightandhearing.

2.Again, by thismeans, as each corruption of doctrine or practicewaslaidopento theconscienceof theReformer,oraseachtruthwasmadesweetandprecioustohissoul,hespokeandwroteundertheinfluenceasthenandtherefelt.Ashegatheredthemannafresh,sohefilledhisomer,and that of his neighborswho had gathered less. The showbread, after

beingpresentedbeforetheLord,waseatenbythepriestandhisfamilyattheendoftheweek,beforeitwasspoiledbykeeping;andwhenthatwasbeing eaten, freshwas set on theholy table. If Luther andhis spiritualfamilyatetogetherthebreadof truthwhichhadbeenplacedbeforetheLord for his approving smile, while still retaining all its original flavorand freshness,was not that better than if, by long keeping, it had in ameasurelostitsoriginalsweetness?

3. But further, if Luther had at once come forth with his sweepingdenunciationsofthePopeasAntichrist,withoutthemindsofmenbeinggradually prepared to receive his testimony, his career, humanlyspeaking,wouldhavebeenshort,andhewouldhavebeencutoffatoncebythe ironhandof thePapacy,andnotonlyhisworkcutoffwithhim,buthisverynamenowmighthavebeenunknown.CharlesV., it iswellknown,regrettedtohisdyingdaywhatheconsideredthegranderrorofhislife—notviolatingthesafeconducthehadgivenLuthertocomeandreturnuninjuredfromtheDietofWorms,andnotburninghimtodeathasahereticonthespot,ashisancestor,Sigismund,hadburntJohnHussandJeromeofPrague,ahundredyearsbefore.

Luther, viewed as regards his natural temperament and disposition, isnotacharacterthatanEnglishmancanwellunderstand,andstilllessanEnglishmanofourdayandgeneration.HewasathoroughGerman,butoneoftheoldtype,theold-fashionedGermanstock,closelyalliedtousinblood, and race, and mental qualities, but in manner and expressionsomewhatmore homely, blunt, and coarse.Hewas quite aman of thepeople, being the son of a miner, and had all that rough honesty andplainnessofspeechandmannerwhichmarkstheclasswhencehesprang.Suchmen,whengracesoftenstheirhearts,andrefinestheirminds,areofall best suited for the Lord's work. Peter, the fisherman, and Paul, thetent-maker,Bunyan, the tinker, andHuntington, the coal-heaver—suchmen,whencalledbygraceandqualifiedbyheavenlygifts,arefarbetterinstrumentsthanscholarsandstudentswhoknownothingbeyondtheirbooks,andarelostwhenoutofthesmellandsightoftheirlibrary.

Luther,itistrue,wasahighlyeducatedandindeedaverylearnedman;butheneverlost,amidhisdustyfolios,hisnativesimplicityofheartandmanners.Hewas, therefore, frank,open,sincere,outspoken,butwithal

rough, violent, and often coarse—no, sometimes almost insolent in thetonesofdefiancethatburstforthfromhim,almostasfirefromavolcano.Whenonceroused,asforinstancebyourKingHenryVIII.,hesparednoone he considered the enemy of truth. Kings, emperors, princes, andpopes,werealltohimmerenine-pins,whomhetrundleddownoneafteranother without any scruple or the least ceremony, if they seemed tostandinthewayofthegospel.Inthatageoffeudalobedience,whenoneclass exacted, and the other paid, a servile respect, and a crouchingdeference of which we can form no idea, it was indeed a daringinnovation forashavenmonk,andhebybirthandbloodbutaminer'sson,todefytheunitedstrengthofPopeandCaesar,andsetupthewordofGodassupremeovertheconsciencesofmen.

Never,perhaps,didamanlivesincethetimeoftheapostles,overwhoseownconsciencethewordofGodexercisedsuchparamountdominion.Hehad felt the power of thatword in his soul. It had sounded the inmostdepths of his conscience. In no recorded experience dowe read of anymanwhom the holy, just, and righteous law ofGodmore terrified andbroketopieces.Itiswonderfultoseeamanofhispowerfulmind,oneofthemostfearless,bold,andenergeticthatevercamefromthehandoftheCreator, so terrifiedandalmostdistractedby themajestyand justiceofGodasrevealedinabrokenlaw.Threedaysandthreenightsdidheoncelie on a couch without eating, drinking, or sleeping, under the terrorsrevealedinthewords,"therighteousnessofGod."Hewouldsometimesshriek,andcry,andfaintawayunderasightandsenseoftheholinessofGod,andhisownsinfulnessbeforehim.NosaintofGodcouldmoretrulysay, "While I suffer your terrors I amdistracted;"nordid anyone evermore find thewordofGod tobequickandpowerful, and sharper thananytwo-edgedsword,piercingeventothedividingasunderofsoulandspirit, and of the joints and marrow—a discerner of the thoughts andintentsoftheheart.

Andwhenmercyandgracewererevealedtohissoul,astheyinduetimewere,fromtheverypassagewhichhadsoterrifiedhim(Rom.3:24-26),what a supremacy of the word of God did this experience of law andgospel establish inhisheart!He could then take this two-edged sword,which had so pierced him, and wield it so as to pierce others. It then

becameinhishandsaweaponnotcarnal,butmightythroughGodtothepullingdownof strongholds, castingdown imaginationsandeveryhighthing that exalts itself against the knowledge ofGod, andbringing intocaptivityeverythoughttotheobedienceofChrist.

In this supremacy of the word of God, as thus established in Luther'ssoul,laythewholepithandcoreoftheReformation.WhenhefoundtheoldLatinBibleintheconventlibrary,anddayafterdaycreptuptoreadand study it under the terrors of the Law, the accusations of a guiltyconscience,andthetemptationsofthedevil,Godwasplantinginhissoulthatgodly tree,under theboughsofwhichwearenowliving,and fromwhose branches we are still gathering fruit. When he stole away fromsweepingoutthechurchandthefilthyroomsoftheconvent,andcould,away from the bread-bag, which his brother monks compelled him tocarry through the streets of Erfurt to beg victuals for them, read insecrecy and solitude that sacred book, the very existence ofwhich theyscarceknew,GodwassecretlysowingtheseedoftheReformationinhisheart.Whenthatpale-faced,worn-outmonk laycryingandgroaning inhis cell, under the most dismal apprehensions of the eternal wrath ofGod,hewas,sotospeak,travailinginbirthoftheReformationandwhendeliverancecametohissoul,theReformationwasborn.

ThesupremacyoftheinspiredScriptures,theparamountauthorityofthewordofGodover thewordofman,seemsasimpleprinciple touswhohave been cradled in its belief. In fact, it is one of those self-evidentpropositionswhichhaveonlytobestatedtobeuniversallyreceived.Butsimple and self-evident as it seems to us, it was not established untilLuther brought it forth out of the depths of his own heart, and laid itdownbeforetheeyesofmen,asGodhadlaiditdowninhissoul.Neverwasaprinciple laiddownby thevoiceandpenofmanmore fruitful inresult.HithertotheBiblewasscarcelyknown,eventolearnedmen;andbeing locked up in the original languages, Hebrew and Greek, to allothersitwasasealedbook.Inthecontroversiesthataroseinthemiddleages, it was scarcely ever appealed to, and was totally misunderstood.DecreesofPopes,actsofCouncils,decisionsofUniversities,opinionsofthe Fathers, sentiments of learned men—these were the rulingauthorities, andwereappealed to inalldisputedpoints as lawyersnow

quoteestablishedcasesinacourtoflaw.

ButLuthermadeshortworkwiththemall,andswept themawaynevermoretostand.Neverdidearthwitness,inmoderndays,agrander,moremajestic,and,initsconsequences,amoretriumphantscenethanLutherstandingattheDietofWorms,beforetheEmperor,thePrinces,andallthecivilandecclesiasticalauthoritiesanddignitariesofGermany.Apoormonk,holdingbythewordofGodasfeltinhisconscienceagainstallthemajestyandwrathofPopeandEmperor—herewasasightforangelstolookat(1Cor.4:9);andwellmightthoseministeringspiritswonderandadmire the grace of God thus shining forth in a dying man. There hestoodas theservantof the livingGod,with thewordof theLord inhisheartandmouth.TheLordgavehimfaiththustospeakandact;honoredit,andbroughthimoffmorethanconqueror;andnothimonly,buttheReformation of which he there stood the living representative. Thesupreme authority of God's word over the consciences ofmen, and itsparamountauthorityinallmattersoffaith,werethenbroughtforth;andbeforethatglitteringweaponwhichthechampionofGodthendrewfromitssheath,andbrandishedbeforetheeyesofassembledGermany,Poperysankdownwithoneofitsheadswoundedtodeath.ThewordofGodandthewordofman theremet face to face; truthanderrorwere thereputintothescale.

Scarcely did any man ever leave behind him such materials for abiography as "The solitarymonk who shook the world." His works fillseveral thick foliovolumes.Hewrotehundredsof letters tohis friends,nearlyallofwhicharepreserved;andwelltheydeserveit,fortheyarefullof senseandwisdom,aswell asof frankcordialityandwarmaffection.Hisveryconversation,athismealsandinprivate—forheusedtoboardand lodge students gratis, and his house was open to all refugees forconscience'sake—his"table-talk,"wastakendown,andoccupiesagood-sizedvolume.Thereisscarcely, indeed,anyonemanofwhomweknowso much—one may almost say too much, for all his weaknesses andfailingsarerecordedaswellashisbetterqualities.Andashe,whennotdepressed with temptation and gloom, was lively and cheerful, and agreattalker,hisenemieshaveavailedthemselvesofsomeofhisspeechestotarnishandsullyhisbrightname.Butletsuchvipersgnawthefile!Itis

proofagainsttheirteethandtheirvenom.Buttothosewholovetruthandyetknowtheirownheartssufficientlytobepreparedtomeetgreatfaultsand blemishes, we would say, Such a man is worth studying, such ahistory isworthreading; for it is thehistory,notmerelyofamanmostdistinguishedbynatureandgrace,butofamindwhichhasexercisedthegreatest influence over the minds of men, and, one may say, over thedestinies of the church of God, as well as of nations, since the days ofPaul.

SomeofourministersaretryingtopickupafewscrapsoftheGreekandLatinlanguages,whichtheycanneverlearntobeoftheleastusetothem;foralanguage,likeatrade,mustbelearnedinboyhoodandyouth,tobethoroughly understood; and if not thoroughly mastered, will onlymislead. Insteadofall thisuseless toil, if theywantsomemore readingthantheBiblegivesthem,andwishforsometrustworthyinformationofthestateof things intimesgoneby, let themreadsuchworksasFoxe's"Book of Martyrs," D'Aubigne's "History of the Reformation," Milner's"ChurchHistory,"Neal's"HistoryofthePuritans."Wedonotnamesuchworksassubstitutesforspiritualandexperimentalwritings.

Butallthingshavetheirplace;andsometimes,whenthemind,throughtemptationorsluggishness,cannotapproachthepurerfountainsoftruth,a book like D'Aubigne's "History of the Reformation"may be read notwithoutprofit.But it isnotpossible to laydownrules forany togoby.Somehaveno time, othersno inclination, to read; andwhat little timetheyhavetheydevotetotheScriptures.Theycannotdobetter;theretheyhavethetruthinitspurity,andneednotforsakeitsstreamsfortheturbidpoolsofman.Itisnotreading,learning,orstudythatcanmakeanableminister of the New Testament. If so, the academies would give us anample supply.But thegreatest readersandmost laborious studentsareusually themost ignorantof the teachingof theSpirit, and theworkoffaith with power. "The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and addslearningtohis lips";andthis learning isnotof theschools.Amanwhoreadshiseyesoutmaybemostignorant,forhemayknownothingasheoughttoknow;andamanwhoreadsnothingbuthisBiblemaybemostlearned,forhemayhavetheunctuousteachingsoftheHolySpirit.

There are three books which, if a man will read and study, he can

dispensewithmostothers.

1.TheBookofProvidence;and thishereads togoodpurpose,whenheseeswrittendownlinebylinetheprovidentialdealingsofGodwithhim,andarayofDivinelightgildseveryline.

2.TheWordofGod;andthishereadstoprofit,whentheblessedSpiritappliesitwithpowertohissoul.

3.TheBookofhisownheart;andthishestudieswithadvantage,whenhe reads in the newman of grace the blessed dealings ofGodwith hissoul,andintheoldmanofsinanddeath,enoughtofillhimwithshameand confusion of face, andmake him loathe and abhor himself in dustandashes.

JohnCalvin

Twomen, giants in intellect and blessed saints of the Most High, butwidelydifferingintheworkwhichtheyhadtoperform,andthemannerinwhichtheyexecutedit,wereraisedupinthe16thcenturybytheGodof all grace to commence and carry on the blessed Reformation, thatgoodly tree under the shadow of which we are now sitting. These twoeminentsaintsandservantsofGod, inwhomgiftsandgrace,cultivatedintellect and spiritual light, human learning and divine teaching,apostoliclaborsandapostolicsuffering,werecombinedinawayofwhichwehavenowlosteventheveryidea,wereLutherandCALVIN.Thetwomen widely differed in their mental constitution, temper, habits, andeveninsomeoftheirreligiousviews.LutherwasathoroughGerman;andhad, in spite of occasional coarseness of language and rudeness ofmanner incidental to the period, all that native nobility of mind, thatopenness, frankness, bravery, and boldness, sincerity and truthfulness,which,fromtheremotestages,havecharacterizedtheGermanrace.

Calvin was a Frenchman; and though widely differing in mentalconstitution fromthat light-heartednation,yet,asawriter,hadall thatsubtletyofintellectandclearnessofthought,thatbuoyancyofstyle,thatlogical accuracy, and that high finish which distinguish the Frenchauthors above those of all other nations.† Both were men of powerfulintellect, deep learning, and intense study, thorough masters of thescriptures,whichtheyreaddayandnight,unweariedpreachersinpublicand indefatigable instructors in private, faithful counselors of all thatneeded advice, fervent lovers of truth andholiness, andno less ferventhatersoferrorandevil;godlyinlife,blessedindeath,andnowhappyineternity.

But with all these points of resemblance, the twomenwidely differed.Lutherwasmore theElijah,Calvin thePaulof theReformation.LutherthunderedandlightenedagainstthePopeandhisshavencrew;burnthisbulls;mockedandderidedhislegatesandprelates;andbyaverystormoftracts,†inthoughtsthatbreatheandwordsthatburn,‡lightedafireinGermany which, like that onMount Carmel, consumed the wood, andstones, anddust, and lickedup thewater in the trench.Calvinwasnotsuchamanofaction,orof such fieryenergy;hehadnotbynature thesameintrepidityofmind,orevenbygracethesamemartyrspirit;nordidhestandsoforwardintheveryvanandfrontof thebattleasthestout-heartedGerman.LutherattheDietofWorms,confrontingtheEmperorand all the assembled princes of Germany, and Calvin publishing hisworksunderfalsenames,‡‡andhidinghimselfinvariousplacesinParisandotherparts,presentastrikingcontrast.Hiswork,thoughintheissueperhapsmore important than that of Luther's,was not to stand beforeassembledprinces,orhurlboldandlouddefianceagainstpopes,butwascarriedoninthequietdepthsofhisownmind,andthecloserecessesofhis study. There, in silence and solitude, were molded and elaboratedthoseworkswhichhaveexercisedsovastandsalutaryaninfluenceonthechurchofGod,and the leading truthsofwhichhavepenetrated into somanylivingconsciences.

Thoughamanofenergyandactionatalaterperiod,whengracegavehimafirmnessandboldnesswhichhedidnotnaturallypossess,enablinghimtoruleGenevawitharodofiron,andtoexercisealmostasmuchcivilas

spiritualauthorityinthatlittlerepublic,hischiefworkwasrathertotaketheburningfragmentsoftruth,mingledsometimeswithscumandslag,thatLutherhurledforth,andseparatingfromthemthedrossandtin,toweld thewholemass intoa compact,homogeneous form.He couldnotpreachwith the power norwrite with the vigor of Luther; nor had he,with all his piercing intellect, that grasp ofmind and that authority ofthoughtandlanguagewherebytheGermanReformercouldalmostatwillraiseorquellastorm.

As a theologian, as an expounder of scripture, as a clear, deep, andpatientthinker,asasystematicwriteronthegranddoctrinesoftruth,asanable administrator, andas a godly, self-denying,mortified saint andservantofGod,CalvinexcelledLuther.Butinanexperienceoftheterrorsofthelawandmanifestedblessingsofthegospel,inadeepacquaintancewith temptationandconflict internalandexternal, in lifeandpower sofar as he saw and felt the things of God, and in unvaried unflinchingboldnessofspeechandconduct,Lutherasfaroutshonehim.Calvinwasnaturallyshy,timid,andretiring;zealous,nodoubt,forthegloryofGod,but not a little jealous too of his own; stern and unforgiving whenoffended; in principle and practice a rigid disciplinarian, and too oftencarryingtheseverityofthelawintothepreceptsofthegospel.Youwouldhighly esteem him as a saint, and deeply venerate him as a servant ofGod;butyouwouldfinditdifficulttolovehimasamanormakehimabosom friend. His godly, self-denying life and walk and holy examplewouldoften reprove you, andmight stir youup todesire for yourself ameasure of the same grace; but if you were much tempted and tried,plagued by sin, assailed by Satan, and sometimes almost at your wits'end, youwould rather open your heart toMartin Luther than to JohnCalvin. He lived for the most part out of the storm and whirlwind ofhumanpassions;andthereforehadlittlesympathywiththosethathavetodobusinessindeepwaters.

Asterncensorofanyapproachtogaietyofdress,manner,orlife,eveninmenwhoweremanifestlyunregenerate,hesternlycarriedoutasystemofdisciplinethatmightsuitthechurch,butwhichcouldnotbeenforcedontheworld.Hewas, therefore, never beloved even in that citywhere heruled as chief and where his word was law. Living in his study in

continualmeditation, he could not throw himself, like Luther, into thepopularheartasamanofthepeople;norcouldhe,likehim,strikechordswhichhaveneverceasedtosoundinProtestantGermanytothisday.

Everytrue-heartedGermanisproudofLuther.Hisverynameevennowcallsupvisionsoflibertyintheirenthralledbosoms;hishymnsaresungin their churches; his pointed, pithy sayings have become nationalproverbs;theeducatedclassesadmirehimastheundauntedchampionofcivil and religious freedom, and the great classicwho firstmolded intoformandalmost launchedintobirththeirnoble language;andthepoorhonor him as one of their own class, and as one before whom popes,emperors, and kings had to doff their caps. When Germany ceases toadmire and venerate Luther, she will be Russianised in stem andrevolutionized in root. None despise him there but a tyrannicalaristocracy, a papistic priesthood, an infidel press, and a revolutionarymob.

DoesCalvinliesodeeplyimbeddedinanation'sheart?Though,toagreatextent,hedidfortheFrenchlanguagewhatLutherdidfortheGerman,makingacrudeandantiquateddialectavehicleofthemostaccurateandrefinedthought,yetishedespisedasafanaticbythatnationofwhichheissobrightanornament,andbywhichhewasdrivenintoexile.EveninGeneva,theseatofhislabors,whereheonceheldalmostthewholeswayof government, he is but little remembered and less venerated.SocinianismfillsthosepulpitswhichonceresoundedwiththeaccentsofCalvin's voice, and those few ministers who hold and preach hissentiments are bitterly persecuted in the very city where he was sohonoredinlifeandlamentedindeath.

And yet with all this, as a Reformer in the church of God, and as anexpositorofdivinetruth,CalvinhashadanenduringinfluenceinwhichLuther has comparatively failed. Not that Calvin discovered any newtruth,orwasthefirstwriterwholaiddownthedoctrineofelectionwithaccuracy and clearness. Augustine in the fifth, and Bradwardine andWycliffe in the 14th century, had set forth the doctrines of grace withalmostequalprofundityofthoughtandclearnessofstyle;buttheageinwhichtheylivedwasnotpreparedtoreceivethetruthfromtheirlipsorpen. The doctrine of divine sovereignty in their mouth was rather the

private experience of a solitary believer, the inward food of an isolatedindividual,thanthebreadoflifebrokenupforfamishingmultitudes.ButtheReformationrousedmenoutof thedeepsleepofcenturies;andtheSpiritofGodhavingquickened thesoulsofmany intoahungeringandthirstingafterrighteousness,whenthe truthofGodwasbroughtbeforethembyCalvin'shand, itwasgladlyandeagerly receivedby thosewhofeltthemselvesstarvingamidthehusksforswine.

Bythesingularclearnessofhisstyle,hisdeepscripturalknowledge,thereadiness and aptness of his quotations, and the fullmasterywhich hehadofhissubject,Calvinbecameateacherofteachers,andapreachertopreachers.Underhispenthescripturesutteredadefinitecreed;soundedbyhislips,thegospeltrumpetgaveforthacertainsound;aharmonyandconsistencywereseentopervadethewholeofdivinerevelation;andhishand,itwasatoncefelt,hadseizedtheclue,theonlycluewhichledtheconvincedsinnersafelythroughthosemazeswheresomanybeforehadwanderedinconfusionandsorrow.Gracehavingshoneintohissoulwasreflected, as in amirror, by his clear understanding, and thence, as hedirectedituponthepagesofinspiredtruth,thescripturewasseentobeilluminatedaswithanewandimmediatelightfromheaven.Hiswritingshave,therefore,influenceddirectlyorindirectlyeverypreacherandeverywriterwhohasbeenofanyservicetothechurchofGodfromthattimetothis.

His system is so thoroughly scriptural, so accuratelydrawnout, and sofirmlyandcompactlyweldedtogether,thatitnotonlycommendsitselftotheconscienceofallwhoaretaughtofGod,butpresentsanimpenetrablefronttoalladversaries.Hisviews,too,ofchurchgovernment,thoughwecannot look upon themwith an approving eye, have exercised scarcelylessinfluencethanhisdoctrines,andhaveevenmoldedthecharacterofnations.TheScotchandDutchpeople,atthebestperiodsoftheirhistory,arewonderfulinstancesofthepermanenteffectproduceduponanationbytheestablishmentnotonlyofCalvin'sdoctrines,butbytheadoptionofhissystemofchurchgovernment.JohnKnox,Rutherford,andalltheoldCovenanters that did and suffered so much for the glory of God inScotland;all thosemartyrswhoshedtheirbloodlikewatersoonerthanArminianismindoctrineandEpiscopacyingovernmentshouldbeforced

uponthematthepointofthesword,werebutdisciplesofCalvin;andtheKirkwhich they loved almost to idolatry was but a copy of the churchestablished by him at Geneva. No, we Nonconformists and Dissenters,whohave rightly abandonedCalvin's views of church government for apurerandmorescripturalsystem,yetwetoo,underGod,owemainlytohim the leading principles of our faith and practice; for we are thespiritual descendants of that holy band of Puritan Refugees who,returning from Switzerland after the persecution of Queen Mary,introduced into this country those pure principles of religiousworship,learned from Calvin and his disciples, which have placed us inirreconcilable opposition to the mimicry and mummery of a worldlyestablishment.

The personal history of Calvin is so little known to any but those whohave made it an object of study, that perhaps a short sketch of sodistinguishedamanmaynotbeunacceptable toour readers aswell asformasuitableintroductiontotheworkattheheadofthepresentarticle.

JohnCalvinwasbornatNoyon,asmalltowninPicardy,aprovinceinthenorth of France, on July 10th, 1509. His father was Gerard Calvin, anotary in theecclesiastical courtofNoyon,andsecretary to thebishop;anofficetowhichhe,thesonofapoorcooper,hadmainlyraisedhimselfby his great abilities and judgment, and in the execution of which hecommanded the respect and esteem of the chief noble families of theprovince.Beinghimselfamanofdistinguishedmentalability,andlivingin habits of familiar communion with the great church dignitaries andchief men of the province, he was desirous to give his children, andespecially his son John, a similar education with those of the highestrank. The opportunity presented itself through an illustrious family, atthat time resident in the province, of the name of Mommor, with thechildren of which noble house the young Calvin, who from a childmanifestedgreattalent,wasdomesticatedandeducated.

His father, like Luther, and perhaps most parents in those days, wassingularly rigid and severe; and thus we see in the plastic days ofchildhood two opposite influences acting upon his infant mind whichmoldedbetweenthemhisfuturedisposition—greatrefinementofmentalcultureandmanner,andrigidseverityofconduct.Theformerheowedto

thecircumstancesofhisearlyeducation; the latter, ifnothereditary, tothe influence of his father.Timid andbashful indisposition, silent andgrave in manner, taking no pleasure in the sports of childhood, butdevotedtostudy,and flyingsometimes into thedepthsof theadjoiningforesttheretoreadandmeditate,onhegrew,untilattwelveyearsofagehe received what is called the clerical tonsure, that is, had his hairsolemnly cut off from the crownof his head by theBishop, as the firststep before receiving orders in the Romish Church. The object of thisstep,onenotunusualat thatperiod,wasnotsomuchtodevotehimtothealtarastoenablehimtoholdachaplaincy,towhich,accordingtothecorrupt practice of that age, even a child might be presented, if hereceivedthetonsure.

For twoyearshad theboy chaplain enjoyedhis clericaldignity and theemoluments connected with it, when a terrible pestilence broke out atNoyon. The children of the noble family ofMommor, partly to flee thepestilence, andpartly topursue their studies,were about toproceed toParis, thenasnow thegreat centerof learningandeducation.TerrifiedlesthissonJohnshoulddieoftheplague,desirousthatheshouldnotbeseparated from his noble fellow students, and anxious to complete aneducationforwhichsuchsingularaptitudewasexhibited,GerardCalvinpetitionedtheChapterthattheyoungchaplainmighthaveadispensationtoaccompanythemtoParis,retaining,withaneyetowhatiscalledthemainchance,theemolumentsofhisbenefice.Thisbeinggranteduptoanamed period, the youthful Calvin left his native town for the greatmetropolis, then or some time after the focus of a terrible persecutionagainst the opponents of the Mass and the adherents to the reformeddoctrines.

Itdoesnotappearthatatthisperiodthelightofdivinetruthhadeitherpenetratedintohisconscience,orhadevencomebeforehismind.WhatreligionhehadwaswhollyinaccordancewiththethenprevailingRomishviews,which,aswelearnfromhimself,heheldwithamostbigotedandstubborn obstinacy. On reaching Paris, he became domesticated in thehouse of an uncle, Richard Calvin, and who seems to have beensomewhat imbued with those new doctrines which were then agitatingFrance,andwhichacenturyafterwardsthrewitintoalltheconvulsions

of civilwar. The timid and shy student ladwasnow growingup into ayouthofmiddlestature,whosecomplexion,naturallydark,butpalewiththoughtandstudy,wasrelievedbyasetofanimatedfeatures,andaneyesingularlyclearandbright,whicheventohisdyingdayrevealedthefireof genius that burnt within. His dress singularly neat andmodest; hisgrave and silent deportment; his entire separation from all society butthat of a few choice friends; his disgust, which he took no pains toconceal, at the sports and idle frolics of his fellow students; his severereproofsoftheiroutbreaksintosinandwickedness;andhisownnotonlyperfectlymoral,butevenaustereandrigidlife,gavepromiseofwhathewould be when grace visited his soul and turned the current into thechannelofvitalgodliness.

ButatthisperiodstudyandmoreespeciallythatoftheLatinlanguage,atthat time the great vehicle of thought, and in which he became soaccomplished awriter,washismainobject. Like a ship launcheduponthe waters, or a horse rushing into the battle, this pale youth threwhimselfintostudy,masteringwithsucheaseandsoretaininginthegraspofhispowerfulmemoryalltowhichheappliedhismind,thatheseemedto takebyassault thecitadelof learningwhichhis fellowstudentswerebutslowlyandoftenunsuccessfullybesieging.Risingtothetopofeveryclass, he had to be removed from them all that he might receive thatinstructioninprivateinwhichnoclasscouldfollowhim.

Lookingatthefeaturesofhismindasafterwardsmorefullydevelopedbylongandsevereculture,he seems tohavepossessed fromthevery firstcertainmentalqualitiesinadegreethatfewmenhaveeverbeenfavoredwith. Acute penetration into the heart of every subject, clearcomprehension in the mass and in detail, power and precision inreasoning, and that logical accuracy of thoughtwhereby every link of alongchainofargumentisstruckandmaintainedinitsexactplace,werethechiefcharacteristicsofhismind;andas thesewereaidedbyamostcapacious and retentivememory, and a clear, simple style of languageandexpression,hewasenabledtoemploythemwiththegreatestfacilityandtotheirutmostextent.

The college atwhichhewas first placednotbeing able to advancehimbeyond a certain point, he removed to another in the samemetropolis

wherehemadestillgreaterprogressinthosestudiestowhichhedirectedhis attention. Though he had received the tonsure, he had not beenadmitted into orders, and was therefore in a strict sense not anecclesiastic. The extraordinary abilities which he had already displayedinduced,therefore,hisfathertomakehimrenouncethestudyoftheologyfor thatof the law. In compliancewithhis father'swishes, theyouthfulstudent left Paris for the University of Orleans, in order to studyjurisprudence under a celebrated professor there,whowas reputed theacutestlawyerinFrance.

His friend Beza gives us a few particulars of Calvin's life during hisresidenceatOrleans,whichhehadprobablyheardfromhisownlips,andtellsusthathewasaccustomedtospendhalfthenightinstudyandinthemorninglieinbedtoreflectuponwhathehadread.Buthepaidtheusualpenalty for such intense study, forherehe laid the foundationof thosebodilydisorders,andespeciallythosecruelheadacheswhichembitteredhisfuturelife.Thoughwehavenoclearanddistinctaccountofhiscallbygrace, yet itwould appear that itwas during his abode atOrleans thatdivinelightandlifeenteredhisconscience,orifthefearofGodwasnottherefirstimplanted,yetthatthereitwassensiblydeepened.Hetellsushimself, inhisPreface to thePsalms, thathiscallwassudden,andthatpreviously he had been an obstinate and devoted bigot to every papalsuperstition.

A near relative, Olivetan, who afterwards translated the scriptures intoFrench, was the person, according to Beza, fromwhom he derived hisfirst bias toward the reformed doctrines; and it was by his advice andexamplethathewasparticularlyledtoreadandstudythescriptures.Hethus came at once to the fountain head of all spiritual wisdom andknowledge, andwithoutanyotherguideor teacherbut theHolySpirit,wasledbyhimintothatvitalexperienceofthetruthwhichhesorichlypossessed.But thoughmade alive untoGod, he did not at once devotehimselftotheserviceofthesanctuary.

ItwasthecustomofthatperiodtomovefromUniversitytoUniversity,toobtaintheadvantageofthemostcelebratedteachers.CalvinthereforeleftOrleans to complete his legal studies at the University of Bourges, themostrenownedschoolinFranceforthatbranchofscience;andherehe

began to lay the foundations of a knowledge in theGreek language, towhichhehadas yetnotpaidmuchpreviousattention.But theworkofGodwasstillgoingoninhissoul.Thefirewasshutupinhisbones;andasitburntwithinhecouldnotstayorholdhispeace.

Itwas atBourges and in theneighboring villages thathe first began toopenhismouthinthenameoftheLord,andtopreachthattruthwhichhad been commended to his conscience andmade precious to his ownsoul.Somepeculiaranddivinepowermusthave resteduponhim fromhis very commencement to declare God's truth, for before a year hadelapsedall intheneighborhoodwhoweredesirousofknowingthepuredoctrinesof theGospel came tohim for instruction; and in spiteofhisshy and retiring habits and studious pursuits which made suchinterruptionsnaturallydistasteful,hecouldnotrefusetoministertotheirinstructionandconsolation.

Calvinwasnowabouttwenty-threeyearsofage,andstillstudyingthelawatBourges,whenanevent tookplacewhichexercisedagreat influenceupon his future life. This was the sudden death of his father, whichrenderedhimmasterofhisownactions,andenabledhimtoabandonthelaw for those pursuits and studieswhichweremore congenial to thosedesires after God and godliness which had been communicated to hissoul.HethereforeleftBourges,andoncemorerepairedtoParis,where,relinquishingallotherstudies,hedevotedhiswholemindtothosealonewhichheconsiderednecessarytoqualifyhimforbecominga"workmanwhoneedsnottobeashamed,rightlydividingthewordoftruth."

Paris was at this time in a remarkable state. Persecution had alreadycommencedagainsttheprofessorsofthereformeddoctrines,butnot inthat fearful form which it assumed about two years afterwards, when,afterasolemnprocessionthroughthestreetsofParis,inwhichthekingwalkedbarefooted, andwitha candle inhishand, after thehost,borneunder a canopy, six people, who were convicted of Lutheranism, werepubliclyburntataslowfire.Therewas,however,asufficientamountofpersecutiongoingontocompeltheevangelicalcongregationstoassembleinthegreatestsecrecy.Calvin,wehavealreadyremarked,wasnaturallynot only of a very shy and retiring, but timid disposition. Yet here hebegantomanifestthepowerofgraceingivinghimthatboldnessfortruth

in themidstofdangerwhich formedafterwardssoprominentapart inhis character. He was constantly employed in preaching to thecongregations which met in secret, and always concluded with thosesuitablewords,"IfGodbeforus,whocanbeagainstus?"

A singular circumstance, however, was the cause of his being obligedsomewhat abruptly to abandon the scene of his labors. A theologicalcollege,well known all over Europe by the name of the Sorbonne, anduniversallyconsidered thegreatpillarofCatholicorthodoxy,hadnewlyelectedandplacedatitsheadarectorbythenameofNicholasCop.Thenew rector had secretly imbibed the tenets of the Reformation, andhavingbecomeacquaintedwithCalvin, acceptedhisoffer to composeasermonwhichwas to be delivered before the assembledCollege on thefestivalofAll-Saints.Totheconsternation,notlessthantheindignationoftheassembleddoctors,thissermon,insteadof,aswasusuallythecase,furiouslyupholding thedoctrinesofPopery,and furiouslyattacking thetenetsof theReformation,boldlyset forth justificationbyfaithaloneasthewayofsalvation,andunflinchinglydeclaredthattheGospelwasthesolestandardofdivinetruth.

Suchanattackasthisupontheirdarlingcreedofsalvationbyworks,andno less idolized doctrine of the authority of the Pope, and as theyconsideredsuchaninsulttotheworld-renownedtheologiansofthefirstcollege inEurope, couldnotbeoverlooked.Cop,whoprobablyhadbutpartially read the sermonbefore he preached it,was denounced by theSorbonne doctors to the Parliament of Paris, who taking the matterwarmly up, sent their officers to apprehend him. He, however, havingreceivedthroughafriendtimelynotice,hadalreadyescapedtoBasle,inSwitzerland, his native town, where neither doctors nor officers couldtouchahairofhishead;butCalvin'sshareinthetransactionhavinggotwind,thepoliceweresenttoseizehim.

TheLord, however,wouldnot givehimover a prey to their teeth. It issaid that he was so near being apprehended that he only escaped byletting himself down from his window by the sheets of his bed; andseekingthehouseofavine-dresserwhomheknew,probablyoneofhislittlecongregation,putonhisroughsmockfrock,withawhitewalletonhis back, and a hoe upon his shoulders, and took the road on foot to

Noyon.Hewasnowcompelledtoleadawanderinglife,throughwhichwecannot now follow him, preaching as opportunity offered, but chieflyemployed in writing his great work, the "Institutes of the ChristianReligion."Persecutionwasnowgrowinghotterandhottereveryday;andmostofthemwhohadmadethemselvesconspicuousbytheircontendingfor the faith once delivered to the saints, felt themselves compelled toleaveFranceforsomesafeandtranquilasylum.

AmongthesewasCalvin,whofledtoBasle,inSwitzerland,whichofferedasecurerefuge toallexiles forconsciencesake,beinga freecityonthebanksof theRhine,overwhichneitherpopenorprincehadanypower.HerehebecameacquaintedwithmanyoftheleadingGermanreformers,especiallyBucer,afterwardssowellknowninEngland,andespeciallyatOxford,wherehewasmadedivinityprofessor.Andhere itwas thathewasenabledtoputthelasttouchesto,andtopublishA.D.1535,thefirstedition of his greetwork, "The Institutes of the ChristianReligion." Atthistimehewasonlytwenty-sixyearsofage;andyethisviewsofdivinetruth, especially of those doctrines which from him have been calledCalvinistic, were fully matured. When we consider the wandering lifewhichhehad led fromthe timethatgrace firstvisitedhissoul,andthepersecutions which he had to endure, both of which must have sadlyinterrupted his meditations and studies, we stand amazed at theclearness and depth of that mind which could give us, under suchcircumstances,aworksorepletewitheveryexcellence.

His "Institutes" is a body of Christian divinity in which all the greatdoctrinesofourmostholyfaitharelaiddownwiththegreatestclearnessandaccuracy,sothatthereisscarcelyasinglepointinthewholetruthofGodwhichdoesnot find its right place there.The influence exertedbythiswork,whichatoncebecameatextbookforprivatestudyandpubliclectures, both in this and every country where the gospel found anyfooting, is incalculable.Neverbeforehad the truthbeenpresentedwithsuchclearnessofstatement,suchabundanceofscripturalproof,andsuchfelicityof language. It atonce, therefore, established itself asabulwarkagainsterror,andaguideintothetruthasitisinJesus.

But the time was drawing near when Calvin was to be no longer awanderer and fugitive, but have a settled house and home, and be put

intopossessionofareligiouscenter,fromwhichhisinfluence,notonlyasawriter,butasintroducingandcarryingoutanewandoriginalplatformof church government, might be extended to the remotest parts. Menspeakofaccidents;butaccidentswithGodtherecanbenone.Itwasthenby an accident, as men call it, that Geneva was made Calvin's restingplace. His elder brother Charles dying unmarried, the paternalinheritancedevolvedonCalvin.Heproceeded,therefore,toNoyon,toselltheestateandputhisaffairsinorder;forwellheknewthatFrenchsoilwasnevermoretobearestingplaceforhim.Hisintention,uponleavingNoyon,was toproceed toBasleorStrasburgh,meaning inoneof thosecities permanently to pitch his tent. The army, however, of Charles V.havingatthattimepenetratedintoFrance,theusualwaywasclosed,andhe was forced to take a circuitous route through Geneva. This simplecircumstance determined the current of his whole future life, and thisaccidentalvisit toGenevawas, in thehandsofGod,madethemeansoffixinghimthere,withtheexceptionofashortinterval,fortherestofhislife.

Atthesouth-westcornerofoneofthelargestandmostbeautifullakesofSwitzerland,withinsightofthegiantoftheAlps,MontBlanc,whichrearsits hoary crestmore than 15,000 feet into the sky, and cut in twain by"The blue rushing of the arrowyRhone," lies the free and independentcity of Geneva. No place could have been better fitted both by localsituation, and political as well as religious circumstances, to become aspiritualmetropolis at the timeof theReformation, than thisQueenoftheLemanlake.Threegreatcountries,France,Germany,andItaly,meetatthatnarrowanglewheretheRhonegushesoutofitsbosom;andinitsrearrises,insceneaftersceneofmajesticgrandeurandbeauty,thatlandofmountainandlake,ofglacierandvalley, thatnativehomeofbraveryand freedom, Switzerland. The circumstances of Geneva, both politicalandreligious,attheperiodwherewepausedinourlateReviewofthelifeof Calvin, were no less favorable to its becoming a great center of theReformeddoctrinesthanitsnaturalsite.

HavingnewlyshakenoffherPopishbishop,anddrivenawaybyforceofarmstheDukeofSavoy,andthushavinggotridofbothherecclesiasticaland civil oppressors, she had a short time before Calvin's arrival

constitutedherselfarepublic,andthusopenedapathforpoliticalliberty;andmainly throughthepreachingofFarel,oneof themostremarkablecharacters that was ever raised up by the power of God to preach thegospel, had about the same period (August, 1535) formally abolishedPopery,andestablishedProtestantism in its steadas the religionof theState.

FourministersandtwodeaconswereappointedbytheCouncilwithfixedsalaries,payableoutoftheecclesiasticalrevenues,andstrictregulationsweremadetoenforcetheobservanceoftheSabbathandtheconductingofpublicworship.Terriblescenesofviolence,however,hadaccompaniedthe firstplantingof thegospelatGeneva;and the citywas still rockingwith the storm. Just then at this very crisis, when a man of powerfulmind, sound judgment, inflexiblepurpose, and thoroughlypossessedofvitalgodliness,wasneededtograspthehelm,theprovidenceofGodsentCalvin to the city. His intention was to stop only a single night at thehouse of Viret, one of the lately chosenProtestantministers. But Farelwasatthisjunctureinthecity,andhearingofthearrivalofCalvin,withwhose character he was well acquainted, and moved, doubtless, by adivineimpulse,immediatelysoughthimout,andobtaininganinterview,earnestly beggedhim to abide atGeneva, and lendhis aid the cause ofGodbyacceptingtheofficeof theministrythere.Calvinat firststeadilydeclinedacceding tohis request,on theground thathedidnotwish toaccept anypublic office,havingdetermined todevotehis life toprivatestudyandseclusionfromallpublicemploy.Farel,however,changinghistone from entreaty to command, and assuming almost apostolicauthority, bade him stay, denouncing him with God's displeasure, andalmostwiththecurseofMerozifhedidnotcome"tothehelpoftheLord,tothehelpoftheLordagainstthemighty."(Judges5:23.)

Overcome by Farel's voice and manner, which had struck awe intothousands, and recognizing in them a powerwhich reached his inmostsoul,Calvin(tousehisownwords)felt"asifGodhadlaidhishanduponhimoutofheaven,"abandonedhisprojected journey,andconsented toremain at Geneva, but would not bind himself to accept any definitechargeorpublicoffice.Howstrikinglydoweseeinallthisthemarvelousprovidence of God, and with what divine sovereignty yet with what

consummatewisdomheselectsaswellas fashionshisowninstrumentstoexecutehisownwork.

Calvinwas not theman to rush into a Popish town, and like a soldierstorming thebreach, tocarry thegospel inonehandandhis life in theother. This was Farel's work—the fearless, undaunted Farel, who, withhalf of Calvin's learning, had double of Calvin's courage, and thriceCalvin's energy. But when the ground was once fairly cleared, and theReformationfirmlyestablished,thenthevigorousintellectofCalvin,hisgreatknowledgeofdivine truth,hisenduring fortitude,hisself-denyinggodly life, his far-seeing administrative talent, his calm, inflexiblefirmness of purpose, his amazing industry, and his great ability as awriter and as a preacher, were all admirably adapted to carry onwhatFarel had begun. Farel could throw down, but could not sowell build;Calvin couldbuild,butnot so thoroughlypulldown.But as coadjutors,theywereadmirablymated.Farelwasamanofaction,Calvinamanofthought;Farelwasapreacheroffieryeloquence,Calvinawriterofdeep,but calmscripturalknowledge.BothweremenofGod,ardent loversoftruth,bosomfriendsandaffectionatebrethrenforlife,andsomatchedasfellow laborers thatFarel's impetuosityurgedonCalvin's slowness, andCalvin'sjudgmentrestrainedFarel'srashness.

WhenweconsiderCalvin'scircumstancesat this time,wecansee thereweresolidreasonswhyheshouldbeinducedtopitchhistentatGeneva.Severed fromall tiesof familyandcountry,drivenoutofFranceby thestrongarmofpersecution,hecouldnotbutbedesiroustoobtainahavenfromthestormsofoutwardviolence,aswellasasafeandabidinghome,andapositionwherehecouldbeofsomeservicetothechurchofChrist.Thus,asmostofGod'ssaintsandservantshaveexperienced,thedealingsofhisprovidenceand thedealingsofhisgrace,bothcombined toworkouthiseternalpurposes,andtofixCalvin'sabodeinthatcitywhichhasbecomelastinglyidentifiedwithhismemoryandname.

Hewassoonchosenteacheroftheology,animportantpostinthosedays—whenthetruthwassolittleknown—andonepeculiarlyadaptedtohisspiritualgiftsandintellectualabilities;butfromdiffidence,ornotseeingclearly thewillofGod,declined theofficeofminister.Suchgiftsashis,however, could not long be hid in a corner; and in the following year

(February,1537,)hewasinducedtotakeuponhimselftheburdenoftheLord.Hisfirstsermonmadesuchadeepandstrikingimpressiononthehearersthatmultitudesfollowedhimhometotestifytothepoweroftheword, and he was obliged to promise that he would preach again nextday,sothatotherswhowerenotthenpresentmightbesimilarlyfavored.

BeingthusfirmlyestablishedatGeneva,andhavingobtainedaplacebyhisgraceandgiftsintheesteemandaffectionsofthepeople,CalvindidnotlongdelaytoassociatehimselfcloselywithFarelinpushingonthosewide anddeepplans of reformation and religiousdisciplinewhich theybelievedwereneedfulforthefullestablishmentofthegospelinthatcity.

Noman admires or reveres theReformersmore thanwe do, but if wedare to advance an opinion adverse to theirmovements, we have longthoughtthattheygreatlyerredinendeavoringtobindagospelyokeonacarnalpeople, and turn theprecepts of theNewTestament into a legalcode.Gospelprecepts,likegospelpromises,belongtobelieversonly;andNew Testament discipline is for the government of New Testamentchurches alone. But their view was to make the reformed religion anational thing; to incorporate the gospel with the government, and tovisit sins against theNewTestament as crimes against theState.By sodoing,theyvirtuallydeniedtheirownprinciples: for if therebeanelectpeople, the gospel alone belongs to them; and you cannot consistentlypunishcarnalmen for the infractionofgospelpreceptswhen theyhavenointerestingospelpromises.

Weare touchinghere,wearewellaware,onamostdifficultquestion—how far the State should recognize the religion of the New Testamentwithout constituting it into an establishment; and while it punishescrime, how far it should repress immorality and sin.Allow theState tointerfereatwillinmattersofconscienceandreligion,andyouconvertitintoanengineofpersecution.Deny itall interference inreligion,and itcannot suppress loud-mouthed blasphemy, the grossest profanation oftheLord'sDay,theburningoftheBibleinopenday,andinfidellecturesinthepublicstreets.

Calvin, however, felt little difficulty in this matter. His views were toestablish the gospel in high places, and give it supreme sway over the

mindsandactionsofallmenwhocamewithinitsreach.Inconjunction,therefore,withFarel,hedrewupashortconfessionoffaithintwenty-onearticles, which also comprised some regulations respecting churchgovernment.Amongthelatterwastherightofexcommunication,whichbecame subsequently a formidable weapon in Calvin's hand for thepunishmentofevildoers.TothisconfessionoffaithFarelappendedtheTen Commandments, and in this amended form it was laid before thecouncilofTwoHundred,whoorderedittobeprinted,readinSt.Peter'sChurcheverySunday,andthepeoplesworntotheobservanceofit.

ButPoperyhadtoolongprevailedatGeneva,andhadtakentoodeepandwidearoottobespeedilyeradicated.AlmostaFrenchcity,ithadagreatdeal of Frenchmanners, andFrenchmorality, andwasnot only a verygay,lighthearted,andcarelessseatofpleasure,butterriblydissoluteandlicentious.Romecareslittlenow,andcaredstilllessthenforthemoralsofherdevoteesaslongastheyworshipatheraltars.AdrunkenIrishmanisagoodCatholicifhedobutattendmass,takeoffhishattothepriest,sayanAvetotheVirginMary,andhateallheretics.Dancingandmusic,the gambling table, and the masquerade, feasting and reveling everySunday and holiday, Rome tolerated, if not encouraged, at Geneva, aslongasmasswasdulysaidatthealtarandtheconventvesperbellnightlytinkled over the blue lake. But there were darker crimes behind themidnight mask and holiday revel. Drunkenness, blasphemy, adultery,licensed prostitution, and the most dissolute profligacy, in which thepopishclergywerenot the leastbackward,made the cityavery sinkofiniquity. It was not likely then that these lovers of pleasure, many ofwhom still continued in Geneva, sunk as they were up to the neck inprofligacy,wouldreadilysubmittotheyokewhichCalvinandFarelwerebindingontheirnecks.

ForthesemenofGoddidnotlopoffmerelyafewtwigsoftheUpastreeofsin.Theyhackedandheweddownsinrootandbranch,andsmotetheAmalekites hip and thigh. Not only the grosser crimes just mentionedwereseverelypunished,butcards,dancing,plays,masquerades,wereallabsolutely prohibited; all holidays except Sunday were abolished, andthat observed with all the strictness of our Puritan ancestors. All thechurch bells were dismantled and silenced; the citizens were strictly

enjoined to attend divine service, and be at home by 9 o'clock in theevening. Fancy an English town, a gay and fashionablewatering place,such as Brighton, Cheltenham, or Leamington, subjected to theseregulations, and then fancy whether our good Protestants would relishtheircards,theirballs,theirlatesupperparties,theirplaysandconcerts,their races and raffles, their coursing and hunting, all swept away at astroke, they made to hear sermons upon election and predestinationseveraltimesaweek,andalltobeindoorsbeforetheclockstrucknine.

Geneva, the gay, the dissipatedGeneva, wheremirth and pleasure hadlongrunriot,begantorebelagainstthisbitinherjaws,andaformidablepartywassecretlyorganizedtoresistthesestringentmeasures.ToshowhowSatancaninvesttheworstdeedswiththeholiestnames,theseloversof all ungodliness named themselves, "Brothers in Christ." "Libertines"was the name given them with far greater justice by the lovers of thegospelatGeneva.Ourlimitswillnotallowus,norindeedisitnecessaryto detail their intrigues and the artfulmanner in which they disguisedtheir real intentions. Suffice it to say, that they soon obtained politicalpower in the executive Council, and thus brought the Genevesegovernmentundertheirinfluence.Theydarenotopenlyavowthattheirendwastorestoretheancientreignofriot,but intending,doubtless, toundermine or eject Calvin and Farel by surermethods, they took theirstand on some points in which the reformed church at Berne differedfromthatatGeneva,andrequiredtheministerstoconformtothem.Thetwomain points were using unleavened bread in the communion, andcelebratingfourfestivalsintheyear.

As Calvin and Farel would not, however, consent to conform to thesepoints,andevenrefusedtoadministertheLord'sSupperatEasteratallon account of the debauchery and insubordination of the people, theCouncilforbadethemtomountthepulpit.Regardlessofthisprohibition,anddeterminedtoobeyGodratherthanman,theybothpreachedtwiceattheirrespectivechurches,butdidnotcelebratethecommunion.Theiropen disobedience to the express orders of the government broughtmatters at once to a crisis. On the followingmorning the Councilmet,andpassedsentenceofbanishmentonbothFarelandCalvin, issuingatthe same time an order that theymust quit the city in three days. The

CouncilofTwoHundredandtheGeneralAssembly,thetwofountainsofallpoweratGeneva,convenedespeciallyforthepurpose,confirmedthesentence of the Executive Council; and their decision being withoutappeal, submission was their only alternative. The exiles simplyexclaiming,"ItisbettertoserveGodthanman,"andturningtheirbacksonthecitywhichhadthuscastthemout,wentfirsttoBerne,andthenceproceededtoBasle,wheretheywerereceivedwiththegreatestcordiality.Butneithertarriedthere long,andweresoonseparated,FarelrepairingtoNeufchatel, and Calvin to Strasburg, a free and imperial city on theRhine, where the Reformation was firmly established, where he wasreceivedwith open arms, appointed professor of theology, and a pulpitandcongregationassignedhim.

Meanwhile at Geneva, matters were in a strange ferment. The partywhich had banished Calvin and Farel had gained a triumph and weredetermined tomake themost of it.Thedancers, the gamblers, and thedrunkards were pleased enough, and soon restored the ancient dayswhen sin randown the streets aswater.But the exiledministershad astrongparty thatknewand lovedthetruth,whichdailygatheredpowerand influence.Theministerswhohad succeededFarel andCalvinwereunable to maintain their ground, and left the city. Riot everywhereprevailed; strong attempts were made to re-introduce Popery; andconfusionanddisordershookthecitytothecenter.ThehandofGodnowbegantolift itselfupagainsthisadversaries.JeanPhilippe,theCaptainGeneralandheadoftheLibertineParty,waspubliclyexecutedforkillingamaninariot.

OneofthemagistrateswhoassistedtobanishCalvin,andtoldhim"thecity gates were wide enough for him," broke his own neck in trying toescape from the officers of justice out of a window. Two others wereobligedtoflyonchargesoftreason;andthustheCouncilbecamepurgedof Calvin's enemies. Swayed as it were from above, and feeling that healonecouldrestoreordertotheirtroubledanddisturbedcity,theheartsof the Council and a great majority of the citizens longed for Calvin'sreturn.Onthe24thofApril,1538,thesentenceofbanishmenthadbeenpassed;onthe20thofOctober,1540,theCouncilpassedaresolutionthathe shouldbe invited to comeback.Calvin'sheartwas really atGeneva;

butmindfulofthetroubleshehadsufferedthere,andperhapsnotbeingwilling too soon to bewon, he respectfully declined their invitation. Inadditionto this,ashewashighlyhonoredatStrasburg,where theLordwasremarkablyblessinghislabors,hadlatelytakentohimselfawifeandwas deeply immersed in his beloved studies, he had every inducementtheretoremain.Undeterredbyhisrefusal,againtheCouncilpressedhimmost earnestly to return; again Calvin pleaded his engagements atStrasburg.

Unable to prevail with him, the Council sent a circular letter to thegovernments of Berne, Basle, and Zurich to request their influence inprocuringhisreturn:†Farel,Bucer,andotherinfluentialministersurgedhiscompliance.Nonebuthe,itwasfelt,couldraisethesinkingchurchatGeneva, or rule the people in that riotous city. Overcome at length bythesepowerfulpersuasions,seeing,doubtless,thehandofGodinthem,andthatGenevawashisdivinelyappointedpost,Calvinyieldedthepointand consented to return.His return, under these circumstances, was atriumphoftruthovererror,andofgodlinessoverungodliness;andthushisveryexilegavehimapowerandanauthoritysubsequentlyatGenevawhich he could not have hadwithout it. How evident in all this is thewonder-working hand of God. A mounted herald was despatched toescorthimfromStrasburg,andacarriageandthreehorsessenttobringhiswifeandfurniture.

On the 13th of September, 1541, he again entered the gates of Geneva.The Council received him with every mark of affection and respect,besoughthimevertoremainwiththem,providedhimwithahouseandgardenattached,settledonhimafixedsalary,and,whatwemaybelieveCalvinvaluedmorethanall,preparedhimapulpitinSt.Peter'sChurch,soarrangedthatthewholecongregationmighthearhimwithease.Fromthis period until the day of his decease, (May 27th, 1564,) a space ofnearly23years,did this zealousandgodly servantof theLord laboratGeneva.Thefollowingwastheordinaryroutineofhislabors.BesidestheLord's day, he preached every day during each alternateweek; thrice aweekhegavelecturesindivinity;presidedintheconsistoryormeetingoftheministers every Thursday; and lectured at St. Peter's Church everyFridayevening.On thealternateweekhechieflydevotedhimself tohis

studies,commencingatfiveorsixinthemorning,andcontinuingatworknearlyallday.

Wecannotpursuehishistoryduringaneventfulperiodof twenty-threeyears.We hasten, therefore, to his end; those latter days of his life onearth,onwhichapeculiarhaloofgraceandglorywasshed.Forseveralyearshisbodilysufferingsandafflictionshadbeengreat;butabout1561,a complication of disorders fell on his earthly tabernacle. A continualcolic,incessantvomitings,lossofappetite,sleeplessness,andtormentingheadaches, pressed him sore. But worse ills, asthma, gout, and stone,followed in their rear. Still he continued his severe labors, writingcommentaries on the Scripture, and preaching, though obliged to becarried to the church in a chair. On the 6th of February, 1564, hepreached his last sermon, though he still occasionally addressed a fewwords to the congregation. But, amid all his severe sufferings, nocomplaintescapedhislips,exceptthatsometimeshewouldlookup,andsay,"Lord,howlong?"

Hewasnow very sensible that his earthly pilgrimagewas drawing to aclose.Stillhepursuedhisliterarylabors;andwhenBezabeggedofhimtogive up dictating, or at all eventswriting, his only answerwas, "What?Wouldyouhave theLord findmee idle?"On the10thofMarchhewaspubliclyprayed for in thechurchesbyorderof thegovernment,andonthe 18th, the Council sent him a present of twenty-five crowns, which,however, he refused to accept, assigning as his reason that he was nolongerabletowork,andthereforehadnorighttobepaid.Onthe2ndofApril he was carried to church, stayed the sermon, and received theLord's Supper from the hand of Beza. He joined in the hymn with atremulous voice, and though his countenance bore on it the evidentstampofdeath,yetwas it lightedupwith theradiantbeamsof joyandpeace.Onthe25thofAprilhemadehiswill,andonthe26ththeCouncilassembled at his house. We could wish that our limits admitted theinsertionofevenaportionofhisgraveandwiseaddresstotheexecutivegovernment of Geneva, received by them as it was with the greatestrespectandaffectionaswellasmanytears.Onthe28thalltheGeneveseministers met at his house. These he addressed most earnestly andaffectionately,exhortingthemtopersevereinthegoodworktowhichthe

Lordhadcalledthem,toavoidalldisputeandstrife,andwalkinmutuallove and affection. He bade them firmly maintain his doctrine, andupholdhisdiscipline,andappealedtohisownexperiencethattheLordhadblessedbothhimandhislabors.Heassuredthemthathehadalwayslivedwith them,andwasnowdeparting fromthem in thebondsof thetruest and sincerest love; begged their forgiveness for any peevishexpressionswhichhadescapedhislipsduringhisillness;returnedthemhearty thanks for bearing his burdens; and, amid many tears on theirside,shookhandsseparatelywith,andbadefarewelltothemall.HislastletterwaswrittentoFareltodissuadehimfromcomingfromNeufchateltohavealastinterview.Ourreaderswillperuseitwithinterest.

"Farewell,maybestandtruestbrother!andsinceitisGod'swillthatyouremainbehindmeintheworld,livemindfulofourfriendship,whichasitwas useful to the church ofGod, so the fruit of it awaits us in heaven.Pray,donotfatigueyourselfonmyaccount.ItiswithdifficultyIdrawmybreath,andexpectthateverymomentwillbemylast.ItisenoughthatIliveanddie forChrist,whois therewardofhis followersboth in lifeordeath.Again,farewellwithmybrethren.—Geneva,2ndofMay,1564."

Farel came, however, to see him; but we are not favored with theparticularsoftheinterview,which,betweentwobrethrensolongandsowarmlyunited,andbothsinkingintothegrave,wornoutwithsufferingand toil, must have been most deeply interesting. The days that nowremainedtohimonearth,Calvinspent inalmostcontinualprayer,andejaculating sentences from the Scriptures. On the 19th ofMay he tookfinally to his bed,where he lay inmuch bodilyweakness and sufferinguntilthe27th.Abouteighto'clockintheeveningofthatday,thesignsofapproachingdissolutionappeared.Beza,whohadnotlonglefthim,wassentfor,buttoolatetoseehimexpire.Beforehisfriendcouldreachhisbed-side,hisransomedsoulhadpassedfromearthtoheaven,apparentlywithoutastruggle,ashelookedlikeonewhohadfallenintoadeepsleep,withoutatraceofexpiringagony.

Thuslivedandthusdiedthisgreatandgoodman,thiseminentservantofGod, thismemorable champion of the truth of the gospel, this learnedandgodlyReformer, JohnCalvin.On thatnight and the followingday,according to the testimony of Beza, Geneva seemed plunged into

universalmourning.Thestatelamentedthelossofitsmostdistinguishedcounselor; the church of its beloved pastor; the university of itsunwearied and able teacher; the poor of their firm friend andsympathizingsuccourer; theministersofawiseandaffectionate fellow-laborer;andalargecircleofprivateChristiansoftheirspiritualguideandfather.NorwasthefeelingofgriefandlamentationconfinedtoGeneva.The whole Reformed church, that had been so long and so deeplyindebted to his labors, and a large and increasing band ofcorrespondents, whose faithful and affectionate counselor he long hadbeen,joinedinlamentinghisloss.

That Calvin had his faults, his warmest friends and greatest admirerscannot deny. His language at times against his adversaries, though itmust be borne in mind that it was the prevailing evil of the day, wasexceedinglyviolentandintemperate."Abeast,apig,avagabond,ascurvyknave,animpostor,afoul-mouthed-dog;"sucharesomeoftheepithetsthatfellfromhispen.Castellio,againstwhomtheseangryinvectiveswerelaunched,thuspointedlyreprovesCalvinforusingthem—"EvenwereIastrulyallthesethingsasIreallyamnot,yetitillbecomessolearnedamanas yourself, the teacher of so many others, to degrade so excellent anintellectbysofoulandsordidabuse."

Hewasalsosternandunforgivingonpointswherehisownauthoritywasinquestion,andruled,bothinchurchandstate,withtoomuchofanironhand. The times were, however, peculiar, and a silken glove was notadapted for the turbulent city of Geneva: nor were the principles oflibertyunderstoodthereasnowwithus,withwhomtheyhavebeenthegrowth of centuries. The fairestway is to look at the result of his rule.ThathefoundGenevafullofriotandturbulence,averysinkofsinandimmorality,andleftitathisdeathaseatoforderandquiet,ofmoralityand good government, and a favored spot of truth in doctrine andgodliness in life, all must admit who are not blinded by a spirit ofprejudiceanderror.

Buthisbestandmostenduringmonumentisthefruitofhispen.Therehe peculiarly shone.His great and varied learning, his logical, accuratemind,hisdeepknowledgeofthescriptures,hisardent loveoftruth,hisclearandforciblestyle,andthestrengthofhisarguments,allcombined

togivehiswritingsapowerandprevalenceinhisownage,ofwhichwestillfeeltheeffects,butcanhardlyrealizetheconception.Hiswritings,itistrue,arenowlittleread,andhavebecomeinameasuresupersededbymoremodernworks.Itisgood,however,togoattimestothefountain-head; and Dr. Cole has thus conferred a benefit on the church bytranslatingandpublishingtheworkattheheadofthepresentarticle.

ManyspeakasifCalvininventedthosedoctrineswhicharesofrequentlycalledbyhisname,andothersasifhefirstdiscoveredthemintheBible.Hedidneither theonenor theother.BeforeCalvinhadbirthorbeing,theyhadaplaceinthescripturesoftruth;andbeforetheBibleitselfhadbirthorbeing,theyhadaplaceintheheartofGod.Thegranddoctrineofelectionwasnot left forCalvintodiscover intheBible.It isnota faint,feeble glimmer in the word of truth, an obscure doctrine, which, withmuch painstaking and piecing of text to text, may at length be dimlydescriedlurkinginsomeintricatepassages,butarayoflightthatshinesthroughandilluminatesthewholescripturefromthefirstpromisemadeinEdentothecloseofthesacredcanon.

GeorgeWhitefield

Atthisdistanceoftime,wecanscarcelyframetoourselvesanideaofthegeneralburstofexecrationthatassailedWhitefieldontheonehandfromthe dead formalists of that day and generation, and of the mightyrevolution in themindsofhundredsand thousandson theotherwhichledthemtohailhimasanambassadorofheaven.Letuspresentaslightsketchofthisremarkableman.

God usually works by means, and brings about appointed ends byappointed instruments.These instrumentsareusuallynotonlyadaptedtotheworkwhichtheyhavetoperform,buttotheageandgenerationinwhichtheylive.

Luther was so adapted to Germany, Knox to Scotland, and Farel toSwitzerland, that, humanly speaking, had the men been transferred to

each other's soil, the work of reformation would have immediatelystopped.SoWhitefieldwasespeciallyadaptedtohisdayandgeneration.Wespeaksometimesof the lowstateof things inourday,as ifall vitalreligionwereperishedoutoftheland.Butwhateverourdaybe,itisclearto all who know the history of that period that things thenweremuchworse.Thentherewasscarcelyanyprofession.Peoplespeakagainstourdayasa 'dayofprofession'. It is true—butprofession inmanyasmuchimplies possession in some, as forged coin proves the existence ofgenuine,orasshadowimpliessubstance.Inthatdaytherewaslittleornoprofession, for the same reason that there is no shade in the Arabiandesert—there are no trees. The influence of Puritanism had graduallywornout—thefloodofcorruptionintroducedbyCharlesIIhadgradually(thebarrierofPuritanismbeingwell-nearinruins)settleddownoverthelowlands of society as well as submerged its highlands. The pulpitsresoundedwithmoralessays.Withtheexperienceofthepower,theverydoctrineofgodlinesswaslostintheChurches.Arminianismruledfarandwide; and as this has always been half-brother to Socinianism, a darkcloudwasbroodingovertheland,akintothatwhichhasburiedGermanyinneologyandFranceininfidelity.

Thus the state of torpor and death everywhere prevalent beforeWhitefieldwasraisedupisindeedindescribable.Theverydoctrineofthenewbirthwasallbutlostoutoftheland.ItishardtosaywhetherChurchordissentwastheworse;forthoughthelattermightretainmoreoftheformofsoundwords,yetitseemstohavebeennearlyasdestituteofthepower.

Inthisstate,ofthings,then,whenallwastorporanddeath,GodraisedupWhitefield, and, in his providence and grace, sent him through thelengthandbreadthof the land,proclaiming thenecessityandnatureofthe new birth. To us who at this day read his sermons, there seemscomparatively little in themtoproduce suchpowerfuleffects.Whenwereadofthethousandswhohungentranceduponhislips;ofhisarrestingintosilencethedisorderlymultitudeofaLondonfair—ofhisreceivingononedayathousandnotesfrompeopleunderconvictionsofsin;andthenquietlyreadthesermonswhichcameabroadunderhisname,welookinvainforthe"thoughtsthatbreatheandwordsthatburn"whichproduced

sucheffects;andweseemledtotheconclusioneitherthatthepublishedsermons are unfaithful, mutilated, imperfect transcripts of the actualdiscourses,or thatamightypowerresteduponhimwhichclothedwithfire words and ideas which in other mouths would seem almostcommonplace.Butwhicheversolutionweadopt,theireffectisundoubtedwhendeliveredbyhim.

Besides thepower fromonhighthatresteduponhim, therewasaholywarmthandenergy,asimplicityandgodlysincerity,andapouringoutofhiswholesoulwithfervor,thatarrestedthemostunconcernedhearer.Hespoke as one whose very heart and soul were in the work. He had,besides, great natural eloquence, a voice unrivaled formelody, variety,pathos, and strength, and every feature and gesture were lit up withenergyandanimation.Themostfearlesscourage,thegreatestpatience,acharacterwithoutablot,themostundeniabledisinterestedness,laborstous scarcely credible, a heart overflowingwith tenderness and affection,and,aboveall,asoulfavoredbeyondmostwiththein-shiningsofGod'sfavorandlove—suchisafeeblesketchofEngland'sgreatapostle.

To say that Whitefield in all points was a perfect minister would befoolish.Hewas not always clear in doctrine; and his free addresses tosinners would seem to us now strongly impregnated with free-will.Doubtlesstherewasalsomuchinhimduetonaturaladvantages,whichshould always be carefully distinguished from grace. His naturaleloquence arrested the attention ofHume, the infidel historian,who issaidtohavedeclaredthathisaddresstotheangelGabrielnottodepartuntilhecouldbeartoheaventhetidingsofasinner'sconversionwasthefinest burst of oratory possible; of the skeptic,BenjaminFranklin,whotellsanamusingstoryhowhewascompelledtoemptyhispurseunderacharity-sermonfortheOrphanInstitution,thoughpredeterminedtogiveonlyasmallsum;ofLordChesterfield,whousedtohearhimpreachattheCountessofHuntingdon's.Andifmenofsuchnameandnote,menofgreat mental ability, were so charmed withWhitefield's eloquence, wemaybesurethatitmusthavebeenveryextraordinary.

Itisevident,therefore,thatmanyfollowedandadmiredWhitefieldasindays of old. As the rebellious children of Judah listened to the "lovelysong"oftheprophetEzekiel;andastheJewswerewillingforaseasonto

rejoice in John the Baptist as a burning and a shining light, thus themultitude heard Whitefield. Hundreds admired his eloquence, weptunder his pathos, and rejoiced in his lightwhonever repented of theirsins,norbelievedontheSonofGod.StilltherecanbenodoubtthatGodlargelyhonoredWhitefield'sministryinthecallinginofelectsouls,andthat it was the commencement of a revival in the Churches. Toplady,Newton,Berridge,Romaine,andotherusefulmenintheirday,mayallbesaidtohavesprungupunderthe lightsownbyWhitefield.Therewasawiderevivalintheland;andwhereWhitefieldplanted,otherswatered—andGodgavetheincrease.

WeshalltakethisopportunitytodescribealittleofWhitefield'speculiar,almost unparalleled, gifts as a preacher—gifts so remarkable that wecannotdoubt theywerebestoweduponhim forapeculiarpurpose.Hisvoice, which is affirmed to have been so clear and powerful as to beaudibleatthedistanceofamile,appears,bygeneraltestimony,tohavebeeninallotherrespectsoneofthemosteffectiveeverpossessedbyman,capableoftakingeveryvariedtoneofemotion,andwhetherpouredforthin thunder to rouse, or in softermusic tomelt, making its way to theheart with irresistible force and effect. Its tones, too, were singularlyvaried, and at the same time so truly natural, expressing every tenderfeelingoftheheartwithsuchtouchingpathos,thatthedullesthearerwasrivetedasbyaninvinciblecharmassoonasheopenedhislips.

His action, too, was singularly expressive and becoming, being easy,natural, and unaffected, yet eminently striking, though sometimesbordering almost on violence. His language also was peculiarly simpleand full of fire, broken frequently into short sentences, abounding infigures and illustrations, interspersed with the warmest, tenderestappeals to the conscience, mingled often with his own uncontrollablesobsandtears,anddivestedofallthatheavylumberwhichweighsdownpreacherandhearer.Matterandmannerwerealikenew,andburstuponasleepygenerationasabrilliantmeteor,whichinthemidnightdarknessdrawstoitspatheveryeye.

Previous to his time sermons were for the most part longwinded, dullessays;andevenwhentheyweresoundindoctrine,whichwasveryrare,were,liketheoldPuritanicalwritings,morefittedfortheclosetthanthe

pulpit, and divided and subdivided until "nineteenthly" weighed downeyes and ears into involuntary slumber. The holy fire which burned inWhitefield'ssoulburst itswaythroughall theseartificialcoverings,andtheglowingwarmthwhichmadehisthoughtstobreatheandhiswordstoburnpenetratedtheheartsofhishearers.

AministeronceaskedGarrick,thecelebratedactor,whypeopleweresoaffected by a tragedywho fell asleep under a sermon? "The reason is,"replied he, "that we speak falsehood as if it were truth, and you speaktruthasifitwerefalsehood."Whitefieldspoketruthastruth.ThetruthofGodwasinhisheart,andaflameofloveburnttherewhichlighteduphiscountenancewithenergyandhiseyeswithfire,poureditselfforthinthemost ardent and expressive words, quivered in every note of hismelodiousvoice,andstreamedforthineverywaveofhishand.Thereisapeculiar charm in real eloquence, riveting the mind and swaying thefeelingsoftheheartuntilityieldsitselftothevoiceoftheorator,asthestringsof theharptothefingersof themusician.Theverysoundofhisvoicecanmaketheheartalternatelyburnwithardorandindignation,ormeltituntilthetearsgushfromtheeyes.

Allthisisdistinctfromgrace;andhundredsandthousandswhomeltedat theaccentsofWhitefield'svoice livedanddied intheirsins.Liketheprophetofold,hewasuntothem"asaverylovelysongofonethathasapleasant voice, and can playwell on an instrument; but they heard hiswords and did them not." (Ezek. 33:32.) Yet be it borne inmind, thatthese very natural gifts were bestowed on Whitefield for a particularpurpose.Itwasthesewhichgavehimsuchcongregations,andmadehispreachingadmiredby suchmenasDavidHume, thephilosopher,LordChesterfield,thecourtier,andFranklin,theworldlypolitician,asmuchasbythepoorcolliersatKingswood,whenthewhitegutters,madebytheirtears,streakedtheirblackcheeks.Whitefieldwasnoactorcultivatinghisvoiceorstudyinghisgestures—butthesegiftswerenaturallyinhim,andheused themas inartificially as a personpossessed of an exquisite earandabeautifulvoicepoursforthmelodioustonesasthefreeutteranceofthemusicwithin.

Butbesidesthesenaturalgifts,therewasapeculiarpower—thepowerofGod,restingonhisministry.Thatamostsignalblessingaccompaniedhis

labors is beyond the shadow of a doubt. John Newton, who hadfrequently heard him, in a funeral sermon preached at his death, fromJohn5:35,thusspeaksofhimfrompersonalknowledge:

"TheLordgavehimamannerofpreachingwhichwaspeculiarlyhisown.Hecopied fromnone,and Inevermetanywhocould imitatehimwithsuccess. They who attempted generally made themselves disagreeable.His familiar address, the power of his action, his marvelous talent infixingtheattentionevenofthemostcareless,Ineednotdescribetothosewhohaveheardhim;and to thosewhohavenot, theattemptwouldbevain.Otherministers couldpreach thegospelas clearly, and ingeneralsay the same things; but I believe noman living could say them in hisway.HereIalwaysthoughthimunequaled,andIhardlyexpecttoseehisequalwhileIlive.Butthatwhichfinishedhischaracterasashininglight,and is now his crown of rejoicing, was the singular success which theLordwas pleased to give him inwinning souls.Whatnumbers enteredthekingdomofglorybeforehim!andwhatnumbersarenowlamentinghis loss, whowere awakened by hisministry! It seemed as if he neverpreached in vain. Perhaps there is hardly a place, in all the extensivecompassofhislabors,wheresomemaynotyetbefoundwhothankfullyacknowledge him for their spiritual father. Nor was he an awakeningpreacheronly;whereverhecame, ifhepreachedbutasinglediscourse,heusuallybroughtaseasonofrefreshmentandrevivalwithhimtothosewhohadalreadyreceivedthetruth.Greatashisimmediateandpersonalusefulnesswas,hisoccasionalusefulness,ifImaysocallit,was,perhaps,muchgreater.Manyhavecausetobethankfulforhimwhoneversaworheard him. He introduced a way of close and lively application to theconscience,forwhich,Ibelieve,manyofthemostadmiredandeminentpreachers now livingwill not be ashamed or unwilling to acknowledgethemselveshisdebtors."

Onthispointweshallhaveanotheropportunitytoenlarge;butwecannotomitherehisdevotednesstotheworkoftheministry.SeventimesdidhecrosstheAtlantic,atthattimealongandperilousvoyage.Fromtheveryfirst, too,hehadamost singularpowerofwinning theaffectionsofhishearers.Hissincerity,warmth,deepandgenuinefeeling,and,aboveall,the blessing of God resting on the word, riveted to him the hearts of

hundreds.

Making every allowance for his natural gifts, there must have been apeculiarpowerrestingonhisministry,toproducetheseeffects.

TherecanbelittledoubtthattherewasinWhitefield'sdaymorelifeandpower in the churchofGod thanwenowwitness, orperhapshave anydistinct idea of. Such coldness and deadness have fallen upon thechurchesthatitseemshardtorealizethezeal,warmth,andearnestnesswhich thenprevailed.Thesimplest,perhaps,andeasiestway todo thiswillbeforeachofourgraciousreaderstorecallthedaysofhisspiritualyouth, "when the candle of the Lord shined upon his head, and by hislighthewalkedthroughdarkness;whenthesecretofGodwasuponhistabernacle;whenhewashedhis stepswithbutter, and the rockpouredhimoutriversofoil."Lethimrecallhisownearnestnessinprayeratthatmemorableperiod,histendernessofconscience,hiszealfortheLord,hisdeadnesstotheworld,hislovetoGod'speople,histimesofhearingwhenwell near every sermon seemed blessed to his soul. The recollection ofthis never-to-be-forgotten season, the Spring of the soul, may serve tobring before his mind the days of Whitefield—that spring-tide of thechurch, when the flowers appeared on the earth, and the voice of theturtlewasheard in the land;whenthe leafofprofessionwasgreenandthe blossom of promise fragrant; before the fruit had become, as now,wizened from declining sap, and the foliage sear and yellow from theautumnalfrosts.

One remarkable instance of the power of God attending Whitefield'sministryisrecordedinhislife—thatafterpreaching,ononeoccasion,inMoorfields,hereceived,accordingtohisowntestimony,"atamoderatecomputation, a thousand notes from people under conviction."Makingevery deduction for natural excitement, giving the fullest allowance fortemporary convictions, it affords an unparalleled example of powerattendingonesermon.

Where,atleastinourday,istheministerwhoselaborsareaccompaniedwith such striking effects? We may have men clearer in doctrine, butwhere can we find that life and power, that ardent zeal, that burningeloquence, that devotedness to thework, those astonishing labors, that

self-denying life, that singleness of eye to the glory of God, thatunwearied perseverance, or that flame of holy love which seemed toconsume the very lamp in which it shone with such surpassingbrightness?

And for this life and power in the soul of aminister, what can be thesubstitute?Shall itbe learning?That, in comparison, isbuta flickeringflame,amerephosphoruslightcomposedoutofdeadmen'sbrains,toofainttoilluminate,toocoldtokindle.Shallitbesoundviewsofdoctrine?Amid the heaps of error which are spread on every side, and amidhundreds of erroneousmenwho lie inwait to deceive, sound views oftrutharemostvaluable,no,indispensable.Buttheremaybethesoundestcreedintheheadwithdeathintheheartandsininthelife!Soundviewswithout divine life resemble a sound, well-tuned ring of bells, whichcharmtheearmorethanthejanglingandthecracked,butarestillmeretinklingmetal.

Shall it be gifts?—a flow of words as unceasing as a babbling brook, avoice as musical as the evening nightingale, action as elegant as evergracedthestage,pathosastouchingaseverbedewedfemalecheekswithtears, animationas vehementas ever stirred theaudiencesofPeter theHermit,andeloquenceasardentaseverledmenontomountthebreachor charge a battalion? Alas! what are they all, destitute of life? Unitedwith life—a combination very rare, though perhaps to a great extentexisting inWhitefield—theyare indeedto theswordwhat theback is totheedge,givingitweightandstrength;butwithoutlifetheyarealumpofiron,whichneverpiercestothe"dividingasunderofsoulandspirit,andofthejointsandmarrow,"oris"adiscernerofthethoughtsandintentsoftheheart."

Toenumerateallthelaborsofthisdistinguishedapostlewouldfarexceedourpages.Whereverhewenthewasthesameman,havingbutoneobjectin view, and wholly devoted to it. This singleness of eye, oneness ofpurpose,anddevotednessofheartwontohimtheadmirationandesteemofmanywhogavelittleproofofadivineworkintheirsouls.

Tosaythathewasonallpointssound,thattherewasnodrosswithhisgold,nowatermingledwithhiswine,wouldbeindeeduntrue.Hisardor

andzealledhimfrequentlytostretchthelinebeyondevenhisownviewsofdivinetruth.ThushisgreatthemewastheLordJesus;buthepreachedhim more as the Savior of sinners generally than as the Head of thechurch, the Savior of elect sinners. The new birthwas alsowith him adarlingtheme.

Inconsidering thegeneral characterofWhitefield'spreaching,wemustbearinmindthataministrysuitableforoneperiodofthechurchmaybynomeansbeadaptedforanother.TheworkofWhitefieldwasthatofanevangelist. He was no pastor of a church, and had no settledcongregation, and scarcely a fixed residence; but, burning with anunquenchable zeal, traveled from place to place, addressingmultitudeswhowere livingwithout hope andwithout God in theworld. To reachtheir consciences was his aim and object. To set before them theirperishingstateassinners,toproclaimintheirearsfreegracethroughthebloodandrighteousnessofChristasrevealedinthegospel,toinsistuponthe necessity and unfold the nature of the new birth, whereby theybecamepartakersofthissalvation—theseweretheleadingfeaturesofhispreaching;andashehimselfhadadeepanddailyexperienceofsinandsalvation,inurgingthesepointshepouredouthisverysoul,andwithapowerandeloquencealmostwithoutexample.

Thebestdescriptionthatweknowofthegeneraldriftofhispreachingisthe account which Tanner gives of the sermon that he preached atPlymouth, and which God owned and blessed to the quickening of hissoul. When he had described, in the most touching manner, thesufferingsoftheLordJesusChrist,fixinghiseyessuddenlyonTanner,hecried,"Sinner,youarethemanwhocrucifiedtheSonofGod!"Withsuchpowerdidthesewordscometohissoul,andhissinsweresosetinarraybeforehim,thatTanner,allbutdroppeddownonthespot.Thisisbutaspecimenofhispeculiarmanner;butsuchpreachingwouldnotsuitourday,asitdidnotsuitthedaywhicharoseshortlyafterhisdeath.

Whitefield threshed the corn, but he left wheat and chaff on the barnfloor,amingledheap.Hecouldwieldtheflailasfewmeneverhandledit,buthecouldnot,ordidnot, touch the sieve.Todo this,GodraisedupHuntington,whobyhispreachingandmorebyhiswritings,winnowedthecornwhichWhitefieldhadthreshed.WhatWhitefieldwastotheflail,

Huntington was to the sieve. Between them, therefore, there is nocomparisontobe instituted.Theflailmightsaytothesieve,as ithangsonthenail,"Whatapoorthingareyou!Thereisasheafforyou;come,tryandgetthecornoutofit."Butby-and-byetheflailishungonthenail,andthenthesievemightretort,"Mr.Flail,whatapoorthingareyou!Youcannotsiftyourowncorn.Whatgoodisallthisheaphere?Imustcomedownto finishyourslovenlywork."Wellmight the laborersay toboth,"Come, let ushavenoquarreling; you, Flail, cando yourwork, andnoonebetter;andyou,Sieve,candoyourwork,andnoonebetter;butitismyhandwhichusesyouboth;andunlessItakeyoudown,youmayhangon thenail until you, Flail, drop off by the dry rot, and you, Sieve, areeatenupbyrust."

WhatWhitefieldwas,hewasbythegraceofGod;whatHuntingtonwas,hewasbythegraceofGod.Whitefieldhadnotthedeepexperience,clear,doctrinal views, knowledge of and insight into Scripture, keendiscernment, and able pen of Huntington; nor had Huntington theshiningeloquence,burningzeal,andpopulargiftsofWhitefield;yeteachwereservantsofGod,andblessedintheirdayandgeneration.Buttheyhadtheirseparatework.HowdifferentwasPaulfromElijah!HowunlikearetheaddressofStephentotheJewishCouncilandtheFirstEpistleofJohn!Thesedifferencesspring,however,fromtheblessedSpirit,andarebutdiversitiesofhis sovereigngifts—"Nowtherearediversitiesofgifts,butthesameSpirit.Andtherearedifferencesofadministrations,butitisthesameGodwhichworksallinall."SowithWhitefieldandHuntington.Huntington could not have preached to the Bristol colliers, norWhitefield to thecongregationsofProvidence.Wearenot insensible toWhitefield'sdefects,evenerrors;butweviewhimasamanraiseduptodoaspecialwork.

We could not consistently close our review of his life and ministrywithout adverting to his faults. But it is an invidious task to point outdefects.Therearespots inthesun, flaws inadiamond,andspecks inamirror;butthesunisstillthegloriousorbofday,thediamondisstillthemostbrilliantofjewels,andthemirroroftheastronomer'stelescopestillpenetrates the depths of ether and brings to light the wonders of theheavens.SoisWhitefieldstilltheprinceofpreachers,andhisdefectsare

lostinthebrightnessofhischaracterasaChristianandasaminister!

ThefollowingisanextractfromaletterofGeorgeWhitefield.

For many years, from one end of the large London fair to the other,booths of all kinds have been erected for performers, clowns, players,puppetshows,andsuchlike.Withaheartbleedingwithcompassionforsomanythousandsledcaptivebythedevilathiswill,onthedayofthefair,atsixo'clockinthemorning,IventuredtoliftupastandardamongtheminthenameofJesus.

Perhaps therewereabout ten thousandpeople inwaiting,not forme—but forSatan's instruments to amuse them!When Imountedmy field-pulpit, almost all flocked immediately around it. I preached on thesewords,'AsMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewilderness,soshalltheSonofManbe liftedup!'Theygazed, they listened,theywept;andIbelievethatmany felt themselves stungwithdeep conviction for their sins.Allwashushedandsolemn.

Beingthusencouraged,Iventuredoutagainatnoon.Whatascene!Thefields, the whole fields were ready for Beelzebub's harvest! All Satan'sagents were in fullmotion—drummers, trumpeters, singers,masters ofpuppetshows,exhibitorsofwildbeasts,players,andsoforth,allbusyinentertainingtheirrespectiveaudiences.Isupposetherecouldnotbelessthan twenty or thirty thousand people. My pulpit was fixed on theopposite side, and immediately, to their great dismay, they found thenumberoftheirattendantssadlylessened.

Judging that like Paul, I would now be called as it were, to fight withbeasts atEphesus, I preached from thesewords—'Great isDianaof theEphesians!'Youmayeasilyguess that therewas somenoiseamong thecraftsmen,andthatIwas'honored'withhavingafewstones,dirt,rotteneggs,andpiecesofdeadcatsthrownatme,whileengagedincallingthemfromtheirfavorite,butlyingvanities.Mysoulwasindeedamonglions—but thegreatestpartofmycongregation,whichwasvery large, seemedforawhiletobeturnedintolambs.

ThisencouragedmetogivenoticethatIwouldpreachagainatsixo'clock

intheevening.Icame,Isaw—butwhat?Thousandsandthousandsmorethan before, if possible, still more deeply engaged in their unhappydiversions!OneofSatan'schoicestservantswasperforming,trumpetingonalargestage;butassoonasthepeoplesawmeinmypulpit,Ithinkalltoamanlefthimandrantome.ForawhileIwasenabledtoliftupmyvoicelikeatrumpet,andmanyheardthejoyfulsound.

ThisSatancouldnotbrook.Theenemy'sagentsmadeakindofroaringatsomedistancefromourcamp.Atlengththeyapproachednearer,andoneof the clowns (attended by others, who complained that they had lostmuch money on account of my preaching,) got up upon a man'sshoulders, and advancingnear the pulpit attempted to slashmewith along heavy whip several times—but always tumbled down with theviolenceofhismotion.

Soonafterwardstheygotamarchingbandwithdrums, topass throughthe congregation. I ordered that passagemight bemade for them. Theranksopened,whileallmarchedthrough,andthenclosedagain.Findingtheseefforts to fail, a largegroupassembled together,andhavinggotalarge pole with their flag, advanced towards us with steady andformidable steps, until they came very near the skirts of our hearing,praying,andalmostundauntedcongregation.IprayedtotheCaptainofour salvation for present support and deliverance. He heard andanswered;for justastheyapproacheduswithfearful looks—Iknownotwhy—theyquarreledamongthemselves,threwdowntheirflag,andwenttheirway—leaving,however,manyoftheircompanybehind,whobeforewe were done, were brought over to join the besieged party. I think Icontinuedinpraying,preaching,andsinging,(forthenoisewastoogreatattimestopreach)foraboutthreehours.

We then retired to the Tabernacle, with pockets full of more than athousandnotes frompeoplebroughtunderconcern for their souls, andreadthemamidthepraisesandspiritualacclamationsofthousands,whojoined with the holy angels in rejoicing that, in such an unexpected,unlikely place andmanner—somany sinners were snatched out of theveryjawsofthedevil!

JohnGrace

Itisrathermorethan10yearssincewesofarknewthelateJohnGraceastobecomepersonallyand,indeed,wemaysay,intimatelyacquaintedwith him. We were supplying at Eden Street Chapel, London, in thesummerof1854,whenonemorninghequiteunexpectedly,andwithoutanymutual friend's or other introduction, walked into our lodgings tomakeourpersonalacquaintance;for,thoughwellknowntoeachotherbyname,wehadnevermetbutoncebefore,intheyear1838,andthatonlyforsoshortatimeastoaffordnoopportunityforanythingbeyondalittleconversation.Oneverymarkedfeatureofhischaracterwasthathewas"aloverofgoodmen;"andbelieving,wesuppose,thattheunworthywriterof these lineswasoneof these"goodmen,"he feltdesirous to formhisacquaintance.Hethereforecameandintroducedhimself.Weatoncefellintospiritualconversation,andamutualunionwas,aswehavereasontobelieve, foundand felt,whichnotonlysubsistedwithoutbreak,but,wemaysay,increasedratherthandiminisheduptothetimeofhisremovalfromthissceneofsinandsorrow.

Allwhohadtheprivilegeofhisfriendshipwilllongrememberhisopen,cheerful, affectionatemanner and address; his peaceable, tender spirit;andthatwherehehadonceformedaspiritualfriendship,howfirmlyanduninterruptedlyhemaintaineditbycorrespondenceorconversation.Hewould often come out of his way on his journeys to the north, just tospend a few hours with us, and generally entered the room with suchwords as, "Let brotherly love continue." Divine things were uppermostwith him in heart and tongue; and so at once we usually got, not intocarnal,worldlyconversation,oralongrigmaroleofoutsidework,butintosome sweet living anddaily experience, intowhichwe could see eye toeyeandfeelhearttoheart.ThelifeofGodwasmuchkeptupinhissoul,andthereforefreelyflowedoutofhismouth.(John7:38;Matt.12:35.)

Hewasnotrestingupondrydoctrine,norevenapastexperiencewhich,forlackofcontinualrenewings,hadbecomestaleandmoldy.AdailylifeoffaithintheSonofGod,dailyexercisesfromabodyofsinanddeath,dailycommunicationsofgraceandstrengthoutofthefullnessofarisenMediator,andallkeptupbyaspiritofprayerandsupplicationswasboth

hisexperienceandhistheme.Adead,carnal, lifelessprofessionwashisabhorrence. Life in the soul, feeling in the heart, communion with theLord—in a word, a daily, living, feeling, spiritual, and supernaturalreligionwaswhatheknewforhimselfandwhathelookedforinothers;and where he found not this, whatever were the pretensions, howevercorrectthecreed,plausiblethetongue,orconsistenttheconduct,there,ashehadnosatisfaction,sohehadnounionorcommunion.

But with all this there was no cant, no sanctimonious long face, ordrawling,whiningphrases;noputtingonofakindofmockspirituality,wherebysomanytrytodeceivethemselvesandothers.Weneverknewamorespiritually-mindedman,andyetnothingofthismockspiritualityorfeignedhumilitywasvisible inhim.Spirituality, indeed,ofmindandofconversationhehad;butwithallthisdelightinspiritualthings,therewasamost pleasing frankness and openness. Hewould ask about the wifeand family, have a cheerful word for the little ones—now with us nolongerlittleones,theolivebranchesroundthetable,littleandbig,forhehadnotonlyafriendlybutafatherlyheart.Thushewasawelcomeguestwhereverhewent;for,withoutanyworldlinessorunbecominglightnesson theonehand, orpharisaic austerityon theother,he could soblendspiritual things in his conversationwith passing occurrences that therewasnothingrepulsiveinhisdiscourseonheavenlythings,eventothosewhocouldnotexperimentallyenterintotheirmeaningortheirfullness.

Butwhatmadehisconversationtobeseasonedwithsaltwas,thathehadagoodexperiencebothoflawandgospel;andsometimesatthebreakfastordinnertablehewouldrelatewithmuchfeelingsomeverymarkedandblessedthingswhichhehadtested,felt,andhandledinhisownsoul.Thelast time that he was with us at our present abode he gave us, afterdinner,anaccountofthesweetdeliverancewhichhereceivedunderMr.Vinallwhenherodesomanymilestohearhimonaweekevening,andthedeepexercisesofhissoulpreviously,with the fearsand faintingsofhisdeferredhope.Inasimilarwayhewouldoftenrefertohisearlydays,whenhesatunderMr.Vinall'sministry,andwhomhelovedandvaluedas his spiritual father, though by no means insensible to his peculiarinfirmities.

Thepresentlowstateofvitalgodlinessinthechurches,thelackofdew,

unction, and power in the ministry, compared with the days of Mr.Huntingtonandhisimmediatefollowers,asMr.Vinall,&c.,thecarnalityofprofessorsgenerally,andthe levityboth inconversationandconductwhichsostamps thegeneration inwhichourdaysarecast,were thingswhichhedeeply lamented anddeplored.His own soul being kept aliveandfruitful,hesawallthemoreclearlyandfeltthemoredeeplythelackof life and fruitfulness in others. And yet with all this, he was notcensorious or bitter. We never knew him guilty of that common yetdetestable practice of picking holes in other men's or ministers' coats,and,underashowofawonderfulconcernforholinessofspeechandlife,slanderingandbackbitingfriends;nordidweeverfindhimspurringandfloggingoldnature,asifthecreature,byalittleextraexertion,couldbemadetoperformspiritualacts.Hedidnotthusbelieeitherhisknowledgeor his profession. By grace alone he knew he was what he was; andwithoutthisgraceinothersheequallywellknewthatastherecouldbenobeginning,sotherecouldbenoadvanceinthedivinelife.

But besides these there were other noticeable features also in hisChristiancharacterwhichmuchcommendedbothhisprofessionandhisministry to thosewhoknewand loved thegraceofGod inhim.Amongthemwashisgreatamiabilityofdispositionandreadinesstodogood.Hehadnaturallyanactiveand,indeed,wemaysayabusinessmind;andasthiswasunitedtomuchnaturalamiabilityofdisposition,andwasguidedanddirectedbytheloveandspiritofthegospel,hewasalwaysreadyforeverygoodwordandwork.Hewasfavoredalsowithalargecongregationandaliberalpeopletohelphimforward;and,thusaidedandseconded,he was always ready to do good in relieving the poor and needy, andtakingupanydestitutecasewhichwascommendedtohisconscience.Inthis way, by the liberality of his congregation during the Lancashiredistress,hewasable toafford timelyhelp tomanyplaces in theNorth,andtookajourneytheretoseeforhimselftherealstateofthings,andtohavethepleasureofpersonallydistributingit.Coupledwiththisamiableandaffectionatedisposition,wemustaddthathewaspossessedofaveryliberalspirit,hatingeverythingstingyandselfish,andwaseverreadytoshow kindness and liberality to his friends even when not needed bythem.

Droppingtheeditorial"we,"Icannothelpmentioningthatwhenhecametoseemeonhisjourneysnorthward,hewouldgenerallybringwithhimabasket of fish caught that morning, or some book which he thought Imight like topossess.These thingsmayseemtrifles;but trifles,as theyarecalled,oftenshowmen'srealspiritmorethanlargermatters;fortheformerarethefree,spontaneousflowingsforthofthedisposition,whilethelatterareoftenforceduponmenbycircumstances.But,besidesthesepresents, thinking that I needed somebetter table than I possessed formy letters and papers, he named it among his friends, and, to mysurprise,onreachinghomeonedaytwoorthreeyearsago,Ifoundinmyroomaveryhandsomelibrarytable,sent freetomydoor,accompaniedby a kind letter, that it was given to me by himself and friends as atestimonytomylonglaborsinthecauseoftruth.Ilovetomentionthesethingsasalittlemementoofmyesteemandaffectionforhim.

Ofhisministrywedonotfeelinthesamepositiontospeakasfreelyandclearly as we have spoken of his personal character, from this simplecircumstance,thatwenever,toourrecollection,heardhimpreachabovethree or four times. But, as far as we could thus judge, he seemedpossessedofconsiderablegifts,andtohavenotonlyagoodknowledgeofthe word, but a great readiness in bringing forward passages andespecially scriptural characters and personages in connection with hissubject. This aptness of bringing forward scriptural proofs andillustrationsnotonlygavealivelinesstohispreachingandaforcetohiswords,butmuchmadeupforhislackoforder;foritmustbeconfessedthathedidnotusuallycarryintohisdiscoursesthatorderlyarrangementwhich so distinguished him in other things. He had also a nice andforciblewayofquotinghymns,andespeciallythoseofhisprimefavorite,Hart,whichbackedhiswordswithsweetnessaswellasauthority.

Butwhatmadehisministrysousefulandacceptablewasthelivingspringofexperiencebywhichitwasfed.Gifts,thegreatestandmostsplendid,soondryup,orboreandwear—unlesstheyarecontinuallyfedbygrace.Buthehad the livingwater,ofwhich theLordspoke,springingup intoeverlastinglife.(John4:14.)Hewasalsoatapointabouthisreligionandexperience, that it was from God. He knew his standing, and could,therefore,speakwithdecisionandpower.Hedweltagooddealwhenwe

heard him, as we believe was usually the case, on his own experience,which,beingunmistakably theworkofGod,gavepointandedge tohiswords. Thus,without being so separating as some are inword, hewasmoreseparatingindeed;fornothinginourjudgmentissoseparatingasagoodandsoundexperience,asitappealssodirectlytotheconscience;and, if there be any feeling, is so calculated to raise up the personalinquiry,"WhatdoIknowofthesethings?"

TheLord,aswehaveeveryreasontobelieve,muchhonoredhisministry.Again and again by letter, for we frequently corresponded, or inconversation,whenwemet,wouldherelatemostmarkedinstancesoftheblessingofGodonhisministry.AtBrightonhehadmanyhearers fromLondon, and indeed all parts of the kingdom,who had come there forhealthandchangeofair.Thushecouldcastawidernetthanmostofhisministerial brethren, and many good fish were caught in it who hadbeforeswumcarelesslyinthesea.

Many people of rank and wealth as is well known, resort during theseasontoBrighton.Thesehave,ofcourse,aretinueofservants.TomanyoftheseservantsMr.Grace'sministrywassingularlyownedandblessed.WehaveoftenthoughtofthesovereigngraceofGodinthis.Themasterorthemistressispassedby.Theymustgoto'church';theservantcreepsintothe'chapel',wheregracelaysholdofhisheart.

His was not a long, though in its first attack a somewhat sudden andunexpected illness, andhewasmercifullydealtwith, andmost friendlyandgraciouslysupportedinandunderit.Hehadnotwhatpeoplecallhispeacetomake,oraGodtofindonhisdeathbed.Hisloinswerealreadygirt and his light burning; and, reclining on the everlasting arms laidbeneathhim,hegentlypassedawayintothepresenceoftheLordwhomhesodearlylovedandhadsolongandfaithfullyserved.

WilliamHuntington

Thomas Hardy, in one of his excellent letters, makes the following

remark,"ThebestChristiansImeetwitharegenerallyHuntingtonians."Thiswitnessistrue.Thereis,oraswemustnowsaytherewas,forsofewof them are left, a depth and clearness of experience, a savor and asweetness, a rich, tender, feeling, unctuous utterance, a discriminationbetween lawandgospel, letterandspirit, formandpower,a separationfrom a lifeless profession, whether presumptuous or pharisaical, whichdistinguishedthem,inamostmarkedanddecisivemanner,asapeculiarandseparatepeople.Theyhadtheirfailingsandinfirmities,astheirjustlyadmired and esteemed pastor and teacher had before them; and therewere those,doubtless, in their rankswhohad caughthis faultswithoutcatchinghisgrace,whowerefollowersofhisdoctrine,butnotfollowersof his Lord. Seeing all delusion but their own, taking hold of theirteacher'sskirt,asifhecouldtherebypullthemintoheaven,idolizingandextolling him, as if thereby a part of his grace were reflected uponthemselves,andclinging tohimasaservantofGod,as if thatwere thesumandsubstanceofChristianexperience;ifthereweresuchamonghishearers,itwasonlywhathehimselfdeclaredanddenounced,andisbutanotherproofofthedesperatewickednessanddeceitfulnessoftheheartofman.

Hiseminentgiftsandgrace,hisgreatabilitiesasapreacherandwriter,his separating, discriminating ministry, and the power of God soevidently resting upon him, not only gathered together a largecongregation, but wherever there was a saint of God of any deepexperience of the law in other congregations seeking rest and findingnoneundera letterministry,heas itwere instinctivelycrept in tohearthemanwhocouldanddiddescribethefeelingsofhisheart.Andwhenfrom the same lips the gospel was preached, with theHoly Spirit sentdown from heaven, and pardon and peace reached his conscience, thewanderer settled under hisministry, as fraught with a divine blessing,and loved and revered him as themouth of God to his soul.When hewentintodifferentpartsofthecountryitwasstillthesame.InKentandSussex, in the Isle of Ely, in Lincolnshire at Grantham, inNottinghamshire at Newark and Nottingham, wherever he went, hisMasterwentwithhim,andaccompaniedthewordwithsigns following.His ministry was especially blessed to the gathering together of theoutcastsofIsrael,thosepeculiarcharacterswhomHartsowelldescribes:

"Thepoordependentsonhisgrace,Whommendisturberscall;Bysinnersandbysaintswithstood,Forthesetoobad,forthosetoogood,Condemnedorshunnedbyall."

LikeSimonPeter,hewasmadeafisherofmen.Hecouldthrowthehookintodeepwaters,wherehisbrethrenoftherodandlineknewnotwhereor how to angle. His own deep experience of the law, of diversetemptations,ofsouldistress,ofspiritualjealousy,ofthehidingsofGod'sface, enabled him to drop his line into the dark waters and gloomysunkenholes,wheresomespiritualfishhideandburythemselvesoutofsight and light; and his clear and blessed deliverance qualified him toanglealsoforthosewhichleapandbaskinthebrightbeamsofthenoon-daysun.

Byhiswritings,occasionalvisits, andconstant correspondence,hekeptup the tiewhich knit him to his country friends.His liberal hospitalityopenedhishousetothemwhentheycametoLondon,wherehefedbodyand soul, entertaining themwithhis lively,witty, cheerful, yet spiritualconversation,readingataglancetheir foiblesandfailings,andenteringintotheirvariedexperienceofsorrowandjoy,withall thefreedomandfamiliarity of an intimate friend, and all the authority of a revered andbelovedteacher.

ThoughnotourselvesHuntingtonians,intheusualsenseoftheword,yet,asloversofgoodmen,asadmirersofthegraceofGodwhereverseen,andaspressingforwardtotheexperienceandenjoymentofthesamepowerof godliness, we venerate with the greatest esteem and affection thememoryofMr.Huntingtonandhisimmediatefriendsandfollowers.

It is impossible,we believe, for any personwho knows anything of thepowerofvitalgodlinessinhisownsoultoreadhalfadozenpagesofMr.Huntington'swritingswithoutfeelingthatthereisapeculiarstampuponthemwhichnoneofhisfriendsandfollowers,astheythemselveswouldwillinglyandreadilyadmit,haveeverbeenabletoreach.Itisnotmerelythe great and striking grasp of thought, the singular boldness andoriginality of expression, the wonderful aptness of scripture quotation,

the firmness anddecisionofmind, the vigor and clearnessof style, thelively wit and playful humor, the sparkling figures and pregnantcomparisons, all which must ever characterize them as literaryperformancesofaveryhighordertothosewhounderstandwhatmentalability and powerful writing are; but it is not, we repeat, these mereliteraryexcellences (thougheven thesehaveanunperceivedweightandinfluence on theminds ofmanywho from lack of education ormentalcultivation can hardly appreciate them) that stamp Mr. Huntington'swritingswithsuchundyingworthandvalue.It is the forceof truth, theweightofdeepandundeniableexperience,thecloseandstrictaccordancewiththetestimonyofGodhimselfintheinspiredword,andthelifeandpowerinthemwhichsosearchtheconscienceandreachtheinmostheartthatmakethemacceptable to the familyofGod,andwillalwaysrenderthemapricelesstreasuretotheChurchofChrist.

Theministryof thepreachedword issuchanexpressordinanceofGodthat he himself accompanies it with a peculiar blessing. No writings,therefore,ofaservantofGod,norevenhispublishedsermons,howeverfaithfullyoraccuratelyreported,cancomeuptowhatheisinthepulpitwhenhisMaster iswithhim.Thesweetnessandsavorthatfallwithhiswords, theentrance they find into theconscience, thedemonstrationoftheSpirit andofpower that attend them to theheart, theblessing thattheycommunicateasspeakingpeace,pardon,andsalvationwiththeveryvoiceofGodhimself,thesofteninginfluencethattheyspreadtomeltanddissolve the soul into humility, contrition, and love—these, and similareffects, cannot be reproduced by our holding in our hands the exactwordswhich, as they fell from the lips ofGod's servant,were attendedwiththeseblessings.

At this distance of time, therefore, though we have Mr. Huntington'sworks,wehavenotMr.Huntington.Wehavethesermons,butwehavenottheminister;wehavethewords,butwehavenot,atleastnotinthesame measure, the power which accompanied them. It was himself,whom they saw and heard—the reality, the substance;we have but theshadow.Whenhestoodupbeforethem,hesospokewhathepersonallyand experimentally knew, what he had tasted, felt, and handled of thewordof life,whathehadreceivedbydivinerevelationfromtheLordof

life and glory, that his words fell with a weight and power upon theirconscienceswhichwewhoreadhiswritingscanhardlynowrealize; forhis speech and his preaching were not with enticing words of man'swisdom,but indemonstrationof theSpirit andof power; and thus thefaithofhisbelievinghearersstoodnot inthewisdomofmanbut inthepowerofGod.FromthispowerrestingonhisministryMr.Huntingtongradually gathered round him not only a large body of hearers whowarmlylovedanddeeplyreveredhimforhiswork'ssake,butacircleofattached friends who vied with one another in showing him sincererespectandaffection.

The 'letter ministers' whom he exposed sometimes with such keen,caustichumor,andsometimeswithsuchsharpnessandseverity,andthe'empty professors' whom he sent away stripped naked and bare of alltheir professed religion, naturally enough, in their spite and vexation,reviledandslanderedhim.Hetookawaytheirgods,andwhathadtheymore? This was an unpardonable offence, and his unsparing mode ofdoingitmadeitworse.Buttheirveryoutcryagainsthimonlymadehisreal friends cleavemore closely tohim,as seeing in thevery scornandcontemptmanifestedbythemonlythestrongerproofthathewaswalkingin the footsteps of his despised Lord, and that it was enough for thediscipletobeashisMaster.

AmongthemanystrikingfeatureswhichdistinguishedthelifeandlaborsofMr.Huntington,thiswasnottheleastconspicuous,thatbythegracesandgiftswhichtheLordbestowedsoabundantlyuponhimheattachedtohimselfsolargeanumberofpersonalfriends,someofwhombecameeminentministersofthegospel.Asaproofofthisassertionweneedonlymention the names of Jenkins, Brook, Lock, Beeman, Chamberlain,Turner, Parsons, and, though last, not least, the late Mr. Vinall. Thenames of othersmay occur to our readerswhich have for themomentescapedourmemory,orareunknowntous,butwehavementioned,webelieve, themost conspicuous.Mr.Huntington, it is true, shoneamongthem and above them all as themoon among the planets, or as Davidamidhismightymenof valor. Ingrace, ingifts, in experience, in light,life,andpower,inoriginalityandvariety,intheknowledgeandreadyuseof Scripture, in acquaintance with the human heart, in wielding the

weaponsofwarfareontherighthandandonthelefttodefendtruthandbeatdownerror,noneofhisfriendsandfollowersapproachedhim,ifwemayuse theexpression,withinspeakingdistance.Therewas, therefore,norivalrybetweenthem.

Beforetheyweredrawnwithinhiscircle,theLordhadsethimonhighasa burning and a shining light. They had, therefore, nothing to give, orteachhim,thoughhehadmuchtogiveandteachthem.Thusnaturally,necessarily,hetookhisposition,andtheytheirs;andhisfriendsnomorethoughtof rivalinghim than the friendsof aprince strive tobegreaterthanhe.Thiswasnotontheirpartservility,oronhisundueassumption.Thebondwhichknit them togetherwasa spiritual,notanatural tie.Apoordespisedcoalheaverashehadbeen,thoughnow,bytheprovidenceand grace of God, raised up to an eminent position in the church ofChrist,hadnoplacesofhonororofemolumentathisdisposal.IfhewereintheireyestheKing'sprimeminister,hehadnoprefermenttobestowbutthatofhatredfromtheworldandscornfromtheprofessingchurch.

Those,therefore,whoboldlystoodforthashisfollowersandfriendshadtobeartheirshareofridiculeandshame.Competitionbeingprecluded,therewaslittleroomforenvyandjealousy,fortheseexistchieflyamongequals. Mr. Huntington was raised above rivalry, for none so fullyadmittedhis superiority ashis immediate friends.He fully repaid theirrespect and kindness. He gave them wise counsel in their difficulties,sympathizedwith them in their troubles, andwas always ready to helpthem with his purse in their necessities. We are not setting up Mr.Huntington, for, like other great men, he had great infirmities; butmerelydescribingwhatisplaintoallwhohavereadhiscorrespondencewithhisfriends,orhaveeverheardthemspeakofhimsincehisdecease.

Tohaveknownhim,tohavehadtheprivilegeofhisfriendship,wastothelatest period of their lives regarded by them as one of their choicemercies.Asfleshmixeswitheverything,wedonotdenythatonhissidetheremighthavebeenthegratificationofprideinbeingsolookeduptoandalmostrevered,andontheirsthepleasureofbeingreceivedbyhimassaintsandservantsofGod.Wethinkthatwehaveseentracesofboththesefeelingsintheircommunion;andasuncheckedauthorityisapttodegenerateintotyranny,andunresistingobedienceintosubmissiveness,

so in some casesMr.Huntingtonmight have condemned too severely,andhisfriendsacquiescedinhisauthoritytooimplicitly.

Letusalsobearinmindthat,likeothergreatmen,Mr.Huntingtonhadhisflattererswhooftenspreadtheirnetforhisfeet,andmanyadmirerswhowalkedinthe lightofhisknowledgeandgiftswithoutanyshareofhis grace. It could not be expected, therefore, that he would never beentangledbyfairspeeches,oralwaysseethroughthemaskofprofession.Butwithallthesedeductions,whichasenseofdutycompelsustomake,wemuststillbearinmindthat,amidthestormofridiculeandcontemptwhichassailedhimfromeveryquarter,itmusthavebeenasolacetoMr.Huntingtonthathehadforhispersonalfriendssomeoftheexcellentoftheearth,andforthemthattheyhadthefullestpersuasionintheirownconsciencesthathewasaneminentlyfavoredservantofGod.

Few men have had to encounter such a storm of contempt, slander,enmity,andoppositionas thateminent servantofGod.Theonlydoubtamongthosewhodespisedandhatedhimwaswhetherhewereafanaticor an impostor; and some very quietly and curtly settled the doubt totheirownfullsatisfactionbypronouncinghimboth.

Reproachandcalumnywhichwereheapeduponhimfromallquarters,reachinghimevenafterhisdeath,andspreadallovertheworld.But inhiscasetherewasthispeculiar feature, thathisgreatestopponentsandmostviolentcalumniatorswerethepreachersandprofessorsofhisday.There were, no doubt, peculiar reasons which drew forth an enmityagainsthimandastormofcontemptandscornbywhichfewhavebeenassailedashewas.

HisviewsoftheLaw,atthattimenovel,hisbolddeclarationthatitwasnot a rule of life to believers, his strong and stern denunciation of thelegal preachers of his day, the keen way in which he ripped up theirarguments in his controversial writings, and the uncompromisinglanguage inwhichhe laidbare theirerroneousviews,unmaskingat thesametimetheirprofessionandshowinghowignoranttheywerenotonlyof the truthofGodbutofanysaving light in theirownsouls,provokedtheirwrath, andgoaded themalmost tomadness.Knowingnothing forthemselvesofthesweetlibertyoftheGospel,ofarevelationofChrist,ofa

livingfaithinhisPersonandwork,orofanyunionorcommunionwithhim,andrestingalltheirhopes,ifnotprofessedly,yetreallyonabrokenLaw,orattheutmostonthebareletteroftheword,theywerenaturallystung to the quick to see all their religion brushed away by him as aspider's web. He took away their gods, and what had they more? Hebrokeuptheiridol,andwithitfellboththeircountenanceandtheirhope.

Whatcoursewasthenlefttothem?Iftheywroteagainsthim,hewasasacontroversialistsounrivaledinhisknowledgeofScriptureandtheuseofit, so acute to discern the whole state of the argument, so keen in hisdissectionoftheirlegalviews,sofearlessinhisattack,andsothoroughlypersuadedthatGodwaswithhimandwouldstandbyhim,thatnoneofhisopponentscouldstandbeforehim.Weare freetoadmit thathedidsometimesmingle his own spirit in his controversialwritingswith thatSpirit of grace and truth by which he was undoubtedly led; but hehimself,whoknewbesthisownspirit,wouldnotallowthis,andweshall,therefore,leavethepoint.

Hetellsusthat"Godgavehimsouncommonaspiritofmeekness,athisfirst setting off to preach that he found himself rather too tender todeclare the whole counsel of God." "I was more fit," he says, "for thecharacter of a nurse than for that of a soldier. But when these Arianscametotearuptheveryfoundationofmyhope,thatspiritofmeeknessgavewaytoafieryzeal.WhenIcameinprivatebeforeGod,mysoulwasoverwhelmedwithcontrition;butwhenIgot intomypulpit, Iwascladwithzealaswithacloak."

As,then,hisopponentscouldnotoverthrowhistestimonyongroundsofScriptureand truth,andas theyhadnothing to sayagainsthis lifeandconduct, for thatwasmost circumspect and exemplary, they turned allthe current of their reproach against his views upon the Law, as if bythemhehadremovedthevery foundationsofmorality.Notknowing inandforthemselvestheconstrainingloveofChrist,thesweetandsacredinfluencesoftheHolySpirit,thespringingupofgodlyfearasafountainof life,oranythingof thatsacredpowerwherebythechildofGodis ledintoallholyobediencetoGod'swillandword,andkeptfromevilthatitmay not grieve him, they set up an image as amark for their arrows,whichwasnothingbuttheimaginationoftheirownmind.Every 'young

theological sprig'—as he speaks, had aword against 'the Antinomian'—againsthishorriddoctrine,hisdreadfulviews,hislicentioussentiments,and what a wide door his preaching and writing opened for allungodliness.

It was impossible to convince these men of their mistake. They werehonest,many of them, as far as theywent, but in leveling their arrowsagainsthisdoctrinesitwasnotsomuchthedoctrinesthemselvesastheconsequences which they in their ignorance drew from them that theyattacked. They did not see that the Law for which they so zealouslycontended was a ministration unto death and not unto life, ofcondemnation not unto justification, of bondage not unto liberty, andthat its fruits and effectswere not to produce obedience unto holiness,but to provoke and irritate the carnal mind and thus stir up and putpower into sin, so as to deceive and slay the soul under it. Now, Mr.Huntington,onthecontrary,heldthattheGospel,initstruths,promises,andprecepts,wastheruleoflifeinthehandsoftheSpirit;andthatfromit—andnotfromtheLaw—flowednotonlypardonandpeacebutholinessinheart,inlip,inlife.

WearegreatadmirersofMr.Huntington'swritings.Fromhisworksandthose of Dr. Owen we have derived more instruction, edification,encouragement, consolation, and we may add conviction, counsel,reproof,andrebuke,thanfromanyothersource,exceptthewordofGod;andindeeditisbecausethewritingsofthesetwoeminentmenaresoinharmony with the Scriptures, so breathe the same spirit, and are soimpregnatedwiththesameheavenlywisdom,thattheyaresoprofitableto thosewhoknowand love the truth.TheSpirit ofGod speaks in andthrough them, because what they wrote they wrote under his specialinfluences, and out of the treasure of a good heart brought forth thosegoodthingswhichmakethemsoweightyandsovaluable.

Mr.Huntington's greatestwork is probablyhis "Contemplationson theGod of Israel;" but for our own private reading we prefer his"Posthumous Letters" to any of his other writings. In themwe see themanjustashewasinhisprivatemomentsbeforeGod;inthemhepoursforth to his various correspondents the treasures of wisdom and gracewithwhichhewassolargelyendowedandblessed.Thereweseehimnot

asawarmcontroversialist,norakeendisputantprovokedandirritated,ashesometimesundulywas,bytheslandersofhisenemies,ortheerrorsoftheday,againstwhichhecontendedwithsuchearnestzeal;butweseeinthemthebreathingsofatender,kind,andaffectionatespirit,mingledwith such openings of the Scripture and the various branches of livingexperience asmade them full of instruction and edification.As a letterwriter he strikes us as unrivaled. Even apart from the subject of hisletters, the ease, flexibility, originality, strength, and variety of hislanguage issomethingmarvelous.Younever find in themanythingdry,dull, and prosy; you are never weariedwith long, obscure phrases andperiods from which it is hard to extract sense or meaning; but hislanguage flows from his pen with all the freshness and clearness of asummerbrook,sotransparentthatyoucanseeatoncetothebottom,andasfreefrommudandmireaswhenitfirstgushedoutofthehillside.

Ashiscorrespondentswereverynumerous,andastheywereindifferentstages of the divine life, his Letters, taken as a whole, touch upon andunfold every branch of living experience, from its first movements inconvictionto its fullest joys indeliveranceandconsolation.Someofhiscorrespondentswereveryyoung,bothinageandexperience.Some,likeMr.CharlesMartin, for instance, had only just begun to set their facesZionward; some had been long and deeply exercised with trials andafflictions;somewerecontendingwithsharpandpowerfultemptations;andsome,likehimself,afterhavingbeenmuchfavoredandblessed,wereengagedinaperpetualconflictwithabodyofsinanddeath,hadtolaborundertheweightofadailycross,andtoendurehardnessasgoodsoldiersofJesusChrist.

Now, as he had traveled all these paths, and knew for himself moredeeply than theydid the various exercises, desires, sensations, feelings,sorrows, and joys of a believing heart, and was favored with a mostwonderfulgift inunfolding fromtheScripturesandhisownexperienceeveryfeatureofthedivinelife,hecouldsuithisletterssoastomeetthecase and state of every correspondent. There is, therefore, we believe,scarcelya feeling,asensation,oramovementofdivine life in theheartwhichhehasnottoucheduponordescribedasnootherbuthecoulddo,and this with a life and power, a clearness, decision, certainty, and

authoritywhichcarrywiththemanindescribableinfluencethatseemstopenetrateintotheinmostsoul.Wereadthemagainandagain,andeverfind something in them to instruct and edify the soul, strengthen faith,confirmhope,ordrawforthlove.Heseemstohavebeensingularlyfondofwritingtohisfriends,andwouldsometimesspendnearlyawholedayinhislittlecabininthisuseofhispen.Wherehefeltunion,itwasstrong.Therewerefew,perhaps,comparativelyspeaking,whohadcreptintohisheart;butifoncethere,theywerethereforever.Thosewhospokeofhimasharsh,austere,andstern,onlyknewhimasopposedtoerrorsandevildoings. They knew nothing of theman as spending hours and days inprayer andmeditation, on his bended knees, before his dear Lord andMaster,withflowingeyesandabrokenheart.Theyknewnothingofhisconfessions in secret, his earnestwrestlings, or of the sweet union andcommunionwithwhich,inanswertothem,hewasblessedandfavored.

Butifheweredespisedandhatedbyhisenemies,whointruthweretheenemies of God, he was proportionately loved and esteemed by hishearersandfriends.Indeed,thefeelingentertainedtowardhimbymanyofhishearerswasalmostidolatry.Werememberhearingagoodwomansay, to whom he had beenmuch blessed, that when she looked at hishouse, shealmostworshiped thesmoke thatcame fromthechimneyofhisstudy.Thissheconfessedwasbutidolatry,yetitshowedthestrengthofherfeeling.And, indeed,therewasmuchintheman, independentofthegracethatresteduponhimandhiswonderfulgiftsintheministry,tomakehimthecenterandobjectofthegreatestesteemandaffection.Hewasgiftedwithanoble,liberalmind,abhorringcovetousness,andgivingawayhismoneywithamostprofuseliberality.Thoughbornandbredinsolowastate,yethewasoneofnature'sgentlemen;andwehaveheardfrom those who intimately knew him that there was a dignity in hisperson,manners,andappearancewhichcommandedrespect.

He was also naturally of a warm, affectionate spirit, and in hisconversation there was a playfulness, though no levity, and a humourwithout jesting, which made his company very pleasant. That he wasmost hospitable in his own house, we can see from his letters, in theinvitationswhichhegivestohisfriendstocomeandmakethemselvesathomewithhim;andwhenhesawandfeltthegraceofGodinthem,and

he would have no other company or other companions, he wouldconverse upon the things of God with such wisdom, tenderness,contrition,knowledgeoftheScriptures,andsoopenupeverypointfromhisownexperience, that itwasmostblessed tohearhimconverse.Notbut that hehadhis angry, peevish fits; not but that his natural temperwasnot one of the sweetest andmost equable; but at these seasonshekeptmuch to himself, and fought the battle alone with his own spirit,withmanyprayersandtearsbeforeGod.

Wehavehadthepleasureandprivilegeofknowingatvarioustimessomeofhisfriendsandhearers,andwhatwehavethuswrittenabouthimhasnot been at amere uncertainty, but been gathered both fromwhat wehavereadinhiswritingsandfromwhatwehaveheardfromthosewhoknewhim.Andwearefreetoconfessthatwehavegenerallyfoundinhishearers and friends a savor, a life, a feeling after, where not fullenjoymentofthosedivinerealities,inwhichthepowerofvitalgodlinesssomuchconsists,thatwehavenotfoundinothers.

AugustusToplady

TheGodofall grace raisedup,equipped,andsent forthmanyeminentambassadors of the Gospel, in the middle of the last century, whosenamesarestillembalmedintheheartsofhislivingfamily;foramongtheinnumerable glories and excellencies of heavenly grace, this is not theleast of its beauty and blessedness, that wherever vitallymanifested, itlives and flourishes in death, through death, and beyond death. Like,indeed, its divine Author and sovereignGiver, its beauty and glory arehiddenfromtheeyesofaprofaneandprofessinggeneration,thatcannomoreloveandadmiregracethanHerodandPontiusPilateortheScribesandPharisees lovedandadmiredJesusChrist;butas inthedaysofhisflesh,therewerethosefavoredoneswho"beheldhisglory,thegloryasoftheonlybegottenoftheFather,fullofgraceandtruth,"soaretherethosenowwhostillbeholdhisglory,asmadeknowntotheirsoulsinthegraceofthegospel.Allthatsavorsofhispowerandpresence,ofhisSpiritandlove,isdearandestimableintheireyes.Theylovehisservants,because,

as anointed by his Spirit, they testify of Him; and they love what isuttered by their lips, or is traced by their pen, because, through theirwordandwitness,heavenlyblessingsarecommunicatedtotheirsouls.

Nor does death break the bond of union which makes them and thechurchoneinlove.Theirwritingslivewhenthehandthatpennedthemismolderedtodust;thepowerandsavorthatrestedupontheminlifestillanoints therecordsof theirexperience;and thesameJesusat therighthand of the Father now bears testimony to them, as they once boretestimonytohim.Theirpersecutorshaveperishedfromtheearth; theirverynamesareforgotten,or,ifremembered,areonlysobyvirtueoftheirconnection with the men whom they hated, as Alexander, thecoppersmith, is preserved from oblivion by his persecution of Paul. Sotrueisit,that"thenameofthewickedshallrot,"but"therighteousshallbeineverlastingremembrance."Andwhy?ButbecauseastheLordsaidtohisdisciples,"Itisnotthosewhospeak,buttheSpiritoftheirFatherwhich speaks in them;" and what he speaks is like him of whom hetestifies, "the same yesterday, today, and forever." As, then, righteousAbel, by that faith of which he was made a partaker, "being dead yetspeaks,"sooutoftheirtombs,orratherfromtheirheavenlymansions,uptowhichfaithfollowsthem,domanydepartedservantsofGodstillspeakby theirwritings,orby such fragmentsof their livingexperienceasareleftonrecord.Andinsomesensetheyaremorehonoredandesteemednowthanwhentheylivedandwalkeduponearth.

Agreatwriterhassaid,"Theevilthatmendolivesafterthem;thegoodisoften interred with their bones." This witness is true as regards thechildrenofmen,whoseevilissogreatandgoodsolittle;butisnottrueasregards the servants of God. Their frailties and infirmities, howevertreasuredupbyasneeringworld,areforgottenbytheChurchofGod,andwhattheywerebythegraceofGodisaloneremembered.Allinthemthatwasmortal sank into thesamegravewith their tabernaclesofclay,andwhatwasimmortalstillsurvivesuntaintedbydeathorcorruption.SofarastheywereimpregnatedwithlifefromtheFountainofLife,theirwordsstilllive,andthesamegracethatbreathedandspokeinthemwhentheirlipsmoved on earth, still speaks in their writings now that their soulshavepassedintoglory.

Butwhile we love themen, we do not idolize their names or canonizetheirwritings.TheyarenotJesus,noraretheirbookstheBible.Welovethembecause they lovedJesus,andwe love theirwritingsbecause theytestifyofhimtous.Whathemadethemtheyonlythenwere,andwhathemakesthemtoustheyonlynoware.

Among the eminent saints and servants of God, who lived in the lastcentury, few have exercised a greater influence in the church of ChristthanToplady.Hewas raisedup at a peculiar juncture, justwhen JohnWesleywassowinghistaresinthegospelfield,andfightingwithallthedesperate enmity of his crafty mind against the sovereignty of God.Wesleywasnocommonantagonist;anditneededamanofgreatnaturalpowersofmind,acuteness,andforceofintellect,undauntedfearlessness,readinessofpen, andaboveall, adeepexperimental acquaintancewiththetruth,tomeetandoverthrowhiminthefieldofconflict.

John Wesley had on his side nearly everything that could set off andrecommendhisflesh-pleasingdoctrines.Hehadnaturallygreatclearnessof mind and precision of thought, and a very simple, lucid style ofpreaching and writing. These were backed by amazing zeal andearnestness,mostunweariedlabors,greatself-denial,alookandmanneralmost apostolic, a large amount of outward holiness, and a singularpowerof influencingandgoverning themindsofmen. Inhispreachingand writing there was so much scripture, torn and riven from itsconnectionandplausiblyintroduced,astogildoverhiserrors;and,ashedweltmuchupontheterrorsofthelaw,and,tousetheexpressionofhisfollowers, "shook his hearers over hell," he alarmed the conscience ofmanywithlegalconvictions,whichhesethimselftohealbypreachingupfleshly holiness and perfection in the flesh. Against the sovereignty ofgrace, the glorious truths of personal election, particular redemption,imputedrighteousness,afinishedwork,andthecertainperseveranceofthe saints of Christ, he fought with all the subtlety, ingenuity, andviolencethatcouldbedisplayedbythemostdaringrebelagainstGodandgodliness formorethansixtyyears,gettingworsetheolderhegrew.Astheacknowledgedleaderofmultitudes,he,byoceansofsermons,books,andtracts, filledhundredsandthousandsofhis followerswithasmuchenmity as himself against the blessed plan of salvation by grace; and,

determined tomake a compactwith error, and shore it upwith all thebeamsandbuttressesofhumanpolicy,he sparedno labor, and shrankfromnoexertiontoaccomplishhisend.

But just in the height of his war against the truths of the gospel, achampion stepped forth from the ranks of the despisedCalvinists,whomethimatthesword'spoint,beathisweaponsoutofhishand,andlaidhis pride and self-righteousness in the dust. This champion was theimmortalToplady.

AshortsketchofthiseminentsaintandservantofGodmay,perhaps,besuitable.HewasbornatFarnham,Surrey,onthe4thofNovember,1740,hisfather,whowasamajorinthearmy,dyingatthesiegeofCarthagena,soon after the birth of his son.Hewas partly educated atWestminsterschool, that celebrated seminarywhere somanygreatmen,andamongthem,neitherleastnorlast,thepoetCowper,havereceivedthattrainingwhichfittedthemtooccupythemosteminentpositionsintheState.ButhewasremovedthenceatanearlyperiodofhisagebythecircumstanceofhiswidowedmothergoingtoIrelandtoobtainafamilyestate,sothathecontinuedandfinishedhiseducationatTrinityCollege,Dublin.Itwastherechieflythat,bydintofhardandunweariedstudy,heobtainedthatproficiencyinthelearnedlanguages,andthatgreatknowledgeofdivinityand church history which appear so conspicuous in his controversialwritings. He certainly was possessed of very shining abilities, of greatpenetrationandacutenessofmind,ofapeculiarfluencyoflanguage,andat times of great elevation and even eloquence of expression. To thesegreatnaturalabilitieswasaddedanunweariedperseverance,whichmadehimstudynightandday.

Allthishemighthavehadindependentofanddistinctfromdivinegrace,andhavelivedanddiedanenemytoGodandgodliness.ButtheLordhaddesigned him for great and eminent services in his vineyard, andtherefore, inhisown timeandway, calledhimbyhisgrace.WedonotknowtheexactmeanstheLordemployedtoawakenhimfromhissleepof death, but hismother was a gracious woman, and he sat under thesoundofthegospelbeforehewenttoIreland.Hehashimselftoldusthat"he was awakened in August, 1756," but we know not how deeply hesufferedunderthecondemnationofabrokenlawandtheguiltyalarmsof

aconsciencemadetenderinthefearofGod.Thetimeandmannerofhisdeliverance is much better known, and was very marked andconspicuous. About a year after his first awakening, when but sixteenyearsofage,heoneeveningwentintoabarnataplacecalledCodymain,in Ireland, where a man namedMorris was preaching to a handful ofpeople.TheretheLordblessedanddeliveredhissoulfromthebondageandcurseofthelaw,andbroughthimnearuntohimselfbythebloodofsprinkling.Hethusspeaksinhisdiaryofthatmemorableevening:

Feb.29th,1768.—Atnight,aftermyreturnfromExeter,mydesireswerestronglydrawnuptoGod.IcouldindeedsaythatIgroanedwithgroansof love, joy, and peace; but it was evenwith comfortable groanswhichcannotbeuttered.Thatsweettext,Eph.2:3:"Youwhowereonceafaroff,are made near by the blood of Christ," was particularly delightful andrefreshingtomysoul;andthemoresoasitremindedmeofthedaysandmonths that are past, even the days of my sensible espousals to thebridegroom of the elect. It was from that passage that Mr. Morrispreachedonthememorableeveningofmyeffectualcallby thegraceofGod.Under theministryof thatdearmessenger,andby that sermon, Iwas,Itrust,broughtnearbythebloodofChrist,inAugust,1756.

But though thussensiblybroughtnearby thebloodof theLamb,muchdarknessrestedonhismindrespectingthoseheavenlytruths,whichareusually called the doctrines of grace. For about two years was hesearchingandinquiringintothetruth,untilthereadingofDr.Manton'ssermonsonJohn17wasblessedtohissoultoleadhiminto,andestablishhimuponthegranddiscriminatingtruthsofsovereigngrace.AboutfouryearsafterthisestablishmentofhissoulinthetruthofGod,andsixyearsfromthetimeofhisdeliveranceinthebarn,hewasordainedaministeroftheChurchofEngland.

Though unable ourselves to continue in that system, we are not sobigotedastodenythattheLordhashaddearsaintsandeminentservantsof his, who lived and died in communion with it. Romaine, Berridge,Toplady, and Hawker, where can we find four men or ministers moreblessedofGod in theirownsouls,or in theirministry toothers?In theChurchofEngland theywerebornandbroughtup; in it theypreachedandlabored,andGodownedandblessedtheirlabors;andinittheydied

inpeaceandjoy,andthefullassuranceoffaith.

The objections, the well-grounded objections which have compelled somanygoodmentoleaveherwalls,werenotlaidupontheirconsciences.The providence of God seemed to favor their continuance where theywere;andastheLordoverruledthiscircumstancetotheeffectualcallingandblessingofmanyunder theirministry,what canwe say?Who thatfearsGodand loveshis truthwouldhave lifteduphis finger topreventRomaine preaching at St. Dunstan's, Fleet Street, or St. Anne's,Blackfriars,tocrowdsoflisteninghearers?Whowouldnotbegladwerethere such a preacher in London now, whether he preached inWestminster Abbey or St. Pancras Church? Who that loves the truthwouldwishtonail thepulpitdooragainstDr.Hawker,ashewalkeduptheaisleofCharlesChurch,Plymouth?HadthesegreatandgoodmenfeltasMr.BrookandMr.Birchfelt,theywouldhaveactedasMr.BrookandMr.Birchacted,andcastgownandcassock,prayer-bookandsurplicetothemolesandthebats.

But the errors and corruptions of the Church of England which haveforcedsomanygoodmenoutofherpale,werenotlaidwithweightandpoweron their conscience.They saw that sheheld truth, blessed truth,for themost part in her articles, and there being an open door in hercommunion to preach the gospel without hindrance, and being muchblessedintheirownsouls,andintheministry,theycontinuedtopreachpeace by Jesus Christ without being disturbed in their consciences bywhathasbeenanintolerableburdentoothermenofperhapslessgracethanthemselves,butmoreexercisedontheseparticulargrounds.

But evil always produces evil, and the consequence of these goodmenremaining in and sanctioning by their example a corrupt system, hasbeen toemboldenotherswhohaveneither theirgracenor theirgifts tostandoutagainstallconvictions themselvesandtocondemnthosewhodesiretoactinthefearofGodinthisimportantmatter.

Topladyevidentlywasgreatlyblessedinhisownsoulbothinprivateandinpublic,when aminister at FenOttery, andHarpford, Somerset, andafterwardsatBroadHembury,Devon.Noonewhoknowsandlovesthetruth can read his diary, never meant to be perused by mortal eye,

withoutseeinghow,attimes,hissoulwasblessedandfavored.

JohnBerridge

Themiddleandlatterendofthelastcenturywasaremarkableperiod.Achain of ministers, commencing withWhitefield, and embracing in itslinks Toplady, Berridge, Newton, Romaine, Huntington, and Hawker,extendsitselfdowntoourdegeneratedays.Howeverdifferingingifts,allthesemen were evidently taught by the same Spirit, and preached thesame gospel. Toplady, like a lamp fedwith spirit, flamed forth, blazed,and died, from shortness of wick, not from lack of supply. Newton,snatched from Africa's burning shore, and from worse than Africanservitude,united tomuchsoundwisdomgreat tendernessofspirit,andan experience of divine things which, if not very deep, was sound andvaried.Heknewmuchofhisownheart,wassingularlyfrankandsincere,hadmuchsympathywiththetriedandafflicted,and,beinggiftedwithaneasy, fluentstyle,has leftbehindhimmanyusefulandexcellent letters.Romainewasaburningand shining light,who lived the faithwhichhepreached,and in themidstof themetropolis forhalfacenturyhadbutone theme, one subject, one object—Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,today,andforever.

Inmanypointswidelydiffering,butunitedbythesamefaithtothesameglorious Head of influence, light, life, liberty, and love, was JohnBerridge. As all the lines of a circle radiate towards the center, allnecessarily meet in one point. So, however the servants of Christ maydifferinability,gifts,time,place,andusefulness,yetallmeetinonepointthe central Sun of the system—the crucified, risen, ascended, andglorifiedSonofGod.Wehearof"themusicofthespheres."Butwithoutharmony,musicthereisnone.Iftherebemusicintherevolvingspheres,itisbecauseeachplanetpreservesitscircuit,rollingroundthesunattheappointed distance, and with the appointed velocity. Andwhat are theservantsofGodbutplanetstotheSunofRighteousness,eachhavinghisappointed orbit, fixed as definitely by decree, as the orbit of the earth,and enjoying only light, warmth, and motion in proportion to his

proximitytotheglorifiedImmanuel?Shalltheythenjarandquarrel,andseektomingleorbits,envyingeachother'sgrace,gifts,orusefulness?Thelight of each and all is but reflected light, the light of the Sun ofRighteousnessshining intotheirhearts;"forwhathavetheywhichtheyhavenotreceived?"

Pride,cursedpride,istherootofthatjealousywhichiscruelasthegrave.Didministersbutviewthemselves,anddidothersbutviewthem,asmereinstruments, they could and would no more quarrel on the ground ofsuperiorityandinferioritythantheflutewouldquarrelwiththeviolin,orthechiselwiththesaw.RomaineporingoverHebrewrootsinhisstudyatLambeth,andBerridgepreachingfromahorse-blockatPotton,minglingsmilesandtears,andthequaintesthumourwiththedeepestpathos,wereas different in natural disposition and constitution as can well beimagined.But each sighedandgroanedunderabodyof sin anddeath,each dearly loved, and each highly exalted the dyingFriend of sinners,eachwashonoredandblessedinhiswork,andeachisnowinthebosomofhisLordandGod.OfBerridgewenowproposeaslightsketch.

JohnBerridgewas the eldest son of awealthy farmer and grazier, andwas born at Kingston, Nottinghamshire, March 1st, 1716. His father'sintentionwas to bring him up to his own business, but partly throughsome early religious impressions and partly through an innate love tostudy, the youthful farmer could never learn how to hold a plough orhandleabullock.HewassentthereforetotheUniversityofCambridge,his father probably thinking that his first-born might have sufficienttalenttoreadprayersandpreachasermon,ifnottolearnthemysteriesof a four-shift course or sell a broken-mouthed ewe. To Cambridge,therefore,Johnwent;andwhenhisfatherwasaskedwhathadbecomeoftheyouthfulstudent,heissaidtohavejocularlyrepliedthat"hewasgonetobealighttotheGentiles."AttheUniversityhestudiedhard,butlostmuchofhisearlyreligiousimpressions,somuchsoastogiveupalmostentirelysecretprayerfortenyears,andtohavedrunkdeeplyintoArianandSocinianviews,whichatthattimewerewidelyprevalent.Theselastsentiments,however,heabandoned, fromseeingthat they loweredGodthe Father, as well as God the Son, and were destructive of all vitalreligion.

TheexperienceofBerridgeisbestseeninhishymns.Inthemhiswholeheart is open. They were written in the furnace of a long and tryingillness,andthefruitsofthefurnaceareseeninthem.

1.What honesty and sincerity are stamped upon them! Berridge knewhimself.TheHolySpirithadtakenhimintothechambersofimagery,andshownhim"Thecreepingthingsportrayeduponthewallsroundabout."Theveilofself-righteousnessandself-complacencyhadbeentakenfromoffhisheart,andhehadseenlightinGod'slight.Thismadehimhonest.Nodisguise,heknew, could shroudhim from theeyesofOmniscience."You God seeme" was engraved on his heart. And to this we owe thetransparencyofhischaracter,hisfreedomfromdeceitandhypocrisy.

2.Thoughamanoflearning,hislanguagewassimplicityitself.Simplicityisalwaysbeautiful.God'sworksinnature,howbeautifullysimple!Fromabladeofgrasstoanoak;fromaflytoanelephant;fromthesandunderourfeettothestarsinthesky!WhereverthefingersofGodarethereissimplicity.Andhiswordhowsimple!TheparablesofJesus,thesermonon themount, the farewell chapterswith his disciples in theGospel ofJohn,whatbeauty!whatsimplicityshinethroughout!Truereligion,realexperience,vitalgodliness,wantsnorougeuponitscheek.ItshinesforthwiththelusterofGod,asthefaceofMoseswhenhecamedownfromthemountof communion. It is falsehoodandhypocrisy thatwantdisguise.Truthneedsnoadventitiousornamentstosetoffitsintrinsicbeauty.Toadorn it is to spoil it—to array the virgin in the garb of a harlot. Thisbeautiful simplicity was amarked feature in the character of Berridge,and is stampedonallhiswritings.He couldafford tobe sincere, ashealonecaninwhomthefearandgraceofGoddwell.

3.Weadmire, too, inBerridgetheemptinessandself-destitutionwhichformsuchprominentfeaturesinhischaracter.HeknewwhatPharisaismwas froma longexperienceof it inhisownheart; andheabhorred theresident.

4. With this feature of destitution, poverty, and soul-emptiness whichcharacterizeBerridge,weseecombinedits inseparablecompanion,self-abhorrence.Howfeelinglyhesays,"Self-condemnedandabhorred,

HowshallIapproachtheLord."

Andagain,"Idropmyvileheartinthedust."

5. But Berridge knew also the gospel of the grace of God. Here hepreeminentlyshines.Thegospel flowedpurely intohissoul,andthencepureoutofhismouth,notturbidandtaintedlikeaditchwiththerottingleavesthatAdamwouldgladlyhavecoveredhimselfwith,butbrightandsparklingastheriveroflife.Christwasindeedhisallinall.

6.Onepointmorewewouldcallattentiontolestwedwelltoolonguponthispartofoursubject.WemeanthesweetandindescribablesavorthatrestsuponBerridge'sHymns.Theyare"seasonedwithsalt,"andarethuspreserved from corruption. How many thousands of sermons, hymns,andtractslavebeenwrittenandpublishedwithinthislastcentury!Andwhoreadsthemnow?TheylackedthatwhichGodcommandednevertobe lacking fromthemeatoffering, (Lev.2:13) "salt."Their sacrificewasnotseasonedwithsalt,(Mark9:46;Col.4:6,)andthereforelackedbothsavor and preservation.Not sowith Berridge.His hymns are seasonedwith salt; have therefore savor and flavor; have been preserved to ourtime,andwillgodowntoallgenerations.

JohnGill

For a sound, consistent, scriptural exposition of the word of God, nocommentary,webelieve,inanylanguagecanbecomparedwithDr.Gill's.TheremaybecommentariesonindividualbooksofScripture,whichmaysurpassDr.Gill'sindepthofresearchandfullnessofexposition:andthegreatworkfromwhichPoolecompiledhisSynopsismaybemoresuitableto scholars and divines, as bringing together into one focus all thelearningofthoseeminentmenwhointhe16thcenturydevoteddaysandnightstothestudyandinterpretationofthewordofGod.ButforEnglish

readers there is no commentary equal toDr.Gill's.His alone of all wehave seen is based upon consistent, harmonious views of divine truth,withoutturningasidetotherighthandortheleft.ItissaidofthelateMr.Simeon,ofCambridge,thathisplanofpreachingwas, ifhehadwhat iscalledanArminiantext,topreachfromitArminianism,andifhetookaCalvinistic text, to preach from it Calvinism. Not so Dr. Gill. He knewnothingaboutArminian texts,orArminian interpretations.Hebelievedthat the Scripture, as an inspired revelation from God, must beharmoniousandconsistentwithitself,andthatnotwopassagescouldsocontradicteachotherasthedoctrinesoffreewillcontradictthedoctrinesof grace. The exhortation of the apostle is, "Having then gifts differingaccording to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let usprophesy according to the proportion of faith." (Rom. 12:6.) ThisapostolicrulewascloselyfollowedbyDr.Gill."Theproportion,"orastheword literally means, "analogy of faith," was his rule and guide ininterpreting the Scripture; and, therefore, as all his explanations weremodeledaccordingtothebeautifulproportionsofdivinetruthasreceivedbyfaith,soeveryviewdisproportionatetothesameharmoniousplanwasrejectedbyhimasGod-dishonoring,inconsistent,andcontradictory.Itisthis sound, consistent, harmonious interpretationof divine truthwhichhasstampedapeculiarweightandvalueonDr.Gill'sCommentary,suchasnootherexpositionofthewholeScripturepossesses.

But besides this indispensable qualification, it has other excellentqualities.

1. An interpreter of the word of God should have a deep and well-grounded knowledge of the languages in which the Scriptures wereoriginallywritten.ThisDr.Gillundoubtedlypossessed.HisknowledgeofHebrew,inparticular,wasdeepandaccurate,andhisacquaintancewiththe Rabbinical writers, that is, the Jewish expositors of the OldTestament,was nearly unparalleled. Indeed, he has almost overlaid hisCommentary too much with his vast and almost cumbrous Rabbinicallearning,andseemstohavegivenitmoreplaceandattachedtoitmorevaluethanitreallydeserves.

2. Another striking and admirable feature of this Commentary is, thecondensationofthoughtandexpressionthroughout.Dr.Gillpossesseda

rare andvaluable gift,—thatofpacking.Hewill sometimes give fourorfiveexplanationsofadifficultpassage;buthiswordsaresofewandwellchosen,andthemeaningsocondensed,thathewillpackinthreeorfourlineswhatmostwriterswouldswelltohalfapage,andthennotbehalfsofull,clear,ordeterminate.HisCommentaryhasthusbecomefullofideasandgermsofthought,which,by-the-bye,hasmadeitsuchastorehousefor parsonic thieves; for theDoctor has in half a dozen lines furnishedmanyasermonwithalltheideasiteverhadworthastraw,andhasgiventhe two or three grains of gold which, under the pulpit hammer, havebeenbeatenouttolastanhour.

3. Another striking feature, in our judgment, of this admirableCommentary is the sound sense and great fairness of interpretationwhich pervade it. Dr. Gill possessed that priceless gift, a sound, sobermind.Hisjudgmentindivinethingswasnotonlyclearanddecisive,buteminently characterized by solidity and sobriety. This preserved himfrom all wild enthusiastic flights of imagination, as well as from thatstrong temptation of experimental writers and preachers,—fancifulinterpretation.Heneverrunsafigureoutofbreath,norhuntsatypetodeath;nordoeshe finddeepmysteries in "nine and twenty knives," orSatanbestridingtheoldmanofsininBalaamandhisdonkey.

4. The fullness of the Commentary is another noticeable feature inDr.Gill'sExposition.Mostcommentatorsskipoverallthedifficultpassages.Theybringyouverynicelyandcomfortablyoverallthesmoothground;but just as you come to themarsh and the bog, where a few steppingstones anda friendlyhand tohelp youover themwouldbe acceptable,whereisyourcompanion?Gone.Losthimself,perhaps,inthebog;atanyrate,notathandtorenderanyhelp.Andwherearethesteppingstoneshepromisedtoputdown?Thereishardlyonetobeseen;or,iftherebeanattemptatany,theyaretoosmall,few,orwideaparttobeoftheleastservice.Toonewhohasany insight into thewordof truth,howempty,meager, and unsatisfactory are nearly all commentaries. The reallydifficult passages are skipped over, or by confused attempts atexplanationmademoredifficultthanbefore.Theirviewsofdoctrineareconfused or contradictory. The sweet vein of experience in theword isnever touched upon or brought to light; and even the letter of truth is

garbled andmangled, orwatered anddiluted, until it ismade tomeanjustnothingatall,ortheveryoppositeofthesacredwriter'smeaning.Asdry as a chip, andashard, stale, and tasteless as a forgotten crust in acorner, thesemiserableandabortiveattemptsatopeningup the sacredwordofGod,insteadoffeedingyouwithhoneyoutoftherock,willdrainaway every drop of life and feeling out of your soul, and leave you asbarrenandemptyasifyouhadbeenattendingabanter'scampmeeting,or hearing a trial sermon of a Cheshunt student as fresh from histheologicaltutor'shandashisnewgown.Withalltheirlearning,andwithalltheirlabor,theyareasdestituteofdewasthemountainsofGilboa;oflife,astheDeadSea;ofunctionandsavor,astheshoesoftheGibeonites;andofpowerandprofitastherocksofSinai.

5.ThereisattimesasavorandsweetnessintheCommentaryofDr.Gillwhich formsa striking contrast to theseheapsofdead leaves.And thisgivesthecrowningvaluetohisexpositionoftheScriptures.

SamuelRutherford

Wewish todropa few remarkson the leading features ofRutherford'sletters.

1.Theamazingwarmthandenergywhichseemtoflashthroughthemasan electric flamemust strike every gracious reader.His heart and soulwereallonfire,andhispenwasas if theelectricconductortotransmitthesparkstopaperandthencetotheheartofhiscorrespondent.Itwasnotwithhimas sometimeswithus, "What shall I saynext?"or, "WhathaveI towriteabout?"but, "Howshall I soonestpourmysoul into thesoulofmyfriend?"

2.Theviewsandfeelingswhichhehadoftimeandeternityareexpressedin themwith amazing force.Whatweight and energy, for instance, arethere in the following lines—"O thrice-blinded souls, whose hearts arecharmedandbewitchedwithdreams,shadows,nightvanities,andnightfancies, of a miserable life of sin! Poor fools! who are beguiled with

paintedthings,andthisworld'sfairweather,andsmoothpromises,androttenhopes.Maynot thedevil laugh, toseeusgiveawayoursouls forthe corrupt and counterfeit pleasures of sin?O for a sight of eternity'sglory,andalittletastingoftheLamb'smarriagesupper!Howfararewebereftofwit,tochase,andhunt,andrun,untiloursoulsbeoutofbreath,afteracondemnedhappinessofourownmaking!Othatwewereoutofourselves, anddead to thisworld, and thisworlddeadand crucified tous!"

3.HislovetotheLordJesus,andthebreathingsandlongingsofhissoulafter his manifested presence, shine forth very conspicuously in hisLetters. He had such transporting views of his Person, blood,righteousness,grace,andglory,thattothosewhoneverhadanypowerfulmanifestation of the Lord Jesus, some of his expressions may seemstrained. Thus he wishes that the ocean were a sea of ink, and theexpandedskyascrollonwhichhecouldwritethepraisesofJesus.Thesemay seem exaggerated expressions; but if millions of saints will findeternitytooshorttoseehisbeauty,beholdhisglory,andsinghispraise,why should a redeemed sinner on earth be grudged anticipating aforetasteofheaven?Whatisaseaofinktoeternity,ortheblueskiestotherealmsofendlessday?

4.Thegodly,practical,andyetthoroughlyexperimentaladmonitionsthatdropped from his pen, stampRutherford's Letters with singular powerand force. They carry a sharp edge, and yet are so blended withtendernessandaffectionthatthewoundandthebalmcometogether.Heis likeonewhoseesa friend lyingasleepontheedgeofaprecipice.Heroughly awakens him, and yet at the samemoment catches him in hisarms,andbearshimawayfromthedangerwiththeaffectionatechiding,"Dearfriend,howcouldyougotosleeponthetopofthecliff?"

5. The pith and originality of expression in these Letters are amarkedfeature in them, and have embalmed them from decay. No writer willsurvive his own generation whose thoughts and expressions are notstampedwiththatforceandoriginalitywhichmarkthemaspeculiarlyhisown. It is a man's own mint which stamps his coins and gives themcurrency. Here Rutherford peculiarly shines; and by engrafting on hisownstockoforiginalthoughtstheforciblethoughhomelyScotticismsto

whichwehavebeforealluded,hehas,withoutintendingit,becomeoneofthemostforcibleandoriginalwritersthathaseveredifiedthechurchofGod.

GeorgeIsbell

When one whom we have loved and esteemed passes away from thismortal scene, and leaves behind him that fragrant recollection whichgracealonediffusesoverthosewhomanifestlyliveanddieintheLord,adesire,partlyperhapsnatural,butpartlyalsospiritual,springsupinthebosom that some enduringmonument should be reared as a tribute ofaffection and respect to his memory. To this feeling wemay, perhaps,ascribemany,ifnotmost,ofthoseObituarieswhichsomeofourreadersconsiderthemostprofitableandinterestingpartofourpages;forthoughwewouldwillinglyattributetothosewhosendthemthehighermotivesof seeking thereby the glory ofGod and the good of his people, yet nodoubt,inverymanycases,thereinterminglewiththeseholierandloftieraims promptings of natural love and affection to raise some abidingmemorialtothedeparted.

Butwhenthedeceasedobjectofthisesteemandaffectionhasoccupiedapublic position; when to the claims of private and personal love andesteem there are added those peculiar ties which bind a minister to apeople inparticular,or, ifhis laborshavebeenmorewidelydiffused tothe church of Christ in general, then there seems to be amorewidely-spreaddesirethatsomemeansshouldbeadoptedtopreservehisnameinenduringremembrance.

NowthereisnosuchenduringmemorialofaservantofGodashisworks,whetherweunderstandbythattermthoselivingsoulsthatwerebegottenunderhiswordtolifeeternal,or,ifawriter,thelivingproductionsofhispen. Other memorials soon pass away, for the seeds of mortality arenaturally in them; no, time gradually removes from earth the livingwitnesses of the most powerful ministry. How few, for instance, nowremainofMr.Huntington'sattachedfriendsandhearers;andhissonsin

the faith,Beeman,Turner,Vinall, andChamberlainhave followed theirfather to the mansions above. If affection raises a tomb over the spotwhere the remains of the deceased repose until the resurrectionmorn,stone gradually moulders and decays; and the deepest-cut inscriptionsoonerorlaterfadesandbecomesindistinctunderthecorrodingeffectsofwintrystormandsummersun.Besideswhich,therichesttombwhichaffectioncanrearoverthegraveofthedepartedisbutlocal,boundedbythewallsofacemetery;andthecarefullypennedinscriptionisoftenonlyread by the idle eyes of a few summer strollers, or listlessly spelt out,letterbyletter,bywanderingnursemaidstotheirlittletroop.

Eventheverychapelwherethewell-knownvoiceoncesoundedforththegospel of the graceofGod cangivenoguaranteeofpermanency to thetabletwhichrecordsthememoryofthedepartedservantofChrist.Whathasbecome,forinstance,ofthatrichmarbletabletwhichtherespectandaffectionofabereavedchurchandcongregationraisedtothememoryofthe immortal Coalheaver, in ProvidenceChapel, bearing that renownedinscriptionwhich he dictated just before his decease? In a few years itwastorndown,asdesecratingtheplacewhichabishophadconsecratedfor another church, another service, another congregation, and anothergospel.ButMr.Huntington'swritingshadalreadyrearedamemorialtohisnamewhichwilllastwhenSt.Bartholomew's,aswebelieveitisnowcalled,shallhavebeensweptawaybytheall innovatingrail,orbecomere-consecratedandre-christenedforthecelebrationofhighmassandthegorgeousceremonialofPopishworship.Iftherewerenoothermemorialof Mr. Huntington than the few aged members of his church andcongregationwhoarewaitingtheirdismissal,orhismonumentatLewes,now that his London tablet is gone, his name would soon live only bytradition.But,withabetterintentandwithaholierpurpose,hehad,likeAbsalom,inhislifetimerearedupforhimselfapillarintheking'sdale,(2Sam.18:18)inthoseproductionsofhispenwhichwilllast,ifnotaslongas theEnglish language, at least as long as truth, in its experience andpower,shallbeprizedbyEnglishsaints.

Itishard,ifnotwrong,toputasunderwhatGodhasjoinedtogether,butwe have often felt that separate from the grace andwisdom, truth andpowerwhichshinesoeminentlyforthin"TheKingdomofHeaventaken

byPrayer,"andthe"ContemplationsoftheGodofIsrael,"merelyviewedasliteraryproductions,theyclaim,fromtheireloquence,theirvigorandvarietyofexpression,theiroriginality,andtheirconstantflowofthought,ahighplaceamongourEnglishclassics.Thewondertousis,wherethepoorcoalheaver,amidall thepovertyandragsofchildhood,youth,andmanhood, picked up his vocabulary—the tools of his tool chest, withwhich, inafteryears,heconstructedhis immortalworks.Buthiswasamastermind,andwhenreleasedfrommanualtoilhecultivateditbydeepandassiduousstudy,hispowerfulandtenaciousmemorystoringupforreadyuseeverywordthatmethiseyeorear.

Wedonotexpecttocarrywithustheassentofallourreaderswhenweexpress our decided opinion that whatever writings are given to thepublic,eitherbyanauthorhimselfduringhis lifetime,orbyhis friendsandrelativesafterhisdecease, somethingmore thangrace isneeded togive them permanent endurance. To make them the handbook ofsuccessive generations, genius must be combined with grace—themastermind and the vigorous pen with the anointing which is fromabove.

For proof take two well-known books, which will live until the angelwhich shall stand upon the sea and the earth shall lift up his hand toheavenandswear,"Thereshallbetimenolonger,"—wemean,Bunyan's"Pilgrim"andHart'sHymns.Donotthink,graciousreader,thattheonlydifferencebetweenyouandthesemenofGodisthattheyhadmoregraceand experience than you. Do you suppose that if you had Bunyan'sexperience,youcouldsitdownandwritea"Pilgrim'sProgress;"orifyouhadhadsuchaviewofthesufferingsofChristasHartwasfavoredwith,you could compose aGethsemane hymn? Itwas not grace only, or thedepth and variety of his experience, which drew the immortal picturesthat have made the "Pilgrim" a household word. Without grace, therewouldhavebeenno "SloughofDespond,"or "CastleofGiantDespair;"no "roll in the bosom," or view from "the Delectable Mountains." Butgeniuswasneededforthegraphicdescriptions,thelife-liketouches,thesharp-cut characters, the varied dialogue, the constant succession ofpicturesqueincidentswhichdelightallagesandallreaders.

SowithHart'sHymns.Itisnotmerelytherichnessandsavor,depthand

varietyofexperience,noreventhewondrousdewandsavorsocopiouslysheduponthembytheHolySpirit,thatwehavesometimesfeltandsaidthattheywerewrittenunderhisspecialinspiration,whichhavegivenhishymnssuchaplace inthechurchofGod.Mr.Hartwasagreatpoet,aswellasagreatChristian;not,indeed,inthesamesensethatMiltonisagreat poet, as full of beautiful imagery and sublime expression. Hartrarelyallowshimselftheuseofpoeticlanguage;buthewasgiftedwithastyleunrivaledforpowerandwhatiscalledtersenessofexpression;thatis,thepackingofthegreatestamountofideasintothesmallestamountofwords,whichcriticsconsideroneoftherarestandmostvaluablefeaturesofauthorship.

Youandwe,dearreaders,inourtalk,inourletters,inourprayers,andinourpreachings,andyouwilladd,"Yes,andyouinyourReviews,"arelikecotton-spinners;onepoundofrawcottongoesalongwayinthread.Butthere is no thread-spinning in Hart's hymns. Every word counts.Treasuresareinaline;andliketheBankofEnglandingots,theyareallso closely packed that you can scarcely find in them a useless orsuperfluousword.Thisiswhatwecallgenius.Youwill,perhaps,prefertocallit"gift."Weshallnotdifferhere,foritwasaspecialgift.Butyouwhothinkthatyou,too,possessaspecialgiftforwritingpoetry,andespeciallyhymns,justtrywhetheryoucanputyourexperienceintoHart'srhymes,orcondenseitintoHart'slines.Why,youcannomoredoitthanyoucangive yourself Hart's revelation of Christ, or Hart's view of Christ'ssufferingsinthegardenofGethsemane.

Butwehavewanderedfromoursubject,whichwastopenafewlinesonamoresimpleand,doubtless,lessenduringmemorialthantheimmortalworks of the three great English worthies fit to rank among the threemighty men who stood first and foremost of David's thirty captains—Bunyan,Hart,andHuntington.Thelittleworkbeforeusdoesnotassumesuchaposition,ortakesohighaflight.It issimplyintendedasaslightmemorial raised by the hands of a widow, at the solicitation of manyfriends, who wished some tribute of affection to be rendered to theiresteemedandbelovedminister.Whenweaddthatthiswidowisasisterinnatureaswellasasisteringrace,itwillbesufficientlyobviousthatwefeelsomedifficultyanddelicacyinreviewingthebook.Andyet it isbut

duetoherandduetoourselvestodeclare,thatwehadnohandwhateverin suggesting itspublication, in collectingor revising the letters for thepress, and that no wish has been expressed for us to take any publicnotice of it.On these grounds, therefore,we feel as free to express ouropinion of these letters as if their writer were not a brother-in-law innature as well as a friend and brother in grace. And yet our personalknowledge of the writer puts us in a position to make a few friendlyremarksuponhim,asalittleintroductiontothelettersnowgiventothepublic.

Mr. Isbell, both as aman and as aminister, wasmuch beloved by hisfriends and those to whom his ministry had been blessed. He wasnaturallyof ahighly sensitivedisposition; and if thismadehimacutelyfeel neglect and unkindness, it was compensated by a proportionatewarmthof affectionwhen itmetwith a suitable return from friends. Itwas this kindness, this amiability, this willingness to oblige whichendearedhimtohisfriendsmorethanfallstothelotofmanyministers.And yet this sensitive, affectionate disposition, which we cannot butadmire, had, in his case, as in others similarly gifted, attendantinconveniences.

Aministershouldnottobetoosensitive.Ifheistofeeleveryslight,andbedeeplywoundedbyeveryarrow,directlyorindirectlyaimedathim,heis on the continual fret.His friends dare hardly speak lest they shouldhurthismind,andhisenemiesareglad thathehasamindwhich theycansoeasilyhurt;andthusfriendshipsarecooledor lost,andenmitiesmadeirreconcilable.WehaveoftenthoughtthatifwewereassensitiveasourdepartedfriendIsbellwas,andfeltasacutelyashedidthescourgeofthe tongue and pen, we must have sunk long ago under the missilesthrownatusfromeveryside.Whetherourskinbenaturallymoretough,orhasbecomehardenedbywar,wewillnotsay;butthisweknow,thatifourmindwereastenderasourbody,andwefeltthecoldblastsfromthemouthofmanaswefeelthecoldblastsfromthemouthofthewintryeastwind,wewouldnotbefittoholdthehelm,orevenstandonthedeckoftheshipwhichwearenowsteeringthroughtheeddyingwaves.

Itwasnotthathewasdeficientinfaithfulness,forhewasaremarkablyboldspeaker,andnevertruckledtoanyman,inpublicorinprivate.Nor

didheshowhisfeelingsbywarmthoftemper;butanunkindwordfromafriend,whichsomewouldnomoreregardthanapassingbreathofwind,woundedhimto thequick.Wemayoftenadmirewhatwedonotenvy.Warm,sensitive,acutefeelingsareverybeautiful,butnotverydesirable.Aword,alook,someunintentionalneglect,anunansweredletter,ahastyremark,atartreply,sowoundsyoursensitivefriend,ashesobroodsoverit, that, perhaps, it costs you his friendship for life. And as thissensitivenessoftencostshimhisfriends,soitlayshimopentotheattackofenemies.Wespeak thus,not todisparage thedead,butasawordofcounsel to the living.Brotherministers,wehave allmuch to bearwithfromfriendsandfoes.OurblessedLordhadtoendurethecontradictionofsinnersagainsthimself,andwasforsakenbyhisdisciplesandfriends.Buthehasleftusanexamplehowtoactthatweshouldwalkinhissteps.If,then,onewhohashadtobearmuchfromfriendandfoemaygiveyoucounsel,hewouldsay,"Benottoosensitive.Befirm,befaithful;butbearwith your friends, and bear from your enemies. We have found thebenefitofboth."

ButifourfriendandbrotherIsbellwastoosensitive,itwaswellbalancedin his case by affection; and there was this advantage, that while hechieflysufferedfromtheone,hisfriendsbenefitedbytheother.Hehadalso a very forgiving spirit, and was thus, if soon offended, easilyconciliated;norcouldhedoenoughforhisfriends,andespeciallythoseof them towhomhisministry had beenblessed, andwho for themostpartwereasmuchattached tohimashe to them.Ourdispositionsareoften well balanced and mutually corrected. Sensitiveness withoutaffection makes a man a selfish wretch; balanced and corrected byaffection,itgiveswarmthtofriendship,thoughitwillsometimesturnitinto partiality. On every side are extremes, snares, and dangers.Sensitiveness without taking offence, affection without partiality,boldnesswithoutbitterness,gentlenesswithoutgivingway,cautiousnesswithoutcowardice,faithfulnesswithoutfury,andcontentionforthefaithwithout compromiseof the spirit of thegospel—howdesirable, yethowrarearesuchqualificationsforaservantofChrist.

But, aswe are sketching his character,wemay add that, togetherwiththisnaturally sensitiveyetaffectionatedisposition,Mr. Isbellpossessed

considerablenaturalabilities.Hiswasnotindeedadeep,butasingularlyactive,readymind,andonewhichhehadmuchcultivatedbypatientandassiduousstudy.Hehadalsoapeculiaraptnessofeyeandhand,andaturn for scientific pursuits, which, as we do not wish to disguise hisfailings,proved,wethink,intheendratherasnare,andnotonlyinjuredbodyandmind,butweakenedtheforceofhisministry.Weallhaveoursnares—nonemore than thewriter of this Review; but he knows, frompainfulexperience,thatitisassadtobecaughtinthemashardtoavoidthem. That their profiting may appear to all, ministers must givethemselveswholly to theirwork. (1Tim.4:15.)Everypursuit, therefore,however useful for othermen as a part of their business or profession,whichisnotofthethingsofGod,hinderstherealandvisibleprofitofaservantofChrist.

He perhaps, for we wish to speak tenderly as well as truthfully, fromconstitutionalirritabilityofnerve,neededmorerecreationandrelaxationofbodyandmindthanharder,strongernatures,andsoughttofindit,notin fresh air and exercise, which we have always found to be the bestremedyforaweariedbrainandnervesunstrung,butinalmostcontinualreadingandstudy.Butagoodlongwalkoradiginthegardenwould,wethink, have been a better remedy for his languid nerves; for the cureeventuallyprovedworsethanthedisease,andtaxedhisbraininsteadofrelievingit.

Thuswornoutbyasensitivemind,anovertaxedbrain,ministeriallabor,andmentalanxiety,joinedtoaconstitutionallyweakbodilyframe,hefellasleepattheearlyageof45,ashismourningwidowhasrecordedintheinterestinglittlememoirprefixedtotheLetterswhichshehaspublished.

AndnowafewwordsabouttheLettersthemselveswhicharethusgivento the public. Though, from our personal knowledge of the writer, wewereprepared togive thema favorable reception, yetwemust say thatthey have exceeded our expectation. Knowing his abilities, and that hewasaverygoodletter-writeraswellasonewhowellknewandlovedthetruth, we quite expected that they would outshine the general run ofreligiouscorrespondence;butwedidnotlookforsomuchofthewriter'sownexperience.Notthatwedoubtedhispossessionofitorhisabilitytoexpress it; but we knew that from his peculiar sensitiveness, and we

might almost say shynessofmind, for theyusually go together, hewasaccustomed to keep back both in public and private much of his ownpersonal feelings.But, these letters appear tohavebroken the seal thatwas often on his lips. In this point, therefore, they have exceeded ourexpectation;andyetweneednotwonderatitasanunusualfeature.

Letters,especiallywhenwrittentobelovedfriendsintheLord,drawforthmuchoftheinmostexperienceofthewriter'sheart.Theveryfreenessofcorrespondence unlocks those bosom secrets which are often almostnecessarily held back from a public congregation. You know that yourfriendwillnotabuseyourconfidence,betrayyoursecrets,ormakeyouanoffenderforaword.Asyouwrite,yourfriendcomesbeforeyourmentaleye, affection softens your heart towards him, the springs of inwardfeelinggraduallyrise,andtheyflowforth,accordingtothegiftbestowed,instreamsuponyourpaper.ItisthisfreedomofcommunicationandthiswritingoutofthefullnessoftheheartwhichgivelettersbythesaintsandservantsofGodsuchapeculiarsweetnessandpower.Notbeingintendedforthepubliceye,theyarespeciallyadaptedforprivatereading.Wecantakethebookuporlayitdown,readalongletterorashortone,withoutstraining the mind or distracting the attention. If it suits us, we goreading on, letter after letter, as we have often done with Mr.Huntington'sLetters.Ifitdoesnotsuitheart,time,orplace,wecanbutlaythebookdown.Itisapatientvisitor,notjealousofarivalorsensitiveof neglect, but bearing any amount of rebuff, coldness, or silence, andreadytospeakagainonlywhenaskedtodoso.

Thelettersbeforeusarewritteninapleasing,easy,agreeablestyle,fullofkindness and affection, for suchwas theman, and unfoldmuch of hisown exercised mind. Judgment, we think, has been shown in theselectionoftheLetters;andwearegladtoseetheearlyonesgivenaswellas the later, as, in our opinion, there is in themmore vigor and force,more freshness and originality, boldness and decision. It is the casemostlywithusall.Withadvancingyearsweget,perhaps,asounder,riperjudgment in the things of God, more maturity of views, and greaterfirmnessandsolidityofexperience;butthelifeandwarmth,thefireandforceofwhatJobcalls "thedaysofouryouth" (29:4)areusuallymuchdiminished; and of few of us, beyondmiddle age, can it be said, either

naturally or spiritually, as ofMoses, that "our eye is not dim, nor ournaturalforceabated."

Whenawriteratacertainperiodoflife(wespeakherefromexperience)looksoverhisearlyproductions,heseesinthemmanyhastyexpressionswhich hewould not nowmake use of, andwhich hemay sigh over, asscarcelybecomingthemeeknessandspiritofthegospel.Butifhehasasigh for undue expressions, hehas a still heavier,moredeep and long-drawnsigh for the lossof that zeal,warmth,andanimationwhich thenglowed in his bosom and fired his voice and pen, butwhich he can nomorerecallthanhecangivehimselfbackthestrongarmandelasticstepofearlymanhood.ButeveryagehasitsplaceinthechurchofGod.Babes,children,youngmen,andfathers,allarenecessarytothebeingandriperknowledge of him that is from the beginning, the youngmen aremorestrong,andthewordofGodabidesinthem,andtheymorestoutlyfight,andmoremanifestly overcome thewicked one.O thatwe hadmore ofthese young men; that as the fathers are taken home or laid aside bysicknessandinfirmity,wecouldseerisingupmenofmightandmenofwar, fit for the battle, that can handle shield and shield, whose facesshouldbelikethefacesoflions,(againsterrorandevil,)andasswiftastheroesuponthemountains, torunupontheLord'serrands.(1Chron.12:8.)

But as our readers will desire to form their own judgment upon theLettersbeforeus,wewill give themone,asa specimenof theirgeneralcharacter.

"MydearFriends—Acceptmythanksforyouraffectionateletter.Iquiteagreewithyou,thattheremaybearesistingthecallofachurchofGodtotheoversightofthem;butIdonotconsiderthistobeatallapplicabletome,asIamsimplywaitingtheLord'stime,andamwillingtogoorstay,justasheshallmakeknownhiswill.IfIcouldfindoneortwosuppliesfor the people here during my absence, I should have my path madeconsiderably plainer; and, I can assure you, that there is no church towhich my poor services would more freely be given than to that atLeicester; for I cannot doubt that the Lord of the harvest hascondescended towork bymewhenwith you, and has not let thewordreturntohimvoid.Iconfess,however,thatthesenseofmyinsufficiency

isno smallmountain inmyway,and that I amexercisedwith fearsonthis account, which greatly impede me. The Lord alone can make ourmountainsbecomeaplain,andexactlyleveltheroughandcrookedpathby an assurance that 'as ourday our strength shall be,while our shoesshall be iron and brass,' to enable us to pass through the thorns andbriars, and to tread upon thorns and scorpions unharmed. I feel that Icouldgoanywhere,ifGod'spresencewouldgowithme.Thisisallandinall toaweakand ignorantstumblersuchas Iam.Heknowsmy frame,and remembers that I am dust. Poor and helpless, needy and sinful, IhavenonebutJesustolookto,andcanseenonethatcanstrengthenmyweakhands,confirmmyfeebleknees,directmytotteringfeet,andblessmyfaintingheartbuthe.'Towhomshallwego?'saidPeter.'Youhavethewordsofeternallife.'Andtowhomdowedesiretogobuttohim,whenfeelingthatallourspringsareinhim?

OthatIcould loveandservehimbetter,andnottobesuchabaseandwanderingwretch,as Iamconstrained toconfess tohim that Iam.Hehas,beforenow,filledmyheart,andIhaveseenmyself'completeinhim.'Unexpectedly,suddenly,hasmysoulbeheldhisbeautyandglory,andIhave felt solemnlyandsweetlysatisfied thathe ismyportion forever,aportion inexhaustible and precious. But, alas! how little do I appear toprofitbythis,whenIwanderfromhimandgrowcoldandvain.Truly,mydearfriends,Iknow,thatunlesshedisplayshischarmsinourhearts,bythe blessed Spirit, and draw our affections after him,we cannot praisehim in sincerity, cleave to himwith love, fear to offend him, and waituponhimtoteachustoprofit,andtoleadusinthewayweshouldgo.Tobemadeconsciousofourutteremptiness,poverty,andcorruption,asIam,ispainfulandtrying;forsometimesIcanseeno'goodthingtowardstheLordGodofIsrael' inmysoul,butsomanybadthingsagainsthim,thatIamobligedtosay,'Behold,Iamvile!'andtoputmymouthinthedust,ifsobetheremaybehope.

Hemaywellbecalled'wonderful'whobearswithsuchabasething,andsuchbaseworkingsasare inme;andhemustbe felt tobe 'wonderful,'whosemercy,notwithstanding, endures forever. It is a sadproofofourfallen state, and of the depravity of our nature, that we are so littleaffectedbyhisgoodness,andsoreadytodepartfromhim,'forsakingthe

fountainof livingwaters, andhewingout forourselves cisterns,brokencisterns, that can hold nowater.'Whowould be so happy aswe, if wecould be always drinking deep into his love and grace, and having ourheartsmeltedat the fireofhisdying love,with sin subdued,andSatanbruisedunderourfeet?But,'intheworld,'Jesusdeclares,'youshallhavetribulation,'andfromthiswecannotescape,ifwearetrulyhisdisciples.Nordowedesiretoescapeandbeateaseinthefleshwhenourmindsareenlightenedfromabove,forthenweseetheneedoftribulationandtrials.

'Imustexpectadailycross;Lord,sanctifymypain;Bideveryfurnacepurgemydross,Andyieldsomerealgain.'

Ihavefarmoretrialtoendurethanmanysuppose,notonlywithin,butfromwithout. 'Theheartknowshisownbitterness,andastrangerdoesnotintermeddlewithhisjoy.'Sometimesmyburdenshavebeensomany,andmyheartsounbelievingandfaint,thatIhavebeenbewildered,and'readytohalt,'andhavebeencastdownindeed;andyetIhopeImaysay,withoutanypresumption,'Lord,youhavebeenmyhelp,'youhavemadea way forme to escape, you have not givenme over to the will ofmyenemies,norhave 'broken thebruised reed,norquenched the smokingflax.'InmytroublesIhavefoundlittledispositiontomakethemknowntoman,buthavekept themsecret inmyownbosom,andhave carriedthemwhereIknowhelponlytobelaidupforthepoorandneedy.HereIhave,Itrust, foundaFriend;hereIhavebeenabletolayholdofbetterstrengththanthatofman;andnever,whenIhavebeenpermittedtorollmy way simply, sincerely, and confidingly upon the Lord, have I beenforsakenorfailedofhelp.IcanlookbacktoseasonswhenIfeltsuretheLordhadheardandansweredmypetitions,andithasbeenmarvelousinmyeyes.But I shall appearegotistical, if Iwrite somuchaboutmyself.My friends must forgive me if I weary them. I am often a 'burden tomyself;'butIwouldnotburdenmyindulgentcorrespondents.Ihopeyouare helped still to seek the Lord on my behalf, to give me life, light,wisdom, grace, humility, and clear direction in my way. Both will andpowerdoIneedtodoanythingthatisgood."—August,1847.GeorgeIsbell