be used with a safe-guard, says a fifth ;-It needs neither guard nor interpreter, says a sixth. And so one takes one view, and another another; but all unite, We approve of this book-we will distribute this book as it is-we wish every man upon earth to have a copy of this book-every Englishman in the authorized translation, every other man in that tongue which he knows best.

Now am I wrong in associating with all-with any of these persons, for such a purpose? I do not, in thus associating, compromise any great principle of Christianity; for the book they agree to circulate contains all and every principle of Christianity.

I do not sanction

any of the evil deeds of any of my associates-the book condemns their evil deeds; the drunkard or the licentious, the dishonest or the profane, who subscribes to the distribution of this book, bears witness against himself. The man who comes to my house with this book, whatever he may be called, brings with him the doctrine of Christ as a friend of this book, I bid him God speed. In encouraging him to spread this book, I neither patronize his corrupt principles, nor countenance his evil deeds; but if he, presuming upon the courtesy with which I receive him as a Bible distributor, begins to claim me as a Christian brother, I will pray for that holy zeal and Christian firmness which was evinced, on a like occasion, when, the chairman, with all the gentleness, and sincerity, and tenderness, by which he is so pre-eminently distinguished, intimated that he could not recognize the speaker in such a character. And if necessary, I would then distinctly state those fundamental views which the book we circulate reveals, with the hope that the mistaken and heretical individual might be led, through the divine mercy, to try himself and doctrine by the unerring rule.

But it may be said that by associating with such persons on any occasion, or under any circumstances, I tacitly, at least, sanction their principles, I help to increase their influence, and encourage others to regard them as Christians, whereas I ought rather to copy the example of St. John, who fled from the bath which contained Cerinthus. Now this line of argument is by no means new; it was to a considerable extent adopted by Messrs. Marsh, and Tomline, and Norris, and other opponents in the earlier days of the Bible Society, and was then triumphantly answered, by Messrs. Dealtry, and Otter, and Scott, and Cooper, &c. The only difference is, that the question was then discussed as between churchmen and dissenters, the question is now narrowed so as to exclude only one or two denominations. But still the same arguments really apply in the present as in the former controversy;—and if it becomes my duty to exclude persons who now belong to what in common and every day language is termed a denomination of Christians, because they in my judgment deny a fundamental doctrine of Christianity; it appears to me that I am bound to go farther and to exclude also the members of those denominations of Christians who deny the doctrines of salvation by faith-of regeneration by the power of the Holy Ghost-of the necessity of personal holiness, &c.

In associating with a Socinian in order to distribute the Bible, I am no more countenancing his principles or adding to his influence, than I am when assisting him in giving fuel or food to the starving; in both instances we engage together in a common act of benevolence; we make no compromise of principle, we mutually perhaps lament over each other, he pitying me as an idolater, I regretting that one so benevolent should be a blasphemer and denier of my Lord

and Master; but still we may mutually rejoice that here in the distribution of the Bible is common ground; he may conceive that this distribution will promote his views, while I feel increasingly confident that this blessed Book is so decidedly opposed to Socinianism and every kind of heresy and error, that in proportion as it is extensively dispersed, and seriously studied, and humbly received, all false doctrine and all corrupt practice must be exposed, reproved, and eventually, through God's mercy, terminated.

I might be wrong in endeavouring to induce persons to engage in a spiritual service, who are devoid of spiritual perception; but while inciting them to acts which every natural man ought to perform, I am merely stimulating them to the performance of a neglected duty and in proportion as I can excite any to the performance of a duty which they have hitherto neglected, I am, as far as outward means can effect such an object, leading them on towards the divine life. If he that doeth the will of God shall know of the doctrine, every instance of benevolent exertion may afford ground of hope that those who are at present ignorant and out of the way may, through God's mercy, at length be brought nigh; and whatever be the case with the individual, though he may labour at erecting an ark into which he may eventually refuse to enter, I trust the seed which he sows, and the word he distributes, shall conduce to the glory of our heavenly Father, and the salvation of perishing men.

But is there not great danger lest the introduction of such persons into Committees, &c. should produce, nay has not such introduction already produced, great and extensive mischief? To this I would reply, Can any such case be pointed out ?-Men speak as though Socinians abounded in the Committees and leading offices of the

Bible Society-as though they influenced translations, &c. and really governed that important institution-if such be the case, if any danger exists that such mischiefs should arise, then there is a necessity for prompt, and decisive measures, but surely it is but reasonable that this necessity should be previously demonstrated before we are called upon to act, and that we should not on mere theoretical grounds be required to tamper with fundamental laws and regulations. As far as I can discover there is not now, nor ever has been one member of the Bible Committee who either himself professed, or regarded by his colleagues as а Socinian; nor can I discover that any Socinian teacher has ever availed himself of that rule which allows every Clergyman or Dissenting Minister, who is a member of the Society, to attend and vote at all meetings of the Committee.' I must confess it appears to me unnecessary even to discuss the propriety of excluding those who for twenty-five years have never thought fit to appear.

was

But such persons have appeared on certain auxiliary platforms and auxiliary Committees. It is true one appeared at Uxbridge, and was compelled to withdraw. Another was appointed to an official situation at Hackney, and frightened two or three persons who ought to have known better, into a secession -perhaps some half-dozen cases may be mentioned where Socinians have intruded and occasioned inconvenience; but in some of these cases the inconvenience has been provoked by injudicious and intemperate conduct and conversation; while in others the holy tempers and Christian proceedings of true believers have produced a deep, and I trust, a saving effect on the minds of some who have been accustomed to connect what we regard as orthodoxy, with intolerance and severity.

I close as I commenced, with earnestly inculcating the importance of patient, temperate, and scriptural investigation-with intreating every one to beware of rash and hasty decision-especially caution. ing all against passing judgment on the characters of others, or indulging in severe, censorious, caustic, uncharitable observations, or hastily seceding from a cause and a Society which God has mercifully condescended to own

and bless, through any needless degree of scrupulosity, or any refined, specious, speculative arguments. The enemy's old mode of proceeding has been divide and conquer.' I trust those who indeed love the Lord Jesus Christ will pause before they allow themselves to adopt measures most injurious to his name and cause, and most gratifying to that great enemy who goeth about seeking whom he may devour. HOKYTONE.

C.

An Address to Ministers of the Church of England, on the Duties of the Present Times. A Sermon preached in the parish church of Hatfield, on Monday, June 20, 1831, at the triennial visitation of the Lord Bishop of Lincoln. By the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, Rector of Watton, Herts. 8vo. Pp. 32. Seeleys. 1831. Friendly Suggestions to those in authority. By John Poynder, Esq. Svo. Pp. 48. Seeleys.

1831.

A Prize Essay on the Causes which, in Wales, have produced Dissent from the Established Church: to which the Royal Medal was awarded at an Eisteddfod of the London Cambrian Institution, held in May 1831. Svo. Pp. 56. Hatchards. 1831. Ecclesia Decus et Tutamen. The extension, security, and moral influence of the united Church of England and Ireland augmented by a revision of its economy, discipline, and ritual, and by its alliance with other branches of the British Reformation on the basis of mutual aid and concession. By the Rev. John Riland, M. A. Curate of Yoxall, Staffordshire. 12mo. Pp. xxiv. and 289. Hamilton. 1830.

of these things? What is the tendency of these portentous appearances? Is our government in church and state to be overthrown? Are famine and pestilence, the sword of war, the desolations of revolution and anarchy to be let loose? and is this fair spot in which we dwell to be deprived of its long continued, its much abused privileges? is it to exhibit amidst the wreck of its former grandeur, another melancholy display of the righteous judgments of God? We trust this shall not be the case. We are no prophets, and therefore we speak not with authority; but amidst all that is alarming and appalling, we anticipate a favorable result. Our expectation is not from the wisdom of our present rulers, for we cannot but feel that the statements recorded in our daily journals, afford most melancholy proofs of the folly, must we not add, the impiety of many who exercise authority amongst us ;—our hopes do not rest on our innocence as a nation or individuals, for we are a guilty people, a people who "have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled even by departing from the divine precepts and judgments;"-we have profaned the Lord's day, we have countenanced, protected, yea, encouraged Hindoo and Popish Idolatry; we are stained, deeply stained with the blood of the poor African; and the cries of the oppressed have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth but on the other hand, there is a people who weep over and lament, and endeavour to terminate these abominations; there is amidst infidel sneers, and cowardly and trimming apostacy, men who dare to confess Christ in our senates and our public assemblies; and there are those who feel stimulated by the inquiry, Who is

on the Lord's side? to come forwards and with the utmost decision and boldness to contend for the honour of his word, and of his day; and who in their place in the church, or in the world, are endeavouring to testify of Jesus ;-and who feel the threatening danger a stimulus to work with redoubled diligence the works of him that hath sent them, while it is day, knowing that the night cometh when no man can work.

Yet while anticipating a prosperous issue, we are not insensible to the existing danger. We feel that our whole constitution both in church and state is in jeopardy. The present Reform Bill will if carried, produce consequences which no man can foresee-some friends of religion hope that the alterations in the elective franchise may conduce to the return of more Christian members than have usually obtained access to the lower house. Our opinion is that serious Christians will find it more difficult than ever to secure a seat, and that many, very many Romanists, infidels, and adventurers will be returned to legislate, and eventually to decide on subjects of paramount importance to a Christian state. On this topic however, we shall not dwell; the interests of our church are indeed necessarily connected with those of the state; the latter however, belong more immediately to the worldly politician; our proper business is with the church.

The church is in danger. The cry has oft been repeated, until at length it merely sounds upon the ear as in olden time, the report of, the wolf, the wolf.-The threatened danger may however, at length arrive, nor will it be either postponed or mitigated by our incredulity. Possibly it may not yet be too late to prevent that catastrophe which infidel licentiousness, and popish tyranny, and dissenting intolerance loudly predict and joy

fully anticipate. Such views at least seem to actuate the writers who have lately advocated the cause of church reform, and who, whatever we may conceive of the correctness of their positions, and the soundness of their conclusions, deserve at least, as well-wishers to our Zion, the gratitude of her friends.

The church is in danger.-The Romanist, the dissenter, the infidel have agreed if possible to sweep her from the earth. But we care very little for their united exertions. The traitor within may ruin the most impregnable fortress, and the folly of a commander may barter his provisions and munitions of war to an assaulting enemy for that gold which the wily assailant expects shortly to resume-immense mischief may thus be inflicted; immense evils have already thus been inflicted on our church, but still that church stands, and under God's blessing will yet continue, if only her rulers are faithful, intelligent, devoted.-It may still be maintained what was jocosely observed If ever my good mother 'the church comes to an untimely 'end, nothing but a charitable 'coroner's jury can save her from · a verdict of Felo de se.

What is the real danger of the church? And whence does that danger arise? are questions which admit of various answers according to the different views of those to or by whom they are proposed. The immediate danger is that under the specious pretexts of reform, regulation, equalization, &c. the doctrinal safeguards of the church, her Articles, Homilies, Liturgy, &c. should be injured or destroyed; the independance of her ministers be subverted; and the means of their support be diverted to other channels. The temporalities of the church are in more immediate danger, but a very slight acquaintance with the real views and feelings of her opponents is sufficient