Christian Theology." troductory address, consisting of observations and counsels upon the moral state and dispositions of the mind which are necessary for the profitable study of divine truth ;-upon the utility and subserviency of literature and general science for the advancement of Theological knowledge, and usefulness in the ministry and upon the conduct of the understanding in the actual study of divinity under its various aspects of liberal and impartial inquiry, interpretation of the scriptures, and the determination of controversies. This is followed by the syllabus, which forms the body of the work, and consists of definitions, propositions, hints of solution, corollaries, scholia, &c. with references to authors of merit under every particular.

This commences with an in

The design of this plan is not only to lead the student into a clear and logical method of deducing divine truth from its proper source, but to engage his industry of research and meditation, to take him to the first fountains of knowledge, and to excite his judgment, his powers of discrimination, and all his talents, to the most profitable kind of exercise. When the student has, with suitable attention and diligence, completed the scheme, he possesses a body of Christian divinity and moral philosophy, thoroughly digested, methodically arranged, the fruit of his own labour and industry, and the systematical depository of his future acquisitions.

2. A Polemical Lecture, designed to furnish a fair and comprehensive view of the most important controversies of the present day; inculcating at the same time, the value and importance of truth, and the absurdity and danger of scepticism or indifference.

3. An Exegetical Lecture on some book of the Greek Testament, generally an epistle.

4. A course on Biblical Criticism, and the principles of sacred Philology and Interpretation.

5. Lectures on Preaching, and the other duties of the pastoral office. Dr. Doddridge's Lectures on those subjects are the text-book.

6. Lectures on Ecclesiastical History.

II. A course of Lectures on the Elements of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and Natural History. III. A course on Logic and the Philosophy of the Mind.

IV. A course on the study of Civil History and Antiquities; attainments prerequisite for that study, observations on historical writers, rules and advices for securing the greatest sum of advantage from the pursuit, and an inquiry into the objects most interesting to a Christian divine, to which the study of history should he rendered subservient.

The preceding statement may be considered as a fair specimen of the usual course of study pursued in the best regulated of our Dissenting Colleges. The subject of the preceding memoirs received his education in the truly respectable Academy at Hoxton-over that instation the Rev. Robert Simpson, the Rev. Henry Forster Burder, A. M. and ,the Rev. Hooper, A. M. preside with distinguished ability.*

In these respective Academies, public examinations are annually held, in which a close and critical inquiry is made into the diligence-the acquirements, and the conduct of each student.

* I should be happy to present a statement of the system adopted in that excellent institution, but I am not furnished with materials for the purpose. Such a statement was not deemed necessary by those of whom I requested information. I think it of importance to mention this, lest I should be considered as partial, in giving so minute a detail of the course at Homerton, and saying so little of the plans pursued at Hoxton.

No. II.

SPECIMENS OF MR. SPENCER'S EARLY EXERCISES

IN PREACHING.

From the following outlines of some of his first sermons may be gathered what was his general style of preaching at the period of their composition.

ON PUBLIC WORSHIP.

Dated March 6, 1807.

MATTHEW XVIII. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.'

We shall make a few general observations on the text in the following order:

I. THAT IT IS

THE DUTY AND INTEREST OF

CHRISTIANS TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER FOR THE PUR

POSES OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.

This duty was

1. Practised by ancient believers. Zion was the well known place to which the tribes went up-Christ frequented the Synagogue. The apostles met to

gether, &c.

2. It is enjoined in the sacred scriptures. See Ps. c. 4. Heb. x. 25.

3. Fraught with the richest blessings.

II. THAT IT MUST BE DONE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.

1. In obedience to his command.

2. In the use of his appointed means.

3. In dependence on his assistance.

4.

With a view to his glory.

III. THAT ALTHOUGH BUT FEW PERSONS THUS ASSEMBLE, YET THAT IS NO OBJECTION TO THEIR OBTAINING THE DIVINE FAVOUR

• Wherever two or three,' &c.

We remark in the first place,

AND BLESSING.

1. That God regards the sincerity of the worshippers, not their number.

2. The happy experience of worshippers in all ages of the world. As a confirmation of the senti

ment,

3. The positive assertion of the text.

IV. THAT JESUS IS PRESENT WITH ALL THOSE

WHO THUS ASSEMBLE TOGETHER.

How is Christ present in his worshipping assemblies ?

For what purpose is Christ present with his worshipping people?

1. To observe the manner of their worship.

2. To bless those who are earnestly seeking him.

REFLECTIONS.

1. The Lord Jesus Christ is God, or he could not be present in all the assemblies of his people at the same time.

2. How inexcusable is the conduct of those who neglect public worship.

3. How great will be the happiness of the heavenly world, to all the sincere worshippers of Christ.

THE SECOND APPEARING OF CHRIST.

HEBREWS ix. 28.

And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

4.

II.

'He shall appear,' &c.
The second time,' &c.
Without sin,' &c.

Unto salvation.'

THE PERSONS WHO WILL BE HAPPILY INTER

ESTED IN IT. To those who look for him,

2.

With earnest longing. 3. With patient waiting.

4. With due preparation.

From this subject permit me to make these remarks.

What a great distinction among mankind will there be at the judgment.

Of what importance is it for us to know whether we are thus looking for him.

In what high estimation should we hold that Saviour who is the first and the last in a sinner's salvation.

THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA.

JOHN IV. 28, 29. 'The woman then left her waterpot and went her way, into the city, and saith to the men, Come see a man which told me all things, whatever I did; is not this the Christ?' From the text and its connexion we shall draw the three following plain observations:

I. THAT JESUS CHRIST IS POSSESSED OF THE GREATEST EXCELLENCIES.

We shall confine ourselves to those illustrated in his conversation with the woman of Samaria.

1. Profound humility. Though he was rich in the glories of his divine nature, he humbled himself and became a man, and so as not to be above holding conversation with a poor woman at a well. Let proud mortals contemplate this and be ashamed.

2. Consummate wisdom. He proceeds upon the plan established by the order of the everlasting covenant, and will not fail of converting all his chosen people. He knew where to find this woman -he knew all her circumstances-and what kind of conversation to hold with her.

3. Ardent benevolence. It was for the instruction and conversion of this poor woman, that he ex

erted himself.