the FATHER, and the SoN, and the HOLY GHOST, is one; and their majesty CO-ETERNAL.' *

"Again, we do not call the FATHER the First Person, in the order of NATURE or CAUSALITY. This is no where affirmed in Scripture, beyond which it is not safe to speak on so awful a mystery. A cause is properly defined, that which gives existence to something else. But this cannot take place among the Divine Persons, whose essence is one and the same. It is wrong, too, where the nature is one, as here, to entertain any conception of priority or posteriority of nature, The ancient Greek Christians, I am aware, admitted the cause, and what is caused, † amongst the Divine Persons. But though they thus employed phrases which scarcely merit approbation, their meaning was sound; they explicitly denied all priority and inequality of nature. Let us see how DAMASCENUS expresses himself on this topic. When we say that the FATHER is the head of the SON, or greater than the SON, we by no means affirm that he is PRIOR IN TIME OR SUPERIOR IN NA

TURE TO THE SON, for by him he made the worlds: We intend nothing but this, that the FATHER is the cause of the SON; that is, that the Son was begotten of the FATHER, not the FATHER of the SON.' We disapprove of some expressions in this quotation, as inaccurate. To say that the FATHER is the cause of the Son,' is harsh, indistinct, and unscriptural. Nor is it true that, in that respect, the FATHER is greater than the SON; since the Son accounts it no robbery to be equal with GOD.' (Phil. ii. 6.) Orthodoxy, however, is secured, when it is affirmed, that the FATHER is not styled the cause of the SON, in any other sense, but as the SON is begotten of him; and when all priority of nature and of time is excluded.

"In fine, we do not consider the FATHER as first in DIGNITY or EXCEL LENCE. Infinite and supreme excellence is an essential attribute of Deity: and if any person were possessed of greater excellence and dignity than the Son or the HOLY SPIRIT, neither of these persons could be the MOST HIGH GOD. These three are one,' (1 John v. 7, in essence, and in all essential attributes; equal in dignity, and equal in glory.§

* Καὶ συνδιαιωνιζῶσα (alii legunt συναΐδιος) ἡ μεγαλειότης.

† Τὸ ἀίτιον καὶ το αιτιατόν. See FORBES, lib. i. cap. 20.

1 De Orthodoxa Fide, lib. i. cap. 9.
4 Ισότιμοι και δισόδοξοι.

"But the FATHER is the First Person in the following respects. First, In the order of SUBSISTENCE. The hypostasis is ascribed to the FATHER. The Sox is called the express image of his person,' the character of his hypostasis. || The FATHER, therefore, is the archetype, ¶ the Son the resemblance:** But the archetype is prior to that which is conformed to it. ++ The Apostle makes use of the same similitude in another place, when he calls the SoNthe image of the invisible GOD.'11 While this priority deprives the Son of no part of his excellence, it brings no addition to that of the FATHER. On the contrary, the equality of both is elegantly pointed out by this metaphor. THEOPHYLACT has the following beautiful remark: The character, or the form expressed, doth not exceed the hypostasis, or the form expressing; lest, in so far as it exceeds, it should have no hypostasis. Nor is the hypostasis greater than the character; otherwise, some part of it, at least, would not be expressed.'

"2dly, In the order of OPERATION. Since the FATHER works by the Son, it necessarily follows that, in relation to the other persons, he works originally and from himself, §§ and has in himself the principle of operation, as well personally as essentially. The following assertion of our LORD relates to this subject; The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the FATHER do; for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the SON likewise.' (John v. 19: see also Heb. i. 2.) This declaration holds respecting the Sos, considered as well in his Divine, as in his Mediatorial character. As, in his human nature, the SoN doth nothing without the incitement, command, and example of the FATHER, but in all bis actions performs the will and displays the holiness of the FATHER; so as the SON of GOD, he can do nothing of himself,' nothing, as the Hebrews would express it 17, separately from the FATHER. The essence, the power, and the will of both, are one and the same; yet the FATHER takes the lead in the order of operation, and the Sox 'sees' him operating; that is, knows intimately, approves, and executes with perfect exactness, the FATHER'S Counsels and decrees,-which are, at the same time, his own.

Η Χαρακτηρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αυτῷ Heb.1.3. * Αρχέτυπος.

και Εκτυπωμα.

++ Τω ἐκτυπωθεντι.

"Thus it is clear that the order of operation begins on the part of the FATHER. Nor, again, doth this prerogative of order derogate in the least from the supreme dignity of the Son; unless one should very absurdly regard it as an evidence of weakness and inferiority that, since the power and will of the FATHER and the Son are one and the same, the Son can neither do nor will any thing, but in and with the FATHER. The SoN himself hath amply guarded his own dignity, by testifying, that 'what things soever the FATHER doth, these also doth the Son likewise.' The meaning is not, as GROTIUS wrests the expression, that the SoN does other works corresponding to these; but that he does the same works, and performs them in like manner. This is to be understood, as NAZIANZEN observes, not with respect to the likeness of the things done, but with respect to an equal dignity of power and authority.' The expression intimates too, as CYRIL, of Alexandria, says on this text, the absolute identity of the works.' If the words are explained in this manner, they will furnish an incontestable proof, not only that our LORD had done nothing wrong in curing the impotent man, but even that it was utterly impossible for him to do wrong; because, provided only the distinction of the personal order of operation be preserved, the power and the will by which he works miracles, are the same with the power and the will of the FATHER. Now this was the scope of our LORD's discourse.

"The second characteristical property of the FATHER is that he is OF HIMSELF. This is to be understood, not in relation to the essence, but to the mode of having the essence. With respect to the essence, both the Son and the HOLY SPIRIT are that GoD who is of himself. That the DEITY is of himself,-that, owing to the glory of his infinite perfections, he depends on no other, but has his existence and all that he possesseth of himself,-is so necessarily included in the notion of the DEITY, that one who, with regard to his essence, from another, for this precise reason cannot be GOD. The ancients, therefore, rightly called CHRIST, GOD of himself, and by himself.§ Amongst other instances, EUSEBIUS, in a panegyrical oration on PAULINUS, Bishop of Tyre,

* Ομοίως.

is

denominates CHRIST the proper SON of the supreme GOD, and GoD of himself; ' because being the true GOD, he possesses that divine essence, which is from itself, although he has it as a SON from the FATHER. The FATHER, then, is from himself with regard to personality; that is, the divine essence is communicated to him from no other person; for nowhere does the sacred volume intimate that the FATHER WAS begotten, or proceeded, or in any manner came forth from another. ATHANASIUS, accordingly, has well said, 'We believe in one unbegotten GOD, the FATHER Almighty, who hath his subsistence from himself.' ¶

"The third distinguishing property of the FATHER is that HE ALONE, FROM ETERNITY, BEGAT THE SON. He, accordingly says, Thou art my SON; this day have I begotten thee.' These words were addressed to CHRIST, as the Apostle expressly assures us, in a sense altogether peculiar to himself: (Psa. ii. 7; Heb. i. 5) but in what this generation consists, it is impossible for us weak mortals to understand or explain. ATHANASIUS, whom I have just quoted, very properly says,He was begotten in a manner ineffable and incomprehensible.'** The very idea of generation, however, properly so called, namely, that by which one is constituted the son of any person, includes the communication of the same nature. In created persons, the nature is the same only in species; but in GoD, owing to his absolute unity, it is the same in reference to number. By the generation of the SON, then, we understand that act of Goo, by which he has communicated to the SON the same numerical essence which he himself bath, that the SON may have it in like manner."

The above extracts will enable the reader to judge of Wrrsius's manner of stating a doctrine:-it is clear, concise, and usually full. The topics discussed may be gathered from the various clauses of the Creed; they are of course subjects of the first importance, and though briefly, are yet very instructively exhibited, and enforced in their practical bearing with warmth and effect. This is not, it is true, the magnum opus of the learned Professor, whose fame rests chiefly

Η Τι καθόλα Θεῷ παιδα γνηστον, καὶ 'Αυ· τοθεόν. Hist. lib. x. cap. 4.

Exposit. Fidei.

** Εγεννήθη θα ανεκφραστων και απερι νοήτων.

on his Economia Fæderum; but it is still a very valuable addition to English theological literature. On the Descent into Hell, he follows CALVIN'S interpretation; and his Dissertation on that subject is to us wholly

unsatisfactory. Our sentiments respecting it have been expressed by a Correspondent, whose communications have lately appeared in the Miscellaneous Department of this Magazine.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD TEIGNMOUTH, President of the Society, addressed the Meeting as follows :

"Gentlemen, I meet you this day with more than usual pleasure, as, from the state of my health during the last two months, I could scarcely entertain the hope of enjoying this satisfaction; and I should even now deem an apology necessary, for venturing to occupy the honourable station in which I am placed, if I had not so often experienced your indulgence on former occasions.

"I have in my hand a letter from his Royal Highness the DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, charging me to state to the Society the regret of his Royal Highness at the necessity of his absenting himself from the Meeting, by the positive injunctions of his physician, in consequence of a protracted indisposition, from which, however, I am happy to say, his Royal Highness is now recovering.

"I am also authorized by the venerable BISHOP OF DURHAM, one of the first patrons of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to express his unabated attachment to its object, and the deep interest which he takes in its success; and I have to communicate the same sentiments from the BISHOP OF ST. DAVID's, with the expressions of his sincere regret at his inability to attend our Anniversary.

"We have, likewise, to lament the absence of another member of our Institution, whose presence was always hailed with acclama tions, and whose eloquence, the effusion of an enlightened, pious, and affectionate heart, never failed to animate, instruct, and delight

us.

You will readily apply what I have said to MR. WILBERFORCE, who regrets the impossibility of his attending many meetings in which he feels the deepest interest, and particularly that of the British and Foreign Bible Society. It is with the most cordial satisfaction I am enabled to add, that the state of his health, which excited serious apprehensions for his most valuable life, is gradually approaching to convalescence.

"There is still a subject of the deepest interest, which, however painful to my feelings, it is impossible for me to pass over in silence. I allude to the afflictive dispensation which has deprived our Society of one of its earliest and most zealous members, and myself of one whom I had the honour and happiness to call my friend for more than fifty years. I am assured of your sympathy when I mention the name of MR. CHARLES GRANT, a name which will be ever dear, not only to those who enjoyed the happy privi

lege of his society and conversation, but to

every friend of religion and humanity, and

which added to the influence and respectability of every institution, in the list of the members of which it was enrolled. His heart was ever with his GoD, his charity towards mankind, and the energies of his pious and vigorous mind were habitually devoted to promote the honour of his CREATOR and REDEEMER, and the best interests of man. Our Society has frequently profited by the wisdom and solidity of his counsels, and I doubt not that it has, also, still more benefited by his prayers. He rejoiced to witness its growing prosperity, and I have seen his countenance animated with the glow of gratitude and adoration, when the interesting details of its proceedings, and their beneficial effects, were communicated to him. The successive removal of our respected and beloved associates from the scene of their earthly labours, inculcates a solemn admonition on their survivors, to work while it is called to-day. before the night cometh when no man can work.''

An Abstract of the Report was then read by the REV. ANDREW BRANDRAM, one of the Secretaries.

The EARL of HARROWBY, Lord President of the Council, on moving that the Report be received and printed, expressed himself as follows:

"My Lord, I am satisfied that I need use no argument to induce you to accede to this motion, because, after the gratification which this meeting has received from hearing only an abstract of that Report, I am perfectly satisfied that you will wish that the Report itself, containing fuller and more detailed information. should be circulated as widely as the knowledge of this Society extends. Permit me to make a few remarks npon those parts which most struck me. The first question that would arise from such a Report, considering the immense proportion of the world to which the labours of this Society have been directed, and the great effects which it has produced, would be: Is this the Report of a Society which has existed for centuries? Is this the result of the accumulated labours of a vast succession of generations?' And when the answer is, that we are now meeting on the Twentieth Anniversary of this Institution, that during, perhaps, the first half of its existence it extended slowly, with great obstacles to its progress, and that

during only the latter half of that period it may be considered to have been in full vigour of operation, we shall see abundant canse for exultation in considering the great success which it has pleased the ALMIGHTY to bestow upon the labours of those who have been associated together to extend the blessings of his kingdom. It is gratifying to perceive, that though these extensive views have occupied, as well they might, a large share of your consideration, yet your more immediate and domestic concerns have not less engaged your attention; for though the distant heathen have a strong claim upon your exertions, yet your nearest and dearest claims are those which arise from home; and if you wish even to extend your ultimate objects, and to succeed in the prosecution of them, this will best be done by spreading more widely that spirit which will lead those who are at home to exert themselves with greater vigour and energy in this cause. It is peculiarly gratifying to me to hear from the Report of this year, that your attention has been directed to the neighbouring island also, because that is a sphere in which your benevolence may be most usefully exerted. But, my Lord, looking to this Report, there are two or three other points with which it is impossible, not to be particularly struck. If we look to the islands in the Pacific Ocean, the very existence of which was unknown, till discovered by the naval enterprise of one of our illustrious countrymen; if we look at the state in which they were represented to be, stained by human sacrifices, and involved in the most disgusting licentiousness; and now behold them delivered from those practices, by the exertions of Missionaries carrying the word of God in their hands, the whole state of society in many of them totally changed, and the natives, by the consistency of their conduct, reading a lesson of practice, as well as of doctrine, to those very Christians who first sent to them the glad tidings of the Gospel, we may well thank GoD, and take courage. Again, if we look at the vast empire of China, although the impression made there can hitherto be extremely slight, yet it is wonderful that the difficulties of the most singular language in the world have been so far mastered, that a translation of the entire Scriptures has been produced, which sooner or later, under the blessing of that GoD who gave the learning necessary to make that translation, will effect its full impression upon the largest mass of human beings known to exist under one government on the earth. One other country will admit of a remark. It appears from the Report, that at Jerusalem, and in the Holy Land, the exertions of the Society have proved beneficial. When we consider that at the time the SAVIOUR of mankind appeared at Jerusalem, this country was almost unknown; and that when CESAR made his expedition hither, it was one almost as much of discovery as of conquest; and that now from this once barbarous land, the light of Revelation should be reflected back upon that country where first its blessed Sun arose; we must feel that it is one of the most striking intances of the overruling Provi. dence of GOD, which thus connects distant ages and distant countries together."

For the Speech of the EARL of RoDEN, on seconding this Motion, see our last Number, p. 407.

The HONOURABLE and RIGHT REV. the LORD BISHOP of LICHFIELD and

COVENTRY, in moving thanks to the President, spoke to the following effect ·

"The review which a nation takes of its history, whether political, financial, or judicial, and the review which an individual takes of his conduct, during a year, or any given period of time, generally present a chequered scene. If there are some bright colours in the picture, there are many errors in judgment and much obliquity of motive, which are calculated to cast a gloom over it: there is a sickly hue which overspreads part of the picture, and seems to sully the brightness of the scene. But in the case of our Society it is different; the aspect is almost uniformly fair. And to what can we ascribe this comparative exemption from human infirmity Simply to the nature of our cause, to its conformity to the will of God, and its special adaptation to the march of events, the fulfilment of prophecy, and the present and eternal welfare of mankind. To endeavour to apply these remarks to every part of your widely extended efforts, would be as unsuitable to your leisure as it is to my powers; suffer me, however, to fix your attention on a part of the world, which is as yet but slightly connected with your operations, but may perhaps prove a most fruitful field for them. I allude to the Spanish and Portuguese dominions in America

Our

Society stands, as it were, ready with all its means to supply them amply, and to diffuse in those countries the inestimable benefits of the word of God, for time and eternity. The mound is broken through, and the waters of life will shortly pour their fertilizing tide over the boundless plain. Dwell, my Lords and Gentlemen, upon the suitableness and seasonableness of such efforts at this moment. Contemplate the effects which will be produced by the Gospel; its influence upon the laws and lives of the people, making the rulers a terror, not to the good, but only to the evil; making the ruled obedient for the LORD's sake, and introducing into the cottages of the poor and the palaces of the rich a principle of social virtue; causing the wall of separation to be broken down among people of far different conditions; and leading them, though still varying in wealth and rank, to meet by faith and affection as one flock and one fold,-that of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Such is the inviting and delightful prospect now opening before our Society. I could not lay before you the extent of these territories, (the map will exhibit it,) containing, I should suppose, a population of perhaps fifteen millions: will you refuse your support to make the funds of this Society adequate to those increased demands? Will you not thank Gop that any of you by any means have been induced to come forward in support of this Society, so calculated to bless mankind, whether in a state of prosperity or adversity? I should make an apology for introducing by so long a preface, my Lord, a motion which relates to yourself; but all that concerns this Society, and its present and future usefulness, comes peculiarly home to your heart."

LORD BARHAM.-"I most cordially second the resolution of thanks to our venerable President; but I cannot sit down without attempting to express those feelings of de

light which I have experienced in common

with others on the present occasion. Perhaps there is no pleasure on earth more pure than that felt in meetings of this kind, where so many assemble to extend the blessings of true religion to all parts of the world. peculiarly animating, for we seem to exist for is something in the Bible Society which is

There

a certain time in almost the highest region of charity, a more high and holy region than when we are engaged, most laudably indeed, because most necessarily, in promoting the peculiar objects of our own particular Societies. It is really delightful to see all those minor feelings, which, perhaps, too much engage the attention of the christian world, lost in one common sentiment of universal benevolence. Here we appear in the situation of a country menaced by invasion, when all minor squabbles of party are laid aside, and all are engaged in the common object of repelling the attack of the foe; for we are met to provide the means of repelling the most dreadful assaults on the souls of men, namely, the assaults of the Prince of Darkness. I was struck yesterday by the remark of a Gentleman who has witnessed the approach of one hundred thousand of our fellow-creatures to the car of JUGGERNAUT; he drew the picture in so forcible a manner, that I wish every man in the kingdom could have heard him; then all doubt respecting the necessity of such Institutions would vanish. In the Report a hope was expressed that our ardour would not abate in this glorious cause :-Abate! my Lord, no, it will not abate; for I believe that the SPIRIT of the Most High GoD animates it; so far from abating it will increase, till all kindreds and tribes shall be brought to the knowledge of the truth, and turn from idolatry; and till nation after nation catchthe strain, and earth shall roll the rapturous Hosanna round.'"

LORD TEIGNMOUTH, in acknowledging the vote of thanks, said that he could not refrain from briefly expressing some portion of those feelings which the recurrence of this day never failed to excite in his mind.

"Amongst the auspicions circumstances of the present time, there is none more calculated to expand the affections, to animate the joy, and enliven the hopes of Christians, than the zeal so extensively displayed for the diffusion of religious truth and knowledge; and at no period, perhaps, since the first century of the christian era, has it shone with a brighter or steadier lustre.

"If the reproach of indifference to the spiritual interests of their fellow-creatures, which has been applied to Protestants, and to those of this country in particular, were ever merited, it has now been completely done away. We see, with delight, Missionaries traversing the ocean in every direction, cheerfully submitting to privations, and encountering dangers, to visit remote and inhospitable regions, on which the light of Christianity has never dawned, for the purpose of proclaiming the glories of the RDEEMER'S kingdom to their inhabitants, to invite them to become its subjects, and partake of its blessings.

"In this work of christian benevolence, our own country has a just title to pre-eminence; and amongst the Institutions formed in it, with a view to the glory of GoD, and the happiness of man, the British and Foreign Bible Society has no less a claim to distinction. It does not, it cannot, indeed, depute Missionaries to preach the doctrines of our Holy Faith, or circulate Homilies or Tracts to explain them; but it distributes that hea venly Book, without which the fruits of missionary labours would wither and decay, and which contains the joyful message of reconciliation from an offended yet merciful God to a sinful world, and urges on mankind the acceptance of it, by every motive which can influence their hopes and fears, their gratitude, love, and obedience. The circulation of Six Millions of copies of the Scriptures, in whole or in parts, by our Institu

tion, and by foreign Societies connected with It, is a proof of the earnestness and assiduity with which this labour of love has been pursued. I shall not ask from what other sources so large a distribution of the Scriptures could have been made, if the British and Foreign Bible Society had never existed. Let us rather rejoice, that, through the divine favour, we have been enabled to lay open the Volume of Salvation to so many millions of our fellow-creatures,-to conduct the streams from the fountain of life and immortality to many a barren region,-and to make the wilderness blossom; that we have been the means of imparting heavenly consolation to the afflicted, instruction to the ignorant, food to the hungry, and drink to the thirsty, and of reviving the dying spark of Christianity in countries, where, from the want of the Holy Scriptures, it had nearly become extinct. And blessed be the name of God, who first inspired this undertaking, and has crowned it with such signal success !

"When I reflect on the extensive operations and beneficial influence of our Society, connecting them with the cause which led to its formation, and with the period when that took place, a period of gloom and dismay, when the judgments of GOD were on the earth, and men required, for their aid and support, all the consolations of Divine Revelation, I cannot but consider it an instrument of his gracious Providence for furthering his designs of mercy towards mankind: such it will prove to those at least who receive the Bible as the word of God, believing its doctrines, obeying its precepts, and cherishing in their hearts, with humble and holy joy, its promises of eternal glory.

That it has thus proved a blessing to many, who, through its instrumentality, have received the Holy Scriptures, we have satisfactory evidence; and may we not humbly hope, that amongst them, there will be some, of whom the LORD of Hosts will say, on that day when he makes up his jewels,―These are mine? Let us rejoice in the hope, and give the glory to GOD!

"I have opened a source of contemplation, in which we may indulge with pure and unmixed delight, whilst we derive from it the most encouraging motives to unrelaxing perseverance in the great work in which we are engaged.

"A slight survey of the world will equally impress on us the obligation of endeavouring to ameliorate its condition by the circulation of the Scriptures; it will show the extent of that moral desolation which covers so large a portion of the earth; it will exhibit myriads of human beings, with immortal souls, wandering in ignorance and error, from the want of that Book which, under the illumination of the HOLY SPIRIT, would lead them to the knowledge of the truth, and which they would joyfully receive; and the more lamentable spectacle of whole nations, sitting in darkness, and in the shadow of death,' the slaves of degrading superstition, and demoralizing idolatry.

"Is it possible for those who enjoy the blessings of Divine Revelation, and have imbibed any portion of that charity which the Gospel of our LORD, and his own example, so forcibly inculcate, to view such an exhibition of human destitution and misery without feeling an anxious desire to relieve their suffering fellow-creatures by supplying them with the only effectual remedy,-the word of GOD? No, the desire has been deeply and extensively felt, and it has been accompanied by corresponding efforts: I trust it will increase in ardour and activity until the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the LORD.'