Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

GIBB'S FIRST PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION.

Mr. Wilson's stay on the Continentbut, on this subject, we can give our friends no more information than is contained in the following paragraph, which forms part of a letter, written by him, while at Paris, on his way homewards, about the end of October, 1823, which is of rather a discouraging

nature.

381

The First Principles of Religion, collected and arranged as a help for those that are unskilful in the word of righteousness; and as a memorial for the teachers of youth. By JOSEPH GIBB, Minister of the Gospel in Banff. The third edition, improved. London, Baynes and Son, Paternoster Row; and Jones, Lovell's Court, 1824, pp. 172, 12mo. pr. 2s. 6d. bds.

"Translation of Scott.-I must not omit also to tell you, that I spent a large WHEN the former edition of this little part of my time in arranging the translation volume reached our hands, we reported of Scott's Comment. I found a competent favourably of it, as our readers may find, and pious minister, to whom I promised aid for preparing an accurate text of the by turning to our Magazine, vol. vi. p. 119. It has now attained to a third gospel itself, verifying the references, revising the translation for the last time, edition, and, as we think, appears in a correcting the proofs, and carrying St. considerably improved state. Mr. Gibb Matthew through the press. I formed has very judiciously subdivided it into also a committee for settling terms with parts, and prefixed appropriate heads the printer, drawing up a prospectus, and and titles to each of them, which is a inspecting the due circulation of the great relief to the reader, affording work. I found that I should be obliged suitable pauses and resting places, as to advance all the expences for printing well as facilitating the means of occaSt. Matthew; and it was agreed upon, sional research. Not having the former to send round this Gospel pretty freely to edition at hand, we are unable to instithe chief Protestant ministers of the Continent, gratis, with terms of subtute a comparison between the two, but we think we meet with traces of the scription for the continuance of the work; and to be guided by the success of such worthy Author's correcting hand in subscriptions, as to the further translation numerous instances, and are, therefore, of the Comment or not. Since my return increasingly satisfied of the justness of home, the revision and preparation for our former commendation of it. That the press have been unremittingly carried our readers may have a fair specimen on, and the conditions with the printer of the Author's ability in illustrating and paper-maker nearly settled. scriptural subjects, we will now lay months must, however, elapse before the before them one of his Questions, (No. Gospel can be published. A literary un66,) with the whole of the answer or dertaking of such importance is continually impeded by unexpected difficulties. In illustration which he has subjoined to it the mean time, the preparation of St.-only premising, that when he says Mark is considerably advanced at Geneva. The translation of Milner's History is, I hope, going on at Brussels.-I forwarded a copy of the original work immediately upon my return home. I consider this undertaking only second in importance to that of Scott."

Some

We were somewhat disappointed at finding so little notice taken in these volumes of the Missionaries employed by the Continental Society in preaching the Gospel in various parts of the Continent. But as these labourers in the Lord's vineyard do not follow with Mr. Wilson, he perhaps did not think them entitled to his particular notice. This, indeed, is not of much importance; we trust they obtain the notice and ap probation of Mr. Wilson's Lord and Master, and having that, they can readily dispense with that of the

servant.

VOL. X.

circumcision is an ordinance of the same signification and design with Christian baptism, we do not yield an unqualified assent! But that is a topic which we need not discuss in this place.

"What were the principal positive inChrist and his salvation were darkly stitutions, of a religious kind, by which prefigured to the Old Testament Church, and which are clearly explained and applied in the New Testament?

"1. Circumcision was instituted in the

days of Abraham, as the initiating token of God's covenant, a seal of the righteouspurification from sin by Jesus Christ, being ness of faith, and an emblem of spiritual an ordinance of the same signification and design with Christian baptism.-Gen. xvii. 9-14. Rom. iv 11. ii. 28, 29. Col. ii.

11, 12.

2. The passover, and the feast of unleavened bread connected with it, were 3 D

instituted as a memorial of the deliverance, presented in his
of the Israelites from Egypt, and a figure
of our redemption by Christ our passover,
which is sacrificed for us; and this re-
demption is commemorated by the feast of
the Lord's supper, which believers are
commanded to keep with the unleavened
bread of sincerity and truth.-Exod. xii.
3-27. 1 Cor. v. 6-8.

name.-Eph. ii. 18.
John xiv. 6. 13, 14. xv. 16. xvi. 23, 24.
8. Aaron and his sons were chosen
and called by God to minister unto him as
Exod. xxviii. 1. Christ was
priests.
chosen and called of the Father to be the
High-Priest of his people. Heb. v. 1-6.
10. His spiritual seed are all chosen and
called to be priests unto God.-1 Pet. ii.
5.9.

3. The tabernacle and temple were 9. Aaron and his sons were washed reared up to be the dwelling-place of the with water, clothed with peculiar garGod of Israel, and his glory filled them. Exod. xxvi. 1-30. xl. 34. 38. 2 Chron. ments, anointed with oil, and consecrated iii. 1-9. vii. 1-3. These were figures with blood, that they might be hallowed of the body of Jesus, in which the Son of to minister in the priest's office. Exod. God tabernacled on earth, when his disci- xxix. 1-35. Jesus, who had no sin, was ples beheld his glory. John i. 14. ii. 19 | baptized with water, clothed with perfect -21. They were likewise figures of the righteousness, anointed with the Holy mystical body of Jesus, or the churches Ghost, and consecrated with his own of his saints, in which he dwells by his blood, that he might minister for ever as holy Spirit. Eph. ii. 20-22. 1 Cor. iii.a High-Priest. Matt. iii. 13-16. 16, vi. 19. 2 Cor. vi. 16. The most holy place was also a figure of heaven itself, the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched as his everlasting habitation.-Heb. viii. 1, 2. ix. 11, 12, 23, 24.

4. The holy place was divided from the most holy by a veil. Exod. xxvi. 31-33. This was a figure of the flesh of Jesus Christ, which was rent upon the cross, that a new and living way of access unto God and heaven, might be opened for guilty men.-Mark xv. 37, 38. Heb. x. 19, 20.

5. The ark stood in the most holy place, the tables of the covenant were kept in it, and it was covered by the mercy-seat, where God was propitious to his people. Exod. xxv. 10-17. 21, 22. This was a figure of Jesus, who had the divine law in his heart, and who is the propitiation by which sinners have access to God. Psal. xl. 6-8. Rom. iii. 21-25. 1 John

ii. 2.

Acts

x. 38. Heb. vii. 27. 28. x. 29. The spiritual seed of this High-Priest have their bodies washed with pure water by baptism; and as Aaron's sons were anointed in his garments, so the disciples of Jesus are all clothed with the perfect robe of his righteousness; they are anointed with his Holy Spirit, and consecrated to be priests with his precious blood.-Heb. x. 22. 2 Cor. v. 21. i. 22. Rev. i. 5, 6.

10. Aaron's rod budded, bloomed, and yielded almonds; and it was carefully preserved in the most holy place, as a token against the rebels who had murmured at his advancement, and an abiding evidence of his exclusive right to the priesthood. Numb. xvii. 1-10. After Jesus had entered the heavenly tabernacle to minister as a priest, the gospel, which was sent out of Zion as the rod of his strength, budded and brought forth fruit, by the conversion of many sinners; as a token against his murmuring enemies, and an abiding evidence that his ministry as a Priest, within the true holy place, is exclusively acceptable unto the Father.-Psal. CX. 1-4. Isa. ii. 3. Acts ii. 1-4. 33 -41. Col. i. 5, 6.

6. Two cherubims of gold were made on the ends of the mercy-seat, with their faces looking towards it. Exod. xxv. 18 -20. These represented the angels, who minister around the throne of God, and 11. The priests offered a lamb every who earnestly pry into the mystery of the morning and evening, as a continual burntChurch's redemption by Christ. 1 Pet. i. offering for Israel. Exod. xxix. 38—42. 12. Eph. iii. 8-10. They also prefigured This was a figure of Jesus, the Lamb of the future glory of all the redeemed in God, offered for the redemption of sinners. being admitted into the heavenly temple-John i. 29. 36. 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. to surround the throne, and take part with the holy angels in the enjoyment and service of God and the Lamb for ever.— Rev. iv. 6-11; v. 8-14.

7. God granted his people access to himself in his house, and hearkened to the petitions which they prayed towards it. 1 Kings viii. 29. 38. 42. 44. 2 Chron. vii. 12-16. The Father now grants men access to himself through Jesus Christ, and hears the prayers that are

12. The high priest offered a sin-offering to make an atonement for all Israel, once every year. Lev. xvi. 9. 29-34. Jesus was once offered to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, and as his offering was of infinite value and efficacy, it did not need to be repeated.-Heb. ix. 26, 28. x. 9-14.

13. The bodies of those beasts whose blood was brought into the sanctuary by the high-priest for sin, were burnt with

GIBB'S FIRST PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION.

out the camp. Lev. 'xvi. 27. Jesus, also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate of Jerusalem. Heb. xiii. 11, 12.

14. The high-priest took the blood of itonement within the veil, and sprinkled it upon the mercy-seat, and before the mercy-seat. Lev. xvi. 14, 15. Jesus fulfilled this when he entered into the true holy place by his own precious blood, which is therefore called the blood of sprinkling. Heb. ix. 7-12. 23, 24. x. 11, 12. 19. xii. 24.

15. The high-priest offered sweet incense, in the most holy place, on the day of atonement. Lev. xvi. 12, 13. Jesus offers the sweet incense of his intercession in heaven.-Heb. vii. 25. Rev. viii. 3, 4.

16. An omer of manna was put in a golden pot, and laid up before the Lord in the most holy place, to be preserved for succeeding generations. Exod. xvi. 32-34. This was a figure of Jesus the true bread, which remains in the heavenly temple, to be for ever enjoyed by his saints.-John vi. 48-51. Rev. ii. 17.

17. The Israelites were sprinkled with blood and the ashes of a heifer, as a purification for sin and for uncleanness. Exod. xxiv. 8. Numb. xix. 2-6. 9. 17 -19. The consciences of believers are purged, and their persons are sanctified by the precious blood of Christ.-Heb. ix. 13, 14. xiii. 12.

19. A laver, or sea of brass containing water, was placed between the brazen altar and the sanctuary, and the priests were commanded to wash their hands and their feet thereat when they approached to minister unto the Lord. Exod. xxx. 18-21. 1 Kings vii. 23-32. Jesus has opened a fountain for the uncleanness of his people: and, to fit them for ministering unto God as priests, he cleanses them by the washing of water, of his word, his blood, and his Spirit.-Zech. xiii. 1. John i. 7. John iii. 5. xv. 3. Eph, V. 25-27. Titus iii. 5, 6. Rev. i. 5, 6. Heb. X. 19. 22.

1

19. The priests were partakers of the altar, as they ate of the sacrifices; they also eat of the shew-bread, which was set upon the pure table before the Lord continually on every Sabbath. Exod. xxvi. 1-8. xxv. 23-30- Lev. vi. 14-18. 25. 26. 29. vii. 1-6. xxiv. 5-9. Christians have an altar and a table, of which they partake outwardly and periodically, by eating the Lord's supper; and of which they constantly partake in a spiritual manner, by receiving Christ as their sacrifice, and living on him by faith as their heavenly bread.-Heb. xiii. 10. 1 Cor. x. 16-18. John vi. 55-58.

20. A golden candlestick was placed

383

over against the table, to give light to the priests that ministered in the holy place. Exod. xxv. 31-40. xxvi. 35. This prefigured the manner in which Jesus Christ enlightens his Church by his word, his ministers, and his Holy Spirit.-John i. 4 9. viii. 12. 2 Peter i. 19. Rev, i. 16. 20. iv. 5.

21. The priests daily offered incense on the golden altar, before the veil. Exod. xxx. 1—8. 34–36. The saints of Jesus minister in the house of God, as a holy priesthood, by offering up the spiritual incense of prayer and praise, which is rendered acceptable before God by the ministry of Christ their High-Priest.-1 Peter ii. 4, 5. Heb. xiii. 15. iv. 14. 16. Rev. viii. 3, 4.

22. Aaron and his sons were appointed to bless the people, in the name of the Lord. Numb. vi. 22-27. Lev. ix. 22, 23. The Father sent his Son Jesus to bless his people in an effectual manner, Acts iii. 26. Christians as a holy priesthood, are appointed to bless all men, by praying for them and doing good to them, as they have opportunity.-1 Pet. ii. 5. iii. 8, 9. Mat. v. 44.

23. The Israelites were commanded to bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of their harvest unto the priest; he was appointed to wave the sheaf before the Lord on the morrow after the Sabbath; and they were not permitted to eat any of their fruits, until after they had presented this offering unto God. Lev. xxiii. 9-14. Jesus arose from the dead, on the morrow after the Jewish Sabbath, as the first-fruits of them that slept.-Mark xvi. 1, 2. 9. 1 Cor. xv. 20.

24. At the end of fifty days after the Israelites had offered this sheaf unto God, they were appointed to bring a new meatoffering of the first-fruits unto him, and observe a holy convocation, as a memorial of the giving of the law in Sinai. Lev. xxiii. 15-21. At the same season of the year, and fifty days after the resurrection of Christ, he sent down the Holy Ghost upon the apostles, enabled them to preach his gospel to the Jews, and made it the effectual means of gathering in three thousand converts, as a kind of first-fruits unto God.-Acts ii. 1-4. 32-47. Jam. i. 18.

25. The Israelites were appointed to keep the feast of tabernacles annually for seven days, which commenced after they gathered in the fruit of their land, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and during that period they were commanded to dwell in booths, and to rejoice before the Lord, bearing branches of palm-trees in their hands; as a memorial of the manner in which he made them to dwell in tents' when he brought them out of the land of

Egypt, and a solemn expression of their gratitude for all his benefits. Lev. xxiii. 33-43. Deut. xvi. 13-15. This general rejoicing prefigured the spiritual joy and harmony which shall prevail in the last days, when the Jews and Gentiles are generally converted and united in church fellowship; and which shall continue for ever in the heavenly temple, before the throne of God and the Lamb.-Zech. xiv. 16-21. Rev. vii. 4. 9-17.

26. The Israelites were commanded

to hallow every fiftieth year for a sacred jubilee, to be proclaimed through all the land by the sound of the trumpet, as a year of liberty, rest, and joy; and every man was then allowed to return, from a state of indigence and servitude, to his possession. Lev. xxv. 8-13. This jubilee was a figure of the acceptable time of salvation, during which spiritual liberty, rest, and happiness, are proclaimed to the slaves of sin and Satan by the joyful sound of the gospel; and they are invited to inherit all things for ever in a state of renewed perfection.-Psalm 1xxxix. 15, 16. Isaiah xlix. 8-10. Luke iv. 17-21. 2 Cor. vi. 1, 2. Rev. xxi. 5-7.

27. God appointed cities of refuge, that those who were exposed to the wrath of the avenger of blood, might flee to them, and be protected by abiding in them till the death of the high-priest. Numb.

XXXV. 9-32. Jesus Christ is set before exposed sinners, as a refuge from divine wrath; and those that flee to him by faith, and abide in him, obtain strong consolation and everlasting salvation, because his Priesthood continues for ever.-Heb. vi. 18-20. vii. 23-25.

28. The Israelites were all commanded to assemble periodically to worship the Lord, and rejoice before him in a place chosen by himself, which was mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the Lord dwelt among his people. Deut. xii. 514. Psalm lxviii. 15-19. cxxii. 1-5. cxxxii. 13--16. All the saints of God, both on earth and in heaven, are brought into a state of present spiritual union and fellowship in Christ Jesus; and they shall at last be gathered into one glorious assembly in the heavenly Jerusalem, where God and the Lamb shall eternally dwell among them.-Eph. i. 9, 10. ii. 4 -6. iv. 3-16. Heb. xii. 22-24. Rev.

xxi.

This is a valuable epitome of the Old Testament types-and we think it would not be easy to find any thing superior to it in the same compass; but it is only a specimen of the general excellence which distinguishes the volume.

Peck's Beauties of Sacred Harmony; or, the Vocalist's Pocket Book. Containing a collection of approved Modern Hymn Tunes, now singing in London and its vicinity; with a few originals, selected, arranged and carefully adapted to the most popular Hymns. By JAMES PECK, and sold by him, at his Musical Warehouse, No. 52, Paternoster-row, London, pr. 7s. 6d. bound. 1824.

THIS is another laudable attempt to improve that delightful part of public worship, which consists in singing the praises of the Most High. Mr. Peck is known among us in the metropolis as an engraver and vender of music; and is now likely to become still better known, from the circumstance of his having lately removed his residence from Lombard-street, the abode of the Bankers, where Mammon alone is worshipped, to Paternoster-row, the centre around which all that is excellent in taste, science, and literature is continually revolving, and from whence it emanates. Though not known as a composer of music himself, he is a very competent judge of excellence in the science of harmony, and of which he has given good proof in the collection of tunes now before us. It comprises upwards of a hundred and fifty tunes, arranged for three or four voices, and placed in alphabetical order, so as greatly to facilitate the reference to them. In this collection most of the old standards are to be found, such as have stood the test of time and experience; and there are several new ones introduced, which are not to be met with in either the Doctor's Selection or Mr. Walker's Companionsuch as Monmouth, Winchester new, There Serampore, Nottingham, &c. are also a few which appear to have been composed by members of his own family, perhaps a son and daughter, which afford the promise of future excellence. We collect from the whole that Mr. Peck is not an admirer of jigging tunes in the worship of God, and herein do WE, Editors," give our high sanction to the "most potent, grave, and reverend correctness of his judgment.

LITERARY NOTICE.

Pastor of a Baptist Church at Bassel's MEMOIRS Of MR. JOHN STANGER, late Green, Kent. By WILLIam Groser.

Religious and Literary Entelligence.

A Brief Account of the Origin, Character, and Expenditure of THE BAPTIST ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION AT ABERGAVENNY, connected with an Appeal on its behalf to the Friends of Education in England.

SINCE the arts and sciences, trade and commerce, have been so extensively cultivated in Great Britain, the aspect of society has sustained a visible alteration. An ardent zest for letters and intellectual improvement has been created and excited, the different sources of information are eagerly sought and grasped, and the people are raised to distinction and pre-eminence in knowledge and acquirement. Wales has more or less participated the change, as the country abounds with manufactories, and a considerable thirst for instruction and learning prevails. The English language is rapidly gaining ground, the youth very generally are taught that language; preaching is become frequent and indispensably necessary in it, and many English dissenting churches have been organized. Hence, nothing can be more obvious than the vast expediency that all Ministers of the Word in Wales, should be well versed in English; otherwise their sphere of usefulness is much contracted, and on the score of erudition, the instructors are liable to range far below the instructed.

Yet the Baptists in the Principality, though by no means inferior to other denominations in numbers and talent, property and respectability, did not till within these twenty years past, make any practical essay towards promoting the education of their ministers. Occasionally young men of taste and energy emerged from their state of native illiteracy, and sprang to seize the advantages kindly offered by the Bristol Education Society. But this was rather deteriorating than beneficial to their native land, as it served to translate its best talents to England.

About the year 1805, however, a few judicious and zealous friends of the Redeemer's cause in the town of Abergavenny, that deeply felt and lamented the deficiency in point of literary attainment which existed in the ministerial department, conferred on the urgent necessity of making some effort with a view to raise an Academy,in order to extend and strengthen the abilities of such pious and promising young men as were, or might be, called out by the churches to exercise their gifts in the sacred office.

Their deliberations, matured and accompanied with many fervent prayers, were at length developed to the ministers and congregations at large. The object contemplated was brought forward, discussed,

and approved at different public meetings; and to the no small gratification of the original projectors, in the beginning of 1807, a Seminary was opened at Abergavenny.

The management of the Institution was assigned to a committee, consisting of ministers and laymen in and about the Town, whose proceedings from year to year have been reported and examined at the successive anniversaries of the Society. The Tuition and Boarding of the pupils were appointed to the Writer: and this intimation naturally leads to an investigation of two very material topics designed to be embodied and exhibited in this sketch:

the course of instruction pursued ;-and the annual amount of expenditure.

Concerning the former-as the term of residence at the Academy was limited to two years only, though now it is extended to three, and as the young men generally were unacquainted with any language except their own vernacular tongue, little beyond a course of English instruction could be anticipated. Consequently English grammer, logic, rhetoric, composition, and divinity, united with geography and the use of the globes, have in most instances constituted the objects of study.* Still in many cases, especially where previous advantages had been realized, and superior skill, combined with ardent application, did exist, some progress has been achieved in the elementary parts of classical learning.

But supposing the maximum of improvement did not carry the students beyond a capacity to read, understand, and dispense the words of eternal life in English, an important object would be secured. More, however, has already been gained, and much more may in future be expected: first, as the period of study is protracted; and next, as the most rigid care is determined to be exercised, that only men of talent and some preparatory acquirements, shall be admitted into the Academy. Under these circumstances, it is calculated that the students will be so far initiated into a knowledge of the learned languages, as to be able with facility and success to make any farther advancement in them which they may feel inclined and anxious to accomplish.

Respecting the latter-the annual amount of expenditure, the greatest accuracy shall be observed; and to this subject particular attention is earnestly requested. But, be it premised, that as it regards other similar Institutions, no invidious comparisons are designed; and that it is completely a mistaken notion when it is imagined, that the expence of living in this country is much lower than what it is in England. Bor dering on large iron and coal works, and

* The Treasurer, Mr. Wyke, has for several years delivered a course of Lectures to the Students, gratis, on Chemistry, and other branches of Natural Philosophy.

« AnteriorContinuar »