wrought in him. Now, Christ is given, not only to perform some common acts of God's providence, but he is given as the covenant itself; he enters, and actually justifies a person, before any qualification be wrought in him."

The Lord grant unto his believing people a right understanding of this important doctrine of gratuitous justification by Christ, and a peaceful and steady enjoyment of the same through faith in him. Oct. 25, 1839.

A LAYMAN.

A PAPER ON THE INESTIMABLE VALUE OF THE HOLY

says,

SCRIPTURES.

As fallen, yet immortal creatures, who, destined to an eternal existence either of happiness or misery, are absolutely destitute of any safe and infallible guide to obtain the former and avoid the latter, but that unerring revelation of God's most holy Word: let us, therefore, consider its great value and importance as connected with our present and future peace. The Church of England, in her first homily, "Unto a Christian man there can be nothing either more necessary or profitable than the knowledge of holy Scripture, forasmuch as in it is contained God's true word, his glory, and also man's duty. And there is no truth nor doctrine necessary for our justification and everlasting salvation, but that is, or may be drawn out of that fountain and well of truth. Therefore as many as be desirous to enter into the right and perfect way unto God, must apply their minds to know holy Scriptures; which without, they can neither sufficiently know God and his will, neither their office and duty." This is a truth evidently demonstrative from the proof of man's total depravity, which is positively declared in the Word of God to have ruined and rendered utterly ineffective the whole man, so that thereby he cannot, without God's especial aid, be reinstated in justification before God. Now, every thing necessary to the accomplishment of this important work is stated in the Scriptures; and though the Scriptures alone, without the teaching of the Holy Ghost, cannot introduce the soul to the saving knowledge of Christ, yet it is by them, as by an instrument, that the Spirit achieves the conversion of souls to God. Hence the Church of England, in her 6th article, "Of the sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation," says, "Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation." And if it be only considered for one moment, that Popery and dissent are putting forth all their discordant and unscriptural dogmas, all their blasphemous and demoralizing principles, all their anarchical and peace-destroying sentiments, surely it cannot be considered irrelevant to press upon our countrymen a more close and vigorous attention to the study of the Bible. This is the only sure way whereby to come to the unscriptural position occupied by our opponents, and which is not possibly tenable by them, when the sword of the Spirit is unsheathed before them. We have

too long been contending with them by the use of other weapons, and hence the small success that has attended our labours, and the rampart conduct of our foes. For whether contending with papists or Dissenters, you will perceive that when they are pressed hard with God's Word, they will both alike deny it ;-the papist not admitting it to be a sufficient rule in matters of faith and practice, and the sectarian abrogating or cutting off from present use the greatest part of the Old Testament, both thereby proving their woeful infidelity as touching the Word of God.

Here, then, we do most unequivocally affirm, that in the knowledge and belief of the whole Bible, both Popery and dissent can be easily demonstrated to be unscriptural. Hence we lay down this position, that the Word of God, which is comprised in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, is the only legitimate canon to direct us aright how we may acceptably glorify God and enjoy him for ever. Therefore our Saviour directs us to this, when he says, "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." John v. 39. And this exhortation must

of necessity refer to the Old Testament, as the New was not then written; which is further rendered imperative and highly advantageous, by St. Paul's address to Timothy: "And from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. iii. 15. And while these set out the necessity and value of the Old Testament, the following passages will equally evidence the same of the New"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye may also have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John, i, 3. And, then, in order to the salutary knowledge of the things seen and heard, he adds, "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." 4. And St. Paul further evinces the value of the New Testament as of equal importance, where he says, "But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Hence, we are justified in this deduction, that since we are fallen creatures, sin is destructive. Popery is awfully deceptive and murderous, and dissent is most hateful to God and ruinous to the peace and prosperity both of national and spiritual advantage, that the Bible, containing direct rules both of principle, discipline and practice, ought to form the platform both of national education and of individual study. The importance of this sentiment touching holy Scripture exhibits itself in that the Creator has resolved to be glorified by his Church, and that for that purpose nothing can be a rule perfect enough but his own revealed will in his Word;--" for as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." Gal. vi. 16. The argument evidencing the verity of this is convincing, since it is most just that the creature should be at the disposal of God, neither can he glorify Him, unless it be clearly revealed, especially since the fall. And it is also further requisite that this revelation should be according to godliness, consistently with the consideration of the purity and holiness of God-" holding fast the faithful Word as he

and

hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." Tit. i. 9. Now, this doctrine, according to godliness, is only to be discovered in the Scriptures of truth, which are given to us by the inspiration of God. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." But, notwithstanding we thus highly extol the Bible, we are ready to admit that the light of nature and God's works acquaint us, that we ought to glorify and serve Him; but since the human mind is not now in its formerly pure and pristine state, although the light of nature and God's works declare that there is a God, and that he is to be glorified; but what he is, and how this is to be done agreeably to his nature, so as to enjoy and please Him, can only be savingly learnt from the Word of God. But let us now endeavour to demonstrate that God has vouchsafed to man a rule by the direction of which he may glorify and enjoy him aright. He gave rules to angels-" Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts, ye ministers of his that do his pleasure." Ps. ciii. 21. Because He created man for himself, therefore by his revelation he would guide him correctly: "I have created him for my glory; I have formed him; yea, I have made him." Isa. xliii. 7. He made him a reasonable being, consequently capable of proceeding according to rule: "Who hath put wisdom in the inward part? or hath given understanding to the heart?" Job xxxviii. 36. Because he that formed the creature is the only correct teacher of him : "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works." Ps. lxxi. 17. But if God did not give this rule, man could not act according to divine counsel, for infinite wisdom always provides a proper means to effect a right end: "This also cometh from the Lord of Hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working." Isa. xxviii. 29. And without this revelation of his will how could God judge the world? "For sin is not imputed where there is no law." Rom. v. 13. We shall therefore prove the truth of this declaration, that the Bible is that rule which God has given to us for the regulation of our principles and actions. If this be not in the Bible, then we ask, to what quarter are we to look for it? We do not here stop to argue the authority of the Word with one who has never read it, or is ignorant of its contents, because to do so would be most irrational. But that the Bible is God's book is evident, from the great mysteries and divine light which irradiate its pages-that power and glorious majesty that appear in them-the universal harmony and consent that is evident in all the parts thereof-the witness that the hearts and consciences of men bear to them—their wonderful efficacy in the hands of the Holy Spirit, of raising to life the spiritually dead souls of men-the holiness and purity of their principles-and that God needs no further testimony to his Word than the witness of his Spirit, by whom they speak to the soul and conscience, and whereby the heart is fully persuaded and enabled to embrace the truths contained in his revelation for direction in faith and practice.

The great value of the Bible seems to be more than intimated in the expressive denomination given to it. The Spirit of God calls it "the Scriptures," because it is the best writing in the whole world. But yet we are not to substitute the written Word of God for the Spirit of God, and to think that because we have the Bible we have

all that is requisite to salvation; for the Church of God existed before the written Word of God, and its members were taught by the Holy Ghost what was afterwards penned in the Scriptures; but let no one suppose that since we possess these writings we can consequently dispense with the Spirit's teaching; for the contrary will be seen to be the case, if we only reflect that these "Scriptures" are so infinitely beyond human conception, as therefore to require the person who wrote them to explain them to our minds. As, therefore, the Word of God was dispensed to the Church before the writing of "the Scriptures," by the revelation of God through the instrumentality of angels, patriarchs, and visions and dreams, so he must likewise teach us now by his Holy Spirit, through the instrumentality of his lawfully appointed ministers, otherwise we shall perish for lack of knowledge, notwithstanding our possession of the Bible. The Church of Christ has been intrusted with these precious oracles, and has thus held forth the truth as a candlestick, maintained and defended its divine authority; and so the Word is the foundation of all truth to the Church, and the Church is the keeper of the Word, and both are kept by God, who uses them conjointly for the edification and salvation of the Church. Hence, then, in concluding this paper, since Papists and Dissenters are alike averse to any arguments, the proofs of which are based on the whole Bible, let it be our determination always to contend with them respecting their errors, wielding in our defence the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. They will both make a boast of using the same weapon, but when they come to the contest it will be proved that the former have so wrapped it up with man's and the devil's inventions, that it will not do execution, and the latter have so reduced it by taking away the greatest part of it, so that thereby it is rendered defenceless to them. For we have never yet seen any Dissenter, who when closely pressed respecting the sin of schism, and wickedness of assuming the ministerial office without being apostolically ordained thereto, the lawful esta blishment of the Church and the bounden duty of all supporting a threefold ministry, but immediately said that the Old Testament was no longer to be appealed to as a binding source of information. And if the New Testament be appealed unto as likewise decisive in such controversy, they, with the greatest effrontery imaginary, deny the correctness of the most honest and palpable expositions. Yet, notwithstanding the notorious obstinacy of the interested leaders of these parties, let us still adhere to the whole Bible, and produce it as evidential of our principles, discipline, and proceedings, and success must necessarily follow, especially with the people. This is always consequent where the plan recommended has been adopted. But these designing and schismatical teachers, both Popish and Protestant, always endeavour to lead the controversialist away from the Bible, knowing full well that if that be the standard of appeal, their arguments fall powerless to the ground. Ever, therefore, let us keep close to the Scriptures, and pray that the Holy Ghost may write them on our memories and engrave them in our hearts, that we may not only be proof against all attacks upon ourselves, but that we may become defenders of the weak, exposers of the erroneous and wicked, and bold and successful champions of Christ's Catholic Church. Thus

proceeding, we shall see the armies of the aliens falling before us, souls will be rescued out of the trammels of sin and delusion, men will be saved, the Church will be edified, and God will be glorified. Hence, let us often pray this prayer, "Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen." Coll. 2d Sunday in Advent.

THE ENGLISH REFORMER.

No. 3.

From the Writings of John Bradford, Prebendary of St. Paul's, born anno 1510, and burnt at Smithfield, anno 1555.

A SHORT AND PITHY DEFENCE OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY ELECTION OF GOD.

FAITH in God's election-I mean to believe that we are in very deed the children of God through Christ, and we shall be for ever inheritors of everlasting life through the grace alone of God our Father, in the same Christ, is of all things which God requires of us, not only the principal, but also the whole sum. So that without this faith there is nothing we do that can please God. And, therefore, God first requires it by saying, "I am the Lord, thy God, "&c. (Exod. xx.): that is, I remit thy sins, and give thee my Holy Spirit, and I will keep thee for ever. And our Saviour would have us persuaded of this when we come to pray, and therefore teaches, yea, he commands us to call God our Father, whose power were not infinite, as we profess in the first article of our belief, where we expressly call him our Almighty Father, if we doubt his final favour. And, therefore, I cannot but marvel at some men, who seem to be godly, and yet are in this behalf too malicious both to God and man. For what is more seemly to God than mercy, which is most magnified by the elect children of God? And what is more seemly for man than humility, which is not and cannot be truly, except in the elect of God; for they alone reckon nothing at all due to themselves but damnation, that their whole glory may be in God, only and for ever. But, notwithstanding this, there are those who have gone about together, to set abroad enormities from the doctrines of God's most holy and comfortable election and predestination, although that doctrine has more advantages than all the whole world are able to conceive, much less to express. For what destroys enormities so much as it does? It overthrows the most pestilent papistical poison, the doubting of God's favour, which is the very dungeon of despair and contempt of God. It destroys the heathenish opinion of fortune.* It comforts most humbly under the cross, and casts down all cogita

* Or chance.