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them, in conversation, from the literary and professional man, the agriculturist, the man of business, the mechanic, and even the humblest peasant.

What he thus largely acquired, he was ready as largely to impart. Not that he was a set talker who must be attended to; no, but of fair and equal affability; a ready listener in his turn; alternately a gatherer and a distributor. In this last character he delighted, for he was delightful; and great was the advantage, as well as pleasure, which younger intelligent men often spoke of having received from him.

His theology. The characteristics of his theology were solidity as to its basis, consistency as to its parts, breadth as to its range. He acknowledged nothing in his creed that was not justly and clearly deducible from the word of God. To that word he paid the sincerest and most reverential homage; and while he brought to its study the intelligence of a man, and the learning of a scholar, he approached it, also, in the spirit of a child, remembering what is written: "The meek will he guide in judgment, the meek will he teach his way." Hence, he was far removed, indeed, from that presumption which deals with the Divine revelation as mere critics deal with a Greek or Roman classic. On which account he was fully on his guard in reference to certain German commentators, whose learning and ingenuity he acknowledged, but whose semi-infidel spirit had no power to inoculate his mind with its poison. But he too well knew the sureness and strength of his own principles, derived from infallible truth, and the firmness of the foundation on which he stood, to be afraid to look into their productions; and he knew, also, how to gather honey from a weed.

The elder American divines, Edwards, Bellamy, &c., he highly appreciated, while he read their writings with that discrimination which was so powerful an element of his mind. Nor did he lightly esteem some of later date, though he had less sympathy with them. He always

felt a deep interest in the progress of religion in America, and a warm anxiety that the church of God there should retain the solid and scriptural views of their progenitors. He had no morbid dread of novelty, nor was at all disposed to say, "that the former days were better than these;" but he watched with anxious feelings the introduction of a sort of machinery for conversion which ill-accorded with his reverential views of the simplicity of the Divine method, and the solemn and ineffable ways of God's Holy Spirit.

The thought that what the Church needed was, not so much new modes of operation, or a new phraseology in preaching, as new life from on high on the souls of the preachers, giving unction and power to their preaching-the "Holy Spirit sent down from heaven," making effectual to the conversion and edification of the people, the same simple ordinances of the gospel.

While he was ready to welcome any accession of light from any quarter, German or American, he still returned with devout attachment to the divines of our own country-to the profound and solemn Owen; and, especially, to Howegenerally delightful, frequently admirable, sometimes sublime!

But, the very word of God, this was his treasury. Thence he drew his themes for study, meditation, inquiry, discourse. To know the mind of God in his word he justly deemed to be the highest accomplishment of a Christian minister; therefore to the understanding and interpretation of it, he bent the chief energies of his vigorous mind. And he was, indeed, a devout, a wise, and a faithful interpreter of God's holy will. Here was the source of his theology, which he earnestly aimed to have unmixed with human speculations, drawn pure and undefiled from the Fountain itself. To this end he diligently studied the Divine word in its originals; and, in religious literature, he chiefly valued those works which helped him in the right interpretation of it. Commentators he valued and used, with

out leaning on any one of them; but he accounted that student of Scripture rich who possessed the clear, judicious, and

singularly practical commentaries of Calvin, especially in their original, simple, and almost elegant Latinity.

THE PERSONAL TEST;

OR, THE GOSPEL ITS OWN WITNESS IN THE CONSCIENCE AND THE HEART.

Ir is the glory of Christianity, that it is founded on proofs which meet the diversified capacities, and which are perfectly adapted to the circumstances of all mankind. Some naturally incline to Belief, and others to Scepticism: one class appears in the character of humble inquirers; another assumes the attitude of incredulous objectors: but both are presented with sufficient evidence to convince them that the system itself is Divine. Some are powerfully impressed by the nature of the Christian doctrine; by its vitality, its beauty, its sanctity, its veracity, its sub- | limity, and all those other qualities which announce the instructions of Supreme wisdom and the precepts of Supreme goodness. Others, again, feel the irresistible power conveyed to their hearts by the character of those whom the Almighty has condescended to employ as his messengers of mercy to a guilty world their holiness of life, their truth, their probity, their spotless purity of manners, their virtues, unsullied by human passions, these, together with the qualities of understanding, genius, knowledge, and prudence, by which they are distinguished, are to them so many respectable indices, the union of which forms a complete proof in their favour, and tells them they are more than men. A third class are roused, charmed, and subdued by those emanations of Divine power which the gospel reveals, capable of interrupting and changing the ordinary course of nature at the will of those who had them at their command. A fourth are suddenly stricken by the flashes of light and glory which throw their radiance upon the spiritual realities of the unseen world; while another can only discover men as trees walking, and are gradually introduced to a scene of

moral grandeur and beauty, as if they were taken by the hand and led step by step through a rugged wilderness till they found themselves in a celestial paradise. It would be endless to enumerate the various aspects under which the evidences of Christianity offer themselves to the serious consideration of the multitudes that really believe in its truth, and commit themselves to its guidance. My present object is to show, that the species of evidence which appeals to the conscience and the heart, shedding its light into the recesses of the soul, and thus revealing the knowledge of its character, is pre-eminently important, and stands the very first among the proofs which establish the truth and diffuse the influence of the gospel. It appears to me that this particular kind of evidence has not been rendered sufficiently prominent; and that it has been too much overlooked both as a means of defending and propagating the faith.

It was the grand weapon wielded by our Lord himself; by it he impressed upon his hearers the majesty of his character, silenced the cavils of his enemies, assured the wavering confidence of his friends, and induced adoring multitudes to render him homage as the Prophet of the Most High, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. This argument of matchless power he brought forward in the instance of the woman of Samaria; and though none but himself could exhibit it under the precise form in which it was on that occasion displayed, it was its moral energy which rendered it effective. The conscience and the heart responded to the appeal addressed to both. It was the view of her past life and character so vividly and faithfully brought before her in the declaration, "Thou hast had

five husbands, and he whom thou now hast is not thine husband," which induced the convicted, surprised, and penitent offender to announce to her countrymen her belief in the Divine mission of him who had "told her all things that ever she did." But it may be asked, Did not this species of evidence cease with the personal ministry of Christ? or, was it not peculiar to the age of inspiration, when the apostles, and even undistinguished believers, were endowed with extraordinary powers, and could discover, as by intuition, the private transactions and hidden motives of individuals with whom they had no previous acquaintance. In strictness, it is undoubtedly true, that with the first preachers and churches of Christianity terminated all that was properly miraculous in its propagation. Yet, though it is not permitted us to address our hearers as the Saviour addressed Nathaniel and the woman of Samaria, and as the apostles, with their supernaturally-endowed associates, sometimes addressed and confounded the objects of their awful scrutiny,—there is yet remaining to the ministers of Christ a weapon of equal and perhaps superior value, which bears some analogy to it; inasmuch as it reveals the Divinity of the truths they teach in their exact and remarkable correspondence with the thoughts and sentiments, hopes and fears, capacities and prospects, of all whose illumination, sanctity and happiness they are anxious to promote.

Of the superlative excellence of this evidence, as compared with others which sustain the truth of Christianity, many illustrations might be adduced; let the following, however, suffice:

1stly, It is an aggressive instrument which carries the victories and the triumphs of the gospel not only into the regions of avowed infidelity, but into the territories of the worldly and thoughtless, who, if they deny not its truth, are altogether estranged from its authority. Other proofs stand as bulwarks around the citadel of our faith, to protect it from the

assaults of its invading adversaries;-this may be employed not only to beat them off, but to pursue them into their fortresses-the strongholds of their impious delusions. While other evidences fail to operate, except where there is a predisposition to examine their reasons and to yield to their force, this stands like a reproving angel in the sinner's path, commands rather than solicits attention, and makes itself be heard by the still small voice of conscience or the loud thunders of offended justice. While other evidences silence the objector, this compels his involuntary homage. While others vanquish only, this triumphs; and secures not only victory, but allegiance;the rebel becomes a willing subject, and bows with reverential delight before the majesty of truth.

2ndly, To this evidence also belongs the attribute of universal adaptation with the power of gaining access to the greatest number of minds. It convinces the judgment by swaying the affections, and secures the deductions of the understanding by making its irresistible appeal to the conscience. Some inquisitive and philosophical spirits may feel the stimulus of difficulty urging on their inquiries; and a love of truth may conduct them in their researches to the conclusion most favourable to their happiness; though it may well be questioned, whether, by such a process as this, the mere investigation of its evidence, unconnected with the truths which it reveals, Christianity ever obtained one sincere and zealous disciple. Her holy and devoted converts are convinced, indeed, and believe, on evidence; but it is the evidence which awakens their sense of guilt, alarms their fears by shedding its revealing light upon the great constituent principles of their moral nature; while, at the same time, it enlarges their capacity of being and enjoyment by leading them into a new world of thought and sentiment, where they become familiar with

"Solemn councils,

Images of awe. Truths which eternity Lets fall on man!"

THE PERSONAL TEST.

This evidence does not wait to be sought,
nor is it so far retired from the haunts of
men and the places of concourse that it
may be easily avoided. No!-it is the
wisdom that stands up on high; that is
at the gates of our cities; that meets us
at every avenue, saying, "Unto you, O
men, I call, and my voice is to the sons
of men." It is the moral evidence that
beams from heavenly truth, the halo of
glory around the brow of Christianity,
which always announces her approach
and makes known her character. It is
suited to every man's powers of intellec-
tual vision. The most exalted and dis-
tinguished son of science; the most
piercing, comprehensive and brilliant
genius presents only his eagle eye to
drink at the Fountain of light; while the
sordid child of earth, to whom thought is
an effort and a burthen, feels himself
startled by the sudden consciousness of a
new existence, as a few of its oblique
and scattered rays wander along his
path, the precursors of a day of mercy
which he is thus prepared to wel-
come. Moral depravation,-which, as it
increases in enormity, blunts, and often
destroys the perception of right and
wrong, and which thus seems to present
an insuperable barrier to recovery and
improvement,-is the very case we would
confidently select on which to test the
power of the principle we have assumed.
What convinced the unhappy nobleman,
who fortified his vices by his infidelity,
and converted the greatest profligate of
his age into the most humble penitent
that ever sought the clemency of hea-
ven? It was precisely the evidence for
which we are pleading, and which we
contend places our religion on a Rock
for ever. Laying his hand on the Bible,
the dying Rochester exclaimed, "The
only objection against this book is a bad
life." The exposure of his depravity,
through the medium of its purity, was
the first step towards his embracing the
gospel. This is the evidence which ap-
peals to a man's sense of accountability
even more than to his reason, and which,
instead of arguing to prove its reality,

rolls over his head the terrors of the
But let it not be ima-
world to come.
gined that while we give precedence to
this species of evidence, we mean to in-
sinuate that it is safe, or consistent with
our duty, as Christians, to neglect those
other proofs which the Divine Author of
Christianity has condescended to afford
as vouchers of its truth: for,

are

3rdly, Its pre-eminent importance appears in nothing more than in the influence which it exerts in preparing and qualifying the mind for the examination and belief of every other kind of evidence. Through whatever medium we brought to feel that Jesus Christ and him crucified is the power of God unto salvation, its indirect effect is most favourable to the expansion and employment of the intellectual faculties, which will naturally be exercised on that one grand and infinitely momentous subject which first awakened their energy, and which can never lose its interest, while we connect with its right appreciation our present happiness and everlasting destiny. The necessary result is, a growing acquaintance with this theme of our perpetual inquiry and meditation, a more thorough persuasion of its truth and value, and a greater capacity to vindicate it against the passing doubts of our own minds and the sophistries and objections which may spring from the suggestions of others. The apostle Paul was not a less able defender of the gospel on the great principles of moral evidence in general, because his conversion was effected by that personal kind of evidence which agitated his conscience with the guilt of persecution and brought him as a humble suppliant to seek that mercy from his Saviour which he had so cruelly denied to his fellow-men. Of this particular species of proof, it may be likewise observed, in further confirmation of its superlative value, that,

4thly, It combines within itself all the glorious doctrines of immortality, and the stupendous facts through which they are made known as they are contained and exhibited in the gospel.

Thus they are the most successful woman of Samaria. He intimated to advocates of Christianity who best un-her, that a knowledge of the benevolence derstand it as a system of Divine truth, of the Eternal Father, displayed in the and who present its peculiar and exclu- gift of his Son, and of the character of sive features with the greatest accuracy that Son, as the source and giver of all and vividness. Tell me not who writes spiritual and immortal good, would lay most ably, with the profoundest learn- the foundation of her happiness; for ing, and the most philosophical acuteness, that its immediate effect would be a dein defence of the bulwarks of Chris- vout spirit of grace and supplication on tianity; though I reverence him for the her part, and a prompt and munificent important services he renders to the attention to the earnestness of her request Christian cause; yet I cannot but hail on his "If, said he, thou knewest the as its most efficient friend and mightiest gift of God, and who it is that saith to champion the individual who "deter- thee, 'Give me to drink,' thou wouldest mines to know nothing among men, save have asked of him, and he would have Jesus Christ and him crucified." The given thee living water;" that is, "if thou brightest evidence of the truth of the knewest the gift of God, or the benevogospel arises out of its faithful exhibition. | lence which he has displayed in the gift He that manifests Christianity as the of his Son; and if thou knewest the chawisdom of God and the power of God, racter of his Son, thou wouldest have setting it forth as a doctrine of grace, made application to him for living water; displaying the riches of infinite mercy, for the influences of his Holy Spirit, to adapted to meet and to remove the guilt sanctify and to bless you with a perennial and misery of man as an apostate and stream of holiness and joy." It was this immortal creature, and who fearlessly knowledge graciously imparted to her, insists upon those truths which are best together with a penetrating glance into calculated to penetrate his conscience, her moral condition as a sinner, that was and to humble his intellectual and moral effectual to her conversion, and induced pride, is in my view the noblest bene- her to rouse the men of her city, exclaimfactor of his species: and if all the pul- ing, "Come, see a man which told me all pits of the land resounded with these things that ever I did: is not this the glorious and heart-consoling doctrines Christ?" delivered with an earnest spirit, and a practical application, infidelity-whether openly avowed, or disguised as neology or rationalism,would gnash its teeth; its orators and oracles would be dumb, or would speak only to excite commiseration and contempt.

Human nature in its fallen state finds the gospel in exact accordance with its moral and spiritual necessities. Where this is perceived and felt, the evidence of its divinity breaks in upon the astonished and adoring spirit. God is revealed; life and immortality are brought to light; pardon is assured; condemnation is reversed, and there springs up in the bosom a joy unspeakable and full of glory;-the pledge and the foretaste of everlasting felicity. It was thus that our Lord brought conviction into the heart of the

From hence may we not confidently assert that it is the manifestation of Christ, as the special gift of Infinite love, as the condescending partaker of our nature and our sorrows, as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and the Author of our eternal salvation, that is the grand argument for establishing the truth of his religion in the heart, in instances where all the other arguments and evidences put together might fail to obtain for it even the cold assent of the understanding. Nothing could so powerfully convince us of the existence of an angel, as his visible appearance in all the glories of his celestial nature. And what more convincing proof can we require of the Divine mission of Jesus of Nazareth, than his manifestation, in all the grandeur of his Divinity, in all the meekness

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