his companions are no less busily employed in observing the preacher, who, if he happens to speak not strictly proper (according to their ideas), it is immediately attended with nods and sneers, and often with a pretty loud cough. There are also some coquets who give their attendance, whose whole employ consists in adjusting their hair, returning with insignificant smiles the fopperies of these modern beaux, and going through a regular course of exercise with the fan. To speak the truth, there is scarcely a moment passes from the beginning to the end of the exercise, in which devotion is not interrupted by these imaginary ladies and gentle men. Any one possessed of the smallest share of common sense, must be convinced that the conduct here complained of, is highly disgraceful to such as make the slightest pretentions to religion; nor is it less inconsistent with the character of a gentleman. Propriety will ever mark the actions of a wellbred man, who, if he were an infidel, would behave with, a degree of reverence in a religious assembly. But should any suppose that a spirit of levity in a place of worship, is a proof of polished manners, their ignorance is much to be pitied; since every sensible person, however dissipated, would be ashamed to indulge in it, convinced that a proper behaviour in places of worship is the true characteristic of a gentleman. A MINOR. * "BROTHERLY LOVE. No. I. SEE EE how these Christians love!" was the language which the fraternal regards of the primitive disciples of Jesus extorted from their heathen neighbours. Animated by the purest affection to their LORD, with proportionate attachment they were cemented to each other; and, though then, as in all ages of the church, Christians entertained different opinions on the less important parts of their religion; yet, being united in one common hope, actuated by one spirit, and vigorously pursuing one end, they learned to make mutual allowance for mutual frailty, and absorb every other passion in that of LOVE. Unhappily an opposite temper has, in later ages, had too much domination over their successors. We have inherited their name; but what have we exhibited of their character? Divided Divided and subdivided into parties, we have been so forward to dispute, that we have almost forgot to love; and this badge of our holy religion hath been scarce visible to any beside those whom we had proselited to our own communion. Thus, instead of rejoicing in each other's success, and striving together for the faith of the Gospel; we have been weakening each other's hands, and scarce thought that the cause of Christ could advance, if our cause stood still, or if we were not the instruments of its prosperity. Is Christianity to be thus for ever degraded? Shall the multitude be never more of one beart? Shall infidels have for ever to reproach us with the want of that spirit which their ancestors formerly admired in ours? Is the breach so wide that it can never be healed? Must we wait till the watchman see eye to eye, before we begin to love as brethren? Thanks be to God! ---better scenes are before us, and recent appearances inspire us with better hopes. Want of public spirit was the first cause of our declension in brotherly regard: In pursuing our own interest, we lost sight of the common good; and instead of uniting in forwarding the GREAT CAUSE, whose importance Immanuel has delineated with his blood, we have sanctified our contentions with his glorious name, and then have bitten and devoured one another for Christ's sake! When friendship for that common cause shall again warm every Christian's heart---when a public spirit shall again be experienced in the church--then shall we blush at the recollection of our past defects, and re-enjoy the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of love. And is not that time at hand? Do we not begin to feel an enlargedness of heart? Are not thousands of us melting in compassion over the millions of our species who are now sitting in darkness and the shadow of death? Feel we not a common shame, that these bowels of mercies never moved before? Have we not resolved not to sit all the day idle? The meridian of life is indeed past with some of us; but the few remaining moments we have consecrated to the interest of Jesus Christ, and the interests of immortal souls. Now primitive Christianity revives; the spirits of apostles again are found in the churches; lesser differences are forgotten, and Christ is all and in all. Various as our petitions may have been, we have but one supplication now. In this we all unite, "Lord let thy kingdom come." We already look be. yond angry controversies to the Messiah's peaceful kingdom. We hail its approach, "Come Lord Jesus, come quickly! Command Ethiopia to stretch forth her arms unto thee, and cause the islands to wait for thy law! Let all the people people praise thee, O Lord, yea, let ALL the people praise thee." Here we all unite, and, in re-possessing this public ar dour, regain our Christian love. Yes, we have attended the funeral of bigotry," and in one moment thousands of petitions entered heaven, that this enemy of the churches might never know a resurrection. Let our private devotions resume and prolong those pious breathings; and then, whether the foreign attempts which we are making succeed or not, we shall have abundant reason to rejoice in those which revived our Christian charity, and buried bigotry for ever in its grave. ADELPHOS. SECRET DEVOTION APPROVED BY CHRIST. « When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee,” John, i. 48. GRACE RACE is always communicative. The generous Christian, like Job, cannot "eat his morsel alone;" his heart's desire and prayer is, that his neighbour may be saved. Thus, when Jesus called Andrew, Andrew invited Simon: And when Christ found Philip, Philip presently findeth Nathaniel ---that good man, of whom our Lord gave this singular commendation, that he was "An Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile;" a principle evidence of which was, his habit of private devotion-- When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee." It was a garden, in which the first, the destructive sin of man was committed; and too often, ever since, gardens have been abused to the purposes of pride, luxury, and lewdness. But here was a pious Jew, as yet unacquainted with Jesus, but probably waiting for the consolation of Israel," who, in the most private recess of his garden, and under the shade of a wide-spreading tree, was accustomed to pour out his soul unto God; unobserved, indeed, by human eyes, but full in view of « Him, with whom we have to do." With what surprise must these words have filled the mind of honest Nathaniel? Till now he was prejudiced against the character of Jesus. "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" "He came; he saw; he was convinced. These words at once removed his objections; and he owned the omniscient Messiah. He knew that he who had witnessed his private meditations and prayers must be, not the son of Joseph, as Philip had stiled im, but The Son of God, the King of Israel." VOL. IV. O for Nathaniel's taste; a taste for retirement and prayer! Public religion alone, however frequent, however fervent, will not suffice. The soul cannot prosper without secret intercourse with God. "Enter then, my soul, into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door," to avoid disturbance and observation, " pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." But take care that thy prayers are the language of the heart; for what is prayer but "the ascent of the heart unto God"---an offering more pleasant to him than the smoaking victims and the fragrant incense of old. Let it be also according to the will of God; and adored be his name for thousands of suitable petitions scattered through the whole of his sacred word, which, being indited by the Holy Spirit, are, we are sure, perfectly conformable to his will! Above all, let the everprecious name of Immanuel give a sanction to every request. See him, O my soul! see thy great High Priest officiating at the golden altar in the heavenly temple! See thy poor petitions rising from his wounded hands in a cloud of rich perfume!-- his never-filing intercession, and thus rendered highly agreeable to God! for "the golden vials full of odours are the prayers of the saints." Rev. v. 8. But how encouraging is this sentence of our Lord's--<<<When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee!" Is it not intended to mark the sincerity of his character, and to recommend his practice to others? So the prayer of Saul, lately converted to God, was mentioned by Christ himself as an evidence of sincerity, when cautious Ananias scrupled to pay him a visit. "Behold he prayeth;" said Jesus Fear no more. No longer question his sincerity. He who once breathed out only threatenings and slaughter, now breathes forth only sighs, and groans, and earnest prayers: Hasten, then, instantly to his relief, for he must not pray in vain.” Among our many inducements to prayer, let this be one; let this be chief. Jesus Christ approves of it. It is a compliance with his wise and gracious appointment.. If he saith, "Seek my face," shall I not reply, Thy face, O Lord, will 1 seek." If he condescend to say, "Let me hear thy voice," shall I not often call upon him. because it exercises all the The believer prostrates Jesus Christ approves of prayer, graces of his Spirit in the heart. himself before the throne of grace with deep humility and godly sorrow. He entertains the most high and honourable thoughts of the divine perfections. He tastes the superlative sweetness sweetness of Gospel truths and precious promises. Holy desires are excited in his soul. Love to God and man is felt and expressed: And, above all, precious faith is fully employed. He comes to God only in the new and living way ; depends alone on his blood and righteousness; and humbly expects the fulfilment of the divine promises in answer to prayer. O then let me love prayer! 'tis the barometer of the soul; an aptitude to prayer, or disinclination to it, affords the just estimate of its present frame. And while I thus encourage myself to be instant hereafter in prayer, let me not forget what God hath already wrought: For as Hannah said of her Samuel, For this child I prayed, and the Lord gave me my petition;" so may I say of this relation, of that comfort, of the other blessing, "For this I prayed, and he, who saw Nathaniel under the fig-tree, heard and answered my request." To him, then, be the most exalted praises of time and eternity. G. B. ANSWER TO TWO QUERIES, QUERY I. Did not the law of God require of Christ (considered as man) a perfect obedience on his own account? If it did, how can that obedience be imputed to sinners for their justification? QUERY II. "How does it appear to be necessary that Christ should both obey the law in his people's stead, and yet suffer punishment on the account of their transgressions, seeing obedience is all the law requires ?" то X. Y. Z. But the first I should answer, The objection proceeds upon the supposition that a public head, or representative, whose obedience should be imputable to others, must possess it in a degree over and above what is required of him. was it thus with the first public Head of mankind? Had Adam kept the covenant of his God, his righteousness, it is supposed, would have been imputed to his posterity, in the same sense as the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers; that is, God, to express his approbation of his conduct, would have rewarded it by confirming him and his posterity in the enjoyment of everlasting life: Yet he would have |
