principled, established Christians, will but which are in danger of going into depend very much, under the divine oblivion. If the republication of the blessing, on the education they now re-present pamphlet is the means of exceive.

citing attention to other works of the same class, it will be a great advantage to our Denomination, and yield much gratification to many of its members.

The present pamphlet is a clear, distinct defence of religious liberty, avowing the broad principle, that "no man is to be persecuted for his religion, be it true or false, so he testify his faithful allegiance to the king." On this ground the author urges the consequence of a free toleration in a variety of directions; shews that no political danger can arise from it; that, it is true, it bears hard against certain persons then in power, particularly of the Ecclesiastical order; and above all, against the church of Rome, with whom the author on no terms of amity.

In the excellent "address to parents" there is one passage in which we cannot concur with the author. Page 373, he says, "Though I have read many volumes on the subject, I have not met with one instance of a child religiously and faithfully educated who died in a wicked and impenitent state. It is contrary to the promise of the God of truth and grace." On the contrary, we believe there have been many instances; though they were not likely to be recorded in the volumes which the author has read, nor in any other. If we ask what promise Mr. Barker refers to, he will tell us (as we gather from p. 47.) that he refers to Prov. xxii. 6. "Train up a child," &c. It is obvious, how-is ever, that those words contain not a promise, but a proverb, and a proverb, we may add, which has been verified in all ages and nations. It is sufficient to establish the truth of the proverb, that the thing affirmed appears visible in most instances, though the exceptions may be numerous. The fact is, we conceive, that parents, like ministers, do not always succeed; the means of grace are put into our hands, and we have many and great encouragements, but the grace itself the Lord keeps in his own hands. Dr. Johnson has stated the matter wisely and guardedly in relation to parents, in the motto which our author has adopted for his first part. "In general, those parents have most reverence, who most deserve it."

Persecution for Religion Judged and Condemned; first published in London in the year 1615. The fourth Edition with a Preface. By JOSEPH IVIMEY. Wightman and Cramp. Price 2s. pp. 82.

In the course of his work, (the chief part of which is carried on in the form of a Dialogue), he also exhibits and defends his sentiments as a Baptist, and by this means he shews us what were the popular arguments in support of Infant Baptism in his day. At the end of the work, is "an humble supplication to the king's majesty," presented in 1620, in which the cause of religious liberty is again stated and argued at length; and the right of interpreting the Scripture is contended for, freely and boldly. In this part of his labour, the author holds the learned in very low estimation, and considers the Spirit, which he observes is given "to every particular saint of God," as the best guide to lead us into the sense of his word. This "humble supplication" is addressed to the king, by his " majesty's loyal subjects, not for fear only, but conscience sake, unjustly called ana-baptists."

This work is, we believe, the first in which the principle of religious liberty THIS is a curious pamphlet, and we are was ever brought forward clearly and glad to see it republished. We wish distinctly. In the preface, Mr. Ivimey the plan of publishing some of the scarce informs his readers, that one reason for tracts of our ancestors, in our religious republishing it is to settle an historical profession, was adopted; it would pre-fact. The Independents, it seems, have serve many that are worth preserving, claimed, and do still claim, the honour

ment of the Theological seminary at Gosport, to the formation of the Missionary Society.-IV. From the formation of the Missionary Society, to the afflictions of his latter days.-V. David Bogue's last afflictions and death.-VI. His character and works.

of being the first Christian denomina- | II. From his settlement at Gosport, to tion who have recommended "religious the formation of the seminary for the liberty to the esteem of the world." ministry.-III. From the commenceMr. Ivimey states, on the authority of Messrs. Bogue and Bennett, in their History of Dissenters, that "the first Independent church in England was not formed until the year 1616, the year after this pamphlet was published." (Preface pp. 6, 7.) If the Independents can prove that before this time they pleaded the same cause, let it be done; in the mean time, the present pamphlet is a proof that it was exhibited with great cogency of argument in 1615. The author is believed to be Mr. Thomas Helwisse, a character highly deserving esteem and veneration. We unite cordially with Mr. Brook in his "Lives of the Puritans," in saying of the present work, "This was a bold protestation against the illegal and iniquitous proceedings of the ruling prelates, and a noble stand in favour of religious liberty." We need not say more in recommending it to our readers.

The narrative is skilfully drawn out, and more replete with incident than might have been expected. It will surprise many to find that David Bogue, who seemed to be made of sterner stuff than most men, who had a frame so robust, and an aspect so austere, and who often dealt in eight and forty pounders, should be so exquisitely susceptible of all the tenderness and endearments of domestic love,

And all the charities

Of father, son, and brother.'

The criticism is elegant, acute, sometimes profound, sometimes playful, free, though of course restrained by the reverence such a pupil must ever cherish for the memory of such a tutor.

We must make room for a few ex

tracts, which cannot fail to be acceptable to our readers. In p. 35, there is a piece of advice which we heartily recommend to all our students and young ministers as of the highest moment.

66

DR. BOGUE was so well known, and so
highly and justly esteemed, that many
must have felt a desire to see an authen-nistry
tic account of his early studies, his man-
ner of life, and the steps by which he
ascended to that eminence on which he
stood for a long course of years.

with much anxiety, and to have asked

He seems to have commenced his mi

counsel of those to whom he communicated an account of the step. One of these, Mr. Jolly, the minister of Coldingham, gave him the following excellent reply:-'I congratulate you heartily on entering upon the imIt may certainly be reckoned among the rare felicities of this distinguished cellent work of the Christian ministry. I portant and difficult, but honourable and exindividual, that his biographer is an make no doubt but you have taken the field able and accomplished man, his pupil with the most upright motives, and will enand his friend. Dr. Bennett has ac- deavour to approve yourself a good soldier quitted himself handsomely of the deli- of Jesus Christ. Dangers and discouragecate and difficult task assigned him.ments, trials and temptations, you may lay We cannot but wish he had given us a preface, with a table of contents, or an index; these, however, will be found perhaps, in subsequent editions.

your account with; but it will be your wisdom and your safety to follow the directions of the Captain of salvation. I dare promise you, in his name, that he will not only teach your hands to war and your fin

The work is divided into six chapters.gers to fight, but lead you on to certain vicChapter I. From his birth to the commencement of his ministry at Gosport.

tory. As to your public discourses, I give it as my best advice that you study to unite solidity and simplicity, ease and elegance,

strength of thought and force of expression. in this sort of good humour we proceed; Truth, like beauty, is never half so amiable not suffering ourselves to be interrupted as when arrayed in a modest and homely or detained by those critical reflections

dress."

It will appear from p. 105. that David Bogue never lost sight of this advice, at least, as far as solidity and simplicity were concerned.

which in a more rigorous examination of the performance, would be indispensable. We must, however, confess that we now and then meet with something, so much like a dereliction of duty, on "On the eighth anniversary of his ordinathe part of the biographer, that we find tion he adores God for the good that was it extremely difficult to preserve the done. Some persons he notices as become stedfastness of our purpose, and fulfil thoughtful, and some as under convictions of at the same time the implied contract sin. " Many are become attentive to the between ourselves and those persons word. Family prayer has this year been who may be accustomed to consult our set up in many houses. Several have been admitted members of the church. periodical observations. And this is esare going on well in the ways of God, and pecially the case, if we happen to think more attend on public worship than ever be- that where the whole truth ought to fore. There is, however, much formality have been told, a part has been sup found among those who make a profession. pressed; or where certain facts have Some, it is to be feared, attend from worldly been stated, which, on account of their

Many

motives. But we have been settled in the

new place more peacefully than I expected. reprehensible nature, should either have As to my preaching, I see more and more been wholly omitted or their improthat plain and serious preaching is most priety more severely censured. useful. Much that is elaborate is thrown away."

In the memoir of Mr. Sykes, of whose While he was preaching on the question met with much that is justly entitled to piety we entertain no doubt, we have How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?' a person was so struck our approbation; and we sincerely wish and agitated, that though she strove to the it were in our power to speak thus fautmost to suppress her feelings, she was at length overcome, and rushed out of the place uttering a tremendous shriek. On another Sabbath evening, he was sent for to converse with one who was in anguish of heart, in consequence of something that was said in the sermon. The preacher found the person bewailing the guilt of sin, and the want of love to Christ.'

66

vourably of the whole. Some of the circumstances connected with his conversion from Arminianism to Calvinism, do not appear to us at all adapted to raise his reputation as a Christian minister. But that against which we consider it to be our incumbent duty to enter our most serious protest, and which we regard with unqualified disapprobation, is the addiction he manifested to jest with the phraseology of the Bible, which, together with certain We are so thoroughly convinced that eccentricities, in which he occasionally the tendency of pious biography is emi- indulged, seem almost to justify the nently beneficial, that we always sit asperity of the language in which he down to the perusal of such works, was once addressed: "Sure you are determining, if possible, not to take not a Methodist preacher ! A jocose exception ourselves, nor present any to preacher is an abominable character." the consideration of our readers, and p. 98.

Memoir of the Life, Ministry and Correspondence of the late Rev. George Sykes, of Rillington. pp. 285. Baynes.

any

22

LITERARY RECORD.

OBITUARY.

MRS. P. SAFFERY.

and affecting peculiarity, it is our me. lancholy office to record.

probably, her mind was prepared for the reception and love of those holy principles which she afterwards cherished and displayed. She received the first truly devout and permanent im

THE importance and felicity of true religion in our friends, as well as in She was born in 1799, at Weymouth, ourselves, is constantly growing in our where her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Scriestimation as they approach the end of ven, are still living to lament the loss life. By their removal to the upper of their beloved daughter. Under the world, this holy impression is much aug-guidance of an excellent mother, her mented, being then changed into cer- attention was very early directed to the tainty, at least into solid hope, that concerns of religion. By this means, their religion has secured for them a permanent safety and bliss, above which nothing remains to be desired among the riches and goods of the universe. Of all human acquisitions, it belongs to religion alone to gain in lustre and hap-pressions of religion about eleven years piness by exchanging worlds. The as- since, under the preaching of the Rev. surance of this renders it most conso- Mr. Baynes, of Wellington. From that latory to remember the pious virtues of period her character assumed a new and the dead, who, having served and loved decided form. Soon after, she became their Redeemer ou earth, are gone to a member of the Baptist church at Weythe full enjoyment of his presence. mouth. Though her piety commenced That they were pious, that their piety at so early an age, in which the most continued to live and improve till life promising and beautiful appearances are was closed, is the sole consolation that of doubtful character, and often decay, religion permits us to indulge, while it was sustained to a pleasing degree in mourning over their loss. For, however her temper and conduct. Amidst the they were loved, or even admired, for fascinations of the world, and the imthe graces of their natural loveliness, pediments resulting from the gaiety of which produced delight to themselves youth, she habitually manifested a seand to those around; these graces bear-rious attachment and love to the things ing no reference to the spiritual enjoy- of God; employing herself with much ments and virtues of eternity, have diligence in those pious and benevolent ceased to exist with the life which they services, for which religious females are cheered and adorned; but their piety, so much distinguished in the present age. untouched by death, now refined and So far as our knowledge of her temper matured to the perfection of holiness, and deportment extends, considering gives the highest joy to themselves, and the splendid and dangerous character reflects down comfort upon those whom of the place where she lived, we think they have left behind. It is thus one of she was preserved in an unusual degree the peculiar and celestial distinctions of from the spirit and habits of the world. real piety, to give happiness in both Having a sister engaged on a distant worlds at the same time; making its scene in the service of the Baptist misdeparted possessors supremely blessed sion, she felt a peculiar ardour and dein the presence of God, and imparting light in whatever promoted the success the best consolation to their mourning of that Society. friends. This consolation is felt in no slight degree by the relations and friends of the excellent person whose early death, under circumstances of tender

In May, 1826, she was married to the Rev. P. Saffery, of Salisbury. This union with a Minister of the Gospel, in a station rendered prominent and happy