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the truth of God in every direction; and in this country opened her bosom to shelter the protestants who fled from the persecution of the papal power; the great and opulent of our people received into their houses those illustrious foreigners who sought an asylum from the storm.

"But had the prelates, and the clergy in general of that day, been ignorant of every language but their own; never would they have been able to have shewn themselves in the manner they did, under the Lord's strength, defenders of the faith" once delivered to the saints." The universities in particular found great occasion, in the different colleges where the learned strangers from abroad for a time resided, to speak to them, as they of old did, "in their own tongue the wonderful works of God," (Acts ii. 11.) But their great knowledge in divine things, and their general acquaintance with the several languages of the Continent; all circumstances tended to promote the one glorious cause, and strengthen the common weal of the Reformation; so that both the universities at this happy æra, became little less than a daily convocation, composed of the highest taught divines, both at home and from abroad.

"But the general acquaintance, which the young men, matriculated in the university had with the dead languages, and biblical knowledge of the word of God; as well as their ability in conversing in the several dialects of the continent; their great feature of character, consisted in the higher attainment of the knowledge of their own heart. They were taught of God, before they came forth (by ordination) to teach others; and had received for the most part, a saving work of grace in themselves, before that they ventured to preach to the church salvation.

"It was the felicity of this era, that from our Alma Mater, the youth, who were sent forth for holy orders, came under impressions of grace, and founded their authority to the ministry, in the being called of God. And the blessing of the Lord evidently went before, and followed their labours. The history of those times furnish ample proof, of such a body of clergy, and people, as mutually enjoyed and benefitted one another. Imagination may frame to itself somewhat of those halcyon days, when both minister and congregation, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost were multiplied," (Acts ix. 31.); but to enter into the full and absolute enjoyment of it, can only be the privilege of such, as in themselves, are partakers of it," &c.

In page 70 of the same book, writing of the judicious Dr. Thomas Goodwin, Dr. Hawker makes the following quotation from Dr. G.'s account of himself; viz. " I took leave for my whole life of all ecclesiastical preferments, and though I was afterwards made President of Magdalene College, my great motive in the acceptance of it, was from the bottom of my heart to be useful in the university, in bringing young men that were godly to be fellows and students; which in

after times might serve God in the ministry. And it was after such that I enquired, and sought them out as the greatest jewels."

I have to apologize for making such long extracts, but as it referred to the point in question, contained the unequivocal testimonies of two so eminent for gifts and grace; so fully illustrates my ideas on the subject, and, so far as human witness is decisive, confirms my opinion. I am persuaded that your numerous readers (especially preachers, who properly appreciate the aids of education) will readily excuse the draught I have made on their patience. I have been told that Dr. Hawker had used his influence, attended with expense to himself, to send several gracious men to the university for episcopal education, and others to academies among dissenters; and both classes, with the design of preparing them under the Lord's blessing for the gospel ministry.

Now, as it would be a reflection on the learning and piety of many dissenters, to suppose that proper persons cannot now be obtained to act as masters in the different departments of a dissenting academy, and also to conduct the establishment with as much propriety as the heads of houses in the colleges of the sixteenth century; and as human learning, if ever necessary as a means under God, to qualify for the gospel ministry, &c., must be allowed to be still necessary, I cannot find any just reason to retract a word I have advanced on the subject of the institution of academies. And I hope, that at no distant period, that such will be established by the spiritual independents and others, and flourish under the divine blessing, comparatively as the colleges of the sixteenth century, so fully described by our dear departed friend, Dr. Hawker.

Birmingham, November, 1835.

TIMOTHY.

[The above we have inserted entire, and the only observation we would make upon it, is, that our opinion of the utility and positive injury of parson-preparing academies remains unaltered. We did not, nor do we now consider, that the brethren who had it in view to organize a Gospel Union Society, and whose plan we published in our Number for July, 1832, with our approbation thereof expressed, intended by their 18th rule, the sending "men of talent who are truly spiritual," to such institutions for education. Of education we would always speak in suitable terms, but it can as well be attained under the private roof of an aged and qualified minister of Christ, as in the college, where an assemblage of young men are gathered together, openly to be shaped into due form for the pulpit, and taught the various trickeries which shall allure the passions of their fellow creatures. Surely Satan can desire no better sieve for God's children, wherein he may sift them as wheat; and well convinced we are, that none, we speak deliberately, and repeat none have been closeted in these religious academies without coming out "tamed into deadness and affectation," and proved themselves in too many instances worse than unprofitable servants. But Timothy

will, no doubt, tell us, that he disapproves of these institutions, constructed and conducted as they are now. Well, when he can point us to one different from these we have in view, we shall not hesitate to recall our objections. But, until he can do so, we shall continue to recommend that the unlettered minister shall seek to improve himself in the retirement of private study, looking up to the Holy Ghost for guidance, and seeking the assistance of his more advanced brethren. This is our opinion; Timothy has given his: they are now both before our readers for them to draw their own conclusions from.-ED.]

Mr. Editor,

A QUERY.

WILL you allow me, through your excellent Magazine, to propose a passage of scripture for elucidation. It is recorded in Jer. xx. 7. “O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I." If any of my esteemed brethren, your valuable Correspondents will endeavour, to shew in what ways He who is truth itself, deceived his servant, they will greatly oblige one who loves and reads with pleasure your valuable Magazine. A COUNTRY MINISTER.

Wortwell, Nov. 10, 1835.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ON Friday, November 20, 1835, Mr. C. I. Woolacott was publicly recognized as the Pastor of the Baptist church, in Little Wild Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Mr. Overbury read the scriptures and prayed. Mr. Thomas, (of Henrietta Street) stated the nature and constitution of a Gospel church. Mr. Paxon, one of the Deacons, gave a very interesting account of the rise and progress of that church, which has existed nearly 150 years; and from which arose the Baptist churches in Eagle Street, Keppel Street, Fetter Lane, and Henrietta Street. After which, Mr. Dyer asked the usual questions, and received the confession of faith. Mr. Smith, (late of Ilford,) offered up the recognition prayer. Mr. J. H. Evans (of John Street) gave the charge to the minister. Mr. Pritchard, (of Keppel Street) preached to the people. Mr. Ainslie, (independent) concluded with prayer. Messrs. Comb, Dickerson, Durrant, and other ministers, conducted the devotional parts of the service. The chapel was extremely crowded; and although the services were necessarily protracted to a late hour, a lively interest pervaded the congregation. We earnestly hope that a revival may take place in this church, under the newly chosen pastor, and that the blessings of Zion's King may prosper his labours.

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Extracted from Richard Davis's small Volume of Hymns.

THAT glorious grace, that grace of

love,

That grace of love divine; How clearly doth it from above Upon our faces shine.

Love was at work before we were,

Five thousand years or more; Time only makes those things appear That love hath wrought before. Like silly sheep we wandering went, We went we knew not where; Love cried as we to hell were bent, "This is the way-walk here!"

In a short time, and for poor

crumbs,

We all our portion spent ; Love freely gave far greater sums Than what before were lent. Our only danger is from sin,

Thence comes the greatest harm; But love hath safely hedged us in

With its inclosing arm.

How can we now but with him walk,
When love hath paved our way;
O let's not spend our time in talk,
Let's run, let's make no stay.

DEATH ANTICIPATED.

WHEN I reach thy shores, dark river,

When I plunge beneath thy wave, Will the cheering voice of Jesus, Whispering, tell he died to save? And will guide me Through the portals of the grave.

Will this eye, by faith unclouded,
Mark upon the further strand,
Cherubs waiting to conduct me
To their blissful "better land.”
Beckoning onward,
To a throne at God's right hand.

Will the chrystal gates unfolding, Give me to the heavenly King; Then while timbrel, lute, and harpstring,

Swell the rapture of my song;

What loud anthems,
Lord, shall dwell upon my tongue!
When this hope beams bright and
glorious,

Then my days too lingering seem;
Then I wish life's lamp extinguish'd,
In the bubbling of death's stream.
Earth, thy pleasures,
Then are poor in my esteem.

REZENEB.

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