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1831.]

Answers to Correspondents.

of our Lord Jesus Christ; and in the personality and Deity of the Holy Ghost, and the necessity of his influence to change the heart and to renew the mind. This I solemnly, and in the sight of God, declare to be my belief respecting these great and fundamental doctrines of Christianity. As evidence of the truth of this statement I might refer to my Christian friends, and to ministers of the Gospel, some of whom have known me from my youth upwards; but it may prove more satisfactory, and be more appropriate to my present design, to refer to the pages of the Comprehensive Bible, from which it will be seen that this is no new declaration of faith."

The recentness of Mr. Greenfield's death, has prevented our receiving various interesting details which we are informed might be furnished relative to his life, and especially his religious character; but we

understand that a memoir of him will be
speedily published, to which we must refer
our readers. Among his unaccomplished
plans he was preparing materials for a
grammar in thirty languages, chiefly with
a view to his great object, the translation
and interpretation of the Holy Scriptures.
Such was the solemnity that pervaded his
mind when employed on works relating
to the word of God, that he never sat
down to the translating of the New Tes-
tament into Hebrew, the last work he ever
completed, without first solemnly implor-
ing Divine assistance.

Mr. Greenfield has left a wife and five
children to mourn his loss, for whom a
liberal subscription has been commenced,
his early removal not having permitted him
to provide for them, beyond a small in-
We affectionately
surance on his life.
commend the appeal on their behalf to the
Christian liberality of our readers.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

M. L. G.; K.; J. F. R.; J. H. K.; Y.; A. R.; E. R.; W. C.; G. S.; W. M.; AN ANXIOUS INQUIRER; PETER; A. F.; H. S.; M.; and S. T. P.; are under consideration.

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Mr. Drummond's reply to our remarks was too late for the present Number, but shall appear in our next.

We can only repeat to TRINITARIUS, that as he undertook to intimate what the Sackville-Street Committee and Naval and Military Bible Society might or might not do, we did not think it right to insert his paper without their authority. It might even be said, in these days of unsparing assertion, that we had invented it. Mr. T. P. Platt has favoured us with an extract from his pamphlet, to prove that in imputing "wild wanderings" to the Rev. D. Wilson, he did not intend a personal attack upon that individual, but upon a system of biblical interpretation held by him in common with " very many commentators;" a system which, Mr. Platt says, has prevailed in the church ever since the days of Jerome; the system, in short, of figurative interpretation, where literal interpretation would, with deference to our respected correspondent, be indeed " wild wandering," as any reasonable man may convince himself of, who will read the writings of Mr. Irving and other authors who adopt it. Mr. Platt will perceive, by referring to the passage he alludes to in our work (Sept. p. 574), that we did not do him the injustice to suppose that he meant to confine his charge personally to Mr. Wilson; far from it; for we expressly said, "This excellent man, Mr. Wilson, not indeed alone, but in much good company," &c. in fact, with the universal church of Christ, except some members of the new sect, who say that all the prophetic descriptions of the Bible, as, for example, the gold, the precious stones, the sea of glass, and the other illustrations in the Revelation are literal; that heaven is a paradise on earth, and so on, of innumerable other descriptions. These we freely confess we think to be "wild wanderings" indeed, and we only lament that such a man as Mr. Platt should have been We do not wonder that Mr. Irving argued so carried away with some of them. zealously in one of his works against allowing the use of "common sense" in biblical interpretations. But why did God give us common sense if we are not to use it? Does the use of common sense derogate from the divine office of the Holy Spirit? We quite concur with "An Aged Clerical Friend," that, after what has already appeared in our own columns and elsewhere, we may in future very safely leave certain of the writers in the Record to their own devices. The Record has, however, found an anonymous friend, to whom it specially refers us with much satisfaction, saying, "Let the Editor of the Christian Observer mark the testimony in another column (of the Record), borne by an able and impartial witness, to the effect produced in his mind by the simple perusal of this one discussion." The Editor of the Christian Observer, as in courtesy bound, did refer to the testimony of this "able and impartial " anonymous witness; the weight of which may be judged of by a single specimen of his style. He is speaking of " the principal and clergy of the seminary of Stonyhurst," who declined entering into a public disputation with "Mr. Whitaker of Blackburn, and others," on the ground that such polemical scenes only cause popular excitement, and do no real good; upon which, the

Record's able and impartial friend and correspondent thus depones: "So have I seen in younger days the gasconading bully of a country village, when called upon by his match to shew forth his prowess and his courage at the annual wake, crestfallen shirk the rencontre, and in silence keep his own counsel till his dreaded foe had disappeared, and then suddenly recovering his craven spirits, and emerging from his eclipse, rudely fix upon some poor, quiet, inoffensive, peaceful spectator, from whom he well anticipated a denial, and challenge him to the ring, as a shallow effort to retrieve his character among his old associates." We are heartily glad that able and impartial gentlemen who adopt this style, find other pages more congenial to their taste than those of the Christian Observer. We are only grieved that there should be found religious Blackwoods and John Bulls to encourage it. Such language, like the ravings of Mr. Armstrong, tends to confirm Papists in their popery, and infidels in their infidelity; while it deeply pains every serious mind. Is this the way in which any friends of the Reformation Society in meekness instruct them that oppose themselves? If such be their spirit, well might Captain Gordon, long ago, forewarn the public that it was not to be a society for scriptural education, for circulating Bibles, for reading, for preaching, or for evangelical tracts--but for controversy, controversy, controversy. But why may not even controversy be conducted in a Christian spirit? Has the new friend of the Record, and of the Reformation Society, so soon found out the Record's maxim of "the more exaspe ration the better?" Or does he adopt the creed of Mr. Boys, who designated poor Greenfield a Neologian, because he said in the Comprehensive Bible, in common with every sound expositor of all churches, that by our Lord's coming to send a sword upon the earth was meant, that such he foreknew would be the consequence of his doctrine; which Mr. Boys calls impugning the Divine veracity; because it contravenes the comment and practice of those who think that Christ came upon earth literally to set people to quarrel and fight. We class all these matters together, because they indicate one spirit; respecting which, it is our duty to warn the church of Christ with all faithfulness.

We have received some alleged specifics for the spasmodic cholera, and some outlines of plans for a modified parliamentary reform, which we must request our correspondents to send for the consideration of the respective anthorities, as we cannot make our pages responsible for them. The respected correspondent, who in sending us a very intricate and impracticable plan of giving an individual so many votes according to his property, refers to "the new vestry act as a precedent, does not seem to be aware that that very proposition was rejected by the House of Lords in that very bill.

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In reply to the inquiry of G. respecting the note on the last page of our last Number, on the Reformation Society, we need only say, that if he will look back to the whole of the notices in our volumes relative to that society, he will find that we have never ventured to speak without much reserve respecting its proceedings; chiefly from the harsh spirit of some of its agents, and the doctrinal errors of others; and we therefore thought it the fairest plan to the society, to lay its own documents before our readers, with favourable notices of the many things that were excellent, and honest intimations of those which appeared to us otherwise. A publication being now specifically devoted to the particular object of the RomanCatholic controversy, the society has judiciously arranged to circulate its intelligence through that channel; but we must say in Christian faithfulness, that it would have been impossible for us to have continued much longer, even partially, to recommend its proceedings, since it has become a medium for diffusing by means of its travelling missionary, Mr. Armstrong, and others of its agents, the wild, fanatical, and (but for the intention) we should say blasphemous notions which are now afloat, especially those which attribute a sinful nature to our adorable Redeemer, and the gibberish uttered under the name of unknown tongues, to the Holy Ghost.

We see no use in again adverting-at least for the present-to the afflicting delusions to which N. refers: they are, we trust, fast working their own cure, at least, where cure is possible. Even Mr. Irving, it is stated, has at length seen it necessary to forbid these melancholy exhibitions in public, and to confine them to the few who may assemble to witness them before sun-rise on a winter's morning. We think the restriction very judicious; though upon Mr. Irving's principles we see not how he can justify it: for if the work be really of the Holy Ghost, he ought to allow it to take its course in spite of alleged danger, imposture, or satanic impediment. Some specimens of the pretended miraculous addresses have been sent us, which are such mere wild rhapsody that we shall not insert them. The university of Cambridge has invited the attention of its members to " the intent and use of the gift of tongues in the Christian dispensation,” by making it the thesis for the Norrisian essay.

ERRATUM.

Page 686, col. 2, line 7 from bottom, for deinurges, read demiurges.

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What is the scriptural view of the last? Millennium ?

What is the Christian's duty in a

What is the criterion of sanctified time of civil contention ? affliction?

What is meant by rightly dividing the word of truth?

What part ought a Christian and a minister to take in the present question of the slave trade? (1792.) What is meant by the difference which the Apostle makes between milk and strong meat?

What plan of preaching would St. Paul pursue in London at this time? (1792.)

The nature, bad effects, and cure of indolence, especially in ministers. In what cases is it wise to be silent? and in what cases is it sinful to be silent?

In what sense is Wisdom justified of her children?

Who are they who preach salvation freely by God's grace, and who are the counterfeits ?

Why does a believer groan? and what does he wait for?

How shall a young man cleanse his ways?

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 360.

What is the use and what the abuse of festivals ?

What is the respect of persons which the Scriptures censure?

How far is faith its own evidence?

What is the best method of studying Scripture ?

What constitutes a decided religious character?

What are the signs of the times? The causes, effects and cure of envy.

How shall we best improve the approaching fast? (1793.)

[We omit similar questions which occur on similar days.].

How have ministers of the Gospel contributed to increase the offence of the Cross ?

What customs have been intro duced in the late revivals of religion which are reprehensible?

What will justify the refusal of a pulpit?

In what does Divine illumination 4 Z

differ from the highest natural attainments?

Does St. Paul discountenance marriage except in times of persecution?

The advantages and disadvantages of human learning in the ministerial office?

What is the modern progress of infidelity ?

In what way does God ordinarily speak peace to the disconsolate soul?

What observable declension is there in the present administration of the Gospel; with its causes and cure?

What rules can be laid down respecting borrowing and lending money?

How far may a person engage in a business which involves pernicious consequences?

What is the best mode of conducting public worship?

What is the wisdom of words which St. Paul rejected lest the Cross should become of none effect?

What is the criterion of a blessing obtained under the preaching of the Gospel?

How far ought we to yield to our bodily infirmities? and how may we best derive spiritual edification from them?

How is it that men are so ignorant of themselves as to the motives of their conduct?

How far may a parish minister interfere in parochial matters ?

In what cases can a minister of the Church of England be justified in departing from the established customs of the church?

The advantages and disadvantages of extempore preaching.

How far should a minister's private feelings influence him in his public ministry?

How shall we distinguish Satan's delusions from the corruptions of the human heart?

What concessions may the ministers of the Gospel make to the customs of polite life?

What light does the Scripture afford to assist and regulate our con

jectures with respect to the unseen world?

What are the natural, moral, and evangelical restraints of evil?.. What is the efficacy of the Sacraments?

What are the ordinary workings of sin in ministers ?

The best mode of distributing charity.

How to treat the world as it is, without justly disgusting the people of the world.

What are the feelings which a minister should have towards his people, and how are they to be attained?

How shall we know when we exercise grace in performing duties? The present consequences of piety and impiety.

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What are the origin and effects of what is called the methodistic style of preaching?"

What is the right way of reconciling St. Paul and St. James on the subject of justification?

How far Christ as a preacher is a model for ministers.

What was the nature of the Apostles' faith previous to the descent of the Holy Ghost?

What are the marks of a selfish character ?

Upon what grounds may a man conclude himself to be a Christian? Wherein are the best moral characters defective and erroneous ?

What is the best mode of conducting religious meditation ?

On what grounds is religion charged with a tendency to produce madness ?

How far is it a minister's duty to urge the reasons why Christ must needs suffer?

How shall we best introduce religious discourse in miscellaneous company?

What is the nature of that communion with God which all true Christians enjoy in this present life?

How can we improve the beginning of the ensuing year in the present posture of affairs (1794) ?

What is that character in a mi

nister which is suited to make a understanding takes the lead in religood impression on his people?

What do we now see to have been our principal faults and errors when we set out in our Christian course?

What is it for a professor of religion to walk disorderly; and how are we to withdraw ourselves from such a one?

What is the internal evidence of

Christianity which every believer possesses?

Has the Spirit of Prophecy ceased? Which is the greater evil, covetousness or prodigality?

How are we to understand the Apostle's exhortation, "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth?" (1 Cor. x. 24.)

What are the impediments which prevent real believers from discovering their interest in Christ?

What is the proper idea of natural religion?

What are the proper amusements and rewards of children?

What rule should a Christian observe respecting continuing in, or changing, his present situation?

What are the impediments of an external kind which act against the influence of sermons ?

How far the government of the thoughts, or mental discipline, is practicable or necessary.

In what evangelical humiliation consists, and the means of it?

What are the advantages and disadvantages attending the different modes of appointing ministers ?

What is the ground and character of false joy in the prospect of death? The causes and cure of obstructions in prayer and other religious

services.

What are the earnest, witness, and seal of the Holy Spirit?

What are the best means of removing the difficulties of a sincere inquirer after truth, respecting the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel?

How is the exercise of private friendship consistent with loving our neighbour as ourselves?

gion?

What ministry is likely to form a growing Christian? that which dwells much upon the objects producing the graces, or that which describes the graces of Christianity themselves?

How shall we know an event to be an answer to prayer?

What are the meaning and extent of the promise, "Sin shall not have dominion over you ?”

What is the proper use of the argumentum ad verecundiam ?

How far is our Lord's Sermon on the Mount a model for evangelical preachers?

In what instances do men deceive themselves by the semblance of Christian graces ?

With what propriety, and in what mode, may a mission to the heathen be attempted by the Established Church? (1796.)

Whether our good works will add to the degree of our future glory.

What is preaching with the demonstration of the Spirit and power, as contradistinguished by St. Paul from "enticing words of man's wisdom?"

What influence ought a minister's particular situation to have upon his conduct?

What scriptural ground is there for the modern notion of universal salvation?

What is to be understood by the leadings of Providence?

How far the preaching of the Apostles is an example to us.

What is the characteristic of the present professing world? (1796.)

What are the origin, progress, and effects of modern Antinomianism, and the best method of counteracting it?

What are the most essential and useful points of Christian doctrine to be insisted upon in public preaching?

Whether is it more difficult to do or to suffer the will of God?

How far are our opinions in things secular and religious influenced by In what sense is it true that the our temperament and situations?

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