daughter was compelled to light the fagots to burn her father. A priest, named Roberts, was burnt at Buckingham; rejoicing that he died for the gospel. In 1507, Lawrence Guale was burnt at Salisbury. These were a few of the many holy witnesses for the truth, called Lollards, "who loved not their lives unto the death." But the most illustrious martyr among Wickliffe's followers, was JOHN OLDCASTLE, an Englishman, born in the reign of Henry the Fourth, at whose court he was brought up. He was knighted, and, for his service in the wars, honored with the title of LORD COBHAM. He became very zeal. ous for the gospel, openly reproved the idolatrous worship of the church of Rome, and took the part of the ministers who taught Wicliffe's doctrine. The king sent for Lord Cobham, and desired him to be obedient to the Roman church, and confess his error. He mildly answered, "You, most worthy prince, I am always willing and ready to obey, foras. much as I know you to be the minister of God, bearing the sword for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well; unto you, next unmy eternal God, I owe all obe. dience, and submit all that I have unto you, being ready at all times to do whatever you shall in the Lord command me.”—Christian Records. to MCLEOD'S ECCLESIASTICAL CATECHISM.-SEVENTH EDITION. RECOMMENDATIONS. "Manuals of elementary instruction, in the form of question and answer have obtained, from their long and approved utility, a kind of prescriptive right to our regard. But while the press has teemed with catechisms on religious doctrine, information concerning the constitution and order of Christ's kingdom upon earth has been left, for the most part, to those volumes of ponderous literature which are accessible to few, and utterly useless to the generality of readers. The effects of this negligence are but too apparent.-We are, therefore, glad to see an attempt to draw the public attention to this matter; and to bring a scriptural view of the Christian church within the reach of juvenile understanding, and the poor man's purse. It is obvious from the number of subjects compared with the size of the book, that nothing more is intended by this "Catechism" than an outline of truth and argumént.-Dense and valuable matter, however, is to be found under every one of the heads enumerated. We know well the rank which the author holds, and ought to hold, in the scale of both sense and talent. We can cheerfully recommend his work to the serious reader; and sincerely wish that its acceptance with the public may encourage and enable him to emit, in a short time, a new and improved edition."-New York Christian's Magazine, edited by John M. Mason, D. D. New York. "So useful has the catechetical mode of conveying instruction appeared, that it has been applied to almost every subject within the compass of human knowledgeAnd why should not a staunch Presbyterian, of the old school, come forward with his "ECCLESIASTICAL CATECHISM," also, and claim to be heard on the peculiar features of Presbyterianism, and its claims to be received as of divine authority? The contents of this small but valuable work, are-Questions relative to the Christian churchChurch fellowship--Church-government--Church-officers-Church. courts-Religious worship--and Church-discipline. The proofs are quoted at length, and appear, in general, to be well selected and applied. The notes appended to the work are extremely valuable. They contain more full illustrations of the different subjects treated of in the body of the Catechism, and throw no small light on the history of the church, and on the various passages of the word of God which treat of spiritual go. vernment and law. Did our limits admit, we could, with pleasure, quote the able and satisfac. tory remarks on the terms, church, presbytery, Jewish synagogues, imposition of hands, deacons, baptism,, &c. &c.-We beg to recommend this tract, very strongly, to all those who wish to be established in the faith and profession of their fathers, and not to be moved about with every wind of doctrine.”—' Edinburgh Christian Instructor, for March, 1821, edited by Andrew Thompson, D. D. Edinb. TO CORRESPONDENTS. The editor returns thanks to his literary friends for their communications, and asks their indulgence while making room for ecclesiastical documents to the partial exclusion of other subjects. His own attendance on presbytery and synod, his absence from home, and his indisposition, have occasioned the fifth and sixth numbers to appear later than the due time. The SEVENTH will, he hopes, restore the order. Look. ing upon Zion the city of our solemnities, we do not, as yet, find "Jerusalem a quiet habitation." We are in a militant state. The IDEA of strife in the bosom of the church is unpleasant to him who is for peace; yet, at the recommendation of synod, p. 235, this Magazine shall have room for a HEAD OF FREE DISCUSSION. Each of the learned contributors will be responsible for his own productions; and the conductor of the vehicle will treat with impartiality all strivings, Phil. i. 27, of them who "seek that they may excel to the edifying of the church." To SUBSCRIBERS, intimation is given that the minimum annual subscription is now due; but the time is prolonged so as to include the month of December; all who have already made their remit. tances, have the thanks of the editor. Care shall be taken to rectify, as speedily as possible, mistakes which may have occurred in the distribution of the Expositor. The publishers, all the members of synod, and all the agents are authorized to obtain subscribers and collect subscriptions. Remittances may be made to the editor by post; and Mr. THOS. LONG is employed, to deliver the numbers, to obtain subscribers, and collect the dues in this city. SAFETY OF THE CHURCH. (Continued from page 245.) II. To consider, more extensively, the evidences which bear testimony to the safety of the church. The text itself, indeed, is evidence sufficient. Christ's words stand in no need of confirmation. In condescension to our weakness, however, God gives unto us line upon line, and precept upon precept. The evidences of the most important doctrines of Revelation are diffused through the whole volume of the sacred writings. This was necessary to prevent mistakes-to encourage a diligent perusal of the Holy Scriptures and to confirm the faith of his children, in particular articles, and in the authenticity of the whole system. Had re. velation been communicated to us in a regular system, the scriptures would neither have been as safe or as useful as they are in the present form. Did they teach the same doctrine, enforce the same duty, and promise the same comfort once only; however plainly, perspicuously, and accurately it might have been expressed; a corruption of the ori. ginal text by accident or design, a false translation or an improper criticism, would have unsettled the faith of thousands-would have rendered it difficult if not impossible to ascertain the truth, and heretics and infidels would have had a decided advantage over the friends of religion.These dangers are happily preVol. I. DEC. 1831. NO. 8. vented. The great doctrines of 1. This appears from the light in which she appeared to God in his eternal choice-an object of love. The Ancient of days had the plan of his works before him, ere time commenced its march. It was fixed; and the church was elected in Christ her head and representative. He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. Eph. i. 4. Be. lievers are by nature destitute of any lovely quality to render them eligible to such privileges as their Father's election includes. They are sinners; but as fallen men, 36 the Father himself loved them, and gave his only begotten son to die for their sins. This reflects not dishonor of the divine character. It would, indeed, argue perverseness of mind in man to love an object whose qualities were all odious. Man's taste is a subject of law, and that would argue its vileness and consequent culpability. The love of man is, moreover uncapable of producing in its object a moral change. But neither of these objections militate against the electing love of God. The moral excellency of his own nature is the only criterion of the propriety of his volitions, He is not accountable to another. for none can say unto him, What doest thou? His love is moreover efficient. It has, upon its objects, a transforming influence. It provides for the guilty robes of righteousuess, and clothes the vile with every lovely attribute. Behold, the daughter of the king is all glorious. Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in thee. If the church then appeared to him in this light from of old, her safety will necessarily follow, if there be power and wisdom sufficient, on the part of Heaven to secure her final exaltation. The word and wisdom of God, our Redeemer expresses his delight on a foresight of his connection with the church. His discourse implies her safety, who is beloved by one in possession of such resourses as he commands. "I am understanding, I am strength. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. When he prepared the heavens, when he established the clouds above, when he gave to the sea his decree that the waters should not pass his commandment, when he appointed the foundations of the earth then I was by him rejoicing in the habitable parts of the earth, and my delights were with the sons of men." Such love, aided by infinite resources, will not suffer its object to perish. "I am persuaded that neither death nor life," &c. Rom. viii. 38, 39. 2. This safety appears from the purposes of the divine mind respecting the object. If he have purposed the church's safety, she cannot be destroyed. His counsel shall stand and he will do all his pleasure. Not a particle of matter in creation which he hath not formed, and which he doth not regulate. Not a single event in the moral world,concerning which he hath not made previous and adequate arrangements. There never was a time in which he was undetermined, never a time in which he altered his arrangements in a single instance. He is of one mind, who can turn him? The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them who are his. These purposes have special reference to the church. Her salvation is predestinated. No event can hinder it. His purposes are all consistent with one another. As to his infinite mind they are one. In this one all events are included. He has therefore obtained this inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will, that we should be to the praise of his glory. 3. The price paid for the church's redemption is a pledge of her safety. The price is infinite. According to previous stipulation it hath been paid. The parties contracting, are infallible. Nothing can argue greater security. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. In order to ransom his church God tabernacled in our nature. He voluntarily humbled himself, by appearing in the likeness even of sinful flesh, by fulfilling in our room all right. eousness and by his suffering unto the death in our behalf. He who knew not sin, by inherent pollution or actual transgressions, was by imputation made sin for us. He had a fellow-feeling of our infirmities, and experimentally learned all our afflictions. He felt the enraged efforts of malicious spirits to aggravate his torments, during the hour aud the power of darkness. Infinite wrath poured its torrent on his devoted head. The communication of the cordial drops of his Father's love was withheld, while he drunk the cup of sourness and bitterness unmingled with sweetness. His soul shuddered. His agony expressed his blood through his garments. He groaned, he bled, he died. Deep, deep did he lay the foundation of the building of mercy. Thus he paid for the redemp. tion of the whole church-purchased not with corruptible things such as silver and gold, but by the precious blood of Christ. Every individual believer was thus ransomed from sin and from death-Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, tongue, and nation. For their souls and their bodies he laid down the stipulated price, of infinite value-Ye are no more your own, ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your bodies and spirits which are his. Every thing necessary, to preserve their souls and bodies, to prepare them for his house above, to introduce them to his heavenly mansions, and to continue them in the enjoyment of endless felicity, he thus by his death provided for them-All things are yours and ye are Christ's. In consequence of his death he is himself exalted-Wherefore God hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name. All his purchased stores are committed to his own disposal, and as our Great Banker, he distributes to the necessity of his saints out of his fullness-In him it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell-Out of his fullness have we received grace for grace. What then, has his church to fear? Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea, rather is risen again: but, 4. The safety of his church may be argued from the interposition of Providence in her behalf. Because the High Priest of our profession hath redeemed his church from the curse, God hath given him authority to employ all the resources of nature in her service and for her good-He is a King and a Priest upon his throne; and shall build the temple of the Lord. The Father promised this to him, when he subscribed the |