Page images
PDF
EPUB

natural interpretation of the prophecy. Receive this, and all becomes simple and harmonious. The only objection is that it destroys a popular notion, which itself obscures the true order and harmony of the Divine dispensations.

[ocr errors]

Regret is expressed, in the opening of the pamphlet, that subjects on which learned and pious men differ in judgment,' should be set before a mixed congregation. But such a maxim of conduct, though plausible, is deceptive and dangerous. Its first effect would be to limit all teaching in the Church of Christ to the truths held by the most erroneous or most ignorant among its teachers. The next result would be to debase even this standard lower and lower, and to sink the Church in a downward progression of ignorance and darkness. A far safer rule of action is found in that Divine command," He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord." Patience and caution are eminently needful in forming our judgment on any part of Divine truth. And often the opposite judgment of pious men may be a weighty reason for strict and cautious re-examination. But still the faithful utterance of deep and slowly matured convictions, even though some error due to human infirmity should cleave to them still, will be more useful to the Church, and more acceptable to God, than a cold and timorous calculation how many or how few truths Christians in general will receive, and a concealment of the rest in a prudent silence. The views of Mr. Marsh were once, in substance, my own. Their abandonment has been the result of a close and long examination of Scripture, with a direct and simple aim to ascertain their real testimony on these doctrines. The effect has been an undoubting conviction that the simplest and most natural exposition of this present passage, (Rev. xx.) is required also to reconcile and harmonize all the other prophecies of the word of God. May it please Him to endue us all so richly with the spirit of forbearance and of heavenly wisdom, that we may rise beyond the mists and shadows of human opinions, into the pure, clear, and blessed light of His everlasting truth.

One main reason, perhaps, of the prejudice which many Christians still feel against the literal view of

the first resurrection, is the isolated form in which the doctrine has often been maintained. Their system has appeared, in a manner, complete without it; and hence they have looked on it as an alien intruder, a discordant note in the full harmony of Divine truth. A juster view would be to regard it as a chord of transition into another key, where the same melody re-appears once more, but reveals itself with an increased compass and richness of Divine harmony. A feeble attempt has been made, in the later chapters of this work, to remove the spell, and to open some glimpses of that wide field of spiritual meditation which the doctrine really discloses to our view. May it please God to bless even this scanty first-fruits. The full harvest of truth in this unexplored field of research still remains to be gathered, and will be found to be rich in fruits of hope, and gladness, and spiritual wisdom, that surpass the noblest efforts of human imagination.

THE END.

1. SEELEY, THAMES DITTON, SURREY.

BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

FIRST ELEMENTS OF SACRED PROPHECY, Including an Examination of several recent Expositions, and of the Year-day Theory.

12mo. Price 8s.

FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY,

The Seatonian Prize Poem for 1843.

Price 1s.

WORKS OF THE REV. E. BICKERSTETH:

IN SEVENTEEN VOLUMES.

Each Work may be had separately.

ON THE MEANS OF GRACE, in Eight Vols. £2. 2s. 1. Scripture Help. 18th Edition. 5s. Abridged, 6d. 2. The Christian Hearer. 4th Edition. 5s. Abridged, 6d. 3. Treatise on Prayer. 16th Edition. 5s. Abridged, 6d. 4. The Christian Student. 4th Edition. 7s.

5. Treatise on Baptism. 2nd Edition. 5s. Abridged, 2s. 6. Treatise on the Lord's Supper. 11th Edition. 5s. Abridged, 6d. Companion to the Communion, 2s. 3s.

(The Four Abridgments on the Scriptures, the Hearer, Prayer, and the Lord's Supper, bound together, 2s. 6d.)

7. The Book of Private Devotions. 2nd Edition. 5s.

8. Family Prayers. 2nd Edition. 5s.

ON THE PROPHECIES, in Four Vols. £1.

1. Practical Guide to the Prophecies. 7th Ed. 6s. (in the Press.) 2. Restoration of the Jews to their own land. 6s. 2nd Edition.* 3. Divine Warning. 3rd Edition. 3s.

4. The Promised Glory of the Church. 5s.

ON GENERAL AND PRACTICAL DIVINITY.

In Five Vols. £1.9s.

1. The Christian Fathers. 5s.

2. The Testimony of the Reformers. 6s.+

3. Christian Truth. 3rd Edition. 6s.

4. The Chief Concerns of Man. 5th Edition. 5s.‡

5. Occasional Works. 7s.

Smaller Works not included in the Works above.

Dangers of the Church. 4th Edition, (out of print.)
Dangers of London. 2nd Edition. 6d.

Duty of Communicating the Gospel to our Colonies. 6d.

France-its spiritual necessities. 6d. The Claims of Israel. 3d. Scriptural Guide for Ministers. 6d. Feed my Lambs. 6d. Address to Missionaries going to Africa, Oct. 16, 1843. 6d.

EDITED BY THE REV. E. BICKERSTETH.

The Christian's Family Library. 41 Vols. Christian Psalmody. 2s. The Harmony of the Gospels. 2nd Edition. 5s.

WATTON TRACTS.-1. Why are you so anxious.-2. Conversations on Confirmation.-3. The Gleaners.-4. The Lord's Supper.-5. Cottager's Family Prayers.-6. The Return of Christ. -7. What does the Bible say of the Poor ?-8. The Right of the Poor.-9. Conversations on Baptism.

*The Church's Trials; included in the Restoration of the Jews. The Progress of Popery; included in Testimony of Reformers. Preparedness for the day of Christ; in the Chief Concerns.

Christian Biography

RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY

SEELEY, BURNSIDE AND SEELEY,

A MEMOIR OF

HILMAN ERNST RAUSCHENBUSCH. LATE PASTOR OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH AT ELBERFELD, PRUSSIA.

Translated by the Rev. R.F. WALKER, M.A.
In Foolscap octavo. Price 5s. in cloth.

BIOGRAPHY AND LETTERS OF
FELIX NEFF.

Translated from the German of M. Bost.

With Engravings. In one Vol. Foolscap 8vo. Price 6s. cloth.

LIFE OF BISHOP BEDELL.

By J. H. MONCK MASON, L. L. D.
In one vol. octavo. Price 10s. 6d. in cloth

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. H. VAUGHAN,
Late Vicar of Crickhowell.

In one Volume, crown octavo. Price 7s. in cloth.

A MEMOIR OF MRS. WEST,

Wife of the Rev. J. West, of Chettle, Dorset.

Second Edition. With Vignette. In One Volume, crown octavo. Price 6s, cloth.

FLEET STREET, LONDON.

« PreviousContinue »