mon, can scarcely fail to convince our readers that it is indeed written -to use the author's own impressive words—with “a single eye and a good motive towards God;" and we earnestly unite with him in the hope that "by God's blessing, it may leave," on the minds of all who read it, 66 an indelible impression of THE NECESSITY OF REGENERA

TION BY GOD THE HOLY GHOST."

THE CHILDREN'S MISSIONARY MAGAZINE. London: J. Nisbet and Co., Berner's Street.

This excellent little publication, edited by the Rev. John Montague Randall, assistant curate of Lowestoft, Suffolk, is not only, most deservedly, a favourite with children, but is calculated to interest all readers who wish well to the missionary cause.

In a publication consisting of papers so generally excellent, it is difficult to particularize articles of peculiar merit. We may, however, observe, that among other truly excellent articles, the contributions to this most useful little periodical bearing the signature of the editor, or of the Rev. F. M. Cunningham, are especially interesting. The latter gentleman possesses, in no common degree, the rare art, or rather talent, of writing effectively for children-a talent, which, wherever it exists, communicates to what is written a charm which renders it attractive to readers of all ages. The last number of this little magazine, (August 1844), contains an admirable paper by the Rev. Edward Harston, M. A., rector of St. Stephen's, Ipswich; as well as other articles, which, had we space at command, ought to be particularly mentioned. We must, however, be content with thus bearing our general testimony to the excellence of "THE CHILDREN'S MISSIONARY MAGAZINE,” and with expressing our earnest hope that it may continue to meet with that support which its merits so eminently deserve.

No. X.]

THE

Christian Mother's Magazine.

OCTOBER 1844.

[VOL. I.

THOUGHTS ON THE PREVAILING CORRUPTION OF THE WORD OF GOD,

BY FALSE SYSTEMS OF INTERPRETATION. 2. Corinth., ii., 17.

BY THE LATE DEAN MILNER.

(Continued from page 522.)

N the different ages of the Church of Christ, it has pleased Almighty God, for the trial of the faith of good men, to permit false teachers to exert their cunning devices in various ways; but it has also pleased Him

to raise up, from time to time, learned and holy persons, who were well qualified to stem, by their labours, the overflowings of imposture and delusion. Pernicious doctrines, of various kinds, have been ably and solidly confuted: and evangelical articles of faith have been judiciously compiled for the security of sound Christians, and for the suppression of heretical errors. The history of several religious controversies may certainly be studied, with much advantage, by zealous Christians; but it is their more peculiar and more pressing duty to understand well, and, if ministers, to warn their congregations against the prevailing delusions of the times in which they live. Heresies of old date, which are now dormant, or do not thrive, may, occasionally, for particular purposes, be explained and confuted; but we should never lose sight of THE DEVOURING MISCHIEF OF THE DAY; we should pursue it closely, and check its devastations. Such is that dangerous delusion which is the immediate and proper subject of this essay.

From what has been already stated respecting this delusion, every reader will doubtless have understood the nature of its tendency and

operation; and will have perceived, how well it is calculated, by a plausible semblance of holiness and humility, to undermine the leading truths of the Gospel. Still, however, I may be allowed to doubt, whether all be sufficiently aware of the subtilty of this mischief. We are often in the greatest danger when we imagine ourselves to be perfectly secure; Satan can transform himself into an angel of light; he finds access to the human heart by a thousand devices; but by none does he succeed so frequently and so completely, as by suggesting to the corrupt affections of man, such systems of salvation or acceptance with God, as flatter his natural pride and love of independence. The notion which I have been describing is the prevailing corruption of the times. Let not any persons imagine, that they are free from its infectious influence because they are within the pale of the Church of England. Alas! we may belong to the Church of England, and yet neither understand the doctrines of that Church in speculation, nor be actuated by them in practice; and this being so confessedly common, and being even, by many, made matter of profane boasting, I am neither afraid of giving offence, nor of being confuted, when I advance this melancholy truth. Doubtless, the articles of our excellent establishment are penned with remarkable soundness and accuracy on the very point which we have in hand; as indeed they are, on all the other important truths of the Gospel; but when many of our public teachers, who, on the most solemn occasions, have professed, that they believe those articles, and who, by their profession, are bound to explain and inculcate them, either totally neglect, grossly misrepresent, or indecently oppose them, it cannot reasonably be expected, that their congregations should be either sound in belief, or fruitful in good works. The rank seeds of heresy, take whatever care we can to extirpate them, will, under such circumstances, pullulate afresh; and consequently, if through negligence, we suffer them to over-run the vineyard of Christ, or through unfaithfulness, we promote their growth and culture, we may, without any great pretensions to foresight, predict a plentiful harvest of corrupt doctrine and unchristian practice.

I would wish, then, to be found opposing with all the strength and endowments of which I may be possessed, this CORRUPTION OF RELIGIOUS TRUTH, which, as I think, peculiarly prevails in our own times, and endangers the eternal salvation of thousands. But I shall not be found to be, in fact, thus opposing it, if I use equivocal terms, or evade the main point in dispute; if I state the truth, but not THE WHOLE TRUTH, and so induce my readers to draw false conclusions; and, per

haps, no false conclusion is more dangerous than that which leads men to suppose, that there is, in reality, no substantial and momentous difference on this subject. All other false conclusions imply some sort of opposition or warfare; and so, it may be hoped, that the mental contest will, at last, end well; but this conclusion, namely, that there is no real difference that all opinions are virtually alike-implies peace of mind and self-complacence; and so, will probably end in ignorance, inactivity, or contempt. Most assuredly, there is a fundamental, and not a mere nominal difference between the notions of the corrupter of Christianity whom I am now opposing, and those of the true believer, who "as of sincerity," and "as of God," receives the precious revelation with thankfulness and humility: and I know no better way of making this difference conspicuous and striking, than by bringing the two systems actually into view, and contrasting them with each other. This is, undoubtedly, the way to make these different systems understood; but in order to determine which system is the true one, we must consult the Sacred Oracles themselves.

THE TRUE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER and the mere formalist who corrupts the word of God, are strikingly opposed to each other in every circumstance which constitutes a part of their religious character. Their views of conversion, and of the Christian life; their prospects of death, and their expectations and ideas of eternity, are all in contrast and opposition. The subject is as copious as it is important. The subterfuges of artful corrupters of the word of God are diversified without end, and Christians cannot be too much upon their guard. The space at my command does not permit me to be diffuse; and therefore, omitting every thing extraneous, ornamental, or otherwise unnecessary, I will endeavour, in the sequel of this essay, briefly to suggest such weighty considerations and reflections, as will farther shew the dangerous tendency of this corruption; and as may, by exposing the foundation of the controversy, prove useful both for selfexamination and for caution.

I have already admitted, that the formalist whom we have in view, does not corrupt the moral doctrines of the Bible; because, as I have observed, mankind, in this respect, cannot easily be deceived; it will, however, now, be necessary to shew, that this concession, which was made, merely for the sake of rendering the state of the question less complex, was too liberal; or, at least, that it needs explanation.

If by MORALITY, we understand merely the ordinary duties of prudence in worldly affairs; of temperance and moderation in bodily en

joyments; of bravery in difficulties; and of equity in compacts; then, it will not be denied, that all this is, even by such defective teachers as we have, now, in view, constantly maintained and recommended; and so it was, by the heathens, in their schools and writings; and if to this we add some ineffective dissertations on the conduct of the thoughts and imagination, we shall have completed the scanty summary of the duties inculcated by some modern expositors of Scripture; and shall find it very difficult to distinguish, except in one single point, their unevangelical productions, from the compositions of Cicero, Plato, or Epictetus. That point, however, as they usually lay great stress upon it, and make it as it were, the touch-stone of a Christian sermon or exhortation, it would be unfair to omit. And here, I mean not any other point of morality beyond what has been mentioned; for after much attention to their practice, I am convinced, that, farther than what has been above described, they do not go-but I allude to a MOTIVE of conduct, which they certainly inculcate, as the great and essential peculiarity of the Gospel. This motive consists in the certainty of a resurrection from the dead, and of a day of judgement. Consistently with these principles, and with the sentiments already stated, how would our modern unsound instructor address an untutored Indian or Hottentot, or a person totally ignorant of Christianity? Why thus. "I have," he would say, "some surprising things to tell you. You know, already, that there is one Supreme Author of all things, who made all that we see, out of nothing; at least, if you do not know this, you have not made a proper use of your understanding; but I tell you farther, that, in the first ages of the world, this Great Being revealed Himself to his creatures in many signs and wonders; and gave them certain laws; and promised, that he would, after the lapse of many centuries, send into the world a universal Saviour and instructor of all mankind. The history of the first revelation is mutilated, and therefore obscure and difficult; and contains many things which we cannot comprehend; but, happily, the imperfection, is to us, of no great consequence. This revelation was intended for the Jews: it has answered its end; and we must be cautious in drawing practical conclusions from the history or the precepts which it contains, Life and immortality are now brought to light, in the second revelation, by Jesus Christ. This holy person, is thought by some to have been an emanation of the Deity, or even the Deity himself. I do not contend for the truth of such mysteries, because the salvation of a human being cannot be supposed to depend on abstract speculations;