with invitioatns to the wicked to turn to God. In the parable of the marriage feast, when those who were bidden, refused to come, the servants were sent to the streets and lanes of the city, to bring in the poor and the maimed, the halt and the blind, still there was room, and the servant was sent to the highways and hedges, to compel them to come in, Luke xiv. 23; which assuredly implies the most earnest and pressing invitations. In the synagogue at Antioch, after proclaiming salvation by faith in Jesus, the apostle concludes, beware therefore lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets, behold ye despisers and wonder and perish, for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you: Acts xiii. 40, 41. And again, he said to those who opposed themselves and plasphemed, your blood be upon your own heads: Acts xviii. 6. It may be asked if the absolute sovereignty of God in the bestowment of salvation be admitted, how can man be exhorted and commanded to do what divine power alone can effect? This objection is brought forward for different purposes. Arminians dwell on it to establish the doctrine of free will, and man's ability to believe the gospel. Others allege, that since man in his natural state cannot believe, it is improper to exhort him to do so. But we have seen that all men are commanded everywhere to repent, that many are called but few chosen, that the apostles did not hesitate to call upon their hearers to believe in the Lord Jesus,-that in the morning they sowed their seed, and in the evening withheld not their hand, not knowing which should prosper, whether this or that, but looked to God to give the increase. They did not merely preach in the hearing of men, but by manifestation of the truth commended themselves to every man's conscience. They not only said that all have sinned, but thou art the man-the lost and ruined rebel-but there is forgiveness with God that he may be feared. "Turn ye, turn ye! why will you die?” “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." "The Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst, come and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely:" Rev. xxii. 17. No invitation can be more unlimited,--not only do the Spirit and the bride say come, but he that heareth is exhorted to join in the cry, and all are invited to take the water of life freely. The gospel tells no man he shall be saved, but invites all who hear it to come to Christ. If we desire apostolic success we must employ apostolic means, not merely preaching before men but directly ad dressing them. It is too evident that many preachers, both of the Baptist and Independent denominations, in a great measure, lose sight of the sovereignty of God in saving some and not others. They do not deny this doctrine, but seem to think that it ought to be kept out of view, that it is dangerous; and although they admit it was held by the apostles, they allege that it was a doctrine which ought not to be declared to the unconverted; and yet we find that the Lord, in a discourse to a congregation, the greater part of which were unbelievers, repeatedly declaring that no man can come to him except the Father draw him, John vi. 44; again, no man can come to me except it were given to him of my Father, John vi. 65; besides declaring again and again the necessity of divine teaching: John vi. 45. To the same purpose he thanks his Father that he had hid these things from the wise and prudent, and had revealed them to babes," Luke x. 21; at the same time referring all to his sovereign power.* I trust you, Sirs, will continue boldly and successfully at once to maintain the divine sovereignty in the salvation of sinners, and to resist the denial of the duty of calling sinners to repentance. I am, Sir, yours, &c. L. [WE have received so many articles on the above, and the controversy being likely to extend to a length which would carry us through the whole year, if the various points it embraces are taken up, that we feel obliged to bring the discussion to a close, having so many demands on our pages.-Eds.] • It is observable, that on no other occasion do we find the man of sorrows "rejoicing in spirit." 14 Obituary. MEMOIR OF MRS. JOHN STOCK. THE subject of the following brief notice was born at Spalding, in Lincolnshire, on April 15, 1822. From her childhood she was carefully instructed in the religion of Jesus: nor were her anxious parents left without early evidence, that their labors for her soul's benefit were effectual. While yet very young she appears to have exhibited great tenderness of conscience, combined with a meek and quiet spirit." Indeed, so early and gradual was the work of grace upon her soul, that she could never refer to a very particular period, at which she was conscious of its actual commencement. This, in after years, often occasioned her considerable uneasiness; yet all who witnessed the loveliness of her character, the devotedness of her spirit, and the blamelessness of her life, were compelled to admire the grace of God in her. confidence. The delicate state of her health precluded her, however, from engaging so fully as she desired, in laborious efforts for the good of the cause; yet to the extent of her physical capabilities, she was ever ready to serve the church of God. This In May, 1848, her husband was removed, by divine providence, to Salendine Nook, Huddersfield, and was accompanied to that important sphere of usefulness, by his beloved companion. But, alas! the fearful malady, the seeds of which had been sown in her delicate frame many years previously, there developed itself with affecting rapidity; so much so, that after living among her new friends sufficiently long to obtain a high place in their esteem, it was found necessary to remove her to the more genial air of the south. placed her in a position peculiarly painful, inasmuch as she was unavoidably separated from her husband during a great portion of her last illness. Nevertheless, she never murmured, but quietly submitted to what was manifestly the will of God. Had there been the slightest hope of her recovery, her husThe Creator had endowed her with band would have resigned his charge an attractive person, and this combined in the north, and sought a sphere of with the sweetness of her disposition, labor in a milder region: but, as the and the accomplishments which she highest medical authority asserted that possessed, gained her many admirers; it was utterly vain to indulge in any so that before she had reached the age such hopes, he felt it his duty to retain of nineteen she had received several his existing pastoral connection. Howoffers of marriage, all of which, however, through the kindness of his flock, ever, she declined. It was the privilege of the writer to win her young affections, and afterwards to call her his wife; and devoutly would he thank the Father of mercies for the benefit which he derived from his seven years association with her in the matrimonial rela-structor to the wife of his youth, during tionship. She enjoyed the benefit of a thorough and liberal education, which in the position that she afterwards occupied, as a minister's wife, she turned to the best account. Miss Harrison's union to the object of her choice, was solemnized at the Independent chapel, Chelmsford, on the 12th Oct. 1842. Her husband had at that time been recently ordained pastor of the Baptist church, meeting in Zion chapel, Chatham. Among that people Mrs. Stock labored for nearly six years, and gained their universal affection and he was permitted frequently to visit the dear sufferer, and to spend the last month of her sojourn on earth in her society. And gratefully would he adore the divine goodness, which permitted him thus to perform the part of a spiritual in her conflict with sickness and death. His mind, too, was relieved of much anxiety during his weeks of separation from his suffering companion, inasmuch as he knew, that she was sheltered beneath the roof of her affectionate parents, whose attention to her comfort was tender and unremitting. At the commencement of her last illness, Mrs. Stock was deeply and painfully exer cised in her mind; she often mourned, recorded the following:- I can now over the opportunities of doing good give everything up that I may but be which she had neglected, and was but with Jesus." "I am not afraid of little comforted, when reminded that eternity." I shall soon eat of the fruit her delicate health had not permitted to of the heavenly Canaan." "I know he her greater activity. She was over- is able to keep that which I have comwhelmed with her perceptions of the mitted to him against that day." "I divine purity, and once said, "I am long to be gone " and then bursting about to appear before a Being of such into tears, yet I hope I am not iminfinite knowledge, that I fear he will patient." "That text, my times are find in me sins which I have over-in thy hand,' is very precious." "" "All looked, and failed to mortify; and he my hope centres in my Saviour." hates sin with such an unutterable intensity, that he cannot fail to reject the subject of one unmortified transgression." This state of mental distress continued for several weeks, but prayer was made to God on her behalf without ceasing, by her pious relatives, and by the church at Salendine Nook, and graciously did the Lord hear and answer these petitions. Saturday, Oct. 20, was the most painful day which the invalid had yet passed, as to her physical sensations, but it was memorable as the period of her release from her spiritual darkness and depression. She felt that the blood of Jesus could and would cleanse her from her sins, and again rejoiced in hope of the glory of God. She expressed a wish at the close of this Saturday, that the next day (the Sabbath) might be spent by her with Jesus. From this time her peace was never disturbed, but continued to flow as a river until her last sigh was heaved. Many were the solemn charges which she gave to her beloved relatives, and to the servants in her father's family; and precious indeed were the encouragements which she addressed to her weeping friends. So perfect was the tranquility of her spirit, that she gave directions with regard to arrangements to be made subsequently to her death, without the least repugnance. The surrender which she made of herself, and of all her beloved relatives, not excepting her only living child, to the care of God, was unreserved and cheerful. 66 On Monday morning, Nov. 5th, a change took place in the sensations of the patient, and in the aspect of her countenance, which plainly indicated that the mortal struggle was soon to terminate. The king of terrors stood brandishing his dart at the bed side of the sufferer, prepared to strike the fatal blow, yet the happy saint could look upon the fearful weapon without alarm, for on it she discovered the stains of Immanuel's blood. From one until two o'clock of this day, her dying pains were great. When they were at their height, she exclaimed, "This is hard work;" but immediately added, "yet it is nothing to what my Saviour endured for me." At two o'clock, her agonies abated, and from that time, she suffered but little. When speech had nearly failed, she fixed her piercing gaze upon the domestic who was in the room, and with difficulty, exclaimed, "Sarah ;" but could not say more. Again she tried to speak, and with great difficulty, uttered this weighty and comprehensive charge, "Sarah, meet me in heaven!" She then kissed her beloved husband, and all her other relatives who were in that solemn chamber, and bade them "adieu" with an imperturbable serenity. On being asked some few minutes after, if she still found her Lord with her, she could only faintly articulate, "Yes." At five minutes to three o'clock, her happy spirit took its departure to the Saviour so gently, that for some moments her attendants were unaware of the fact. Thus she died as she had lived, in "perfect peace." Those beautiful hymns commencing, Rock of ages, cleft for me;" and "Jesus, lover of my soul;" and espe- Her remains were interred on Sacially, "To Jesus the crown of my turday, the 10th of November, in the hope," were often read to her, and frag-vault in front of Zion Chapel, Chatham, ments of them quoted by her. in the presence of a large assembly of Among her dying sayings may be weeping friends. Of Mrs. Stock's character, the writer | deviated. Happy would it have been will not attempt any elaborate descrip- for some ministers of Jesus, if their tion. Her excellencies were too well companions had practically carried out known to those who had the privilege the same determination. of enjoying her friendship, to render such details necessary for their information, and it is for them principally, that this memoir is composed. The writer cannot forbear stating, however, that during the ten years of his acquaintance with the dear deceased, he never once saw her betrayed into a passion, or even into feelings bordering upon such a state; and yet he has often seen her brought into circumstances which were peculiarly trying. Would that all ministers and ministers' wives more closely resembled her in this particular! May the writer be permitted to add another statement? Mrs. Stock never brought her husband, or any other individual into trouble, by an imprudent use of her tongue. She knew when to be silent. And should this memoir be read by a youthful minister of the cross, who is looking round him for a suitable companion, let him take this friendly caution:-Above all things, beware of uniting yourself to a gossip, for be sure such a wife would utterly ruin your usefulness. But we must not further enlarge; but will close this brief notice, by ascribing to the grace of God all the honor of the excellencies of the departed, and by exhorting our readers to be followers of them, who now "through faith and patience inherit the promises." JOHN STOCK. Salendine Nook. Letters. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. and a careful exclusion of all those sub To the Editors of the Primitive Church lime and glorious Scriptures which so Magazine. DEAR SIRS,-Having a near relative, who many years since was a fellowmember with me of a Strict Baptist church, professing Trinitarian principles, and the doctrines of distinguishing grace, but has recently embraced Unitarian sentiments, I have had several very painful discussions with him, on the most important and essential doctrine of the Trinity; which, though above our comprehension, is nevertheless emphatically revealed in the Scriptures of truth. These fatal sentiments were embraced on hearing only one Unitarian sermon, delivered, of course, with much plausibility and human reasoning; and the texts adduced for their support, being a cautious selection of those passages which refer more particularly to the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, fully exemplify his absolute Godhead, and his co-equality with the Father. As there is reason to fear that this is not an isolated instance, of persons who are not well-established in the truth, being drawn aside by these plausible, but pernicious errors, it has been much impressed on my mind, that it would be, under the divine blessing, a very important and beneficial work if some of your able correspondents would take up this most solemn subject, including the Persons, work, offices, and characters of the Triune Jehovah, as revealed in the Scriptures; but particularly the Person, offices, characters, and Sonship of our adorable Saviour, as GOD and MAN. Sound and consistent views of truth are most desirable on every subject revealed in the Scriptures; but any sentiment affecting the Godhead of our gracious Redeemer, and thereby, so far as that sentiment is really received, one thing, that one day is with the rendering our salvation an impossibility, Lord as a thousand years, and a thouis a subject so important, and so vastly sand years as one day. The Lord is solemn, that no pains should be thought not slack concerning his promise, as too great to arrive at the meaning of some men count slackness," (see ver. the Holy Spirit, in the Scriptures, on 4-7,) "but is long-suffering to us-ward, this most essential doctrine. not willing that any should perish," &c. The distinguished apostle Paul says, Should there not be the following words "Great is the mystery of godliness, added:-But is long suffering to usGod manifest in the flesh;" and if the ward, not willing that any (OF US) subject was to him a mystery, how vain should perish; but that all (or us) would it be in us to attempt at compre- should come to repentance? hending it. Nevertheless, we may adopt the language of Dr. Watts, viz.: "Where reason fails with all her powers, There faith prevails, and love adores." I am aware of the threatening denounced against those who add to God's words: Rev. xxii. 18; therefore I feel the more anxious to be sure whether I Trusting these few remarks may in-am warranted in reading the verse as I duce some able correspondent to favor have marked it above. A TRINITARIAN. us with the testimony of Scripture on As it now stands in our version, it this important doctrine, whereby the does not appear to me to correspond minds of many readers may be enlight- with the revealed will of God; for if it ened and established therein, I remain be not according to his will that any of yours in christian affection, the family of Adam should perish, I cannot reconcile the fact of the greater part of mankind going to hell. "For who hath resisted his will?" Rom. ix. 19. "None is able to withstand thee:" 2 Chron. xx. 6. "Behold he taketh away, who can hinder him?" Job. ix. 12. "He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inha Dec. 8, 1849. [We unite with "A Trinitarian," in inviting our correspondents to take up the above subject. A well written paper would be very acceptable.-EDS.] DOES GOD WILL THE SALVATION OF bitants of the earth; and none can stay ALL MEN? his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" Dan. iv. 35. MY DEAR BRETHREN,- Knowing If it be not the will of God that any that the Primitive Church Magazine is person should perish, on what principle the channel to convey truth, I have can I account for any dying unprepared ventured to send the following scrip- for heaven? God said, "My counsel ture, with a request that some of your shall stand, and I will do all my pleaable Greek correspondents will please to sure." Surely no person can go to hell, offer their opinions upon it, and inform if it be the will of God that he should us if it reads precisely the same in the not perish. If God resolved to take him original, as in our English version? to heaven, how can any act of man pre2 Pet. iii. 9: "The Lord is not slack vent God doing his pleasure? concerning his promise, as some men But I forbear, as I wish to see what count slackness; but is long-suffering other Christians will say upon the mysto us-ward, not willing that any should terious subject. And I earnestly hope perish; but that all should come to the good Spirit of God will induce repentance." several of his servants to study well the This scripture is often mentioned, both subject, and enable them to speak or in preaching and writing, by the advo-write for the glory of God the Father, cates of universal redemption; yea, some- Son, and Holy Spirit. times by Calvinistic preachers, when addressing the unconverted. But it does not appear to me that the apostle is addressing the unconverted in the said verse. His address is to the church. "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this CARYLE. VOL. VII.-NO. LXXIII. ENQUIRER AFTER TRUTH. "THE man who would learn only of himself, has but a fool for his teacher." C |