The first prerequisite which is required in order to derive benefit from the preached word is, to understand it. The understanding is the leading faculty of the soul. Unless this be duly informed, no other operation of the mind can be under a correct influence. The will, the memory, the conscience, the affections, and the temper, are all moved by it. As every visible external object affects us by the eye, and without a clear vision, all the scenes of beauty and grandeur in the works of God, will produce no correct impression upon us: so if the intellectual part of man be blinded, or perverted, or misin formed, every other power of the mind will be liable to an improper bias. No doctrine of the Bible can affect us, unless it be in a measure understood. Truths, which are of the highest importance, which are ennobling and exciting, and consoling, will be addressed to us without effect, unless they are known and apprehended. Truths, which fill believers with joy unspeakable, and full of glory, which draw forth the hallelujahs and adorations of angels in heaven; and make guilty spirits in hell tremble, will, amidst the most impressive statements, be sit before mankind in vain, if they are not known, and realized, and have place in the human mind. Hence it is that so many persons sit under a faithful minister year after year without effect. They understand not the statements which are made in their hearing. It is not meant to be affirmed that this is the only obstacle to men's profiting by the word. It may be understood and yet hated; the truth may be impri soned in unrighteousness. But it is one reason why so many receive no spiritual benefit from the gospel of God. Thus our great Master in his parable of the sower explains the case of those who received the seed by the way side, "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he that receiveth seed by the way side." Satan, that subtle and malicious foe of man, uses all his artifice to prevent our understanding the word, lest we should believe it, and obtain salvation. It is therefore necessary that we use every caution to counteract his endeavours. That we set our hearts to the things which are delivered to us; recollecting it is no vain thing, but our life is contained in it. We need not, therefore, wonder that so much stress is laid on this subject in the scriptures. When Christ had been delivering his parables to the multitude, he thus addressed his immediate disciples: "Have ye understood all these things?" So when Philip accosted the Ethiopian eunuch it was in the following way: "Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him." Thus when Christ on his way to Emmaus, had been conversing with his friends, whose minds were dark, and perplexed, and full of unbelief, he thus addressed them: "O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: and beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Thus they describe the effect of those instructions: “Did he talked with us by the way, and not our heart burn within us while pel ministry, do not in any due manner understand the truths which are continually set before them. This is not the case only with the unconverted; but many of whom we hope well are like the Hebrews, "dull of hearing;" they know but little of what is delivered; and are thus deprived of many of the sanctifying and consolating effects which attend a deep and intimate acquaintance with divine truth. We are therefore naturally led to inquire into the reason of this. Is there not a cause? While so many Christians acquire such an eminence in spiritual understanding, how is it that multitudes seem never to increase in the knowledge of God? It is no valid objection to these statements, that the gospel only becomes effectual to the salvation of men, by its being applied to the heart by the powerful agency of the Holy Spirit of God. We admit the important truth. But we derive from it a confirmation of the topic before us. For how does this blessed agent effect the mighty work? not certainly by presenting to us truths which are not contained in the word; but by enabling us to understand those which are read or heard. It is not by the revelation of a new gospel, but by the application of the old gospel, that we become new creatures in Christ Jesus, and grow and thrive in piety. The same truths convert the heart now, which operated on the three thousand on the day of Pentecost, and the multitude in the apostolic age. The same views of the holiness of God, of the spirituality of the divine law, of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, of the invisible glories, or terrors of another world, are as effectual now in all those who believe, as they were when Paul preached them in Philippi, Thessalonica, or Rome. Whenever this divine and holy Being awakens the dead in sin, to a new and spiritual life, he orders the attention, and fixes the mind, on the great topics of the holy word; enables us to understand their meaning, and brings them home to our own case and condition. So that the very nature of his work implies the importance of understanding the word of God, and of using those efforts which tend to produce this desirable end. It is, however, to be feared, that many who are favoured with a gos Now it is not improbable that there are three sources of this deficiency. 1. The first arises from the nature of the truths which are contained in the word of God. We all know that the gospel contains many truths which are plain and easy; and others which are deep and obscure. It has its rudiments, or first principles, which stand at the head of the instructions that are delivered; and it has its more recondite and secret mysteries that are hid in the volume. Like Ezekiel's river, it is ancle deep, and knee deep, till at length it swells into an immense water, which "could not be passed over." has depths in it where an elephant may swim, and shallows in which a lamb may wade. Now the ministers of the gospel have to unfold to you the whole counsel of God. And while they will dwell much on those things which are plain and obvious, they will feel it requisite occasionally to set before you the deep things of God. Though it be fit to dwell much on the first principle of the doctrines of Christ, they will not stop here, but will lead you onward to perfection. He must not only prepare milk for babes, but It strong meat for those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Now it will necessarily result from this, that those of our hearers who pay but little attention to the divine word, will only be able to comprehend the most obvious doctrines which are set before them. When we advance beyond the alphabet of the Christian system, they will find themselves unable to follow us, and will often complain of our intricacies and dryness when delivering topics which have been laboured with extraordinary care, and cost us much assiduous persevering diligence to bring before the people. If hearers, who are the most attentive, and devout, and reflecting, find that many of the topics which are set before them are a mighty deep; is it any wonder that many are but little instructed by the things new and old which we bring from the treasury of God's holy word? 2. The second source of the small degree of understanding in the divine word which is so lamentably prevalent, may arise from the deficiencies of the ministers of that word. There is a close connection between the teacher and those that are taught. If the tutor be dull of understanding, so will be his pupils. If he be able to communicate but little, they will receive but little. We have reason to take to ourselves a portion of the guilt our hearers contract, in profiting so little under the means of grace. We speak not of those graceless ministers who are blind guides, leading the blind, both of whom will fall into the ditch; but of those who are good stewards, and faithful ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ. How few possess that union of talent which is requisite to command, and reward attention. How seldom do we see embodied in those who proclaim the truth, a vigorous understanding, a discriminating judgment, a capacious memory, deep feeling, and imposing statements. How often are we sluggish in our preparations in the study, and come not before you with that preceding labour and care which is desirable when we have topics of such infinite moment to set before you. And, if we have exerted all requisite preparatory di ligence, how frequently is it marred and spoiled by the frame of our mind in delivering it. A sermon carefully studied is a different thing before an audience, according to the feelings of the speaker in preaching it. We are often assailed with doubts, fears, trials, perplexities, and discouragements, which you little think of. Whatever be our feelings, whether of joy or sorrow, we must be at our regular post of labour. When at a prayer-meeting the brethren address God on behalf of each other, if they feel a high' degree of indisposedness to the work they can decline the invitation given them. Such is not our case. Here we must be. Here we must go through the allotted services. We do not complain of this. It is inseparable from the work in which we are engaged. But we, on this account bespeak your candour, amidst our visible deficiencies, and beg your prayers on our behalf, that we may speak as we ought to speak that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified. 3. The last reason we assign is, the sluggishness of those who hear the Gospel. Much, doubtless, may be attributed to the previous cause, but it cannot all be placed here. The best, the wisest, the most diligent tutor cannot advance his pupil in wisdom and knowledge, except there be diligence in the pupil himself. The clearest rudiments, the most eloquent dissertations, will in vain be set before him who refuses to lend a listening ear, or to trea sure up the instruction he receives the God of Heaven, who says, "If in his memory. The effect pro- any man hath an ear to hear, let him duced will be very similar to that of hear."-" We ought to give the him who plays music to the deaf, or more attentive heed to the things presents scenes of beauty and gran- which are spoken, lest at any time deur before the blind. Now it is we should let them slip." Before we too evident that many who hear the enter the house of God, let us seek gospel are of this stamp. They are that preparedness of heart, by redescribed by Christ as those who flection and prayer, which is requihaving eyes, see not, and having site to dispose us to listen with seriears, hear not, neither do they un- ousness and holy fear. While we derstand. They approach the house are there, let us remember that we of God without any fixed end in are in the presence of God; that view; they seek not that Divine il- we are engaged in the business of lumination which is requisite to ena- our salvation. Let us hear as for ble them to receive the truth in the eternity; as though we had a crown love of it; they fix not their minds of inestimable value to win or to attentively to what is spoken while lose. On leaving it, let us retire in the act of hearing; their hearts and ponder over the word. Let us are engaged on any topic rather than treasure it up in our hearts as a prewhat is set before them, wandering, servative from sin, as a source of like the fool's eye, to the end of the continual comfort and joy. So shall earth; seldom or never returning to our improvement in religion bear a reflect on what has occupied others. proportion to the means with which Is it any wonder they do not under- we are favoured. So shall we prostand?-that they are so deficient in ceed in the ways of the Lord, till their knowledge of subjects of un- we arrive at that world where no utterable importance-that after so darkness shall obscure the undermany years of instruction, they are standing, nor perverseness dominot able to advance beyond the first neer over the affections; where we principles of the doctrine of Christ? shall see every object clearly in the It is a most deplorable fact. To light of God, and be completely see topics of the most important changed into his image, from glory nature thrown by, as unworthy of to glory. serious reflection the greatest blessings slighted as beneath our regard-truths which were issued by God himself to man, either in the thunder and lightning of Sinai, or amidst the melting groans of Calvary, are yet derided and set at naught. Thus to despise our own mercies, to deprive ourselves of spiritual profit, to neglect the realities of eternity, out of a regard to the trifles of time, is what should humble us before God, and call forth that penitential sorrow and holy resolution which is requisite in order to obtain forgiveness for the past, and amendment for the future. Let us then regard the advice of may be justly applied, that "What is every body's business, is nobody's." To an enemy it might justify the conclusion, that Dissenters wished this grievance might be continued, in order that they might have something to lament, and of which to complain. As the Baptists are perhaps in a worse condition, respecting this important subject, than any other class of Protestant Dissenters; it would well become them, if, instead of waiting till an example be set, they themselves would take the lead. This may also be urged on another ground, viz. the danger (and the circumstance has, I believe, actually taken place) that some Baptists may even act so inconsistently with their sentiments, as to have their children christened at the church, rather than hazard the loss of property, which, as parents, they must wish them to possess; and on that account adopt the jesuistical maxim, "that the end justifies the means." Permit me, Sir, to trespass a little, whilst I shortly advert, 1st, To the law on the subject, particularly as it relates to the Baptists; and, 2ndly, Propose, what I consider the proper means to be adopted for removing this grievance. In this letter I shall confine myself to the first proposition; and if it have no other effect than exciting others to consider the subject, I shall think that your pages, and my time, have not been misapplied. 1st. To the law on the subject. The manner in which the births of the children of Baptists are registered, is either by entering them in a book kept in the meeting-house for that purpose, or at Dr. Williams's library. Now the law requires in every case, that to prove any fact the best evidence which can be produced, shall be given. In the case of the registers of Baptisms according to the form of the Church of England, the law, for public convenience, dispenses with the production of the original Registers, and allows copies to be made, which verified as such, are received. These copies are considered to evidence the fact of births without any further proof being required. With the Baptists, births only are registered, but these registers are considered, not as proving directly the fact, but as auxiliary to other evidence more satisfactory. They are looked upon merely in the light of private memorandums, and are not in themselves, as is the case with those of the church, positive evidence. Besides, how often must it happen, that Dissenting ministers keep their registers very irregularly, inasmuch as there is no check upon them to act otherwise; but the clergyman is liable for any mistake he may commit. Baptisms are also likely to be more uniformly registered as they take place publicly, but children of Baptists are most frequently named privately; and if registered at all, (which I fear is oftentimes omitted,) not till some time afterwards. These inconveniences amongst others being felt, I imagine suggested the appointment of Dr. Williams's library as a public regis. try, But births registered here have been decided both by the Master of the Rolls and the Vice-Chancellor, as inadmissible to prove the fact of the birth, inasmuch as it is a mere private record, unknown and unsanctioned by the law. Besides, if this subject be examined a little attentively, it will be clearly seen, that this cannot be the best evidence. The following is the plan pursued.Two certificates of the birth of the child are signed by those present on the occasion, which are sent to the Registrar. A copy is entered in his book, and one of the certificates is filed, the duplicate returned to the parents. Now when a copy of this Register is produced verified as A |