Mr. Gilson John Crowe Robert Fish Mrs. Mary Morley Daniel Maddock Thomas Elston Jeremiah Gill... Thomas Whittaker Samuel Slater. Samuel Holden.......... Benjamin Coleman. If any of your readers think it expedient to act on this proposal, you are at perfect liberty to give my name, which, for the present, is hidden under the assumed appellation of UNUS FRATRUM. This list might be doubled by referring to Wilson's Dissenting Churches of London. At some future time, I will give you a list of old dissenting biographies, if desirable. I take this opappear portunity of asking if there be a funeral sermon on Mr. Moth, of Basingstoke, or if not, whence it Mr. Middleton procured the materials for Mr. Moth's life in the Biographia Evangelica? Can some one of your readers point out to me any particulars respecting D. Goodrich, who, in 1736, published an octavo pamphlet, entitled, "An Attempt towards rendering of private Christians helpful to their Ministers, and useful in the Religious Societies to which they belong?" ON THE PROBABLE SUCCESS OF PROPHETICAL STUDIES. To the Editors-The suggestions of " a Constant Reader" contained in your last September number, (page 480,) on some of the most remarkable of the prophetic symbols, appear to be deserving of the attention of the Christian world. They have, at least, the recommendation of novelty; a character which is likely to impart to them a temporary value, especially among a certain class of readers, whose intellectual appetites are so vitiated, as to cause them to prefer ingenious theories to the plain words of evangelical truth and Christian soberness. If the views of your correspondent be only substantially correct, he has undoubtedly conferred weighty obligation upon such as are desirous of obtaining an intimate acquaintance with prophetic truths. His success is the more surprising, as he seems to have abandoned the ordinary modes of interpretation, and to have expressed his opinions without much deference to party prejudice, or to established rules. This may remind some modern students of prophecy of the success of the Tyrian, who is recorded to have obtained the object of his desire, he sight of the first rays of the a morning sun, by looking in an opposite direction to that which his competitors were eagerly watching the approach of the rising luminary. In the exposition of his views, your correspondent has adopted so cautious a plan, that he sparcely ventures to quithe precincts of certainty, while he is casting an anxious eye over the boundless prospects of prophetic periods. Like the angel in the Apocalypse, he appears to have placed one foot on the sea, while the other is supported by a more substantial element. It is a fearful enterprise, Gentlemen, to launch into the depths of prophetic mysteries. Analogy, man's surest guide below," is an uncertain helper in such an excursion. The torch of reason is too feeble to be available in so dense an atmosphere as must then be penetrated; and the glare of imagination is an ignis fatuus, which may mislead the unwary, and betray the inexperienced adventurer. Man, then, ignorant and feeble man, is not properly equipped for the successful accomplishment of such an undertaking. There is, moreover, something in the pursuit itself, when undertaken with worldly views, which enervates, and sometimes almost paralyzes, the human mind. Like the enchanted ground of Bunyan, it frequently induces a stupor, which cannot easily be overcome; and which is, in fact, too often fatal to the reputation of those who are exposed to its influence. But I have wandered from my subject. It is not my intention to attempt a critical examination of a Constant Reader's remarks, either with the view of sharing his triumph, if the suffrages of the Christian world should be given in his favour; or for the purpose of refuting such of his views on prophetical subjects, as appear to be vulnerable. On the contrary, if I may be permitted to occupy a small space in your valuable columns, I would solicit the attention of your readers to a more general inquiry; and the question which I propose very briefly to discuss, is this: "What success, upon the whole, is likely to attend any efforts for the complete elucidation of prophetical mysteries, and especially those contained in the Apocalypse?" In reference to this question, Gentlemen, we have a plain scriptural testimony, which, if properly regarded, might abate the ardour of inquiry, and chasten the wildness of speculation, which have been the means of inundating the Christian world with a class of publications that have but a small share of utility to recommend them. It was in answer to an inquiry, prompted, it appears, by officious, or idle curiosity, that our blessed Lord declared to his chosen followers: "It is not for you to know the times nor the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." The reply was humiliating; but the instruction intended to be conveyed was not, surely, confined to those to whom it was immediately addressed. That the language had N. S. NO. 61. a reference to the members of the Christian church throughout every succeeding age, cannot, I presume, be reasonably doubted. That it is to be understood in a limited sense, I readily admit. A reference to the kind and degree of knowledge possessed by the Jews on prophetical subjects, at and prior to the Christian era, may facilitate the object of this inquiry, and show, by comparison, what is to be expected from merely human study in the present day. It appears that the most learned of the Jews, at the period just referred to, entertained ideas respecting the import of many of the Old Testament prophecies, very remote, indeed, from their real meaning. The prophecies refer to Messiah as a king: the Jews expected that he would be born of a distinguished and opulent family; that there would be something wonderful and mysterious in the circumstances of his birth; and that he would assume the ensigns of royalty, when his mission was publicly announced. The scriptures speak of a Deliverer: they anticipated the overthrow of the Roman tyranny, and of every other opposing power, by the exertion of their own valour, under a leader, in whom the successes of Gideon, and the triumphs of Joshua, should be completely eclipsed. Nor does it appear that pious persons, ornaments of the community in which they lived, such as 68 were waiting for the consolation of Israel," had correct, or even definite, notions of the accomplishment of those predictions, which reflected so much honour upon them as a people, and occupied, more or less, the attention of all classes. Simeon was one of this description; but he appears to have received a special intimation of the divine will respecting himself, and not E 66 any extraordinary knowledge respecting the meaning of prophecy from any source. Some of the most distinguished of the " twelve" cherished notions of Christ's mission which conferred upon it a merely secular character, and prove how incapable they were, in circumstances most favourable to the attainment of superior knowledge of divine truths, to make a right application of unfulfilled prophecy. This is very remarkable, as they had opportunities of constant intercourse with him who spake as never man spake," and whose discourses were frequently directed to the specific object of overthrowing national prejudices, and removing erroneous impressions respecting the precise character of the Mosaic and Christian dispensations. There seems, in fact, to have been an unwillingness on the part of the apostles themselves, to abandon their pre-conceived notions on these subjects, a tenacious clinging to the secular system of their own invention, under which they evidently expected to be invested with offices of dignity and trust, and to be placed near the person of their victorious prince. It seems highly probable, that these erroneous notions were not entirely discarded until the disciples were fully qualified for their apostolic office, by the copious effusion of divine influence, and the impartation of heavenly gifts, which took place on the day of Pentecost. Under these impressions respecting some of the most highly favoured of the Jewish nation, we may perhaps advance a step further, and conclude that the prophecies are not to be so unravelled as to remove the veil of mystery completely by any human efforts. The arrangements of Providence in the successive periods of futurity, may be such as to dispel, in a considerable degree, I the clouds which yet obscure the regions of prophecy. A time may arrive, when a greater degree of illumination will be vouchsafed to men in the pursuit of this kind of knowledge than has ever yet been enjoyed. Laborious study and steady perseverance may receive an appropriate reward, in the solution of some mysteries; but the disciple who possesses strong faith and ardent devotion, will probably obtain the clearest vision. It was the sealed book of prophecy respecting which the writer of the Apocalypse makes this most pathetic declaration:“ wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.” It is not to be argued from hence, that prophecy is a useless as well as a sealed book. Such an inference would be quite untenable. "Is prophecy," it may be asked, "adapted to no other purpose, than that of gratifying men's curiosity? Do not the prophetical parts of Scripture, and especially the book of Revelations, convey instruction on many important points, and in a form the most impressive?" The justice and mercy of God, and the moral accountability of man are constantly recognised, and often plainly affirmed. But especially the doctrine of an overruling, uncontrolable Providence, which watches over the saints here, and will reward every one hereafter, according to his works, whether they be good or evil, is discernible throughout. It becomes then an interesting inquiry," What is the duty of the Lord's people, in the present day, when the signs of the times are so ominous, when the practical Atheist is asking, in so many dialects, "Where is the promise of his coming?" and the ardent but injudicious expositor is imprudently employing "the terrors of the Lord" to alarm unbelievers, or to exult over their doom? The reply to such an inquiry, is attended with some difficulty. To prescribe to others the limits of Christian duty on a subject on which the general rules of Scriptures are sufficiently explicit, would be somewhat frivolous. True Christians may, however, be reminded, that they are by no means required to abandon the study of the prophetic parts of the sacred volume, from a fear of sanctioning practices which are calculated to provoke the divine displeasure. To promulgate fanciful theories, and thereby add to the revelation which has been vouchsafed to man, must not be regarded as a part of Christian duty. The humble and devout inquirer, who regards the whole of the written word with that reverence which a consideration of its divine origin should inspire, will probably be most successful in the elucidation of prophetical narrative. To distinguish those prophecies which relate to past events, from those which are yet unfulfilled; or to make personal applications of those parts which relate to the judgments with which the enemies of the true church shall be visited, should not be attempted without the utmost caution, nor without the exercise of genuine meekness and Christian benevolence. "Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan the work in vain," for "these things are hidden from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes." Unquestionably personal improvement may be derived from the study of prophecy, and real religion may be promoted by that exercise. It was in reference to predictions of a highly important, but very mysterious character, that the great Head of the church uttered the exhortation, "Whoso readeth, let him understand." Such language evidently intimates, that the understanding of prophecy, to a certain extent, is not unattainable; and, if additional motives be required to recommend this important study, they may be found in the language of a prophetical book, which at once recommends the employment as a devout and holy exercise, and denounces the severest judgments against those who have the temerity to make a wilful, and perhaps we may add, a thoughtless misapplication of its inspired enigmas. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand.” J. B. L. POETRY. "HOW MUCH OWEST THOU, MY LORD ?” WHERE are the tears we owe to thee? The love, the gratitude, the zeal, For all thy weight of agony, Our pardon's price, our heaven's seal? Peace from thy sorrow, life from death, Light from thy darkness we obtain ; Forgiving, with thy dying breath, Blessing, when thou didst rise again. Homerton. Peace was thy salutation, breath'd When rising through the parting sky. |