Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

THENEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 66960

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. 1897.

PREFACE.

ON reviewing their labours at the close of another Volume of the Magazine, the Conductors devoutly and gratefully acknowledge the Divine Goodness which has been manifested" from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year."

The recent accession of some of their brethren, highly distinguished for talents and usefulness, as contributors to the work, has greatly strengthened the hands of the Editors.

It is a subject for mutual congratulation, between the Proprietors and the Supporters of the work, that, from its sale, the Funds for assisting our Widows are unimpaired; while the harmony of its Managers and Editors have been uninterrupted.

Respecting the peculiar tenets of the Denomination, while the Editors had no reason to expect they would not, or even to wish they might not, be scrutinized, yet they had concluded, that empty declamation and scurrility would have been no more employed. That those who conduct a publication, professing loudly to respect the "congregational order" of our churches, should have displayed greater hostility and virulence than most of their predecessors, is a cause, if not of surprise, yet of regret. The Congregationalists of the Baptist Denomination are called upon to discountenance such illiberality; and we should expect the "confessed Baptists," also, who "belong to the Independent Churches:"-unless they can tamely submit to the charges of being "great gossips," and "great zealots;" as those who interrupt their harmony, and destroy their peace, will evince. a dignified and Christian disapprobation.*

* See the Congregational Magazine for October; Article, "Review of Rev. F'. A. Cox's Work on Baptism."

The Editors have thought it right, during this year, to admit papers on a controverted subject, relating to their own denomination; viz. "Whether baptism be or be not a term of communion at the Lord's table?"-They are aware of the delicacy which is required in regard to this dispute, and must claim the confidence of their brethren as to what shall be printed, and as to the extent to which the controversy shall be carried. They feel persuaded that all their readers would have regretted, had not two admirable letters, from brethren differing in opinion, been published in answer to taunts and inuendoes that have recently appeared in a monthly dissenting Review; which, from the first of its establishment, has been indebted chiefly to the able support and liberal encouragement of persons belonging to our Denomination. While the spirit manifested in the letters, referred to, is maintained and preserved, there will be no danger that any disruption of the Denomination will be occasioned:-for, though there may be a difference in sentiment, yet the most cordial interchange of kind and friendly offices, it is hoped, will be continued, and the associations of our churches remain undisturbed.

The Editors earnestly request Ministers, and others of reputation in the Denomination, to employ their influence to promote the increased circulation of the Magazine: if some active person in each of our churches, would undertake to make its objects generally known, its sale, though considerable, might be greatly extended.

That the Divine blessing may descend in copious showers to water and fructify every hill of Mount Zion, and to make the places round about it a blessing; and that the Magazine may be rendered an eminent mean for promoting evangelical and correct principles among our Churches, is the ardent and sincere prayer of

Dec. 1, 1824.

THE EDITORS.

See the Eclectic Review for Sept. 1824; Article, "Mr. Hinton's Portraiture."

[ocr errors]

THE

Baptist Magazine.

JANUARY, 1824.

ON THE EPISTLES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.

supposed to prevail, or to stir them up to a zealous co-operation in the service of religion. Many

AT the beginning of another of those periods which the revolution of the earth round the sun, the centre of our system, has proof these bear the impress of Antiduced, it will be a suitable employment both for individuals and churches to adore the divine mercy, and again "this day to consecrate ourselves to the service of the Lord.”

[ocr errors]

Alas! to how many is the description of the barren figtree" applicable; nor is there any christian, nor any church, whose existence has been preserved through "another year," but is indebted to the loving and powerful intercession of the Son of God; the Advocate with the Father, "Jesus Christ the righteous."

The subjects which the "Seven Churches" of Asia will bring before us, will, it is hoped, become a holy incentive to those who believe in the name of the Lord Jesus throughout the com ing year, to "bring forth fruit to the glory and praise of God."

IN looking over the records of Ecclesiastical History, we meet with letters addressed to the churches, emanating from bodies of the clergy, when assembled in Councils, Convocations, Synods, and Associations, and designed to correct the errors which were

VOL. XVI.

christ, and, both in their spirit and tendency, oppose the laws and interests of that kingdom which is not of this world, some of them relating to subjects of the most trifling, and not unfrequently of the most ludicrous import, and not a few being totally destitute of the wisdom that cometh down from above, which is first pure, and then peaceable, &c. while they are full of that which cometh from beneath, being earthly, sensual, &c.

To adopt the decisions of any of these as authority, and to unite them with the directions of the scriptures, as the established Church of England has done, would indeed be to seek counsel at a very uncertain oracle, it be ing well known how those Councils were collected, and that the will of the reigning prince, rather than the deliberative wisdom of the clergy, decided the controverted questions. Indeed, so litthe dependence can be placed upon even the truth of church history, after the close of the inspired volume, that no person, who wishes to ascertain what the will of the Lord is" respecting matters of faith and worship,'

B

It is generally thought that the appearance of our Lord Jesus to John, when in the Isle of Patmos, was about the year 96; consequently it proves the abiding compassion of the Saviour's heart towards his churches. He had twice appeared since his ascension to glory before this; at the time when Stephen fell a martyr to his cause, and when Paul was commissioned to carry the gospel

these churches required, from the many corruptions that had crept into them, the correcting voice of Him who speaketh from heaven, all inferior considerations, it may be supposed, having lost their influence over them. When it is considered that scarcely more than half a century had passed

would rest satisfied with any authority but that which has the stamp of the divine seal, and the imprimatur of the Saviour's hand. Such are the infallible marks and evidences by which the Epistles to the Seven Churches of Asia are attested and confirmed. It is HE that speaks, whose voice was "as the sound of many waters," in whose " right hand were the seven stars," the angels of the seven churches; "out of to the Gentiles. Nor was this whose mouth went a sharp two-occasion of less importance, as edged sword," the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; and who, as the great High-priest of our profession, "walked in the midst of the seven candlesticks," the "seven churches." In Epistles like these we may be sure to find sentiments of eternal truth, enforced by arguments dictated by heavenly love, whe-away since the day of Pentecost, ther designed for reproof or encouragement, for correction or instruction. These are indeed, the thoughts that breathe, and the words that burn; sentiments the most sublime, language the most eloquent, dictated by motives of divine purity, having in view the spiritual welfare alone of the churches, and the promotion of the glory of God. The character of the Lord Jesus, as the only Head of the church, was sufficient authority for demanding the attention of those who were addressed. The affection of the beloved apostle John, who was the amanuensis on the occasion, ought to have secured their regard; but, as if these would not be properly considered, we find the imperative injunction superadded by Him who hath all power in heaven and in earth; "HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHES."

when a church was formed at Jerusalem, as a perfect model or pattern of all others in all succeeding times, it is deeply affecting that such sentiments and practices had so early gained a footing among them, and, even while an inspired messenger was still living, who had the rod of apostolical authority for correcting their aberrations from the simplicity of Christ.

There can be no doubt that these churches were formed upon the congregational plan of discipline; and that the pastor of each, who is called "the angel," or messenger, was a resident preaching minister, and the president of the congregation. Upon any other principle there is no propriety in the letters being addressed to him, as, without his having been a minister, who was

[ocr errors]

one of them," he could not have been implicated in the faults which are condemned; and if he had not been the president, he

« AnteriorContinuar »