114

REVIEW.

Pastoral Memorials; selected from the rouse the sinner, and to inform the Manuscripts of the late Rev. John Ry-mind, improve the heart, and stimulate land, D.D. of Bristol, with a Memoir of the Author, a Portrait, and a Facsimile of one of his Sermons. Two vols. 21s. Holdsworth. Vol. 2. 11s.

THE first volume of these Memorials has been already noticed. It contained eighty-six sketches of Sermons, on passages selected from the Old and New Testaments, in the popular order of the books, down to the Acts of the Apostles. The present volume consists, in part, of similar sketches, through the Epistles, to the close of the inspired writings, completing the number of one hundred and fifty. Besides these, we are presented with some interesting essays, and a few pleasing specimens of the Doctor's poetry, most of which have not been previously printed. To this volume also, though properly belonging to the first, is prefixed a brief Memoir, by our friend Mr. J. E. Ryland, of Millhill. The transposition of this by the binder, at some future period, will equal

ize the volumes.

the progress of the Christian towards a heavenly futurity. We had marked several for especial commendation; but we recommend our readers to peruse the whole, and to form their own judgment. If they look for tinsel, and glare, and ornament, we can tell them at once, they will be disappointed: but if they have a spiritual discerument, they cannot fail to find "apples of gold in pictures of silver." No. 114, on the death of the Rev. John Vernon, contains a most delightful and animating obituary; and No. 140, an affectionate tribute to the memory of the venerable Scott, of Aston Sandford. For a specimen of Dr. Ryland's poetry, we refer our readers to page 113, of our present number, and proceed to a brief notice of the memoir.

And here, we must confess, we were irresistibly reminded of the good Doctor's substitute for a surtout, to which we think the memoir bears a striking resemblance; the quality is excellent, Dr. Ryland's preaching was charac- but it is too short. We rise from its terized by holy simplicity and fervour; perusal pleased, rather than satisfied. an intense, steady, growing zeal for the It is a good etching; but who would not honour of God, especially in relation to prefer a finished picture? Dr. Ryland the scheme of human redemption; and would grace, and his character richly the most affectionate desire for the eter- deserves, a more minute, a full-length nal salvation of his hearers. His style, delineation. We can appreciate and though perfectly unadorned, was uni- sincerely admire the solicitude of a son, formly chaste and vigorous; and, (es- to avoid too high a colouring, too propecially in that advanced period of life, minent a development, in delineating in which inferior, but more showy the moral beauties of a parent. But it preachers become tame and insipid,) is at least possible, from a commendable he occasionally surprised and delighted desire to avoid one extreme, to fall, his hearers with unpremeditated bursts perhaps unconsciously, into the oppoof the most empassioned eloquence--site. We do not require the aid, either the eloquence of a full heart, surpassed of the sculptor or the biographer to exonly by that of a higher order, (of which also he was an illustrious example), the mild, insinuating eloquence of a uniformly holy life.

These volumes contain many sketches of a superior character, calculated to

cite our affectionate veneration of Dr. Ryland! He lives, and will ever live, in the hearts of those who knew him. But we wish our children, and our children's children, to remote generations, to possess as complete a fac-simile as

possible of that pre-eminent holiness, teristic, that we cannot forbear tranwhich adorned his youth, irradiated scribing it. every step of his progress, and encircled his venerable brow with a halo of glory.

"After so long a connexion with our church, and such friendship as most of them have all along shown me, how can I rend Dr. Ryland was born at Warwick, myself from them against their consent, unJan. 29, 1753. His childhood and youth less they had a prospect of a speedy and (slightly sketched by himself with ad- certain supply of one who would naturally care for their welfare, and who would be mirable simplicity,) were not distin- concerned to guard them against dangers on guished by any remarkable features; the right hand and the left? The men who but it is impossible not to linger with would truly make void God's law, would delight over the first buddings of a rejoice to ensnare some on the one hand, holy susceptibility implanted by the and perhaps some would be drawn off from the doctrines of grace on the other; and I, Spirit of God, whose roots struck deep-when I heard of the flock being scattered that er, and whose foliage expanded, until the aged saint "flourished like the palm tree, and grew like a cedar in Lebanon." His mother taught him Scripture history, by explaining the pictures on the thampton, too, is so simple, and so enDutch tiles in their parlour chimney; tirely devoid of eulogium, leaving the and subsequently, a single spark, a mo- church at Bristol to infer their feelings dest hint about "something better" than on resigning him, from their own detrifling conversation, lighted up in his sire for his services, that we strongly soul a flame which never expired; but suspect it was written, on behalf of the which burns, and will ever burn, in ce-church, by the same ingenious and molestial purity and brightness. "A word dest pen. spoken in season, how good is it!"

He was baptized at Northampton, in the 14th year of his age. At 18, he received the approval of the church, to devote himself to the Christian ministry. In 1781, he was united with his father in the pastoral office, which in five years more devolved on himself entirely. His excessive zeal, at the commencement of his ministerial career, occasioned a very friendly and affectionate remonstrance from good Mr. Newton, which will be read with interest; and to a few, perhaps, it may be equally seasonable.

In 1793, Dr. Ryland removed to Bristol, after much deliberation, and prayer for the divine guidance. He had the satisfaction of the concurrent approbation of his dear friends, Newton, and Booth, and Fuller, and a respectable Pedobaptist minister, whose letter is highly creditable to his judgment and his heart. "Poor Northampton! and poor Omicron, (says Newton,) if you are away when he goes there!"

66

There is one passage in Dr. Ryland's answer to the first invitation from Bristol, so inimitably touching and charac

was once committed to my care, should faint under my burden, and be unable to do you any service!"

The letter from the church at Nor

A regard to consistency induces us to notice the letter to "the Pedobaptist communicants" at Bristol. We are no advocates for mixed communion, because we believe Jesus Christ intended that a credible profession of saving faith, and a voluntary submission to Christian baptism, should precede external church-fellowship to the end of time.

In the Sketch

While, therefore, we cordially agree with our dear friend, that it is "of the nature of the new creature, for true believers to have intimate communion with each other," we are obliged to make an exception against such communion as appears to us, to be virtually prohibited by Jesus Christ himself. on "the Communion of Saints," from 1 John i. 7. "We have fellowship one with another," the Doctor, with his usual candour, referring to communion at the Lord's table, says, "That communion might be practised without the existence of this fellowship;' and this, may exist without that." p. 281. We highly esteem the Christian character of many, both Baptists and Pedobaptists, from whom we conscientiously differ in opi

"Loving him and revering him as I did, gives me real consolation and delight to express the deep and tender veneration I cherish for his memory, and to trace my recollections of the wisdom and excellence he manifested towards me and many others while under his care. I never left any place with so much regret, as I quitted, ten

nion and practice; and while we are in preference to any further observaconscious of a willingness and desire to tions of our own. make every sacrifice for the promotion of intimate communion, consistent with our views of the mind of Christ, we are satisfied that the really conscientious and liberal, among our opponents, (and many such we know there are, of both classes,) will never desire more. We entertain a very high sense of such cha-years since, the house over which he prerity, in Christians of all denominations, as that which the beloved Dr. Ryland exemplified in no ordinary degree. Perhaps, if we were disposed to look very closely into every page of this Memoir, we might discover a spot in the sun; but, as it evidently was not designed to be made visible, instead of pursuing our observations, we will cordially unite with the biographer in referring the reader to a 66 more excellent" specimen in the preface to the "Candid Statement."

With Dr. Ryland's theological sentiments, and the prominent features of his residence at Bristol, our readers are, for the most part, familiar: we shall therefore pass on to the closing scene of his life. Here, as in other instances of the most eminent piety, we find no ecstasy, but " perfect peace."

"On no occasion, was there the least symptom of impatience; nothing appeared but a child-like and tranquil resignation to the Divine will. The few expressions which fell from his lips were strongly marked by his habitual modesty and humility; but he was chiefly occupied in offering up brief petitions or devout ejaculations. One passage of Scripture, My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever;' was often repeated by him in Hebrew.'"

"On Wednesday, May 25th, 1827, he 'fell asleep' with a composure and serenity that no language can describe."

We could refer to many interesting passages in this brief biography; but we have already exceeded our usual limits. Our readers, we doubt not, will accept the following very just and beautiful tribute to the memory of our beloved friend, by one of his pupils,*

*The Rev. W. Rhodes, of Damerham.

sided. To the end of life, and most likely for ever, I shall retain a grateful and de benefits I derived from his tuition aud lightful remembrance of the inestimable friendship. No tutor could be more loved and revered; none could more highly deserve it. The sentiment indulged towards him by us all, and that most deeply by the most pious and cultivated of our number, was a deep and affectionate veneration for his character, together with gratitude for the tenderness and fidelity with which he performed his various duties among us. His whole behaviour impressed us with the serious and delightful conviction, that he not only did his utmost to promote our mental advancement, and watched over our progress with benignant complacency; but that our improvement in piety was an object of fervent solicitude to his holy and devotional mind. Not to mention the sweet and commanding influence which the holiness of his deportment exerted, such was the simplicity and mildness which pervaded his

constant intercourse with us, that the awe which so much goodness and mental vigour naturally tended to inspire, was absorbed in cordial affection for him, as our best earthly friend. It was no small part of his praise, that with scarcely any exertion of authority, he secured in general a ready compliance with his requisitions and wishes.

*

*

*

*

*

"Above all, I delight to remember his morning prayers in the family. From his secret communion with God, he came to them with a freshness and joy which shewed how much of heaven dwelt within him. Nothing could exceed their humble fervour and simplicity. They expressed, in the most touching and devotional manner, the qualities which formed the peculiar beauty of his religious character. He combined the tender contrition of an early penitent, with the holy maturity and grandeur of the aged saint. And as he was, such were his prayers. The lowly and reverential aspirations of 'a broken and a contrite spirit,' were blended with the calm confidence and inward peace of one who had long enjoyed the most inti

mate converse with God. This union always struck me as a beautiful peculiarity of his social devotions.

"With all the devout regard and admiring the most favourable opinion of their ation in which he was deservedly held by state in the Divine presence, merely the whole circle of those who knew him, because they have not practised certain and by very many who had no personal intercourse with him, it does not appear to vices in which many have indulged; me, that the strong and luminous character to others, whose expectations arise of his mind, or the wide and varied range of from the virtues they practise; to those his knowledge, were in general sufficiently who are reposing themselves on the sufappreciated. Nor is it to be wondered at.ferings with which they are now visited; His piety was so transcendently conspicu- to those who trust in the mercy of God; ous, that his other qualities and attainments were hardly thought of by any one while in his society, or in the contemplation of his character. A rare and felicitous distinction rested upon him to every beholder, his mental endowments and acquisitions were almost eclipsed by the brightness and purity of the sanctity which pervaded them. May all those who so long enjoyed the delightful advantage of beholding his example, and of sharing in his prayers, aspire to attain a near resemblance to his blessed character!"

Tekel, or the Righteous Sentence; a Discourse, in two parts, delivered at Keppel-street Chapel on Lord's day mornings, Sept. 16 and 23, 1827. By G.

and finally, to those individuals who profess that their entire dependence is on the mediation of Jesus Christ; but unhappily, the approved evidence of

whose attachment to the Saviour is es

sentially defective.

In the second discourse, Mr. P. proceeds to the consequences it involves. These are, that the case of every person shall be adjudged; that the decision in every case adjudged, on the merit of the individual to whom it refers, will be unfavourable; that whatever the judgment may be, it cannot be reversed; that the sentence pronounced on those who are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting, will certainly be executed; that the execution of this THESE solemn and weighty discourses, sentence will be accompanied with inon a subject always seasonable, are conceivable distress; and finally, that founded on Daniel v. 27. After a large our being reconciled unto God is of inreview of the circumstances in which finite importance. Mr. P. concludes, the passage was first delivered, the by reminding his hearers of various esteemed author proposes to consider invitations to sinners, and promises to "the facts it suggests, the application the penitent, which are thickly scatterit admits, and the consequences it in-ed through the Old and New Testa

PRITCHARD. Marshall.

volves."

ments.

If the reader of these Sermons sat down to them with an air of levity, we think he must have become serious be

The facts are these:-that God is perfectly acquainted with the character and conduct of all his creatures; that the judgment of God upon the charac-fore he got through the Introduction. ter and conduct of his creatures, regu- Many of those who heard, and those lates, in some degree, his treatment of who have read, or may hereafter read them now, but will do so more fully and them, will have reason to be thankful obviously hereafter; and that the right- for the publication; and the worthy eousness of God is the rule by which preacher himself will have no reason to his judgment is regulated. repent his having written them, in the day of the Lord.

The application is powerfully made, first, to every individual who is not found, ultimately and exclusively, trusting in the justifying righteousness and the expiatory sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, for acceptance before God and the enjoyment of eternal life. Then more particularly, to persons who are congratulating themselves and cherish.

We make room for one extract:

"It is no very uncommon thing to meet with persons who are congratulating themselves, and cherishing the most favourable merely because they have not practised ceropinion of their state in the divine presence, tain vices, in which many have indulged, Thus, for instance, the Pharisee applauds

himself: 'God, I thank thee that I am noted critique on the contents of these as other men are, extortioners, unjust, volumes, as we hope they will find their adulterers, or even as this publican.' Hav-way into the hands of a large proporing avoided gross and enormous offences, tion of our friends. The first work is they begin to take credit to themselves for divided into nine chapters, which bear the following titles :

a superiority of character which they vainly imagine must entitle them to the divine approbation, and in the exercise of this selfcomplacency, they regard with contempt, rather than commiseration, those persons who have fallen a prey to temptations by which, perhaps, their virtue was never assailed. So universal is this propensity of our depraved nature, that there is scarcely an individnal to be found so sunk in infamy, but considers himself entitled to some consideration, when compared with some other, whose conduct is more atrocious than his own. You will probably recollect a remarkable incident, which a few years since occurred in this country, and which affectingly illustrates what has just been observed. Two criminals, whose lives were forfeited, being brought to the place of public execution, to undergo the last penalty of human laws, one of them indignantly declared, that what he principally deprecated on the awful occasion was, the ignominy of dying in the company of one, whose offence be considered himself to be incapable of committing. In short, every person who pays becoming attention to what is passing in his own heart, will have frequent occasion to detect the existence, and resist the operation of this disposition, whose infla

Chap. I. Explication of terms. II. The Necessity of an Atonement for Sin proved from the holiness and justice of the Law

of God. III. Remarks on the Sacrifices

offered by the Heathen Nations. IV. The Atonement of Christ argued from the Sacrifices under the Jewish Dispensation. V. The account given by the Evangelists of the Sufferings of Christ inexplicable, on any other principle than that of an Atonement for Sin. VI. The Value of the Death of Christ. VII. The Extent of the Death of Christ in its design and application. VIII. Doctrinal inferences from the Death of Christ. IX. Practical Improvement."

This is a well argued, scriptural treatise, adapted for the general reader, and the inquiring youth. We hope it will be very generally read.

The volume of "Theological Essays" contains eighteen papers, on as many interesting and important subjects, the three latter being now first printed. Their titles are as follow:

"The Work of Creation-The state of Man before and after his Fall-The First Institution of Public Worship-Enoch's Walk with God, and his Translation-The Causes of the Flood-The Ark of the Flood

-On the Person and Offices of Melchizedek-The Backsliding and Restoration of Solomon-On the Nature and Importance of Divine Influence-Christ's Choice of his Disciples-The state of Christ and his

Saints in Heaven-The Sources of Christian Consolation-Repentance-The Joy of the Hypocrite is but for a Moment.-The Arrogance and Infidelity of Socinianism— The Resurrection and Ascension of Lazarus-On Village Preaching-The Happiness of Separate Spirits."

This volume also is well adapted for usefulness. Mr. Mann always shews his desire for the best interest of his readers, and we hope that desire will be granted.