around us, we may be startled into surprise and consternation by the bursting of a tempest of divine judgments; which, if we had observed the gathering clouds and the indications of prophecy, might have found us better prepared. But we hasten to notice his illustration of the second head of discourse, in which he specifies the signs of the times in which we live; or, in other words, he shews "what are the prominent features in the moral and political world, which distinguish the present from any former age, and, comparing them with the prophecies of Scripture, what do they indicate?"

cases, a compendious view is given, by the inspired writers, of the most remarkable empires in succession, from their own time to that of the world's complete renovation by the universal prevalence of the gospel; such are the visions of the great image, and the four beasts, with their annexed interpretation, recorded in the book of Daniel. But in the Apocalypse, by a series of prophetic descriptions, less uninterrupted and more in detail that those which are found in any other part of the sacred writings, we are conducted from the apostolic age down, through succeeding times, to the final triumph of the gospel, and "the end of all things." These intimations of the future are, it must be allowed, often clothed with obscurity, but amidst the surrounding darkThe first thing which our author adness we may discern many luminous points. verts to is, "An extensive communicaWe can understand the general nature of the tion among the several nations of the event, but not every particular connected earth, hitherto unprecedented"-arising with it; we perceive what the great result from discovery, from conquest, and from will be, but not all the circumstances pre-commerce. The recent discovery of the ceding and attending it; we know that a vast continent of America, with the certain state of things will be produced, but islands of the West Indies, the immense of the exact time we can only judge, as we see, in the general course of things an evi- numerable in the Pacific Ocean, are adtracts of New Holland, and islands indent bearing towards the predicted event. And this accords with the design of pro- verted to, as a peculiar feature of modern phecy, which is not to give us such a clear and times. But another peculiarity of our distinct enumeration of particulars as curi- times is, "a considerable extension of osity might wish, but which would tend to general knowledge," in consequence of frustrate the prediction, and might often in- which whatever is known by one nation terfere with our obvious duty; but to afford soon becomes the property of all. By a us such a general view of the future, as may free intercourse with Southern nations, strengthen our confidence in God, support Russia, for example, in her position of our hopes, and animate us to vigorous exertion for his cause. Now why is this done latitude stretching half round the globe, but to excite our attention to what is pass-is fast emerging from semi-barbarism. ing in the world, and to induce us to compare his word and providence together? If God speaks to us by a precept, he expects our implicit obedience; if he addresses us in a promise, he requires our confidence; and if a prophecy be the subject of his communications, diligent inquiry to ascertain its meaning, and attentive observation to the manner of its accomplishment evidently become our duty. "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy;" this is the motto prefixed to the revelation of St. John; but if we take no pains to comprehend its meaning, what blessing can we expect in hearing or reading it? If there are any of the predictions of scripture now fulfilling in the world,

and who that has witnessed the events of the

last twenty or thirty years can doubt it? how can we understand them without observing "the signs of the times?"

Mr. Godwin closes his first head of discourse by remarking that "this observant state of mind is necessary to a proper preparation for the events which may be coming upon us." If we are inattentive to what is passing in the world

And even in those countries where a wretched despotism and gloomy superstition have lain like weights upon the freedom of thought and opinion, the mind of the people seems rising, with an elastic spring, to an unexpected vigour of action. It is true that numbers, like valleys in the early part of the day, lie still in deep shade, and that, of those who begin to think more actively, the greater part yet see dimly, and their views of things may be extravagant or fantastic, like objects seen by twilight; yet he must be blind indeed to the events of late years, who does not perceive a very considerable change in the minds of the great mass of the people, in many of the nations of Europe. After illustrating these remarks, by shewing how the spirit of commerce has tended to promote ci vilization, and disseminate the blessings of knowledge, he thus proceeds:

"The important changes which have been effected in old systems of government, which were unfavourable to the progress of knowledge and improvement, form another strik

long the reign of ignorance, and to support the measures of any superstitious despot, must be considerably diminished by the suppression of so great a number of them; and a part of those exorbitant incomes which gave to that hierarchy so great a preponderance, is now appropriated to the service of the state. May Spain learn wisdom from a neighbouring country, and not rush at once from tyranny to anarchy, nor plunge into the gulf of atheism to avoid the follies of superstition!

Portugal has adopted similar measures, and appears to be treading in the steps of her neighbour.

"And even in Italy public opinion has been evidently working; though the at tempts which have been recently made to obtain the blessings of freedom have been rendered abortive, by a formidable combination of sovereigns on the one hand, and by pusillanimity on the other.

ing feature in the signs of the times. In noticing these, we shall only take a mere cursory glance at occurrences of this kind, which have happened within the recollection of many of the present congregation. "It is now about thirty years since one of the most surprising events which the history of the world records, took place in France. The luxury and corruption of the court and nobles, had arisen to the highest pitch; the avarice and vicious conduct of the priests had become almost proverbial; scarcely a vestige of civil liberty remained; when the cloud that had been gathering blackness ever since the time of Louis XIV., who repealed the edict of Nantes, burst in "The foreign dependencies of these awful peals of thunder. A political earth-kingdoms have felt the same impulse. One quake convulsed the whole empire, and of them preceded the mother country in shook the old fabric of oppression and struggles of this kind; and, as the only superstition into dust. The sun and moon, | apparent means of obtaining the object, the royal luminaries of the realm, set in has been for some years endeavouring vio blood; the stars of nobility rushed headlong lently to tear itself from its connection with from their spheres; and all the elements of Spain: and the other seems peaceably to society were in a chaotic and universal up- follow the movements of the parent state. roar. Infidelity, let loose on superstition, and mistaking it for Christianity, commenced an anti-crusade, and emulated the fanatic spirit of that religion, which marched in blood to the holy sepulchre, and sung a Te Deum for the achievements of St. Bartholomew's day. Atheism then had in its turn an inquisition, and on a large scale celebrated its auto-da-fe. After a number of changes, in the progress of which it had nearly subjugated all Europe, France appears to be settling down into a calm, with a constitutional monarchy, which recognises the rights of conscience, gives a charter of liberty, and sanctions, or at least tolerates, the operations of Lancasterian Schools, and of the British and Foreign Bible Society. In bursting these barriers to improvement and happiness, the roaring deluge spread wide and awful devastation; yet, however we shudder at the means and manner of their removal, we are thankful they are in a considerable measure gone. No one, however highly he values the improved state of that country, can think without horror on those revolutionary scenes; nor can any one, however deep be his indignation at the transactions of those times, refuse to acknowledge, that in many important respects, the present is far preferable to the former condition of France under the old regime.

"And still more recently, Spain, formed by nature to be a great nation, but enslaved and degraded by superstition and despotism, seems rising from the dust, throwing off her fetters, and ardent for improvement. The tribunal of the Inquisition, that bloodiest fang of Antichrist, is annihilated: the influence of those establishments which maintained a portion of the community separated from the rest by their monastic vows, which served to pro

And lastly, Greece, with its fine provinces, once the very land of freedom, and famed for its learning and civilization, its heroes and its sages; and still more deserv edly famed, as having been the scene of apostolic labours, where some of the first and most flourishing Christian churches were planted, is on the eve of some great change; or rather, is rushing into a tremendous conflict with those fanatic and imperious lords, who have so long and so cruelly tyrannized over it. It is certainly remark able, that Constantinople, once the second city of the civilized world, which, in its hard destinies, still bears the name of the first Roman emperor that embraced the Christian faith, should have been nearly four centuries under the power, and during this time the very seat, of a government which is identified with the most astonishing religious imposture the world ever saw; whose actuating spirit is fanaticism, whose element is ignorance, and which, extending over so considerable a portion of the popu lation of the globe, presents a greater ob stacle to the progress of Christianity than all the varieties of Paganism. Whatever be the issue of this perilous strife, in which the motto of each party is Extermination, it scarcely can be imagined more unfavour able to the advancement of knowledge and piety, than its past condition for many centuries. Perhaps the time approaches when this unsightly mass of ignorance, and barbarism, and delusion, which is incapable of reform, and unsusceptible of improve

ment shall be removed from Europe. In
fact, the whole world almost seems on a
ferment; the generality of the people
panting for an improved state of society."
We have extended this extract, in or-
der to give our readers a fair specimen
of the author's style and manner of
treating his subject; and, had we no other
fruits of his pen, it was surely sufficient
to stamp his merit and elevate him to
the rank of one of the very first writers
of the age.
But there are many parts
of his discourse which display equal
ability, and abundantly justify what we
have said of it. In glancing at the un-
usual spirit of zeal which has lately been
manifested to enlighten and bless the
human race, Mr. Godwin is led to spe-
cify the various Societies that have been
formed within the last thirty years, and
here we meet with the following re-
marks:

Snuday schools were first established, by which many thousands, who would otherwise have been uninstructed, are taught to read the Bible, to venerate the sabbath, and to

acquire habits of morality, while endeavours are made to sow in their minds the seeds of

genuine piety. Such is the interest taken school is considered, generally, as a necesin these important institutions, that a Sunday sary appendage to every church and chapel. Added to which, are numerous societies, of no small consequence to the interests of piety and virtue, which are designed to promote Christian knowledge among the poor, to give their children the rudiments of education gratis, to circulate religious Bibles, and to call the attention of the Jews tracts, to supply the army and navy with to the claim of Christianity. In a word, benevolence and piety have been continually taxing ingenuity to devise means and plans to render education and Christianity general over the whole globe. Within the last thirty years, at how many points, hitherto considered impregnable, has the empire of darkness been invaded, and at none without some degree of success."

In a subsequent part of his discourse, Mr. Godwin enumerates among the signs of the times,

"A determined conflict of opposite principles, which seems to forbid accomodation till one side or the other gain a complete ascendency. It was not to be expected that the kingdom and power of darkness would be subverted without a struggle. The Christian world is now rising from its supineness, and not content merely with defence, is ad

"The coast of Africa, whose sable sons have suffered so much wrong from Europeans, is now visited, in some few points of its vast extent, by the messengers of peace; and the streams of the water of life have been conducted considerably into the interior, to bless and purify its uncultivated tribes. In Indostan, and many of the Asiatic islands, the servants of Christ are not only delivering oral instruction, but are giving permanence to their labours, and laying the foundation of future usefulness to an unknown extent, by translating the Scriptures into all the principal languages and dialects of that extensive region. The oracles of truth at length speak even the lan-vancing forward in bold and vigorous attack guage of China. In the islands of the Pacific ocean, the indefatigable labourers, after a series of continued exertions amidst the greatest discouragements, have had the pleasure of beholding the distruction of idols, the demolition of their temples, and the savage chiefs, with their people, embracing the religion of purity and love. Few indeed, at present, are these "lights of the world," and thinly scattered over the wide expanse of pagan gloom, but happily for those who are "in the region and shadow of death," their number is increasing. Within these few years, the British and Foreign Bible Society has been brought into action, a machine of wonderful power, and almost unlimited efficiency, in distributing divine knowledge. Like the long-famed tree of India, it has shot forth its branches, which, taking root and sending forth others, have become almost innumerable. In one respect, however, it differs from the mighty banian, as it is not confined to one country, but extends its connexions across seas and over continents, and flourishes in rigours of the frigid climes, and under the burning heat of equatorial suns. It is scarcely 40 years since VOL. VIII.

on all its "strong holds." It was natural therefore to expect an animated resistance, The contest is now become general along the whole line; battle is joined at every point. Let us notice a few of these, and begin where the proud standard of Infidelity is waving in defiance of the banner of the Cross. Amidst the frenzies of the French revolution, Atheism erected its dreadful form, and stalked through the land with Anarchy for its companion; its admirers, however, soon recoiled at the sight of so unnatural a monster, and in its stead a species of Deism was introduced. The soi disans philosophers of the day sang its triumphs, and anticipated its speedy and universal reign. One of the most powerful and enlightened states of Europe rejecting the Bible with supreme contempt, converting the edifices of religious worship into the meanest purposes, destroying as much as possible every vestige and every recollection of Christianity, was a phenomenon among the nations of Europe as astonishing at it was new. The effects of this were strongly felt, and are still felt over the whole continent. Infidelity became emboldened,

M

and, with its most subtle as well as most popular array of objections, came from its concealment. The strife has been ever since maintained with new vigour, and if scepti

cism has been foiled in some cases, it has

succeeded in others. It has found its way into colleges, sat in the professor's chair, spoken from the pulpit, and artfully insinu ated itself into theological disquisitions and commentaries. But Christianity has still maintained her ground, and made advances, though attacked at every point, and with every weapon, with low scurrility, bold blasphemy, ingenious perversions, and learning misapplied. We fear not, however, for the issue of this contest, nor desire the interference of the civil authorities; no fines or jails are necessary to support the interests of true religion.

66

Popery and the principles of Protestantism are again grappling. His holiness has trembled on his papal throne, at the combined and unprecedented exertions of Protestants, to disseminate bibles, and to establish schools. His old auxiliaries, the Jesuits, have been called to his aid, and actively employed; bulls and rescripts have been issued; the Romish clergy have been diligent, and in many cases violent in their opposition; but still the stream of divine knowledge proceeds, and widens as it goes. Priestly domination will lose its influence as education extends; and error must at length vanish, like a mist of the morning, before the brightness of divine truth."

filled up! Contemplating the removal of the Halls, and the Kinghorns, and the Fosters, and a few others, we have sometimes been tempted to fear that the Baptist denomination would sink into ob

scurity; but when we unexpectedly meet with such writers as Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Godwin, and others of equal promise, rising into notice,though residing at a distance from the metropolis, it gladdens our hearts to find that the mantle of Elisha has been caught in his ascent--we still hope to find the Baptists maintaining the respectability of past ages, among the different classes of professors-we thank God and take courage.

Sermons adapted for Parochial and Domestic Use. By the late Rev. J. P. HEWLETT, M. A. Chaplain of Magdalen and New Colleges, and Curate of St. Mary Aldate's, Oxford. London, Simpkin and Marshall. 1821. pp. 450, 8vo. pr. 10s. 6d. bds.

Turs volume comprises twenty-nine Sermons on important subjects, preached by the author whose name they bear; and, as we are informed by a short advertisement prefixed to it, signally blessed in having been instrumental in turning many from the error of their ways unto the living God, and encouraging Christians to persevere amidst the difficulties and trials which attend their course. The doctrinal sentiment which pervades the volume is strictly evan

But we must desist: we have said enough and quoted enough to excite universal interest among our readers to this admirable discourse, and we therefore take our leave of it with a few re-gelical, and the ninth Sermon, which is flections.

from Luke xix. 10, "For the Son of man We cannot part with the author of is come to seek and to save that which this Discourse without tendering him was lost," presents us with a very pleasour unfeigned thanks for the pleasure ing specimen of Mr. Hewlett's views of it has afforded us, and expressing our divine truth, and his happy manner of fervent wish that we may soon meet him stating them. In illustrating the af again with some more elaborate publi- fecting truth which is implied in the cation, in defence of those excellent prin- text, he leads his hearers back to Paraciples which he holds. In this day of dise, surveys the state of Adam as formpoverty and destitution of talent, the de-ed by his great Creator in his own image nomination to which he belongs greatly need his exertions! For our own parts, when we look around us in the metropolis, and compare the existing state of things with what it was in the days of our youth, we could-like the Jews, when they beheld how inferior the second temple was to that which their fathers had to boast-we could weep over the desolations which time has produced. Alas! the Gills, and the Macgowans, and the Stennets, and the Booths-they have left us, and their places are not

in righteousness and true holiness, favoured with constant and intimate communion with him, and furnished by his beneficent hand with all that could delight the senses-but, seduced by the subtle snares of the devil, Adam cast off his allegiance to his Maker by disobeythe divine command, and thus, not only lost his original righteousness, but involved all his posterity in his fall. "By one man sin entered into the worldand by his disobedience many were made sinners"--not only subjected to death, but

"judgment came upon all men to condemnation." He then presents us with a very scriptural view of the character of the Son of Man-the Seed of the woman of whom it was predicted that he should bruise the head of the serpentthe seed of Abraham in whom all nations were to be blessed-the Prophet like unto Moses whom the Lord would raise up from among his people Israel — the seed of David who was to sit upon his throne-the child that was to be born of a virgin-the Son given, who was to be "Immanuel"-God with us--to whom every knee should bow and every tongue confess him LORD, to the glory of God the Father: and whose name was called Jesus, because his mission into this world was "to save his people from their sins-a work which could never be effected by any created power." Having defended with great clearness and energy the essential deity of the Saviour, from the miracles which he wrought, and the numerous express testimonies of the inspired writers, he considers his benevolent embassy" to seek and save that which was lost"-and the methods by which this was effected, viz. by giving his life as a ransom for them, thus redeeming them from the curse of the divine law, by bearing the punishment due to their sins, and delivering them from the wrath to come. Having expiated sin by his death on the cross, he rose again for our justification, and ascended to heaven to intercede for all in whose behalf he died, and there to carry into full effect all the purposes of grace and salvation." The narrative of Jesus; all he did, and said, and suffered for us here below; the path he marked for us to tread; and what he is doing for us now, is recorded that we might believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that believing we might have life through his name." For this end he instituted the Gospel ministry-commanded his servants to go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature;" to this very end, that he who believes it may be saved, while he that believes not shall be condemned, because he rejects the revelation of life and salvation," p. 137. This is an epitome of the Sermon, which closes with a pungent appeal to the hearers on the solemn truth that they are all naturally in a lost state, and on the necessity of fleeing from the wrath to come, by believing in the Son of God -and to such of them as profess a hope

of interest in his salvation, to exam ne well on what it is founded and on the danger of deceiving themselves by dreaming of heaven without holinessof salvation in their sins, or of being saved by Christ while they do not bear his image. The Sermons are of a very popular cast-the style generally correct, perspicuous, and animated-the addresses are pointed, pathetic, and manly; and indeed the whole volume shews the author to have been a most amiable man and excellent preacher. There is a good portrait of him prefixed to the volume, from which we learn that he died March 15th, 1820, at the age of thirty-nine. The Sermons, we believe, are published by his widow, who, if we are rightly informed, is a Baptist by profession; a well informed Christian, of very superior mental accomplishments; and we sincerely hope she will find herself amply compensated for the pains she has taken in preparing the work for the public eye.

4

Series of Addresses to Young People.
London:
By J. HOOPER, A. M.
Burton and Smith, 1821. pp. 320.
12mo. pr. 5s. 6d. bds.

THE author of this volume is, we believe, classical tutor at the Hoxton Academy, and pastor of the Independent church assembling for worship in Old Gravel Lane, Wapping. In the latter capacity these disourses were delivered, as Annual Addresses on New Year's Day. They are twelve in number, and are upon the following subjects:-The youthful Jesus proposed as a model for imitation. Luke ii. 52.-The gain of wisdom_recommended as the best acquisition. Prov. iv. 7--9.-Parental affection and concern, a motive to filial excellence. Prov. xxxi. 2.-Parental dedication by baptism, a motive to personal dedication, Sam. i. 27, 28.A persuasive to church communion in early life. Is. xliv. 3-5.-The honour attached to early piety. 1 Kings, xiv. 13.Portrait of an excellent young female. Prov. xxxi. 29.-Young men cautioned against the prevailing dangers of the present day. Titus ii. 6.-Seasonable admonitions in reference to conjugal life. Gen. xxvii. 46.-On the value of the soul. Gen. ii. 7.-The divine claims. Prov. xxiii. 26.—On numbering our days. Psalm xc. 12.

Mr. Hooper is a very sensible man; and, with the exception of the fourth