Countenance and austerity of mien, which frequently passes under this name. Genuine Humility is that sweet and heavenly grace which shone so illustriously in our adorable Redeemer; and which the Holy Spirit produces in the hearts of true believers. It is an expression not more trite than just, "Pride was never made for man ;". but if this be true of all men, how peculiarly does it apply to the ministers of the gospel, who are, in an emphatical sense, the servants of Christ! Are they favoured with eminent mental talents, with a more vigorous understanding, a more solid judgment, a more refined taste, a more lively imagination, a more retentive memory than some of their pious brethren? Let them remember the words of the great apostle: "Who maketh thee to differ from another? What hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?" Let them remember," there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit:" let them cultivate humility in their relation to God, in their connection with their fellow-labourers, in, their transactions with the church, and in their dealings with the world. Nor can they ever need a more powerful stimulus than the example which their Lord has given them.

2dly, Is not the servant greater than his Lord? Then let him not repine, if he meet with some disappointments and insults from the world. Our Lord, before his crucifixion, intimated to his disciples, that when they should enter on their public ministry, the world would hate them; because they were not of the world. He assured them, that as it had persecuted him, it would persecute them; and his predictions were exactly fulfilled. Nor can we wonder that it should be so, if we consider how contrary to the inveterate and deeply-rooted prejudices of the heathen, and to the inclinations of the corrupt heart, were those doctrines on which the apostles con-. stantly insisted; and, alas! human nature is by no means improved since their time. The understandings of men are as dark, their wills as biassed, their prejudices against the humiliating doctrines of the cross as strong as ever. But let none who is faithful in the discharge of the sacred office, be discouraged by the impious reproaches of the ungodly. Let him reflect, through what unparalleled scenes of indignity his divine Redeemer passed! how he was driven from city to city, and had not where to lay his head! and then ask, whether this be not a sufficient reason why he should, I will not say merely refrain from murmuring, but preserve equanimity and calmness amidst the most repeated and aggravated insults?

3dly, Is not the servant greater than his Lord? Then let him continually look up to him for a blessing upon his labours. The minister who labours among his flock with little or no success, must surely drag on very heavily in his work;

and be, at times, ready to relinquish it altogether. Nothing can so much delight him, as to find that his labours are rendered effectual by the Holy Spirit of God. But how is this success to be obtained? By means of his own diligence, learning, and popularity or by looking up to him who first qualified him for his work, and who has promised to be with his servants always, even to the end of the world? The latter method is certainly the most rational and the most effectual. Go on then, ye servants of the most High, confiding in your gracious Master, whose sole prerogative it is to crown your efforts with success! HOMERTONIENSIS.

ON THE TRINITY..

Ir is true, that our present state is a state of imperfection and obscurity; and it often happens, that such as make the highest pretensions to acute discernment and certainty in their opinions, are wide of the truth; and that which they so much admire, is but an idol of their own: a child which their own fancy begot, and which is, therefore, loved with unabating regard. This consideration should teach us humility, self-diffidence, and caution in our decisions. "If any man lack wisdom” (and where is the man who does not ?) let him never lean to his own understanding as surely competent to furnish him with a sufficient stock; but let him "ask of God," who will, by his good Spirit, lead the praying believer into all essential and important truth.

When Jesus Christ was upon earth, different men were of very different minds concerning him. Some loved him, others hated him; some believed in him, others did not; some looked upon him as a prophet, others as a deceiver; some abused him, others worshipped him. As it was in the beginning, so it is now. Different men are of different minds; and to the Judge of all we are accountable for our principles and cur practices. I can see excellence in those who differ from me, and appreciate moral virtue as highly deserving my regard, at the same time that I remain stedfast and unmoveable in the principles I have gathered from the Bible, that fountain of eternal verity!

The doctrine of the Trinity of Persons in the unity of the Divine Essence, is not without its difficulties; and, by the ingenuity of men, various objections may be made to it. The divinity of Jesus Christ bath difficulties attending it, which some consider insurmountable; and, on that consideration, daringly venture to reject it altogether! I cannot reject either of these doctrines, for the following reasons: 1st, I consider the Bible, from Genesis to Revelations, as designed and well

calculated to lead my mind right respecting these things. It therefore appears my duty to give myself up implicitly to its unerring dictates.-2dly, I am fully persuaded that God can give me a more certain account of his own being and existence than the best philosopher in all the creation. It therefore appears to me my duty to take the account of himself from his own lips, and be content. 3dly, The union of the two natures, human and divine, in the person of Jesus Christ, is not impossible upon any principles whatever; and as the Scriptures plainly and repeatedly assert it, it appears to be my duty, and I feel it to be my privilege, to believe it, and humbly to adore Father, Son, and Spirit, not as three distinct Gods, but as one God" over all, blessed for evermore."- I am led to consider it of high importance to be established in this fundamental doctrine. I call it so, because the sublime doctrines of Christianity rise upon it with more than all the majesty of Solomon's temple. If the reader is desirous of being so established, let him consider the passages of holy writ which relate to the subject, which are numerous and decisive; particularly Acts xx. 28. Rom. viii. 9. John i. 49. iii. 31. v. 17, 13, 23. 1 John v. 29. Rom. ix. 5, and many other texts. The Godhead of the Saviour is the foundation of our hope, the fountain of all our joy, and the most certain security of our salvation. MILES EMERITUS.

A COPY OF A MANUSCRIPT-PAPER

which the Rev. S. Phillips, Protestant Dissenting - Minister, at Mitchel-Dean, in the County of Gloucester, drew up for the Use of his People.

My dear Fellow-Christians and Flock,

WHAT I have now to propose is, that we, the Members of this church, both minister and people, should agree to spend a particular hour at home, once a week, in the evening, in self-examination and prayer. Zech. xii. 10-14.

I. To examine ourselves concerning our state and walk as Christians. 2 Cor. xiii. 5.

More particularly,

1. What are our scriptural evidences for Heaven? 2 Pet. i. 10, 11.

2. What was our frame of body and soul in our last attendance on God's public worship? Exod. xx. 7. Lev. x. 3. Mal. i. 13, 14.

3. What profit we have gained by God's ordinances, and the word then preached. Heb. iv. 2. Acts xx. 32.

II. To apply to Christ's blood and Spirit, and humbly to form resolutions suitable to what our case shall be found.

III. To wrestle with God by prayer, especially on the following accounts, viz.

1. That God would graciously be with, give testimony to, and plead the cause of his own ordinances amongst us. Exod. xx. 24. Acts xiv. 3 Isa. liv. 17.

2. That he would, through Christ, heal backsliders; and forgive and cure whatever would drive away his Holy Spirit from us. Hos. xiv. 4. Ps. li. 3, 5, 9—11.

3. That he would pour down Christ's Spirit on pastor and people, in plentiful gifts, grace, and fruit. John xiv. 16, 17. Acts ii. 16-18. 1 Cor. xii. 4. 2 Cor. iii. 6, 8, 17, 18.

4. That the conversion of poor sinners may be speedily and eminently promoted amongst us, especially by the word preached. Ps. cx. 3. Acts xxvi. 17, 18. Rom. x. 17. 1 Thes. i. 5-9. Let us likewise pray for Christ's kingdom everywhere. Mat. vi. 9, 10; for present consolations respecting it: Bewailing the decayed and desolate state of many churches. Ezek. ix. 4. Dan. ix. 3-8.- Imploring that God would send forth able ministers of the gospel throughout the world. Mat. ix. 37, 38. 2 Cor. iii. 6.

-

I have thought Monday evening, between the hours of six and seven, might be a suitable time for this exercise; but that I refer to your judgments and conveniency. Only let us be sure to redeem one hour in the week for self-searching, and wrestle earnestly for those blessings; because, if obtained, they would, beside other inestimable benefits, greatly promote our growth in grace and spiritual joy; and would, above any thing, sweeten the labours of your loving, faithful Pastor, at the door of Eternity,

Mitchel-Dean,

Nov. 19, 1732.

S. PHILIPPS.

Dear Sir,

ON PULPIT ELOQUENCE.

To the Editor.

ALAS! Mr. Editor, we are poor, imperfect, and perverse creatures; and while some of us affect to despise learning and oratory, and every thing that might recommend our address to men of talents and education, others affect those accom plishments to an extreme, no less ridiculous than the awkward delivery of their rustic brethren. I am no enemy to learning, or to eloquence; but I confess myself jealous, lest the ingeni ous Defence of Eloquence, in your November Magazine, should lead some young preachers, perhaps laudably ambitious to excel, to rate it too high, or to carry the study of it to

some excess.

It is true, that the powers of Eloquence were employed in the support of Rome, both Pagan and Papal; so were the arts of the painter and the statuary, and some other arts still more exceptionable; but this would be a poor reason for employing them in defence of true Christianity. "Our weapons are not carnal."

It is even admitted that, in some instances, the powers of Natural Eloquence have been greatly blessed; as in the instance of Mr. Whitefield and some few others: but, I believe, in all those instances it will be found, that the preachers rated their oratorical powers very low, and relied wholly on the power of divine grace.

St. Paul himself furnishes us with an illustration full in point; for though the weakness of his voice and person might prevent his being an orator, yet he certainly was a man of extensive learning; and his writings furnish examples of almost every kind of rhetorical beauty; yet when he was to address the polite and accomplished Corinthians, he was particularly jealous, lest any part of his success should be attributed. to human wisdom or elocution. Instead of meeting them "on equal ground," and opposing" science to science," tho' master both of the Hebrew and Grecian literature," he was determined (especially among them) to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified;" and, instead of opposing "eloquence to eloquence," he renounces all the arts of orators and sophists, as "the words which man's wisdom teacheth." Great part of the First Epistle to the Corinthians is so express upon this subject, that I would recommend your readers to compare it with the apology of your cloquent correspondent; and, I am much mistaken, if it does not require talents, even superior to his, to harmonize them.

As to the idea of winning over the polite and refined part of the world to listen to Christianity, it carries with it the marks of fleshly wisdom, which is foolishness with God; and, I may add, with truly wise men: for, however women and children may be pleased with such "great swelling words o vanity," men of good literary taste prefer sense to sound; and a clear nervous style, full of sentiment, is infinitely better than a style wrought with labour, and covered with ornaSIMPLEX

ments.

Sir,

STRIKING EXORDIUM OF A SERMON.

To the Editor.

SOME time ago, I dropped into a chapel in the country, and heard a faithful sermon on Isaiah xxxiii. 14, "The sinners in Zion are afraid,- Who, among us shall dwell with