which we are surrounded, our only compass is the infallible word of God. If we incline our ear to its teachings, and our hearts to its requirements, we shall never fall. It is remarkable that while the Apostle Paul describes the downward course of error, he attributes it to a disregard to the word of God; and when he would most earnestly admonish believers against such examples, he exhorts them to a stedfast adherence to the Holy Scriptures." But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all gcod works." APPENDIX. In exhibiting the monstrous errors of Marcion, and other Gnostics, who rejected the account of the miraculous conception, we have shown that they denied that the Saviour had any real body, or, in other words, that he had not come in the flesh. We have already intimated that these heresies had begun to appear in the days of the apostles, but, having a little space, we advert to the proof. It is remarkable that St. John distinctly mentions this heresy as existing in his day,, and designates it Antichrist; and one object of his writing was to expose this monster of iniquity, and guard believers from its malignant influence. The first verse of his Epistle is a strong expression of the reality of the Saviour's body against the Gnostic heresy, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of Life; for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that Eternal Life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us." Thus, the apostle bears witness to the reality of the Saviour's body, by asserting, in the strongest manner, that they had recognised it by the senses of sight, hearing, and feeling. In the following passages he describes the Gnostic heresy, and pronounces it antichrist: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is in the world." "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and antichrist." Such deceiverssuch promoters of antichrist, are the authorities the Socinians have for mutilating the gospel narratives if the incarnation!!! The Author had intended that the Tract which now appears should be on human depravity; but an infidel and blasphemous production having been issued against the miraculous conception, he thought it necessary to check its pernicious tendency by the present tract. DISCUSSION. A digest of the terms and regulations for a proposed discussion between Mr Joseph Barker and the Rev. Wm. Cooke, on the subject, "What is a Christian?" embracing the principles of the Christian's faith and practice, as agreed on by their respective committees, say June 6, 1845, and mutually signed by the parties, at their affixed dates. IT IS AGREED, VIZ.:I. That the question be first discussed, "What is a Christian?" With the principles of the Christian's faith and practice in their order. And also1st. That in order to prevent the discussion being perverted from its legitimate and avowed objects, no statements shall be allowed to be made which impugn either the infallible inspiration of the sacred writings, or the divine authority of any book contained in the authorized version. 2nd. That the Holy Scriptures, including all the books of the authorized version, with the Hebrew text of Vander Hooght, as the original of the Old Testament, and the Textus Receptus as the original of the New Testament, shall be the only authoritative standard of appeal, with the following qualifications, viz. :-Should either disputant quote any passage excepted to by Kennicott or Boothroyd, in the Old Testament: or by Griesbach or Schulz, in the New Testament, such passage shall be considered fairly open to legitimate consideration and criticism. 3rd. That all quotations shall be made, in the first instance, by chapter and verse, from the authorized versior. But each disputant shall have the right of reference to the original texts and critics, as above, when the authorized version is disputed. 4th. That the versions whose antiquity and character have weightsay the Septuagint, the Syriac, the Latin Vulgate, and the Chaldee Paraphrases, with the Fathers of the first three centuries, may be quoted in illustration; but not, as the scriptures above, for authorities. All quotations from Versions and Fathers to be made by direct reference, and the original text of each to be produced at the time, if required. 5th. That Mr. Cooke engages to take the lead in the discussions. II. That neither disputant hall exceed one hour and a half each evening, the evenings being equally divided, unless the other relinquish his right, or refuses to occupy the time. III. That the discussions take place in the Music Hall, or, failing it, in the Lecture Room. Admission to be by tickets, transferable, pledging the holder to non-interruption and non-interference. The number printed not to exceed the fair contents of the place. To be printed by an impartial printer, equally divided between the disputants, each half signed with the initials of the opposing party's secretary, to be disposed of as each party may choose, and any surplus employed as each pleases. Each party giving security, by deposit, to an accredited treasurer, for an equal share of the expense to be incurred, including a reporter. IV. That the speeches be taken down by an accredited and impartial reporter; revised by each, under his approval; published by each, from the same accredited copy; and sold by each party, at his own option. V. That as the discussion is now postponed till the latter end of August," Mr Barker must give 14 days' notice to Mr. Cooke, or his committee, when it will be convenient for him to commence the discussions, and continue them to a close, when the evenings in each successive week-say ten evenings in three weeks can be fixed on, all arrangements made, and means adopted to secure the integrity of the discussions, as agreed. VI. That each party choose his own chairman; the chairmen to choose an umpire, "that all things may be done decently and in order." VII. That the discussions be on A Christian, and his principles only. But, the writings and speeches-published or delivered-of each disputant, to be freely, but fairly, quoted and remarked on by each, for illustration, neither party being allowed to object to this. Each disputant being allowed ten minutes, if he require it, before replying, to arrange papers, notes, references, &c VIII. That the doors be opened at half-past 6 o'clock each evening, the dis cussions to commence at 7, and close at 10, or quarter-past 10 o'clock. That a copy of this agreement be signed by each disputant respectively, and handed to the other party. To be printed and distributed, as the basis and terms of the discusssions, when the other arrangemenents are made. Witness-J. F. GRANT. Witness-ALEX. GUTHRIE. Signed by WILLIAM COOKE, Signed by JOSEPH BARKER, P.S.-Mr Cooke proposed to commence the discussion on June 25, but this time was not convenient to Mr. Barker, who has since fixed Tuesday, August 19th, and three following evenings, and three evenings in each of the two following weeks. N. B. The facts to be proved at a separate meeting. J. BLACKWELL AND CO., PRINTERS, NEWCASTLE. SERIES OF TRACTS ON CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY. THE ORIGINAL STATE OF MAN AND HUMAN DEPRAVITY, BY WILLIAM COOKE, (MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.) LONDON: JOHN BAKEWELL, METHODIST NEW CONNEXION BOOK MAY BE HAD FROM THE WESLEYAN ASSOCIATION BOOK ROOM, |