whole amounted to one hundred, viz. nine children, forty four grand-children, and forty seven great-grand-children; and their eldest son, who is the subject of this memoir, was ninety five when he left this world of sin and sor row, in prospect of a better inhe ritance in the kingdom of heaven which event took place on the 3rd of January, 1811. He was justly esteemed by his neighbours and friends, as a man of a peaceable and becoming conduct. He has been a member of the baptist church at Grittleton forty seven years. He was a person of a humble deportment, esteeming others better than himself; and though he had his share of trials, while passing through the wilderness, he submitted to those occurrences, in a manner that does credit to the cause of Religion. As he did not consider this life as his portion, he sought eternal life, with its important treasures, being persuaded that such delights would consume the sorrows of time, and chase away every cloud of darkness. For the last twelve months he was confined to his chamber, and bore the decays of nature with uncommon patience. It is but too common to see persons in affliction, murmuring at their fate, and fretting at all a round them; but our aged friend was all submission. Not a word of complaint was heard, either against God, or man, as he knew the Lord had a right to do with him as he thought proper; and for the assistance of his friends, he was thankful. In the first part of his confinement, he was in the depth of sorrow, lest he should not be right, and so fall short at last, in the solemn

His father, mother, two brothers, bers of the same church with himself.

day of account. This perplexity arose, from a striking sense of his past transgressions, while the pardoning grace of God was concealed; but his anxiety led him afresh to the divine throne, where his children apply in a successful way, and from whence he found relief; so that in a little time the scene was changed, his sorrow was turned into joy, his darkness into light, and strong consolation was his repast. The precious promises were applied, of which he spoke to the honor of their great Author, and the satisfaction of christian friends. In a parti cular manner, he found great support from that soul-reviving passage in 1 John i, 7. And the Blood of Jesus Christ God's Son cleanseth us from all sin. As I often visited him in his affliction, prayed with him, and enquired into the state of his mind; he frequently answered to the following effect, "Very comforta ble, and long to be gone." Nevertheless he was not without a mixture of fear, but his faith was superior to unbelief. He often spoke of his delight in the Lord, as the only Author of a full and free salvation. And when he considered the important transactions of the blessed Jesus, in the behalf of believing souls, his hope was revived, and his depen dance increased. Thus with a prospect of Glory, through the merits of a precious Redeemer, he waited for his discharge from a body of sin and death. And now the aged Disciple is gone, in obedience to the will of his Lord, and we trust, has joined the spirits of just men made perfect, who are singing of free Grace, through the blood and righteousness of God's dear Son. Though one sister, and one son, were all mem

he has long been a traveller in this vale of tears, his last days were his best, and his gray hairs

were a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. R. MÖSELY.

A History of the English Baptists: including an Investigation of the History of Baptism in England from the earliest period to which it can be traced to the close of the seventeenth century. To which are prefixed, Testimonies of Ancient Writers in favour of Adult Baptism: extracted from Dr. Gill's piece, entitled, "The divine Right of Infant Baptism examined and disproved." By Joseph Ivimey. Button, &c. 8vo. pp. 572. 12$.

That portion of the world denominated Christian, has been so nearly engrossed by a vast body of persons who were such only in name; but who therefore agreed to persecute, hunt out, and destroy, every branch of vital godliness from the earth; that it is a subject of no small enterprize to attempt the History of any Class of real Believers under the Christian œconomy, whose principles or practices kept them distinct from the popular establishments of their day. A Historian of the People who practised Believer's Baptism in England from the earhest ages, is particularly in yolved in this difficulty; and if we enquire into the qualifications necessary for the discharge of his task, we shall be convinced that to have succeeded in any tolera ble degree, intitles a writer to a very liberal share of commenda

tion.

The unwearied research neces

sary to ascertain the truth, where the materials for History are al most intirely the productions of adversaries, ever intent upon heaping odium, of every descrip tion, upon the objects of their aversion and scorn, can only be supposed to spring from a parti cipation of interest, a sort of union of soul, with the people, the history of whose real Principles and Practices the author under takes to explore. But such a feeling, by which an Author becomes, as it were, one of the very people of whom he prepares to give the world an account, almost necessarily divests him of the Impartiality requisite to a faithful historian.

It may be further observed, that under the reign of Papal Tyranny, so great and almost intire a darkness enveloped the Christian horizon, that when, at length, the Reformation begun to dawn, its rays were not at first like the clear effulgence of the morning, diffusing a gradual day on every object alike; they rather resem bled the corruscations of meteors, enlightening but very imperfectly, now this, and then that part of the gloomy chaos. From hence there sprung up at that time, numerous Leaders of Sects, who pursued ardently, and often almost to the neglect of every thing else connected with Reli gion, some favourite point of Revelation which they had severally discovered; and their zeal on the

one hand, with their negligence on the other, led many of them into extravagancies which them selves would have blushed at as the DAY advanced, which should enable them to discern objects distinctly, in their various relations to the world at large, as well as to the christian code of doc trine and morals. We do not perceive that these observations apply, in any peculiar degree, to the Baptists in general, or to the English Baptists in particular; but we have suggested them to our readers, as a necessary clue for the right understanding of many extraordinary facts connected with the history of every sect, when emerging from the grossest ignorance and superstition.

Here therefore, is another task for the Historian, he ought to possess enlarged and liberal views, and a talent for discrimination, that he may place the different actions of his several agents to their proper account. If it be too much to require him to tell us precisely what was the offspring of a vivid but confused view of a favourite peculiarity; what the result of remaining ignorance, and at that time, impenetrable gloom; and what proceeded from a mixture of motives and principles unavoidably arising out of the then exist ing circumstances of the religious world; yet we do expect to learn from a competent historian, the principal gradations which led to the full developement, of that class of Christians to which he directs our attention. expect him to bring us into the midst of his people, from their emerging out of the darkness which covered the earth, to their arrival at the most perfect state in which he presents them to our view.

We

Hitherto the materials for the History of the English Baptists have lain in scattered fragments, not easily accessible to the majority of our denomination, and almost unheard of in the religi ous world. Crosby collected a mass of them into four volumes, nearly a century ago; but his work is become rather scarce, and much additional information may yet be collected respecting the Baptists in several periods antecedent to the time of his writing. The events of their history since Crosby's time are also worthy of being recorded; and many circumstances have occurred to make a full and impartial History of the English Baptists a desideratum both to themselves and to the religious world in general.

If we contemplate the gross ignorance exhibited by many professing christians respecting most of those who differ from them in some of the adventitious circumstances of Christianity; if we connect this with the flagrant misrepresentations which weak or malicious men are hereby encouraged to make respecting persons of other external forms of devotion; if we consider the unhappy result of such a state of things, as tending to fill many of those bosoms with the most rancorous aversion, with wrath, and bitterness, and all uncharitableness, upon whose common banner LOVE is inscribed in the most resplendent characters;we cannot avoid the wish that christians were universally better informed respecting each other; assured, as we are, that a better acquaintance would exterminate every irrascible passion, and fill their minds and hearts with a congeries of thoughts and affec tions towards their brethren fat more congenial with the dispensation under which it is their pri

Walworth hymns. By J. Swain, late Pastor of the Baptist Church meeting there. To which is added A short Essay on Church Fellowshipand Social Religion. The fourth Edition, corrected. ton. 28 6d.

But

We are glad to see a new and very neat Edition of this excellent pocket-companion. Its contents certainly merit circulation beyond the inmediate vicinity of Walworth, to which we understand it has been principally confined; though we remember eading and recommending it with great pleasure several years ago.

True Stories; or, Interesting Anecdotes of Children: designed through the Medium of Example to inculcate Principles of Virtue and Piety. By the Author of Lessons for Young Persons in humble life. Longman &c. 24. 6d.

We have always maintained that the Region of Truth affords abundant Supplies of whatever can conduce to the moral or spiritual advantage of the rising generation. This pleasing and judicious selection of true Stories

tends to confirm our opinion on this head. The writer observes, "No narrative, nor anecdote, is inserted in this little work, of whose strict authenticity there did not seem to be very satisfactory evidence. And, no doubt, this circumstance will form a striking recommendation of the book, particularly in the apprehension of its young readers; and will add, very considerably, to the interest and edification with which they will peruse it. For, as Mr. Knox observes, "Children naturally love truth; and when they sead a story, their first question usually is, whether it is true: if they find it true, they value it but little, and it soon are pleased with it; if not, they becomes insipid." p. 5. Preface.

This little Book deserves, and will no doubt obtain, an extensive circulation.