ers, and the fruits, and the whole | tion, and peace. There, upon ancreation around us, has been ce-gels that never fell, and souls that lebrating the honours of his name; have been redeemed from among with what comparative indifference men, do his glories unceasingly to the advancement of his glory shine. There the flowers never have we suffered the seasons to re- fade: there the sun never sets; volve. How numberless have been there the leaf never withers. Blessthe sins of omission and commis- ed they, who already enjoy this sion, by which the year that is high felicity! They are at rest past has been distinguished. How from their labours. They shall frequently, and how justly have sorrow and suffer no more. Blesswe merited his displeasure. In ed Jesus, who hath brought to light the midst of all his goodness, how such a life, such an immortality; neglectful, how unkind, how un- and whose infinite compassion to worthy has been the return, which a dying world, made thee stoop we have made. At no season so low to save it! Blessed Spirit, more appropriate, than that in which we are called to take a retrospect of the past, and to commence a new division of our time, can we sink into that annihilation of self, which will lead us "to repent in dust and ashes." seasons of the year are no longer visible to the eye of sense, may we pass into that state, where we shall see him as he is, and his unveiled glories shall surround our enraptured spirits for ever and ever! by whose sacred influences the soul is renewed, and the militant church is training for her final and triumphant destination, inspire us more and more with love, and zeal and gratitude, and faith, and hope. Confirm us to thy holy will; imFinally, from the glory of God press upon us thy holy image. Atin the seasons of the year, we may tend us with thy constant help to with infinite advantage, turn our the close of the journey of life. attention to the still higher dis- Be with us, as our strength and plays of it, which are made in the consolation, in the last conflict. cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; And when heart and flesh are failand to the more beautiful and bril-ing, and the glories of God in the liant discoveries, which he will make of himself in heaven. How short, how far short of what he is in reality, are all the few faint traces of his character, which appear in the works of nature! Here indeed, at the best, we see him but in part. It is only as we repair to Calvary, that we see him in perfection. And even here, while the mists of mortality are around us, he appears but as the sun, through the atmosphere of a wintry day. To behold him in the full majesty of his glory, we must pass into eternity. We must wait till the winter of time is over. We must look forward to the everlasting spring. No more shall the storms, which assail this transitory state, occasion a moment's alarm. All there shall be purity, perfec Saffron Walden, THE MUNSTER BAPTISTS. W. THE conduct of a few individuals at Munster in Westphalia, in the year 1535, has been the occasion of a large portion of reproach and virulent abuse being cast on the Baptists. Even within a few years a small pamphlet was published, extracted from Dr. Robertson's History of Charles the fifth, as a The History of the Baptists, evidently some time before the Reformation, designed to disgrace the Baptists the darkness of the middle age of the present time, by a recital of was slowly, though certainly, passwhat those called Anabaptists were ing away; the corruption of the said to have done at Munster more Romish hierarchy had begun to than two hundred years ago. The alarm and disgust thinking and inwhole affair has been very gene- fluential men; and the writings of rally misconceived, not to use a Wickliffe, the Council of Constronger term; and perhaps at this stance, the burning of John Huss distance of time, and especially at and Jerome of Prague, had proour distance from the country duced a strong sensation. where the scene took place, it is sale of indulgences in Germany, impossible to come at a correct and the conduct of Tetzel, to whose view of many particulars which it care that infamous traffic was would be desirable to know; but entrusted in the country about having paid some attention to the Wirtemberg, deluded many, but subject, a few observations will be opened the eyes of others to the laid before our readers;-not as a shameful conduct of the court of full detail, but as a sketch of events Rome, and disposed them to inand opinions, which may guide quire and listen in a manner that their minds in estimating the cur- exceeded former example; and rent expressions, either of report roused the mighty mind of Luther or of common history. to an opposition pregnant with unIt is here necessary to glance at expected events. "Oppression," the state of society before the pro- which "maketh a wise man mad," ceedings at Munster took place. irritated the minds of the suffering When the uncivilized tribes which peasantry in many parts of Gerpoured into the Roman empire many, and made them ready to from the east and north-east parts burst forth in acts of rebellion and of the world, and which at length violence, as soon as any opportuoverthrew it, formed settlements nity offered that would unite them for themselves, the great land own- and call them into action. About ers became slave owners, and ruled this time Luther published a small with a rod of iron all who were work on Christian Liberty. It under their control. A frightful flew like lightning; all classes read picture of the tyranny of the Ger- it with avidity, and its sentiments man lords and princes has been circulated among the meanest and often exhibited by the pens of his- most ignorant part of the commutorians. The peasants who culti- nity. Some authors have stated vated the soil had no liberty, either that it was misunderstood by the civil or religious; their lords con- common people, and that they sidered them as little better than drew inferences that were never articles of property: they demand- designed, and not fairly deducible ed their labour, and allowed them from it. Perhaps so; but there nothing more than was necessary was so much that was manifestly for their subsistence. They knew true in its general character, and that knowledge was power; that so suited to the state of feeling those held under oppression were very likely to rebel, if they had the means; and they seem to have therefore systematically tried to keep them in ignorance. But for produced by oppression, that it is no wonder ignorant and untutored minds should apply its principles with some degree of extravagance. A rebellion was excited, and dread ful havoc took place, ten years | blamed the peasants for the insurbefore the Munster outrages com-rection-blamed also the princes menced. for their tyranny. The attempt At this time Thomas Muncer, or which the peasants made to obtain Munzer (as others write his name), their liberty, by the force of arms, originally a Romish priest, became failed;-they were defeated near a Protestant; as a preacher he was Frankhausen; Muncer was taken, popular, and "the common people tortured, and put to death. These heard him gladly." In his general events took place in the spring of sentiments and manners he would 1525. be called by many severe and pu- At this eventful period, the ritanical, and was ranked among minds of men in Germany were the Anabaptists, though what his in a high degree of fermentation', particular views on the subject of The church of Rome was alarmed baptism were, it is not easy to say. at the recent attack on the claims He was drawn in to take a part in they had long made on the conthe contest between the peasants sciences and property of all classes. and their masters, and drew up a The Protestant party were making manifesto stating their grievances, a deep impression. Charles the and the privileges they wished to Fifth, who besides being king of have granted. Their first request Spain was emperor of Germany, was, that they might have the li- ambitiously sought to reduce the berty to choose such ministers as whole empire in subjection to his should sincerely preach the word of power. The princes saw clearly, God, without the mixture of human that if he succeeded in his projects, traditions. This is Sleidan's state- they would be degraded to a state ment: another writer adds an ad- of vassalage, and lose entirely their ditional clause-and that they independence. Many of them, might have power to dismiss them, therefore, from political reasons, as if their conduct was reprehensible. well as from those of a religious The second article contains an nature, attached themselves to the objection to applying the law of Reformers; while the Reformers, tithes enacted in the old dispensa-notwithstanding all the vigour of tion to the present, while it states their inquiry, needed themselves to that the peasants request that they be farther reformed. The lower may be allowed to pay tithes of classes partook of the general comcorn, provided no other tithes are motion; and while many of all exacted. The third article objects ranks were doubtless " serving the to slavery, both on the grounds of Lord with all humility of mind,” humanity and religion; and the re- there were then, as at all times, maining articles (there are twelve men who were ready to seize occain all) related to their peculiar sions, under the name of religion, hardships which they wished to to carry forward schemes of perhave relieved. Voltaire, who could sonal aggrandizement. Such was not be suspected of any religious the state of the times, and this prejudices in their favour, says brief view will assist in forming a Lycurgus would have signed it! proper estimate of the events that Even Luther, who himself had very afterwards will be related. little idea of religious liberty, and (To be continued.) REVIEW. Popular Lectures on Biblical Criticism cepts abused to the injury of a sanc and Interpretation. By W. CARPENTER, &c. tifying influence, and even consolation impaired, or rendered little better than enthusiasm. Between the two classes of the erudite and the uninstructed, there lies a large unoccupied space; where an accurate acquaintance with the Scriptures and profound investigation of them, would be productive of the most important results in the intellectual character and practical improve IN introducing these Lectures to the notice of our readers, we shall avail our selves of the opportunity of directing attention to the subject to which Mr. C. seems to have consecrated his time and talents; the universal study—not the reading—but the study of the sacred volume. The increase of biblical literature is a cause of profound congratula- ment of our national or professional tion among all sincere friends of Chris-Christianity. tianity. The beauty of the sacred pages We insist on the deplorable fact that has been made to glow more brightly, the Bible is little understood, and as the the authority of their dictates has been consequence of this, but little read. more distinctly acknowledged in the There are few individuals who have adjustment of religious controversies, studied it for themselves, till they have and the "cumulative argument” for the a fair historical and critical acquaintdiversity of their origin has been greatly ance with its respective portions, their strengthened. But still these benefi- nature and design, and relative importcial influences have had a circumscribed ance—there are few families in which range, for though the literary devotee anything like exegetical exercises on its within the last age has made the Bible contents enter into the elementary dismore his study than his predecessors in cipline of youth--and very many inthis path, it has not been proportion-stances in which it is never opened, but ably examined—studied by the oɩ mooi | for occasional reference to single texts, of the Christian church. The circula- or for the hurried perusal of a short tion of the Scriptures has, indeed, been chapter or psalm at the languid close incalculably extended, and perhaps the of a busy day. One remark on the custom of reading a portion statedly in reading of the Scriptures in the family,— the family has increased; yet the ad- they should be read in course, i. e. as vantages recently obtained in the pur- it regards books or portions; proceedsuit of Biblical Criticism and interpre-ing regularly through one or another, so tation, have not been equally diffused; as to gain a clear and connected view they are not like the waters which take a diffusive course far from their source, but like the flowers and the sculpture which ornament the fountain-head. We still find in connection with the average respectability and intelligence of religious professors, ignorance of the history of criticism, and of the present state of sacred literature; ignorance of the great principles of Scriptural interpretation; and as consequent, crude conceptions and gross misapplication of particular passages, in which doctrine is obscured and error promoted, pre of its history, or a full comprehension of its arguments; and especially, so as to catch the spirit of the writer, and obtain the benefits he aimed to communicate. But to make this attempt available, there must be that ability to arrange and explain, of the deficiency of which we are complaining. And, perhaps, in connection with individual and family neglect on this subject, we may mention the want of biblical elucidations from the pulpit. The text, its connection, and the principal passages quoted in the progress of a discourse, should be carefully explained; all the light which the public instructor possesses, should be poured upon the sacred page; and his studies, and especially his pulpit preparations, should be influenced by a paramount anxiety on this point. mises and warnings, saved from the abuse of a lax and indiscriminate application, will be more pointedly and safely employed; and in proportion as the sacred volume is completely studied and better understood, the enjoyment of its student, in every respect, will increase. This may be shown by tracing the natural or necessary effect on the mind of every enquiry which can be instituted in the study of the Scriptures; for when a man brings to the perusal of the will of God, that information which enables him to comprehend its purport, it must leave a deeper impression than could otherwise be the case; the wider is the range for the devotional feeling supposed to exist, and the stronger the motive which quickens its languor, or which is calculated to excite it in all the freshness and purity of a novel emotion. A defective acquaintance with the Scriptures, has been occasioned by separating the devotional or practical utility of their perusal from a literate acquaintance with them. The Bible, it has been said, is unique as an object of study; it must not be read for information, or as affording more materials for mental exercise, as other volumes on religious topics may be; but solely for its directions on conduct, and excitements to devotional fervour. Hence the study of it is confined to those chiefly whose business it is to defend the outworks of Christianity. Now not to say that the capacity of explaining its ob- It is probable that some of those, scurities, reconciling its apparent con- among whom we are anxious to see the tradictions, and defending its authority, study of the Scriptures extend, will opshould be as widely diffused as possible pose to these remarks a prejudice which in a day, when infidel suggestions are is sometimes connected with dependinsinuated among all classes; we main-ence on divine influence for all the tain that its devotional or practical benefits of scriptural information. Not efficiency will be promoted by those pursuits which have often been considered as subservient only to inferior ends. The more inen are qualified for biblical interpretation, the more interested they must feel in the regular perusal of the holy volume; and there is scarcely a part of it now neglected as obscure, or not evangelical, which will not then furnish motives to delightful and improving reflection. Intellectual efforts will be prompted in the study of a volume which is now read without effort, by the selection and repetition of passages which have become trite beyond the possibility of awakening general interest in the social circle; and every effort will be rewarded by the increase of the number, and the depth of sacred impressions. A more adoring sense of the providence of God in his church will be cherished; a more distinct comprehension of the characters of holy writ, by way of caution and encouragement will be obtained; pro only is a divine influence on the part of the sacred penmen pleaded for, as placing their compositions beyond the sphere of critical investigation; but it is also presumed that an influence is imparted to the devout reader, which renders unnecessary any process of mental improvement, or literary acquirement on his part. We anxiously caution the student of the inspired pages against the danger to which he is exposed, of treating the subjects of divine revelation as merely affording occasion for his ingenuity and research. We would prompt his ingenuity and animate him to deeper and deeper research, but we warn him against having at last the subjects of his enquiry, as if discovery had rewarded his diligence with the usual recompence of literary ardour; these subjects, as ascertained by him, are to promote his humility and faith; and the Truth, sacred and immutable truth, to the full radiance of which he has urged his laborious way, should awe |