of all our spiritual maladies, with their various symptoms, and the method of a certain cure; a cure that has been witnessed by multitudes of martyrs and departed saints, and is now enjoyed by thousands of good men, who would account it an honour to seal the truth of the Scriptures with their own bloodThere you meet with the noblest strains of penitential and joyous devotion, adapted to the dispositions and states of all travellers to Sion.-And there you read those awful threatenings and cheering promises which are daily fulfilled in the consciences of men, to the admiration of believers, and the astonishment of attentive infidels.

sulted. This, however, will not always answer.-5. If it do not, consider whether the phrase be any of the writer's peculiarities: if so, it must be inquired what is the acceptation in which he employs it in other places.-6. If this be not sufficient, recourse should be had to the parallel passages, if there be any such, in the other sacred writers.-7. If this throws no light, consult the New Testament and the Septuagint, where the word may be used.-8. If the term be only once used in Scripture, then recur to the ordinary acceptation of the term in classical authors.-9. Sometimes reference may be had to the fathers.10. The ancient versions, as well as modern scholiasts, annotators, and translators, may be consulted.-11. The analo

word, must be used with caution.

8. The wonderful efficacy of the Scriptures is another proof that they are of God. When they are faithfully open-gy of faith, and the etymology of the ed by his ministers, and powerfully ap plied by his Spirit, they wound and heal, they kill and make alive; they alarm the careless, direct the lost, support the tempted, strengthen the weak, comfort mourners, and nourish pious sculs.

Above all, let the reader unite prayer with his endeavours, that his understanding may be illuminated, and his heart impressed with the great truths which the sacred Scriptures contain.

66

As to the public reading of the Scrip"9. To conclude: It is exceedingly |tures, it may be remarked, that this is a remarkable, that the more humble and very laudable and necessary practice. holy people are, the more they read, "One circumstance," as a writer obadmire, and value the Scriptures: and, serves, why this should be attended to on the contrary, the more self-conceit-in congregations is, that numbers of the ed, worldly-minded, and wicked, the more they neglect, despise, and asperse thein.

hearers, in many places, cannot read them themselves, and not a few of them never hear them read in the families where they reside. It is strange that this has not long ago struck every person of the least reflection in all our churches, and especially the ministers, as a most conclusive and irresistible argument for the adoption of this practice,

"As for the objections which are raised against their perspicuity and consistency, those who are both pious and learned, know that they are generally founded on prepossession, and the want of understanding in spiritual things; or on our ignorance of several customs, idioms, and circumstances, which were It surely would be better to abridge perfectly known when those books were the preaching and singing, and even the written. Frequently, also, the immu-prayers, to one half of their length or terial error arises merely from a wrong punctuation, or a mistake of copiers, printers, or translators; as the daily discoveries of pious critics, and ingenious confessions of unprejudiced enquirers, abundantly prove.'

To understand the Scriptures, says Dr. Campbell, we should, 1. Get. acquainted with each writer's style. 2. Inquire carefully into the character, the situation, and the office of the writer; the time, the place, the occasion of his writing; and the people for whose immediate use he originally intended his work-3. Consider the principal scope of the book, and the particulars chiefly observable in the method by which the writer has purposed to execute his design.-4. Where the phrase obscure, the context must be con

more, than to neglect the public reading of the Scriptures. Let these things, therefore, be duly considered, together with the following reasons and observations, and let the reader judge and determine the case, or the matter, for himself.

"Remember that God no sooner caused any part of his will, or word, to be written, than he also commanded the same to be read, not only in the family, but also in the congregation, and that even when all Israel were assembled together (the men, women, and children, and even the strangers that were within their gates ;) and the end was, that they might hear, and that they might learn, and fear the Lord their God, and observe to do all the words of his law, "Deut. xxxi. 12.

"Afterward, when synagogues were || Brown's Introduction to his Bible erected in the land of Israel, that the Dr Campbell's Preliminary Dissertapeople might every Sabbath meet to tions to his Transl. of the Gospels; worship God, it is well known that the Fletcher's Appeal; Simon's Critical public reading of the Scripture was a History of the Old and New Test. Osmain part of the service there per- tervald's "Arguments of the Looks and formed: so much so, that no less than Characters of the Old and New Test. three-fourths of the time was generally Cosins's Scholastic Hist. of the Canon employed, it seems, in reading and ex. of Scrip Warden's System of Revealed pounding the Scriptures. Even the Religion; Wells's Geography of the prayers and songs used on those occa- Old and New Test. The Use of Sa sions appear to have been all subser- cred History, especially as illustrating vient to that particular and principal and confirming the Doctrine of Revela employment or service, the reading of tion, by Dr. Jamieson; Dick on Inspiration; Blackwell's Sacred Classics; Michael's Introduction to the New Test Melmoth's Sublime and Beautiful of the Scriptures; Dwight's Dissertation on the Poetry, History, and Eloquence of the Bible; Edwards on the Authority, Style, and Perfection of Scripture; Stackhouse's History of the Bible; Kennicott's State of the Hebrew Text; Jones on the Figurative Language of Scripture; and books under articles BIBLE, COMMENTARY, CHRISTIANITY, and REVELATION.

the law.

"This work, or practice, of reading the Scripture in the congregation, is warranted, and recommended in the New Testament, as well as in the Old.|| As Christians, it is fit and necessary that we should first of all look unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. His example, as well as his precepts, is full of precious and most important instruction; and it is a remarkable circumstance, which ought|| never to be forgotten, that he began his public ministry, in the synagogue of Nazareth, by reading a portion of Scripture out of the book of the prophet Isaiah; Luke, iv. 15.-19. This alone, one would think, might be deemed In 1732, more than forty ministers quite sufficient to justify the practice presented an address to the general asamong his disciples through all succeed-sembly, specifying, in a variety of ining ages, and even inspire them with zeal for its constant observance.

SECEDERS, a numerous body of Presbyterians in Scotland, who have withdrawn from the communion of the established church.

stances, what they considered to be great defections from the established constitution of the church, and craving

"The apostle Paul, in pointing out to Timothy his ministerial duties, particu-a redress of these grievances. A petilarly mentions reading, 1 Tim. iv. 13. Give attendance (says he) to reading. to exhortation, to doctrine, evidently distinguishing reading as one of the public duties incumbent upon Timothy. There can be no reason for separating these three, as if the former was only a private duty, and the others public ones; the most natural and consistent idea is, that they were all three public duties; and that the reading here spoken of, was no other than the reading of the Scriptures in those Christian assemblies where Timothy was concerned, and which the apostle would have him by no means to neglect. If the public reading of the Scriptures was so necessary and important in thosereligious as semblies which had Timothy for their minister, how much more must it be in || our assemblies, and even in those which enjoy the labours of our most able and

tion to the same effect, subscribed by several hundreds of elders and private Christians, was offered at the same time; but the assembly refused a hearing to both, and enacted, that the election of ministers to vacant charges, where an accepted presentation did not take place, should be competent only to a conjunct meeting of elders and heritors, being Protestants. To this act many objections were made by num bers of ministers and private Christians. They asserted that more than thirty to one in every parish were not possessed of landed property, and were, on that account, deprived of what they deemed their natural right to choose their own pastors. It was also said that this act was extremely prejudicial to the bonour and interest of the church, as well as to the edification of the people; and, in fine, that it was directly contrary to the appointment of Jesus Christ, and the On the subject of the Scriptures, we practice of the apostles, when they must refer the reader to the articles filled up the first vacancy in the aposto BIBLE, CANON, INSPIRATION, PRO-lic college, and appointed the election of PHECY, and REVELATION. See also deacons and elders in the primitive

eminent ministers!"

chucrh. Many of those also who were thought to be the best friends of the church expressed their fears, that this act would have a tendency to overturn the ecclesiastical constitution which was established at the revolution.

them by their officer, to compear next day. They obeyed the citation; and a committee was appointed to retire with them, in order to persuade them to withdraw their protest. The committee having reported that they still adhered to their protest, the assembly ordered them to appear before the commission in August following, and retract their protest; and, if they should not comply and testify their sorrow for their

ed to suspend them from the exercise of their ministry, with certification that, if they should act contrary to the said sentence, the commission should proceed to an higher censure.

Mr. Ebenezer Erskine, minister at Stirling, distinguished himself by a bold and determined opposition to the mea sures of the assembly in 1732. Being at that time moderator of the synod of Perth and Stirling, he opened the meet-conduct, the commission was empowering at Perth with a sermon from Psalm cxviii. 22. "The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head 'stone of the corner. In the course of his sermon, he remonstrated with no small degree of freedom against the act The commission met in August acof the preceding assembly, with regard cordingly; and the four ministers, still to the settlement of ministers; and al- adhering to their protest, were suspendleged that it was contrary to the word ed from the exercise of their office, and of God and the established constitution cited to the next meeting of the comof the church. A formal complaint was mission in November following. From lodged against him for uttering several this sentence several ministers and eloffensive expressions in his sermon be-ders, members of the commission, disfore the synod. Many of the members sented. The commission met in Nodeclared that they heard him utter||vember, and the suspended ministers nothing but sound and seasonable doc- compeared. Addresses, representatrine; but his accusers, insisting on their tions, and letters from several synods complaint, obtained an appointment of and presbyteries, relative to the business committee of synod to collect what were now before the commission, were recalled the offensive expressions, and to ceived and read. The synods of Dumlay them before the next diet in writing. fries, Murray, Ross, Angus and Mearns, This was done accordingly; and Mr. Perth and Surling, craved that the comErskine gave in his answers to every mission would delay proceeding to a article of the complaint. After three higher censure. The synods of Galloday's warm reasoning on this affair, the way and Fife, as also the presbytery of synud, by a majority of six, found him Dornoch, addressed the commission for censurable; against which sentence he lenity, tenderness, and forbearance toprotested, and appealed to the next ge- wards the suspended ministers; and neral assembly. When the assembly the presbytery of Aberdeen representmet in May 1733, it affirmed the sen-ed, that, in their judgment, the sentence tence of the synod, and appointed Mr of suspension inflicted on the aforesaid Erskine to be rebuked and admonished ministers was too high, and that it was from the chair. Upon which he pro- a stretch of ecclesiastical authority. tested, that as the assembly had found Many members of the commission reahim censurable, and had rebuked him soned in the same manner, and alleged, for doing what he conceived to beagreea- that the act and sentence of last assemble to the word of God and the standards bly did not oblige them to proceed to a of the church, he should be at liberty to higher censure at this meeting of the preach the same truths, and to testify commission. The question, however, against the same or similar evils, on was put.-Proceed to a higher censure every proper occasion. To this pro- or not? and the votes being numbered, test Messrs. William Wilson, minister were found equal on both sides: upon at Perth, Alexander Moncrief, minister which Mr. John Goldie, the moderator, at Abernethy, and James Fisher, minis- gave his casting vote to proceed to a ter at Kinclaven, gave in a written ad-higher censure; which stands in their herence, under the form of instrument; and these four withdrew, intending to return to their respective charges, and act agreeably to their protest whenever they should have an opportunity. Had the affair rested here,there never would have been a secession; but the assembly resolving to carry the process, cited

minutes in these words:"The commission did and hereby do loose the relation of Mr. Ebenezer Erskine, minister at Stirling, Mr. William Wilson, minister at Perth, Mr. Alexander Moncrief, minister at Abernethy, and Mr. James Fisher, minister at Kinclaven, to their respective charge, and declare

them no longer ministers of this church;,, and do hereby prohibit all ministers of this church to employ them, or any of them, in any ministerial function. And the commission to declare the churches of the said ministers vacant from and af. ter the date of this sentence."

the communion of the establishedchurch. They now erected themselves into an ecclesiastical court, which they called the Associated Presbytery, and preached occasionally to numbers of the people who joined them in different parts of the country. They also pub.ished what they called an Act, Declaration, and Testimony, to the doctrine, worship,

of Scotland; and against several in stances, as they said, of defection from these, both in former and in the present times. Some time after this, several ministers of the established church join

This sentence being intimated to them, they protested that their ministerial office and relation to their respec-government, and discipline of the church tive charges should be held as valid as if no such sentence had passed; and that they were now obliged to make a secession from the prevailing party in the ecclesiastical courts; and that it shall be lawful and warrantable for themed them, and the Associated Presbytery to preach the Gospel, and discharge every branch of the pastoral office, according to the word of God, and the established principles of the church of Scotland. Mr. Ralph Erskine, minister at Dunfermline, Mr Thomas Mair, minister at Orwel, Mr. John M'Laren, minister at Edinburgh, Mr. John Cur rie, minister at Kinglassie, Mr. James Wardlaw, minister at Dunfermline, and Mr. Thomas Narin, minister at Abbot-diately withdrew. The assembly which shall, protested against the sentence of the commission, and that it should be lawful for them to complain of it to any subsequent general assembly of the

church.

now consisted of eight ministers. But the general assembly which met in 1738, finding that the number of Seceders was much increased,ordered the eight ministers to be served with a libel, and to be cited to the next meeting of the assembly, in 1739. They now ap peared at the bar as a constituted pres bytery, and, having formerly declined the assembly's authority, they imme

met next year deposed them from the office of the ministry; which, however, they continued to exercise in their respective congregations, who stili adhered to them, and erected meetingThe secession properly commenced houses, where they preached till their at this date. And accordingly the eject death. Mr. James Fisher, the last sured ministers declared in their protest, vivor of them, was by a unanimous that they were laid under the disagreea- call in 1741, translated from Kinclaven ble necessity of seceding, not from the to Glasgow, where he continued in the principles and constitution of the church exercise of his ministry among a nuof Scotland, to which, they said, they merous congregation, respected by ail steadfastly adhered, but from the pre- ranks in that large city, and died in sent church courts, which had thrown 1775, much regretted by his people and them out from ministerial communion. friends. In 1745, the seceding minis The assembly, however, which met in ters were become so numerous, that they May 1734, did so far modify the above were erected into three different pres sentence, that they empowered the sy-byteries under one synod, when a very nod of Perth and Stirling to receive the unprofitable dispute divided them into ejected ministers into the communion of two parties. the church, and restore them to their respective charges; but with this express direction, that the said synod should not take upon them to judge of the legality or formality of the former procedure of the church judicatories in relation to this affair, or either approve or censure the same." As this appoint ment neither condemned the act of the preceding assembly, nor the conduct of the commission, the seceding ministers considered it to be rather an act of grace than of justice; and therefore, they said, they could not return to the church-courts upon this ground; and they published to the world the reasons of their refusal, and the terms upon which they were willing to return to

The burgess oath, in some of the royal boroughs of Scotland, contains the following clause: "I profess and allow with my heart the true religion presently pro fessed within this realm, and authorised by the laws thereof. I will abide at and defend the same to my life's end, re nouncing the Romish religion called Papistry." Messrs. Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine, James Fisher, and others, affirmed that this clause was no way coctrary to the principles upon which the secession was formed, and that therefore every seceder might lawfully swear it. Messrs. Alexander Moncrief, Themas Mair, Adam Gib, and others, com tended, on the other hand, that the swearing of the above clause was a vir

:

and profane to be sponsors for their children. Believing that the people have a natural right to Choose their own pastors, the settlement of their ministers always proceeds upon a popular elec

tual renunciation of their testimony, hearers publicly, and visit them from and this controversy was so keenly agi-house to house once every year. They tated, that they split into two different will not give the Lord's supper to those parties, and now meet in different sy- who are ignorant of the principles of nods. Those of them who assert the the Gospel, nor to such as are scanda lawfulness of swearing the burgess oath lous and immoral in their lives They are called Burghers; and the other condemn private baptism; nor will they party, who condemn it, are called Anti-admit those who are grossly ignorant burgher Seceders. Each party claiming to itself the lawful constitution of the Associate Synod, the Antiburghers, after several previous steps, excommunicated the Burghers, on the ground of their sin, and of their contumacy in it.tion; and the candidate, who is elected This rupture tock place in 1747, since by the majority, is ordained among which period no attempts to effect a re- them. Convinced that the charge of union have been successful. They re- souls is a trust of the greatest impormain under the jurisdiction of different tance, they carefully watch over the mcsynods, and hold separate communion, rals of their students, and direct them although much of their former hostility to such a course of reading and study has been laid aside. The Antiburghers as they judge most proper to qualify consider the Burghers as too lax, and them for the profitable discharge of the not sufficiently steadfast to their testi- pastoral duties. At the ordination of mony. The Burghers, on the other their ministers, they use a formula of hand, contend that the Antiburghers are the same kind with that of the estatoo rigid, in that they have introduced blished church, which their ministers newterms of communion into the society. are bound to subscribe when called to What follows in this article is a far-it; and if any of them teach doctrines ther account of those who are common-contrary to the Scriptures, or the Westly called the Burgher Seceders. As minster Confession of Faith, they are there were among them, from the com sure of being thrown out of their com mencement of their secessions, several || munion. By this means, uniformity of students who had been educated at one sentiment is preserved among them, or other of the universities, they ap-nor has any of their ministers, exceptpointed one of their ministers to give ing one, been prosecuted for error in lectures in theology, and train up can doctrine since the commencement of didates for the ministry. their secession.

Where a congregation is very nu- They believe that the holy Scripmerous, as in Stirling, Dunfermline, andtures are the sole criterion of truth, and Perth, it is formed into a collegiate the only rule to direct mankind to gloricharge, and provided with two minis-fy and enjoy God, the chief and eternal ters. They are erected into six differ-good; and that the supreme Judge, ent presbyteries, united in one general synod, which commonly meets at Edioburgh in May and September. They have also a synod in Ireland, composed of three or four different presbyteries. They are legally tolerated in Ireland;|| and government, some years ago, grant ed 500l. per annum, and of late an additional 5001. which when divided among them, affords to each minister about 201. over and above the stipend which he receives from his hearers. These have, besides, a presbytery in Nova Scotia; and, some years ago, it is said, that the Burgher and the Antiburgher ministers residing in the United States formed a coalition, and joined in a general synod, which they call the Synod of New York and Pennsylvania. They all preach the doctrines contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith, and Catechisms, as they believe these to be founded on the sacred Scriptures. They catechise their

by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all the decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scriptures.' They are fully persuaded, however, that the standards of public authority in the church of Scotland exhibit a just and consistent view of the meaning and design of the holy Scriptures with regard to doctrine, worship, government, and discipline; and they so far differ from the dissenters in England, in that they hold these standards to be not only articles of peace and a test of orthodoxy, but as a bond of union and fellowship. They consider a simple declaration of adherence to the Scriptures as too equivocal a proof of unity in sentiment, because Arians, Socinians, and Armi