On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    value and their connexion with the history of religious reformation , has not led to the publication of at least a copious selection from our reformer ' s ver nacular compositions . As specimens of the vigour of thought and reasoning which distinguish both his practical and argumentative pieces , we subjoin the following passages , modernized , it is true , b y Mr . V . ; but the attentive reader , we think , will be satisfied by internal evidence that he is to be depended on when he assures us that the substance of his author ' s language has been carefully preserved , and with it every the minutest shade of his meaning .

    " It is in the following language that he contends for that liberty of praphesying , which has diffused so powerful an influence over the institutions of this country , and over the character of its people . ' Worldly prelates command that no man should preach the gospel , but according to their will ai * d limitation , and forbid men to hear the gospel on pain of the great curse . But Satan , in his own person , durst never do so much despite to Christ and to his gospel , for he alleged holy writ in tempting Christ , and thereby would have pursued his intent . And since it is the counsel and commandment of

    Christ to priests generally , that they preach the gospel , and as this tliey must not do without leave of prelates , who , it may be , are fiends of hell ; it follows that priests may not do the commands of Christ , without the leave of fiends . Ah ! Lord Jesus , are these sinful fools , and in some cases fiends of hell , more witty and mighty than thou , that true men may not do thy will , without authority from them ? Ah ! Lord God Almighty , all wise , and all full of charity , how long wilt thou suffer these antichrists to despise thee , and thy holy gospel , and to prevent the health of the souls of Christian men ? Lord

    of endless righteousness , this thou sufferest , because of sin generally reigning among the people ; but of thine endless mercy and goodness , help thy poor wretched priests and servants , that they possess the love and reverence of thy gospel , and be not hindered to do thy worship and will by the false feignings of antichrist . Almighty Lord God , most merciful , and in wisdom boundless , since thou sufferedst Peter and all apostles to have so great fear and

    cowardice at the time of thy passion , that they flew all away for dread of death , and for a poor woman ' s voice ; and since afterwards by the comfort of the Holy Ghost , thou madest them so strong that they were afraid of no man , nor of pain , nor death ; help now , by gifts of the same Spirit , thy poor servants , who all their life have been cowards , and make them strong , and bold in thy cause , to maintain the gospel against antichrist , and the tyrants of this world . "'—II . pp . 279 , 280 .

    " It is in the following language that he describes the self-denial and devotedness which the gospel requires of its sincere disciples : ' Christ not compelling , but freely counselling every man to seek a perfect life , saith , * Let him deny himself , and take up his cross and follow me . ' Let us then deny ourselves in whatever we have made ourselves by sin , and such as we are made b y grace , let us continue . If a proud man be converted to Christ and is made humble , he hath denied himself . If a covetous man ceaseth to

    covet , and giveth of his own to relieve the needy , he hath denied himself . If an impure man changeth his life and becometh chaste , he hath denied himself , as St . Gregory saith . He who withstandeth and forsaketh the unreasonable will of the flesh , denieth himself . The cross of Christ is taken when we shrink not from contempt for the love of the truth ; when man is crucified unto the world , and the world is crucified unto him , and he setteth its

    joy at nought . It is not enough to bear the cross of a painful life , except we follow Christ in his virtues , in meekness , love , and heavenly desire . He taketh the , crosp who is really to meet all peril for Gpdj if need be to die rather than t ^ forsak e Christ . And whoso taketh Aot thus the cross , and followeth not Christ thus ; , ii not worthy to be his disciple . —Lord Jesus , turn us to thee , and we shall be turned ? Heal thou us , and then we shall be verily

    Untitled Article

    608 Review . —Life and Opinions of John < le TPydiffe , D . 0 .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1828, page 608, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2564/page/24/