the Rev. Simon Wilmer preaching on the occasion. Bishop Clagget, so far as I know and believe, entertained sound views of the Gospel, and was a truly pious man. There was much of the Englishman about him, I presume, from his wearing the mitre, and his mode of examining me, that conforming so much to the character of the English University examinations. Beside a number of hard questious in the metaphysics of divinity, which I was by no means well prepared to answer, but which he kindly answered for me, he requested that I would, in compliance with an old English canon, which had been, I think, incorporated somewhere into our requisitions, give him an account of my faith in the Latin tongue. Although I was pretty well versed in the Latin language, yet being unused to speak it, I begged him to excuse me. He then said I could take pen and paper, and write it down in his presence; but he was kind enough to excuse from that also, and determined to ordain me with all my deficiencies.

ARTICLE V.

Sermons of the Rev. JAMES H. FOWLES, late Rector of the Church of the Epiphany, Philadelphia: with a Memoir.

THIS volume of discourses was published, we understand, for the benefit of the widow of the deceased. So much was their lamented author loved by his flock whilst living, and so highly appreciated by many as a religious teacher, that they can not but prove acceptable. Sermons of a sound doctrinal and truly practical character, next to the remembrance of a holy life, compose the best monument that a minister of Christ can leave behind him. Through them, "though dead, he speaketh.” Such a monument, noble, lofty, and grand in its conception, and replete with the evidences of the skill of a master-workman, do we find this volume to be.

The author of these discourses was of the Calvinistic school

of divines the same in which was nurtured the piety, and nerved the intellects, of the Reformers of our Mother Church of England. Without attempting to discuss the Scriptural soundness of these views, we would merely state that Mr. Fowles has many sympathizers with him in the ranks of that ministry, of which he was so distinguished an ornament. To such, the perusal of these sermons will afford unfeigned delight, whilst all, even of an opposing theological theory, will find much to elicit their admiration.

We would notice several excellencies that characterize the sermons of this lamented brother. There is, for instance, great discrimination displayed in his application of gospel truth. In this respect, he was a physician not only well acquainted with the remedies in his possession, but also possessed wonderful discrimination in searching out the nature and cause of spiritual disease. These two must be conjoined to make the successful pastor. The one (the knowledge of the remedy) may make the learned, logical, and even eloquent preacher, but not the successful one. Words are often eloquently uttered in the pulpit, but are not "in season." The other (the knowledge of the disease) may make the affectionate pastor; but affection, kindness, and tact in the sickroom are not the mental qualifications to fit a man for the battle-field of the pulpit, where the great struggle with Satan, with the world, and men at enmity with God, takes place. Graciously gifted is he, who, like the reverend author of these discourses, possesses both of these indispensable elements of success. In illustration of our criticism, we would refer to the first division of Sermon I., upon Isaiah 1: 18, being a description of the class of persons who are invited to reason with God. There is also to be noted in these sermons extraordinary power of expression. In some instances, when insisting upon some peculiar view of truth that he desired to impress upon the minds of his hearers, we have hardly ever met with his superior. On page 5 of Sermon I., is a most remarkable passage in proof. We venture to quote the following extract from Sermon II., believing that it will not only be illustrative of our remarks, but also tend to remove the unfounded prejudices which may have been indulged against the teaching of this

estimable brother. The title of the Sermon is, "Sovereign and Effectual Grace," the text being found in 1 Cor. 4: 7.

"Who art thou, O man!' says our apostle to such a one, that repliest against God?' and we would add, your reasonings and conclusions may seem to be authorized to carnal minds, but, in the view of those who know better, your triumphant notes and taunts are as foolish as the inferences of a maniac ; they sound in the ears of such like the ravings of one void of spiritual reason— like the prelude in time of an actual and fearful tragedy in eternity, when the despiser on earth has become the companion of the devil and his angels in hell. If, then, you have any desire that God should make you to differ from what you are, and what you will be, unless your nature be changed, you must repent of that wicked and ungodly stand which you have assumed, in determining to wait until you are sensibly forced; you must be brought to work, and yet give God the whole glory of your working; you must take up your position at the foot of Jesus' cross, looking and crying for mercy. It is only they who are brought by convicting grace to this humble posture and act, whom converting grace ever makes to differ. Unless you are led thus and there by God, you will never become a monument of his distinguishing and sovereign grace."

Of all men that we ever met, we do not think that we ever knew one more entirely divested of self than our lamented brother. To those who were unacquainted with the constraining motive of gospel love, his entire neglect of personal interest was always a mystery; whilst those taught in the school of grace, rejoiced in his course, as a practical illustration of St. Paul's assertion, "To me to live is Christ." As a matter of course, such a trait of character must show itself in the instructions of the preacher; and there we find its exhibitions. Lost in Christ, Mr. Fowles was, without exception, one of the boldest and most uncompromising proclaimers of gospel truth that we have ever listened to; yet, because he served Christ and not himself, nor a party, his teachings were full of love, and destitute of passion. He evidently stood in the pulpit, not like the chameleon to receive his color from surrounding tints, but as one who came to speak the mind of the Spirit, whether men would hear or whether they would forbear. Take, for instance, the following extract:

Surely these reasons are sufficient to convince you that your sins can not excel His mercy; that he is ready to fulfill his promise in our text; and that VOL. II.-18.

although other sins merit everlasting death, yet that unbelief in God's free grace is the only sin which can damn you, and every other sinner in Christian lands. Is it not evidently too, the crowning sin? If I had not come, and spoken unto them,' said Jesus, 'they had not had sin.' It is said of one,* who subsequently wrote a treatise on Sanctification, which can not be appreciated except by advanced Christians, that, when he came first under the conviction of his sins, he could attain no peace, although he consulted many ministers of Christ. All their Scriptural expositions, and assurances of God's readiness to forgive, afforded no relief; as he insisted that his sins transcended all. At length he came to a distinguished man of God,† who requested him to go over the catalogue of his sins, which he thought were unpardonable. When he had completed this, and had presented, indeed, a black and formidable list, the only reply which he received was, 'You have forgotten the worst of all.' 'What is that?' said the self-condemning inquirer. The answer was,‘ Unbelief in Jesus Christ.' The timely reproof was felt, and savingly applied. He mixed faith with Jesus, as He is set forth in the Gospel; and, immediately 'accepted in the beloved,' he went on his way rejoicing.

"So, too, convicted and despairing soul, if you would be persuaded of the falseness and sinfulness of all the reasons for your unbelief; if you would cast an eye of faith upon Jesus, as the Lamb which was sacrificed in your stead, you would realize God's promise: Though your sins were as scarlet, they should be as white as snow; though they were red like crimson, they should be as wool.'"

So much delighted have we been in the perusal of these sermons, that we might extend our review to a very great length. We would merely remark that intimate knowledge of the intricate workings of the human soul, under the teachings of grace; earnestness of appeal to sinners, as if their salvation depended entirely upon their own efforts, as will be evident from the following extracts from Sermon IV.:

"But our parable teaches, in the second place, what strenuous and untiring efforts are sometimes required of the needy sinner, before he finds that treasure which is hid in Christ. Although nothing can be more presumptuous, and nothing will prove more unavailing, than an attempt to come to Christ, without the recognition of the necessity of being drawn to him by the Father, yet the injunction is express and urgent, that we should strive to enter in at the strait gate.' Although, too, it is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but of his own mercy he saveth us;' and the result of all our struggles is, that we are brought to give up dependence on our own arm in every sense, and to cast ourselves entirely upon the mercy and help of God. Yet, on this very account, are we directed to work out our own salvation

* Marshall.

Thomas Goodwin.

with fear and trembling.' While, in his sovereignty, God sometimes confers salvation, to all appearance almost unsought, upon a few; yet, in other cases, he chooses to exact a patient, self-denying, and earnest use of all the means of grace. Thus, it is not at the first report that many sinners exercise faith in the glad tidings of salvation which they hear. Like the Bereans, they feel an impulse to resort to the Scriptures, and ascertain for themselves whether these things are 80. Or the ministers of Christ, as they see, with their Master, what little effect they produce by word of mouth, urge their flock to 'Search the Scriptures,' and believe their testimony. Upon their diligent compliance with this direction, too, may be suspended their eternal safety.

"Again, it is not a single proclamation of the Gospel that always begins and ends the work of grace in the heart; but the interest which one sermon excites may be subsequently effaced by an habitual or partial absence from the services of the sanctuary, or it may ripen into the absolute enjoyment of the love and favor of God, by a constant mingling in the assemblings and worship of the saints. There may be many a man who never would have been 'blessed,' if he had not earnestly and perseveringly heard Christ,' watching daily at his gates, waiting at the posts of his doors.'

"Once more, although the Father of mercies sometimes sees fit to call the grossest reprobates to the immediate knowledge of his grace in Christ, yet it is not seldom that he refuses to hold any communion with an inquirer, unless he pursue another course; unless he endeavor, to the full amount of the ability which God giveth, to cease from evil, and to learn to do well. Jesus imposes it upon such a one as a condition, first, to every practicable extent, to do the divine will ere he will allow him to know of the doctrine whether it is of God, or whether it is spoken, without authority, by man. Thus he is allowed, only by his faithfully following on, to know the Lord.

"But, above all, how many a distressed inquirer is urged to cry out in prayer to God, if perhaps his sin may be forgiven him! Whatever mercy may be vouchsafed others, who have hitherto restrained prayer before God,' yet of such a one it is required, that he must cry after knowledge, and lift up his voice for understanding; he must seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures, ere he understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Prayer is emphatically the instrument with which most who are brought to the field in which the Gospel treasure lies hid, are expected to work. They must be so thoroughly convinced of their absolute poverty and wretchedness, unless they are endowed with the riches of Christ, that the feelings of beggars will possess them, and the importunate petitions of beggars be offered by them. They must assign no limit to their earnestness and perseverAs miners, in their search for even the baser metals, penetrate the earth by their shafts for hundreds of feet, so those who dig for that which is 'better than gold, yea than much fine gold,' must determine, if needs be, to break up the entire surface of the field, and to explore every attainable depth, until they find that which their soul seeks. Like Jacob, with the angel of the covenant, they must give the Lord no rest from those prayers in which that spiritual strength which they put forth, can be illustrated by nothing except

ance.