The fiery spirit of intolerance, which pervades all their animadversions on the religious publications of such authors as are obnoxious to them, is totally indefensible in every point of view; being not only inconsistent with the mild genius of Christianity, but with the natural rights of conscience, and the common dictates of reason. Our Church is, indeed, an episcopal society, instituted by divine authority, and none of its members should ever withdraw themselves from her communion, so long as she retains, with unsullied purity, the original doctrine of Christ. But is it, therefore, a justifiable act indiscriminately to exclude from salvation all who imprudently separate, and with one stroke of the pen to unchristianize every individual Dissenter? Must we consign to eternal damnation a Doddridge, a Watts, or a Howard? Will we, in the paroxysms of our zeal, make no allowance for the prejudices of education, the insuperable ignorance of multitudes in the common walks of life, and a thousand other nameless considerations? Letus rather exhibit in our whole conduct all the genuine features of theChristian character, and "in meekness instruct those who oppose themselves." Let us be studious to demonstrate, from our own example, that "the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance," and then let us zealously unite both hand and heart in endeavouring, by every scriptural mode of exertion, to promote the interests of our venerable establishment, and to build up the walls of our Jerusalem. E. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. WE greatly regret that we have been under the absolute necessity of deferring the communications of A CURATE OF THE SOUTH; JOHN; J. M.; O.; &c. together with se veral reviews, which we were anxious to insert. We are glad to find, that we were misinformed as to what we have said (page 161) of the sale of Mr. Drewitt's Answer to the Question, "Why are you a Churchman?" That valuable tract has gone through six editions. We beg to assure a Baptist Minister, who has favoured us with a long admonitory letter, that we meant no offence whatever to him, or any of his brethren, in allowing the word ANABAPTIST to stand unaltered in the paper of a correspondent. We take in good part all he has said, and shall not be hindered by the caustic severity of some of lais remarks, from profiting by his reproof, and cultivating the charity which he recommends so strongly. it would have been more charitable in him, however, had be forborne to charge us with wifully mistating facts, our knowledge of which he may assume, but could not be certain of. We have received a letter from one who signs himself SENEX, which must have been intended for some other publication, as it contains strictures on a Defence of Duelling, said to have appeared in our pages. The communication of L. J. H. is not sufficiently correct for insertion. We should be always glad, in such cases, to have some means of ascertaining the truth of the facts which are related, by a reference to some one on whom we can depend. We have been obliged considerably to shorten the paper transmitted from Hull by CLERICUS. We are much obliged to PHILADELPHOS for his remarks on the Monthly Review, but we apprehend that all that is material in them has been already anticipated. ALLEGORICUS, J. F. H. NAUFRAGUS, GRADUATUS, CONFIRMATURUS, and LUCIUS LONDINENSIS have come to hand, E. W.'s extract from Peter's Complaint; J. P. on the Evidences of a State of Salvation; C. L. on the Passion Weck, E, the paper on the most probable Subjects of Divine Grace, PATROBAS; the Letter of A LONDON APPRENTICE; L. J. on the opinions respectively held by Calvin and Arminius on the subject of Justification; S. B. and P. R. shall obtain as early an insertion as possible. We should be glad if M. would give us an opportunity of authenticating his affecting story. ERRATA. Page 81, col. 1, line 12, from bottom, after the read outward. 165, col. 2, line 13, from bottom, for these read those." 188, col. 2, line 24, after rather read than, CHRISTIAN OBSERVER. No. 17. MAY, 1803. [No. 5. VOL. II. Religious Communications. LETTER OF IGNATIUS TO THE CHURCH AT TRALLES. GNATIUS, who is also called The which is at Tralles, chosen of God and reconciled to him by the blood and sufferings of Jesus Christ our hope, through his resurrection from the dead. I know that ye have a blameless mind, incapable of strife and division, and that not only from exercise but from principle; as I learned of Polybius your bishop, who by the will of God attended upon me at Smyrna, and so cordially rejoiced with me in my bonds, that I seemed to contemplate your whole Church in him alone. Receiving, therefore, from him that benevolence which is pleasing unto God, I also rejoiced to find you imitators of him. And since ye continue subject to your bishop as unto Jesus Christ, ye appear to walk not according to men, but after the example of Christ himself; for it is your duty, which indeed ye practice, to do nothing without your bishop: but be ye also subject to the presbytery, as unto the Apostles of Christ. It behoves also the deacons, who are ministers of the mysteries of Christ, to endeavour that they give no offence in any thing; for they are not ministers of meats and of drinks (only), but of the Church of God: and let all men reverence the deacons as an order of divine appointment, the bishop as a type of tlie Father, and the presbyters as a divine and apostolical convocation. Where these are not, let it not be called a * I have rendered this passage literally, as it marks the transition in the deacons office from their original occupation of serving tables to that of inferior ecclesiastical ministers, which they have exercised ever since. Perhaps this is the only instance in which the term "ministers of the mysteties of God" has been applied to this order. + I am bound to acknowledge, that the re is much uncertainty in the reading of this CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 17. Church and I am persuaded that you an example of your charity with me in the person of your bishop, whose disposition is habitual discipline, and whose clemency is power, a man who is loved and reverenced even by the ungodly §. I have many divine truths to utter; but endeavour to measure myself lest I perish in the confidence of boasting. I have now especially reason to fear, and not to lend my mind to those who would puff me up; for they who commend, chastise me as with a scourge. I love to suffer, but know not whe ther I am worthy; for the zeal of martyrdom is greater in myself, as it is less understood by others. I have, therefore, the spirit of meekness by which the prince of this world is subdued. Could I not then write to you of heavenly things? Yes; but I fear lest I should oppress the weak: pardon me, therefore, if I withhold somewhat, lest they, who cannot receive them, should be subverted; for though I am bound for the truth, yet am I not, on that account, privileged to understand the highest mysteries of heaven, the assemblies of angels, and the constitution of their principalities and powers; rather am I yet a learner in invisible things; many things are yet wanting unto me that I may not be wanting unto God. I beseech you, therefore, or rather not I but the love of Jesus Christ, that ye would use wholesome Christian nourishment alone, and abstain from the strange herb, which is heresy, with which those who are defiled entwine the crown of Christ with poisonous plants, and offer a deadly potion mingled with metheglin. Of such, therefore, beware: and ye will beware, unless ye are puffed up and separate yourselves from the godhead of Jesus Christ, from your bishop, and from the precepts of the Apostles; for he that is within the pale of the altar is clean, he that is without is unclean; that is, whosoever doeth any thing without the bishop, the presbytery, and the deacons, is defiled in his conscience. Not that I know of any such defilement among you, but that I labour to fortify you as my beloved children, foreseeing the snares of the devil. Ye, therefore, in the spirit of meekness refresh yourselves with faith, which is the flesh of Christ, and with charity, which is his blood. Let no one have a quarrel against his neighbour, that ye give not an handle to the Gentiles to blaspheme. And let your ears be stopped when any one speaketh without Christ, who was of the seed of David, of the substance of Mary, who was really born, eat and drank, really suffered under Pilate, was really crucified, and died in the sight of men, of angels, and of infernal beings, who also truly rose from the dead by the power of the Father, after the resemblance of that resurrection by which the Father shall also raise us in the same Jesus Christ, without whom we have no life. But if as some atheists, or infidels, affirm, that he suffered in appearance only, then they themselves exist only in appearance: And why then am I bound? Why do I wish to be exposed to wild beasts, when my dying would be in vain? But I am not of the number of those who fabricate lies concerning the Lord. Flee, therefore, from those bastard slips which bring forth bitter fruit, of which whosoever tasteth shall die. These have not been planted by the Father; if they were they would shew themselves to be branches of the cross, and their fruit would be incorruptible. I salute you from Smyrna, with the Churches of God which are with me, and refresh me at once in body and spirit. My bonds, which I bear in the cause of Christ, plead with you, that ye would continue in harmony and mu tual prayer; for it behoves every one of you, and especially the presbyters, to support and strengthen their bishop. I entreat you to hear me in the spirit of charity, lest in having written this I should one day be called to bear my testimony against you. Pray too for me, who want all your charitable intercessions, that I may not finally be a cast away, but may be found worthy of the lot to which I am destined. The love of the Churches of Smyrna and Ephesus saluteth you. Remember in your prayers the Church which is in Syria, of which I am the least and most unworthy member. Love one another with undivided hearts. May my spirit be your expiation*, not only now but when I attain to God; for I am yet in the midst of dangers, but God is faithful in Christ to fulfil your petitions and mine, in whom I finally spot. pray that we may be found without ACCOUNT OF EMINENT PERSONS EXE- (Continued from p. 201 J. DEATH OF THE DUKE OF HAMILTON. UPON Friday, March 9, 1649, being the day appointed for the execution of the sentence of death upon Duke Hamilton, the Earl of Holland, and the Lord Capel, about ten o'clock that morning, Lieutenant-colonel Beecher came with his order to the several prisoners at St. James's, requiring them to come away. According to which order, they were carried in sedans, with a guard, to Sir Thomas Cotton's house at Westminster, where they continued about the space of two hours, passing most of that time in religious and seasonable conferences with the ministers there present with them; after which, being called away to the scaffold, it was desired, that before they went they might have the opportunity of commending their souls to God by prayer, which being readily granted, and the room voided, Mr. Bolton was desired by the Earl of Holland to take that pains with them; which was accordingly done, with great appearance of solemn affections which Coteler and Vossius, both of whom * I am far from approving the reading in were Protestants, concur; but if this be false, the common reading is nonsense, perhaps the better of the two. among them. Prayer being concluded, and hearty thanks returned by them to the ministers who perform ed, as also the rest who were their assistants in this sad time of trouble, the Duke of Hamilton prepared first to go towards the place of execution; and after mutual embraces, and some short ejaculatory expressions to and for his fellow-sufferers, he took his leave of them all, and went along with the officers, attended by Dr. Sibbald, whom he had chosen for his comforter in this his sad condition. The scaffold being erected in the new Palace-yard at Westminster, over the great Hall-gate, in the sight of the place where the high court of justice formerly sat (the hall doors being open), there was his Excellency's regiment of horse, commanded by Captain Disher, and several companies of Colonel Hewson's and Colonel Pride's regiments of foot, drawn up in the place. When the Duke came from Westminster-Hall near the scaffold, he was met by the under sheriff of Middlesex, and a guard of his men, who took the charge of him from Lieutenant-colonel Beecher, and the partizans that were his guards; the Sheriff of London being also, according to command from the high court of justice, present to see the execution performed. Duke Hamilton being come upon the scaffold, and two of his servants waiting upon him, he spake first to the Doctor, as followeth: Duke. Whether shall I pray first? Dr. Sibbald. As your Lordship pleases. Duke. I know not the fashion: I may ask you, Sir. Do these gentlemen expect I should say any thing to them or no? They cannot hear. Dr. Sibbald. There will be a greater silence by-and-by. My Lord, you should do well to bestow your time now in meditating upon, and imploring of, the free mercy of God in Christ for your eternal salvation, and look upon that ever-streaming fountain of his precious blood, that purgeth us from all our sins, even the sins of the deepest dye. That is now, my Lord, the rock upon which you must chiefly rest, and labour to fix yourself in the free mercy of God through Christ Jesus, whose mercies are from everlasting to everlasting, unto all such as with the eye of faith behold him. Soon after, the Duke turning to the front of the scaffold, before which (as in all the rest of the place,) there was a great concourse of people, he thus delivered himself: "I think it is not very necessary for me to speak much: there are many gentlemen and soldiers there that see me; but my voice is so weak, that they cannot hear me; neither was I ever at any time so much in love with speaking, or with any thing I had to express, that I took delight in it; yet this being the last time I am to do so, by a divine providence of Almighty God, who hath brought me to this end justly for my sins, I shall, to you Sir, Mr. Sheriff, declare thus much as to the matter that I am now to suffer for; which is, as being a traitor to the kingdom of England. Truly, Sir, it was a country that I equally loved with my own; I made no difference; I never intended its prejudice, or that of any particular man in it: what I did was by the command of the parliament of the country where I was born, whose commands I could not disobey, without running into the same hazard there of that condition that I am now in: the ends, Sir, of that engagement are public; they are in print, and so I shall not need to specify them." Dr. Sibbald. The sun, perhaps, will be too much in your Lordship's face as you speak. Duke. No, Sir, it will not burn it : I hope I shall see a brighter sun than this, Sir, very speedily. Dr. Sibbald. The sun of righteousness, my Lord. Duke." (But to that which I was. saying, Sir.) It pleased God so to dispose that army under my command, as it was ruined; and I, as their General, clothed with a commission, stand here now ready to die: I shall not trouble you with repeating of my plea, what I said in my own defence at the court of justice, myself being satisfied with the commands that were laid upon me, and they satisfied with the justness of their procedure, according to the laws of this land. God is just, and therefore I shall not say any thing as to the matter of the sentence, but that I do willingly submit to this divine providence; and I acknowledge, that very many ways I deserve even a worldly punishment as well as hereafter; for we are all sinners, Sir, and I a great one; yet, for my comfort, I know there is a God in heaven that is exceeding merciful: I know that my Redeemer sits at his right hand, and am confident, (clapping his hand to his breast), is mediating for me at this instant: I am hopeful, through his free grace and all-sufficient merits, to be pardoned of my sins, and to be received into his mercy; upon that I rely, trusting to nothing but the free grace of God through Jesus Christ. I have not been tainted with my religion, (I thank God for it); since my infancy it has been such as hath been professed in the land and established; and now it is not this religion or that religion, or this or that fancy of men, that is to be built upon; it is but one that is right, one that's sure, and that comes from God, Sir, and in the free grace of our Saviour. Truly, Sir, my religion was the established religion, and that which I have practised in my own kingdom where I was born and bred. The Lord forgive me my sins, and I forgive freely all those, that even I might (as a worldly man) have the greatest animosity against. We are bidden to forgive, Sir; it is a command laid upon us-" Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." Sir, it is high time for me to make an end of this; and truly I remember no more that I have to say, but to pray to God Almighty in a few words, and then I have done." Then kneeling down with Dr. Sibbald, he prayed thus: "Most blessed Lord, I thy poor and most unworthy servant, come unto thee, presuming in thy infinite mercy, and the merits of Jesus Christ, who sits upon the throne; I come flying from that of justice to that of mercy and tenderness, for his sake which shed his blood for sinners, that he would look upon me as one who now calls and hopes to be saved by his all-sufficient merits. For his sake, glorious God, have compassion upon me in the freeness of thy infinite mercy, that when this sinful soul of mine shall depart out of this frail carcase of clay, I may be carried into thy everlasting glory. O Lord, by thy free grace, and out of thy infinite mercy, hear me; and look down, and have compassion upon me: and thou Lord Jesus, thou my Lord, and thou my God, and thou my Redeemer, hear me, and take pity upon me; take pity upon me, gracious God, and so deal with my soul, that by thy precious merits I may attain to thy joy and bliss. O Lord remember me, so miserable and sinful a creature! thou, O Lord, that diedst for me, receive me into thy own bound of mercy: O Lord, I trust in thee, suffer me not to be confounded. Satan has had too long possession of this soul, O let him not now prevail against it; but let me, O Lord, from henceforth dwell with thee for evermore. Now, Lord, it is thy time to hear me; hear me, gracious Jesus, even for thy own goodness, and mercy, and truth. O glorious God! O blessed Father! O holy Redeemer! O gracious Comforter! O holy and blessed Trinity! I do render up my soul into thy hands, and commit it with the mediation of my Redeemer, praising thee for all thy dispensations that it hath pleased thee to confer upon me; and even for this, praise, and honour, and thanks, from this time forth for evermore.' Then the Duke, turning to the executioner, said, Which way is it that you would have me lie, Sir? The executioner pointing to the front of the scaffold, the Duke replied, What, my head this way? Then the under sheriff's son said, My Lord, the order is that you should lay your head towards the high court of justice. The Duke, after a little discourse in private with some of his servants, kneeled down on the side of the scaffold and prayed awhile to himself; when he had finished his prayer, Dr. Sibbald spake to him thus: My Lord, I humbly beseech God, that you may now, with a holy and Christian courage, give up your soul to the hand of your faithful Creator and gracious Redeemer, and not be dismayed with any sad apprehension of this death; and consider what a blessed and glorious exchange you shall make within a very few minutes. Then with a cheerful and smiling countenance, the Duke, embracing the Doctor in his arms, said, Truly, Sir, I do take you in my arms; and truly, I bless God for it, I do not fear. I have an assurance that is grounded here (laying his hand upon his heart) now that gives me more true joy than ever I had. I pass out of a miserable world to go into an eternal and glorious kingdom; and, Sir, though I have |