not scruple to call such instances of it as occur to him by their vul gar names. Sosipater, referred to in the above quotation from Porson's letters, was a writer in a work entitled "Commentaries and Essays, published by the Society for promoting the Knowledge of the Scriptures." The first volume of this work appeared without date, shortly after the publication of Travis's letters, and contains a paper by Sosipater, designated, "A Gleaning of Remarks on Mr. Travis's Attempt to revive the exploded Text of 1 John v. 7." Its contents correspond with the description, as they are literally gleanings, or short observations on Emlyn and Martin, and particularly the mistakes of Travis, with some extracts from Wetstein and Griesbach. He concludes by saying, "I hope I shall be excused in adding at the close of these remarks, on the very extraordinary defence of this justly exploded text that a more complete pattern of sophistical reasoning throughout, and of bold assertion without proof, I never met with, and that if my voice could extend itself to Mr. Gibbon, in his distant abode on the lake Leman; to whom, it may be presumed, a series of letters addressed to him have been communicated; I would entreat that gentleman not to judge of his opponents, and of all the defenders of Christianity, by this its present champion and advocate, Mr. Travis." The work in which this paper appeared extended only to two volumes. I believe Dr. Disney was the conductor of it; and the writers were mostly, if not entirely, Unitarians. Sosipater was the late Theophilus Lindsey, who wrote a considerable number of papers under that signature. (To be continued.) THE REV. JOB ORTON'S CONFESSION OF FAITH. To the Editors.-ALTHOUGH the sermon preached by " Joseph Mottershead," at the ordination of the Rev. Job Orton, at Shrewsbury, September 18, 1745, was published, together with the charge delivered, on the same occasion, by "Samuel Bourn," the confession of faith was, I believe, never printed. As it will, I doubt not, be a gratification to many of your readers to peruse that document, I enclose a manuscript copy of it, and I shall be glad to see it preserved in your increasingly valuable pages. But in his life of Mr. Orton, prefixed to the " Letters," addressed "to Dissenting Ministers," (2 vols. duod. 1806,) though the sermon and charge are specified, and it is stated, that thirty ministers were present at the service, the confession of faith is passed over. (See vol. 1. p. xxv.) The interesting volumes referred to contain Mr. Orton's thoughts on confessions of faith: (vol. 1. p. 130; vol. 2. p. 36:) and in connexion with them, the interest which may be expected to be felt by some persons in the accompanying relic, will not be diminished. Whether it ever met the eye of the late Mr. Palmer or not, The reader will observe that I have no means of ascertaining. Mr. Orton, in his confession, N. S. No. 51. Quarterly Review, vol. xxxiii. p. 99. T "Men, brethren, and fathers, as it has been customary, upon this occasion, to make a public declaration of the most important articles of our holy religion, I chuse to do the same; though my Christian friends, to whose service I have devoted myself, join with me in esteeming it a thing entirely indifferent. "1. From an attentive survey of the works of creation and providence, and especially my own frame, I firmly believe there is one Self-existent, Independent, Almighty, and all wise Being, the Creator and Governor of the world, who is good to all. and irregular: and the temptations with which they are surrounded more easily complied with. "5. I believe that the law of nature written on men's hearts, at first plain and clear, and the rule for intelligent creatures to act by, grew obscure, was little observed, and that superstition, idolatry, and darkness spread over the world. "6. I believe that the descendants of Israel also grew very corrupt and degenerate, though God chose them for a peculiar people to himself, to keep up the knowledge of the one true God, and the expectation of a Messiah to come, for which purpose they were favoured with a succession of inspired prophets and astonishing miracles. "7. I believe that God, out of his abundant mercy and compassion, in the most proper time raised another prophet, more glorious and excellent than the former, even Jesus, his only begotten Son, the brightness of his glory, and the first born of every creature, who, on account of that dignity and authority with which Jehovah has invested him, is called Lord and God. "8. I believe, that in order to recover both Jews and Gentiles to the knowledge of God and their duty, He was made flesh, and dwelt on earth, led a holy spotless life, taught the way of God in truth, confirmed his doctrine by many signs and miracles, and at length sealed it with his blood. "9. I believe that Jesus Christ is a propitiation for the sin of the whole world, that his death was a sacrifice for it, and that hereby he made reconciliation for the transgressors. "10. I believe that Jesus Christ rose again, and ascended to heaven; and according to his promise, sent down his Holy Spirit, to furnish whom he appointed to preach his Gospel, with those extraordinary gifts and powers, which made way for its progress through so many nations, and rendered their writings a rule of faith and manners. "11. I believe that this holy Spirit continues his kind agency on the minds of men; and is the great instrument in converting, sanctifying, and saving souls. "12. I believe our Lord Jesus Christ has instituted sacred societies or churches, that there should be an order of men in those churches, who should give themselves to reading, meditation, and prayer, that they might be qualified to teach them the truths and duties of his religion, and might administer Gospel ordinances among them, with whom he has promised to be, even to the end of the world. "13. I believe, that besides those ordinances common to the Jewish and Christian dispensations, as prayer, reading, and explaining the Scriptures, and singing of Psalms, our Lord Jesus Christ has appointed two positive institutions or sacraments, and no more, namely, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, of which he requires all his disciples to partake, as emblems of that purity, spirituality, zeal, and love, which his religion requires; as means by which the divine life is to be cherished and carried on, and as tokens of their desire to partake of the privileges of the Gospel, and the blessings of the covenant of grace. "14. I believe that the same Jesus, who is head over all things to the church, and ever lives to make intercession for us, will come again in power and great glory to judge the world; that he will raise the bodies of men, and render unto every man according to his works; will doom the wicked to everlasting punishment; and of his great mercy, bestow on the righteous, life eternal. "15. I believe, that in the mean time, (notwithstanding the malignity and power of evil angels, who left their first estate, and those wretched human creatures, who are influenced by them, to set themselves against the Lord and his anointed,) the church and Gospel of Jesus Christ shall still continue in the world, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. "Of this glorious Gospel, it is my great ambition to be a minister, though most unworthy to bear that sacred character; to this I have already devoted myself, and was solemnly set apart to the service of it in this place by fasting and prayer, by several of my reverend brethren here present, and others who sleep in Jesus. But knowing my own inability, and the importance of divine assistance, and finding from the history of the apostles, that when a new service was undertaken by the first preachers of the Gospel, they were again separated to it; it is my desire, and the desire of my Christian friends of this society, that I should be again recommended to the grace of God, by the prayers of this assembly, for those further services I am to undertake, which prayers, therefore, I earnestly desire "Question 1st. What is your opinion of the reformed religion? 66 Answer. I believe that popery is that grand corruption of Christianity plainly foretold in the New Testament; that it is unhappily calculated to dishonour God, to affront the Redeemer, to stop the progress of the Gospel in the world, to affront men's understandings, to invade their properties, to enslave their liberties, and finally, to ruin their souls: so that every one who, has either piety zeal or charity should endeavour to oppose its progress, I therefore rejoice and thank God, that he raised up a set of men to do this, and made their endeavours successful. I believe that antichrist shall at length be destroyed, and those that partake of her sins, shall partake of her plagues, which makes me thankful for our freedom from this yoke. "Ques. 2. What is your opinion of our separation from the Established? "Ans. I apprehend the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the only rule and complete standard of faith, worship, and discipline: that one is our Master-even Jesus Christ; that no man, or body of men whatever, has any power to impose any articles of faith, or modes of worship upon others, or controul the liberty of private judgment: as this power is assumed by our brethren of the Established Church, I think our separation from it very justifiable and commendable; and bless God, and honour our governors for the laws that allow it, and defend it; desiring still to hold communion with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. "Ques. 3. What were your ends in undertaking the work of the ministry? "Ans. As far as I know my own heart, I had no worldly and ambitious views in entering on this service. My great and only desire was, and is, to be serviceable to my fellow-creatures in their most important concerns, and promote the honour of our dear Lord in the world. "Ques. 4. What are your purposes, as to diligence and labour in this holy calling? "Ans. It is my resolution, through the assistance of divine grace, (as far as the infirmities of my constitution will admit,) to give myself to reading, meditation, and prayer; to preach the word; being instant in season, and out of season, to take all opportunities to edify the flock committed to me; and, like my dear Master, to go about doing good. "Ques. 5. Will you labour to maintain and promote truth and peace? "Ans. It is my determination in divine strength, to be valiant for the truth, and to live peaceably with all men, as is consistent with the former, against which we can do nothing. "Ques. 6. Will you be careful, that you and your family be examples to your flock? "Ans. It is my purpose to command my household to keep the ways of the Lord; and do all that lies in my power, by my instructions, prayers, and example, to make all under my roof, wise and good. "Ques. 7. Will you with humility and meekness submit to brotherly admonition? "Ans. It shall be my endeavour to be unblameable in holiness; but if my conversation should be at any time irregular, I shall thankfully receive and carefully improve the admonitions of my Christian friends, which therefore I desire. "Ques. 8. Will you continue faithful in your office, notwithstanding trouble and persecution? "Ans. Concerning this, I am most diffident, being sensible of my own weakness, and fearful that the hand of God is lifted up against the nation, and troublous times are at the door. But I is sufficient. For which purpose, hope to continue steadfast in this I entreat the continued prayers most important and honourable of this assembly, whose servant calling, and to be faithful unto I am for Christ Jesus sake." death, through Him whose grace ON THE NEGLECT OF CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES IN THE I am, Gentlemen, me To the Editors.-AMONG the to the formation of matrimonial means calculated to revive and contracts, is loudly demanded promote true religion in our from professed Christians, I conchurches, I suppose we are all ceive to be undeniable; and that agreed in assigning to the faithful it is the duty of Christian churches and impartial administration of to enforce such a regard upon scriptural discipline an important their members, appears to place. And among the causes of equally certain. And till there religious declension in many be a reformation of the existing Christian societies, it cannot be evil in this respect, it appears to doubted, I think, that one of the me that we can entertain but little most prevalent and fatal is, the hope of any considerable increase uncensured violation of the laws of of true religion in society. On Christ, with respect to the formation this important subject I enclose of domestic connexions, and the part of a letter addressed to a government of families. That the Christian friend on this question, known and plainly declared will who has consented to its insertion of Christ is often deliberately and in the Congregational Magazine, openly infringed by members of by which you will oblige a conchurches in the formation of the stant reader, and, perhaps, afford most intimate, important, and per- some useful hints to others. manent relations, and that such transactions are frequently suffered to take place unnoticed by the churches, is alone quite sufficient, I conceive, to account for the wretched state of domestic religion, characteristic of our age, and which is, perhaps, one of the worst signs of our times. The influence of parents we all know is unparalleled, their authority is absolute and unquestionable, and, upon the use or abuse of their authority and power, the most important consequences depend. Upon the power, likewise, which Christianity exerts upon the social circle, must depend its influence on society at large. That a more obedient and reverential regard than is now given to its claims and injunctions, in reference Your obedient humble Servant, To My dear Sir-I feel greatly obliged by your prompt and kind reply to my questions, and also for the free expression of your reluctance to apply my general principle to some particular cases. I feel unwilling to trouble you further on the subject, but being desirous of discovering the right and the truth in this question, I beg leave to submit to your consideration my own views, and shall be glad to receive a fuller development of yours, or the exposure of any fallacy or error which your superior perspicacity may detect in mine. |