Having now received fresh strength and courage, I betook myself again to expounding the Psalms, and the work would have grown into a large commentary, had I not been interrupted by a summons from the Emperor Charles V. to meet the diet about to convene at Worms, the following year; by which I was compelled to relinquish the work which I had undertaken.

I have given this narrative, good reader, that if you should think of reading these opuscula of mine, you may be mindful that I am one of those whose proficiency has arisen from writing and teaching, and not of those who, without effort, suddenly become great: who without labour, without trials, without experience, as it were, with one glance, exhaust the whole meaning of the scriptures.

The controversy concerning indulgences went on through the years 1520 and 1521. Afterwards followed the Sacramentarian and Anabaptist disputes, concerning which I may have occasion to speak in another place.

Reader, farewell in the Lord, pray for the increase of the word, and against Satan, who is malignant and powerful, and now also most furious and cruel, knowing that he has but a short time, and that the kingdom of the pope is in danger. And may God confirm in us that which he hath wrought, and perfect in us the work which he hath begun, to his own glory.

Amen.

March 5th, A. D. 1545.

A desire of happiness is natural; a desire of holiness is supernatural.

If God hath done that good for us which he hath denied to the world, we ought to do that service for him which is denied him by the world.

If we are willing, God will help us; if sincere, God will accept us.

A serious remembrance of God, is the fountain of obedience to God.

If you forget God when you are young, God may forget you when you are old.

When a Christian considers the goodness of God's ways, he wonders that all the world doth not walk in them. But when he considers the blindness, and depravity, and preju dice of the heart by nature, he wonders that any should enter upon them.

Make your calling sure, and your election is sure.

Uneven walking, with a neglect of watching, makes a disconsolate soul.

Four things a Christian should especially labour after, viz. to be humble and thankful, watchful and cheerful.

SEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH.

Letter IV.

Remedies Proposed.

Dear Sir, I propose now to examine some of the means employed to lessen, or remove the evils mentioned in my last two letters.

Several expedients have been adopted by the General Assembly to facilitate the despatch of business. I shall not call in question their wisdom. The rules and regulations of the house I approve, but these can never remove, nor correct the evils which I have named. They were not designed for remedies, but to prevent, as long as might be, the necessity of remedial measures.

Lessening the representation from presbyteries, is the only remedy, which has been tried. The history of its trial is this:-In 1819, the Assembly consisted of about one hundred and thirtymembers; when the reports from a majority of presbyteries affirmed the proposed alteration in the ratio of representation, from six to nine. It was supposed that this measure would reduce the Assembly one-third. This expectation was not realized. The next Assembly consisted of more than one hundred members. Since that time the increase has been constant, and at the close of six years, we find one hundred and seventy-two members. But this remedy is to be still further tried-another alteration has obtained, and twelve instead of nine is the number for every ministerial delegate. Let us now suppose the effect of this alteration shall be proportionate to that of the former amendment, the next Assembly will then consist of about one hundred and forty members -a larger number than the Assembly of 1818, which proposed the alteration of the ratio from six to nine.

be proportionate, for two reasons. The number of Presbyteries entitled, according to the last statistical report, to but one minister in the Assembly, was thirty-one; whereas in the former case there were only six-the difference, in Presbyteries not affected by the change, is as thirty-one to six. There may be three or four more large presbyteries affected by the present, than by the former change; but this will not counterbalance the other disproportion. In the next place, the number of presbyteries has so multiplied, that one minister and one elder from each would give us a larger Assembly next spring than we had last. It is rational to suppose that, with the increasing facilities of intercourse and travelling, the nearer we approximate to the smallest representation, the less will be the proportionate failure of members to attend.

It is therefore most clear, that the new ratio of representation can be no remedy for the evils. If any one doubts this, let him recollect that, by the last statistical report, two hundred and sixty are entitled to seats in the next Assembly. But we know there are already three new Presbyteries, beside large accessions of members to those before existing. On examining the report it will be further seen, that fifteen presbyteries lacked only from one to three members, to entitle each of them to two additional representatives. It is the result of a fair calculation that the whole Presbyterian church will, next spring, be entitled to two hundred and eighty, or ninety members, in her highest court.

Suppose the remedy be carried still further, and only one minister and one elder be admitted from each presbytery, it would not remedy the evils. We have already the materials for one hundred presbyteries, beside the prospect of rapid increase.

Having now received fresh strength and I betook courage, myself again to expounding the Psalms, and the work would have grown into a large commentary, had I not been interrupted by a summons from the Emperor Charles V. to meet the diet about to convene at Worms, the following year; by which I was compelled to relinquish the work which I had undertaken.

I have given this narrative, good reader, that if you should think of reading these opuscula of mine, you may be mindful that I am one of those whose proficiency has arisen from writing and teaching, and not of those who, without effort, suddenly become great: who without labour, without trials, without experience, as it were, with one glance, exhaust the whole meaning of the scriptures.

The controversy concerning indulgences went on through the years 1520 and 1521. Afterwards followed the Sacramentarian and Anabaptist disputes, concerning which I may have occasion to speak in another place.

Reader, farewell in the Lord, pray for the increase of the word, and against Satan, who is malignant and powerful, and now also most furious and cruel, knowing that he has but a short time, and that the kingdom of the pope is in danger. And may God confirm in us that which he hath wrought, and perfect in us the work which he hath begun, to his own glory.

Amen.

March 5th, A. D. 1545.

a

A desire of happiness is natural; desire of holiness is supernatural. If God hath done that good for us which he hath denied to the world, we ought to do that service for him which is denied him by the world.

If we are willing, God will help us; if sincere, God will accept us.

A serious remembrance of God, is the fountain of obedience to God.

If you forget God when you are young, God may forget you when you are old.

When a Christian considers the goodness of God's ways, he wonders that all the world doth not walk in them. But when he considers the blindness, and depravity, and prejudice of the heart by nature, he wonders that any should enter upon them.

Make your calling sure, and your election is sure.

Uneven walking, with a neglect of watching, makes a disconsolate soul.

Four things a Christian should especially labour after, viz. to be humble and thankful, watchful and cheerful.

SEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH.

Letter IV.

Remedies Proposed. Dear Sir, I propose now to examine some of the means employed to lessen, or remove the evils mentioned in my last two letters.

Several expedients have been adopted by the General Assembly to facilitate the despatch of business. I shall not call in question their wisdom. The rules and regulations of the house I approve, but these can never remove, nor correct the evils which I have named. They were not designed for remedies, but to prevent, as long as might be, the necessity of remedial measures. Lessening the representation from presbyteries, is the only remedy, which has been tried. The history of its trial is this:-In 1819, the Assembly consisted of about one hundred and thirtymembers; when the reports from a majority of presbyteries affirmed the proposed alteration in the ratio of representation, from six to nine. It was supposed that this measure would reduce the Assembly one-third. This expectation was not realized. The next Assembly consisted of more than one hundred members. Since that time the increase has been constant, and at the close of six years, we find one hundred and seventy-two members. But this remedy is to be still further tried-another alteration has obtained, and twelve instead of nine is the number for every ministerial delegate. Let us now suppose the effect of this alteration shall be proportionate to that of the former amendment, the next Assembly will then consist of about one hundred and forty members a larger number than the Assembly of 1818, which proposed the alteration of the ratio from six to nine.

be proportionate, for two reasons. The number of Presbyteries entitled, according to the last statistical report, to but one minister in the Assembly, was thirty-one; whereas in the former case there were only six-the difference, in Presbyteries not affected by the change, is as thirty-one to six. There may be three or four more large presbyteries affected by the present, than by the former change; but this will not counterbalance the other disproportion. In the next place, the number of presbyteries has so multiplied, that one minister and one elder from each would give us a larger Assembly next spring than we had last. It is rational to suppose that, with the increasing facilities of intercourse and travelling, the nearer we approximate to the smallest representation, the less will be the proportionate failure of members to attend.

It is therefore most clear, that the new ratio of representation can be no remedy for the evils. If any one doubts this, let him recollect that, by the last statistical report, two hundred and sixty are entitled to seats in the next Assembly. But we know there are already three new Presbyteries, beside large accessions of members to those before existing. On examining the report it will be further seen, that fifteen presbyteries lacked only from one to three members, to entitle each of them to two additional representatives. It is the result of a fair calculation that the whole Presbyterian church will, next spring, be entitled to two hundred and eighty, or ninety members, in her highest court.

Suppose the remedy be carried still further, and only one minister and one elder be admitted from each presbytery, it would not remedy the evils. We have already the materials for one hundred presbyteries, beside the prospect of rapid increase.

Apply the remedy in its utmost extent, and more than two hundred seats may be claimed in that house, before 1830. But this would render the delegation very unequal, and invade a radical principle of our constitution, which gives to large and small presbyteries a proportionate representation. This principle I should very much dislike to lose, and am disposed to resist every encroachment upon its integrity. Why should a remedy be applied which has no efficacy?

A judicial commission, with powers to try all appeals, complaints, and references sent up to the Assembly, has been mentioned. This would be an expedient to relieve the house from a troublesome part of its business-leave the greater number to transact other concerns-and secure, quite as certainly, wisdom and justice in the decision.

On this expedient, it is obvious to remark, that it will either invade the principles of the constitution, or every case must be passed upon by the whole house, after it has been reported by the commission. In the latter form, it would save no time, and ordinarily relieve the house from no perplexity. To answer any of the proposed ends, the expedient must remove the investigation, and of course the decision, from the house; and yet have the confidence of the parties, and of the church.

I think the spirit of prophecy is not needed, to foresee great dissatisfaction with such a course. It is the right of every man who is aggrieved, to submit his case to the highest court. This right ought not to be invaded. But I need not discuss this part of the subject-such an expedient would be unwise and anti-presbyterial.

To terminate all appeals and complaints in the synods, is an expedient proposed by the last Assembly. To this I have three objections. The first is, that it invades "the radical principles" of Presbyterianism. An organized court of review and

control, before which no appeal may be carried, and no complaint presented, would be a strange anomaly. The expedient contravenes one of the highest objects of the Assembly, and strikes at the vital principle of its jurisdiction. It is true there will be left the review of synodical records, but this is not a full and efficient control. Documents and parties are forbidden to come before the court-no complaint may be heard unless incorporated with the records. Even in such case, the error cannot be corrected-naked records are always deficient in giving the whole explanation of a case, and never embody arguments from living lips. Beside, the synod becomes a party, and is present while the other is prohibited-this is unjust.

Every court of review and control should have the best means, and all necessary means to ascertain the whole case.-But I need not extend this view of the course-it is not pretended to be introduced on Presbyterial principles-the Assembly considered it an expedient to reme dy some existing evils. I am no enemy to expediency, which submits to law, or does not violate the statute principles; but against every expedient to violate wholesome and vital principles, I must protest.

My second objection is, its tendency to weaken the influence of the Assembly, as a bond of union and fellowship.

Prohibit a man, a session, or a presbytery, from seeking redress in the highest judicatory of the church, and you take away one of the strongest reasons of attachment and respect for that body. It seems to me absurd to call upon individuals and courts to cherish, sport and obey a judicatory, which they may not approach for the correction of wrongs done them. I may never be injured; but tell me, if I am, that I may not seek redress from the judi catory which I must support and obey, and you lessen my respect for that court.

What is the object of the General