: any change there. There have been many good times on earth days of great good; but . . . . they 2. How we may suppose the things which they remember of their past lives now affects them ... their worldly enjoyments . . . the length of the time of their past ease and pleasures lived long lives .. their past opportunities their long warnings. . . . the preaching they had. . . . their folly and stupidity. . . . obstinacy 3. How many since have followed their steps and have gone to Hell in like manner. "Tis not the manner of men to take warning by those that perish before them. . . . . Those that are gone before can see the folly of those that come after, whom it will do no good. The rich man in Hell. Those that went to Hell in Noah's day, see the folly of those that come to 'em from generation to generation. But those that follow after don't see the folly of those who went before, and so they follow them. 4. They that have worn out so many ages in Hell, are never the nearer any end of their misery. The time is very long that they have suffered tedious ages one after another. many tedious days tedious years. and They must wear out another space of time as long as this in Hell flames, and another after that. Soon the time will come when they will actually have worn out a million such as yea, a million and millions. . . . . God foresees the time. . . . knows the particular passage of the day. Yea, as many such ages as there are particles of dust on the globe of the earth.. And even then NO MERCY. It will be without end. FOR EVER, YEA, FOR EVER. Therefore take warning. If you neglect to take warning you will go to Hell . . . and the time will come when you will have been as long as they now have been . . . . and you must also be there millions of millions . . . . and you will be yea, will be in absolute despair as they are your wishes, and cries, and strength, and entreaties will be in vain. You in like manner will reflect on and curse your folly. no nearer 5. The torment that those spoken of in the doctrine have endured for so long a time, is but an imprisonment in order to execution. "Spirits in prison." "Chains of darkness." There is another day. Their misery is great now. We learn by the parable of Dives and Lazarus. I know nothing by which it can be determined that the misery will not be a thousand times as great. 'tremble.' The chains are strong. There is no hope to them. . They no relief 6. The means and opportunities they enjoyed were nothing to yours. Little revelation of a future state. 7. God has an appointed time to wait on you. The Spirit will not always strive.' 8. Consider the sudden, unexpected manner in which they were destroyed (Luke xvii. 26, 27.). ... You will probably be surprised as they were. They had as much reason to flatter themselves as you, (Job xxvii. 20)-"A tempest stealeth him away in the night.' DIRECTIONS: * 1. Avoid those things by which the men that went to Hell in Noah's time undid themselves. . . . particularly sensuality, (Gen. vi.; Luke xvii. 27.) So it was with Sodom. Violence. "Evil imaginations." They would not hearken. They grew hardened to long-continued calls and warnings . . . . habitually made light. Is there not reason to apprehend that this is the case with many here? You must reform your life. . . . thorough reformation. . . 2. You must in this respect be as Noah was in the generation of those souls that are "castaways;" particularly 1. You must avoid those liberties of young people that are customary. 2. Another thing that is apparently become customary, and doubtless is very provoking to God, is pride and extravagance in apparel. Not that I condemn all adorning the body. 'Tis evident by Scripture that some moderate degree of this is lawful. Oil that makes his face to shine, (Eccles. ix. 8; Matt. vi. 17; Prov. xxxi. 21, 22; Exod. iii. 22.) But yet 'tis apparent that there is a most sinful extravagance in this kind, (1 Tim. ii. 9; 1 Pet. iii. 3, 4; Isa. iii. 16, 18, &c.) Appears to be very provoking to God . . . . when persons go beyond their rank. One end of apparel seems to be to distinguish. (Prov. xxxi. 22, 23.) Common people to shew an affectation to be like those of high rank; country towns to affect to be like the metropolis. When they go beyond their estate, disable themselves from paying their debts; deprive themselves of other things more necessary and more profitable; disable themselves much from deeds of charity. An affectation to distinguish themselves in imitating the fashions of the more gay part of the world. Complying with the general customs of a country in clothing is not vulgar. On the contrary, 'tis not decent to be singular. But some fashions in themselves are ill . . . . extravagance ... very costly. . . . immodest. .... All this care, and pains, and cost to adorn themselves shews persons to much affect outward ornament . . . seem to shew that they make much of themselves. . . . all that which tends to encourage a general excess. Such things as these have been condemned by wise men of all nations. The 'Tis a time when the nations here have got to a vast excess. land is become exceeding extravagant. More so than in England in proportion to our ability and ranks. Prevents great good that might be done. . . . is continually running in debt. The main thing that brings our greatest national calamities particularly the present state the country is in with regard to a medium. And is the main source of that general injustice that has been so long complained of keeps the country in constant distress maintains conWe in this * Text and Doctrine placed here, shewing a second sermon commenced at this point.-G. That is, "the currency," coinage.-G. Boston is extravagant town * are evidently got to a great excess. beyond London. And we, considering all things, I think beyond them. . . . how far below we fall short in rank . . state. education and our situation in the world . . far beyond them. I had occasion to observe the people at Portsmouth, in both the congregations in that place. That is a place very much famed for politeness, and is a city much like Boston in many respects. I judged the apparel of our congregation was fully as costly. Many things that might make it proper for them to go beyond us. Do not conto hide our Such excess in gaiety and costliness of apparel is a manifestation of great vanity of mind. It seems to shew a great senselessness of our own vileness becomes us to go modestly. . . . modest apparel would better become such sinful creatures. sider the end for which clothing was given shame . . . that deformity that is the first of sin ness of what our bodies are coming to . . . shews vanity of mind, as it shews the heart to be set on that which is exceeding vain and empty. . . . great want of a sense of the worth of those spiritual ornaments that are infinitely more valuable. senseless If persons had a proper concern for their soul, there surely would not appear very much affectation to . . . If religion should greatly revive it would undoubtedly make a great alteration. This is one thing, among others, that tends to prevent its reviving. God has of late awfully testified His displeasure for the extravagance of the country's manner of living. 3. You must not only seek, but strive. main business .. thorough ness You must make it a busi How plain the necessity of it! How often in the Word of God! How plain by experience! On many accounts necessary. How much you have had to convince you of the necessity! And are you, after all, in any sense awake? And how can you excuse this folly? 4. Be seasonable. The sinners of the old world perished by the Flood because they were not seasonable. They doubtless, many of them, used means afterwards. Had need to make haste. So we are directed from time to time. "Haste" "escape for thy LIFE." On many accounts necessary. How many have we reason to think perish through delay! 5. Not only engage in but go through that great work that is necessary in order to your escaping eternal damnation. Do in this respect as Noah did for the saving himself and his house from the Flood. 6. Don't waste time in halting between two opinions. How there seem to be some things that give special encouragement. Isa. lv. 6, 7. BOOKS BY THE REV. ALEXANDER B. GROSART, KINROSS. EDITED. 1. The Works, with Memoir, Introduction, and Notes, of Richard SIBBES, D.D., Master of Katherine Hall, Cambridge, and Preacher of Gray's Inn, London. 7 vols. 8vo, cloth antique. (Nichol's "Puritan Divines.") "We regard Mr Grosart as a prince of editors."-The Eclectic Review. (October.) 2. Lord Bacon not the Author of " The Christian Paradoxes:" Being a Reprint of "Memorials of Godliness," by HERBERT PALMER, B.D.; with Introduction, Memoir, Notes, and Appendices. Printed for Private Circulation (Old English Type.) [Now Ready. 100 Copies, Large Paper, thick extra, to range with Spedding's Works of Bacon: with Photographic Portrait of Palmer. Half morocco, cloth. Price 10s. 6d. 150 Copies, Small Paper, post 8vo, cloth. Price 3s. 6d. IN an introduction I give account of the remarkable little discovery that it has fallen to me to make: to wit, the nonBaconian, and actual, authorship of "The Paradoxes." I describe the different editions. Thereafter will be found illustrations of the evil influence against Bacon of his supposed authorship of these "Paradoxes" as misunderstood, more especially in France and Germany; and also of how the real authorship sweeps away the abounding guess-work as to their meaning and design. In a Memoir of Herbert PalmER, I have brought together, from all accessible sources, in print and manuscript, such facts and memorials as remain. **As the mere announcement in Notes and Queries and Athenæum, (Sept. 17th and 24th,) is rapidly filling up my limited List, those wishing a copy of either large or small size, or both, will be so good as address Mr Grosart immediately, with a distinct notification (1.) Which kind is required, and (2.) How and whither to send the volume or volumes. "Mr Grosart, of Kinross, may be called a lucky man; for he has made a discovery of some moment, and explained his discovery in a little book, which is all but perfect of its kind. In connexion with the great controversy on Bacon's life, we shall long remember this odd episode in literary annals, and with it the names of Palmer and Grosart."-(From a detailed Paper in The Athenæum, Dec. 17, 1864.) 3. The Works of Michael Bruce, Author of "Ode to the Cuckoo," "Elegy in Spring," "Hymns," &c. &c.; with Memoir, Introduction, Notes, and Facsimiles. I vol. crown 8vo, cloth antique, 3s. 6d. [Now Ready. * * Nearly thirty years ago (1837) the late Dr Mackelvie published the "Poems" of Bruce, fully one half of the volume consisting of a "Life of the Author from Original Sources." The "Life" won for its right-hearted and manly author the praise and gratitude of all the leading literary authorities. Long "out of print," a New Edition of the "Poems " has been a desideratum. Had Dr Mackelvie's health not failed him, this, in all probability, would have been prepared by him. Now that he is gone, Mr Grosart has undertaken the "labour of love;" and while awarding the original Biographers, (Drs Anderson and Mackelvie,) all honour and all acknowledgment when quoted or in any way used, the new Memoir and Notes are based upon independent researches which have resulted in materials elucidatory and corrective. The text of the "Poems" is formed upon a careful collation of the first and early editions, and in part on MSS. Being prepared, 250 Copies of this Edition on large paper, toned (small 4to,) with original Photographs of the Scenes of the Memoir and Poems, and Facsimiles. The price will be 10s. 6d. 4. Selections from the Unpublished Writings of Jonathan EDWARDS, of America; with Introduction and Facsimiles. [Now Ready. I. A TREATISE ON GRACE; a completed manuscript, divided into chapters and sections, and carefully prepared for the press by the illustrious author. This Treatise must at once take its place beside the priceless "Religious Affections," alike from its kindredly profound thinking and "savour." It extends to 119 small quarto pages, closely written. II. SELECTIONS OF ANNOTATIONS from his interleaved Bible-Old and New Testament. Full of suggestions, and informed by a fine spirit. These are wholly distinct from the "Notes" already published. On upwards of three hundred passages, various peculiarly difficult, and many most elaborately discussed. III. DIRECTIONS FOR JUDGING OF PERSONS' EXPERIENCES. IV. SERMONS-1. Matthew vii. 14, "Few there be that find it." II. 2 Timothy iii. 16, "All Scripture is given by inspira- 66 One Vol. royal 8vo, cloth, to range with Williams's and American editions of the "Works." The impression is strictly limited to 300 copies; 250 plain, and 50 toned. Toned all gone, and few remain of the plain unsubscribed for. 5. Memoir of Henry Airay, D.D., (prefixed to reprint of his Commentary on Philippians.) 4to. 6. Memoir of Thomas Cartwright, B.D., (prefixed to reprint of his Commentary on Colossians.) 4to. "Admirable."-The Nonconformist. 7. Memoir of John King, D.D., Bishop of London, (prefixed to his Commentary on Jonah.) 4to. 8. Memoir of John Rainolds, D.D., (prefixed to his Com mentaries on Obadiah and Haggai.) 4to. Nos. V. to VIII. in Nichol's Series of "Puritan Commentaries." Memoirs of Torshell, Stock, Bernard, and Fuller to follow. "Mr Grosart has given, more suo, genial and accurate biographical sketches of the authors. His knowledge of the Puritans is only equalled by his love; and he will evidently, if spared, lay the Church of Christ under still weightier obligations by his researches in the rich strata of Puritan theology and biography."-Daily Review, 17th October 1864. |