gospel-state is described, which are concluded with the repetition of the word: Thus when the Psalmist had been enlarging on this subject, he concludes with, Blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory, Amen and Amen, i. e. God has determined that it shall be so, and the whole church is obliged to express their faith, and say, Amen, so let it be.

Some have thought it expedient in joint prayer, for the whole assembly, together with him that is the mouth thereof, to say, Amen, with a loud voice, and thereby to signify their consent to, and concern in the subject-matter contained therein; which appears to have been the practice of the church in the early ages thereof; as Justin Martyr observes it was in his time; and it was afterwards observed in Jerom's time, who compares the sound they made with their united voices to that of thunder t; which, though it was done with a pious design, and not in the least to be blamed, yet it is not to be insisted on as necessary, since all present professedly join in every part of the prayer, as much as though they repeated the words with an audible voice; and accordingly it is sufficient for every one, when prayer is publicly concluded with this comprehensive word, to lift up his heart to God, and thereby express the part he bears therein.

As for the contrary extreme, when one, whose office was altogether unknown to the primitive churches, is appointed to say, Amen, in the name of the whole congregation; this is, I think, altogether unwarrantable; though several Popish commentators defend it from the apostle's words, who speaks of him that occupieth the room of the unlearned, as saying, Amen, at the giving of thanks, 1 Cor. xiv. 16. where, by the unlearned, we are not to understand the Clerk of a congregation ‡, but one who understands not the subject-matter of that prayer, which the apostle supposes to be put to God in an unknown tongue: All therefore that can be inferred from hence is, that we ought to pray to God with understanding and faith, that hereby we may be able to sum up our requests and glorify him by saying, Amen.

Vid. Justin Martyr, Apol. ii. pro Christ. who intimates, that when public prayer and giving of thanks was ended, the whole congregation testified their approving of it by saying, Amen; σᾶς ὃ παρων λαὸς ἐπευφημεὶ λέγων αμήν.

Vid. Hieron. in Lib. ii, comment. ad Galat. in Proen, Ad similitudinem cælestis tonitrus reboat, [scil. Ecclesia.] Amen.

Vid Whitby in loc.

Many theological instructors teach their pupils successfully, by requiring them, besides the usual course of systematical reading, interrogative examinations, and critical study of the scriptures in the original languages, also to write disquisitions on a number of Questions in Theology. Hereby they are provided with a store of arguments, on the most difficult subjects, and furnished with the mature advices of their preceptors; to which they may recur in any period of after life. To aid in this important work, the following List of Questions has been subjoined to this first American edition of Ridgley; and every instructor, or pupil, will select or vary at his plea

sure.

QUEST. 1.-How does it appear, that something has existed from eternity?

2. What evidence is there, that the existence of man is derived, and dependent?

3. How do you prove the existence of God?

4. What is Theology?

5. What is natural Theology.?

6. What does it discover of the Divine character?

7. What arguments prove the genuineness, authenticity; and what, the inspiration of the Old and New Testaments?

8. How do you prove the Unity of God?

9. How do you prove the divinity and personality of the Son, and the Holy Ghost?

10. What are the Manichean, Arian, Sabellian, Socinian and Unitarian heresies, and how are they respectively confuted?

11. How do you prove that there are divine purposes, and that these are eternal and immutable?

12. Wherein does the certainty of events, taught in the scriptures, differ from the fatality of heathen philosophers and modern sceptics?

13. How do you prove that the world was created?

14. In what estate was man created?

15. What are the acts of God's providence; or how is it employed about created things?

16. What is the difference between a law and a covenant?

17. How do you prove that God did enter into a Covenant with Adam, which included him and all his posterity?

18. What are we to understand by Adam's freedom of will?

19. What is necessary to constitute a moral agent?

20. What is the difference between natural, and moral, power, and inability?

21. How is the doctrine of universal absolute decrees consistent with the moral agency of man?

22. How do you define sin?

23. Are there venial sins?

24. How do you describe the sin against the Holy Ghost?

25. How do you prove the depravity of unrenewed men to be total?

26. What was implied by the death threatened in case of disobedience?

27. Wherein consists the punishment of the damned?

28. How do you prove the eternity of hell torments?

29. How do you define the Covenant of Grace?

30. Is there any ground for a distinction between the Covenant of Redemption and the Covenant of Grace?

31. Wherein do the Covenants of Works, and Grace agree, and differ?

32. Are the Law, and Gospel inconsistent with each other?

33. What is an atonement? And what the nature, and extent of the atonement of Christ?

34. Was the sacrifice of Christ Jesus absolutely necessary for our salvation?

35. Whence did the obedience, and sufferings of Christ derive their efficacy?

36. How was his death consistent with the justice of God?