and vicissitudes of the Church on earth, from the foundation of the world to the present time.

I. The object of this science then is the Church ; the thorough investigation as well as relation to others of whose changes and fortunes God himself has sanctioned in his own word, and the Holy Ghost by his own example has led the way to in the pages of both Testaments. The communion too of the individual members with the whole body of the Church; and, lastly, not only the pleasantness and dignity of the work, but also its remarkable usefulness sways us; since nothing does more excite us to celebrate the name of God; (who holds the reins of the Church,) solve the dark sayings of the Prophetic writings, confirm the truth of the divine word, and instil Christian patience, accompanied with well-founded hope and consolation amidst all the billows of this life.

II. Let us enumerate the three most important æras of the Church. The first from the foundation of the world to the departure of the Israelites from Egypt: the next to the birth of Christ: the third passes on from thence even to our own times.

III. We distinguish actions done at particular periods in this manner that we may survey in the first place the actions of those who are considered as members of his Church; then those actions which were perpetrated by the foes of the Church; who, as the seed of the serpent, are continually at war with the seed of the woman.

CHAPTER I.

The Antediluvian Church.

1. The first æra of the Church is divided into three greater periods; the first of which is the deluge; the next the call of Abraham; the third terminates

in the deliverance of the people of Israel from Egypt.

2. The beginning of the first period coincides with the beginning of the world, which, though it cannot be accurately fixed, does not extend at the farthest beyond 4000 years before the birth of Christ, and therefore falls far short of the fictions of the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Chinese, which boast of such extraordinary antiquity. The history of the creation is so far a part of the history of the Church, as that the world was made with the design of its being a dwelling-place for the Church.

3. At this time God, that the world might not be created in vain, founded a Church in it, and united with himself Adam and Eve, the first of the human creation formed, (clothed in his image, and introduced into Paradise,) by the covenant of works; and when that was broken by a most wretched fall, he raised up the covenant of grace, by entering into which, not the natural, but the spiritual family of the whole seed of the elect have escaped.

4. The propagation of the Church was especially carried on by the Patriarchs, whom Moses enumerates, who firmly held the doctrine of justification, and handed it down to their posterity, in addition to the public worship of God by sacrifices, and the preaching of the name of Jehovah, which office Noah and Enoch were the first to perform. The long lives of the Patriarchs, and the unity of the first language, which was most probably Hebrew, was a great help to them.

NOTICE OF A NEW PUBLICATION.

WE had intended to have made a few remarks on a new Cornish publication, the first Number of which

has just reached us; but want of room obliges us to sum them up in a very short space. We hail with pleasure the appearance of The Christian Reader; and have only time to remark, that if grace be given to its Editors to carry into effect its design, as set forth in the Introductory Address,' it will prove a very useful and seasonable work. The first article, The Apostles' Creed,' (the only one we have had time to give consideration to,) we think very fully comes up to the aim of the Editors. It is very instructive and interesting; a very good specimen of language carefully plain,' and reasonings obvious,' happily tending to shew forth the scriptural accuracy and reasonableness of that "form of sound words " which our Church has taught us to hold fast.

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MEDITATION OF KING CHARLES I.

THOUGH clogg'd with weight of miseries
Palm-like, depress'd, 1 higher rise;
And as the unmov'd rock outbraves
'The boisterous winds, and raging waves,
So triumph I, and shine more bright
In sad afflictions darksome night.
With joy I take this crown of thorn,
Though sharp yet easy to be borne.
That heavenly crown, already mine,
I view with eyes of faith divine;
I slight vain things, and do embrace
Glory, the rich reward of Grace.

Rev. H. A. Simcoe, Penheale, near Launceston.

As related by John Fox, in his Acts and Monuments of the Christian Martyrs.

(Continued from page 12.)

Whilst he was kept in the Tower God put it into the heart of Master William Tindal to send two letters to John Frith, which thou mayest here see.

First Letter.

The grace and peace of God our Father, and of Jesus Christ our Lord be with you, Amen. Dearly beloved brother John, I have heard say how the hypocrites, now that they have overcome that great business which letteth them, or at the least way have

C

brought it at a stay, they return to their old nature again. The will of God be fulfilled, and that which he hath ordained to be, ere the world was made, that come, and his glory reign over all.

Dearly beloved, however the matter be, commit yourself wholly and only unto your most loving Father and most kind Lord, and fear not men that threat, nor trust men that speak fair; but trust Him that is true of promise, and able to make his word good. Your cause is Christ's Gospel, a light that must be fed with the blood of faith. The lamp must be dressed and snuffed daily, and that oil poured in every evening and morning, that the light go not out. Though we are sinners, yet is the cause right. If when we be buffeted for well-doing we suffer patiently and endure that is acceptable to God; for to that end we are called. For Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps, who did no sin. Hereby have we perceived love, that he laid down his life for us; therefore we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto him.

Dearly beloved, be of good courage, and comfort your soul with the hope of this high reward, and bear the image of Christ in your mortal body, that it may at his coming be made like to his immortal; and follow the example of all your other dear brethren, which chose to suffer in hope of a better resurrection,