already struck off. Having made this discovery, Cochlæus went privately to Herman Rincke, an important personage in Cologne, who had before this sought the favour of the English court, and, by his influence with his brother burghers, the printers were prohibited from employing their presses upon a work so odious to Papists. The work, however, was not to be so stopped. By the connivance of the master-printers, Tyndale and his associate were enabled to carry off the printed sheets in a vessel which carried them up the Rhine as far at Wurms, where popery had lost its ascendancy; and there, with unflagging zeal and industry, he carried a small 8vo edition of his New Testament, without note or comment, through the press, almost contemporaneously with the completion of the quarto, with notes, begun at Cologne.

That Tyndale would not desist from his work, had been anticipated by Rincke and Cochlæus, as soon as they heard of his escape from Cologne; and they had consequently sent off letters to Henry VIII., to Cardinal Wolsey, and to Fisher, bishop of Rochester, that they might take diligent care "lest that most pernicious article of merchandise (an English Testament) should be introduced into all the ports of England."-Cochlaus, quoted in Annals of English Bible, p. 59. This communication was made very near the close of 1525; and in the first week of February, 1526, the result of a search for what Wolsey chose to call heretical books, made simultaneously in London and in both universities, affords ground for believing, though the evidence is not quite decisive, that Tyndale's New Testament was already circulating amongst secret lovers of the Gospel in each of those influential localities. Bishop Fisher preached with much exultation, at the burning of baskets full of the detected books, in St. Paul's Church Yard, on February 11th, and Wolsey attended, in great state, to see the glad sight. But in the following autumn the priests and rulers of our then popish land, were manifesting their terror by their avowed indignation, at the fruits of Tyndale's

"work of faith and labour of love." In the Preface of the King's answer to Luther's reply to him, Henry said to his subjects, "Luther fell in device with one or two lewd (meaning ignorant) persons, born in this our realm, for the translating of the New Testament into English; as well with many corruptions of that holy text, as certain prefaces, and other pestilent glosses in the margin, for the advancement and setting forth of his abominable heresies, intending to abuse the good minds and devotion, that you, our dearly people, bear toward the Holy Scripture, and infect you with the deadly corruption and contagious odour of his pestilent

The king was as much misinformed, when told that Luther and Tyndale were in communication with each other, as when taught to think Tyndale's preface and notes heretical; but he knew what he himself had done, and this he proceeded to remind his subjects of " that with the deliberate advice of Thomas, Lord Cardinal, and other reverend fathers of the spirituality, he had determined the said and untrue translations to be burned, with farther sharp correction and punishment against the keepers and readers of the same." (Annals of E. B., vol. i. p. 113.) This royal denunciation was presently followed by an ecclesiastical proclamation from Bishop Tunstal, who also therein styled the people of his flock, in language which the Apostle Peter had condemned by anticipation,

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our

subjects," (see 2 Peter v. 3.) and spoke of Tyndale's work as follows:

1

"Understanding by the report of divers credible persons, and also by the evident appearance of the matter, that many children of iniquity, maintainers of Luther's sect, blinded through extreme wickedness, wandering from the way of truth and the Catholic faith, craftily have translated the New Testament into our English tongue, intermingling therewith many heretical articles, and erroneous opinions, pernicious and offensive, seducing the simple people, attempting, by their wicked and perverse interpretations, to profanate the majesty of the Scripture, which hitherto hath

remained undefiled, and craftily to abuse the most holy word of God, and the true sense of the same; of the which translation there are many books imprinted, some with glosses and some without; containing in the English tongue that pestiferous and most pernicious poison, dispersed throughout all our diocese in great number ; which truly, without it be speedily foreseen, without doubt will contaminate and infect the flock committed unto us, with most deadly poison and heresy, to the grievous peril and danger of the souls committed to our charge, and the offence of God's divine majesty; wherefore we, grievously sorrowing for the premises, and willing to withstand the craft and subtlety of the antient enemy and his ministers-do charge and command" (the archdeacons, &c.) "to warn, or cause to be warned, all dwelling within the several archdeaconries, that within thirty days' space-under pain of excommunica

tion-they do bring in and deliver, unto our vicar-general, all and singular such books as contain the translation of the New Testament in the

English tongue. Given under our seal, Oct. 24, 1526.”—Annals of the English Bible, p. 118.

It is probable enough that Bishop Tunstal had not sufficient scholarship to enable him to perceive that." the true sense" of the Scripture was more correctly given in Tyndale's English translation than in the Latin vulgate, exclusively adopted by the Church of Rome; but it is strange that he could not see that when he comprehended the translation, "without glosses," in his condemnation of the alleged vehicles of pestiferous and most pernicious poison, he charged the word of God with this, and plainly declared that the New Testament and the doctrines of his church were opposed to each other. (To be continued.)

MR. B.'s pamphlet is occasioned by the recent publications of Mr. M'Neile and Mr. Close. The former, it is well known, warmly advocates a premillenial advent; which the latter as strongly repudiates; but while he does this, he evidently looks for no millenium whatever. Our author has written to point out what he conceives to be erroneous in both their systems. His book, however, is not properly controversial. "He has written for plain Christian readers, to give them what he conceives to be the only important view of the Scripture Millenium."

When we consider that " days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom," we feel strongly drawn to give our favourable attention to the views and opinions of Mr. B. He tells us that a millenium has been to him a subject of interest and importance, for more than half a century.

The venerable writer introduces his subject, by stating his firm opinion, that the slaying and rising again of

the witnesses (Rev. xi. 7.) is still future. His reasons for that opinion seem very weighty. He says: "That epoch appears to me to bear too high and important a standing in the page of historic prophecy, to be mistaken or overlooked by any sober-minded Christian, when it shall take place. Besides, I feel a confident hope, bordering on assurance, that Popery will never lift up her bloody face again, after the witnesses, whom she will be the chief instrument in slaying, have risen from the dead."

Our author was never able to adopt the views of dear Mr. Bickersteth and his friends, respecting a personal reign on earth, as set forth in their writings, and propounded also by Mr. M'Neile in his last anniversary sermon for the Jews' Society. Equally disappointed he was with the Advent Sermons of Mr. Close, who re jectsa personal reign, without ever looking for the predicted period, when the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. "As it appears to me," he

says, (page 8,) "our brethren who contend so warmly for the pre-millenial advent, carnalize heavenly and spiritual things by putting them into an earthly mould; while our brother Close, in his opposite zeal, has merged the Scripture Millenium altogether." He conceives that both these systems come egregiously short of the Scripture Millenium. For while Mr. Close considers the Millenium to mean nothing more than what now occurs every day, or what is greatly gone by, the other writers, in the view of our author, destroy the Scriptural nature of the general judgment, and leave neither place nor capability for the predicted glory of the church upon earth in the latter days.

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With regard to the personal reign of our Redeemer upon earth, as advocated in Mr. M'Neile's sermon, our author speaks in the most decis"I am ive terms of repudiation. fully satisfied, (he says, page 10) there is not one text in either the Old or New Testament, which gives us the least instruction to expect any such thing as Christ's second coming to reign personally on this earth. I admit that there are numerous texts which they apply to that event, and explain so as to look that way, yet they do not bring one text with the four elements which that point assumes. That is, Christ's second coming, in person, to reign, on this earth. And I, after great diligence of investigation, am unable to discover one."

Equally decisive is our author's rejection of Mr. Close's system. He shows that such as look for a spiritual reign upon earth, with Whitby, Scott, &c., prior to the coming of Christ, hold as firmly as Mr. Close himself, the Catholic doctrine of the general resurrection, and final judgment at the last day. He cannot conceive how Mr. C. can be so sure that he holds a Catholic doctrine, when he maintains, against Whitby, Scott, &c., that there is no Millenium taught in the word of God yet to

come.

Mr. Close had said: "It appears to me impossible that any one can preach the second advent, as it is stated in the New Testament, if he can believe that a thousand years at least must intervene before his ap

pearing." To this Mr. B. replies: "The all-knowing God himself directed his Apostles to use that language, as it is stated in Scripture; and this, although he knew at that time, that Christ's coming was at least, say eighteen hundred years, further off than it is now."

Thus, we see the systems to which our author objects. He who pulls down the house of another had better have been quiet, if he is not prepared to erect a firmer and more stable edifice in its room. It is far easier to pull down than to build up. Many can see defects and inconsistencies in the system of another, who are utterly unable to substitute for it anything as good. This charge I think cannot be applied to our venerable friend. Like a wise man, he lays his foundations upon the immoveable rock of Holy Scripture; and every part of his system, every stone which he uses in building, is fetched directly from the same precious quarry; and the very arguments by which the various parts of divine truth are knit together and formed into a firm and substantial edifice-these arguments are nothing else than the tempered mortar of Scriptural inferences.

Mr. B. plants his foot very firmly upon Rev. xx., and makes this chapter the groundwork of his Scripture Millenium. It is evident that the Holy Scriptures teach us, in a very great measure, to ascribe all the abominations that defile the earth, and all the heresies that divide and distract the church, to the power and subtilty of Satan, the great deceiver, and whose sway has hitherto been so awfully extensive, that he is called the god of this world. But he is here declared to be bound, shut up, and sealed, for one thousand years. Yea, and for the express purpose of preventing his executing his hellish work of deceiving the nations for one thousand years. Language could not be framed more explicit in design, or more determinate as to the fact. Satan is prevented from seducing the nations, all of whom he now beguiles by his deception. The nature and character of this blessed period is described in the verses that follow. (Rev. xx. 4, 5.) Spiritual rule, heavenly array, and

holy moral control, were given to Christ and his true followers, instead of the wicked ways of Satan, by which the world had so generally been led captive. Satan really reigns upon earth, although we see him not personally among us; but only working and putting forth his malignant influence in the children of wickedness and disobedience. In like manner, may not Jesus reign upon earth, without being personally or rather visibly present among us, by manifesting the strength of his righteous sceptre, and the beauty of holiness, in the general prevalence of his grace, and the excellency of his saints? The great holiness, stedfastness, and perseverance of the millenial character, could only be duly represented by the first characters, or martyrs of the preceding periods. Christ now reigns in his true spiritual dignity; and the holiness, the prosperity, and the glory during the millenial period, will partake of its Saviour's holy and spiritual exaltation. This holy character of religious professors, and their distinguished dominion over sin, will continue for the thousand years. They lived (in succession of course) and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead, unholy characters still dead in trespasses and sins, will have no prominent place upon earth until the thousand years are expired. Then the period of guaranteed holiness having passed away, moral and religious characters will return to their pre-millenial imperfection and vulnerability. Satan, whose bonds are loosed for a little season, will make his last effort, corrupt the nations, and attack even the city of God. Then cometh the end. The Almighty sees fit, and fully justifies himself in bringing the moral and physical world to a conclusion. After Satan's overthrow, and the world's destruction by fire at the second coming of Christ in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels, the general judgment immediately takes place, and not before.

Taking his stand, as we have seen, upon this chapter, where the whole subject is so fully and so miraculously revealed, our author next proceeds to enquire whether or not this view be consistent with other portions of the

word of God, which speak of glorious days that are yet to come. Now, whether or not we like the term Millenium, it is certain that God, by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began, has predicted a glorious period which has never yet been witnessed upon earth. A period of peculiar religious blessedness in its intent and character, its dominion, prosperity, and duration. This period to all intents and purposes is the Scripture Millenium.

"The meaning not the name I call." In what glowing terms do the Holy Scriptures speak of the extent of Christ's spiritual kingdom! He has yet to receive the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. All nations have yet to be gathered, that they may come and see his glory. His ancient people, from the least even to the greatest, shall yet know the Lord. Antichrist, who has stretched out his feet from east to west, trampling down the holy city in one place, and making himself drunk with the blood of saints in another, shall not always prevail. Oh no! Soon his destruction shall come to a perpetual end. The false prophet shall fall before the true commander of the faithful. The crescent shall not only wane, but vanish before the cross. Babylon shall sink to riseno more. And when these abominations shall be removed from the world, their overthrow shall be celebrated by heavenly voices, saying:The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ! Equally bright and express are the terms which describe the holy character of the church in the latter days. A martyr's zeal shall characterize the generality of the Lord's people. They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. The house of Israel shall walk in the light of the Lord. There shall no more come into Jerusalem the uncircumcised or the unclean. The people shall be all righteous. The spiritual dominion too of the people of God is clearly foretold. "The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the

saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." (Dan. vii. 27.) The prosperity of the church in the latter times, is the delightful theme of the old prophetic fire: The Spirit shall be poured out from on high, and the wilderness shall become a fruitful field. The wilderness and the solitary shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. The duration too of this happy period is spoken of by the prophets, in language that well accords with what is said Rev. xx. :-"They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat; for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands."

Thus does our author make the analogy of Scripture-the prophetic promises in general-confirm and strengthen the exposition which he has given of the particular chapter which treats professedly of the Scripture Millenium. He then proceeds

to show what he conceives to be both defective and erroneous in the personal reign system. He considers it to be defective in these four particulars. 1. The personal advent of Christ overthrows the Scripture Millenium; inasmuch as the Bible declares the end of his coming will be to judge and to destroy the world. 2. The personal advent of our Lord would be unsuitable to the end proposed; for were he personally present upon earth, it would seem to impede rather than to promote the extension of his universal sway. 3. His personal advent is unnecessary for any spiritual purpose desired; because the Gospel applied by the Holy Ghost to the heart, is all that is necessary to transform a ruined sinner into a child of God. 4. Finally, while he is at the right hand of power, he actually conveys spiritual blessings to his people, and can do so to any extent he pleases. At the same time, Mr. B. considers the personal reign

system to be erroneous, especially for these two reasons. 1. The Bible declares clearly, that before the consummation of all things, the Jews are to be converted and restored; but it appears hard to believe that the work of conversion will be continued after Christ shall have come, at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead. And 2. There is clearly an apostacy to take place at the end of the Millenium. But if this should be after the second and glorious coming of Christ to reign upon earth, it seems very fearfully to militate against the security of the saints in glory everlasting.

After this refutation, Mr. B. proceeds to show that the promise of the Saviour's Millenial reign is now in active operation and progress. And he goes on, in glowing terms, to anticipate the glorious days which we are warranted still to expect for our sinful world; and shows how this blessed hope should animate our faith, and stimulate our prayers, for its speedy acceleration.

Surely it is very reviving, amid the distressing judgments which are now going forth in the earth, humbly to believe that ere long a brighter and a better state of things shall dawn upon

us.

A time is coming, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, when the Prince of peace shall stretch out his sceptre over a ransomed world. He shall have dominion from sea to sea. The universal family of Adam shall be blessed in him. All nations shall call him blessed. The miseries and distresses, which now cause us to weep, shall come to an end. The evil arrows of famine shall no more go forth to destroy. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing. Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like a young roe upon the mountains of separation. Take unto thyself thy great power and reign. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

"Thy saints proclaim thee King, and in their hearts

Thy title is engraven, with a pen
Dipt in the fountain of eternal love!
Come then, and to thy many crowns,
take one,

The crown of all the earth !''