Page images
PDF
EPUB

this shameful and pernicious neglect. Since his decease, his lesser pieces have been reprinted, in three small volumes: But his capital work was, "The Family Expositor," containing a Version and Paraphrase of the New Testament, with Critical Notes, and a Practical Improvement of each Section, in six volumes, 4to. He had been preparing for this work from his entrance on the ministry, and kept it in view in the future course of his studies.

It has been already observed, that his works have been much read and esteemed in these kingdoms, and the colonies; I would add, that the most considerable of them have been translated into foreign languages, and published abroad. His sermons on regeneration, salvation by grace, on the power and grace of Christ, and his letter on family prayer, have been translated into Dutch: The memoirs of Colonel Gardiner, into the Dutch, French, and German languages: The Rise and Progress of Religion, into Dutch, German, Danish, and French. It is observable, that the translation of it into French was undertaken by the particular encouragement of the late Prince and Princess of Orange, and many of the gentry of Holland. A protestant prince of the empire wrote to the undertaker of it, promising to recommend it to those about him. Many persons of quality and rich citizens in Germany and Switzerland were subscribers to it. A pious minister of Wales translated it into the Welch language, that it might be read by those of his congregation who did not understand English; and it would have been printed, could sufficient encouragement have been procured. Some learned men undertook to translate the former volumes of the Family Expositor into German; but an opposition was made to its publication by some of the Lutheran Clergy, from an apprehension that his interpretation of particular passages, and his reflections upon them, might not agree with their established principles, or form of church government; therefore, the persons concerned in the translation, first published his sermons on regeneration in that language; and the moderation and candour, expressed in them, quieted the opposition, and the work was completed. These writings, thus translated and published, have been well received abroad, particularly in Holland, Germany, and Switzerland. Since the Author's death, a volume of his hymns hath been published, and his theological lectures, of which some account was given above. He intended, had GoD spared his life, to have published a new translation of the minor prophets, with a commen

tary

tary on them, a sermon to children, some sacramental meditations, and a dissertation on the Jewish proselytes; defending that opinion concerning them, which he mentioned in some of his notes upon the Acts of the Apostles. In this last tract he had made considerable progress, but it is too imperfect to appear in the world. Besides his works above-mentioned, he published a short account of the life of Mr. Thomas Steffe, one of his pupils, prefixed to some of his sermons, which were printed by the earnest desire of the congregation where he was settled, and a dedication of an abridgement of Mr. David Brainerd's journal of his mission among the Indians of New Jersey and Pensylvania, to the honourable society for promoting Christian knowledge in the Highlands of Scotland, and in popish and infidel parts of the world, by which society Mr. Brainerd was employed in this work, and of which society our Author was one of the corresponding members. He also published a small piece of Mr. Some's, concerning inoculation of the small-pox, which was written and published principally to remove the common objection, from a religious scruple. In 1748 he revised the expository works and other remains of the excellent Archbishop Leighton, and translated his Latin prelections, which were printed together in two volumes at Edinburgh. The Archbishop's Commentary upon the first Epistle of St. Peter hath since been reprinted, under the inspection of the Reverend Mr. Foster, at London.

JONATHAN EDWARDS, D. D. WE are now to speak of a man of whom it is not easy to speak with justice, without seeming to border upon adulation. There is also an additional difficulty which attends the Christian biographer when he aims to describe the characters of extraordinary men, and which the writers of other lives are generally allowed to forget:He must so represent the motives and actions of the persons he offers to view, as to remind his readers that they, no less than himself, are to consider the uncommon excellencies of some characters, not as resulting from the mere force or acumen of natural ability, but as flowing entirely from the Divine Bounty for purposes of his own appoint

ment.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

ment. Otherwise, instead of rightly placing them in a view for an imitation, attainable in any degree only through grace, or for an encouragement, reviving to the soul through the same grace, we should only set up idols, though idols of more worth than gold, and lead others astray, as well as ourselves, from the ONE GREAT OBJECT of the Christian life, which is JESUS CHRIST and his fulness, which filleth all in all. Interested in HIM, it is a privilege to hear of his wonderful works in or by his eminent servants; and it is the confirmation of the privilege to be enabled to imitate them. If their graces send us upon our knees, and thereby are the means of quickening ours, we have not run over their history for an idle amusement, but have made the right use of it, which is, the spurring us on to follow them, who now through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Mr. Jonathan Edwards* was born on the 5th of October 1703, at Windsor, in the province of Connecticut, North America. His father was minister of that place almost sixty years; he was descended from Mr. Richard Edwards, minister of the gospel in London, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, by whom, it seems, his wife was employed for some part of her royal attire. In short, by his lineage, it appears that his ancestors came from the west of England, and allied themselves, upon their emigration, to some of the best families in the New Country, whither they came.

Our Author was entered at Yale College in 1716, and was made bachelor of arts in 1720, before he was seventeen years of age. His mental powers opened themselves so early and so strong, that he read Locke's Essay upon Human Understanding with delight, in his second year at this college, when other boys usually amuse themselves with Robinson Crusoe, or books of romance and amusement. He discovered thus early an uncommon depth, solidity, and penetration of mind, which found nothing so pleasant to itself, as the exercise of its own powers.

He lived at college near two years after taking this first degree, preparing himself, principally, for the sacred

function.

There was another valuable writer of the name of Jonathan Edwards, Principal of Jesus College, Cambridge, who published an excellent book, entitled, A Preservative against Socinianism,' in four parts, 4to. The first of which was printed in 1693, and the last 1703. Another writer of the same name, Dr. John Edwards, is worthy of remembrance for his well-known treatise Veritas redux,' and many other books upon theological subjects.

« PreviousContinue »