orthodox, more acceptable to my Redeemer, than he is, and that somewhat is Eternal Life, the gift of God through JESUS CHRIST!"

And Mr. Jay of Bath, in his excellent Sermons, remarks that "the readiest way in the world to thin heaven, and replenish the regions of hell, is to call in the spirit of bigotry. This will immediately arraign and condemn, and execute all that do not bow down and worship the image of our idolatry. Possessing exclusive prerogatives, it rejects every other claim---“ Stand by, I am sounder than thou. The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we!" How many of the dead has this intolerance sentenced to eternal misery, who will shine like stars in the kingdom of our Father!---how many living characters does it not reprobate as enemies to the cross of Christ, who are placing in it all their glory! No wonder, if under the influence of this consuming zeal, we form lessening views of the number of the saved. I only am left---yes, they are few indeed if none belong to them,

who do not belong to your party---that do not see with your eyes---that do not believe election with you, or universal redemption with you---that do not worship under a steeple with you, or in a meeting with you --that are not dipped with you, or sprinkled with you! But hereafter we shall find that the RIGHTEOUS were not so circumscribed; when we shall see---many coming from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south, to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven?" Were these truly evangelical sentiments more prevalent among professors of every description, the ravages of infidelity would cease---Christians themselves become more united, and rapid advances would be thus making towards their moral and religious improvement..

In this imperfect state to see just alike, with respect to the doctrines of revelation, is impossible; though surely it is in the power of every individual, acknowledging the divinity of the SAVIOUR'S MISSION, to cherish the kind and charitable disposition,

for which HE was eminently distinguished. Indeed, by the cultivation of this temper alone, we shall most effectually diffuse the triumphs of GENUINE Christianity.

But the author having already fully stated the origin, nature, and design of this little publication in his Explanatory Dedication, will only add---this animating consideration---that notwithstanding the jarrings and contentions of parties, for their several opinions and modes of worship, which the subsequent pages attempt to pourtray, the Gospel of Jesus Christ undebased by the prejudices, and uncontrouled by the passions of frail humanity, continues to operate like the great powers of nature, with a silent but irresistible energy for the renovation of mankind.

PULLIN'S ROW, ISLINGTON,

March 12, 1804.

THE

FRONTISPIECE

BIOGRAPHICALLY ILLUSTRATED,

JOHN WICKLIFFE was born in the North of England about the year 1324, and educated at Oxford. He was the first person in this country who openly condemned the errors and corruptions of Popery. The Monks at the University excited his indignation: but the Pope taking their part against him, he was obliged to withdraw into the country. His place of retirement was Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, of which living he had for some time been in possession, and where part of his pulpit may be seen standing at this day. Here he continued his opposition to the Romish Church with equal steadiness; but had he not been patronized by the Duke of Lancaster, he must have fallen a victim to his fidelity. He died peaceably in his bed at Lutterworth, in 1384, leaving behind him many followers. The chief of his works is entitled

Trialogus, being a dialogue with three speakers -Truth, a Lie, and Wisdom! He wrote several things both in Latin and English, but this is almost the only work which was printed. Agreeable to a decree of the Council of Constance, held in 1416, his bones were dug up and burnt, his books forbidden, and his memory branded with opprobrious heresy. But these fulminations served only to promote the glorious cause which Wickliffe espoused; and hence he has obtained the honourable title, the Morning Star of the Reformation! On this account it is, that his head stands first among the portraits prefixed to this publication.

MARTIN LUTHER, born 1483, at Isleben, a town of Saxony, in Germany. After passing through the usual stages of education at one of their Universities, he entered the order of the Augustinian Monks. His learning was considerable, and his spirit unconquerable. Indulgencies being sold by Leo X. in order to obtain money for the building of St. Peter's at Rome, Luther set his face against a measure so inimical to the interests of virtue and piety. An alarm therefore being sounded-the Romish Church was shaken to its foundation, and these convulsive throes terminated in the REFORMATION. But, like Wickliffe, the Reformer would have failed in his attempt, had not some of the