TO CORRESPONDENTS. The Biographical Sketch of the Rev. WM. COOPER, has come to hand and shall appear next month. We have received the Remarks of Candidus, on the Extract from Sennebier's History of Literature, [see Panoplist for Sept.] which contains an account of Calvin's treatment of Servetus. This respectable correspondent will excuse us if we decline publishing his objections in the manner in which they are brought forward. Were they reduced to a concise and specific form, and accompanied by proper references to authorities, we could have no objection to their admission; as truth is our object. Were we to admit the whole communication of Candidus, as it now stands, it would still be a question, whether we are to submit to his authority or to that of Sennebier. Especially when we consider, that the extract from Sennebier, which we published, received the sanction of the late learned Dr. Erskine, who was intimately conversant with ecclesiastical history, and with European literature. We readily admit the correctness and pertinency of many of the remarks of Candidus. With some abatement in respect to the characters and conduct of the first Reformers, we could subscribe to the following observations. "It cannot be contested that the Reformers were pretty generally," we should say, in too frequent instances, "actuated by a blind, intemperate zeal against all, whom they suspected to be enemies of the gospel of truth, and embraced too often, improper methods for its support, which by the more candid and Christian sentiments of our day, are disapproved. Calvin too was a son of Zebedee. Francis Davidis also experienced, that even Socinus was, in this respect, not more tinctured with the meek doctrine of our humble Saviour. us to state historical facts fairly; then we may try, as far as truth will allow, It becomes to lessen their faults, who greatly sinned through ignorance. Let the purity of our doctrine and lives be their severest condemnation, and the mouth of unbelief shail be stopped forever." The following are pertinent and forcible observations of Candidus, intended to expose one of the pleas of Sennebier in favour of Calvin." Had Sennebier, to extenuate Calvin's guilt, fairly acknowledged this instance of human weakness, and expatiated on Calvin's piety; on bis eminent services in the cause of Christendom; on his elegant, learned writings; on that masterly piece of composition, his preface, and I had nearly said, unequalled dedication to Francis I.; on his modesty, as a divine interpreter, and his disinterestedness: had he even concluded with his panegyrist Beza, that Calvin left us in his life and death an example, which it was more easy to slander than to imitate; had Sennebier delineated, with few strokes, the turbulent spirit of democracy rankling in every breast at Geneva, Calvin's high authority in that city, with his uncontrolled power in the church, as President in the assembly of the clergy and ecclesiastical judicatory; had he shown this reformer exasperated by the virulent invectives of his haughty antagonist, and urged his irritable temper unused to brook opposition, he might have induced his readers to deplore the frailty of Calvin, and to avert their eyes from a foul spot in such a bright character. But what friend of Calvin can bear with patience Sennebier's plea i "Calvin's situation was delicate. The Catholics accused him of dangerous errors. Had he remained an indifferent spectator of the process against Servetus, they would have pronounced him a favourer of his opinions." "Had Servetus escaped, his gross and abusive charges against Calvin would have appeared to be well founded." If Calvin's conduct will admit no better apology than this, his character, we freely grant, deserves to be stigmatized. If, after the foregoing remarks, Candidus shall feel disposed to forward us his remaining communications on this subject, they shall be treated with the respect due to their author. 2. on Christian Zeal, and the Biographical Sketch by Theophilus shall appear next month. Our other correspondents shall be attended to as fast as the liaits of our work will admit. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE REV. WILLIAM COOPER, A PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN BRATTLE STREET, BOSTON. THE early years of Mr. Cooper were distinguished by presages of that eminence, which in future life he actually attained. A vigorous mind, intense application, and an ardent thirst for knowledge marked his childhood. Blest with a religious education, he exhibited, even at this period, hopeful evidences of piety; evidences which brightened with his years, till all who knew him were convinced that the grace of God had taken possession of his heart. At his father's death, his lovely and af flicted mother found in him a son of consolation indeed. His ten der and sympathetic attentions, in this trying scene, were minė gled with a seriousness, which gave them a double value. His progress in the branches of knowledge usually taught at school, was rapid. But the Bible was his chosen companion; and with the greatest assiduity, he stored his mind with its sa cred truths. He had early set his heart on being a minister of Jesus Christ; and from this choice he never swerved. No. 12. Vol. II. Www At seven years old, while hearing a sermon of Mr. Colman, with whom he afterward was colleague, he was so attracted by the eloquence of his manner, that he went home with a determination to read like him ; a circumstance, which drew from that venerable man (who surviv▴ ed him, and preached on his death) the following affectionate and humble remark. "I ought to thank God, (says he) if I have served any way to form him for his since eminent pulpit services, and in particular, his method of preaching Christ and Scripture. So a torch may be lit at a farthing candle." Mr. Cooper's youth, though passed in the midst of temptation, was exemplarily pure. He was grave, but not gloomy, nor austere; discreet, but not precise; and cheerful, with innocence. Study was his recreation. He accurately discriminated, and ardently cultivated those branches of science which were most useful and important. Every literary pursuit was sanctified by prayer, and every human acqui sition rendered subservient to the knowledge of God and relig ion. Though he entered the desk young, it was not without the advice of the most eminent ministers in Boston. Their expectations were high; but they were exceeded. In the opinion of the ablest judges, his first exhibitions stamped him with the character of an accomplished and eminent preacher. The Church in Brattle street, of which he was a member, soon chose him, with great unanimity, as co-pastor with the Reverend Mr. Colman, afterward D. D. The ordination, which, at Mr. Cooper's request, was deferred for a year, was solemnized May 23, 1716. From this period to that of his death, his ministerial gifts, graces and useful ness seemed regularly and unintermittingly to increase, and the inore he was known, the more he was esteemed, loved, and honoured, as one who eminently ful filled the ministry which he had received from the Lord Jesus. As a preacher he was mighty in the Scriptures, and contended earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. He was an able and zealous advocate for the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel. Christ, the alpha and omega of the Bible, was ever the prominent object in his discours es. On the doctrines of grace, he insisted much; considering them as not only constituting the sole foundation of a sinner's hope, but as exhibiting the capital aids and incentives to holiness of heart and life. Hence his preaching was practical, as well as evangelic. It inculcated obedience Christian arguments. Al His sermons were composed with care; easy and natural in method; rich in important truth; plain, but not grovelling in style ; solid and argumentative, yet animated with the spirit of devotion. They were calculated at once to enlighten the mind, impress the conscience, and warm the heart. In explaining the profound and sublime truths of the gospel, he had the singular felicity to be intelligible to the ignorant, instructive to the well-informed, and edifying to the serious. he remarkably excelled. In prayer, ways ready, always serious and animated, with a mind stored with scriptural ideas and expres sions, and a heart fired with devotion, he seemed to converse with his God, and bear along his fellow-worshippers to the very gate of heaven. He had a voice at once powerful and agreeable, an elocution grave and dignified; while a deep impression of the majesty of that BEING whose messages he delivered, was visible mercy be implored, and whose in his countenance and demeanor, and added an indescribable solemnity to all his performances. In his discharge of pastoral duties, he was exemplarily diligent, faithful and affectionate. His preaching being very acceptable to other congregations be side his own, scarce a Sabbath passed in which he did not preach both parts of the day; in addition to which, he frequently performed at stated and occasional lectures. Nor were his abundant labours in the gospel without important and happy effect. God was pleas ed to grant the desire which was nearest his heart; to make him an instrument of saving good to many, who loved and revered him as their spiritual father. He was an eminent instrument and promoter of the great revival of religion which took place toward the close of his life. With a heart overflowing with joy, he declared, that since the year 1740, more people had sometimes come to him in concern about their souls in one week, than in the preceding twenty-four years of his ministry. To these applicants, he was a most judicious, affectionate counsellor and guide. Some, indeed, stigmatized those remarkable appearances as nothing better than delusion and enthusiasm. Nor did Mr. Cooper himself fail to bear a decided testimony against the spirit of separation, and other irregularities which mingled themselves with the religious commotions, in some parts of the land. Yet, nobly disregarding human censure and applause, where he thought the honour of God was concerned, he invariably declared his persuasion that a remarkable work of divine grace was going on, The numerous instances which met him, in his own circle, of persons affected, either with pungent and distressing convictions of sin, or with deep humiliation and self-abhorrence, or with ardent love to God and man, or with inexpressible consolation in religion, perfectly satisfied him that the presence and power of the divine REPROVER, SANCTIFIER and COMFORTER was among them. In the private walks of life, he displayed the combined excel lencies of the gentleman and Christian. In conversation, he was equally entertaining and instructive; and while he was courteous and kind to all within his sphere, he was especially valued and endeared in the relations of husband, father, master and friend. He lived in great affection and harmony with his colleague, serving with him as a son with a father. father. "If in any particular point," says that great and good man, I could not act with him, yet he evidently appeared to me to act, as he professed--as of sincerity, in the sight of God, and as his conscience commanded him." In the sermon occasioned by Mr. Cooper's death, Dr. Colman expresses himself in this remarkally affectionate style: "This I can truly say (as I said in tears over the dear remains, on the day of interment) that had I the like confidence of my own actual readiness to be offered, I would much rather, for your sake, and the churches through the land, have chosen to die in his stead, might he have lived to my years, and served on to the glory of God." Mr. Cooper was truly an honour and blessing to his country. Scarce any minister was more esteemed and loved by his brethren, or by the community at large. In the year 1737, he was chosen by the Corporation, president of Harvard College; but when the vote was presented to the board of Overseers, he declined the honourable trust. Near the period of his death, his reputation for piety and learning was rapidly extending, and several divines of the first character in England and Scotland sought his correspond. ence. His dissolution was sudden and unexpected to his friends, but probably not to himself. He had frequently expressed his expectation of an early death. Immediately on his being seized with an alarming complaint, his church, anxious for his valuable and important life, spent a day in humiliation and prayer. The assembly was numerous, and deeply affected; ardent supplications, mingled with many tears, were offered to Him who is able to save. But the time was at hand when he must be removed to that better world, for which, by his illustrious piety, and unwearied diligence in his Master's work, he was now mature. In bridge, was born at Southwark. He was so weak in the first month of his life, that he was giv. en over for dead; but by a wonderful providence was on a sudden recovered. While at Cambridge, he gained great respect by his college exercises. 1652 he was fixed in the rectory of Newington Butts. In his settlement here, it was remarkable, that the parishioners were divided into two parties, and on the vacancy both went with their petitions to Westminster, neither knowing the other's mind, and he was the person pitched upon by both. Here he not only preached constantly, but zealously taught from house to house. He gave Bibles to the poor, and expended his estate, as well as time, in works of charity among them; and it pleased God to give him abundant success. But in 1660 he resigned the living to Mr. Meggs, who pretended to be the legal rector. Mr. Wadsworth however did not live useless; for beside his lecture on Saturday morning at St. Antholine's, and for some time on Lord's day evenings, and on Monday nights at St. Margaret's, (where he had a great concourse of hearers) he was chosen by the parish of St. Lawrence. He He departed December 13th, was also a lecturer of St. John 1743, in the 50th year of his age, Baptist. He was indeed an extenderly mourned by his bereav- traordinary man; of singular ed family and congregation; ability, judgment, and piety ; sincerely regretted and highly wholly devoted to God; and did honoured by the town and the not care for conversing with the whole community. Z. rich, unless they could be prevailed on to be free in acts of charity. He would reprove sin in any person of whatever rank; but with much prudence, and with great candour, which he took pains to promote in others; The nature of his illness deprived him, in great measure, both of speech and reason. Yet in some lucid intervals, he was enabled to declare that he rejoiced in God his Saviour; and likewise to signify, by raising his hand, in reply to questions which were proposed to him, that he cheerfully resigned his spirit into the hands of Christ; that he had the peace which passes understanding, and could leave his dying testimony to the ways of God. SKETCH OF REV. THOMAS WADSWORTH. THOMAS WADSWORTH, M. A. Fellow of Christ's College, Cam |