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Strictures, &c. on Evans's Sketch.

In 1636, when ship-money was about to be exacted by Charles I. Liverpool was rated at £25, Chester at £26, and Bristol at £1000. These comparative estimates are not calculated to give any very exalted ideas of its wealth or commercial prosperity.

"The town," says Seacomb," in 1644, was in the hands of the commonwealth, under the command of Col. Moore, who defended it for some time against the army of Prince Rupert." This prince, about the 26th of June, 1644, sat|| down before it. At that time it was well fortified, with a strong and high mud wall, and a ditch twelve yards wide, and nearly three yards deep, enclosing the town from the east end of Dale-street, and so westward to the river. On every commanding eminence batteries were erected, and cannon were placed in every assailable part.

Prince Rupert at this time fixed his main camp round the beacon, the present St. Domingo, about a mile out of town, and his batteries were raised upon the ridge of ground running from the top of Shaw's-brow to the Copperas works, having his trenches in the lower ground just below. From these he frequently attacked the town, but was as often repulsed. At length, after many ineffectual efforts, he entered the town in the morning about three o'clock, and marching to the spot on which the town-hall now stands, he put every person to the sword who opposed his progress. But having reached this place, and finding himself master of the town, he committed the surviving inhabitants prisoners to the Tower and St. Nicholas's church, and took possession of the castle. Liverpool was soon afterwards retaken by the parliamentary forces; and on the 5th of November following, "thanks to God for the recovering and retaking of Liverpool," were ordered by both houses of parliament. Shortly afterwards an ordinance was passed confirming former grants and charters, and the sum of £10,000 was voted to indemnify the inhabitants for the losses they had sustained in their property during the siege, at the same time to prevent the recurrence of a similar disaster, it was ordered to be fortified with a garrison of 600 men.

The old castle, however, if permitted to share in these honours, was not des

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tined long to enjoy them. In 1659 a bill passed for its demolition, and the site, with a dwelling-house in the interior, together with all the old materials, were given to Col. Birch, on condition of his carrying the order into effect.

Towards the conclusion of the 17th century, Liverpool was emancipated from its parochial dependence on Walton. An act for this purpose was passed on the 24th of June 1699, empowering the corporation to erect a new church, and a house for the rector, and authorizing them to raise the sum of £400 by assessment on the inhabitants, for defraying the expense. It was also enjoined, that two rectors should be appointed, one for the new church and the other for the parochial chapel. From this time the old chapel was called St. Nicholas, and the new church St. Peter's. The patronage, and presentation to the rectory, were vested in the mayor, aldermen, and commoncouncil, subject, in case of disputes, to an appeal to the Bishop of Chester. The whole population of Liverpool was estimated at this time to be about 5000 souls.

(To be continued.)

Strictures, &c. on some of the Reflections subjoined to Mr. Evans's "Sketch of All Denominations."

1. The author seems anxious to promote Christian charity; but his labour will resemble that of the man who built his house upon the sand. In order to offer the right hand of Christian fellowship to another, it is not sufficient that there is proof of his sincerity merely; there must be a conviction that he is a child of God.

The next point to be settled is, What constitutes a child of God? Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Saviour of men.* But as words are merely signs of ideas, it may be proper to inquire, what is meant by the terms Son of God, and Saviour of men? The Trinitarian says, Son of God is equivalent to Immanuel-the Word made flesh-or, God incarnate. The Unitarian says, it is equivalent to

66

a man highly inspired, or one of the angelic order." Now, our author considers the difference between the definitions of the Trinitarian and Unitarian

*John i. 12. Gal. iii. 26. 1 John v. 11,

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Strictures, &c. on Evans's Sketch.

as a matter of trifling importance; see Refl. 3. Is there, indeed, no difference between faith in a being possessed of the attributes of Deity, and faith in a mere creature? If the Trinitarian maintains that the faith of every child of God, acknowledges Christ to be God-man; how can he, so long as he continues a Trinitarian, recognize a person who has not this faith, as a child of God?

Again, if a Trinitarian worships Jesus Christ, by honouring him with the same honour with which he honours the Father; how can a Unitarian acknowledge him as a child of God, while he is, according to the Unitarian's principles, an Idolater, or Demonolater; and the Scripture expressly condemns idolaters and idolatry.* Hence it would seem, that Unitarianism is founded upon a basis different from that of Christianity.

In the next place, it will appear, that there exists as great a difference between the views of a Trinitarian and those of a Unitarian, with regard to the official character of Christ as the Saviour of men.

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have been a sufficient example without reference to the example of Christ. That he would have been sufficient, and that others were sufficient, appears from the epistle to the Hebrews, in which the apostle exhorts them to be followers of the ancient worthies.**

Upon the Unitarian scheme, the conduct of the apostle Paul, in the prospect of death, is much more consolatory to the believer than that of the prophet Jesus Christ; for the former triumphed,†† while the latter was exceeding sorrowful even unto death." It is to be observed, that the object of Paul's love and confidence was Jesus Christ, a mere creature; while that of Christ's love and obedience was the eternal God! In this case, the servant is above his Lord!

2. An attentive and impartial reader can scarcely refrain from viewing our author's fourth Reflection as a piece of sophistry. His words are as follows; "Let us reflect with pleasure in how many important articles of belief ALL Christians are agreed."

66 The former considers Respecting the origin of evil, the Jesus Christ as our Saviour, because nature of the human soul, the exist→ his death was a sacrifice for sin;t the ence of an intermediate state, and the latter, because he taught the will of duration of punishment, together with God, and exhibited an example for our points of a similar kind, opinions have imitation. But surely there is a great been, and in this imperfect state will difference between the knowledge of ever continue to be, different. But on our duty, and the acceptance of our articles of faith, far more interesting in persons. According to the Unitarian themselves, and far more conducive to scheme, the Gentiles are more indebted our welfare, are not all Christians to Paul than to Jesus Christ for their united? We all believe in the perfecsalvation; for the latter was the mi- tions and government of one God, in nister only of the circumcision, while the degradation of human nature thro' the former was peculiarly the minister transgression; in the unspeakable effiof the uncircumcision.§ The mystery cacy of the life, death, and sufferings that the Gentiles should, under the of Jesus Christ; in the assurance of Gospel dispensation, be made fellow-divine aid; in the necessity of exerheirs with the believing Jews, was made known to Paul by the special revelation of the Spirit, after Jesus Christ, as a teacher, had finished his course.||

The example of Paul is highly worthy of imitation. We are not left merely to infer such a truth, for the apostle himself enjoins the imitating of his conduct.¶

It may be objected, that he had Christ for a pattern. True; but it does not follow, that he would not

1 Cor. vi. 9. Rev. xxi. 8. and xxii. 15.

+ Heb. ix. 14, 26, 28.

Rom. xv. 8.- v. 16.

Eph. iii. 1-8. Col. i. 25-27. iv. 3.

cising repentance, and of cultivating holiness; in a resurrection from the dead; and in a future state of rewards and punishments."

Our author classes with Christians the Swedenborgians, and the Shakers of America; yet these two denominations, according to his own account, deny the resurrection of the body.

As it regards the articles upon which the rest agree, the agreement lies more in words than in ideas. Take for an example the following; "the unspeak

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Essays on Creation and Geology.

able efficacy of the life, death, and | sufferings, of Jesus Christ." Upon the Unitarian scheme, the life, death, and sufferings of Jesus Christ, can be of no more efficacy than the life, death, and sufferings of the apostle Paul: while, according to Trinitarian views, Jesus Christ is not only a medium of knowledge concerning the divine character and will, but a meritorious medium, through which the divine mercy is extended to sinners consistently with divine justice, as through which, in the language of Scripture, "God might be just, and" yet "the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus."

In the list of subjects given by our author, concerning which there has been a difference of opinion, nothing is said of the Divinity of Christ, and the Atonement by his death. If our author had these doctrines in his view, he must have confined them to "points of a similar kind" with those mentioned. If so, no person needs find fault with him for concealing his own peculiar views. And if he did not include these doctrines with points of a similar kind, his own views of Christian charity will warrant us to ask the question, Where was his honesty?

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founded on liberal principles, and yet depart from these rules when their own peculiarities come to be examined.

Strange as it may appear, bigotry is sometimes found in the minds of persons noted for their free-thinking. They are conscious of their exoneration from the yoke of authority, while they want the penetration to discover that they are bound by prejudices of their own manufacture; and hence they imagine, that none are equally sincere with themselves in the pursuit of truth. Z.

Aberdeen, 18th August, 1820.

ESSAYS ON CREATION AND GEOLOGY.

ESSAY IX.-The Creation of Living Creatures, and an inquiry into their nature, and the preservation of their species; being the work of the fifth and anterior part of the sixth days of Creation.

HAVING in the preceding Essays traced the various and gradually ascending steps of Creative Power, and having at last seen the visible heavens illuminated with sun, moon, and stars, and the earth, (furnished with vegetables) which, through the influence of the heavens, is now prepared to pour forth in abundance her luxuriant productions; the question comes to be, For what purpose were matters so arranged? Shall we search for an answer to this question in the theory of Mr. Macnab? Then we observe him having recourse to the geologists, and seemingly giving credit to all that they say respecting the amazing antiquity of the globe.

3. Much is said, throughout the Reflections, in favour of the right of private judgment, and of the advantages resulting from free inquiry; while little or nothing is said concerning the danger which frequently attends the habit of thinking for ourselves, or concerning the requisite qualifications for free inquiry. Infidels of every description think for themselves; and it is to be suspected, that few of such characters will be found free from pride of intellect, and insubordination to the Supreme Being. It was justly observed by a great man, well qualified" to judge, "that the greatest enemy to the truth of the Bible is a bad heart." Thousands of Christians who think for themselves, would prefer the implicit faith of the members of the Romish Communion, to the lawless liberty of the Free-thinking Christians. It is, however, to be lamented, that so few think for themselves on religious subjects. Of such as do think for themselves at all, comparatively few do so uniformly. It is as easy to set up one's own dogmas as a standard of truth, as it is to become an implicit follower of others. There are some that acknowledge rules of investigation

By the help of his aiōns, he says, Generations after generations of vegetables seem to have rolled away, during these immeasurable ages, depositing immense masses of carbonaceous matter, which are found far beneath the present surface of the earth." Thus does he in effect charge folly upon the God of wisdom: for is it at all becoming the majesty, power, and wisdom of the Divine Being, to say, that all this labour and grandeur of operation, occupying such a space of time too, should be for the paltry purpose suggested in this quotation? But without regarding the vain speculations of men, when we have recourse to God's own account of the matter,

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Essays on Creation and Geology.

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we find things appearing under a dif- | ture; by the operation of which every ferent aspect.

vestige connecting them with their former state of existence will soon be absorbed and swallowed up in the latter.

We discover, on the one hand, no unnecessary lapse of time between the creation of vegetables and that of the solar powers, to render them productive; and on the other, no unnecessary period between this arrangement, the effect of which is the production of food for living creatures, and the creation of living creatures to subsist on them. Immediately after the production of the vegetable kingdom, were the celestial lights ordained, and immediately after the celestial lights,-which are the cause of the growth of vegetables,-were animals produced to subsist on them. Thus from the very beginning, was there a harmony established in the world of nature, between the heavens and the earth, and the beings which inhabit the earth. Nor must the divine wis-sure of the Creator? dom and goodness manifested by such an arrangement escape our notice. Animals are not ushered into existence till there is provision made for their subsistence; which, with the transitions already noticed, shews the arrangement to be infinitely wise, and exactly what we should expect.

Life is therefore evidently a principle to which we can give nothing but an arbitrary name; a principle communi|cated from one living animal to another throughout successive ages, which must be traced back to a First Cause; which first cause must have this nameless principle essentially residing in himself-entering his very nature and constitution, with a power to communicate it to whomsoever or whatsoever he will.

The operation of the fifth and sixth days of Creation, consisting of the production of living creatures, is calculated in its nature to lead to wonderful speculations. Of all the divine operations hitherto examined, this is the most astonishing. Life! What is life? Who can define what it is? Observe its effects. See it in the horse, the dog, the fly,-in the largest and strongest animal, or in the most diminutive and weakest insect. How they exercise their functions, put forth their strength, distinguish themselves every one after its kind,-in walking, flying, eating, and in every thing else; having evidently the gross matter of their bodies so united to some principle within, as to convert the whole into another sort of substance from that which it possessed in the chemical or vegetable state; and which principle seems to have the entire control of the matter thus constituting their respective bodies. See these same bodies when they are deprived of this principle: the exercise of all their functions is at an end. Their body is now a carcase running to putrefaction; they have undergone a transition from the animal to the chemical laws of na

This is the best definition we can give of this subtile subject. What signifies it to consider life merely in the creature, who holds it not necessarily, but entirely at the will and plea

Since then it proceeds from God alone, he must be viewed in this part of the creation as imparting a principle, even the principle we call life, to some particles of dead matter which they did not possess before. And from this first emanation of the principle of life from the Creator himself, we see it continued down to the present moment by means of parent and offspring, through the successive generations through which the world has passed.

Thus reckoning either backward or forward, we are necessarily brought to the same conclusion; namely, that mere matter has no life in itself, at least not that kind of life of which we are speaking; and that all the life which exists in the world at the present moment, and in the present generation, was, by a concatenation which Almighty God from the beginning established, derived, first, from the last moment,-(for it is to the last moment of my existence that I owe, under God, the present ;) and secondly, from the former generation,—for it is to my parents, in like manner under God, that I am indebted for my existence at first. And so on we must proceed in our calculation backward, from moment to moment, and from generation to generation, till we come to the fifth and sixth days of the Creation, and arrive at the precise and determinate point when the principle we call life began to emanate from the Eternal himself, and to be diffused among so many short-lived creatures

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Essays on Creation and Geology.

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which have in successive moments and | from the fact, that alligators and other generations existed since.

And as God at first imparted life to creatures, and by a constitution he has formed still sustains it, so life may be considered, when the creature dies, as retiring to its original source again. Thus computing backward, all the living creatures which have ever existed may be considered as resembling a vast army on their march, when viewed through that wonderful optical instrument, the Kaleidoscope of Dr. Brewster; by which we observe, as they successively advance, they first come into notice at the circumference, thence pass along the angles, till at last they are absorbed in the centre, which may be considered as the object whence proceeded their life and motion; which life and motion in a manner lead them back to their original point, where they are all again swallowed up in Him, and are seen no more.

ever;"

Thus we observe, that ever since this memorable epoch, "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth for ;"'* still affording the same sustenance for the creatures, which not only preserves them in existence from moment to moment, but inspires them with powers to propagate their species, by which they shall continue, though not as individuals, yet as genera and species, as long as the earth endures.

amphibious animals, and fishes, bave been found in the undermost of the strata containing fossil bones; yet it appears that the Mosaic system is founded upon principles very different from theirs. If Moses, for instance, says that fishes were created to-day, he assures us that land animals were not long in following, for that they were created to-morrow. The Mosaic account affords not the smallest ground for the romantic theory of the geologists; and it is but like a drowning man catching at a straw after all other hope is gone, for them to fix upon this incident of Moses to support a dying cause. Nor, let it be observed, of the aquatic tribe of animals, were they alligators and other amphibia only, and the particular kinds of fish which have been found in these strata, which are said by Moses to have been created first; but they were fishes of all descriptions, "great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly," together with the winged tribes which were to fly in the open firmament of heaven." All, all the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the air, were created on the selfsame day. Nor were these long alone, but were followed by the creation of all the other tribes of animals, on the following day.

The creation, I say, of all the inferior Having thus arrived at the origin or tribes of terrestrial animals constituted source of life, and demonstrated the the first part of the operations of the fact, that the life of the creature must sixth day. And therefore, if fishes were be derived from a Being who possesses created only on the preceding day, life essentially in himself, and who where was the time for the formation has power to communicate or with- of the strata whish contain the fishes, hold it as he chooses; we are now previous to the creation of the land prepared to attend briefly to the Crea- animals, provided the strata were tor's operations at the present period, formed in the manner which geologists when the universe for the first time suppose? This shews that it is a teemed with life and animated motion, mere delusion to quote the Mosaic and with every demonstration of hap-order of the creation of fishes before piness and enjoyment, which in a va- the land animals, in support of their riety of ways shewed forth the Creator's theory. praise.

In regard to the creation of the terSome Geologists seem to think they restrial animals, it is said, Gen. i. 24. pay Moses a compliment, by remark- 25. "And God said, Let the earth ing that the formation of fishes before bring forth the living creature after its land animals, is an interesting coinci-kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast dence between modern discovery and of the earth, after their kind; and it was the ancient sacred account. But I so. And God made the beast of the ask, How is it so? Though they may earth after its kind, and cattle after their imagine that Moses, in this particular kind, and every thing that creepeth upon coincides with their inferences drawn the earth after its kind: and God saw that it was good."

* Eccl. i. 4.

Here the original of all kinds of