BAPTIST MISCELLANY, CONDUCTED BY MEMBERS OF THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION; AND ITS ENTIRE PROFITS DEVOTED TO THE SUPPORT OF SUPERANNUATED VOL. V. ... 1831. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY HOLDSWORTH AND BALL, 18, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. 1831. PREFACE. to In closing the fifth volume of their Miscellany, the Editors desire. express their obligation to the Father of all mercies for the encouragement he has been pleased to afford them. The motives which induced them to commence their editorial labours continue in all their force, while the support they have received would expose them to a charge of no ordinary ingratitude were they now to relinquish them. Their object has been the wider diffusion of a Scriptural theology, and the promotion of sound and vigorous habits of thought. It has, consequently, been their aim to supply their readers with papers of permanent value, which would at once stimulate the intellectual powers, and feed the springs of piety. If they have succeeded to any extent, it has been owing to the kind assistance of many talented members of the denomination, who have selected the "Miscellany" as the channel of their communications. To their numerous contributors, they tender thanks for past assistance, accompanied with an earnest request for their continued aid. They are free to acknowledge that, hitherto, they have failed to realize their own standard of excellence. Their conception of what a periodical should be is, as yet, unembodied, so far as their knowledge of this department of literature extends. If, therefore, any of their readers should enquire respecting the future, they would reply; consider the past but an effort towards a degree of excellence not yet attained. Judge of the general character of the work by what they have already done; but be assured that no exertion will be spared to improve its character, until it approaches more nearly to what they still consider a desideratum in religious periodical literature. In the present state of the world and of the church, it is of peculiar importance that these publications should be conducted with ability and vigour. The political aspect of affairs is highly interesting; and the course of events will probably require much of the wisdom and meekness with |