This is from The Evangelical Magazine 15
Twenty Short Discourses, adapted to Village Worship, or the Devotions of the family, Vol II. By the late Rev. B. Beddome, AM 12mo, 2s, 8vo, 3s.
THESE Sermons, published from the author's manuscript, are justly entitled to public esteem. We gave a favourable report of the first volume in our Number for December 1805; (see here) and we are gratified in the compliance of the editor with our wish to see a second volume.
The subjects arc appropriate to the purposes expressed in the title. They discover a fertility of intellect, a deep acquaintance with the human heart, a comprehensive knowledge of mankind, and an experimental savour of divine truth. The style also, in general, happily corresponds to the powers and spirit of the author. Scriptural quotations and metaphors abound, by which the subject is placed before the reader with the most inviting and interesting evidence. The sound logic, the forcible reasoning, and the impressive appeals to the heart, make these discourses no bad models for young divines.
The Sermons are not of equal merit: but there is a pure vein of evangelical divinity which runs thro' them all. Yet the experimental unction, the practical spirit, and the awakening energy that pervade them, demonstrate how far the author was concerned to preserve the doctrines of grace from the abuse of professor and profane. The discourses on "the Heavenly Stranger," are the most interesting. both for sentiment and impression. The opening of the first head contains a masterly description of human depravity and obstinacy.
We shall extract the first paragraph from the first head in the sixth sermon; which admirably expresses the benevolent spirit of gospel invitation: "If any man hear my voice. How soft, how sweet the expression, how extensive the grace! If any man - whatever his country, character, or condition may be. Tho' be may have been a monster in wickedness, a beast in fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, and a devil in fulfilling those of the mind; - though he has no merit to recommend him, no peace-offering to bring with him; - though he feels his heart as hard as a stone; nay, harder than the nether mill-stone; let him have had ever so much or ever so little terror before hand; let his convictions have been ever so weak, or ever so strong; - though he may seem to himself ever so unhumbled and unbroken; yea, though he may have stood it out against Christ these thirty, forty, fifty, or sixty years, - "yet, if he shall now hear my voice," saith the Saviour, "and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." p. 45.
This extract shews that genuine, old-fashioned Calvinism is neither afraid nor ashamed of addressing sinners of all descriptions. And this volume contains many awakening addresses to the ungodly. In fine, it affords much that is profitable for readers of all characters and of all opinions.
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