all obstacles and vicissitudes, even in those dark ages when fearful ignorance cast its dark shade over the christian world; yea, when phantoms of superstition stalked amidst the gloom, and when grinding tyranny bound its chains around the soul.-Nor must we forget, that while these direct means were in progress, the very downward principle was destined to occasion a recoil and accelerate the crisis. The yoke was to become too heavy to be borne, and the fetters were to be tightened till they burst. It is impossible indeed not to lament the counteracting power of evil, or to hide from our view the deep depravity of the human heart, which shuts out the light of heaven, and chills the vivifying influences of divine truth; but when we look at the general result, in the sure and increasing diffusion of christian truth, the mind is cheered and reassured.

The cause of God, notwithstanding apparent retrogression at times, still advances, like the spring; and the progress becomes at length obvious and triumphant. The kingdoms of the earth shall in time become the kingdoms of the Lord. History of Revivals.

We shall conclude this chapter with a few words from Rowlands, encouraging believers with hopes of success at all times." The hopes of victory," says he, "embolden the soldier in the day of battle; and the prospect of a happy voyage entices the mariner to the raging waves; yet neither of these knows what the end may be. Blind to futurity, they cannot tell what will be the result of their different enterprises. But we who believe, do not so run uncertainly. We know that the God of peace shall bruise Satan under our feet shortly.' Rom. xvi. 20.-None have the like promises with believers: the Lord engages to be with them, and to prosper them." Isai. lv. 11.

6

CHAP. VIII.

Heresies in the church, and persecution from the world.

Ir might be evident, from what has been already stated, that Rowlands was a solid and judicious divine, and that his views were most clear as to the fundamental principles of religion. He exhibited the Calvinistic doctrines in a proper light, as connected with other views not less important, and always showed their practical and experimental bearing. He followed the great reformers of our church in their articles, homilies, and liturgy; but he had much higher authorities still in view, the inspired penmen of the holy scriptures, to whom he continually looked "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Williams took particular notice of Rowlands in this as well as in other important respects, in the Elegy already mentioned. He represents him as firmly embracing the truth, and keeping close to it; and constantly opposing error of every kind, even to the end of his life. Those great doctrines he so strenuously defended, he constantly, powerfully, and successfully preached; thousands were converted by them, and brought into a state of salvation.

It has been already observed, that a great change took place in Rowlands' views with regard to the gospel, after he had been preaching the law for some years, and that wonderful effects followed.-The doctrines of free grace had been set forth by him and his fellow-labourers for years, in a very clear, luminous, and glorious manner. Man was greatly humbled, and all his righteousness shown to be no better than filthy rags. Christ, on the other hand, was greatly exalted, and exhibited as suitable to a condemned

sinner; and justification was shown to be only through faith in his blood.

It was moreover necessary to preach the gospel in all its peculiar excellencies, strongly and clearly, in order to banish the legal darkness and destructive doctrines that had filled all the land.—Also the revival of religion that had commenced in the year 1762, was still going on in some parts of the country, and particularly felt in its happy consequences over all the principality. The distinguishing doctrines of grace were then delightfully set forth. The Sun of Righteousness was continuing to shine most gloriously; and the sweet manna, and the heavenly dew, were dropping in a delightful manner under the word.

But these happy days were not free from evil. Though the summer ripens the corn, and causes the flowers to spring forth and to luxuriate, yet indirectly it cherishes noxious weeds and poisonous reptiles.-There is room to believe, that all the ministers in the connexion did not preach the doctrines of free grace and justification by faith, so cautious as they should have done. But the constant drift of Rowlands' preaching was to lead people to be zealous for good works, and to abound in them. He would constantly show that religion was nothing, without the fruits of holiness. But he was grieved by some who preached lax views, having an antinomian tendency. The great enemy was very diligent to degrade and to destroy the gracious work that was carried on by God in the principality. He thought that the best way was to send that harlot into the church, called Jezebel in the Revelation of St. John, and Carnal Confidence in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.She would make a fine show, and put on a fair countenance, like Jezebel of old, when she was about sowing her dangerous errors in Zion. It might be fairly said of her, that she would deceive even the elect, if it were possible. The great enemy sows her tares, not in a barren but in a well-cultivated and sown field.—We shall now mention some

persons of consequence in the connexion that received her doctrines.* This religious licentiousness came forward first amongst them under the sweet name of Simple Faith. This is Sandemanianism,-asserting that faith is "only a simple assent to God's word." The case is stated thus by the connexion : "Towards the year 1765, Sandemanianism, with its brazen front, most impudently attempted a breach in our ranks." It occurred in the following manner. A gentleman from South Wales, named Popkins, a popular preacher as well as a man of property, became deeply affected with the above-mentioned heresy. He gave great trouble to Rowlands, by means of this error. the case was brought to a trial at an association, and he was completely silenced, through the great goodness of God, and the connexion was no more troubled with him. he went about preaching, and endeavouring to establish a new sect: he had some followers for a time, however they were but few. He travelled as far as Carnarvonshire to disseminate his principles, but they withered and entirely died away. It is very likely there would have been an end of this sect in Wales, had not a branch of the Baptists married her, to raise seed for the dead. But she is childless some time now there also.

But at length

But

About the year 1766 more of those dangerous errors crept into the church, by means of this proud and licentious spirit. An eminent person in Cardiganshire, named D. Jones, who was highly gifted, became entangled and deluded. He was once much esteemed as a preacher by the Calvinistic Methodists throughout Wales. However there is room to think that he partook largely of the antinomian heresy, for it produced in him its usual effects, namely,

* Satan does not make use of the wicked only in order to darken the understanding, but also those that are eminent christians. Error is more likely to succeed in the garments of religion. There was something very beguiling in the appearance of the serpent to Eve.

spiritual pride, and it is well known to be a contagious malady. He was a nephew of Rowlands, and a very popular preacher; but gave a great deal of trouble to his uncle. He finally became a confirmed antinomian. When Rowlands would dwell on repentance, or some other doctrine of a holy nature, in the private society, Jones would even then make such an impertinent and unchristian observation as this," How blind and legal you all are; you do not seem to understand the gospel." It was surprising to see him conducting himself so improperly and disrespectfully towards such a man as Rowlands, his uncle, the head of the connexion. The truth is, he had been very proud and trifling.-Rowlands was very much, discouraged for some time, by seeing the dreadful evil taking such deep root, and fearing that the whole country would in time go after the corrupt opinions of D. Jones: for many of the preachers and professors had been led astray with his notions.-W. Williams assisted Rowlands greatly in stemming these torrents of corruption, and in grappling with such heretics. Jones was at last withstood by Rowlands and Williams: he would not submit, but took himself out of the connexion. He continued under the influence of a proud spirit, and erroneous views: however he imagined, that if he went about preaching, as a leader of a sect, more than half the principality would join him. He most heartily set about his presumptuous work; but he met, to his great disappointment, with no encouragement: he had but few followers, and those remained with him but a short time. He was at length abandoned by all, as salt that had lost its savour. How applicable to such characters are the truths in Psal. cxxv. 5. — Though this heresy was, through the great mercy of the Lord, eradicated to a great degree out of the churches, yet its effects are visible to this day in the places where it was mostly cherished, such as Aberystwyth, Neath, and Vale of Clwyd.

Things had come to a great height,—those erroneous