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and its ecclesiastical supporters. These are the sole and legitimate objects of religious controversy; the extinction of error, and the conviction of its advocates. By the Protestant, Mr. McGavin has triumphantly achieved these important purposes; if it were possible by truth, and reason, and fact, thus to eradicate what the Bible styles, "damnable heresy," and convert its deluded abettors and disciples. Probably few works of a controversial character can be adduced, in which the end proposed by the author, the confutation of an abhorrent system of irreligion and iniquity, has been more successfully accomplished than in this "series of essays on the principal points of controversy between the church of Rome and the reformed."

4. The Protestant is pointed, but affectionate. In many respects, these volumes are analogous to a correct and faithful gospel sermon of the first order. They portray the fatal malignity of Romanism; they warn the Papists of the awful consequences which must unavoidably flow from their adhesion to their ungodliness; they inculcate divine truth in all its clearness and energy; and they counsel the sinner to repent, turn from his evil ways, and "seek the Lord while he may be found," with all his heart, through the gracious and only Mediator. They combine the most touching earnestness of persuasion, with a peculiar solicitude for the everlasting welfare of those who are guilty of "denying the Lord that bought them," and of substituting the corrupt traditions of men for the hallowed commandments of God. Mr. McGavin, in the Protestant, unites the two apparently contradictory qualities which were exemplified by John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved;" who was a "son of thunder," and yet, whose extraordinary tenderness, and melting affectionate heart, have rendered him proverbial, even among the holy twelve apostolical brethren, for his most amiable philanthropy, and for the peculiar attributes which marked his Christian amity and love.

These are the general characteristics of Mr. McGavin's justly celebrated Protestant, which developes the dignity and courtesy of a gentleman, while he inculcates evangelical truth in all its unmitigated energy, but with the affection of a Christian philanthropist. Therefore, these essays need no additional charm to recommend them to the acceptance of "all them who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity;" and who importunately pray, that "the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified;" and who devoutly anticipate the evolution of divine prophecy, "when the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days; in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound. For the angel shall come down from heaven, having great power, and lightening the earth with his glory, and shall cry mightily with a strong voice, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen; and the voice of a great multitude in heaven and upon earth, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings, with transporting ecstasy shall resound the triumphant reply" Alleluia! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Amen. Alleluia! Amen."

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