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Lord had a faithful witness to His truth in every church throughout the length and breadth of the land, and also (if the Lord's will), in every chapel. For it matters not where the Blessed Spirit places a man, whether it be in a church, chapel, or barn; nor what his qualifications are, or calling is; whether he is rude in speech (2 Cor. xi. 6), or refined; whether he is a tent maker (Acts xvii. 3), fisherman (Mark i. 16), publican (Mark ii. 14), physician (Col. iv. 14), or an herdsman (Amos vii. 14). If God has a work for a man to do, he must do it, and is the only man under the canopy of the heavens fit for it, and his fitness lieth not in himself, but in the great I AM, who hath called him thereto.

But we hasten, being anxious that our readers should have a taste of some of the very choice and savoury things beautifully clustered together in this volume. As a sample, we give an extract from the first sermon, upon “Fear not," where our author, in a most spiritual way, endeavours to combat with some of the various fears which the Lord's quickened family are the subjects of:

"Fear not.' Though you have the world against you, Satan against you, and your own heart in league with the world and the devil, He that is for you is greater than they that are against you. And though like Gad, it hath been your lot to be overcome by a troop, yet remember what was said of that tribe: Gad, a troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the last.' Now, you will recollect in a wrestling match, it is not the person who gets the most throws in each match is said to win, but he that gets the last throw, and keeps his adversary down. And so it is written and felt of all the children of the living God. They have been and they may be overcome, but they shall overcome at the last. Peter was overcome several times, and the last was the most grievous fall he had, when with oaths and curses he denied that he knew his blessed Lord and Master; but did he not overcome at the last? did he not shout the paan of victory, when he wrote his first epistle, bearing this testimony to the truth: "The God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory, by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.' How did he know that? He knew it from God's Word, which said it; but he had another testimony,-the testimony of the experience of the faithfulness of God. Thus it is when we speak to the people of God. We speak not only the truth of God's Word, which is the foundation of all, but we speak it with this recommendation; we say, probatum est. God will be faithful to you, for He has been faithful to me. God will comfort you, because He hath comforted me in all my tribulations. "Fear not,' then, little flock; it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Whatever imaginary evils, and real dangers, stand in your way; though you sigh and say, when on your knees before God, 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul; why art thou disquieted within me?' You may still add with David, 'I shall yet praise Him who is the health of my countenance.' 'Fear not.' God speaks to you. God the Father says to you, Fear not.' God the Son says to you, weakling, Fear not.' God the Holy Ghost speaks to your souls in His Word, and says, 'Fear not.' And then God in His condescension gives you a reason why you need not fear.

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"Fear not. Abraham; fear not, Thomas; fear not, Mary; fear not, Hannah; fear not, Elizabeth. I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Fear not thy enemies, for I am thy shield. Fear not the loss of possessions, I am thy exceeding great reward. will see the line of argument:-There are so many enemies, and they are so potent. Granted; but God is omnipotent. They are potent, but not omnipotent. They can do a great deal, but they cannot do all things; they can fight very fiercely, but they cannot fight as God. Who is he that kicketh against the thick bosses of the Almighty's buckler?' Who is he that dares to lift up his hand against God? Canst thou thunder like God? Thy shield.' You know how beautifully the Psalmist spoke,- Behold, O God, our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.' And again, in the same (84th) Psalm, 'For the Lord God is a sun and shield.'"

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We hope, in our next, to give an extract from a sermon entitled, "Divine Tuition."

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BUT surely, Joseph, your father knows best what is proper and suitable for his child; why, then, dictate to him? Ah! why indeed! Who can read of this cross-hand blessing, under the instructions of the Spirit, without exclaiming, "Thus I have found it again and again ?" Beloved, Joseph was a highly favoured man of God, and distinguished in many ways from his brethren; yea, placed above them all, according to the prediction in his dreams; knew much of the Lord's leadings and guidings; had experienced many sore and bitter trials; was often brought into imminent dangers, when there was but a step, according to appearances, betwixt him and death; the Lord's kind interpositions were repeatedly granted; and yet, notwithstanding all these choice proofs of the faithfulness of his God, we find him saying, "Not so, my Father."

"Not so, my Father, oft we say,

This pain, this grief remove;

Too blind to fathom wisdom's way,
Or think 'tis sent in love."

How true are the above lines, beloved!

Dear Kent well understood drawing the true portraiture of the Child of God; as he says in another

verse,

"A daily cross, a stubborn will,
A heart replete with every ill:
Affections prone from God to go,
Are bonds that Israel only know."

We are such erring creatures, constantly making sad mistakes respecting the way the Lord is leading us; finding fault with this thing, and then again with that; sometimes saying with Jacob, "All these things are against me;" or with David, "I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul;" or with Joseph, "Not so, my father." Too often, like Lot, we judge after the sight of our eyes. But, how choice the mercy! our God and Father never makes a mistake; ever leads us by a right way; never lays more upon us than He gives us strength to bear; thereby fulfilling His own word in our own souls' experience: As thy day, so shall thy strength be." Though the Lord never really crosses His hands in dispensing His blessings to His children; yet, according to our feelings, and the appearance of things, we say,

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"Oft thou hast sent thy richest grace,

In cross-hand blessings down."

There is no doubt but that all those who have followed the Lord in the regeneration—more or less-know what it is to bear a cross; and invariably prove that God's dispensat.ons are most contrary to flesh and blood

feelings; hence the daily crucifixion. It is true we are we were almost saying, well, we will say it-perpetually crying out, "Not so, my Father." We read in the Word, "His way is in the sea, His path in the great waters, and His footsteps are not known." Deep and mysterious are the Lord's dealings with His children, but they are deep in love and wisdom-deep in a Father's heart. And thus He causes us to prove His heart of love by leading us in “ a way that we knew not;" that we are often constrained to say, “He hath done all things well." The writer has it still in remembrance—one instance especially when he said, "Not so, my Father;" the path being so far from congenial to flesh and blood; but has many, many times blessed and praised the Lord since that He did not consult his will in the matter, but just took His own way, which he has proved to be infinitely wise. Ah! beloved, we would not have one thing altered for ten thousand worlds; well knowing a Father's love forms the basis of all His dealings; that the pierced heart of a precious Christ forms the channel that conveys every blessing, whether in providence or grace; and that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit forms us for the praise of a TRIUNE JEHOVAH. That the dear Lord may cause each of our readers to see light in His light; that He may make it plain to their faith He knows no charge-all being met in Christ—against them; that He ever beholds them in Christ all fair, without one spot, or the most distant trace of sin; that though for one impure thought they richly deserve damnation for ever, yet are saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; and that each may be satisfied with "Jesus only," is the hearty desire of, theirs to serve, for Christ's sake, THE EDITOR.

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THAT every man is dead in trespasses and in sins until the word "live" is spoken with spirit and life by the Son of God into the heart (John v. 25); that none but those who are loved with an everlasting love, whose names are registered in the Lamb's Book of Life, and for whom Christ Jesus laid down His own invaluable life, will ever enter heaven; and that every person who is quickened into life by the unerring Spirit, eternally stood in mystic uniononeness with Christ;-are truths plainly revealed in the Word of inspiration, believed in by the saints of the Most High in all ages of the world, and plainly developed each hour we live. What a word is "live!" Who can sound the depth of its importance! Who can scan the height of its excellence! Who can range the lengths and breadths of its advantages! Naturally, we trace it in creation, admire its wondrous effects, stand astonished at its varied developments, and are delighted with its expanding beauties. We view the stately oak, and marvel at its preservation when its great age is considered; but how soon the thing is explained! the God of Nature still says "live." The grass that enwraps our mother earth in native green is a

speaking garment unto us, saying, "The nakedness of the land is covered with a robe of life." How nearly allied to life is death! Life and death are two small words, but O, how big with meaning,-how full of unutterables! Natural life is a deep mystery; natural death is a wonderful thing. The former is loved by millions, and death is the consequence; hated by a few,

and they have the promise of life (John xii. 25). The latter is feared and dreaded by most people; the few who are brought to know the Lord are enabled, through rich free grace, to court it (Phil. i. 23). Natural death falls to the lot of all; eternal death to the lot of most (Mat. vii. 13). Its ruthless hand spares neither king nor peasant. It sweeps away each day myriads of creatures; some to endless death, and others to eternal life; some descend into hell, others are caught up to heaven.

O death, thou art a terrible monster to those who shall fall into thy extended jaws in their sins and in their blood! O death, thy drawn-up curtain will undeceive millions that are now under the delusion of the devil! O death, thou art that that saith, "I never have enough!" Terrible indeed art thou to all but the child of God! Though the trembling saint is sometimes terrified and affrighted by thee, thou art his friend, for thou knowest no enmity against him; thou art the harbinger of better things, the messenger of glad tidings, the herald of eternity, in language melodious, though deep, "Pass me, and there shall be no more sin or sighing; pass me, and there shall be no more cares, perplexities, vexations, pain, or sorrow of any kind; pass me, and no more enemies shall molest thee, no more sin distress thee, no more waves of trouble disturb thy peace, no more darkness hide thy sun, and no more deadness affect thy mind; pass me, and then eternity will open up and unfold its immense and boundless realities; pass me, and heaven's portals shall be thrown open at thy approach, from whence shall issue loud acclamations of welcome. "Come in, thou blessed of the Lord!" shall sound melodiously in thy ravished ear, and vibrate through every faculty of thy soul. Pass me, and thou shalt see that Eternal One,-He who hath trodden this way before you, who deprived me of my sting, and plagued me to death; drowned me in the fountain of life; lowered me from a cruel lord, to a faithful servant; He whom thy soul loves and longs to be with; who is the joy, glory, peace, and the God of Heaven, who loved, bled, died, and rose triumphant over all the powers of sin, death, devil, and the grave. But pass me, then, O thou trembling saint! and all shall be well with thee for ever and

ever.

"When heart and flesh are failing,

And speech is from me fled;

Through faith in Christ prevailing,
On death itself I'll tread.

"From Christ, death cannot sever,

He took away its sting;
With Christ I'm one for ever,
And death's destruction sing."

What a precious word is "live" to the believer! Ah! when it proceeds from the mouth of Christ, how telling! How quickening, reviving, and cheering! How endearing, establishing, strengthening, settling, and comforting! What a separating word! It parted us and death, when we were dead in sin; it snatched us as brands from the burning; it came into our dead souls flaming from the heart of our Beloved. Christ saw us when polluted and in our blood, and having life in Himself-being the fountain of life, Head of life, and giver of life-gave life to us poor polluted mortals and hell-deserving sinners. He saw us, and His eye affected His heart; He was moved from the love He bore us, the kindred (Isaiah ix, 6) claim we had upon Him, He being our Everlasting Father, and said, "Live." Not live naturally, simply; not for time merely, but live eternally. "Live" in me, the Fountain : live in me, the Head: live in me, your Redeemer, Saviour, Friend, and Brother: live on me your Rock, in me your Fortress, and with me, your Husband: live above the world, sin, self, death, and the devil: live

by faith on me, walk by faith in me, and trust by faith to me. Live, for I AM the Vine, and ye are the branches. Live; I AM the Head, and ye are the members. Live, dead to the world, for I have overcome it; dead to sin,— I have destroyed it; and dead to the law,—I have ended it (Rom. vi. 11; vii. 4). Live a life that is supernatural, spiritual, and eternal; live in charity, peace, and holiness; as strangers, pilgrims, and foreigners. Live upon me, the bread, meat, manna, water, and wine: live in me, the love (1 John iv. 8), light (1 John i. 5), and life (1 John i. 2).

O beloved! blessed, indeed, are the people that are in such a case, whose God is the Lord. Reader, art thou alive? Has the word "live" been spoken to you? Is there a spark of divine life in thy soul? If so, thou art in eternal union-oneness with Jesus, the eternal life. Have you heard the voice of the Shepherd? Does the Spirit of Christ dwell in your heart? Has He convinced thee of sin according to the promise of a precious Christ? (John xvi. 8). Has He discovered to thee thine own lost undone condition? Is there any motion of life in your soul? Any going out after Christ in panting, longing, desiring, or crying, to know thy interest in Him? Is, "O that I knew where I might find Him" the breathing of thy soul? Has the world of pleasure and mere profession lost its charms? Do you count that loss, which before was gain? Do you hate that which you once loved? Are you willing to be saved by the Lord, without even thy little finger being moved in the matter, without one good thought of thine own, or the least turn of the eye to move the Lord to save thee? If this is your experience, all hail, beloved! for there is divine life in your immortal soul. He has said unto you, indeed and of a truth, "Live." Life is the standard of the soul's interest in Christ. If there is life, there is love; if there is life, there is the spirit of life; if there is life, there is Christ; if there is life, there is the Father (John xiii. 23); if there is life, there is all the Church (1 Cor. xii. 12); if there is life, there is no condemnation (Rom. viii. 1), separation (Rom. viii. 35-39), death (2 Tim. i. 10), nor sin (Heb. ix. 25). Life, then, is the essential thing; without it, all is death and damnation; without it, a man must be without hope and without God in the world, let his profession be never so commendable before men. With it, all is well, all is safe, and safe for ever. Come, then, thou trembling saint, though thy life appears but

a spark,

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'Tis heavenly fire;

May dwindle oft, but ne'er expire."

THE LEAST OF THE HOUSEHOLD.

A VOICE FROM THE SICK CHAMBER.

MY DEAR BROTHER IN JESUS,-Through sovereign mercy the dear Lord has lengthened out the brittle thread of my natural life, so that I am once more permitted to write to you from the chamber of affliction, and greet you in the name of the Lord. I thank you for the "cup of cold water" kindly sent through Mr. May the dear Lord bless you, and recompense your work of faith and labour of love. I had thought ere this to have been in that place where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are for ever at rest; but it is the will of my heavenly Father that I should still drink

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