any, and get as many arguments as they can, and they will say, the other was a fancy, it is not right, it will not hold; and so they will try to get it out of their coasts, as the Gadarenes dealt with Christ.

of God." We are not here that we may | who were soothsayers, to help him, and please our own humours, and suit our get arguments against Moses, to keep own lusts; but to hear all, let it be out the truth. So carnal people, when rough or smooth, for us or against us, light comes into the soul, and they canwe are here to hear all that the Lord not resist it, this is their ordinary course, shall say. Canst thou say as much when to go to their carnal neighbours, or to a thou comest before the Lord, and hear-carnal priest or minister, if they know est the word, I am here to hear all the Lord will say? Beloved, I wish it were so, but I fear there are too many of us that are willing to learn nothing in the world but what we like; and crumble the bread of the Gospel as children do their bread and butter, who eat one piece themselves, and throw the rest to the dogs. So many proud, carnal spirits take part of the word, and they say, that was a good note of Mr. Such-a-one, and such-a-one, (so they call men's words) and that was a good doctrine, and pick out this and that, and go and tell it. I never saw, nor I think any one ever saw under the cope of heaven, such spirits, that do so basely mince the Word of God, and crumble it, and take one piece and throw away two. Therefore, look to it; a humble heart will hear all that the Lord says, and be glad too. That is one thing.

Thirdly, and lastly, If he cannot do this, if he cannot beat it out by violence, he will endeavour to escape the edge of the tool by some shift; he will use all his wits and policy, and see if by any shift he can escape the power of the truth: if he cannot beat it off, he will labour to escape the power and the edge of it. Like a man that is in debt, that is under an execution, or an outlawry, if he can he will keep far enough from the bailiffs, and if they come, he will shut his door, and keep them off; or if they seize him, he will throw them off; but if they say, 'If you stir, we will knock you down or shoot you;' then he will say, 'why I mean to pay, and such a man knows it' and he will give them fair words, that so he may avoid the power and authority of the law. So carnal men desire to be ignorant of those truths, that all their lifetime are contrary to them; and if truth come in upon them, they consult with all their carnal neighbours and friends to get it out; and if all will not do, then they go to their shifts.

Secondly, a proud, carnal heart, that is not truly humbled, will appear by this, that if he cannot choose but know the truths of God, (as many times he cannot help but know it, if he live under the word; God will make some men know it, whether they will or not). Then, the next word of a proud heart will be, to raise cavils against the word, and to make pleas against the truth of God, and argue against it, as much as may be, As for instance, suppose a truth should when it comes unto him: just (as one come upon one of your souls, that thou man saith) as we do with a common art a drunkard, or a whoremonger, &c., enemy, if we can we will keep him out unless thou be born again, thou shalt of the country; so he will keep out the never enter into heaven, and this truth truth if he can; but if the truth come hath seized on thee, and God hath set it and he begins to see it, and sees what on thy soul, that a man cannot get it the will of God is, then his next course out, then you go to your shifts, you say, is to levy forces, to raise arms, and to "It is true, I must be born again, or else put it out; he thinks to put out the light I shall be damned;' but say you, I hope that God hath put into his soul: "Men I was born again in baptism, and I hope of corrupt minds," men of rotten minds, that was a washing away of my sins." who, like Jannes and Jambres, "resist And so put it to another; it may be this the truth." There is no mention of truth comes into his soul, that every Jannes and Jambres in the Old Testament, but it is generally thought by learned men, that the meaning is this, When Moses came to Pharaoh at any time to speak of the things of God, and that the people of Israel must go free, and he did work miracles, and light came to Pharaoh to convince him, presently he sent for Jannes and Jambres,

man that lives in any known sin shall be cut off from the kingdom of God. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall

inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cor. | cution? And when a truth hath come

vi. 9, 10). Suppose God should set this truth home to your soul. It is true, say you; but I hope God hath given me repentance for it, and all is well. He hopes God hath given him repentance for it, and he goes on in sin; then God comes and tells him, that if he had repented he would leave his sins and amend his course; then, saith he, I hope I shall repent hereafter, I shall repent some time or other, though I do not

now.

that hath been cross to you, have you not taken up arms against it, or contended with it? The Scripture speaks of those who obey not the truth, but contend against it. It is not said, those who contend with their neighbours, but those who contend with the truth. And so, have you not used shifts?

What a world of useless shifts have men against plain truths.

There is no drunkard nor swearer, but he knows that if he live in that sin he If God tells him again, you may die shall be damned; and he cannot deny to-day, the door will be shut and repen-but that he is a drunkard, or a swearer, tance come too late; then he shifts it or, he may be a whoremonger, and yet off, and saith, I hope I do repent with you may talk with him two or three all my heart, and with all my soul. But hours, and he will go from this to that, if God says, if you did repent you would and will hope this or that, and you leave all your sins; he will say, good shall never have him; he will not let the Lord, is there any man in the world edge of the truth come to him. without sin? And so it is endless, the shifts, and tricks, and excuses whereby a man, when he is arrested by the truth, would avoid the edge and power of it. Now, let us come to our own souls, you and I, and see how it is with us in respect to all the blessed truths of God's word. Are you willing and desirous to know them, though they bring perse

Thus I have shown you, first, how you may know whether you are humbled by the carriage of your soul, in respect to God's justifying grace. And secondly, the constant temper and carriage of your soul to the truth of God, and to the will of God revealed to you. And so I have done.

WALTER CRADOCK, 1640.

A WORD IN SEASON.

SOME time ago, a Minister was laid aside a few days by illness. The sound of the Church-going bell kindled in his breast sensations of deep sorrow over his own unprofitableness, and fear lest his affliction was a mark of fatherly reproof. At this juncture a dear Christian friend read the following conver

sation :

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“HUSH! you must not speak." "But indeed I must," said Claude; you have made me see myself in a new light; you have made me feel more sternly than I ever did before-that I am an unprofitable servant. I have done nothing, absolutely nothing, to glorify God! I have wasted opportunities, evaded difficulties, squandered my one talent. While you, with no privileges, no advantages, have made long strides towards the kingdom of heaven. In those few simple words to your children was embodied the sum of Gospel

truth!"

Why, Claude, this is mere weakness!" cried Hans, in an expostulatory voice; "sheer weakness of body and

mind! I, a better teacher than you? Why, who taught the teacher? During the short time you abode with us, were not your words like goads? and yet sweeter than honey? My doctrine and yours is one and the same, becausé derived in both instances, from the same source-the pure Word of Life-but my ministrations are but the poor, weak shadow of yours, and all that they have of body in them, or of soul, is derived from their original. There's nothing original in me, man! except original sin. But you see I'm in earnest, and you would never have made me so, if you had not been in earnest yourself. No, no; you are now, by God's providence, in great langour and depression, and see things in a bad light."

"I can never see myself in any but a bad light," whispered Claude.

"But the right thing to do," pursued Hans, "is not to see yourself at all, but only the true Light, which is Christ! To keep your eyes upon the Light that came into the world, that all men through Him should be saved."

Right! right!" whispered the colporteur, pressing his hand.

and come short of the glory of God! Where is boasting then? It is excluded. Why, now?" continued Hans, "if By what law ? The law of faith; by the Israelites, that were bitten by ser- which alone even the just man lives." pents, had kept poring over their. "Hans, it is balm to my heart to hear wounds, and aggravating their indivi- you!" dual grievances See how bad I am!' Why, Claude? I am only repeating Oh, you're nothing to me!'-would your very own words, and the words of they have got cured, think you? They St. Paul. Come, here, Liza, and bid would have died, every man! Instead this dear man take comfort in God; of which, Moses bade them not contem- though now, for a season, if need plate their own wretched bodies at all, be, he is in manifold temptations." but to keep their eyes fixed on the brazen serpent.

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Right! right!" reiterated Claude. "And that's what you must do, my dear friend. Do not begin to aggravate your sickness by dwelling upon this or that short-coming, and thinking that God will not forgive you, and you will not forgive yourself. We are all unprofitable servants, and when we have done our best, we have only done what was our bounden duty to do-let that alone. God knows exactly what we are, and yet hires us for his servants after all; hires us with the wages paid in advance, of his own blood; and if that will not melt us, what will You are a sinner in his sight; so am I; but we are pardoned sinners, there's the gift of it! The righteousness of God, by faith in Jesus Christ, is upon all them that believe; there is no difference, for all have sinned,

*

*

*

*

Was it not remarkable, that the faith of a practised missionary should suddenly be at so low an ebb, as to make him grasp at a mere fragment of his own teaching, restored to him by a poor, unlearned brother in Christ, as a drawing man might catch at a plank! We are all liable to these ebbs and flows. The nature of Claude's illness was, to bring down his strength very much, and make him as low as a weakened child; whom the Lord loveth, He frequently thus chasteneth. Under this trial, it was a blessed thing that Hans was promoted to play, in an humble way, the part of Jonathan to David, when "he strengthened his hand in God." Jonathan, there can be little question, was immeasurably David's inferior in spiritual experience; and yet in his hour of trouble he was helpful to him, and cheered his soul.

LETTERS OF THE REV. T. PRIESTLEY.

THE following Letters were forwarded this study I find an increasing pleasure, and to us by our beloved Friend and Brother, frequently sit down to take a view of what Capt. Knocker, of Dover. If we mis- it has done already done for me. If these take not, the writer Mr. TIMOTHY are but drops before the shower, what PRIESTLY was a Minister with whom may be expected in the world of glory? the late revered WILLIAM HUNTINGTON It was the will of God, that Jacob should had some disputes. We know nothing of the nature of their dispute; but, from the tenor of the annexed Letters, we feel assured that their differences have long since been made up, and that they are now passing their time in sweetest harmony

Where congregations ne'er break up,
And Sabbaths never end.

not only have heaven at the end of his journey, but an earnest and assurance of it, to animate him in his long journey; and all that are of the faith of Abraham, have an equal right to the same blessing. We have evident proof, that those who are called to singular trials in their journey, have no reason to conclude themselves less beloved; every branch in me that beareth fruit, my Father purges. Those years in DEAR TRAVELLER,-I have but just time which Christians have all things smooth, to write a line, and hope it will find you in will seldom bear reflection; my difficult the delightful employ in prying into the seasons are to me as harvest-months, and glorious mystery of love; seeing God Him-like the Red Sea, prove to ine evidently, self commends it, it must be glorious in deed; for no honest men will commend that which is not in itself deserving of it; our chief neglect is not dwelling upon it. In

the hand of God is with me. I am more and more convinced how little I see, and feel myself more than ever pleading with God for his teaching, and frequently find

that I learn more in a few moments than by | lemnity than formerly. I have many months' study; the most ready way to graves preaching to me-Seneca the pa-. obtain real knowledge, is to go to the gan, philosopher, used to say, I will reFountain Head. I have learned much ceive nothing from God with a sour counfrom that text, "If any man lack wisdom, tenance, if He will difficulties it is because let him ask it of God." As I know they are best for me. Your lot is trying, something of the worth of Christ's blood but like your great pattern, Christ, look to redeem me, I have had experience of before you, he had little to hope for from the ability of the Holy Ghost to instruct this world; but that did not diminish his me; I have had an increasing pleasure in joy. Beware of looking too much at this religion for many years, and am more and world, practice the heavenly art of living more convinced few real Christians are led by faith, a few steps and you arrive at a glointo the chief subjects in which their rious home: farewell, then pain and concomfort lies; it is not merely assenting to finement. These chains will tend to make doctrines, but digesting, and living on your heaven the more transporting; how them. When a man comes to understand much better a portion have you than to an estate is his own, it is an inducement be in the situation of many a proud fine to look over every field, and form some lady, who perhaps is ignorant of God amidst judgment of the value of the whole. I all indulgences. A Christian enjoys more wish to read the word as if God held the in one day, than these in a whole life. How book, and heard God bid me read; or as soon was Lazarus in Abraham's bosom; a He said to Abraham, to go through the land little space on earth parts us now, but we in the length and breadth to inform it was shall soon be where farewell will be all given. To believe our bodies as well as heard no more for ever. I am frequently souls, are vessels in which God will show in the corner of your chapel-yard, and what a God of grace He is; and without would be as if I heard Christ say, "I He had such as we to make Himself am the resurrection and the life." Oh! known by, He would not have opportunity the rapture of the resurrection morning; to have on our hearts the chief design of what a meeting of old friends. Cheer God, not only animates us, but is a key up, old traveller, look more through the to unlock many mysterious providences; glass of the Scripture, and beware of when we shall see the whole unravelled looking at things in any other light. What by God Himself, and are convinced, like I am intent upon, is to see more and old Jacob, that only an infinitely wise more what it is that God delights in, and God could have either laid or accom- this makes me feel myself more and more plished such a plan; how shall we feel, beholden to the whole history of the life how adore Him for those very things of Christ. God's method of forming and which have caused many a dreary hour in fitting a people for his own pleasure, afthis lower world. And what was Jacob's fords me instruction and solid pleasure: momentary stay on earth, could he have this particularly recommends religion to had the rule of the world, and all the riches me; both life and death is precious in the and honours of it, to the millions of years eye of the Lord. It is highly agreeable to he has before him, when God informs him the Lord that we have a high esteem for he would not leave him until he had all his ways, and of his kindness, even when that he had spoken to him? Yet we do we are tried and constrained to say with do not find that God had spoken to Jacob David; "It is good for me to be afflicted" before, but the blessing of Abraham con--you may expect as the frame of nature tained both time and eternity, and neither Abraham nor Jacob, are yet in full enjoy ment of that blessing, till soul and body have full share in that blessing; you and I, will I hope be sharers. We shall have glory, and love, for our constant study. Yours sincerely,

T. PRIESTLY.

OLD TRAVELLER,I heard but yesterday of Mr. Vincents being in town. I have been wishing for an opportunity of sending to Deal; I am frequently at Deal, but my mental visits there are with more so

decays, to feel other infirmities; pain tries the natural temper, Satan will tempt us like Jonah; Jonah ought to have been filled with gratitude that God had heard his prayer in the belly of the fish, and the honour God had conferred on him, and been willing to throw away his own character, and be called a false prophet, so that God's glorious character might have shone in all coming ages-but he valued his own character more than God's-it is of little avail what mortals think of us, we have a cordial the world is ignorant of many of my companions married rich, and rode high in the esteem

sees;

of the opulent-God sees not as man | anchor amidst all the storms of life-a the King of heaven had not where farmer keeps his eye upon the terms of to lay his head, and not lest loved above, his lease and measures by that. I have so that what He went through will be as a deacon of your name who frequently in jewels in his immortal crown. You have prayer is thankful that he is so near the not less respect from heaven, because you end of his journey; he is about seventy, have but just a small pittance to carry and very infirm. you on -he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that got little no lack. I wish you to be cheerful to the last moment-let that love which never was so realized as on Mount Calvary be your perpetual subject, this is a method highly pleasing to heaven. Here I read that infinite love which is the glory of the Trinity, and that which is the highest glory of God ought to be the very centre on which our thoughts should turn; a religion without this is darkness. The more I know of professors, whether hearers or ministers, the more I am impressed with the darkness of this period; and these give me more uneasiness, than all the power of France. Happy only are those who live in real fellowship with God; whatever turns up, these cannot be robbed of their immortal crowns —He who has measured our lot hitherto, did not leave out of his plan the end of our journey; and how truly may we say, Hitherto the Lord has helped us. God gives to his own, that wisdom and grace they need, but not that which is necessary to goverr the world; that He takes upon Himself, and commands us to cast all future care on himself; those who have grace to follow such advice have an

I have been of late particularly impressed with the whole creationbeing brought into existence, with all its variety in one moment,* as if it had been in existence before and God should then command it to appear; and He that spoke it into existence could have made it a hundred times as large, and should He have given the whole to one fallen man, it would not have given him content. How rich are those to whom He gives himself, which he must esteem more than all the works of his handsChrist did not come to show his creating power, but redeeming love: we are soon to behold Him who girded himself with a towel. If we feel a pleasure in the Scriptural knowledge of a Trinity here, what must heaven be? Once the heavens opened to reveal this truth, when the Holy Ghost descended like a dove, and that voice was heard, This is my Beloved Son. My soul wishes you to dive daily into this mystery; you will then feel electing love, and adore the worth of Him that gave himself on Calvary, and find at times an earnest by the Holy Ghost. I pray for myself more and more to have the gift of scriptural knowledge. Think of me. Yours sincerely,

T. PRIESTLEY.

LINES ON THE DEATH OF A BELOVED SISTER.

MARGIE, dear Margie, we know thee no more,

A sojourner here, on life's desolate shore;
Angels have wafted thy spirit to rest,

And thou art a jewel on Jesu's breast.

Thy rich sunny smile no more gladdens our home,
And thy form so belov'd is now cold in the tomb;
But thy spirit has pass'd to the region of rest,
And thou art a jewel on Jesu's breast.

Margie, dear Margie, I nurs'd thee in love,

And I selfishly pray'd that thy health might improve;
But our God had declar'd," She shall come to her rest,

And be a bright jewel on Jesu's breast."

And my pray'r now is, Margie, that soon I may be

Far remov'd from all sadness, a spirit like thee;

And that lov'd ones of earth, too, may enter their rest,
And all be bright jewels on Jesu's breast.

*We quite agree with Mr. PRIESTLEY. Away with the Geologian heresy. It is but

refined Infidelity.-ED.