and necessity of what is called assurance ;-the exclusion, as we conceive, of some of the scriptural evidences of being in a state of grace; so that the Christian, if we understand Dr. Malan rightly, is not even to examine whether there are any traces of the fruits of faith in his heart and life; and the limiting the atonement of Christ to the elect, in such a manner that we may not pray to God that if it be His will a sinner may be saved, without adding "if it be possible." We shall be very glad to learn that the tract does not bear out these exceptions, as it is far from our wish to find objectionable matter in a publication written in such a spirit as that before us. Dr. Malan has already retracted some things which he had published respecting faith. See our Number for January, p. 54.

THE TRUE CROSS: A NARRATIVE AS PROFITABLE TO PROTESTANTS AS TO ROMAN CATHOLICS.

CHAPTER I.

A Traveller and an old Man meet near a Cross.

On one of the highest points of the Jura, not far from St. Laurent, and near a wood of beech and fir trees, "is an old cross, at the foot of which several paths meet.

This perishable monument of a love which will never end, should remind every one who contemplates it of the all-sufficient sacrifice of the Son of God, and lead the thoughts to that inheritance which the Crucified One procured for his church at so great a price.

But how few there are who comprehend the language of the Cross, the sign of redemption! How few Christians, at the sight of the consecrated cross, direct their affections to that Lamb of God who was sacrificed upon it! How many there are who rather "hiss, and wag their heads," and confirm their unbelief in the Great High Priest of the church, when they see the scaffold of the Just and Holy One!

On the other hand also, how many, of those who call upon the name of the Son of God, seduced by prejudice or misled by ignorance, seek in a material cross what is only to be found in that Saviour who, it is true, died upon that accursed tree, but who is now in the glory of the Father!

When Israel was perishing in the desert from the bite of fiery serpents, Moses, at the command of God, elevated a brazen serpent upon a pole; and, according to the Divine word, every one who looked upon it was immediately healed. It was to the power of God, and the deliverance which came from Him, that the Israelites looked by faith, whilst their eyes were directed to the elevated serpent. How far was this brazen work at that time from being to a believer what superstition afterwards made it! In the desert, and in the midst of the camp, the serpent proclaimed the promise and mercy of the Lord; and seven centuries afterwards that piece of brass became an idol: Israel burned incense to it; and those who turned away from the Lord worshipped the token of his goodness.

A pro

Jesus, the well-beloved of the Father, was raised upon a cross. mise is also made, that every soul who looks with faith towards that Victim shall be cured of the wounds and saved from the death which sin has brought upon him. The believer looks at Jesus, and lays hold on the promise: the ignorant man—the idolater-praises the cross, and, bending his knee before a symbol, he forgets, he rejects, the Benefactor which this monument should remind him of.

Such were the thoughts of my mind whilst my fatigued body was resting at the foot of the cross, upon the thick turf. I had just crossed the mountain; and, before proceeding to my place of destination, which was still distant, I was regaining strength, and at the same time meditating on that

great God and Saviour, whom the Christian finds every where, both upon mountains and in the midst of plains, in solitude as well as in the assembly of his worshippers.

"Holy Spirit," I inwardly prayed, "raise, O raise my heart to my Father! O Jesus! my Shepherd! look upon one of thy sheep, who calls upon thee; and cause me to hear the sweet words of peace and hope."

At this moment two countrymen passed, followed by an old man, whose outward appearance indicated that he belonged to the upper class of society. In approaching the cross, the countrymen uncovered their heads, made a sign of adoration, and continued their journey. The old man stopped, respectfully took off his hat, and bowed his head, scarcely covered with his grey hairs, before the cross.

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O Lord," I silently ejaculated, "have pity upon this soul; and if thy true Cross is not yet known to him, if it be possible manifest unto him thy grace."

CHAPTER II.

The Traveller explains of what Religion he is.

The old man, having finished his prayer, replaced his hat on his head, and, leaning with both his hands upon his stick, asked me, in a kind manner, if I was a traveller, and if I was come from a distance.

I am only taking a walk upon these mountains, replied I; but I am nevertheless a traveller; for we are all on the road leading towards eternity, to which we are very near.

The old man looked at me in silence, as if to find out what kind of person he was who made this serious reply; then, seating himself on the edge of the path before me, he said, with much reserve, May I venture to inquire what religion you are of?

Of the religion of Heaven, I answered with simplicity; of that which the only-begotten Son of God brought to us himself, and confirmed for ever, when he shed his blood upon a cross like this.

The old man's attention was still more excited by this new answer. I saw clearly that he was considering what he should say to me, and that several thoughts pressed upon his mind. Permit me to ask you, he at length added, with some degree of earnestness, whether you are a Roman Catholic or --- a Protestant?

I only know, I respectfully answered, "one Name under heaven given among men whereby they must be saved." This great name is that of Jesus Christ the Son of God: it is after this name alone that I call myself. I am a Christian.

These words occasioned some embarrassment to him who interrogated me; and, smiling, like one who suspects he is about to make some mistake, he said, I also bear this name, because I also believe that the Lord Jesus

Christ died for me upon this cross. At least I hope so.

A hope is but a small thing, I gravely replied, when it regards a question of life or death. Uncertainty, and even a single doubt, on this point, is a very serious evil; for from one moment to another there may be no more time to seek or expect: and that is a terrible reply which the Bridegroom will himself give to the foolish virgins, who shall not have taken oil in their lamps, when he shall say to them, "I know you not" (Matt. xxv. 1-12).

You are very serious, said the old man, drawing one hand across his forehead; but what you say interests me much. Would you, therefore, speak to me further on this subject? which, I confess, continually occupies my thoughts.

Reader! if you love the Lord Jesus, you will understand how much I was rejoiced at this request. Accordingly I said to the old man; How

can we more pleasantly employ this hour which God gives us, than in contemplating together the unspeakable love which He has manifested towards us in his holy Son Jesus? As for myself, I assure you nothing is more delightful than a conversation upon heavenly things; and since your desire and mine are the same, may it please the Lord to direct our intercourse by the Spirit of truth and charity.

Amen! added the old man, pressing his clasped hands to his bosom: God grant it may be so! and may He cause me to hear from your mouth some words of peace and consolation to my soul.

CHAPTER III.

The old Man also declares his Belief.

Traveller. You feel, then, the need of both?

Old Man. Yes, of both. I am seeking for the peace of God, and I have some troubles which are not yet alleviated.

Traveller. Surely that which relates to eternity appears to you more important than what is confined to this world. For misfortunes and vexations are of very little consequence, in comparison of the fears of the soul concerning the future.

Old Man.

near eternity.

Very little indeed for truly, as you have said, we are very

And do you approach it with trembling? demanded I, desiring that he would open his mind to me.

me.

He answered with the most engaging frankness: I will disclose to you all my thoughts upon the subject, sir, since you take such kind interest in And first I must tell you, that I am seriously concerned about my salvation. The remembrance of the seventy-six past years of my life presses it upon me daily; and as I believe the Holy Scriptures, I do not trifle with what will follow after death, and I desire above every thing to possess the grace of God. My life has been a very chequered one. My birth and inclinations conducted me into the business and tumult of the world. I am now weary of it; and for the last ten or twelve years I have lived in retirement, where I devote myself principally to the pursuit of that which He who cannot err calls the " one thing needful."

Traveller. You are very happy, desiring that grace without which no man shall see God. You will be still more so, if by faith you lay hold of it, and it should become your possession from this time.

Old Man. It is a serious affair, and it is not by slight efforts that it can be obtained. But, difficult as this work may be, I am not hopeless of accomplishing it. Other sinners have attained to it: why should not I also be able; and, like them, merit grace?

It was thus that this interesting man shewed me that he was still in ignorance as to the grace of God, and that the gift of the Father in Jesus Christ was not yet revealed to him.

He had, indeed, uttered the delightful word Grace; but he did not understand its meaning, since he spoke of meriting it; thus regarding salvation as a benefit which was to be acquired by works and efforts.

I wished to be certain that such was in fact his opinion; and to that end I asked him if he hoped he was approaching the mark, or if he feared he was still far from it.

It does not become any sinner to boast, replied he with humility, and me less than any other; but, notwithstanding my great weakness, may I not hope that that merciful God who calls himself Love, and who represents himself as a tender Father, will have pity on me-on my ignorance, alas!on my misery; and-shall I say it?-will be satisfied with what I have been able to do, or at least have desired to do, to conciliate his favour?

These words left me no further room to doubt as to the spiritual state of the old man. His confession of faith was unequivocal—namely, that he expected the pardon of his sins and a heavenly inheritance as a reward for his works;—a magnificent reward, it is true, but merited, at least in part, by a course of works or sacrifices.

Well, reader! perhaps you are saying, Was he not right? Should not a sinner seek for pardon from God? And will he not have merited it when, after having turned from evil, he shall by good conduct have repaired his former errors, and kept the path of uprightness? Will God in his justice be less easily entreated than men in theirs; and among men, does not he who ceases to do evil, and applies himself to what is good, obtain grace (pardon)? No, not grace; for grace is not merited. If, then, you speak of grace, do not pronounce the word merit, unless by grace you mean a payment or recompence; and if that is the sense you give it, cease even to mention grace, for then it no longer exists.

CHAPTER IV.

The old Man's Error respecting the word Grace.

The old man had not yet comprehended it, but he did not doubt of its existence; for, upon my asking him if he thought that the pardon of sin and eternal life were a free gift, resulting from the goodness of God, he replied, without hesitation, "I hold no other doctrine; that is my belief. Certainly salvation is the gift of God; and I do not think that any one can be saved otherwise than through Him who died upon this cross.'

I should have been surprised to have found this inconsistency in a man whose language and manners indicated a well-cultivated mind and much good sense, if I had not recognised in what he said the same kind of reasoning which I myself had formerly adopted, and which is so frequently met with among Christians of our day.

In fact, if the greater part of those who profess to believe in the Lord Jesus be asked what is their hope as to eternal salvation, they will almost unanimously reply, that they expect it from the mercy and grace of God in Jesus Christ; and that it is in order to obtain it, and to render themselves worthy of it—at least as much so as man is capable of doing-that they attend church, observe the duties of religion, bestow alms, and abstain from all irregular conduct. That is to say, on the one hand they use the words Saviour, grace, free pardon, the gift of Heaven; but, on the other, they study to merit and gain of themselves the remission of their sins and everlasting happiness. Thus they imitate the folly of a bankrupt, who boasts that the king in person has freed him from all his debts, but who, at the same time, economizes even his bread and water, for fear, as he says, of being imprisoned if he does not pay all himself.

Such was the old man's error. I desired to shew it him; but, before doing so, I thought it better that he should fully declare it, in order that the truth might afterwards appear more striking to him;-a necessary precaution in a case of this kind: for if we shew to a pupil the beauty of the model, and help him to imitate it, before he has fully recognised the faults and deformity of his own design, it is to be feared he may retain some regret for having destroyed that which he had traced with complacency, and which his deceived eyes regarded as equal to his model.

I then asked the old man, when he hoped that the grace of God would be granted him; and if he thought that the Lord Jesus would soon absolve him from his sins, and give him an entrance into Paradise.

But I do not know, he replied, with a little embarrassment. I must confess to you, that my youth, which was passed in the profession of arms, was not irreproachable. But since I have been settled by a happy mar

riage, I can say that my life has been a course of integrity. Not that I have been better than many of my equals: but, in one word, I have neither transgressed the laws of honour nor the duties of justice; and if to benefit others is a good work, as well as one of the purest pleasures, perhaps I may also speak of that. As to my religion, by my very situation, having an official employment in a neighbouring department, I am called upon to be an example; and I hope I am an obedient child to our holy mother the Church. Have I not, then, some well-founded hope of being made a partaker of God's grace?

You are very happy, I replied, to have been able to avoid the agitation of the world, and to make yourself useful to your contemporaries; and I can easily understand how much your conduct has called forth their approbation. But may I venture to ask you, whether you have done these things for God, or for yourself?

For myself! he replied thoughtfully; but.... without doubt I have, in some respect at least. I own I have found my happiness in living in peace and retirement with my excellent wife, and in the midst of a family entirely after my own heart; but I do not think that in delighting in these enjoyments I have done otherwise than according to the will of that bountiful Being who gave them me.

Neither do I, I replied. But what I ask you is, if the good you have done, either in secret, or in favour of your neighbour, or for the honour of religion, has been a demonstration of love to God your Saviour; or rather, if it has not been the expression of your desire to obtain by these means the favour of God, the pardon of your sins, and finally the salvation of your soul?

My inquiry was addressed to the conscience of this upright man. He considered it a few moments, and then replied by this avowal: "I acknowledge, that if, when a man does good with a view to the reward which comes from God, he is seeking himself, I have fallen into this fault; and I confess that your remarks strike me forcibly. But be pleased, however, to tell me, if to do what God commands, not with a view to the sordid recompence of ostentation, but in order one day to obtain the approval of Heaven, 'Well done, good and faithful servant,' is not good, and if it be not a motive that God himself has sanctioned."

I replied: So long as I, a rebellious soldier, am submissive to the king's commandment, for fear lest a revolt may bring me to execution, or in order that the king, being pleased with me, may bestow on me his favour, however modest and secret my resolution and efforts may be, still I am only seeking myself, and labouring for my own advantage. The law which inspires my actions is one of constraint, and not of liberty, still less of love: and if I rise and walk, it is because two spurs are continually goading me,-the fear of punishment, and the hope of reward.

Reader! how difficult it is for the human heart to understand this when it concerns obedience to the commands of God! It is understood quickly enough, if it relate to an inferior who endeavours to conciliate the good will of a superior; and every token of submission or zeal which he shews under such circumstances, is called interested. But if it regard the sinner and the Lord, immediately the same motives change both in appearance and name; and it is said, published, and preached, that he who abstains from some outward sin because he fears the last judgment; that he who distributes the superfluity of his wealth, who forces himself to some strict devotions, or who wears out his life in acts of mortification, in order to efface his former sins and gain heaven, does it from love to God;" as if love can be united to fear; as if love ever becomes mercenary, and loves only for itself.