hand planting (Isaiah xii. 3; John iv. 10, 11). Again, the Lord's people are said to pass through great waters (Isaiah xliii. 2), which set forth the heavy afflictions which befal them whilst here below, called great tribulation (verse vii. 14). But the word of God at the head of this paper speaks of floods of great waters that are not so much as to come nigh the objects of eternal choice: and what waters can these be? It seems very obvious to me that the wrath of God, as revealed in his law against sin and ungodly sinners, is what is intended by them. But why are not those great floods to come nigh the godly? because all the wrath due to them, and which they have justly merited, fell upon the harmless Lamb of God. Then the love he bare for them must be exceeding great, say you! Very true, listen to what the Holy Ghost says upon this sublime subject, "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods" of wrath, which pressed our dear willing Surety down to the earth, and caused great drops of blood to ooze from his sacred body, "drown it." These are the floods that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah: but mark the Lord's shielding care over a righteous Lot; he must be handed out of the city before any thing could be done. And if we refer to the case of Korah and the rebels with him, that rose up against Moses, we find that the vengeance of the Lord was unfurled (Num. xvi. 32). The earth her mouth did open wide, Their cries were heard on every side; But Moses did in safety dwell, Nor sunk with those that did rebel. Thus shall it be when time is fled, And gaping graves give up their dead; No floods of wrath shall saints o'erflow, And this each one redeemed shall know. Great Wakering, Essex. W. WESTHORP. Fragment from Augustine. Job was happier on the dunghill than Adam in paradise. Oh how happily did I fall in Adam, who, after my fall, arose more happily in Christ. THE CERTAINTY OF A FREE GRACE SALVATION. My Dear Brother in the Lord Jesus, As we have been frequently favoured with many opportunities of holding communion upon matters relating to our eternal happiness, I am sure you will not think me unkind, and destitute of the best feelings towards you when I say, I have discovered such a mixture of truth and error in your views and experience of the way of life and salvation, that I intend to employ my pen in endeavouring to set before you in my plain way, the glorious gospel of the blessed God, of which the angels sang when they said, "glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will towards men." Allow me in the first place to remind you, that the salvation of a sinner from the bitter pains of eternal death, is one of the mightiest displays of the power of God, the most suprising act of his condescension, and the most endearing expression of his tender regard towards the children of wretchedness and want. I entreat you not to overlook the fact, that the church of the living God, even in the wilderness below, is the dwelling place of the Most High; that he will feed them with marrow and fatness, even upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; and shall be brought by the power of the ever blessed Spirit, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, with full purpose of heart, and be made joyful in his house of prayer. This mighty act of sovereign mercy, is the effect of that everlasting love which was fixed upon them in the person of the Lord Jesus from before the foundation of the world. the beautiful description the apostle gives of the church of the living God, when writing to the Corinthians," Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place Mark call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.' This little band of men, whose hearts the Lord had touched, were once as sheep going astray, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and who appeared by every act of their rebellious life to be children of wrath even as others. Take the apostle Paul as a pattern of the longsuffering goodness of Jehovah, and of the mighty, and efficacious grace of God the Eternal Spirit, in calling a sinner out of darkness into marvellous light, and we shall at once behold the glories of that redemption, which is unto all, and upon all them that believe. Be it observed, that the children of God, the objects of his everlasting love, are scattered abroad in the midst of the earth; the remnant according to the election of grace is to be found among many nations; yes, the church of the living God is composed of precious souls of every kindred, and people, and tongue, and will in the fulness of time be made manifest that they are the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty, by faith in Christ Jesus: hence the Saviour said, in the days of his flesh," Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, that there may be one fold and one Shepherd." Mark the harmony of the old with the New Testament saints, and we shall at once perceive that they all were taught by one blessed Spirit, all look ing to one and the same object, and all waiting and expecting the blessing even life for evermore; hence the Lord speaking by the prophet Ezekiel says, Behold I even I, will both search my sheep and seek them out; as a shepherd seeketh out his flock, in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." This point of experience, in the case of every vessel of mercy, is no doubtful matter, but one of absolute, and unconditional promise : there is a time, yea a set time to favour Zion yea the Lord will build up Zion, and appear in his glory. But my brother is at times inclined to imagine that the issue of the Saviour's doing and dying is not so fixed and determined; that his counsel shall stand, and all his pleasure shall be done. This to me is a distressing thought; a base reflection upon the wisdom and faithfulness of Jehovah. I admit upon a survey of the state and condition of mankind at large I at once arrive at the conviction, that darkness has covered the earth, and gross darkness the people; that all have incurred the penalty of the law, and must sink by the weight of their transgressions into the regions of eternal despair, unless by an act of sovereign mercy they are snatched as brands from everlasting burning : hence the sweet proclamation " Deliver him from going down to the pit, for I have found a ransom." Think, my brother of this one sentence; it is worth a million of worlds; bind it to your heart, and ever remember in connection with it, that "the blood of Christ, God's dear Son, cleanseth from all sin;" indeed none but a God of infinite compassion, of boundless power, of eternal mercy, of everlasting faithfulness, and underived holiness, could ever have made such a declaration as this; but blessed be his holy name, we are not living without hope, for God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing our trespasses unto us; so that the church of the living God, in the enjoyment of its privileges can say. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ Jesus. Never then indulge the dishonoring thought, that any of the vessels of mercy can fail of the promised inheritance, which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away; reserved in heaven for those who are kept by the power of God, is covering the land; consequently through faith unto eternal salvation." we need not wonder that vital godliYes, the command is gone forth, and ness is at so low an ebb, and the its accomplishment drawing nearer children of light going lean from day with every rising and setting sun, to day. I feel most anxious that "Bring my sons from far, and my you, my brother, should escape this daughters from the ends of the earth; snare of the fowler, and be brought even every one that is called by my into the full liberty of the glorious name, to shew forth my glory.' I gospel of the blessed God, having would ask, even from this very scrip- your fruit unto holiness, and your ture, whether the salvation of the end eternal glory. I would remind church of the living God, is a matter you that the salvation which is in of doubt and uncertainly, or a plain Christ Jesus is a finished one; that and blessed revelation of a divine it requires no addition to render it reality? To admit the former would complete, and that nothing can be be at once to put a blank upon every taken from it by men, angels or depage of the sacred word; to under- vils to prevent the flowings of that value the blood of atonement; to river, the blessings of which are derender void every covenant engage- signed to make glad the city of ment of the Son of God; and to offer God: so that not one single vessel of the most daring insult to the Holy mercy shall ever come short of the Spirit, the almighty Teacher, and blessedness it is sure to impart. No, Sanctifier of the saints of the Most blessed be God, we have given unto. High, who will bring them at last to us exceeding great and precious prothe heavenly Jerusalem, where the mises, whereunto we shall do well to wicked will cease from troubling, and take heed, and not suffer any man, the weary are for ever at rest. I however artful may be his devices, to confess that if I thought any of the take away our crown. Let then the arrangements connected with my sal- people rage against a free-grace salvation were contingent, I should be vation, and the ministers of the letter of all men the most miserable; nay (and not of the Spirit) imagine a vain more, I should not only feel forbid thing; be it your concern to regard dings to cherish the hope of outriding the simple declaration of the holy all the storms and temptations of the word, above all the inventions of wilderness, but should immediately men, and I am sure it will prove a sink into despair, having nothing be- safe and happy directory in all that fore me but a fearful looking for of relates to your present comfort, and judgment," that would devour me as eternal glory. an adversary. I make these remarks, because I have discovered an inclination in my friend to lean in favour of a conditional salvation, as he vainly supposes this would bring glory to God: allow me to warn you against such a popish doctrine; for I am sure that nothing will tend so much to fill your heart with pride, and to cast into the shade the glories of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, as this comfort-destroying and Goddishonoring system. I am fully aware that this is the religion of the present day, that the tide of free-will Do you require a proof of the truth of this statement? I refer you again to the law and to the testimony: even to the testimony of prophets, priests, and kings; and you will at once perceive, if the Holy Spirit is pleased to shine into your soul, that the Saviour's offering and sacrifice is sufficient in merit to cancel your guilt, blot out your iniquities, and cause peace to flow into your sindistressed soul, like a river, and righteousness as the waves of the sea; hence the apostle says, "The blood of Christ, God's dear Son, cleanseth from all sin :" yes, resting upon this glorious atonement there is not only safety for the hour of death, but comfort and joy in the prospect of it hence the language of the psalmist "yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." But how, I would ask, could any poor sinner be strong in the Lord Jesus, and in the power of his might, if any thing on earth or in hell could be found to frustrate the designs of eternal mercy, or render the covenant that is ordered in all things and sure, of no effect? But blessed be God, we have a safe, an abiding, and an immoveable foundation to rest our eternal hopes upon,' against which the gates of hell can never prevail and do observe, my brother, when the Lord would impart living consolation to the minds of his fearing, weak and helpless children, he directs them to Calvary, and not to Sinai; to the gospel of his dear Son, and not to the law of Moses; to his everlasting love in Christ Jesus, and not to the pliability of the creature, whose feelings and purposes are as fickle as the changing wind: no, the comforts of salvation flow from another source; hence the commission to the prophet, Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably unto Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, her iniquity is pardoned, for she hath received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins." I am sure if this precious scripture were the rule and directory of the minister of the word, the fruits of righteousness would be more apparent in the conduct and conversation of the heirs of glory and they would more evidently appear going from strength to strength until at last they arrive in Zion before God. I am fully aware of the influence a limited knowledge of the way of life has had upon your mind; but let me I am entreat you carefully and prayerfully to examine the word of God for yourself, and I am persuaded in due time your soul will be established in the faith cnce delivered to the saints, and be enabled with a scriptural confidence to say, I know in whom I have believed; and am persuaded, that he will keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." But, alas! it is to be lamented that so little is said in the present day of the pure and incorruptible seed of the kingdom, and of the power of that gospel which testifies of Jesus. who gave himself a ransom for all the election of grace, to be manifested in due time. sure you must admit that more is said of human attainments, and the capability of the sinner to believe in the Lord Jesus unto life eternal, than of the almighty and never-failing power of God the Eternal Spirit, as alone sufficient to call a sinner out of darkness into marvellous light and here I would observe, that unless this almighty work is commenced in the soul, we passess no evidence whatever of interest in the Father's everlasting love, and the Son's free, glorious, and eternal redemption. I wish I possessed the ability to set before the mind of my brother the glories of this full salvation; I would tell him of the mystery of God, of the Father, and of Christ; and whilst exhibiting the dateless love of Jehovah, as the fountain from whence issues to the church all the blessings of grace here, and glory hereafter, I would not fail to commend to your warmest regard the Lord Jesus Christ, as the glorious medium through which the streams of the river of God flow to the souls of the redeemed, who is over all God blessed for evermore. Yes, the name of this dear saviour is as ointment poured forth to every grace-taught sinner; he is no longer as a root out of a dry ground having neither form nor comeliness, but now his beauty appears so bright, and the words of his mouth so gracious, that the soul is heard saying, He is the fairest among ten thousand; yea, he is the altogether lovely." His work also as mediator is precious to the soul: he feels by reason of his innumerable transgressions, he cannot have access to and acceptance in the sight of Jehovah; but beholding Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, he can venture to hope in his mercy, and to enter by faith into the holy of holies, by the blood of the everlasting cove nant, rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. It is here; and here only the sinner is safe: without the shedding of blood there can be no remission; and only as this precious blood, in its purifying nature, is applied to the conscience, can we dare to venture into the presence of the King Eternal, as all communion with the Father, is through the medium of the Lord Jesus, and the virtue and merit of his glorious atonement and bloodshedding, which to know and feel, is life eternal. I hope my dear brother will not imagine that because I am anxious to set before him a finished salvation, as effected by the doing and dying of the Lord Jesus, that I intend to encourage a spirit of sloth and indolence in the ways of God; oh no, there is much for a believer to do; not to finish and complete his salvation, that was settled upon the the cross of the Redeemer, and confirmed with his dying breath, when he said, "It is finished; and gave up the ghost:" but there is much to do I say, in a believer's life and conversation; to exhibit before a Christ-despising generation its holy influence, its blessed effects, and to manifest, by a spirit becoming the gospel, that you are not your own but bought with a price, desiring to glorify God in your body and spirit which are his. In one word, my most anxious desire for your spiritual welfare is, that you should not only reject the cold and heartless system of free-will, which is tantamount to a denial of every truth upon the page of divine revelation, but that you should so receive the truth, in the love of it, as to live upon it, and to grow up into Chris t your spiritual Head in all things, to the praise and glory of that grace, which has made you accepted in the beloved: remember, the vows of God are upon you; that you are bound by every sacred obligation the grace of God hath laid upon you, to present your body and spirit a living sacrifice, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. May the object you have in view in all your movements in the church and in the world, be to exemplify your high calling. "And tell to all poor sinners round, What a dear Saviour you have found, Finally, I would commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to keep from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of Jehovah with exceeding joy; unto whom be glory and dominion, and thanksgiving, and power, for ever and ever. Amen. Chatham. J. M. WHEN the child of God, called by special grace, is led by faith to meditate upon that state of blessedness which his disembodied spirit will enjoy when conflict shall cease, and his warfare be ended, how happy is he; when he is also led under the unction of the Spirit, to contemplate that eternal weight of glory unto which, soul and body united, will be introduced at the morning of the resurrection: how full of joy, what bliss dwells in his bosom. There are most assuredly times and seasons here upon |