ous-so endlessly delightful. How ever intricate may be the external character of the events with which the favored believer in Jesus is exercised, this one thing is most certain, that they are all designed by an ordination of marvellous and unchangeable loving-kindness, to tell upon the splendour of his ultimate triumph. It cannot be otherwise, since all the wheels of providence are full of eyes; consequently they cannot move other wise than as directed by boundless intelligence. Unbounded wisdom shines with lustre, peculiar to itself, in both the pre-arrangement and actual execution of the whole vast economy of providence. Nothing is left to be determined either by fate or chance; but all pre-ordained, ordered, and settled with infinite judgment in the glorious mind, purpose, and decrees of the great I am. Events of providences are the effects of purposes. These give actual being to those. The omnipotent power of the one, guarantees the accomplishment of the other, while the accomplish ment of the one is the developement of the other. Will divine said what purposes should be-purposes what events should be-events proclaim what will and purposes are. This sentiment was that which inspired the muse and vibrated on the sweetly strung harp of the melodious Watts when wrapt in adoration he sang, " His providence unfolds the book, And makes his counsels shine; Fulfils some deep design." "Fulfils some deep design." Important declaration this. There are no unmeaning events; no abortive providences; for each and all fulfil some deep design." The chain of providence, with all its multitudinous links, originated in the sovereign will, and is adjusted by the boundless wis dom of the divine sovereign. This adjustment is liable to no change-capable of no improvement. Capable of no I improvement for it is the contrivance and result of infinite wisdom. Liable to no change because the whole is founded on the will of him "who is of one mind and changes not." The onė glorious mind and eternal purpose of God, in operation, gives diversity to the character of events. Variety is vividly characteristic of providential dispersations. This va riety is impressively set forth in Zechariah by the different coloured horses seen in the four chariots which proceed from between the two mountains of brass. The horses in the first chariot are said to be red, those in the second black, those in the third white, those in the fourth grizzled and bay. These all go forth in different ways are all subject to divine direction are all instruments em. ployed by the Lord of hosts for carrying out, in opération and display, his eternal purposes; more firm, immutable, and permanent than moun tains of brass. Here we have both variety and certainty. Variety in the diversified character of events; certainty in God's securing, by all that variety of instruments and circumstances, the glorious developement of all his coun sels with the splendid accomplish. ment of all his vast designs. I therefore would hold in unmeasured reprobation that sentiment which involves the least precariousness in the govern ment of the glorious God. Wisdom boundless, love matchless, equity glo. rious, power insuperable, faithfulness divine, certainty absolute, is the com bination of sacred excellences substantially united and exerted in the administrations of the Lord God. These divine excellences in God's government cannot fail legitimately to work out all his plans-efficiently to give effect to all his purposeseventually to display all his designs everlastingly to magnify all his per fections. Associated with these d vine realities is the soul stirring-the soul-inspiring the soul-supporting truth, "all things do work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to his purpose." Calling is the effect of purpose; love the consequence of calling a profitable working of all things, the chartered right of all those who are called to love the God of all grace. Afflictions then, to such distinguished persons; must be covenant mercies must substantially benefit the covenant patentees must redound to the honour of the love, wis dom, and sovereignty of Israel's covenant and triune God. Those wilderness vexations which are sanctified, are among the precious stores of the believer in Jesus. To God's Israel painful events are made to bring forth pleasurable advantages. Paul had the highest reason for affirming, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." It is the very same everlasting love which chose God's people that cor rects them. Their election and chas tening may be traced up to the same source of ancient favour; therefore it is that they are encouraged to regard correcting providences as lucid evi dences of their adoption interest. I am, my dear friend, come at length to what I had in contempla tion in my preceding remarks, respecting events being the effects of purposes, viz., that God's saints are to view everlasting love in their afflic tions. Such a view, if operative, will dispose the tried pilgrim cordially to embrace the rod under which he smarts, and to realize a sacred complacency in that state of things ap pointed by his blessed Lord. In this favored view of periods of trouble, the J Lord concerning me." His eye of faith is open to see that "the wheels of providence are full of eyes," and, therefore, however crushing may be some of the movements of those wheels, that love and wisdom regulate the whole. Moreover, the believer in this state of soul discovers that all his afflictions derive an unutterable sweetness from the love and work of the cross. How sacred the moments-how transcendently precious the hours which the suffering believer spends at the cross of his wondrous Immanuel. He can bear patiently, yea joyfully, the rod on his back with the cross in his sight. The virtues of Calvary give an incomparable sweetness to the believer's sufferings. His afflictions derive orient beams from the name, person, work, blood, righteousness and complete salvation of his thrice precious Jesus; beams sufficiently orient to enable God's afflicted Israel to see love in every stripe, mercy in every stroke, tenderness in every dispensation, and faithfulness in every chastisement, This discovery, by the gracious workings of the Spirit of God upon the heart, effectively reconcile the believer to God in all the dispensations of his providence; so that the heart responds to the slaying as really as to the smiling movements of the Lord God, An experimental acquaintance with these glorious realities, is invaluable in a world of sorrows like this. You will be glad to learn, from my next communication, the marvellous goodness of my blessed Lord towards me in my late season of affliction. For the present I drop my pen, and send up a prayer that Zion's God may be with you, to bless you with joy and peace in believing. Amen, I am, my dear friend, 2nd 16 940 redeemed expectant of bliss, though aid to R Your's affectionately, exceedingly pinched by affliction, can with no inconsiderable satisfaction exclaim, Good is the will of the 1972 ROBERT BARNÉST KE Glemsford, August, 1841. VOUTLINES OF A SERMON - Preached at Galhampton Chapel, Somersetshire, f. BY THE REV. W. PAGE. * Prayer is the breath of the newborn soul, and is of the greatest importance to every christian. All true believers know this. them in covenant; every blessing which they need is bestowed upon them. How doth the Spirit help our infirmities? He enables his people to pray with an understanding heart; he gives them an understanding of the Father, and of Christ and of his work of redemption; he is their guide It is requisite that we should know something of ourselves; that we are fallen and lost in Adam. When we in earnest with God. The Spirit apare brought to feel this, we shall be plies the forgiveness of sins to his people; he enables them to pray with sincerity. Nothing but this will do: God knows every motive of our hearts. The Holy Ghost helps them to pray in faith; he works this saving faith in their souls, by which they are enabled to realize their interest in the mercy, love, and covenant of Jehovah. The blood of Christ cleanseth them from all sins. All the promises are theirs. Through him they pray in love to God, as their reconciled Father, and to Jesus as their Redeemer. They are likewise enabled to pray with humility; this is a very becom ing grace. Abraham prevailed with God to bring Lot out of Sodom; Jacob wrestled and prevailed; Job was led by the Spirit to abhor him, self, and repent in dust and ashes; Isaiah exclaimed, “woe is me, för I am a man of unclean lips," this was the time that God called him to the office he had appointed him unto. The apostle Paul went to great lengths in sin; he was then a proud boasting pharisee ; but when Christ gave him a sense of himself he was then less than the least of all saints in his own estimation. So it is with all the regenerate children of God. Now the Spirit works this temper in them. The Spirit helps them to prayle with fervour. The Spirit enables them to continue in prayer. Notwithstanding their trials he will never let them give up prayer until it is turned into praise in the mansions of eternal glory. 1. The object of prayer. God is and comforter. the only true object thereof; none but God himself can hear or answer prayer. The child of God is enabled to pray to him as his creator and preserver; he also prays unto him as his Redeemer; he prays in the name of Christ. What is it thus to pray? It is to come according as he hath commanded his people, to make mention of Christ as their representative, to rely entirely upon that atonement which he has made for them. Why are we to pray in the name of Christ? On account of our guilt and corruption. Our very nature is sinful; we dare not approach God in our own name in whole or in part. There is no other name whereby we can come to the Father but by Jesus Christ: he is the only mediator God has appointed. How does Christ intercede on behalf of his chosen? He died the death that God the Father appointed; he satisfied divine justice for his people; he not only laid down his life for them, but rose again and ever lives to intercede for them; he presents his people to his Father. As Aaron bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on his breastplate, so Jesus bears all the names of his saints on his heart. Aaron was a type of Christ. The Redeemer stands in the presence of his Father, perfectly holy; he answers all the accusations brought against his people; he takes away their filthy garments and clothes them with his spotless righteousness (Zec. 4); he presents the incense of his own merits with prayers of his people, therefore they are acceptable. 2. The help the people of God have in prayer, which is the Holy Ghost. He enables them to ask for those things which are provided for Great is thy name, and good thy ways, Thou hast been kind in ages past, Thy chosen flock to thee are dear, When they are sunk in troubles great, Beset with foes on evʼry hand, By thee they overcome their foes, They travel on from strength to strength, When they in sin had wander'd far, Yes, dearest Lord, when sunk in sin, Thou stopp'd them in their wild career, How sweet the hour when cords of love, Drew them to lift their thoughts above; In Christ they find their peace, and still.../. -Joy in the King of Zion's hill. Onward they press by pow'r divine, ار Here then is comfort men can't stay, United thus to Christ their Head, Then though grim death my body seize, In heav'n through Christ I shall arrive, Rudgeway, Glo'stershire. 1 J. HARDING, And thou in the concert thy voice too art blending, And sweet is thy song to the Lamb that was slain. With rapture unfeign'd thy companions have hailed thee. Another bright jewel to deck their loved King; And we who are left, shall we grieve and be wail thee? No, rather with them our thanksgivings we'll bring. We'll bless our Redeemer; in love and com passion He came to his garden, and called thee away, In the fount of his blood washed away each transgression, And made thee all perfect in regions of day! Ere long we shall join thee, and raise the sweet chorus 'Tis the same that we lisp as we journey along. Thy Saviour permits thee a little before us To tune thy glad harp with the glorified throng But though for a moment from us disunited, We feel we shall meet thee on Canaan's bright shore ; There, hopes and affections by sin are ne' er blighted, There, saints free from sorrow their Saviour adore. LINES. EMMELINE... On a Sermon preached by Mr. S. Ponsford, at Devonport, Sunday, March 28, 1841. "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ear is open to their cry." Upon the righteous man, The Lord doth keep his eye; And never, never can, His ear neglect their cry: His Church he strips and clothes anew, Though darkness cloud the mind, You' re poor and weak and frail : Each sheep amongst the fold, The shepherd knows right well, And all shall have to tell Of sov'reign love, of grace most free, "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy."-Exod. xx. 8. 'Tis the Lord's day; the day To disregard their various sophistry, Of life's all-fruitful tree above our heads, To Calvary, and to Tabor! Give us each, Faith-strengthened, view our bright inheritance, May we ascribe to thee the glory, Lord, Praising for sabbaths which bring heaven to earth, Being themselves delightful harbingers REZENEB. ETERNAL ACCEPTANCE IN CHRIST. Accepted in Christ we surely are made, Who is our true God, our Brother, our Head; Accepted in him, and made free from blame, Through his precious death, his stripes and his pain. Accepted in Jesus and in him belov'd, Accepted in Jesus, then let devils roar, |