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A Monthly Journal,

CONTAINING PLAIN TRUTHS OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE, FOR "STREETS AND LANES," "HIGHWAYS AND HEDGES."

Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."

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BOOK POST.

(LUKE XIV. 23.)

LONDON, FEBRUARY 1, 1859.

That is a false peace which is not derived gelist to any part of the United Kingdom, post free, from the blood of the Cross. No one

The Publishers will forward parcels of The Evan

on the undermentioned terms:

4 copies for 4d. or for one year, 4s.

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has forgiveness of sins, but through the
blood of Christ alone. "Without shed-
ding of blood is no remission." "It is
the blood that maketh an atonement for
the soul." Those only will stand before
the throne of God, who have been washed
in the blood of Christ.
"These are they
which came out of great tribulation, and
have washed their robes, and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb; THERE
FORE are they before the throne of God."
(Rev. vii. 14, 15.)

"Oh! how sweet to see the flowing

Of His soul-redeeming blood,
With Divine assurance knowing

That it made my peace with God."

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC, AND
THE PRIMITIVE.

THE first ray of hope which shines upon
the troubled, sin-stricken soul, is reflected
only from the Cross of the Son of God.
The first taste of peace with God, and
its continual supply afterward, is realized SEVERAL years ago, I visited the native
only, by a faith's view of the death of place of my ancestors, and being of the
Christ. The conscience is cleansed only Waldenesian stock, I have therefore never
by the precious blood of Jesus. The been reformed. My family is privileged
only happy meeting-place between God

and the sinner is the Cross of Christ

In the Cross, we see man's greatest wickedness, and God's richest love; man's enmity, and God's pity; man's guiltiness, and God's forgiveness; sin abounding,

[MORGAN & CHASE, 72, HATTON GARDEN.

[PRICE 1d.

Jew." "I beg your pardon," I replied, "I am not a Jew.”

"What are you, then ?" she inquired. I replied, "I am a Primitive.”

She asked her husband to tell her what a Primitive was, but he could not inform her. Whereupon, I said, “I'll explain to you what a Primitive is, by the Church of God was a magnificent means of a simile. You must know that pillar of alabaster, reaching from earth to heaven. But there came Popery, which fixed a nail in the pillar, and hung a crucifix on it. It then fixed another nail in the pillar, and suspended a cardinal's hat from it. And so it went on, until, at last, the whole pillar became covered with nails, and the poor people could not see the pillar for the things that covered it. The Reformation then came, with its strong pioneer, named 'the

Bible,' and they pulled out the nails, and all the furniture fell down, and the pillar was seen again. And, I added, I

am a Primitive, because I belong to those

to reckon seven martyrs, the last of whom who were antecedent to the placing of
was the mother of my grandfather. I the nails." The lady, after listening very
saw the spot where she was buried alive attentively, said, "Now tell us what is
for refusing to part with her Bible. My the great difference between you and me
ancestors were obliged to fly at the time
-I being a good Catholic, and you a
of the revocation of the edict of Nantes; Protestant?" "Well," I said, "the dif-

and grace much more abounding. There and, on visiting the spot, I saw the place ference does not seem very great: it we see that God is infinitely holy, and where four of my ancestors were burned. consists only in the use of a little con

yet the Saviour of sinners; a sin-hating, and yet a sin-pardoning God; a perfect

In passing through a valley, we entered
the public stage of Marseilles; and as it

junction." "What is that?" she said. Why," said I, WE say, 'We must love

66

66

enemy to sin, yet the everlasting Friend went along, I gazed at the ruins of some God, and obey His commandments, BEof the sinner; an inflexibly just God. villages which were burned in the time CAUSE He has redeemed us;' and You

and yet the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

of the persecution. There was in the
coach a young man and his wife. The
lady said to me—

66

In the Cross of Christ, we see sin Sir, you are looking at these ruins judged and put away, the law fulfilled, the sinner saved, and God glorified. There as if you were exceedingly interested in Are you a Protestant?" "No, Madam," I replied.

them.

I

we see righteousness and peace, sin and holiness, love and justice, wrath and mercy, grace and truth; transgressions for ever covered, sin for ever removed, the sinner that believes for ever free from condemnation, justified, sanctified, and I brought near to God.

"Are you a Catholic?" "No, Madam,
am not a Catholic.”

say, 'We must love God, and obey His commandments, THAT we may be saved.' The difference lies in the two words 'BECAUSE' and 'THAT."" I then explained, and hope she was brought to understand the gospel.—Malan.

"HEREIN IS LOVE, NOT THAT WE LOVED GOD, BUT THAT HE LOVED US, AND SENT

"Are you a Turk?" "No, Madam, HIS SON TO BE THE PROPITIATION FOR
am not a Turk."
OUR SINS.... WE LOVE HIM, BECAUSE HE
"Ah," said she, "I perceive you are a FIRST LOVED US." (1 John iv. 10,
19.)

GOSPEL LIBERTY.

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."-GAL. v. 1.

THOSE addressed in this epistle had known the liberty of the gospel. A person must first have tasted liberty before he can truly be exhorted to "stand fast" in it. You could not say to a poor slave, working in chains, stand fast in liberty. No; he must first be set free. So it is spiritually. Many do not know gospel liberty. Some are so accustomed to the slavery of sin, that they are not conscious of the real bondage they are in; others have, more or less, a feeling sense of the miserable condition of their hearts and ways, and long for deliverance from guilt and fear. Many persons seem only to think of liberty and independence in relation to their fellow-men; perhaps they have striven for it, and have, in some measure, realized it; but they know nothing of the glorious liberty of the children of God. The Son of God came down from heaven to make men free. He preached liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. He gave His life a ransom for many.

and dominion of sin, from the bondage and curse
of the law, from the fear of death, and given us
liberty in God's presence, the liberty of sonship,
and liberty to serve.

and he is humbled before God, broken down
under a sense of His love. By a view of the deep
agonies of the Sin-bearer, he feels an intolerable
hatred to sin, he loathes himself, loves the
Saviour, and cries out, with gratitude of soul,
"Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my heart, my life, my all.”
Thus, by faith in the crucified Son of God, we
have liberty from the dominion of sin; and the
Divine assurance is, "Sin shall not have domi-
nion over you, for you are not under the law, but

under grace."

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1. LIBERTY FROM THE SLAVERY OF SATAN. It is a very humiliating thought, that man is really the slave of Satan. Is it not an undeniable fact, that we are the servants of those to whom we render obedience? Who, then, does man obey? Does he obey God? Certainly not; for the testimony of an inspired prophet is, "All we, like sheep, have gone astray;" and the testimony of an apostle is, "There is none that doeth 3. LIBERTY FROM THE BONDAGE AND CURSE good, no, not one-they are all gone out of the way-there is none that seeketh after God," &c. OF THE LAW.-The Law of Moses was described Who, then, does the unregenerate man obey? Is by Peter "as a yoke of bondage, which neither it not the prince of this world, who is also our fathers nor we were able to bear." It made called the god of this world? Saddening thought! righteous and holy demands on fallen, helpless but, alas! too true; "for all that is in the world, sinners. It gave no liberty, but the spirit of fear the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, and bondage. It was the ministration of conand the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is demnation and death. There was remembrance of the world." The changeable fashions, the of sin, but no remission. Man needs power, he fascinating pleasures, and carnal gratifications of needs life; then obedience readily flows into its the day, in whatever garb they may be clothed, proper channel. Jesus, by His death, fulfilled are of the world, and therefore in direct con- the Law, and put away sin; hence, the gospel nection with the deceiver of the whole world, the proclaims full forgiveness, and the testimony of It is beautiful to see Paul's disinterested Christ-adversary of souls- the wicked one, in whom the God now is, "Their sins and iniquities will I By Christ, all that belike love and care for these Galatian saints. whole world lieth. The lusts and passions of remember no more." When first he went and preached among them, fallen man easily yield to his subtle suggestions, lieve are justified from all things, by which they they received him as an angel of God, even as and those who yield, often find present sensual could not be justified by the law of Moses." Christ Jesus; they felt great blessing through his recompence. But this arch-enemy deceives and This is liberty indeed! But who could attentively ministrations, and loved him so much, that if it blinds, lest the glorious gospel should shine into contemplate God's laws without being conscious had been possible, they would have plucked out their hearts. Jesus, however, came to destroy of having broken them, of having come far short their own eyes, and have given them to him. the works of the devil, to make men free from of His standard, and therefore of being under the They were happy in the Lord. Christ was all. this vile service, to redeem His people from all ini-curse; for it is written, "Cursed is he that conBut after Paul left, false teachers came in among quity, to ransom them from the power of the grave, tinueth not in all things which are written in the them-persons who cared not for the people's to destroy death, and him that had the power of book of the Law to do them." Who can bear to souls, but only to propagate certain points of death, that is, the devil. Man had fallen into try himself by this balance? This makes it clear, erroneous doctrine. The Galatian converts re- allegiance to Satan, and he was fast bound in his that all are under sin. Hence, the apostle deceived them, and were so injured, that they chains, but a stronger than he came to his help; clares, that "as many as are of the works of the counted Paul, the apostle, their enemy. But how the Almighty Savicur came forth from the Father Law, are under the curse." We have all, then, did Paul treat them? Did he return evil for evil? to his rescue, and by His death, and resurrection merited God's curse, for breaking His laws; but No. Like his blessed Master, he only sought from the dead, He led captivity captive, and Jesus, the Redeemer, came forth and rescued us: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the their welfare, and cared very little what they triumphed over principalities and powers. Thus thought of him, provided they thought well of Christ, by one offering, which He once offered, Law, being made a curse for us; as it is written, Christ. He, therefore, presented Christ to them, in ransomed His people. Nothing less than His pre- Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." the richest and most attractive ways, so that they cious blood could redeem them from the dreadful Thus we have full liberty and redemption from might be brought to be happy again in the know- bondage they were in, and Jesus paid that incom- the bondage and curse of the Law, by the Cross ledge and enjoyment of Christ's finished work. parable price for them. All who believe in His of Christ. Most blessed it is to consider that "salvation is name are made free; Christ has procured their of the Lord," and that God's only way of meet-liberty from the slavery of Satan. They now ing man in blessing, is by the Cross of our Lord love and serve the Prince of life. Jesus Christ. We may well pity those who are seeking satisfaction from creature-streams, instead of the Creator's fulness; or who may be endeavouring to get into favour with God by any other way than by receiving His amazing mercy to sinners, in the blood of Christ. God's gracious testimony to man is, "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice;" thus plainly teaching us, that the only way by which He can make man happy, and deliver him from eternal condemnation, is by compassionating him in his helplessness and sins, and providing a full salvation for him, without money and without price. This, known in the soul, is liberty. This is what the Spirit of God bears witness to, and "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." This only gives confidence, and substantial comfort! It flows from God to the sinner. "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' It is man, sinful man, God so loves.

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2. LIBERTY FROM THE GUILT AND DOMINION OF SIN. Some people say, they are thankful that they never felt a guilty conscience, but I pity such. It is the clearest proof of their being still in their sins. I thank God that I have felt the plague of a guilty conscience, dreadful as the experience of it was; but I can also say that I have a cleansed conscience by the blood of Christ. How can anyone know pardon and peace, who never felt condemnation and guilt? The whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. Why do not persons feel guilt? Because they do not consider what they are in God's sight. They have, therefore, wrong thoughts about sin. They say that many things are not sin which really are. They do not believe that from the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness, and that there is none that doeth good, no, not one; but whatever be man's thought of himself, the Divine sentence has gone forth, that "all the world stand guilty before God." Now, Jesus came to give us liberty from this dreadful guilt, and that He did by the blood of His Cross. There God made im to be sin for us; there He had our iniquity laid upon Him; there He was wounded for our transgressions, and braised for our iniquities; there all the waves and billows of Jehovah's wrath passed over Him; thus, Christ, by the infinite efficacy of His one sacrifice, hath freed us from the guilt of sin. "When He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down on the right-hand of the Majesty on high."

Man's condition before God is that of a sinner-“ all have sinned." He is a slave of Satan, a servant of sin, a breaker of God's laws, afraid of death, he knows nothing of the holy presence of God, and trembles at the sound of the Lord's return from heaven. Such are we all by nature. In this fallen condition, God's pitying eye beheld us, His compassionate heart moved toward us, and knowing that His own Son, sent forth in the likeness of sinful flesh, and making atonement by the death of the Cross, was the only way of redeeming man, and bringing him into liberty and blessing, in richest mercy, this unspeakable But, through Christ, we have also power over Gift was not withheld. God gave His only begot- sin. Before a sinner has beheld the Lamb of ten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should God slain on Calvary, sin has dominion over him. not perish, but have everlasting life. Thus He may make resolutions, but he breaks them Christ went down into the sorrows and death of again and again. He reforms outwardly, in the Cross, to exalt sinful man to the heights of various ways; but it is plain that he only eternal glory. exchanges one class of sins for another. He is without strength. He cannot live without sinning. But when his guilty conscience is brought by the Holy Spirit before the Cross of Christ, his heart melts, the thorns and briers of self-righteousness are burned up, his icy affections thaw before the burning love of Immanuel,

Let us now look into the nature of the liberty the apostle here refers to, when he exhorts the Galatian churches to "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." And I think we shall find that Christ has procured liberty from the slavery of Satan, from the guilt

"The Law proclaims no terror now,

And Sinai's thunders roar no more; From all His wounds new blessings flow, A sea of joy without a shore."

4. LIBERTY FROM THE FEAR OF DEATH.-Man trembles at death; his bones shake, the joints of his back are loosed; and his countenance becomes ghastly, when he sees death enter the room, and feels its chilly grasp. There is only one thing that enables the soul to triumph in death; it is knowing that Christ died for our sins. It is only beholding Christ's Cross that will enable any one to say, that death is but the opening of the golden gate that admits him into the celestial city. Nothing can remove the fear of death, and enable us to meet it with composure and peace, but the sheltering power of the blood of the Lamb, the blessed knowledge that we have passed from death unto life, and the assurance, that though the mortal body may fall asleep in Jesus, death can have no claim upon us, because Jesus hath borne death and judgment for us, and in our room and stead upon the Cross. So that the true language of faith is, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law; but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Thus we have liberty from the fear of death.

5. LIBERTY IN GOD'S PRESENCE.-So perfectly has Jesus vanquished every foe, and so completely are all His people made the righteousness of God in Him, that the believer is enabled, with holy boldness, to draw near to God, in the happy liberty of acceptance and favour' in His presence. Oh, it is wonderful how near to God the believer is brought by the blood of Jesus. He is called to the fellowship of the Son of God. He is invited to come boldly to the throne of grace, both for pity and help, because Christ's allcleansing blood, and His all-prevailing priesthood, ever speak there for him. But I must pass on to notice

6. LIBERTY OF SONSHIP.- The Spirit of Adoption is one of the most blessed privileges of this dispensation. It seemed necessary that Christ should die before the blessed liberty of sonship could be enjoyed. "When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son-made of a

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A TRUE NARRATIVE.

woman-made under the law-to redeem them but in Christ? And do you not trust wholly in that were under the law, that we might receive His blood and righteousness? Then why are the adoption of sons. And, because ye are sons, you fearful, seeing it is such that Christ hath OR, THE BROKEN LEG AND A BROKEN HEART. God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into made free? Oh! look away from yourself, and your hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father.'' Thus we every other object, to Christ crucified and risen; see, that it is through the death of Christ we are believe that he hath done what God declares He IT was a lovely afternoon in the autumn brought into the blessed standing of sons; and this has, and be assured that it is because the Holy of 185-, when a commercial traveller precious truth is realized and enjoyed by faith; Spirit hath quickened you that you have been "Ye are all the children of God, by faith in Christ convinced of sin, and been brought as a guilty, drove out of the yard of an hotel in the Jesus." It is a blessing of the highest possible needy one to the foot of the Cross. Be com- city of H. He was a gentlemanly dignity, and is our present portion. Beloved, forted then, dear trembling child of God, for it is now are we the sons of God." It is when this because the Lord hath loved you with an ever- young man, seated on a four-wheel, truth is known with power in the soul that we lasting love, that with lovingkindness He hath evidently just new from Long Acre, of are enabled to serve our heavenly Father accept-drawn you to Himself, through Christ; and the ably. It will not be from slavish fear, like the testimony of His word is, that your sins are the latest fashion, and fitted with all spirit of bondage under the law; but it will be forgiven, you are justified from all things, thou recent improvements. The sun shone with reverence and filial fear, lest we grieve the shalt not come into condemnation, thou hast heart of our gracious Father. How blessed is everlasting life-thou hast passed from death brightly on the panels of his carriage, this liberty! How full of comfort! How rich unto life; Christ is your righteousness, He ever and not a spot or stain was to be seen in goodness now! How sweet the prospect of lives to make intercession for you, and He bids for ever standing before the Father in love, as the you to be of good cheer, and to go in peace. May on the carefully-cleaned vehicle. objects of His choice, adoption, and grace ! the Holy Spirit take of these precious things of Christ, and reveal them for much blessing and comfort to your soul.

7. LIBERTY OF SERVICE.-The believer is a servant, because he is a son; and the Lord's service is perfect freedom; for "His yoke is easy, and His burden is light." He serves God as a redeemed sinner and an adopted child, constrained by the love of Christ. He works not for liberty, but as having liberty; not for life, but from life. This is happy service; it flows from a cheerful heart; is wrought by a willing spirit; and is often accompanied with present recompence. There are no cares, no burdens connected with such service; it aims only at one object, namely, to exalt Him who purchased us with His own blood. We see the perfection of service in the work of the perfect Servant on the Cross, and we know that His blood has purged our consciences from dead works to serve the living God,

and to wait for His Son from heaven.

But more than all this. We have liberty to trust in Him at all times; to cast all our care upon Him; to rejoice in the Lord alway; and to pray without ceasing. We can sit by faith at His pierced feet; we can there seek instruction, and hear His word, in the blessed consciousness that those feet at which we sit speak to us of atonement made, and the captive soul set free. We may lean upon His arm, while passing through the wilderness in the happy remembrance that it was once willingly stretched for us on Calvary's cross-once bound to that accursed tree, to make us eternally free. We can rest our way-worn hearts upon His wounded bosom, in

the sweetest assurance that from His side once flowed blood and water-the blessed and certain testimony of the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and of the perfect love and favour of our unchanging God.

As I have said before, all do not realize this liberty in their souls; but it is, nevertheless, the sure portion of those who believe in Jesus for salvation, because it is based on what has been already accomplished; it is liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. The doubting, trembling soul, therefore, need only look to the Cross of Christ, and heartily receive God's own account of the value of that work to be happy; Is there a question therefore in any soul about sin ?-the only remedy is the blood of Christ. If a sense of having broken God's law oppress the heart, look at the blood of His Son. If the fear of death fetter any spirit, the only delivering power is the blood of the Cross. If the soul feels at a distance from God, the only way of

There was a bit of blood,' too, in the shafts

a nearly thorough-bred, and a It is in this "liberty" that the Christian is recent purchase-who, as she passed out exhorted to "stand fast," and to beware of slip- of the yard, and turned down the street, ping from it into any "yoke of bondage." There are many fascinating temptations presented by curvetting gracefully, seemed proud of the adversary to induce us to yield, but we must her master, her trappings, and the trap, "stand fast." Our present peace and strength for the Lord's service are connected with our which was of the lightest possible constanding fast in this liberty. Abiding in Him, we struction, and most fashionable build. shall be strong-strong in faith, giving glory to God; strong in the grace, which is in Christ It was a scene of life-pleasant, happy, Jesus; strong in the Lord, and in the power of joyous life. A handsome young man in His might. Oh, for more of the power and the prime of life, joy sparkling in his communion of the Holy Ghost, to enable us to "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ eyes; and, as he handled 'the ribbons,' hath made us free!" Then the language of every his whip dangling as a useless appendage in the boot, it was evident to the most casual observer, that our friend was in the pride, as well as the prime, of life. It was a scene not easily forgotten.

heart will be,

"My comfort, my rejoicing all shall be,
Christ died and rose! He died and rose for me!
He lives for me! for me He pleads above!
I'm lost in wonder at Immanuel's love!"

But, perhaps, my reader is a stranger to these precious things of Christ. You are serving Satan He was the representative of, and a by your sins, little thinking it is so, because his service is connected with self-indulgence-he partner in, a commercial house of great allows you to fulfil the desires of the flesh and respectability in a neighbouring city. the mind, and that is a sweet morsel to you. But He had been fortunate in large purchases do you ever think that you must give an account of yourself to God? Have you ever considered, of the staple which formed the basis of that because you are God's creature, He is justly his trade-had had what he called ‘a entitled to all your heart, and mind, and strength? Do you not sometimes feel pangs of conscience, lucky journey,'-' done well' everywhere; telling you that all is not right? Do not his future hopes were bright; his prethoughts of death and judgment terrify you? Does it ever occur to you, that the Son of God sent enjoyment great-a wife and child came down from heaven, and in wondrous love dearly loved, a flourishing trade, highly died for such as you are? Have you not heard, again and again, that there is salvation in no respected by his friends, personal and other name-that He is the only door of escape commercial, and as far as this world was from wrath-the only way of admission into glory? Then, will you still be careless, still love concerned, little was needed to add to sin, still choose darkness rather than light, still his cup of bliss:-it was not indeed prefer the bondage of Satan to the liberty of the of the fiery judgment of the Son of man? Oh, advantages, that few, very few men were so Gospel, still rush onward to the glittering sword perfect. Whose is? But such were his my reader, turn ye, turn ye; why will ye die? teeming with earthly good. Our traveller The Gospel yet proclaims liberty for the captives; cleansing for the vilest, blackest sinner; right- went on his journey, and as I watched eousness for the most profligate and filthy; ac-him as he passed my window, his goodceptance and favour with God, for the greatest rebel; yea, for whosoever receives Jesus, the humoured and handsome countenance returning to His presence is by the blood of Saviour whom God hath sent! Can you any lighted up with joy, nodding to me as longer refuse the blessed tidings? Can you any Jesus. If a sluggish feeling seem to hinder our going forward in service, the precious blood of longer go on in hardness of heart against such he said, "Good bye, good bye," I little Christ, apprehended by faith, revives and unheard of love? Will you still be deaf to the thought how soon, how very soon, all strengthens. If darkness becloud the mind, and cries, and groans, and agonies of Christ? a sense of sin lie upon the conscience, com- you still refuse to lift up your eyes to Calvary's this joy and gladness would pass away, munion and peace are restored by confession, and cross, and read, in letters of blood, God's love and how speedily that damask cheek, faith in the blood. "If we confess our sins, He is to sinners? Doth your proud heart still say, faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to will not have Christ Jesus to reign over me? Or crimsoned with health, would be paled cleanse us from all unrighteousness;" for "the do you begin to think of the value of your soul? by death; and how quickly the worms blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us come? Oh, that the Spirit of God might gra- would be feasting, where now a fly may Dear Christian reader, what say you to these ciously fasten these eternally important thoughts not rest. things? Can you rejoice in this blessed liberty upon your conscience, so that the sincere cry of wherewith Christ hath made us free? or are you your heart may befearing, and doubting, and trembling as to your eternal prospects? If so, why is it? Have you not long ago renounced all thoughts of creature righteousness? Have you not long felt that you are a vile sinner before God? Do you not often feel that you are full of uncleanness? Have you not fled to Christ alone for salvation? Do you not renounce every other ground of acceptance

from all sin."

Will

I

and that it is high time to flee from the wrath to

"Just as I am-without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me;
And that thou bid'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God I come.

Just as I am--and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot;
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God I come."

Some two hours after our traveller started on his stage, I mounted my horse with the intention of going to see a dear aged widow, living some six miles off, one of "the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heir of the kingdom." She belonged to Jesus, she was dear to

us."

Let us

Him; He had given His precious blood tures everywhere teach, that salvation is work without hindrance, or without to ransom her soul from the pit. She of the Lord. That God originates, questioning. For "He is wonderful in believed the love that God had for her; carries on, and completes, the glorious counsel, and excellent in working." and, though dwelling alone, and in a most work. Man gets all the benefit, but God Beloved, let us be convinced of the solitary spot, she whiled away the time claims all the glory. This man does not folly of wishing to put man before God in reading and thinking of the love of like, and it takes much inward exercise, in anything, or at any time. God; and, as she had opportunity, speak- much severe discipline, before man will never wish to precede our Maker, but let ing of that wondrous love to whoever yield to be saved fully and freely by grace us meekly follow His leadings, cheerfully had ears to hear, and would stay to listen alone. And yet it must be so; for man submit to His choice, and lovingly acto the tale her soul delighted to dwell must be saved by grace, or not at all. quiesce in His pleasure. In the past, on. She was supplied with the neces- He cannot be saved without an atone- His people testify that He hath done all saries, but had few of the comforts of ment for his sins, and grace must provide things well. At present, all things work this life; and yet her soul was ever that. He cannot be saved without a together for our good. In the future, we springing heavenward, and her song of righteousness to justify his person, and shall have to confess, that goodness and praise was sweeter, far sweeter, than grace must provide that. He cannot be mercy followed us all the days of our mere human sounds; for, indwelt by the saved without the Holy Spirit to sanctify, life. Heartily therefore may we say, Spirit of God, her song was the fruit of and grace must confer that. The first "Thou shalt choose our inheritance for melody in her heart produced by that thought of salvation flowed from grace, Devoutly therefore may we pray, blessed Spirit. the plan of salvation was drawn by grace, "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for the entire provision necessary was made thou art the God of my salvation: on thee by grace. It is a favour from first to do I wait all the day." Gracious Lord, last. God is the author, worker, and give us humbling grace, that we may applier of salvation, and man is the bend our necks to the yoke, and ever favoured, the honoured, the happy re- bow to thy paternal will. Bring our cipient. It is therefore God, not man. wills into sweet and hallowed submission God on the throne, and the creature in to thy will, that both in providence and his proper place, the dust. grace, we may crown thee Lord of all. Help us, with admiring gratitude to rejoice, that thou hast saved us from the wrath to come, by thy free and sovereign. grace; and that thou wilt lead us by thy counsel, and afterward receive us to glory. To thee will we give all the glory of every good thought, holy emotion, and useful work; for all things come of thee, and do what we may, it is of thine own that we give thee. Glory and honour, thanksgiving and power, be ascribed, therefore, unto our God, and the Lamb, for ever. Amen.

Old Margaret was happy indeed, and never did I go to see her without being humbled and instructed by this dear old saint. I had passed the first turnpike on my way to her house, when I was suddenly impressed with a feeling that I ought not to proceed; I knew not why, or wherefore; my opportunities of seeing dear Margaret were but few, and now In the dispensations of Providence, every thing appeared favourable: it was the question is still appearing, "Who is a lovely evening, I was in my saddle, and to be first?" Man thinks that he ought a mile on my way; yet I could not banish to be allowed to choose for himself; but from my mind the conviction that I must if one man ought, then every man ought, return, and without any external reasons, and all would be oppression, confusion, I had internal convictions which I could and misery. No, no; God must rule in not resist; and, turning my horse's head, Providence, as well as in grace. He puts I returned by another way into the city. the question to us often which was put In passing the hotel, which our traveller to Job, "Should it be according to thy had so recently left, I was suddenly hailed mind?" We have liberty enough left us by the landlady, who, running to me, to render us accountable, and keep us exclaimed, "Have you heard what has responsible. Our nature is respected. happened to poor Mr. B-? I don't Our position among creatures is reknow the particulars, but something garded. Nothing that we can justly dreadful has happened, and he is taken to the Infirmary." I dismounted, and was at once on my way there, (To be continued.)

MAN, OR GOD?

BY JAMES SMITH, CHELTENHAM.

"ESCAPE FOR THY LIFE." claim as a right, is ever interfered with. These words were spoken by the angels Yet, God "doeth according to His will to Lot, just before God executed His in the armies of heaven, and among the terrible judgments upon the cities of inhabitants of the earth: none can stay Sodom and Gomorrah. The sin of the His hand, or say unto Him, What doest people had been very grievous, and God thou?" He has appointed our lot. He determined to rain fire and brimstone has arranged the entire plan of our lives, upon them, and overthrow the cities, EVER since Satan suggested to Eve, "ye and He worketh all things after the and all the inhabitants. God testified by shall be as gods," man has wanted to counsel of His own will. He consults His angels that He would do so, and it reign. In the pride of his heart, he first, His own glory; then, the general came to pass. There was no other sign wishes to be first in everything, and good of His creatures; and then, our of the approach of judgment than the considers that his dignity should be individual welfare. Surely, we cannot word of the Lord. We see the same consulted, and that his honour should complain of this! Yet, man is, directly thing in Noah's day. God's word went be sought. This has introduced a con- or indirectly, always finding fault with forth, "I will destroy;" for God saw troversy; for God cannot give up his God's plan, and wishing that he could that the wickedness of man was great in prerogative, and man will not surrender alter God's arrangements. If he might, the earth; and God did destroy every his arrogant claims. he would extract every salutary bitter living creature which He had made In the matter of salvation, the quesfrom his cup, he would remove every from off the face of the earth. Those tion is, "Who is to be first?" Shall God mountain out of his road, he would pre-only that were in the ark were saved. or man have the credit of commencing vent any cloud from crossing his sky. The word of the Lord was the certain the work? Shall it be ascribed to God's And what would he have then? all sicken- testimony of approaching destruction. sovereign grace, or to man's proud free- ing sweets, all burning sunshine, and a But they heeded not God's word. “They will? If to grace, then God has all the dead level for his road. But it must not did eat, they drank, they married wives, glory; if to free-will, then man at least be. God says, "I will work, and who and were given in marriage, until the shares with his Maker. Now the Scrip-shall hinder me?" And He ought to day that Noe entered into the ark, and

the flood came and destroyed them all." Any one who is made sensible of his Gomorrah perished. And all now who In our day, the word of the Lord has danger, and flees to Jesus, He welcomes. obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus gone forth, declaring that judgment is He says, "Him that cometh to me, I will Christ will be punished with everlasting coming. This present world has sinned in no wise cast out." He came into the destruction. How plain this is; but how greatly against God. It stands guilty world to save sinners. He is glorified in solemn! You are already in the place before Him of the crucifixion of Jesus the salvation of one lost sheep. He is where judgment is quickly coming. You His Son. "Ye have taken Jesus, and able to save to the uttermost. His heart are "condemned already," because you by wicked hands have crucified and slain is full of love and tenderness. "Escape have not believed in the only Saviour. Him." Since then, the gospel of redeem- for thy life!" You are unpardoned, unwashed, uning love has been preached unto both If the question be asked, "How shall reconciled, still in your sins. You may Jews and Gentiles, but few comparatively I escape?" We reply-By faith, and not smile, or scoff at these things now; but have believed the report. The world's by any works of your own. The world's by any works of your own. "For by grace you may weep and howl when it will be judgment is certain; and "this is the are ye saved through faith; and that not too late. The people of Sodom and condemnation, that light is come into of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not Gomorrah little thought their doom was the world, and men loved darkness rather of works, lest any man should boast." so near; but judgment came according than light, because their deeds were evil.” | (Eph. ii. 8, 9.) The Holy Spirit leads the to God's word. In the days of Lot, "they The cloud of judgment gathers thicker convicted soul to Christ. Oh, beware of did eat, they drank, they bought, they and darker over this evil world, and the proud unbelieving thought of doing sold, they planted, they builded; but the soon the Lord Jesus will be revealed any thing to make yourself more fit for same day that Lot went out of Sodom, from heaven, in flaming fire taking ven- the Saviour. All that He saves are sinners, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, geance. His word declares this, and it dead in trespasses and sins. No doings and destroyed them all. Even thus shall must soon be fulfilled. Like Sodom and of your own can possibly blot out of God's it be in the day when the Son of Man is Gomorrah, the sentence has gone forth, book of remembrance one past sin; but revealed." (Luke xvii. 28-30.) Oh! my and must be executed; for Jesus says, Christ's blood cleanseth from all sin; and reader, be warned, and "Escape for thy "Behold, I come quickly!" As then, "whosoever believeth in Him shall receive life!" however, until the wrath of God actually remission of sins." All the fitness that came upon the cities of the plain, there Jesus requires, is that you feel yourself a was a door of escape-"Escape for thy lost sinner; for "He came to seek and to life!" so it is now; the gospel of the save that which was lost." Come, then, grace of God is still preached to every dear reader, to Jesus as a lost sinner, and creature, and He will save you; as guilty, and He will pardon you; as filthy, and He will cleanse you; as naked, and He will clothe you in the best robe; as troubled, and He will give you peace; as perfect weakness, and He will strengthen you; as afar off, and He will bring you consciously nigh to God in blessing, through the blood of His cross. "Escape for thy life!"

"While the lamp holds out to burn,

The vilest sinner may return."

If we saw flames of fire extending themselves near the dwelling-house of a friend, and we had reason to fear that he was fast asleep in his bed, would it not be great unkindness not to seek to arouse him, to tell him of his danger, and to bid him escape for his life? I am sure

Should any one say within himself, it would be so judged by every reasonable" When shall I escape?" Our unhesiperson. Such a picture the world now tating reply is-At once! "Behold, now presents; it is slumbering in the arms is the accepted time; behold, now is the of lust and unbelief, and the fiery wrath day of salvation." We know not what a of God is quickly coming. O my reader! day may bring forth. Many have put off I beseech you to ponder well these things, the solemn consideration of their souls for they are of eternal importance. Are till it was too late. Some have been in you not in danger of eternal fire? Are hell, without ever having thought they you not guilty before God? Are you could be so near. The Scripture says, not still of the world? Are you not still "To-day, if ye will hear His voice, harden in your sins-unpardoned, unsaved? Oh, not your hearts." Be ye reconciled. Oh! then, we say to you earnestly and affec- why will ye die? Sickness and death are tionately, "Escape for thy life!" "For all round us, and we know not whose what is a man profited, if he shall gain turn it may be next. Oh! beware of the whole world, and lose his own soul? trifling. Beware of lingering, and of unor, what shall a man give in exchange believing excuses. Eternity is at hand. for his soul?" Jesus is quickly coming. Oh! then, Let not the escape now for thy life.

"Vile, I to the fountain fly;

Perhaps one of my readers may say, "Where shall I escape? The question sun go down, without your falling down is very important; and we reply, that at the feet of Jesus, and crying out in there is but one door of escape-it real earnestness— is, Christ crucified for sinners. "I am the door," said He; "by me, if any man Wash me, Saviour, or I die?" enter in, he shall be saved; neither is Lastly, consider the consequences if there salvation in any other; for there is you do not escape. All who were outside none other name under heaven given the ark in the days of Noah perished. among men whereby we must be saved." | All who did not escape from Sodom and

VERSES BY A CHIMNEY SWEEP.
A CHIMNEY SWEEP-how black the skin,
But blacker far he is within;
This secret then the Sweep doth know,
Though black as hell, he's white as snow.
Water will wash, and cleanse the skin,
But oh! 'tis blood must cleanse within-
That blood which ran on Calv'ry's tree,
Though but a Sweep, 'twas shed for me.
Whilst thro' the street, "Sweep, sweep,” I cry,
There often heaves a secret sigh,-
A smutty Sweep!-but, oh! within
A den of unclean beasts is seen.

Though black indeed, I ofttimes weep
That Christ should own me for His sheep;
And on the cross should bleed and die,
For one so black and vile as I.

What matter it, dear Lord, to me,
Though I a chimney Sweep should be,
If through thy blood, I'm freed from all
The sins that issued from the fall.

A chimney Sweep of low degree,
Yet lov'd by all the sacred Three;
Electing love, what tongue can tell,
Though lov'd by God-deserving hell.
I envy not the rich man's gold,
Since Christ on me hath laid His hold;
There's something that my praises win
'Tis Christ in me, and I in Him!
Though but a Sweep, can I forget
The words that my dear Jesus spoke,
When on the brink of hell I stood?-
"I have redeem'd thee"-Yes, by blood.
'Tis all of grace, the Sweep must say,
That he was led to Christ-"the way:"
If ever one has cause to bless,

Sure 'tis the Sweep through sovereign grace.
In by-gone days with venom full,
I've call'd damnation on my soul;
Then who has greater cause to say,
Christ is the Truth, the Life, the Way?

Let none despise the smutty Sweep,
But rather with him let them weep,
That though by guilt and sin defil'd,
Yet God hath own'd him for His child.

Though black without, 'tis worse within,
Yea, nothing but a mass of sin;
Yet after all I'm white and fair,
More comely than the roses are.
Comely I am through God's dear Son,
Who has on me His robe put on ;
Which makes the Sweep, when led to see,
Ofttimes to cry why me! why me!

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