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Whom having not seen we love.
I WILL love thee, all my treasure!
I will love thee, all my strength!
I will love thee without measure,
And will love thee right at length.
I will love thee, Light Divine,
Till I die and find thee mine!

Alas, that I so lately knew thee,

Thee, so worthy of the best;
Nor sooner turned to view thee,

Truest good, and only rest!
The more I love, I mourn the more
That I did not love before!

grace, not law, gives life and peace, and produces see that the Law of ten commandments is of God, of men shall be made low, and the Lord alone godly walk and conduct. Grace brings life to and acknowledge its just claims upon them; they shall be exalted in that day." Now Christ calls the dead in trespasses and sins: "I am come," also own that God should be worshipped, and chief-sinners, and cleanseth the blackest, foulest said Jesus, "that they might have life, and that His ordinances attended to. They are conscious sins, with His precious blood; but then He will they might have it more abundantly." Or, as is of having sinned, but hope, by redoubling their judge righteously, and put all enemies under His elsewhere expressed, "None eye pitied thee, to efforts, to attain to some fitness for God. Some- feet. May God the Holy Ghost solemnly imhave compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast times they are well pleased with their progress, press these truths on many hearts! out to the loathing of thy person, in the day that and at other times, the sense of guilt almost thou wast born. And when I passed by thee, overwhelms them. Endeavouring to come up to and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said an imaginary standard of holiness, they live unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, LIVE! somewhere between hope and despair, only they yea, I said unto thee, when in thy blood, LIVE!" are astonished that others can speak with conIt is life, everlasting life, the soul receives; not fidence of their peace with God, and acceptance by doing, but by believing; not as a future ex-in Christ. Dear Reader! if such is your expepectation, but as a present blessing: "He that rience, allow us to say, that you do right in lieveth on me hath everlasting life;""whoso acknowledging the Law, and all its stern deesteth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath mands; but it is better to confess your guilt as a eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last transgressor, than go on trying to patch up the day.' This life is Christ in us, and we in old garment. O look at once to Christ crucified; Him: "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh behold Him as the Substitute God provided to my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in Him." As fulfil the Law for you, to bear all its penalties, we have before seen, grace, not law, is also the and give you an everlasting righteousness, in sole ground of peace with God: for He hath which you can stand justified from all things made peace through the blood of His Cross. Hence before Him. You need not hesitate, for God has the order of the apostolic writings is not peace given you free permission to come, because He and grace, but grace and peace-"grace unto says, "Christ is the end of the Law for rightyou and peace be multipled." Those only have eousness to every one that believeth." Thus rethe enjoyment of peace with God, who are look-nouncing your own righteousness, and simply ing simply to the grace of God to us in the death believing what God has done in Christ, you will and resurrection of Christ. Many sincere souls have peace with God, and will be able to say,— have not peace, because they are looking within for it instead of to Christ. Believing the grace "How long beneath the Law I lay, of God, we also bring forth the blessed fruits of righteousness, and are led by the Spirit to be imitators of Christ, hence the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in us; and more too, because in following Christ we obey more than the Law, though not under it as Law. The practical Christian does not break the Law, he loves and serves both God and his neighbour. He also follows Jesus inside the rent vail, and worships known peace, and once tasted the blessed liberty There is another class of persons who have the Father as standing in grace, and accepted in of the Gospel, but they did not know the deep the Son of His love. He claims not an eye for "God's Last Stroke!" an eye, or a tooth for a tooth, but returns bless-importance of trying everything by the Scripditions of men, and were persuaded to consider At length they were spoiled by the tra- THOMAS J was for the last three work of Christ by way of making their salvait necessary to add something to the finished years well known to the writer as a quiet tion more secure, which they little suspected and humble follower of Jesus, a good overturned the great doctrine of justification by husband, a kind and indulgent father, and faith, and struck at the root of true Christian

ing for cursing, and loves his enemies. Thus more than the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in those who walk after the Spirit, for their aim is to exalt Christ, and follow Him who has redeemed them with His own blood, fulfilled the Law for them, delivered them from condemnation, and given them eternal life.

"Rebels, we broke our Maker's laws;

of God.

He from the threat'ning set us freeBore the full vengeance on the Cross, And nail'd the curses to the tree."

tures.

In bondage and distress;

I toil'd the precepts to obey,
But toil'd without success.

"To see the Law by Christ fulfill'd,
And hear His pard'ning voice,
Changes a slave into a child,
And duty into choice."

I will praise thee, Sun of Glory!

For thy beams have gladness brought;
I will praise thee, will adore thee,
For the light I vainly sought!
Thou art come my soul to cheer,
Shine, eternal Sunbeam, there.

I will love, in joy and sorrow!
Crowning joy! will love thee well;
I will love to-day, to-morrow,
While I in this body dwell!

I will love thee, Light Divine,
Till I die and find thee mine.

peace and joy. At last, prayer became irksome, a ready friend to all. On Saturday, the Scriptures lost their interest, their sense of January 28th, 1860, he arose apparently the liberty of the Gospel declined, and, instead

of quiet confidence, bondage, perplexity, and in his usual health at one o'clock he fear possessed them, until they doubted their

Besides this, we have a higher character of interest in Christ altogether. They departed complained of a pain in his head, which righteousness than if we had perfectly obeyed from the simplicity of Christ, made a law of continued to increase, till medical aid the Law, because Christ Himself is our righteous-something, and got under it, though it might not ness-He is made of God unto us righteousness. have been exactly the law of Moses. This was was sought. Turning to his wife, he said, It is more than legal righteousness imputed to the Galatian error, a type, we fear, of a wide-"It is not a fit, my dear, but GOD'S LAST us. it is divine "the righteousness of God which spread evil in the present day, when many, inis by faith." Thus giving us a standing of com- stead of growing in grace, have turned from STROKE." His dear wife begged him to pleteness before God, a nearness to Himself that the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them nothing could have given but the sovereign grace free, and become entangled again with a yoke of think of Jesus; when he replied, while a bondage. If any who read these pages feel that sweet smile lighted up his countenance, this describes their case, we earnestly exhort such to turn at once to God, acknowledge your "Oh, that is all right, all right, my dear; folly to Him, and earnestly pray, that by the I know I am safe; He will not deceive power of the Holy Ghost, you may have Christ so revealed to you, through the Scriptures, in me." After he had remained quiet a all His fulness, fitness, and offices, as to draw few moments, he said, "The end of all your soul out after Him, and make you so realize the perpetual efficacy of His finished and all-prevailing work, as to give you renewed rest and peace, and fill you with abhorrence at having thought of adding ordinances, or anything else, to make your salvation more secure.

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earthly things has come,-good-byegood-bye;" and then, without a struggle, groan, or sigh, he breathed his last.

4. Let us now notice some POINTS OF CONTRAST BETWEEN THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL. 1. The Law kept persons at a distance from God. At Sinai, the people were commanded "not to go up, or touch the border of it; whosoever toucheth the Mount shall be surely put to death." The Gospel is a message of glad tidings of great joy:" it preaches "forgiveness of sins," invites en "to come and take the water of life freely," and brings the far off nigh to God by the blood of Jesus. 2. The Law said, do and live; the Gospel says, believe and live; "I give unto them eternal life." 3. The Law demanded righteous- There are others, alas! how many, who seem Such, my dear reader, was the end of ness from man to God in the way of works; the not exercised either about the Law or the Gospel. a christian; his death was sudden, but Gospel brings righteousness from God to man in Their thoughts and ways have no reference to glorious, for through Jesus he was usherthe way of faith. 4. The Law required man to God. They are without God, therefore speak love God perfectly; the Gospel proclaims God's and act as if there were no God, and are con- ed into sudden glory. If you were now "perfect love" to man in his guilt and ruin. "God sequently alike indifferent about His holy Law called upon to die, would death to you be cominendeth His love toward us, in that while we as His gracious Gospel. The world, either in were yet sinners Christ died for us." 5. The reference to its business, cares, or pleasures, is gain? If you, as a sinner, are trusting Law spoke of remembrance of sin without remis- the all-engrossing topic of conversation, and the in Jesus for salvation, it will be so: but sion; the Gospel gives full remission without any great attraction of their hearts; and the elevaremembrance.

"Their sins and their iniquities tion of man, instead of God, one of the most if you have not fled to Christ for refuge,
death to you will be an immediate en-
trance to eternal misery. Fly then at
once to the dear wounds of Jesus, and
then you shall be able to meet death
with a smile, and say, "All right, all
right."

will I remember no more." 6. The Law made powerful means of giving energy and force to
nothing perfect; the Gospel declares that Christ their abilities. However, the time is drawing
has, " by His one offering, perfected for ever them near when Christ Himself will be revealed as
that are sanctified."
We might enlarge, but the only Potentate to whom everything must
be brought into subjection; when all those who
now despise His laws, and reject His blessed
Gospel, though perhaps prospering in the world,
will be made to feel that He who once died on
Calvary's Cross is Lord of all; for "the loftiness
of men shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness

this is enough to shew how wide the contrast is
between law and grace, and how important it
must be to "rightly divide the word of truth."
5. In applying the points we have considered,
we may notice, first, a class of persons who, for
lack of clear gospel light, have not peace. They

Kingston.

T. W. MEDHURST.

The Saviour's Prize.

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What! do you still declare there must

tittle of the law-then gave Himself a Not long ago I heard of a young person sacrifice for sin, and hung upon that be something more; some works required who was seeking to propitiate Jesus, and shameful cross, till with delight He could from you, before He will forgive? No, by some merit of her own, to move Him declare that he had finished all. Ah, no, my friend; the Covenant is made to have mercy on her soul. She felt yes! the work was done the price was with CHRIST alone; He has fulfilled herself a sinner, and longed to get to paid-His work fulfilled! and when He His work, and now He sits at God's right heaven; she knew the blood of Christ rose again, with joy He entered heaven, hand, and there receives the recompense alone could cleanse from sin, but thought with His own blood, to claim the recomshe must commend herself to Him before pense of all His toil. He would forgive.

of all His sorrow here. That recompense is sinners' souls. He has the great Before His Father's throne He stood! delight of pardoning sin; and, with exI believe that this is no uncommon His work was owned complete! No flawulting joy, can break the chains of every case, and so would turn to you, my friend, no blemish could be found! all, all was one that cries to Him! and if you are still a stranger to the pure, without one spot-one stain; and peace which Jesus gives, would ask you He has gained the right of saving sinful if her case in any way resembles yours? man! There on His throne He sits, and May be you think to prove you are calls poor sinners nigh! Each one who worthy of eternal life; at least deserve comes to Him, He freely, fully saves! it more than those around. You know He claims them as the purchase of His you have deeply sinned, and all your life blood--asserts His right to pardon all have turned away from God, and only their sins, and plucks them out of Satan's cared to please yourself; but still you iron grasp? think you are not so bad as most, and pride yourself on this and that; you hope in days to come to lead a better life, and trust, by prayer and penitence, to gain an interest in the Saviour's love.

But oh, my friend, you make a great mistake. You do not understand the holiness of God. He cannot treat your sin as if it were a little thing; he must have compensation for it all. Atonement. must be made; and if you cannot satisfy the claims of God yourself, you must obtain a substitute; or else be cast into the lake of fire. And can you answer His demands? Can you blot out the past, and make amendment for it all? Can you in days to come abstain from sin, and lead a perfect, holy life? No, no, indeed! this is not possible for you! your very nature is unclean, and sin is mixed with all you do. Then can you find a substitute? Will men or angels do? can they fulfil your work? can they atone for sin? Ah, no! and vainly may you search for one to take your place, and set you free from wrath.

And think you that this precious Saviour seeks for worthy ones? that He picks out the best, or else the truly contrite ones, and only pardons them? Does He require some little spark of goodness from the souls he saves? Ah, no! for that would bring in room to boast; there would be merit mixed with God's free grace, and so it would be no more grace. But, no! when God sent forth His Son to save, He laid the work on Him alone; and He, by right, has power to pardon every one who comes to Him. If aught were asked from you, it would prove His work was not complete. Salvation is the prize for which He toiled and bled! He gave His life to purchase pardon for the lost and guilty ones; He fully paid the price, and now He freely saves each one that comes to Him!

Then do not trample on His precious blood; do not declare it is not enough to save your soul; and seek by works of yours to gain favour in His eyes. Ah, no! no tears, no groans, can ever merit mercy from His hand! you must be saved by grace alone! Then listen to this glo. rious news! yea, listen with a joyful heart; and come this very day to Jesus' Believe His power and blessed feet.

willingness to save, and trust your guilty,

worthless soul to Him!

The Death of a young Sister, in
Devonshire.

THE following touching and simple nar-
rative of the death of a dear young
Christian, about 17 years old, who had
been previously, I believe, a trembling
believer, was communicated to an inti-
mate friend, by her tenderly attached
Christian brother, whose devoted love to
Christ had been greatly blest to her. The
letter was a private one, but I thought it
so encouraging, and such a proof of the
faithful love of the Good Shepherd to
His dear lambs, in carrying them ten-
derly in His arms through the Jordan,
that I earnestly begged permission to
copy it, and send it to the Evangelist for
insertion.

Then is it not insulting Him, to come with something in your hand as compensation for this precious gift, for which I could see that the dear girl was near He shed His blood? Could works of her end, so I read to her, and prayed and yours have saved your soul, would He talked with her. Her state of mind was have died? Ah, no! for were it possible acute, and tolerably cheerful, and bent for you to keep God's holy law, no Saviour on her departure to heaven. The poor would have come. little thing felt growing worse and worse,

But see! the blessed Saviour comes! the very and eternal God! He lays His glory by He gives Himself to be the And now, what will you do? How and at times was asking if she might not sinner's friend to bear his punishment! will you treat this One, who by His death be deceiving herself as to the state of O wondrous, wondrous love! He came has gained the right of saving you? Will her soul. She, however, fully trusted in unasked-unsought! He came to bear you resist His love, and turn away, and God, and to everything she answered, the rebel's doom, and save the rebel's perish in your sins! Oh, no! be not "Not my will, but God's will be done." soul! He came to save His enemies! so mad, but come at once, and cast your- I found her sister had been reading to the ones who spurned His grace-de- self before His face. Look up, and own her again the sweet hymn you had sent spised His love, and cast His laws behind yourself a lost and guilty wretch-con- her, "Abide with me." At about ten, I fess His power to save, and trust yourself went to bed; at eleven, Mary called me. with all your sins to Him. On my entering, she had whispered to Would He reject or cast you off? Mary that she heard a voice, which said Would He refuse to hear your cry, or bid to her, "Henceforth there is laid up for you first repent and mend your ways? you a crown of glory;" and then, as if by No, no! but with delight would claim a super-human power, she raised her you as His own, would hold you as the purchase of His precious blood, and use His own Almighty power, to keep you safe from Satan's hand!

their back!

And why was this? O whence this rich amazing grace? It had its birth-place in the boundless love of God. He saw us wretched, ruined, and undone; condemned to perish evermore, and without power to save ourselves; and so in richest grace He sent His Son!

That precious Saviour came! He did the work required-fulfilled each jot and

voice, before so weak, and in most pierc ing tones, and most ecstatic vehemence, begun to exult in a beautiful strain of praise to God for His goodness. She

said she saw Christ smiling on her, and she saw harpers harping with their harps, and that the glory which was enveloping her soul's eyes, as the film on her earthly eyes, was increasing, and beyond utterance. She exclaimed, "What love, that a poor sinner like me should be so blest as to be filled with such joy?" "Oh," she said, "what is my suffering to this joy? What is the whole world to this bliss? 'Oh, the pain, the bliss of dying."" said,

"Hark, they whisper! angels say, Sister spirit, come away!"

I

for our iniquities: the chastisement of meaning, "Which things the angels desire our peace was upon Him: and with His to look into." stripes we are healed. All we like sheep It is as we view the Cross, in relation to have gone astray; we have turned every sinners saved by sovereign grace, that its one to his own way; and the Lord glories, with unsurpassed brilliancy, strike hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." our eye. The Cross of Christ, to the "Twas love to sinners; unparalleled love saints, is the centre of unity; there is no to rebel man, that moved Jesus thus to fighting, no quarrelling there, for there suffer; thus to bear the most excruciating all are one. The Cross of Christ is the pain; thus to suffer a lingering departure; believer's centre of attraction: their thus to pour out His soul unto death. standard is Johovah-nissi, the Lord my Pause awhile, dear reader, and ask, was banner. The Cross of Christ is the love like this ever seen before? See, in saint's weapon against hell; with it he this Cross of Jesus, the grand doctrine is able to drive back all foes. By She continued the idea, and in most of the atonement fully declared. Man gazing on the Cross, we lose our sins lovely and eloquent language, such as I has sinned, he has broken God's law, he and sorrows, our pains and grief. 'Tis never heard before, she praised God, and has revolted from the Creator's authority, our only hope, and will never make its exulted like a spirit from another world- he has defied justice, and trampled the possessor ashamed. "Tis our only guide like a released soul-like the song of an holy law under foot. For this, man is to the celestial city. 'Tis our helm, by angel; and there came a shower of bless-under condemnation, under the curse, which our vessel is steered through the ings from her lips, falling like a torrent and is only awaiting the execution of the on me. Oh, I shed tears while I write last dread sentence-death. But, behold, Turning to Mary, she said, "Tell mercy steps into the sinner's place; Jesus your little ones the story of my death. becomes the sinner's substitute; Jesus, Oh, tell them the tale of Bessy's last who knew no sin, is made sin for us, that hours." Oh! they were such prayers for we might be made the righteousness of all who had been kind to her. For some God in Him. Jesus, who is coequal and she prayed that they might think of their coeternal with His Father, makes Him souls, and be turned to God. She spoke self of no reputation, becomes a servant, solemnly and affectionately to the servant, and, as such, magnifies the law, and warning her of her backsliding, which manifests its honour and glory. Jesus Now, my fellow-sinner, what are your she had heard of; and, oh, so sweetly and voluntarily becomes a curse-places thoughts concerning the Cross of Christ? kindly too, which brought bursts of tears himself under condemnation-satisfies Some there are who think nothing of it; from the poor girl. From that time she justice, pays His people's debt to the their attention is never fixed on anything said she had no pain, her soul's joy over- uttermost farthing, and dies that they higher than present good. Be not you came all, and after a long battling of her may have life more abundantly. And like unto such, or fearful may be your frame against death, calmly, collectedly, now, through the atonement, a way is doom. Without the death of the Cross, and devotedly, she rested her hand on opened whereby the sinner may find there could have been no salvation for Mary's breast, and her soul was wafted salvation. Dear reader, art thou walking sinners; and without faith in Him who by angels to God, who gave it. This is therein? no fine writing of mine-no fiction; but they are plain, unvarnished facts.

it.

The Cross of Christ.

BY T. W. MEDHURST, KINGSTON-ON-THAMES.

billows of life. "Tis our anchor, both sure and steadfast, which entereth into that within the veil. Romanists wear the cross outside, Christians wear it inside, even in their hearts. 'Tis this which constitutes their true beauty. 'Tis this which enables them to joy in tribulation. Yea, 'tis the unburdened pillar of their confidence, even Christ formed in the heart the hope of glory.

hung on that Cross, there can be no salvation for you. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. Look unto Jesus, and you shall have peace. Fly to the dear wounds of Jesus, there shall you find happiness. Imagine not that you need either works or feelings, ere you can go to Jesus. You need none; go just as you are, a poor, lost, perishing sinner. Jesus commands you, as a sinner, to believe the gospel record of salvation, through the shedding of His

The Cross of Christ, when viewed in relation to God the Father, declares to man the great and glorious fact, that "God is love." Jesus' death was not the cause, but the effect of the Father's love. THE religion of the Cross is the only Jesus died, not to make God love us, but religion which will stand the test of a to remove the obstacle which we, by our dying hour. In that solemn period of sin, had placed in the way of that love. time all else will appear as lighter than God, as the Moral Governor of the univanity. This religion is not a systen of verse, must be just. His love devised the philosophy, nor a system of morals, but death of the Cross, in order that, while a grand, a glorious scheme, whereby justice had her full claims, mercy might blood; that command is your warrant for God can be just and yet the justifier of be able to rescue the offender. Now, going at once to Jesus. Good works the ungodly. The true Cross is often poor sinner, the Father is satisfied with and right feelings come as the result of used to express the trials, sorrows, and the death of Jesus on the Cross; wilt pardon, not as the cause; they will be duties of the Christian life. thou not be satisfied too? Wilt thou the effect following an application to Viewing the Cross of Christ, as it ap- not at once take Jesus for thy salvation, Jesus. But nowhere in the Scriptures pears in relation to Christ Himself, we see and trust in Him alone? Oh, do not are you instructed to wait for works and it to be the most shameful of all deaths; refuse, but at once call on the name of feelings, before you go to Jesus. Look none but slaves, or captives taken in war, the Lord and be saved. Look unto to Christ Jesus as you are. Believe in were crucified; and yet Jesus, on behalf Jesus, and receive pardon, full and free, Christ, just as you are; then shall you of lost and ruined man, despised the for all thy sins, past, present, and future. have an experience of inward joy, and shame. Christ Jesus died as a criminal, Oh, turn unto Jesus, for He is full of power to perform good works. Poor while He was perfectly free from all sin. tender mercy, and boundless compassion. sinner, hang all thy hopes for mercy on He died as the great substitute for His Viewing the Cross, in relation to angels, the Cross of Christ Jesus alone; for 'tis people's transgressions. "He was wounded we find them gazing on it as a living only at the Cross of Calvary God waits for our transgressions; He was bruised mystery, anxious to fathom its hidden to receive you. Your plea, that God is

merciful, is a vain plea, unless you are for justification,) is the reward not reckoned deep down in the secret of that man's soul

seeking mercy through the blood shed for the remission of sins. At the Cross of Christ, God is full of mercy; but out of Christ, and apart from Christ's death, God is a consuming fire. You cannot be pardoned, unless the law is honoured, and justice is satisfied; therefore I conjure you to look away from self, from sin, from the world, from all, to Jesus, who is the only Saviour, and the ONLY WAY to happiness and peace. From the mount of Calvary, O hear the sweet invitation of grace

"Love's redeeming work is done, Come and welcome, sinner, come." Come! just as you are. Come, now. Come, naked. Come, trembling. Come, vile. Come, needy. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

To the Memory of John Badcock.

BY GARDENER.

BENEATH this shady evergreen
Thy ashes rest in peace,
'Till the archangel's voice be heard,
And time and death shall cease.
Oh, while I stood above thy grave,
And gazed upon thy face,

My soul could soar above the world,
And reach thy heavenly place.

I saw thee bow before His throne,
Whose love inspired thee here;
Whose praise was in thy parting sigh,
To whom thy death was dear.
Although, my brother, we can feel
We must thy loss deplore;
We know thy heart has gained its end,
And longs for nothing more.

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Are you a

Then

moral man resting on your morality? Then
you are not resting on Christ alone. Are you
a careless man, yet when the gospel is pro-
claimed to you in its simplicity, immediately
begin to be shocked at such statements as
calculated to lead to licentiousness?
let me tell you, that a deceived heart has
turned you aside; you know not Christ. Are
you a sinful man, feeling your sinfulness,
humbled before God, and feeling alive to your
dangerous condition? then I would say to
you, thank God and take courage; to you is
the word of this salvation sent; for such as
you did Jesus shed His blood. The gospel
in its fulness and freeness, the gospel pro-
claiming salvation for the lost through the
atoning death of Christ, is that which alone
can satisfy and pacify you; but that can do
it: it is
the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth." (Rom. i. 16.)
Trust in this blood of atonement, and you will
prove in your own experience peace with God,
and peace in your own conscience, as the
happy result. May the Holy Spirit lead and
teach you for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

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of grace (ie., as a free-gift), but of debt. who trusts in Christ there is a well of living But to him that worketh not, but believeth water, springing up into everlasting life," (Jno. iv. 14,) and that he cannot help being praction him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith cally holy, because he has a root of holiness is counted for righteousness." (Rom. iv. 3, within him. Yes, indeed, let all who name 4, 5.) Again, "knowing that a man is not the name of Christ, remember that without justified by the works of the law, but by the holiness, no man shall see the Lord, (Heb. faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed xii. 14.) be his profession never so sound. in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by But this root of holiness, "Christ in you the the faith of Christ, and not by the works of hope of the glory," (Col. i. 27,) the natural the law: for by the works of the law shall man receiveth not. The educated philosophy no flesh be justified." (Gal. ii. 16; see also of Greece could not discern it; nor will the Eph. ii. 8.) "For by grace are ye saved" social science" of England ever lead to it. through faith; and that not of yourselves: Let then the wise of this world, of every it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any degree, hearken to the refined and educated man should boast. For we are his workman- apostle-"Let no man deceive himself. If ship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, any man among you seemeth to be wise in which God hath before ordained that we this world, let him become a fool, that he should walk in them." may be wise" (1 Cor. iii. 18); and when he is The fact is, He brings all men, of every brought down to the feet of Jesus, clothed degree, high and low, gentle and simple, and in his right mind, he will be competent full of so-called "religious duties," or de-are, but never before. educated or uneducated, moral or immoral, to speak of what the gospel and its claims spisers of them, to one common level, and tells Reader, how is it with you? us that "when we were yet without strength, (then is man's impotency,) in due time Christ died for the ungodly," (here is our moral standing before God as men,) and thence shews us that if we expect salvation, we must be content to take the place of the impotent and ungodly, and accept salvation as a beggar accepts an alms. It is quite plain, therefore, that the loftiness of man must be bowed down, and his haughtiness made low, before such terms of salvation will be acceptable to him. Oh, what shifts a man is put to, to make himself out a "religious character!" and how he will greedily catch at the fall of some religious professor, that so he may have an excuse for treating vital godliness as cant and hypocrisy, never dreaming that his own so-called Christian name stamps him as a hyprocrite, if he is not what that name implies. What think you, my reader, of this? Are you a working man? Then let me tell you that there is as much stiff-necked pride in the cottage as in the palace, and unless you are humbled before God for your rebellion against Him, you will never know salvation; but if you be a gentleman, so-called, or lady either, and moral withal, and strict observer of the rites of your "He blots them all out." church, and bountiful to the poor, all this will profit you nothing, unless Christ himself be "I KNOW that I am a sinner" is a sentence known and trusted in; and never is He trusted which often passes from the lips of some in until all our own religious shifts, evasions, whose hearts are not moved under the searchand false confidences are snatched from us and ing eye of a holy God. These feel not the renounced. burden of sin compelling them to confess, So much for the foundation of a sinner's" Behold, I am vile." (Job xl. 4.) hope; but when once a sinful man is brought Reader, are you saying, peace, peace, when to depend simply and singly on the blood of there is no peace? There are others to whom atonement for the remission, that is, for the the blessed Spirit has given just views of sin, present forgiveness of sins" (see Col. i. 14), therefore they hate evil, strive to live apart and not merely to say that he depends thereon, from an ungodly world; having a desire to then we find the same apostle insisting that love and serve God. They know not any such an one so saved, (for a believer in Jesus other way of being saved from eternal death. IS saved, (see John iii. 36, v. 24,) should be than through the work and dying of the Lord "careful to maintain good works." (Titus iii. Jesus Christ, feeling assured that all who are 8.) In our worldly transactions we fully re- found in Him, washed in His blood, clothed cognize and act on this principle, that is, we in His righteousness, and sanctified by His own that a tree must live, in order to, or Spirit are made meet for glory. Rejoice in before it can, bear fruit; an infant must be the Lord" is the exhortation, and yet how born before it will cry for food; the foundation frequently are some of the Lord's children of a house must be laid before the edifice can looking into self, poring over their fallen nabe erected; the steam must be got up before ture, and thus from day to day disquieted in the engine will work; but the self-righteous- their minds by thoughts of themselves, inness of man, fostered as it is by the religious stead of having the soul "filled with joy profession which is made in this country, and peace in believing." Such poor doubtrefuses to take the place of an ungodly sinner, ing saints would do well to listen to what the other foundation and to accept salvation as God's gift; and, Lord says: "I have loved thee with an evercan no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus although possibly living without much con- lasting love, therefore with loving kindness Christ," (1 Cor. iii. 11,) a statement which cern for the glory of God, he begins to profess have I drawn thee." (Jer. xxxi. 3.) Nor are excludes all man's boasting in his own works; a profound jealousy for good works, and the proofs wanting of the love of the eternal be they his "religious duties," so called, his declares that such a gospel as Paul really Son, for He left for a while His residence in prayers, tears, morality, or benevolence; and preached, and as I have proved that he glory, came out from the Father's bosom, and he distinctly says, that "Abraham believed God, preached, would only lead to licentiousness. down in this lower world He partook of flesh and it was counted unto him for righteous- Religion, to a mere professor, lies in what he and blood, and "poured out His soul unto ness." Now, to him that worketh (that is, can see and do; he has no conception that death" as a sin-offering; thus shedding His

Thou wouldst not part with what thou hast,
For worlds of wealth and fame;
Or change for anything on earth,
Thy new and heavenly name.
And I can say with every word,

While grief and fear pass by;
Yea, blessed, blessed, are the dead,
Who in their Saviour die!

And a deep prayer was in my heart,
As by thy grave I stood;

Oh that my soul may have with thine,
A holy brotherhood.

The same glad witness for the change
That shall shake off this clay,
And hear me through the gates of death,
To realms of endless day.
There, amid scenes of heavenly joy,
From all temptations free;
My happy soul with all her powers
Shall serve her God with thee.
To Him who loved us we shall look,
Who died, our souls to save;
Who bore our sin and misery,

And triumphed o'er our grave.

The Foundation of a Sinner's
Hope.
WHEN the Apostle Paul was laying the
foundation of the sinner's hope, he peremptorily

insisted on the fact that

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most precious blood to purge away all our lieve. Now, my friends, in professing to be-nity, yet the warning doth make but little iniquities.

"Alas! we own, with conscious shame,
While we behold the Cross,

Our sins have slain the guiltless Lamb,
He suffer'd all for us.

But hence our confidence begins,
For we may boldly say,

That thus by bearing all our sins
He took them all away."

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If we walk in the

Some time since I visited an aged man who was ill in bed. He seemed glad to hear the Word read, for he could not read. He spoke of his ignorance, and told me that he believed "the Lord was telling him things." "I am a sinner," he said, but "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." At one part of our conversation, when I was speaking to him of "original and actual sin," he made use of this expression, "He blots them all out." Well, I thought, "The Lord knoweth them that are His," and if this poor man is a believer in Jesus, his sins, which are many, are "forgiven." Jesus says to the members of His body," Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you." (John XV. 3.) The apostle says, light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." The believer is lifted up out of the depths of pollution, made clean through the blood of Jesus, and gloriously decked in the robe of His righteousness. In this life every want is supplied out of the riches of His grace, and hereafter there will be a full share of the riches of His glory. Poor doubting saint! look not upon your many spots, but gaze on the spotless Jesus. Sprinkled with His precious blood, the Lord beholds you as His chosen one, and says, "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee." And such you will remain before the presence of His glory, through the countless ages of eternity. Oh! dwell upon the wondrous love of Jesus: "He who knew no sin, became sin for us," and by the sacrifice of Himself, brought in an everlasting righteousness.

one with another, and the blood of Jesus

My dear reader! if you have not been quickened into spiritual life, you understand none of these precious truths. May the Lord awaken you, for if you continue to follow the father of lies, you must die in your sins, and perish for ever. Perhaps you apprehend danger as to the future; therefore, before laying down my pen, I must give you the words of Jesus: God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John iii. 16.) 、 E. P.

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souls of poor sinners, any visible desire to seek God's love in Christ. Although life and death are placed before them, yet they choose death eternal, rather than life eternal in Christ.

lieve this Gospel, you concede all I urge; for impression on those left behind; and if we
the Gospel, which you say you believe, pro- look around, we cannot trace, in the dark
claims to you that very thing which you own
would afford you peace, if you only knew it
was the case, for it proclaims to you the for-
giveness of sins, that is, the remission, the
putting away of sins, by the death of Christ.
Now, I affirm, that if you believed this, be-
cause God says it, you would be at peace;
and thus am I warranted in saying, that peace
is necessarily connected with believing.

if

If, then, you have not peace, it must be
because, after all, you do not believe God!
You don't like this; you would rather be
told that your earnest desires to know and
follow Christ, your love for His people, your
zeal for His cause, your hatred of evil, yea,
your very fears and doubts, were a sure sign
of your being a child of God, than to be told
that do not believe in God! But, I affirm,
you
you
did believe Him, you would be at
peace; you have said so yourself, it is not I
that accuse you.
You have owned, that if
would be at peace; and when God tells you
you believed
your sins were forgiven, you
that forgiveness of sins is by the blood of
Christ, (by the blood once shed, and not BY
your believing, any more than by your doing.)
you do not believe Him, for if you did believe
Him, you would be at peace. You have said
so yourself, and you were warranted in saying
for God says that he that believeth the
Gospel is saved! In this way the jailor rea-
lized salvation, so did the Eunuch (Acts
viii. and xvi.); and so will you, when you
cease from your own works, and are content
to be saved in God's way.

So,

66

"Clean every whit," thou saidst it, Lord,
Shall one suspicion lurk?
Thine, surely, is a faithful word,

You say that you desire we may be found God's faithful servants, watching for souls: but oh, let us watch ourselves too; how arduous is this great task.

I feel how unable I am to keep myself from falling, in an unguarded moment, to cling to my Christ, my all; and even at best, I daily grieve over my short comings. Oh, may God still keep me, His poor failing Jacob; He has promised He will never leave us, nor forsake us, until He has done all He has said He will do, and He cannot lie.

I am glad to hear you say that there are many people of God at A-: this is indeed great encouragement to a poor saved sinner like me, saved only by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

as unto a

I began to flag like the prophet Elijah, and say, I am here at cave to lodge; and saying unto the Lord, "I am very jealous for thy great name, for almost all Israel, (thinking but few excep

tions,) have forsaken the covenant, and thrown down God's altar, and they are slaying the Prophets with the sword, and I, even I only am left, and they seek my life to take it away." But, thank God, He hath reserved some that have not bowed the knee to Baal.

And now, before I conclude, let me direct your every thought to the wondrous work of God in Christ, in saving sinners. God has taken pains to detail elaborately in the word of truth His ways and actings for the joy and comfort of our souls, wherein we may read ourselves, and see, also, that we are entirely shut up to grace; and having come to that, let nothing separate our souls from the enjoyment of this love; as the whole depends. not on ourselves, but on sovereign grace, therefore, let us lean on what God is for us, and not on what we are for God.

And thine a finished work. Ah! but you will say-for I know the shifts which unbelief is put to, under the pretence of knowing the truth-you are overthrowing the Spirit's work, and hurrying God's work. My dear deceived friend, hearken to me. If you want to honour the Spirit, you will honour Christ; he that looks to Christ, is the one who gives the surest evidence of his The moment our souls are brought to God honouring the Spirit, who was sent to glorify in Christ, we find that Christ has more than Christ, and not to lead you to look into your-overcome in love, and put away all the evil of self for grounds of peace; and as to hurrying ourselves, bringing His love into our souls. God's work in the heart and conscience of the sinner, let me tell you, that He hath given to us His word to deal with, and that word will be a swift witness against the unbelief of all who, hearing of Christ, do not TRUST Him. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him receiveth the remission of sins." (Acts Peace in Believing. x. 43.) Our translation, in giving the future PEACE is inseparably connected with believing. tense, "shall receive," puts remission of sins I mean to say, not merely that he who be-off, as a known and enjoyed blessing, to some lieves in Jesus ought to have peace, but that he will be at peace with God in his own conscience who does believe His word. Now this may seem a hard saying to some; but let me put this question to such: If you believed that your sins were forgiven, would you not be at peace? O yes, certainly, say you. Then let me ask another question. Do you believe the Gospel? Well, your answer will be, I must own that I do. Yes, you must own this, or your complaints would be sheer hypocrisy; for it is not for a moment to be supposed, that he who does not believe can, by

indefinite period: but the remission of sins is
an accomplished fact by the death of Christ.
TRUST HIM, and remission of sins will be
an enjoyed blessing in your own soul, what-
ever man or devil may say to the contrary.
"Oh! what licence to sin!" do I hear some
Pharisee exclaim. But let all Pharisees know
that Christ is the way to holiness of living,
and not holiness of living the way to Christ.

CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER 5.

DEAR S——,—I am glad to hear that you any possibility, be at peace, except that false are all quite well. You say you have been to peace in which the multitude are lulled to A-, since I saw you. I hope that your visit sleep. Your case, however, is far different there has not only been morally good, but from theirs; you are alive to your need; you has also been the cause and means of spiridread a false peace; you know that true peace tual blessing to immortal souls. can only be realized in the knowledge of the How loudly doth God our Heavenly Father truth. Now, Jesus is truth, and Jesus is speak to us through the mercies He daily bepeace, and Jesus, the truth and peace, is stoweth on us, and do you not feel how slow preached to you in the Gospel, as having by of heart we are to return Him praise? still Himself, i. e., by the sacrifice of Himself, put His mercy fails not. Day after day, God is away sin; and this Gospel you say you be- calling one after another from time into eter

Oh, the ways, purposes, counsels, and power of God for man can never fail, for where sin abounded, grace has indeed much more abounded. May the Lord give us understanding, a divine understanding, of all His thoughts and ways; may we not let our thoughts run out after the world, that knows not God, nor the hidden mystery, which He reveals only to those who love Him; but may our souls be taken up more with God Himself, in all these things, because precious, and valuable to Him, they should be precious and valuable to us, as the various parts which make up the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our united love to you all. Believe me ever, yours in Christ Jesus.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

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