bitterest curse. To the work and the workmen who abide and endure its trial, it will be for blessing and glory and immortality: to the work and the workmen who shrink from and cannot endure its trial, it will be either for an eternal curse, or an eternal loss. IT WILL CONSUME THE BUILDING OF THE " THIEF,"who has been robbing Jesus of His glory and taking it to himself;with all its timber and its stones. IT WILL ENTER INTO THE HOUSE OF THE " FALSE SWEARER"-who has taken the Lord Jesu's name and authority, by which to speak, teach, and build up falsehoods and untruths: it will remain therein only to consume it with the timber and the stones thereof. By the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire must every builder and his work be tried. The unwise, unskilful builder, may be saved as by fire, but he must lose his crown. This is the purgatory reserved for the living members of Christ. On this passage Rome builds her purgatorial superstructure: it is a truth of God misplaced. She has put it between the dead and glory; God places it between the living and glory.

1 Cor. xii., xiii., xiv. chapters. In chapter xii., St. Paul takes in hand to instruct the Church "concerning spiritual things." In verses 4, 5, and 6, He embraces "Spiritual things or Spirituals under three divisions, each having one of the Divine Persons at its head. “There are diversities of (Spiritual) gifts, but the same Spirit; "and there are diversities of (Spiritual) ministries, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of (Spiritual) operations; but it is the same "God which worketh all in all." There are here enumerated Spiritual Gifts, Ministries, and Operations. From verses 7 to 11 He then enumerates a ninefold distinction in the Church's spiritual gifts. In Ephesians, chapter iv., He enumerates the spiritual ministries of the Church under four principal heads, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. In Gal. v., 22, 23, He gives a ninefold enumeration of the Divine fruits, virtues, operations, or effects. Here then is seen, the comprehensive workings of the ONE, HOLY, UNDIVIDED, TRINITY IN UNITY, each undertaking His own share and acting His own part in the glorious work of leading on the Church unto perfection. Who dares to curtail the united fulness of the Divine Working? Who shall dare to make Schisms in the actings of the Holy Trinity? Do you say the Church no longer needs her spiritual gifts and endowments? That they were only for a short time and then ceased for ever? Then you reject Him whose gifts they are! Do you reject the completeness of the ministries of the Lord, or Do you pick and choose among

them? Then you reject Him whose gifts and ministries they are, and set up your own fancy and choice, against His wisdom and superabounding grace! Do you reject the operations, or pretend to set them up in defiance of, or in order to despise the gifts and ministries? Then you are wantonly setting up one part of the actings of the Holy Trinity in the Church, to excuse your folly, neglect, and sin, in the repudiation of the other! In the remaining part of this chapter St. Paul shews, how that the Church is a living corporate unity. That it is composed of many memberships and organs. That each has its own specific grace, office, and function. That all are made for co-operation. That they are not and cannot be independent. That all, and each; yea the least, is necessary. That their functions are Divine; and may not, and cannot, be inverted, changed, or substituted. That all are tempered together; for mutual sympathy, feeling, strength, and weakness. That they are all set in their places and endowed with their appropriate powers and characteristics by God alone; not by the will of man, or any arbitrary choice of their own. That while there is a necessary liberty to each in its proper sphere and vocation,-there is yet a subordination and mutual dependence of one upon another, and of all upon God Almighty;-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. That this is what God has done to prevent Schism-to consolidate unity—and to lead on the whole living, growing body,-by its gifts, ministries, and virtues; unto its glorious consummation. But the wondrous activities of the Holy Trinity in the Church, are only, and can only be, known and experienced by her abiding in the Anointingthe Baptism of the Holy Ghost. By that Baptism, all the members are empowered together,--all are tempered and united together, —in desire, will, and act; and then filled with the fulness of the Divine Love and sympathy.

1 Cor. xiii.—In this chapter the transcendent excellency of the operations, fruits, virtues, or effects, over all the means used for their elaboration, production, and perfect growth-are pointed out. FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE!! These three now abide, and will live and grow as God is allowed to work in the Church. They are the ultimate fruits resulting from all Divine Gifts and minis tries. They are the ultimate within workings of God. They, strictly speaking with their handmaids, constitute HOLINESS. But even among these Divine fruits and operations, one is chief and best ; because indispensable and eternal," The greatest of these is charity;" (Love)—“ which never faileth." But what madman would ever be so

mad as the Church of Christ has become? Under the pretence of valuing and seeking after the fruit, she despises almost all the appointed means for their production and growth. Ah! let her learn, that at least they are childhood's appointed aids and helps,—for training and education, till that which is perfect is come; then, and not till then ;—that which is temporary and in part, may be dispensed with, and done away. But the Anointing,—the Baptism of the Spirit, is the one only source from which all sanctity and power are derived. The Gifts must fail and cease without the ministries. The fruits will never be seen without the unrestrained activity of both the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, must each fulfil their part. Chap. xiv.-"Follow after Love, and desire spiritual gifts, but "rather that ye may prophesy.—He that prophesieth speaketh unto men "to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." As among the fruits and operations Love is best, so among spiritual gifts, all are good, some are better, some are best. Divine, Holy, Catholic Love, is to be followed after and pursued, as the one goal and highest end; but the same Apostle says, "desire spiritual gifts," and again: "covet earnestly the best gifts." Oh let the Robbers of God's people take heed! Dare ye say to the children of God in the face of this Apostolic Command,-which God has never recalled, or cancelled and which therefore no man, no Church, no Bishop, no Synod, nor all Christendom, can make of none effect except through unbelief and sin,—dare ye say, Do not desire spiritual gifts? Dare ye say, Do not covet earnestly, but rather laugh to scorn and blaspheme all exercise of spiritual gifts? As well may ye forbid the Church to Love, as to prophesy. The same God, by the mouth of the same Apostle, commands both. These two commands as to Love and Gifts stand witnessing against us, and they will judge us at the great day of account. For if through our traditions we make void such plain commands—if we believe not the words of Paul and of all the Apostles-if we reject, rather than part with our foregone prejudices,-the Spirit, the scheme, and the letter of all the Holy Scriptures; then depend upon it,-neither would we be persuaded, though we saw one rise from the dead.

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Let us then now call to mind and recapitulate some of the blessed effects of the Baptism of the Spirit before we close this Tract. was her (the Church's) inner force and power; and it manifested its presence by outward beams of bright effulgent glory! It supplied the means for her cleansing and purification! It was her living water, refreshing, comforting, and invigorating! It empowers her with

ability to enter into a co-operating fellowship of all Christ's works, great and small, past, present, and to come! It is her one permanent ever-increasing and Eternal dowry! In this world, it is her Lord's best gift for her comfort and support, while suffering privation, tribulation, and the Cross! It supplies her with Spiritual vision into heaveu and heavenly things, through its unlocked, opened door! In that light, and by that vision, a present manifestation of Christ is granted to her loving obedience! By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Father and the Son take up their abode in her, for closest fellowship and communion! By that Divine presence, she is taught all things and put in continual remembrance of all Christ's words and ways! In the power of that Baptism the twofold witness of Apostles and Prophets is alone a living reality! Infidels and Devils are convicted and reproved by the light and power thereof! It provides the Church with ability to hear-and the Lord Jesus with power to say—all that is in His heart, at all times! In the practical possession of that Baptism, guidance into all truth, becomes a living fact, not a sentimental theory! The Sacraments and mysteries of God's kingdom are only unveiled and discerned in the Spirit; carnality, rationalism, and mysticism, as to their instrumentality, vitality, and power, are the effects of the quenching of the Holy Ghost! It is the one and only source and bond of true living Catholic Unity! It confirms, stablishes, and strengthens faith, and vivifies hope! It empowers the Church to suffer the Crucifixion of her flesh to sin, and the world! It is the one fountain of power from which all gifts are derived, and in which they are rightly used, and effectually exercised! It is the seal and confirmation of faith, and the first-fruits and earnest of Hope! It will be the test by which all the works and buildings of Christ's ministers will be tried! The Church's gifts are quenched, her ministry maimed, palsied, and powerless-and her inner virtues hindered in their growth and manifestation, without it! In one word, UNITY, SANCTITY, CATHOLICITY, AND APOSTOLICITY, are mere traditions, dreams, and airy unsubstantial vapours, tantalizing our imagination; while the Baptism of the Holy Ghost remains a gift-of which the Church has no present practical knowledge, experience, and enjoyment.

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THE

CRY IN THE DESERT:

OR,

EARNEST WORDS OF WARNING ADDRESSED TO A SLUMBERING CHURCH, TO KNOW THE DAY OF HER VISITATION, AND TO PREPARE TO MEET HER GOD.

A MONTHLY TRACT.

VII.

THE EFFECTS OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON THE CHURCH, IN HOLINESS AND POWER,-IN GRACE AND GIFTS.

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2 Cor. i. 21, 22.-" Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath Anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." The effects and consequences here attributed to the Baptism of the Holy Ghost,are fourfold. It " STABLISHES Apostles; and together with them, all Saints-" in Christ." It was God's gracious provision to prevent the Church from fluctuating and shifting about,-with all the constant changes to which this present evil world is subject. The Baptism of the Spirit was as the vital chain by means of which she was enabled to cast ancher on, and link herself into, Christ within the veil; and so to ride in calmness, security, and peace, above all those upheavings, and restless fluctuations, of which “the troubled sea" of this wicked world is the ever-changing scene,until she shall strike her harp upon that undisturbed and peaceful sea of glass," which is before the throne of Jehovah, in the