THE

GOSPEL MAGAZINE.

VOL. III.-No. I.

Of a FIFTH SERIES, for JANUARY, 1838.

"In doctrine shewing uncorruptness."

"Beware yeof the leaven of the Pharisees which is Hypocrisy.” "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday to-day and for ever. Whom to know is life

eternal."

ADDRESS TO THE CHURCH OF GOD FOR THE YEAR 1838.

To the Church of God, chosen by God the Father, redeemed by God the Son, and sanctified by God the Holy Ghost, as the portion, bride, and temple, of the Triune Jehovah, grace, mercy, and peace, be multiplied.

Beloved, I have felt it important to address you in these eventful times, relative to the common salvation in which all the election of grace are alike interested; and which the enemies of God and man have in these days so generally perverted. I rejoice that there is even now a remnant, according to the election of grace; who have not defiled their garments with the Babylonish idolatry, and carnal corruption of the free-will system, but who stand forth with the most unflinching boldness to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, wearing reproach, the reproach of Christ, as their distinguishing ornament-their livery as servants of God-their medal of honour as soldiers of the cross. The opening of a new year demands of us some new effort to glorify his precious name who has done so much, yea, who has done every thing for us, and who has a claim upon our lives, our talents, our all, as his own, to be employed in promoting his glory. The slaves of Satan, religious and irreligious, are combining all their energies to oppose the truth, and to support the traditions of men, which make void the commandment of God; we are therefore bound, by the most solemn obligations to Jesus, and to each other, to unite in the holy bond of Christian fellowship to disseminate those precious doctrines which are every where spoken against; and to minister consolation and help to all whom grace divine has conquered whom blood divine has ransomed — and

VOL. III.-No. I.

B

whom love divine has distinguished from everlasting as the family of God.

I beseech you, brethren, to endeavour to forget whether you are Episcopalians, Independents, or Baptists, and to remember that you are members one of another, as well as members of one common Head. Let us maintain, as tenaciously as possible, our distinction from the world, especially from the religious world; but let us, who are born of God, bear in mind that the spiritual Church of God is but one, and though at present all the children of God are not agreed in minor points, yet they are all alike interested in the Father's love, in the Saviour's blood, and in the Spirit's grace, and consequently should be one in heart. Surely, beloved, the difference is not so great between any of us, as it is between us and the world? We may differ from each other in the size of our buttons, but we differ from the world in the quality of our robes, for ours is the robe of righteousness, but theirs are filthy rags; we may differ from one another in modes of worship, while one is our master even Christ; but we differ from the world in essential service; for we serve the Lord Christ, but they serve their old master the Devil. Then let us preserve our high and holy distinction from the world, and endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

Papists, Infidels, and Nominal Protestants, are all agreed to oppose us; the war is between carnality and spirituality, and I see not how we are to be delivered from the most cruel and bloody persecution in this land, unless God grants us that union of interest in each other's welfare, which shall prevent our biting and devouring one another, and constrain us to make common cause against the common foe. If Ephraim ceases to envy Judah, and Judah ceases to vex Ephraim, then they may together fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines, and overcome the world. And why should it not be so? There is really nothing worth contending for but vital godliness, all else is shell, this only is kernel; and the shell will soon be broken, and sown in corruption; but that life of God in the soul, which originated in covenant love, is secured in covenant responsibility, and communicated by covenant ministration, is deathless and eternal. Let this, then, be the principle of union among the people of God, and it may thebe said of the Church of old, as that she is "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners."

Say ye not a confederacy with all those who would say a confederacy, neither be ye confederate; for all association of the Church of God with the world is unscriptural, degrading, and injurious. If David will join his little band of soldiers with the Philistines against Israel, he must not wonder if his Ziklag is burned. If Jehoshophat will join in affinity with Ahab, he may expect to be a mark for Assyrian archers; and if the Lord's people in these days will make a league with earnal professors, and be confederate with the worst enemies of Christ, such as Arians, Socinians, and Free-willers, their allegiance

to their king must be suspected, their soul prosperity must suffer, and their very name and character must thereby be degraded.

But let us, my brethren, who have sworn allegiance to king Jesus, and enlisted under the banner of truth, having felt the power of that truth in our souls, avoid all such contaminating, God-dishonouring affinity, as high treason against our Sovereign, and as the number of "good soldiers of Jesus Christ" is but small, let us stand together in the conflict, and not suffer our ranks to be broken, because the facings of our regimentals may a little vary. Our banner is truth, inscribed covenant love, atoning blood, and invincible grace; and if this banner be unfurled, it will be sure to distinguish us from all the motley group of carnal professors, and provoke their hostility against us. This makes it the more important, that men of truth, though of different regiments, should be one in heart, and helpers one of another, preferring the honour of Jesus, to their own little petty distinctions.

The true spirit of Christian fellowship is, I fear, but little known among us; it is derived only from the covenant Head, and if we had more of the spirit of Christ, we should certainly be more separated from the world, and more united with each other, for he that loves God, must love his brother also, 1 John, iv. 21. We have, my brethren, a personal interest in each other's welfare; so much so, that one member of the mystical body of Christ cannot suffer without the whole body being affected thereby; every soldier that falls in the field of battle weakens the army; one sickly child in a family calls for the sympathy of the whole household; the smallest member of the body in pain affects the whole system; even so, every real believer in Jesus is connected with the w ole body the Church, and with Christ the Head, and the spiritual health and prosperity of each is an essential part of the welfare of the whole; nor can one of the little ones who believe in Jesus be injured without injuring the body and offending the Head.

If, then, I may be permitted to offer a word of advice to the whole household of faith, I would say with the affectionate John, and I trust moved by the same spirit, beloved, let us love one another. The authority of Jesus enjoins this, and we are pledged to bow to his authority. "These things I command you, (said Jesus) that ye love one another." We are not of the world, even as he is not of the world, therefore the world hateth us, and we ought not to marvel at this; but we, who are chosen out of the world, and loved with the sovereign love of God, ought also to love one another, and that with pure hearts fervently.

To my brethren in the ministry of every name I would just say, Peace be to you, I mean those whom God has put into the ministry, having qualified them by the teachings of his Holy Spirit to publish the glad tidings of salvation, full, free, and finished, as it was settled in the council of peace, as it was accomplished by the doing and dying of the Mediator, who stood surety and substitute for his Church, and as it is applied by the Holy Ghost to the hearts of all the elect. To all

such I offer the right hand of fellowship, intreating them, in the name of the Lord, not to be jealous or envious of one another; but to co-operate with each other, and rally round the standard of the cross, regardless of human distinctions, and zealous only that Jesus may be glorified-truth promulgated-and the royal family of king Jesus be fed, nourished, and kept distinct from the world, according to the prayer of their divine and glorious Master, John xvii. 15. That Jehovah Father, Son, and Spirit, may be glorified in us, and by us.

MESSRS. EDitors,

000

JOSEPH IRONS.

For the Gospel Magazine.

A LAST WORD IN 1837.

THE Word of God speaks of three states of spiritual believers. I would consider the states of three classes of spiritual writers. But there are spiritual writings by talented writers who are not spiritual; and there are spiritual writers without natural talent; there are, also, those who are both spiritual and talented. It is the gradations of the Spirit taught only, that have come under considera. tion in the following remarks.

The young spiritual believers write from present experience only, and more from experience than knowledge; frequently from the impulse of the moment, and excited feelings, which often lead to false opinions; fanciful views of scripture are taken up, which a matured judgment, and a better acquaintance with the holy writings, condemn; there is an enthusiastic desire for the salvation of every soul, and high thoughts of what they shall be able to effect. This simple earnestness is pleasing, as it proves their having been brought to know the value of a soul; still the "genuine lispings" of a babe of grace will be instructive to their equals, as also those of larger and of smaller growth, and cannot fail to delight and interest the aged.

The more advanced believers write, with greater soberness, a clearer knowledge of the Word, and of themselves; more settled in the Truth; more expanded views of the plan of salvation, and of the wisdom of God; enthusiasm is become a sober zeal, and having been again and again disappointed of effecting the salvation of souls, which they had made sure of, they begin to leave the sinner more with God the Spirit, and turn to the household of faith. Having learned a little more of the mystery of iniquity within, they are compelled to come out of self and to rest entirely on the Saviour for peace and joy; depending more on the Spirit's teaching, their views become clearer, the light brighter, and they are enabled to advise and instruct the young, and assist the elders, in helping on many a weary and distressed pilgrim on their way.

The elders write under the remembrance of the past experience of the young, in the soberness of the advanced, and with a judgment and wisdom acquired in the race. The sinners they leave to the Father, being persuaded, that those for whom the Son died cannot be lost; and that the Spirit must and will do his work ;-thus acting on the faith they profess. Their anxious care, then, is for those who have been brought to the light-who are travelling the same road-journeying to the same land; they can enter into the experience of every stage; there is a word for each class; a feeling of tenderness for the young of the flock; cherishing and supporting, patient with, and making allowances for, them: wisely giving that instruction which is suitable,-not forcing strong meat upon those who can only digest milk; encouraging the timid, conforting the distressed, warning the bold and high-minded, judgment to detect errors, and faithfulness to reprove, knowledge to comfort the gainsayers, and firmness to stand unmoved in the front of the battle; grasping, with a supernatural power, the shield of faith, so as to receive all the arrows of the adversary, which fall at their feet and are trampled upon in holy triumph, to the honour of Him whom they serve.

There is a continual feast for those who feel and prize the heights and depths of the glorious gospel of Christ. The reciprocity of experience-firmness of faith-clearness of apprehending the deep things of God, delight their equals in stature; expands the understanding-renovates the soul-and invigorates the divine life. The much they have in retrospect, benefits the many, the LITTLE they have in prospect few can comprehend ;-but that little future is worth all the past. The glorious anticipation of the joys to come, diffuses a holy brightness over all their words;-feeling themselves to be on the verge of eternity, gives a solidity and so lemnity to all their ideas; and the entire trust upon a merciful Redeemer, who has kept them all their journey through, imparts a cheerfulness, to which every heart must respond, and an encouragement to all, to press forward in the same glorious hope, being "buckled up" in the same invincible armour; and inciting them to pray, that they also, when the harness is put off, may be able to boast of having fought a good fight, finished their course, kept the faith, looking for that crown which the Lord will give to all who love his appearing.

Fellow-travellers, let us endeavour to know ourselves, and make self application for the profit of our souls.

The young, with fervent thanksgiving to the God of all grace that they have been brought to the light, and are in any way permitted to work in the vineyard; leaving the things that are behind, and pressing forward ;-knowing they do not run uncertainly as one that beateth the air; for the prize of their high calling is certain, being in Christ Jesus their Lori.