set God always before his face, that he may be at his hand in every time of danger, so that he may not be greatly removed. Thus Paul sets us a race to run, and tells us to run it, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.' And, as God has promised to keep that men in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him, and has commanded every believer to walk in Christ Jesus the Lord as they received him,' I believe those Christians who take him as he has revealed himself to them, 'the way, the truth, and the life,' will be found to be the best observers of the law in the end; unless we suppose that union with Christ, and a sense of pardoning love, destroys good works. However, as the Lord is the root and stock of every real Christian, union and communion with him is the only way for the tree to be made good;' and Truth has said, that if the tree be good, the fruit will be good also." We would just detain the reader to observe, that the six volumes here presented to the public, do, in the execution, considerable credit to the publisher, which must have been attended with much labour and expence, as also anxiety of mind. If our commendation could be of avail, we should rejoice to hear that there was a speedy demand for the whole impression. POETRY. To the Editors of the Gospel Magazine. MESSRS. EDITORS, I SEND you a few devotional aspirations, which I think for holy fervour and spiritual breathing, cannot be excelled. They were written by an extraordinary female 150 years since, possessed of genius and talents of the most exalted description; and though she has been deemed by a Montgomery as an enthusiast, properly to be passed over, it would have been happy for him had he possessed some of those sparks from that heavenly flame which glowed in that dear woman's bosom: his productions would have been more fervent and more consistent. St. Leonard's Farm, Cambridgeshire, Oct. 14, 1838. ASPIRATION I. My great Redeemer lives! I know he lives! My record is on high, and the blest Spirit 4 I AMICUS. ! 7 I yield my glad assent; triumphant hope, I must, I will rejoice; 'tis God himself And heav'n and earth look gay; while all the clouds Ye pow'rs of darkness, where are all your threats? But who condemns, when God does justify? ASPIRATION II. Where are the boasts of nature? where its pride, But oh! let not my crimes recorded stand Thou righteous judge; for who can answer thee? Whose dwelling is with flesh ? If thou shouldst pry But if thou pardon the unnu score, The glory will be thine, whose clemency Can know no bounds; for thou art uncontroul'd, But thy own perfect nature limits thee. I sink, this empty shadow pays thee homage, I am but vanity; this is my share; I am content; be thou alone advanc'd! O do not strictly mark my num'rous crimes, Act thou up to th' heights of grace divine, ASPIRATION III. When will the journey end? this weary race, This tedious pilgrimage of life be o'er? 'Tis guilt, 'tis error, shades and darkness all! And I shall stumble, fall, and be undone; But thou canst break the snare ; and hitherto Thou know'st my folly, impotence and guilt, My nobler pow'rs; how when my rising thoughts O bring my soul from this detested prison, ASPIRATION IV. The hour must come, the last important hour, Nor let the king of terrors wear a frown, When all the springs of life are running low, Then may the cordials of eternal love Then let him smile, whose gentle smiles could cheer Forget me not in that important hour; Then let the sun of righteousness arise ELIZABETH ROWE, INEFFECTUAL AND EFFECTUAL PRAYER CONTRASTED. Cossey. Not the long dead routine, however quaint, Who dare approach with his vain sacrifice. In vain he tries to pay the dreadful debt His off'ring is a curse, an idol blest, That idol is himself-of nothing worth: Such vain oblations stink, denounc'd swine's broth. The Pharisee thus stood, to boast, not pray, A righteousness his own, his service pay, Himself his altar, great high priest and Lord. Internal anguish harrow'd up his soul, Discover'd all the wounds and bruises there; Each blood-bought saint, each quicken'd soul, Such prayers oft are heard—the angels stand— Proves them accepted in the Father's ears! Take courage then, ye tried and sin opprest, He hears, though but in sighs, the troubled breast- Say, who then despairs, howe'er impure, Since Christ can heal and speak the cleansing word: And triumphs o'er a captive bought with blood. The living only feel-'tis they who cry- A HEWER OF WOOD. Ancient Manifestations, continued, 66, 280 Anecdote, C. Calling in of the Jews, a calcula- tion on......... 580 389 ......... 42 583 28 45 152 Card to correspondents.... the state of............... 298 226, 267, 372 393 Day, a retrospective view of one... 391 582 50 65 597 E. 136 ...... 111 ..... 378 152 Efficiency of God, displayed 537 ...... Bride, honouring the bridegroom 493 Bridegroom, his voice. Burial ground scene ... man History |