"More The Lord of his rich mercy grant, that we may live the life, and die the death of the righteous, and that our last end may be like his. For simplicity, solemnity, and faithfulness, the "Puritan Tracts" bid fair to be useful LOOKING UNTO GOD. that the first desire I had breathed for mercy, when flesh and heart fail, to have God for the for many years, arose to God. A last effort strength of our heart, and our portion for ever. having been made to save the ship, I said, al- I know in whom I have believed." most without meaning, 'If this will not do, light, more love, more liberty. Hereafter, I the Lord have mercy upon us.' I was instantly hope, when I shut my eyes on the things of struck with my own words, and as Jehu said time, I shall open them in a better world. once, 'What hast thou to do with peace?' so What a thing it is to live under the shadow of it directly occurred, 'What mercy can there the wings of the Almighty!". - were amongst be for me? The 10th of March is a day ever his dying expressions. His last words were, to be remembered by me. On that day the "I am satisfied with the Lord's will." Lord sent from on high, and delivered me out of deep waters. I reviewed my past life, and thought that there never was nor could be such a sinner as myself, and I concluded that my sins were too great to be forgiven. The scriptures seemed wholly set against me. With fear and impatience, I waited to receive my inevitable doom. After a time, however, there in our days. arose a gleam of hope. I saw in the gospel scheme of salvation at least a 'peradventure,' and gradually my fears were lessened, and my hopes increased. By little and little, the Lord was pleased to discover to me the things that accompany salvation." In speaking of the way in which the Lord is pleased to deal with his children, and of the path along which he leads them, when delivering them from the powers of darkness, and the bondage of Satan's kingdom, Mr. Newton remarks, "All believers walk by the same rule, and mind the same things: the word of God is their compass; Jesus is both their polar star, and their sun of righteousness; their hearts and faces are all Bet Zion-ward. Thus far they are as one body, animated by one spirit; yet their experience, formed upon these common principles, is far from being uniform. Though all are exercised, yet some pass through the voyage of life much more smoothly than others. But he who walketh upon the wings of the wind, and measures the waters in the hollow of his hand,' will not suffer any of those of whom he hath once taken charge, to perish in the storms, though for a season, perhaps, they are ready to give up all hopes." In the year 1764, Mr. Newton was ordained a minister of the Church of England, by Dr. Green, Bishop of Lincoln. He held the curacy of Olney for sixteen years; and was then presented to the living of St. Mary Woolnoth, in London, of which church, he remained the loved, respected, and faithful pastor until his death. A short quotation from a letter he addressed to a student in divinity may serve to show the motives which influenced him in the discharge of his sacred functions. "The converse I have with my people, usually suggests what I am to preach to them, At first, my chief solicitude used to be, what I should find to say: I hope it is now, rather, that I may not speak in vain. For the Lord hath sent me here, not to acquire the character of a ready speaker, but to win souls to Christ, and to edify his people." Mr. Newton died on Monday, the 21st of December, 1807, in the eighty-third year of his age. He did not place much importance upon the particular frame of mind, or degree of devout feeling, indicated at death. Tell me,' he was accustomed to say, "not how the man died, but how he lived." "I have comfort from the word: - - it is a great thing to die; and WHEN tempted by Satan, and covered with grief, woe, "Tis only his grace can our doubts overthrow; And the smile of our God must sweetly appear, Ere our faith can be strong, or our hope can be clear. Yet this faith is oft shrouded, this hope soon. And our foe treads us down, if forsaken by him. is near, Ere your hands can be loosened, your banner unfurl'd, Your face towards Zion, your back to the world. Our light then expiring, and setting our sun; hell? No, God shall still help us, and all will be well. The awful approach of the First and the Last; Throughout the creation-the summons shall To appear at the judgment of God do they end. THE MARVELLOUS CONVERSION OF AN OLD SINNER: BEING, A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF RICHARD BOYT, WHO FOUND MERCY IN HIS NINETY-THIRD YEAR. DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL. -Having read with rejoicing the record in the EARTHEN VESSEL, of the grace of God in gathering home three precious lambs of Jesus' flock in the days of youth- namely, Anna Wells, Joshua Tydeman, and Lawrence J. Smith-I have felt moved to send you a few words concerning one, whose age stands in most beautiful contrast with their youthfulness. Shewing, how our God will have his trophies, not only from all ranks, but from all ages of mankind. If the Lord incline you to give it a place in the magazine for December, I shall be glad. I have for many months wished to publish it. There are some living who know its truth, and will be pleased to see it printed. I am your's in unfeigned love, T. TAYLOR REDMAN, Jun. Ringwood, Hants. "How can a man be born when he is old ?" So enquired Nicodemus. But we will ask, "Is anything too hard for the Lord ?" He has a chosen people; and they shall be brought to him, not only in his own way, but also in his own time-whether it be at ten years old, or at ninety. "If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. viii. 6. "That which I have seen, declare I unto you; and I pray it may be a comfort to some mourning, fearing Zion-seekers. RICHARD BOYT was, I believe, a native of Sturminster Marshall, Dorset-at least, there he lived. He was a labouring man, an old man, a dark man, an illiterate man;-if I remember rightly-hardly able to read. He was a sinner, though he would not know it. But that was no new thing on earth before God. In the autumn of 1851, being at that time ninety two years and six months old, and in good health, he went to live with his son, at Canford Bottom, near Wimborne, Dorset. Poor, worthless I, having at the same time removed to Wimborne, did, in November, 1851, commence Thursday-evening preaching in the house of his son, who was a member of the Baptist church in Wimborne. When the old man heard that I was going to preach there, he said he should go to bed; he did not want to hear preaching. But by much persuasion, he at last consented to hear me the first time. As the Lord helped me, I spake to the people from, "We declare unto you glad tidings," &c.; setting before them God's great love to sinners, in that, having given his beloved Son to die for sins, he had raised him from the dead, an almighty, ever-living Saviour for all who feel their need of him; and what glad tidings these were to all who knew that they were sinners. Before the meeting was over, the old man wept like a child; for the Holy Spirit had sealed the truth fast in his heart; and (as far as any living knew) for the first time in his ninety-two years and a half, he did feel that he was a poor, guilty sinner, needing pardon and salvation; and that Jesus was able to save him. When the people were gone out, I conversed with him a little, and the tears ran down his face, as I endeavoured to tell him more of Jesus, and of his mercy to the broken-hearted sinner who came to him. He seemed overwhelmed as he confessed how he had lived all his days without God, and without any care for his own soul. His son asked if he wished he had gone to bed? But he said, No; he hoped they would meet there again; for he wanted to hear more about Jesus, and to know that there was forgiveness for such an old sinner as himself. And for some days he was in great distress at times, for fear it was too late for him to find mercy. I continued preaching once a week; and if no one else heard to profit, he did. As one alive from the dead he heard, with a soul full of attention and weeping. His son and myself rejoiced to see how anxious he was to hear of Jesus, and how humbled he was under the sense of his own sinfulness. From that time there seemed but two things before him that he was a guilty sinner, deserving no mercy; and that Christ was his only hope of salvation. If ever sinner knew what it was bitterly to mourn over sin, that old man did: and if ever penitent knew what it was to hang wholly and only on the finished work of Christ, truly so did he. His iniquities were made manifest, and he took the shame of them to himself; repentance was given, and he repented in dust and ashes; the spirit of supplication was poured out, and he came with weeping to the mercy seat; Christ was revealed, and he cast himself altogether on Christ. This genuine truth was shewn in him : "Other refuge, have I none,Hangs my helpless soul on thee." Blessed be God he found Christ, and in him a precious Saviour. Though I have read the end of old believers, and though I have talked with saints of long experience, yet never did I meet with one so simply and entirely rested, built, and living on Christ; so utterly cut off from self and self's ways, as was this dear old man in his last days. Ninety-two years and six months, he had lived a heathen dark as midnight never known to have one hour's anxiety about his own state never known to pray one prayer for mercy. His son had often tried to reach his heart in conversation for his son was a man of prayer, and his bowels yearned towards his grey headed parent. But all that he could ever get from him was, "I do the best I can; I dare say that it's all right; I shall get on as well as others." But no sooner had the son brought home to him that precious truth, that 286 DEEP THINGS BROUGHT OUT OF DARKNESS. DEEP old prophet, Jesus is a precious Saviour for perishing sinners, than old things manifestly passed away, THINGS BROUGHT OUT OF DARKNESS. -all things became new. That heart which, for four-score years and twelve, had hardened itself against God, was broken down in a day; That stubborn will, which, all those years, had ruled in strength his whole life, was subdued by the Almighty love of God. He was converted; he became as a little child; and as such, in meekness he received the kingdom of God. I frequently proved him, with enquiries about his hope; and whether he could do anything towards saving himself? But his firm, open-hearted reply always was; "What can I do? If there was anything for me to do, I am sure I must be lost; for I am nothing but a poor, old, guilty sinner. But Christ has done it all for me. He is my Saviour; all my hope is in him, and all I can do, is to look to him." Most heartily did he ascribe it to the grace of God, and to the Holy Spirit, that he was led to seek mercy at last; and said, "that if God had not loved him, if God had not worked in his heart, if God had let him alone, he should have died as he had lived-without repentance, without pardon. men. As for me, I feel myself not worthy of any praise from men. "Praise the Lord, and pay thy vows unto the Most High." I would not seek praise of men. I often hate to hear my own name mentioned by others; and to be called "Reverend," is an offence to me. Every day seemed a year added to his spi- When I was youthful, and merry in the ritual life. Every day he seemed to cleave world, men praised me for many things; and closer to Christ: for with him, the Son was my youthful companions eagerly sought after making a short work on the earth. His time my company; but when I was cut down by was spent in spiritual conversation, or in hear- the sword of justice, killed by the holy law ing the scriptures read, or in private prayer. of God, and raised again by the Spirit of life Often in the night, his son and daughter-in-into newness of life in Christ, to feel his love, law could hear him pouring out his soul to God. It was as if he knew that his end was near. And truly, it was not far off. At the close of December, 1851, about seven weeks after hearing the " glad tidings," he was removed to Sturminster Marshall, (because the parish would not keep him at Canford Bottom, and his son was very poor). At Sturminster, he had no opportunity of hearing the Gospel preached, nor the voices of the saints in prayer. He left Canford Bottom quite broken hearted to think how desolate he would be,—but God had provided some better thing for him. Before January, 1852, was quite past, he gathered up his feet; and his sinless spirit, leaving her old tenement of clay to be rebuilt by the hand of Jesus, rose to the mansions of bliss, for which he had believed in Jesus. Some spiritual persons, (among them, two of his own sons,) who visited him a day or two before he died, were filled with wonder and rejoicing at the power and grace of God displayed in him. They saw, and confessed, as I do this day, "This is the Lord's doing, it is marvellous in our eyes." Thus died in the simplicity of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, RICHARD BOYT, who, in his ninety-third year, found pardon and peace, through the blood of the Lamb. The remembrance of him is still fresh in the hearts of some who knew him in his last days; with them, my soul shall say, Let the Lord go forth in the chariot of his love, and make many such trophies, whether ten years old, or ninety; till all his chosen meet around his throne, to sing, "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood; and hath made us kings and priests unto our God; unto him, be glory and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen, and Amen!" and behold his glory, I soon began to preach the same to my fellow mortals; and, like a weak child, I thought they would be delighted with these things. But O, my sad mistake and disappointment! Few cared to hear anything about my glory in Christ. Some laughed, mocked, and derided me as a crazy man; and since that time, in every place where I have been preaching the life, love and glory of Christ, I have been persecuted in every place, either directly or indirectly; and as my adorable Lord and Redeemer was most fiercely persecuted, by chief priests and pharisees, because he preached against hypocrisy and false gain, so in truth I have met with more persecution from professors of religion, than from all the jolly, merry, non-professing ungodlies. But for the last few years, open, and outward persecution has in some measure ceased; and perhaps some begin to think me too hard to make any impression on; and so their bombardings have slackened; and perhaps they do not think me worth powder and shot, now I am growing old. Nevertheless, the old adversary is very restless, because I sometimes speak against some of his filth and trash, left within the outer walls of our visible city on earth; so that he has endeavored to undermine me in my own house, and blow me up with gunpowder. "bless the Lord, O my soul! he is still my Strong Tower, and Place of Defence: I shall not be greatly moved." Nevertheless, I often have despatches sent to me, to frighten me, the same as they try to frighten children, by saying "the old Poga-man is coming!" Those despatches are anonymous letters, that I frequently receive; some smell rather high But, DEEP THINGS BROUGHT OUT OF DARKNESS. -as if they came from a fox's den; others smell of gunpowder and brimstone, as if they came from the dark cave; but some others appear to be sent to comfort me in my affiction, and smell rather sweet-as if they came from the valley where the rose of Sharon blossoms, and sweet spices grow. Still, I am not fond of anonymous letters of any kind; I had rather they would append their names, whoever send them. And now, it would be too intrusive to cram all I receive into an EARTHEN VESSEL; it might do it an injury. I will here give the substance of two which recently came in nearly at one time. For, as my anonymous communicants give me no opportunity of replying to them, or making my defence, nor of answering them through the post, I hope I shall be granted the privilege of speaking into an EARTHEN VESSEL, which may send its echos into their domiciles, and let them know I am still alive, and in my watch tower, to see what cometh. The following is the substance of two late despatches, with out names. "Reverend Mr. Garrard.-I am surprised and astonished that you can venture to state from your pulpit that the Almighty God hath said certain things which you mention to your hearers from time to time, which are nowhere mentioned in the blessed Wordconversations and announcements, of which no one has any knowledge but yourself. Reverend Mr. Garrard, the Papists themselves never dare go so far as you do. They say that certain angels and saints have said this and that; but they never have been so bold and daring as to put words into the mouth of the eternal Jehovah. Have you forgotten the tremendous word-Rev. xxii. 18-'If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book?' Reverend Mr. Garrard, your sermons are divided into two parts: one part consists in abuse of church ministers; so that you are mocking God's work in God's people, and blaspheming against the Holy Ghost in his people here. Then follows conversations and sayings which you invent, respecting the Almighty. Reverend Mr. Garrard, remember the solemn woes pronounced for such doings-Ez. xiii. 3- Woe to the foolish prophets that follow their own spirits, and have seen nothing. But thus saith the Lord of hosts Hearken not unto the words of these prophets, that prophecy unto you: they make you vain,' &c. Reverend Mr. Garrard, one day you will know better: I pray it may be in time: these things will not do for a dying hour. shall attend your preaching, and you will hear again. Reverend Mr. Garrard, I "A WELL-WISHER TO YOUR SOUL." But now, how can this poor angry man be sincere, or consistent in his prayer? For, if a man hath committed "the great transgression," "the sin unto death," his awful doom is irrevocably sealed. John saith, "There is a sin unto death: I do not say that you pray for it; but we know that whosoever is born of God, doth not sin-viz., not that sin against the Holy Ghost"-the sin unto eternal death. But he that is begotten of 287 God, keepeth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not. Now, Jesus is the only Begotten of the Father, and he kept himself from sin. Satan had nothing in him-therefore could not touch him, to destroy the Divine life in him; neither can he touch, to destroy, that eternal life, in the souls of those who are quickened and born of the eternal Spirit-created anew, and preserved in Christ Jesus; because "their life is hid with Christ in God;" in the Divine Godhead itself; "and that eternal life that was with the Father, was manifested unto us,' and is in the happy souls born of God. Therefore, it seems a very loose and vague expression, to pray that I may be in time; because eternal life in Christ had no beginning in his Divine nature; and he says that he gives eternal life unto his sheep; and that they shall never perish, nor any man pluck them out of his or his Father's hand. And as for the charge that this poor man brings against me, that I have "stated certain things" in my pulpit, which are nowhere stated in the Word of God, such a charge would not be heard in any honorable court among men; because, here I am charged with certain things, and these certain things are not named; neither does this witness against me give his name. Therefore, any honest jury would say, "No bill; it is only a slander; turn the man out of the court.' Therefore, to charge me with blasphemy for speaking occasionally against some Popish errors, when I am expounding the Scriptures -(which are very severe against them)-is not so much like blasphemy, in my opinion, as this poor man's angry anonymous letter. But if the writer will come face to face, 1 will tell him how I was convinced of sin, how I was wounded, and how I was healed; how I was killed, and how I was made alive; how I received the Holy Ghost, and how I received Christ Jesus the Lord in my heartthe hope of glory; how I was called by grace, and how I was called to preach the gospel; and if he be an honest, God-fearing man, or a minister, (I believe he is a minister), it will be only fair and honest for him to give me some account of himself, his experience, and what he knows of these things. وو As for my blasphemy against the Holy Ghost in church ministers, this is quite false. For we that have received the Spirit of truth, "can do nothing against the truth,' but rather for the truth. And the Holy Spirit of truth, in those that are born of the Spirit, never bears witness against himself, nor against the truth in others; but rather against sin and error, either in men of high degree or low degree; and against sin in our own vile nature. The Lord forbid that I should speak against the truth of the gospel, or against any faithful ministers of the gospel. I love all ministers of truth, and the truth in them; but if some men or ministers imbibe Popish errors, contrary to the Word of God, and contend for them, because worldly interest and "provision for the flesh" stand in the way,-it is the error that I speak against, "because no lie is of the truth;" and not against men's precious souls; not the Spirit of God that may be found in them, but rather 288 DEEP THINGS BROUGHT OUT OF DARKNESS. against errors, prevarications, and dissimulations. For when even Peter dissembled, "Paul (nobly) withstood him to the face." I do no more. Now, I would seriously advise this poor man to send me another letter, and subscribe his name, and plainly state the "certain things" which he says I have stated, contrary to the Holy Scriptures; and I humbly and solemnly tell him, that if I am convinced of my error, that I will confess it to him, and in public assembly; and I trust be sorry for my sin, and thank him for pointing it out to me; for I am no infallible Pope, to anathematize him; though-poor man!-he has taken upon himself the Pope's office, to anathematize me. But we are commanded "to bless, and curse not;" and, bless the poor man! I will not curse him, nor do him any harm; though I perceive that he wrote his letter in a taunting and angry mode, and in his own spirit, by his sneeringly calling me "Reverend, Reverend, Reverend,"-a title I take not to myself, nor wish to give it to others. And as for him saying that he should attend my preaching, was only to cover himself under a cloak more obscurely; for not many Reverend clergymen will enter my old chapel, to hear my clumsy preaching. But the Lord knows my heart, that I am not angry with the poor, misguided man; but rather pity his weakness. May the Lord instruct him, bless him, and save his poor soul eternally! Though, indeed, I must think that the poor man is very rash, to charge me with blasphemy, for occasionally speaking against Popish errors, as I attempt to expound the Scriptures. I know that some will say,"When we are at Rome, we must do as the people do at Rome." A woman may say,"Cannot I be a good, virtuous, and honest servant in a b, and be justified in living there, if the situation is very lucrative?" It might be possible; but we should say, she is in rather a suspicious situation, and her honesty and virtue would be suspected. So some may say, "Cannot I be an honest and good servant, and preach the truth, though I conform to some Popish errors ?" I should sav, Friend, you are in rather a suspicious situation; and though it may be possible that you might preach some truth, yet, if you protested against the errors and iniquity practised there, you might lose both your situation and your high wages. For, if the woman is a virtuous and honest servant in a b, she dare not to open her mouth against the errors and iniquities of the place; no more than some persons, who preach some truth, dare open their mouth against some errors which they have sworn to; and if some unregenerate, ungodly men, are daring and bold enough to swear that they are moved by the Holy Ghost to preach the gospel. when it is manifest they are rather moved by their own spirit of pride, idleness, and covetousness, which looks most like blasphemy, think you? and whichis the greatest sin-to testify against these things-or to conform to them for gain? Come, be honest! And are some men daring enough to take infants in their arms, and tell the Almighty that they then "yield him hearty thanks" for regenerating the infant through their sprinkling it-when multitudes prove the contrary in their life and death? I should say, this looks more like attempting to put words into the mouth of the eternal Jehovah," and then taking them out again; and say, the Lord saith, when he hath not said." 66 Again: If some men can take the oath against what is called Simony, which points all ways against buying and selling livings, and then openly buy and sell Church livings by auction, and publish them in the newspapers-which do you think looks most like blasphemy and presumption protesting against these things, or practising them with impunity? And which do you think will be the best for a dying hour? Many ministers have lamented in their dying hour that they have not been honest enough; but none of the martyrs ever regretted speaking against God-dishonouring, Popish errors. I am fearful that I shall be too tedious; but must give the other letter, that came in nearly at the same time:— "Esteemed Friend.-You perhaps may be surprised at receiving these few lines; but I cannot help telling you how inexpressibly thankful I feel that the blessed Lord has led you, of late, more fully to speak of the unsearchable riches of Christ, and the allsufficiency of his atoning blood, which alone is able to administer comfort to the poor tempest-tossed child of God. I know it is the only antidote, both in soul troubles and temporal trials also. For in soul troubles, what can render us any comfort but Jesus? And in temporal trials, also, what comfort is there, only that which runs through that pure channel? Poor, sensible sinners, that are led to see, that in and of themselves they are nothing but sin and misery, yet in Christ they are comely, through the comeliness that he hath put upon them-will they not love to hear him preached? Yes; and the dear ild of God, who can only see men as trees walking,' what can clear their misty sight but Jesus? And those that are afraid to speak of him, lest they should be thought hypocrites, and presumptuous, what can strengthen them but Jesus? And those that are extremely tried, and like poor peevish Jonah, in the whale's belly all the week, what can bring them forth but Jesus? the Lord enable you more and more to preach Jesus, and see the effects following to poor, guilty man, through his atoning blood, is the sincere prayer of your unworthy servant." May The former letter did not oppress my soul in the least; and the latter did not puff me up; though, indeed, I received some little comfort from both. From the former, to believe that I was persecuted for truth and righteousness' sake; and from the latter, to believe that I do not altogether labour in vain ; and I now feel, more than ever I did, a great thirst for the conversion of souls to Christ and their delverance from error; and pray, God that my latter days may be more devoted to his service, and spent more to his glory, in winning souls to Christ. Verily so. Amen. WILLIAM GARRARD. Leicester, Nov. 3, 1854. |