particular instance, recommend the theatre; but it was not the theatre, but the words, the pit, that proved to be so useful.

There is indeed a great variety of means by which the Lord is pleased to awaken the dead; yet the Bible is the chief instrument; and the Lord has and does magnify his word above all other things. If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, and wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way but by taking heed thereto, according to the word of him whom to know is life eternal; and as to the circumstances of the lady and the pit, it may be true, or it may not be true. I believe the majority of these tales are nothing bnt old wives' fables, for all the wonderful conversions which will not bear the test of the word of truth, are of the flesh, and will end in the flesh.

Mnason says that preaching up Reprobation as a doctrine, may harden hypocrites, and distress the Lord's little ones. If hypocrites are enraged at the truth of God, even so as to seek our destruction (Luke iv. 29.) the truth is not to be kept back, nor its advocates to be blamed. Shall we

ask mortal men whether or not we are to believe, receive, and contend for God's eternal truth? The fear of men in these matters, bringeth a snare in these matters fear none but God.

But Reprobation, Mnason says, may distress the little ones. Well, so it may, but it is much better that their senses be exercised, that they may discern both good and evil, than to remain ignorant of the truth as it is in Jesus; every one who is born of God is made honest to his own soul, and dreads the thought of being in any way deluded. He wishes to be searched to the very bottom of his heart, that he may not stop either in false doctrines or false experience;

and the more they are cut up, tried, and baffled by the law, the doctrine of Reprobation, their own nature, the world and the devil, the more they know of the deep waters, the more they will prize the promises and provisions of mercy. The religion of the many, consists in being saved before they are lost, healed before they are wounded, made alive before they are killed, justified before they are condemned, and saints before they are sinners: if truth distress the little ones, let it distress them until it pushes them to their wits end, and they have no other alteruative but to make Christ their all in all. This is what they must come to, and all that contributes to this end is profitable.

Now then, my good Mnason, having shewn yon the meaning of the word doctrine, having taken from you the two children, and given you Jacob and Esau in their stead, having brought you from the theatre, disencumbered you of the lady and the pit, and shewn that the doctrine of Reprobation is profitable. I shall conclude with a word of expostulation, and it is this,-should the watchmen and the workmen, on the walls of Zion, be sleepy or lazy, thoughtless or careless, or compromise with the thieves of the night, or allow Sanballat, or Tobiah, or any one else to alter the laws of the city; and when they bring their freewill wares, Neh. xiii. should not the citizens shut the gates against them, seeing the true sabbath Christ Jesus is come, and we that believe enter into rest. Every thing needed is to be found in the city: we must carry nothing out, and must bring nothing in but persons.

JASON.

EXTRACT FAOM A SERMON, On Isaian xxxv. 5, 6, Preached at Pitcombe Church, Somersetshire, April 21, 1839, by Rev. JOHN DAWSON, Curate.

GLORIOUS things are spoken of the

church of Christ in the last days; the whole of this chapter refers to the effects produced by the preaching of the gospel. We are not to attach any virtue or merit to the means, but look through them to a superior power: the gospel is a dead letter unless applied by the Holy Ghost. This promise was literally fulfilled in the days of Christ; he opened the eyes of the blind, and caused the lame to leap as an hart. All these miracles that he wrought on the body, were figurative of the effects produced upon the soul; it is this spiritual work that the Lord carries on in the souls of his regenerate family. The gospel is made the power of God to call the election of grace out of the state they are in by nature. What is implied in our text? that all by nature are blind, they cannot see their ruined condition by the fall; deaf, they cannot hear the sweetness of the gospel sound; lame, they cannot proceed one step towards God; dumb, they cannot sing the Lord's praises spiritually. They are in a helpless state, but what a mercy that when the set time to favour Zion is come, the Lord gives his redeemed ones eyes to see things spiritually in his light, to behold by the eye of faith the glory of a triune Jehovah in their salvation; ears to hear the soul-reviving sound of the gospel; he causes them to leap for joy, and mount upon the wings of love; tongues to sing the wonders of redeeming love and pardoning grace. These are some of the effects the gospel produces, when brought home to the hearts of the elect by the power of the Holy Ghost. He gives them to see that there is a great similarity in the experience of God's children, as it regards the power of grace on their hearts; each one can say, Whereas I was once blind, now I see."

If we trace the windings of divine grace in the soul, it may be compared to a river, which sends out of its

channel a multitude of little streams, that are all the same in quality, which flow to every part of the redeemed church; wherever they reach they give life.

This river does not diminish, it flows from an inexhaustible fountain. The natural affections of the heaven-born soul are put into a different channel. The believer knows that his sins are taken away by the precious blood of Christ.

Each will have his

If we go on to trace the wonderful effects that the gospel will ultimately produce, it shall be preached unto all the world, whether they will receive it or not. Its effects will be seen to all eternity: each of the redeemed will appear a monument of rich, free, sovereign, distinguishing grace and mercy, At the second coming of Christ he will raise the millions of the sleeping bodies of the saints from the tomb, they shall hear his blessed voice and sing for joy, part in that glorious state; this is the consolation of the church. If we are true believers we shall be anxiously looking forward to those things. The time will soon pass away, the Lord will not forsake his Israel in the last trying hour, but will carry them through Jordan, and land them safe on the celestial shore, to sing the song for ever new of Moses and the Lamb, through the countless ages of eternity. It becomes us to inquire if we have experienced the effects mentioned in the text, as produced by the gospel? Is is not by human attainments or exertions, it is beyond nature; not by might or by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord.

LITERARY NOTICE.

Mr. Wells' Sermon, announced as entitled "the Decrees of God," is just published, entitled "Predestination, relative to those whose names are written, and to those not written in the Book of Life." 12mo. 6d.

Rev. B, Isaac, of Hackney, has a Sermon in the press, on occasion of the Death of a Female, who was struck blind while disturbing him when preaching in the Mile End Road.

Election, a Doctrine Clearly Revealed in Scripture, A Sermon, by Charles Brake. 12mo. pp. 34, London, Palmer and Son,

THIS author has been before the public with several previous works, which have made his name known and esteemed; nor will the present sermon tend to lessen that esteem. Mr. Brake has not sought to astonish, by climbing up higher than the scrip ture warrant; nor has he by the glare of pompous diction, endeavoured to persuade men into a belief of the doctrine he exhibits. It is a well written discourse, and as the first of an intended series on some of the fundamental doctrines of the gospel, is calculated for the edification of the church.

The text is selected from Romans ix. 11, That the purpose of God according to election might stand:" which is discussed under three leading particulars—first, the author gives a short exposition of the history of the text, as involving the doctrine of divine sovereignty; secondly, he considers the words of the text as presenting the great doctrine of election; and he concludes with observations to meet objections.

The brief space into which we are compelled by the length of our first article to circumscribe our review department, prevents our giving any extract, which we should otherwise have done; but we have said enough to induce many of our readers to possess themselves of it, and we do not think they will regret the purchase.

The Weaned Child Putting his Hand on the Cockatrice' Den. By Gad Southall. 12mo. pp. 60.

THIS well-written pamphlet appears to have originated, from a sort of boastful challenge on the part of the

Wesleyans at Nottingham, as to the impossibility of successfully replying to the Checks to Antinomianism' some time ago published by Fletcher of Madely. Mr. Southall correctly says, that so far from this being a difficult task, it was an easy and a pleasant one; and armed with the simple sling and the stone of God's truth, our young author has mantully put to the rout the sophistries of this Goliath of free-will. Our readers will peruse the tract with much interest, and it may by the divine blessing be a means of rescuing some of the Lord's little ones from the fetters and snares of those who lie in wait to deceive.

Bible Story Book. By Bourne Hall Draper. Third and Fourth Scries, in one vol. 16mo. pp. 254. London, Darton and Clarke.

THE amazing extent of the sale of the two former series of the " Bible Story Book," must have afforded indeed sufficient encouragement to the author for the issue of this volume, which is intended for more advanced readers. At the end of each narrative some questions are added, which will no doubt be found useful to parents and teachers. Mr. Draper has, in his numerous publications, so clearly shewn his capabilities of adapting his writings to the infantile and youthful mind, that any laudation from us would be quite superfluous. The volume is tastefully got up, and embellished with several illustrative engravings.

Indecision, a Tale, Founded on Fact. By Anti-Mammon. 16mo. PP, 60.

THE Outward attire and illustrative decorations of this tale are its chief merits. merits. As a narrative it possesses but little to attract, and the moral is but very feebly developed.

THE LORD THE AVENGER OF HIS

PEEPLE.

Oh, what a condescending Lord,

Is he who reigns above the sky; He says, in his most gracious word,

"Let them but call, I'll hear their cry."

How merciful, how good is he!

He hears the sinner's feeblest sigh; "For let him cry at all to me,

And I will surely hear his cry."
Sometimes the christian is brought low,
Beneath affliction he may lie;
How sweet 'tis then for him to know,
That God will surely hear his cry.

Though sitting on a glorious throne,
He hears the prayer of misery;
Disdaining not the weakest groan,
And listening to the mourner's cry.

Though none may to our wants attend,
Though earthly friends forsake or die ;
We have a never-dying friend,

Who always hears us when we cry. When troubles discompose the mind. And 'whelmed in deep despondency, Words to express we may not find,

God knows the heart, he'll hear a sigh. Hannah, she prayed, though not a word Was heard by man; yet God most high Gave her request, she knew the Lord

By answering had heard her cry.
Journeying along life's rugged road,
We travel swift as moments fly;
And we shall always find that God,
Is still the same to hear our cry.

Soon all the chosen race shall sing
Eternal praise in realms on high;
Ascribing all the praise to him

Who heard on earth their every cry.
Southwark.

R. R.

STANZAS ADDRESSED TO A FRIEND.

As we through grace are called by God,
Accept these lines from me;
And if we meet no more on earth,
In spirit may we be.

Addressed to the Rev. B. Isaac, by a Daughter in the Faith.

Esteemed Pastor-blessed of the Lord-
Chosen to spread Jehovah's fame abroad;
In troubles oft, yet kept by power divine,
And in Christ's glorious kingdom soon to
shine:

Go on, and sweetly preach of sovereign grace
To all the highly-favoured, chosen race;
Point to the Lamb of God from day to day,
Who washed the church's sins complete away,
So that though sought for they shall ne'er be
found,

For in Christ's blood they are for ever drown'd.

Encourage Little Faiths, and "Fear not" say, "For Jesus loved us from eternal day; "In ancient settlements of cov'nant love "You were ordained to dwell with him above,

"And soon he'll call you to that happy shore.

"So doubting, weak believers, fear no more.'
To those who know their interest in the Lord.
And feel that peace the world cannot afford,
Urge them to press toward the prize in view,
For shortly they will come off conquerers too,
And meet their feeble brethren, who for years
Travelled ins orrow through the vale of tears;
But then will sit with Jesus on his throne,
A large triumphant family at home.
Some of your flock are hastening fast away,
They've borne the heat and burden of the
day.

One, our dear brother M--, will soon arise
And meet his heavenly Father in the skies,
In that all-glorious world of bliss to dwell,
And to his fellow-members say 'Farewell.'
And many more are weak, and tottering stand,
Waiting their summons to fair Canaan's land;

They're sweetly listening for their Lord in love

To call them to their glorious rest above;
Tell them on Jesus' word they may depend,
For he has said, "I'm with you to the end."
Thus by the Spirit's aid may you be led,
That babes, young men, and fathers may be
fed.

May many precious souls be born again,
To glorify the dear Redeemer's name;
To shine as plants of righteousness while
here,

And at the last great day with Christ appear.
O that electing love may ever be
Your constant theme, till you the Saviour see;
That Zion's sons and daughters all around,
May know a free-grace gospel's joyful sound,
And by th' Eternal Spirit's power be led
To prove their union to their cov❜nant Head,
And sweetly sing while travelling on their

way,

That Jesus loved them from an endless day. Thus may the theme of grace resound abroad,

Till multitudes are brought to know the Lord,

To hail their King, and low before him fall, And crown Jehovah Jesus Lord of all. Soon, very soon your dearest Lord will say, 66 Arise, my faithful servant, come away; "You've laboured long enough, so enter rest, "And share the happy portion of the blest; "Rise to the blissful realms of sweet repose, "The heavenly land where milk and honey flows,

"And banquet with my saints on Canaan's shore,

"Where pain, and sin, and sorrow's known

no more.

By faith I see your spirit wing its way,
Conducted by your Lord to realms of day,
And see you enter through the gates on high,
To your inheritance above the sky:
Ah! there you'll meet our kindred gone
before,

Who live in that bright world to die no more;
They'll welcome you within that happy place,
Where you will talk with Jesus face to face;
And though they worshipped once with us,
they'll say,

They gladly left the world when called away, For Jesus then appeared, and said in love, "No longer tarry here, but dwell above." Oh! may it be my happiness to soar To that bright world when time with me is o'er,

To dwell with God in realms of pure delight, And walk with happy myriads clad in white, To join your song through everlasting days, Ascribing to our Triune God the praise, Who loved, and washed, and brought us