and adopted church, and for the illustration of the essential perfections of Jehovah as displayed in his mysterious arrangements. These are illustrated by the means which conduced to the crucifixion of Christ, and the legal destruction of the thing which God by necessity of nature hates. And the argument is further sustained in a consideration of the sovereign purpose of sanctification, by the Holy Ghost, of the vessels of mercy appointed to eternal glory. On the latter point Mr. T. is not only truly scriptural, but, having occupied to advantage the ground so much neglected by certain preachers and writers, his observations are truly seasonable, and are calculated for the production of great benefit. The spiritual and moral effects which of necessity follow upon the implantation and growth of grace in the heart, are well defined in these terms: "Now when these children of God are thus raised out of the ruins of nature, and are brought into a state of visible acceptance in the Beloved, they are individually living witnesses of the fact, that God has formed all things for his own pleasure. Like some stately column, erected to perpetuate a signal victory obtained over an enemy, they stand in the midst of the world's wilderness, the public memorials of divine grace, the perfection of which is manifested in their supernatural formation to bear the image of God. Nor is it a thing of trivial or momentary concern that they should be kept alive in the midst of surrounding danger. The world in which they reside lieth in the wicked one, and the wickedness of the world is a continual source of grief unto them. To be kept from its wickedness requires more than human strength and sagacity. To live in the midst of its pollution, and to be preserved from its defilement, is a mystery to the ungodly. But there is a power which is secretly operating upon the minds of the just, by which they are strengthened to do the will of God. It was this which made Paul triumph in the midst of sore trouble, and was the reason why he gloried in tribulations. Those divine displays of power exerted in and on behalf of the saints, are not events which take place without any anterior arrangement, but are the result of determinate counsel in God. Indeed, the chequered scenes through which the saints are passing, are not contingencies, but they are events pre-concerted." Approving the sentiments of Mr. Thurling on the subject of his Letter, with much pleasure we recommend its perusal to our friends and contributors. Gospel Library. A new and handsome Edition of the Works of the late Rev. A. M. Toplady. A.B. &c. &c. Palmer. To answer the claims of those whose means will not allow the gratification of purchasing the voluminous and costly productions of evangelical writers deceased, "the Gospel Library" presents advantages which cannot fail of being embraced to an extended degree. Indeed, the present sale-and there are but four weekly numbers published-augurs an amount of success that the publishers did not anticipate when their plan was first issued. The writings of Toplady are beyond all praise: we need but give this short notice, that the lovers of gospel truth, to whom we allude, may determine for themselves whether the opportunity presented them should be neglected. POETRY. ELEGY ON THE LATE REV. DR. HAWKER. Which wide expand to admit the just ;-who now But there's a bound impassable divides That latter day on rapid wheels draws nigh, Our Brother, low before the throne, A priest to God for endless years. He fearless fought the field alone, His breast-plate, helmet, shield, and sword, Our WARRIOR in the realms of peace, No more a ZION'S PILGRIM here, O'er mountains high, through vallies drear, His toilsome journey to complete, Beamed with seraphic brightness-shone Our Brother-hear his dying word!— ON THE PERFECTIONS OF GOD. Celestial hosts! that dwell so near his throne, But the clear mirror where perfection shines In all its splendour and refulgent light, Is in the face of Christ. O wond'rous Prince! O wond'rous scheme! O deep, surprising love! Speak, ye angelic hosts! can ye explore Great God! thy power, thy justice, and thy love ESTHER. Spiritual Magazine ; OR, SAINTS' TREASURY. "There are Three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST: and these Three are One." Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." 1 John v. 7. Jude 3. JULY, 1827. (For the Spiritual Magazine.) THE SAFETY AND BLESSEDNESS OF THE CHURCH IN CHRIST. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."-Prov. xviii. 10. AMONG the servants of God, who of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, no one seems to have been indulged with clearer views of the security of the church of God than Solomon. His Song of Songs shews the apprehensions he had formed of Christ, the head of the church, and of the security and happiness of the church in Christ. And to these important subjects all the prophets bear witness, fully proving that Jehovah, the one living and true God, chose a people in Christ, and secured them in him to the enjoyment of eternal rest. This truth is too plain in scripture for one of spiritual discernment to overlook. Of that rest, the scriptures speak in such terms as are calculated (and surely designed) to cheer the mind of every humble believer in the church militant, while passing through the vicissitudes of his pilgrimage. Heaven is spoken of as a kingdom, where the eternal King reigns unopposed by enemies, where all his subjects are in perfect allegiance, and all enjoy alike the favour of their Sovereign as an inheritance, where every heir shall hold his patrimony in full and quiet possession for ever: as a city, whose maker and builder is God, and whose inhabitants equally participate in the privileges of citizenship: as a temple, the glory of which is the presence of the Lord God and the Lamb, and where all the worshippers are incessant in their adorations: as a house, the final and happy home, where the children of the Lord's family shall for ever enjoy all the blessedness their heavenly Father designed for them. Vol. IV.-No. 39. F Yet, after all the scriptures have said on the subject, no correct judgment can be formed here on what God hath prepared in heaven for them that love him; for eye hath not seen, neither hath ear heard, what that sum of bliss is which the ransomed shall possess in their glorified state. But we do know that the King's daughter, the church, the bride of Christ, shall be brought there in the rich robe of her Redeemer's righteousness; that the days of her mourning will be ended; and that her God will be her glory. While no humble follower of the Lamb doubts about the happiness of heaven, there are many of them fear they shall never arrive there; and this fear is very common to such as are awakened to a knowledge of their own helplessness, guilt, and ruín, until they are brought to know that those discoveries are made by all who are the subjects of quickening grace. Many of God's dear children have, what may be called a good hope in Christ, because they believe he died for sinners; but not knowing that he shed his precious blood for them, and feeling much of the depravity of their fallen nature, their hope frequently fails, and distressing doubts of their safety often prevail; and it will be so till the Lord the Holy Ghost gives them clearer views of truth, and brings the gospel of salvation home with power to their hearts: and this the Holy Spirit is engaged to do. "When he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth," John xvi. 13. Then truth becomes a light to the understanding and joy to the heart. And for the rich consolation and firm establishment of all who are so taught, the sacred scriptures furnish ample instructions, and testify most clearly to the identity of their character, and the certainty of their security: both which particulars are fully expressed in the language of the text, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Here the security and the character of every new-born soul is confirmed. The knowledge and enjoyment thereof can never fail to humble the believer, and draw out his warmest affections in praise to his God. The scriptures set forth our blessed Lord and Saviour in all his Mediator excellencies, that his redeemed may be ever admiring, adoring, and living on him. The Spirit of truth is constantly pointing him out in some one or other of his many precious names, each of which, as the voice of heaven, proclaims safety, eternal safety to the church of God; and the name graciously assumed in our text, "A strong tower," is most divinely expressive of that security. Now, in the erection of a tower, great care and caution is requisite in order to guard against all possible exigencies; otherwise it may not prove a safe retreat to those who flee thither for security from their enemies. 1st. It must have a firm and deep foundation, or the inhabitants, though in other respects well prepared to sustain an assault, may by the skill and perseverance of the miner soon fall into the hand of the enemy. But our divine tower is secure at this point beyond all conception: for the building is founded in Omni |