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expecting and ardently desiring "the adoption-the redemption of the body." Rom. viii. 23. In the great work of redemption, the faith of many is so weak and imperfect, though, it may be, in various particulars correct, that they lose sight of those considerations which are more immediately in connection with spiritual peace and advancement. Trusting wholly in finished salvation for the eternal safety of the soul, they may be found resting the foot of faith firmly on that sure foundation. Having at the call of sovereign grace come to Christ, they have discovered him to be truly their wisdom, their righteousness, their sanctification, and their redemption, and have committed their souls into his holy keeping against the great day of the Lord. But they are forgetful that while the greater mercy is ensured, the less is not withheld. The jewel, of inestimable value, is not more under the care of the heavenly merchantman, than the casket in which it is deposited, however mean and worthless in human estimation. A period is approaching when those who have died in Christ will prove, notwithstanding the height and magnitude of their bliss, that the glory revealed was incomplete till this corruptible had put on incorruption, and this mortal had put on immortality.'

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It is too true that the majority of the people of God are more generally observant in the various walks of the spiritual journey, of matters connected with the interests of the body, rather than of the soul. Yet there are such persons-a small and honourable minority -as have long trusted in the faithful promise of eternal redemption, and triumphed in an assurance of inheriting the glory to be revealed, who need reminding of "the adoption, the redemption of the body." Let them remember the special nature of that providence which overrules every circumstance belonging to the interests and welfare of so precious a gem as a redeemed soul. The skill and prudence of the lapidary are not less apparent in devising the means for preserving his jewels, than in their purchase and preparation. And shall the heavenly architect be regardless of the situation allotted to the precious stones prepared for the new Jerusalem? The tender mercies of the Lord are over all his works, and are eminently shewn in his preservation and care of the ungodly, notwithstanding their averseness to the perfections of his nature, and hostility to the requirements of his law. But the pre-eminent display of the operations of his hand in behalf of the godly, his adopted children, is seen from the moment of their new birth, through the whole period of their tutelage, till they arrive to that degree of spiritual knowledge by which they are prepared for the felicities of everlasting habitations.

We therefore, brethren, "beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

(For the Spiritual Magazine.)

THE GOD OF TRUTH ACCOMPLISHES HIS PURPO ES BY THE WORD OF TRUTH.

As it is the eternal Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who hath arranged in infinite wisdom all things that concern his own glory, the safety, happiness, and eternal felicity of all his chosen people, all glory is due unto him, and all praise must and will redound to his name for ever and ever.

It is a truth worthy of remark, and with the divine blessing has a tendency greatly to support the minds of the people of God, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day; that with him is no variableness nor shadow of turning; he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; his counsel shall stand, and his pleasure shall be done, both in the armies of heaven and also with the inhabitants of the earth. Therefore all the wonders that have been wrought by the arm of omnipotence, all the glories that have been developed by infinite wisdom, all the mercies that have been communicated to poor sinners by the Spirit Jehovah, as expressions of love divine, and all the wonders that are yet to be accomplished for the church and blessings communicated to her in her time state, when compared to his glorious arrangements which are to be fulfilled in eternity, are but as a drop of the bucket to the vast ocean, and our time state is but a speck in eternity. Yet these are part of his purposes with whom there is neither time nor futurity, but "all is one eternal now ;" or as the poet has it,

"With THEE there's nothing old appears,

Great God! there's nothing new."

And they prove also that every thing that transpires concerning the church is the effect of the unalterable purposes of God; and that all things spiritual flow from that inexhaustible fulness treasured up in Christ Jesus who is all and in all.

The followers of the blessed Redeemer are enabled to see that all their spiritual good is the gift of a covenant God, flowing to them through the efficacy of the death and blood-shedding of the Lamb of God; Christ is formed in the hearts of such by the Holy Ghost, and is their hope of glory. All hope short of this shall perish; where Christ is there is life; hence the apostle says, being made a recipient of Christ," the life that I now live in the flesh is by the faith of the Son of God;" and every true believer is privileged to join the apostle in this declaration. And to shew the humbling tendency of grace, the apostle says, " it is not I that live, but Christ liveth in me:" every idea of self-importance is here torn away and the Lord alone exalted. He who is the life of every saint is the way and the truth; and it is the truth that sets poor sinners free, and enables them to walk in the way, even the ways of God's ordinances blameless. Liberty is experienced when the Holy Spirit applies the word with power; for it is then that the bonds of slavery are broken off, even of sin and

satan, and the Lord says, "deliver them from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom," " loose them and let them go." Such are free from the power of sin, though not from its inbeing. They are delivered from the condemnatory sentence of the law, and are under law to Christ. They are rescued from the power of the prince of the air, though not from his diabolical insinuations and horrid temptations. They are taken out from, though not taken out of the world. And the influence of divine grace upon the conduct of such, in their civil, relative, and christian character, gives evidence that they have been with Jesus, and that they are the sons of God and not bastards. may be said of such, "behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon them, that they should be called the sons of God." Now as it is their being chosen by God the Father, redeemed by Christ Jesus, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, that constitutes the vitality of their godliness; so also it is an evident proof of their being in the possession of the love of God, by keeping his commandments. He has said, "if ye love me keep my commandments: and he that will be my disciple must take up his cross daily and follow me."

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It is by no means impossible to put on the form of godliness when destitute of the power; there may be a name to live while dead. All that are destitute of the regenerating influence and work of the Spirit are dead, and far from God by wicked works. A theory of the truth may be acquired by application and study, and a profession of it may be made without spiritual life; but it must be acknowledged that those that have not the witness in themselves are in their sins; although they may have put on a righteousness in their own estimation by profession, yet it is of their own providing, for that righteousness which is unto all and upon all them that believe is put on by the Spirit, as set forth in the parable of the Prodigal Son, "Bring forth the best robe and put it on him." The creature righteousness is as easily put off as put on, when the same ends are to be answered by it. It is not professing Christ, it is not the views a person may have of divine truth, it is not the particular party persons may feel attached to, nor is it because able to discuss the subject of truth, that any are godly. It is a fact lamentable as it is in its nature and effects, that many make great pretensions to the things of God that are ignorant of them. There appears to be two classes that come under this idea. The first like the pharisees of old, are going about to establish a righteousness of their own, never having submitted to the righteousness of Christ; they depreciate the work of Christ by trampling under foot the best robe. Such must perish if they die in this state, and nothing but sovereign grace can spare them; and the word, sovereign grace, is what their proud hearts cannot delight in. The second class are those that give their hearty assent and consent to the fundamental doctrines of the gospel, yet set at nought all experimental and practical godliness; treating all precept as unworthy of their notice, as it is too legal for them, as they are free-born, but alas! it is to do wickedness; for if such characters are followed into

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either their civil, relative, or as it is called religious life, an awful proof is given of their deception. These are never backward to deprecate those that differ from them in sentiment, and are ever ready to condemn all means used for the good of mankind, the welfare of the church, and the glory of Jehovah, where self-denial and perseverance are necessary.

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Now all means that are appointed by the God of truth are for his own glory, and the spiritual welfare of his church; hence wherever and whensoever the Lord is pleased to bless the means used for this end with the special tokens of his grace and approbation, it is certain that those means were of his appointing. If the end is appointed, all the means to accomplish it must be also. Upon this principle it is easy to advance at a correct judgment relative to the different institutions of the present day. And it may be said by their supporters as was said on another occasion; and it may be said also to their opposers, as was then said-" And now I say unto you, refrain from these men and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be brought to nought. But if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." Acts v. 36, 37. By their fruits ye shall know them."

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May the triune Jehovah preserve all his redeemed ones from error, both in judgment and practice, for his name's sake. Amen.

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WHAT a happy man is a christian! Though dwelling in a valley of tears and beset with temptations of nature unknown to the world; though in a constant state of warfare with enemies both within and without; through stung with affliction's sharpest pang; though harrassed and perplexed with every kind of evil and trials that God ever permitted the malice of the devil and the natural wickedness of his own heart to bring upon one of his children, he is still a happy man. For he has "meat to eat which the world knoweth not of,' and he knows that whatever afflictions he is afflicted with, they are signs of mercy coming from the chastening hand of his Father, who loves him too well to spare him, and who is

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"Too wise to err, too good to be unkind."

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The two most comprehensive and expressive words in the whole book of God are, salvation, and damnation. As the first comprehends and expresses the perfection of happiness, so the second, in its capacious signification, expresses the perfection of misery. The extent of their meaning is too mighty to be set forth by a mortal; for none can fully understand either the blessedness of the first, or the deep woe of the last, but by experience: and it is a solemn consideration, that in one of these perfections all the human race will exist throughout all eternity, either living to life, or dying to death!

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REVIEW.

Sermons on Various Subjects, by the late Rev. John Hyatt, one of the stated Ministers of Tottenham Court Chapel, and the Tabernacle, London. Edited by his Son, Charles Hyatt. To which is prefixed, a Memoir of the Author, by the Rev. John Morison, Minister of Trevor Chapel, Brompton. SECOND EDITION.

Palmer.

THE advantages accruing to the church from the publication of memoirs of the faithful, whether their sphere of action has been public or private, are of no ordinary kind. Thousands and tens of thousands have been constrained to bless God who in his all-wise providence cast in their way those memorials of friendship,-these convincing testimonies to the goodness of his grace. Mr. Morison's Memoir of the Rev. John Hyatt, prefixed to this volume of sermons, is obviously adapted for the accomplishment of similar effects. In it the godly reader will discern the hand of divine sovereignty directing the way, pointing out and over-ruling for good each eventful circumstance in the life of the deceased; following him with covenant favours to the close of a long and laborious ministry, and finally in "an entrance ministered unto him abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

The sermons are given according to the following arrangement: most of which are selected and faithfully transcribed from manuscript copies, four only having been prepared for press by the author.

Sermon I. The duty of secret prayer.-II. The certain disclosure of sin. III. The value of the soul.-IV. Reflections on death.-V. Divine glory displayed.-VI. The duty of patience.-VII. Christian privilege and duty.-VIII. Universal peace.-IX. Supreme delight in God.-X. The last day.-XI. Certain triumph of the gospel.XII. Simplicity in preaching.-XIII. Discriminating mercy displayed.-XIV. Love to Christ.-XV. Ministerial fidelity. - XVI. Christian consistency.-XVII. Advantages of affliction.-XVIII. Decision of character.-XIX. Design of the christian ministry.

We cannot extract a more favourable specimen of the fervid style and the faithfulness which pervades these sermons, than the opening of the series, -The duty of secret prayer.' "But thou, when thou prayest," &c. Matt. vi. 6.

"Most of our hearers anticipate what kind of sermon they are about to hear, from the text which is announced. When a text happens to contain a particular doctrine, for which some are zealous, they are exceedingly pleased; and the expression of their pleasure is visible in their countenances; you will 3 D

VOL. IV.-No. 49.

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