tionately received by them, the freedom with which he is pleased to bless his subjects would be disclosed in their salvation from such unhallowed propensities. I have met with men who profess to be the friends of God, with whom I have conversed, and although they had a tolerably accurate conception of the scheme of sovereignty revealed in the scriptures, yet they have talked and acted in that way, which led me to conclude, that they had mistaken the end for which Christ died, and they have limited the intention of the Saviour merely to barring the gates of perdition without opening the portals of the heavenly Jerusalem. "But we have not so learned Christ." The productions of the Holy Ghost in us are inconceivably valuable, for they are the fruit of eternal love and wisdom. Now as when God chose us in Christ to be holy, that decision was the radical root of sanctification, and it is the principle upon which is based all the qualities of mind peculiar to real christianity where they reside; they are an inner glory that beautifies the man, and when affectionately delineated by him, they throw around him an external grandeur by which he is publicly separated from this evil world. The closer attention paid to the record of God in the New Testament, the more shall we be convinced that the scheme of mercy disclosed by him in it is truly honourable to his government, and everlastingly useful to all his children.

The government of the Son of God in and over the subjects of grace, is an expression of his love to them and concern for their welfare. We can never separate the branches of truth from the prolific root on which they grow. Eternal favour is the root on which the obligation of the saints to worship God is founded. Man had not in innocency a private right in himself; he was bound by the law of creation to worship God according to the order of things then established: and now the church redeemed to God by Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, is said to be his temple. "What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God; and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's." The price by which we are purchased, is the blood of Christ. How just is it then that he should claim from his purchased flock that homage which it is his undeniable right to demand. An enlightened christian who is governed by the Spirit and word of God, and not by his own feelings, (as too many are irrespective of the word of God) will confess with humble gratitude his obligation to divine favour, that he should be in the name and worth of Christ, potently ransomed from sin and death, and saved thereby to love, fear, and worship God. "Whatever is not of faith, is sin." Therefore, whatsoever is done by any man which is by him considered to be an act of religion, if it does not arise out of the favour of God, and is not bottomed upon it, and done by him according to the commandment of God, there is no more religion in the action than there is in the sound of a trumpet. When the incarnate Redeemer, in the days of

his flesh, spoke of the purpose of God to glorify himself in the sanctification of his people, he never thought it necessary to conceal this important fact from man, as having any dangerous tendency, but when he breathed his prayers to his Father on the behalf of his people, he requested that they might be kept from the evil of the world; and now he lives in heaven, and is reigning in and over his subjects, he controls them by his power in the saving virtue of his blood, and purifies them for himself from all dead works. There is salvation in every office of the Son of God. As the prophet of the Lord, he is making known his Father to his brethren, and thereby teaching them by the Holy Ghost, their ignorance, wretchedness, and woe, that they may see their want of his priestly riches, and be benefited by the communication of them and as they are emancipated from slavery and death, they confess his name and rights, and honour his government as their King. This fact is demonstrated in their conduct. A feeling heart, an enlightened understanding, and a spiritual affection, are inseparably blended. Where there is no spriitual knowledge of Christ, there is no evangelical consciousness, and there can be no holy attachment for him. If therefore, as is often the case, that men start on a public confession of religion, without a heavenly disposition of mind to do the will of God, whatever sensibility they may discover in their causes, it is not love to Christ, but it is merely animal excitement. There is reason to fear that much of the commotion nor agitating the religious world is animal nature, aroused and put into a train of action, which is productive of some advantage to the family of man, but it is not true spirituality; for those men who are most industriously employed in conducting the machinery of the religious world, are, when closely pressed, the greatest opponents of the principle on which true religious activity is moving, to promote the present good of the church and honour of God. If any man were to arise on the platform erected for our public orators to address their numerous assemblies, and to commence with a statement of the eternal purpose of God, to gather together in Christ the election of grace, he would soon find himself in the same situation as a thoughtless boy is who has disturbed a nest of hornets, for the whole assembly would be raised to a degree of zeal for their darling idol (human sufficiency to perform spiritual acts) which would bear some resemblance to the uproar at Ephesus, when the craftsmen opposed the apostle Paul because his trade was in danger. To flatter human nature is the rage of the day; and to take up portions of the word of God, which in their strict and literal import apply to the Jews, and to build upon these passages arguments in favour of human ability, for supernatural duties, may gain the applause of the thoughtless multitude, but such conduct can never be commended by the wise and prudent christian. However, the church of God is safe in the hands of her great Redeemer, and his government of her affairs is directing of all things to a happy issue. The interest which Christ has in his people is not affected by the agitating circumstances of time. It was laid above all the mutations of creatures, and it is

upheld by him; and his defenceless subjects are perpetually watched over and guarded by him, with greater attention than ever the goldsmith watches the dust which drops from his file, while he is forming his gold into the shape that he wishes it to bear. The mind and plan of Christ is free from agitation; he cannot be disturbed by the events which convulse and distress his subjects, but he is constantly guiding every circumstance with infinite skill. The promise of the Redeemer to his people is, that they shall live because he lives.

True sanctity is the germ of eternal glory. Eternal election is the root on which vital godliness grows, and it is inseparably connected with the crown of life which Christ has promised to all his disciples. But we do not intend to assert, that this inseparable connection has no medium of discovery in this life; for as we constantly affirm, that there can be no vital religion without the decree of election being the cause of it, so there can be no perseverance in holy obedience to the will of God, but as a principle of radical sanctification is imparted by the Holy Ghost in regeneration, and the distinct properties of it are discovered in the life of every saint as the effect of his enlightening, teaching, and influence. The power of attraction in the person and redemption of Jesus Christ, draws his people to him, and awakens a conscious enjoyment of his unutterable friendship towards them, and they are thereby converted from evil, and are positively devoted to him. Thus we perceive that there can be no true religion but the existence of God lies at the foundation of it, and his perfection, and unity is the principle on which the homage of the saints is based. Every act of spiritual worship done by faith points the christian to the source of his sanctity, and the end of his being. We are travellers in a desert land; we are surrounded by innumerable foes; every opening path brings to light something which we had not before beheld: we often stand still and know not what to do; yet amidst all the vicissitudes of life, we are sojourners with God, and every step which we take brings us nearer to our Father's house above. Well, let the minutes multiply as fast as possible, and fly away with the swiftest velocity, death can never unpin the tabernacle of clay in which the redeemed and regegerate soul dwells, and find it unprepared for its departure from the toils, cares, and perplexities of this life. Justified by God the Father's imputation of Christ's righteousness, and having seminally every seed of true holiness in it, there is an habitual readiness to depart hence, whenever the hour appointed by God will arrive. The blessedness of the man of God does not consist in dying in flames of devotional triumph over sin, death, and hell, and the grave; though if it be the pleasure of God to afford in the trying hour such enjoyment of his · love, it is very desirable to be thus honoured; but the advantage of the dying christian over the man of the world in that moment is he dies in Christ; and as a member of his mystical body he is immediately absent from flesh, and present with the Lord. I have sometimes attempted to trace the departed spirit of the christian into the world of heavenly vision, but I have ever found dull mortality such a clog that

I could not arise into that unseen world, to follow the soul into the presence of the Lord, and to view it clothed in the garment of immortality, and crowned with the unfading glories of the Lamb, who was slain to redeem it to God. It is an unspeakable mercy that even in this dying world we are favoured by the gospel with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the person of Christ Jesus, and we are saved to commune with him as our everlasting God and Saviour. We are hoping that when a few more years will have passed away, to go into the kingdom of which we are constituted heirs. The road is paved with love, and marked with the blood of the Lamb, that leads to the land of perfect light and peace. Here we are partially restored to health; but when our generation work is done, and our Saviour will introduce us to his Father, without spot or blemish, or any such thing, we shall never more be sick, for the people who dwell there are forgiven all their iniquities. To that eternal friend, reader, who in love and anguish died upon mount Calvary to redeem the church of God, I most affectionately commend you, and pray that when your days are numbered, your race is run, the battle is fought, and the victor's crown is ready, may a convoy of angels conduct you in triumph to the bosom of Jesus, to receive from him the sacred welcome of "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of your Lord."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPIRITUAL MAGAZINE. Dear Sir,

ABOVE seven years have passed away since the prospectus of your useful work was presented to the public, when I resolved to become one of your readers; yet not without suspicion, that your performance would soon too much resemble the many periodicals sent forth in this age of book-making; and that it would be found wanting in that rare excellence of spirituality which its title warranted us to expect. But, Sir, your Magazine has maintained its character! it was, and it is, and I hope it will continue to be, the Spiritual Magazine. The carnal mind, whether religious or profane, in vain may turn your pages to find that, on which it can feed; " for the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Nor do you pretend, or I suppose wish, to supply that, which will gratify the carnal taste; but you present to view the "hidden manna," and furnish the table for the family of grace with that provision their covenant God and Father has laid up in store for them before the foundation of the world.

The Spiritual Magazine, I understand, is intended for, and only for, the spiritual character; and of its utility I can speak with confidence. Many a heaven-bound traveller through this desert, parched with thirst, weary, and ready to faint, has by the instrumentality of the contents of the Spiritual Magazine, been directed to the brook by

the way, of which he has drank, and has been refreshed, and enabled to pursue his journey with renewed vigour.

Tribulation in this world, is the common lot of the family of God; and I among them have had my share. Often, in the furnace of affliction; often, in deep waters of worldly trouble; and not unfrequently, in great distress of soul, through the hidings of God's face; dreadful temptations; and the body of sin and death. But, for your encouragement, I acknowledge, and others I know, who are ready to join with me in the acknowledgment, the Spiritual Magazine has been a means of directing us to the only source of support, comfort, supply, and deliverance. Sometimes, we have been directed to the unalterable purposes of our covenant unchangeable God; and here, we have found such a firm basis to stand upon, that while the storms of tribulation have prevailed around us, our minds have been composed, and we have submitted to the mysterious and painful, yet wise and gracious dispensations of him, whose "counsel shall stand, and who will do all his pleasure." We have learned to "be still, and know that he is God." Yea, sometimes we have rejoiced in tribulation also, believing that "all things shall work together for good ;" and have boldly said, "we will fear no evil, though the earth be removed, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar, and the mountains shake with the swelling thereof the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.' -At other times, we have been directed to the glorious person of the Son of God, the second person in the glorious Trinity; and while his pure humanity and essential divinity have been referred to, and clearly established by scripture testimony; we have sung with Dr. Watts, "All human beauties, all divine,

In my Beloved meet and shine."

And without allowing our minds to be greatly disturbed about his bringing our nature down from heaven with him, we rejoice that he is gone up in our nature, and is above, the representative of his people, "God over all, blessed for evermore." Of whom we have boasted

to our companions around us, and have said, "this is our Beloved; and this is our Friend; O ye daughters of Jerusalem." Sometimes, we have been directed to the relations, and the offices, which this glorious Person sustains, in connection with, and on the behalf of his redeemed people; as our prophet, we have been taught to look to him, to send down his Spirit to lead us into all truth; and when he has been brought to view in his kingly office, we have been made willing to submit to his gracious sceptre, and have resolved to have no legislator (in religious matters) but King Jesus, whose law we delight to obey; as the High Priest of our profession, who has entered not into the holy place made with hands, but into heaven itself there to appear in the presence of God for us. How precious he becomes to us, who through grace believe, when Satan is like a devouring lion let loose upon us, and we find our strength to be perfect weakness; yet are enabled to look up to him, who knows how to deliver out of