corrupt as that under which the kingdom groans at present. Tithes and power are an unfading receipt to turn even angels into useless or mischievous ministers; it is a neper the to change the finest nature into the foulest deformity.'

There are many parts of this letter, which were the subject of less importance, would often produce a smile; particularly the list of the pluralities held by the apostles, on p. 4,-the bill of indictment, on p. 20-the habiliments of some clergymen, on p. 26, &c. &c. Mr. Beverley makes some very judicious remarks on the titles ' reverend'-' 6 right reverend' venerable'-' father in God,' &c. so fluently applied to the dignitaries of the church, on p. 7 and 8.— a practice which though in common use, can never be sufficiently condemned.

The Benefits of a Mercy-seat. A Sermon by the Late Edward Robins, Minister of the Gospel, at Conway Street Chapel, London, 12mo. pp. 47.

WHEN so many are engaged in diffusing moral light through the earth by the general education of all classes, it is of the first importance that those who have known and felt the power of divine truth on their own souls, should by every means in their power provide suitable tracts for the enquiring mind whose mental vision had now become open to the investigation of whatever may present itself to their notice.

This Sermon is printed in a neat and cheap form, by an individual whose sole object is the dissemination of pure truth; and we hope the blessing of the Almighty will attend his disinterested exertions. The discourse is founded on Exod. xxv. 22; and in describing the benefits of a mercy-seat, the preacher proves himself to have been a "scribe well instructed." Speaking of the ark as a type of Christ, he observes:

"This ark was a grand type of Christ as our Mediator, and the mercyseat too; the wood it was made of being valuable may set forth the value of Christ to poor sinners; the beauty of it may set forth the glory of Christ in his person and work, so that he is the fairest among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely; its being tough and hard may set him forth as the Son of man made strong for God's own self, Ps. lxxx. 17. and its being durable may set forth the durableness of his merits and work, Prov. viii. 18, 19. "Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, and my revenue than choice silver." Its being overlaid within and without with gold, may set forth the precious grace that the Holy Spirit adorned him with as a man within, and the perfection of his life without, so that he was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners," Heb. vii. 26. The four rings that were at the four corners, set forth the harmony of the divine perfections in him as Mediator; as David says, "Mercy and truth met together;" in him "righteousness and peace have kissed each other," Ps. lxxxv. 10. The staves that went through the rings to bear the ark that were to be put upon the priests' shoulders, may set forth gospel ministers carrying Christ to poor

sinners; or as Paul says, "bearing him among the Gentiles;" for the tidings that gospel ministers carry or bear is Christ crucified; as Paul says, "We preach Christ crucified;" and says he, "I am determined to know nothing else among men." And writing to the Hebrews, he says, "Remember them that have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow; considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever."

Our author evinces much judgment when describing the medium through which the sinner meets his God with acceptance; and in treating on the ground of communion with God, and on communion itself, he so ably describes the christian in his daily experience, that we most cordially recommend this discourse to our readers, particularly to give away.

The Plain Man's Pathway to Heaven: wherein every man may clearly see whether he shall be Saved or Damned; set forth Dialogue-wise, for the better understanding of the simple. By Arthur Dent, with Life of the Author, and other additions, 18mo. R. Baynes.

ARTHUR DENT was one of those old and valuable puritans, whose preachings and whose writings cast such a lustre over the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This little volume has long been a celebrated production, which the sale of forty-one editions fully proves. The language is very plain, sometimes vulgar; but it is always the language of truth. Suppose we give an extract; our readers may then form their own estimate of its worth :

"Antil. You have spoken many things very sharply against covetousness : but in my mind, so long as a man covets nothing but his own, he cannot be said to be covetous.

"Theol. Yes, that he may. For not only is he covetous which greedily desireth other men's goods, but even he also which over-niggardly and pinchingly holdeth fast his own, and is such a miser that he will part with nothing. We see the world is full of such pinch-pennys, that will let nothing go, except it be wrung from them perforce, as a key out of Hercules' hand.

"These gripple muck-rakers had as leave part with their blood as their goods. They will pinch their own backs and bellies, to get their god into their chests. And when they have once got him in there, will they easily part with him, trow ye? No, no: a man will not part with his god, for no man's pleasure. He will eat pease-bread, and drink small drink, rather than he will diminish his god. Therefore the scripture saith, "Eat not the meat of him that hath an evil eye, and desire not his dainty dishes. For as he grudgeth his own soul, so he will say unto thee, eat and drink, when his heart is not with thee. Thou shalt vomit thy morsels which thou hast eaten, and lose thy pleasant speeches," Prov. xxiii. 6-8. The old saying is, the covetous man wanteth as well that which he hath, as that which he hath not; because he hath no use of that which he hath. So then you see, there is a great strength of covetousness, in the niggardly keeping of our own."

Their are some sentiments in this book, which if the author meant them as his words seem to convey, we cannot fully approve; but like many other of those old writers, we rather think it to be the phraseology in which the ideas are clothed, and not their real views of gospel truth to which we object.

Death at Sea: a Sermon preached at the Protestant Dissenters' Meeting-house, West Mersea, Essex, on Lord's day, March 27, occasioned by Five Mariners, Natives of Mersea, being Drowned by the Foundering of the Vessel off the Isle of Wight. By George Morss Churchill. Chaplin, Colchester, &c.

This plain sermon was preached with a view to improve a very lamentable occurrence, by which five persons were hastily launched into eternity. We are pleased that we can recommend it to our readers as a very judicious and suitable discourse.

Interesting Narrative of Mary Pegg, of Desford, in Leicestershire. pp. 12.

This little tract has been printed by a gentleman, we believe, only for his private distribution. The narration bears evidently upon it the impress of truth, and its circulation will, we have no doubt, be followed by usefulness.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

The concluding part of the UNIFORM EDITION OF DR. HAWKER'S WORKS, which completes the sett, in 10 vols. 8vo. handsomely printed in demy and royal; also,

A limited number of the separate MEMOIRS of the Rev. ROBERT HAWKER, D.D. by the Rev. JOHN WILLIAMS, D.D. of Stroud, with the Portrait, 1 vol. 8vo.

The Seventh and Concluding Part of DR. MORRISON'S EXPOSITIon of the BOOK OF THE PSALMS is now preparing for publication.

Just published, DAILY COMMUNINGS, Spiritual and Devotional. By BISHOP HORNE. In a small pocket volume, gilt edges, 2s. In silk, 2s. 6d. Just published, PLURALITIES INDEFENSIBLE, by RICHARD NEWTON, D.D. 8vo. cloth, a new edition, price, 3s.

In the press, and speedily will be published, A Voice from Wellclose SQUARE, relative to the Management, Funds, and Agents, of the British and Foreign Seamen's Friend Society, by JOSEPH MEAD, late Secretary to the above Institution.

POETRY.

"THE LILY AMONG THORNS."-Sol. Song ii. 2.

The church of Jesus is compar'd
To blooming lilies in the vale,
With careful hand she's gently rear'd
And cherish'd with a cheering gale.
But why compar'd to lilies white,*
Since she's defil'd with sin all o'er;
Can she be comely in the sight

Of Jesus-whom the heavens adore?
Yea, now she's comely and all fair,

Since wash'd in blood that's all divine;
Her robes more bright than angels wear,
No seraphim can brighter shine!
Her garments are the righteousness
Of Jesus her exalted Lord,

Imputed as a golden vest

To glitter round the heavenly board.
But while she's in this desart vale,

Her heart is pierced with many a thorn;
While oft she tells her plaintive tale

To Him that hath her sorrows borne.
Yes, Jesus! he hath borne the smart

Of prickly thorns around his brow;
While justice pierc'd his tender heart;
With scars of honour pleading now.
Then saints of God-come dry the tear,
The thorny curse is now remov'd;
And banish all your legal fear,

For Jesu's work was well approv'd.
Though thorny cares beset you round,
Yet Jesus lives, and will provide;
The trusting saints have always found
The prayer of faith has been supplied.
Though thorns of unbelief may grow
Within your hearts, and flourish there;
Yet all their fruit is only woe,

And would if suffer'd breed despair.

But unbelief shall not prevail,

The root is blasted, and shall die;
As soon might God's omniscience fail,
As e'er one promise he deny.

The church has ofttimes been opprest

By thorny persecutors here;

But peace has blossom'd in her breast,
And Jesus wipes the falling tear.

But soon this lily shall be set

In paradise to weep no more; Secur'd within the heav'nly gate To bloom an everlasting flower. Orpington. Kent.

T. W.*

"WILL YE ALSO BE HIS DISCIPLES ?"- John ix. 27.