session of a wolfish spirit? though it is true he was not in God's account of him. Did he not devour, or cause the sheep of Christ to be devoured? Most assuredly: and when they were put to death he gave his voice against them.

The connection of our text speaks also of the leopard. This creature has something in it very attracting to look upon, and it is very subtle and swift of foot. History relates that it is so attracting to other beasts, that they are often ensnared by it, and so lose their lives. Thus it is with those who are pure in their own eyes, although they have never been washed from their filthiness; there is in them something very attracting to the minds of carnal men. The Lord of life and glory brought this charge against the pharisees : Ye are they (said he) that appear beautiful indeed before men, but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness," Luke xi. 30; Ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves," Matt. xxiii. 15. But it is a certain truth, as the poet says, that

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"Profane and pharisees are made

To own they're lost, devoid of aid; Poisoned, corrupted, ruined, cursed, Nor dare to self for succour trust.' Again, the lion and the bear are very terrific in appearance, and very powerful; notwithstanding this, part of them have been given into the hands of man, and they have had and still have the ascendency over them.

Thus it is with those who have been

left to go into very great lengths of open profanity, blaspheming the name of the Most High; such characters are brought into disrepute, and that justly, by all who know them their appearance and company are shunned by those who pay any regard to their reputation.

And can the Lord these lions tame,
Oh yes he can, praise to his name.

The chapter before us gives us ample proof that these wild creatures are made willing by Him who brought them into existence, in the day of his power, unanimously to herd with the cows and lambs of Christ's flock. The lamb I take to be an emblem of a weakling in the fold of Jesus, which he always takes especial care of, as it is written, He (the Lord) shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gathe lambs with his arm (his omnipotent power), and carry them in his bosom," &c. The cow is a beautiful figure of a gospel ministry, where the pure truth, free from the smallest adulteration, is proclaimed. To substantiate this part of the subject, I will refer my reader to the language of the Holy Ghost by the prophet Isaiah: "Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a riuer, and the glory of the gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck (by precious faith, sacred consolation from the promises of the gospel); ye shall be borne upon her sides, and dandled upon her knees,” Isa. lxvi. 12.

Having thus far treated upon the wolf, the leopard, the lion, the bear, the lamb and the cow, and shewn in a brief manner their spiritual import, I proceed, secondly, to show how they were made willing to be led by a little child, and what child this is. Bear in mind, beloved friends, that it is one raised up of God for the office as a leader, therefore he is made by him competent for the work, so I cannot

consider the child mentioned to be a babe in grace, for such know little of the diversified afflictions, trials and temptations the Lord's flock are exposed too; in consequence of which such are unskilled in spiritual war, and know not what to administer in time of trouble, when the enemy comes in like a flood, when they are hunger-bitten, and almost stung to death by sin. Jesus is the leader of his people, but I cannot see how he can be called a little child. True he

is called "the holy child Jesus," and he is and was little in man's esteem, but this does not make him little; "Behold (said the angel to Mary), thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus; he shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest," &c. Luke i. 31, 32. Scripture informs us that God's sent servants, whom he puts into the ministry, are called leaders, Exod. xxxii. 34. But in what sense may a minister of the Spirit be called a little child? When the divine Guide of spiritual Israel, namely the Lord the Spirit, raises up a man for that sacred office; he lays the importance of the work upon his mind, so much so, that it is impossible for him fully to particularize. Sometimes while under the dreadful hurricanes of temptations from Satan, and the turbulent waves of indwelling sin running mountain high, and be is brought to his wit's end, the thought will occur to his mind, How can I be mouth for that God whose omniscient eye sees into the inmost recesses of the heart, and whose omnipotent power could crush me to death in a moment. Now as the word of inspiration assures us the word child is applied to all the Lord's people, it is evident that the man who is exercised with the feelings cited above, will not object to the term little, being annexed to it. Methinks it was from such-like painful sensations, that the prophet Jeremiah was induced to address the Almighty in such words as these: O Lord God, behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child," Jer. i. 6; and Moses, also, was necessitated to tell the Lord that he was not eloquent, but very slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

"

Again, when the Lord the Spirit removes every obstacle out of the way, and gives the man of God faith firmly to believe that he has appointed him for the sacred office, has he any child-like expressions? is his heart pregnant with any feelings that are in

unison with what is stated above? Listen to one whom the Holy Ghost calls a spiritual father to the church: "Unto me (said our brother) who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given," &c. While this child, or such-like children, are in. strumentally to lead those creatures tamed by God, into the truth as it is in Jesus; they are commissioned from above to make a proper distinction between truth and error, between the killing letter and the Spirit that giveth life, between that which savours of the flesh and that which proceeds from God.

Moreover, these leaders testify that the chastening rod of God is as needful as the beaming forth of the light of his countenance. Moreover, the admonition of the Master of the flock they strictly attend to, which you will find recorded in Isaiah xl. 1, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably unto Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished [that Jesus has done all things well, that he has gone to the very end of the law for righteousness, that he has by his one offering perfected for ever them that are sanctified, that the church is complete in him, and that nothing shall pluck them out of his hands], that her iniquity is pardoned [that her uplifted Lord bore her sins in his own body on the tree], for she hath received [by faith] of the Lord's hand double for all her sins." And the Lord gives those characters whom we have before mentioned, an ear to hear and a heart to receive the truth; so much so, that they listen attentively to the melodious news, the joyful sound of salvation, which these leaders are taught by the blessed Spirit to proclaim. O my friends,

What wonders does our God perform,
The rage of man becomes a calm

In the appointed hour;
The wolf, the leopard and the bear,
That would in twain God's people tare,
Are tamed by his power.

I haste, thirdly, to point out the place of laying down. The Holy

Ghost has caused it to be cited down twice in the chapter before us, that the wolf, the leopard, the lion, the lamb, the cow and the bear, the little child also, all agree to lie down together. Now to lie down is to take rest. And where is this restingplace? We read, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, where the righteous runneth in and are safe." The Psalmist said, that the Lord made him to lie down in green pastures. Again, to lie down is to cease from proceeding any further. And thus it is with all those who are by the Eternal Spirit brought to this desired spot; they cease from running the way that leads down to the shades of endless woe; they cease from toiling at the law for eternal life; they cease from fighting against God's decrees, &c. The Holy Ghost says, that they "his saints are in his hand they sit down at his feet, every one receives of his words:" that is, they listen to what he shall say to them. They now find that

:

They want true wisdom from above,
They want his power, they want his love;
And when they feel his glory shine,
Around his feet they love to twine.

The last thing that presents itself to our notice, is the holy mountains, and prove the truth of our text, that all those who are washed in the lava of regeneration, brought to the feet of Jesus, can do no hurt in this mount. This mountain goes by various names. It is called a holy hill, Psalm ii. 6. But why called a holy hill? but to shew that God's blessing and presence makes it so. As it is written, This is the hill that God desireth to dwell in, yea, the Lord I will dwell in it for ever," Ps. lxviii. 16. It is called a city set on a hill, to show when grace reacheth the heart, it is sure to be discovered by those who have spiritual eyes to see. "Ye are not of the world," said He

who spake as never man spake; so we come to this conclusion, that this mountain is the spiritual church, his own posterity, bought by no less price than his most precious blood. And instead of doing hurt there, they are a great blessing. Thus it was with the apostle, of whom mention was made before, he was made a blessing indeed; the Holy Ghost declares, that after the Lord had tamed him, brought him to lie down with the rest of the flock at the feet of the Lord Jesus, that then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, walking in the fear of God and comfort of the Holy Ghost.

Now is my reader one of these enemies to God's truth, a valiant persecutor of the sheep of Christ? if so, thou art indeed possessed of a wolfish spirit, but the Lord can tame you, and make you a blessing to his people, which may it please his sacred Majesty to do, if in accordance with his holy will. I forbear saying any more upon the subject at this time, but may the Eternal Spirit of all grace bless what has been said, so far as it is in unison with his blessed will, and his name shall have all the praise. Amen.

WILLIAM WESTHORP.

À LETTER FROM THE REV. EDMUND GREENFIELD TO A FRIEND.

BELOVED brother in Jesus Jehovah. . Oh bow wonderful; a brother in Jesus, the Christ ! What ! our life hid with Christ in God? What! the Holy Ghost, and the Father, and Christ; the one eternal Jehovah, our God? Yes, indeed glory to his excellency, we are in the Holy Ghost, as we are in the Father and Christ ! And our filial fear, and child-like confidence, approaching in the Holy Ghost, unto the Father, in and through Christ, in faith, hope and love, confessing our sins as we feel them, our distresses, and sighing to be holy and righteous, and faithful, courageous, and conquerors over Satan, sinful self, the world, and all evils, are full proofs. The Holy Ghost, for Christ's sake, keep my brother, and for Christ's sake, may the eternal Father shed abroad his love abudantly in your heart. Your sighing state is right, for in all your sighings you are stronger, in Godgiven strength, than Satan, sin, and the world. 1 John iv. 4.

God has highly favoured you to be enabled with honour to fill your present situation. God be praised for his goodness to Mrs. W——, in the deliverance, and gift to you both, of another daughter. May the Most High bless you both, and your family, and the little hill at Marden, and all his people in Kent, and all the earth. Amen.

Your letter was, and is, "living waters, and streams from Lebanon," I am expecting a letter from the blessed Mr. or Mrs. J-, and from the

you have sent my Doctrine of Moderation, and Endeavouring to Keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace, to be printed. The Lord give us peace at all times if it be his will. Amen. I thank you for your labour of love, in, and for our blessed Lord God, and for his ransomed, in distributing the sermons so far. I pray you send a present to the little hill at Town Morling, through our mutual friend and blessed brother Mr. H--; that is, twenty sermons, one for the minister, one for Mr. H. one for Mrs. H. one for the gentleman who gave us the loving christian salutation at brother H--'s, and the others to be given privately to the people; especially one to the blessed man who is a gardener, and who was so blessed, and comforted, with others, when we preached at Town Morling. I pray you give my christian love, to the minister, and all the saints at Morling, and do it forthwith, for our infirmity; and that strengthend by an adversary, says, do it to-morrow : tomorrow, to-morrow, at length says, Now it has been so long delayed, let it alone. So death is in the pot.. Wherefore what is wanting pray for, and you shall have it. obedience to the Lord God, and the faith of God's elect. John xvi. 23.

This is filial

In filial gratitude to our God, and in christian joy, I am constrained to inform you, that the Sermon for Kent has been rendered, in Sussex, and Surry, a great blessing; not only to all my congregations. and distant relations, but unto ministers of the gospel and their congregations. I have heaps of letters blessing God for my Kent Sermon. A blessed woman, the wife of a gospel minister, declared to me, before some choice christians, the other day, that never in her life of grace, did she get such a blessing from any printed Sermon. Many babes in grace have declared and now declare, the Kent Sermon is much sweetened with honey, or love; so sweet, to their taste, that

they read it three times a day. It is astonishing to me, that I must be sent into Kent to do, what God never did do by me before, in any published sermon; for as I was setting last Sabbath morning, in blessed conversation with four of my deacons, a blessed man who is a farmer, and whom God converted many years past, under my ministry, came into the study to us, in much joy and peace, with tears shining in his eyes, saying, Dear sir, there is a good woman without, who has been in soul trouble, for nine years; but coming to reside near me, I lent her your books, and she has received so much instruction and comfort from them, especially the Sermon for Kent, that she is come down with a desire to speak to you, and hopes to be united to us, as a church of Christ, and receive his supper next Sabbath, if you consider her worthy and faithful, Acts xvi. 15.

My reply was, Blessed be God, let us see the woman. And presently Mr. Head introduced her; a very humble, blessed woman in tears: related to us her nine years sorrow, from degree to degree, like poor Hannah, and there was not a dry eye in my study! The blessed woman declared her hope arose in her, succeeding godly sorrow for sin,and repentance toward God the Father, under his rod for sin; and the gift of faith to ward our Lord Jesus Christ; and often prayers and supplications in the Holy Ghost unto the Father, in and through Christ, in filial tremblings, for the promised blessings; and how she had travelled in Suffolk, and other parts, seeking God's blessing; but never found her soul satisfied, until she saw and read my writings, especially the Sermon for Kent. And being thus blessed, she desired to receive with us, (having been before baptized) the Lord's Supper. In course she was graciously received.

Therefore, my dear brother, I pray you sound this blessing through

Kent; let them have the power of Jehovah's blessing, who blessed me, and rendered the Marden Sermon, such a great blessing. Nay, brought a new member to Staplefield Church, who is one with all the Lord's churches in Kent, and the whole world. Eph. iv. 4. Jesus' beloved is but one, in his living sense, we are one body one spirit.

Moreover, I must inform you, that the aforesaid Marden Sermon, was SO blessed to the comfort and strengthening of a gracious woman near us, who has been many years a constant hearer of mine, at Staplefield; that on Sabbath day, she came also to the deacons, and declared, what “ God had done for her soul," through my ministry, as follows. First, that about ten years past, as I preached a funeral sermon for a Mr. Joseph Geal, whom God converted by my ministry, and who was a man in the world, and in the church noted for faithfulness, and who died triumphant in the Lord! Under that discourse she received the blessing of the three thousand under Peter's sermon!

For she

was pricked in the heart, killed and made alive, at once; as your read Deut. xxxii. 29, and Acts ii. 37. From which time, God blessed her by my ministry, so that she was nourished, cherished, and brought to hope in the Father's mercy, through Christ, submitting to the rod and reproof, without much terror. But the Sermon for Kent, was for her soul, heart, and conscience, the balm of Gilead! The healing of every wound. The pricked heart was bound up, peace and joy flowed out! Deut. xxxii. 29; Ps. cxlvii. 3; and Ps. ciii.; Jer. xlvi. 11, Oh, my brother, my brother! Hear ye the voice of the Holy Ghost by Jeremiah. Go not to bigots in profession, or to any place, but to Jesus Christ, as we found at Marden, and at Maidstone, Rochester, and Town Marling. "Go up unto Gilead, and take balm, O virgin."