us out of the world, therefore do the world hate us. This shews we have not the received the spirit of the world, but the spirit of God, that we may know the things which are freely given us of God, receiving out of his fulness, and grace for grace, saying daily, "By the grace of God we are what we are ;" and sometimes to be favoured with communion with him. But the concubines appear to be those churches who only know the truth in the letter, and, as Jude says, "s separate themselves, sensual, not having the Spirit of life and power," but from some fleshly motive put on a profession of religion, and make a fair shew in the flesh, and cry down the grand and great doctrines of the gospel, such as election, imputed righteousness and final perseverance, as dangerous to the morals of mankind, and all experience of them in the heart as enthusiastical, and those people who hold them as a poor, narrow-minded set; but cry up universal charity, and profess to love every body but the elect, and make a noise about their charitable institutions, and yet live in the sin of coveteousness, which the poor child of God would tremble at, hiding all under the garb of being very pious, so that, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. They name the name of Christ, but do not depart from evil, either in doctrine or in life. Such are our free-willers and dutyfaith men, and those who profess to hold the law as a rule of life: they say, and do not; they say it is all of grace from first to last, and then, perhaps in the next sentence, say all may be saved if they will. Then our duty-faith men say it is the duty of all men to believe, and that there is efficacy sufficient in the blood of the Saviour to save all, if they will but believe, but never speak of the efficacy of the Holy Ghost to bring them to Christ. So our law men prefer to be married to Christ, and to be saved by grace, but are joined to Moses in heart. Now Paul says, Rom. vii. “If a woman be married to another man, before her first husband be dead, she shall be called an adulteress; but (he continues) we are become dead to the law by the body of Christ." Now these profess to be married to Christ but are living with Moses, and therefore appear to me very much like concubines, for they have only a name to live but are dead, But if the poor children of God come under the training of these concubines, they will find but poor fare, as Mr. Huntington says of Little Faith in the tents of Hagar, he will be sure to get into bondage. Had J. E. C. been dealt with as hard as I have been in this school, he would never want to have any thing more to do with them; and here we will leave them. I cannot see, either, that the virgins are the unborn race of God's elect; they appear to me to be those who are seeking the Lord and as there are wise and foolish, the wise appear to be those who are seeking him in sincerity and truth, but have not yet obtained his favour in a manifestive sense, so as to satisfy them they are brought into spiritual wedlock. They have some glimpse of his person, and some encouragement to hope he will come and deliver them, and they shall be enabled to call him their's, and then again ready to sink with fears. These are called the church's companions, that follow her, and shall be brought unto the King. Psalm xlv. 14. Paul says, There is a difference between a wife and a virgin, and, he says, I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Cor. xi. 2. Surely these cannot be unborn characters, but are, in my view, wise virgins, and are set forth as having oil in their vessels, with their lamps of profession, going forth to meet the Bridegroom. This oil is his grace in their hearts, the fear of God, which is clean and endureth for ever, and preserves from deception. Now the foolish virgins have none of this gracious fear of God, so they are taken up with the fear and approbation of man; being simple, or foolish, they believe every word, and take up a profession in the letter, along with the concubines. But the wise look well to their ways, and are like the seven thousand which God had reserved for himself, who had not kissed the image of Baal. 1 Kings xix. 18. So God preserves all his wise virgins from being carried down the stream of dead profession, by the discipline of the holy and blessed Spirit, for the promise is, They shall all be taught of God; and this is God the Holy Ghost; for whether children, young men, or fathers, they are all one in Christ Jesus; whether Jew or gentile, male or female, bond or free: in him they are without spot before God. They are called his dove, his undefiled; nor can this union be broken until God cease to be, for he it is who giveth them eternal life, and who saith, they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of his hand. And because he lives, they shall live also. If you consider these few remarks worthy of a place in your Magazine, you are at liberty to publish them. Your's in the best of bonds, for the truth's sake, world. It is said of Naaman captain of the king of Syria, that he was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria; but he was a leper. This but belongs to the greatest man under heaven; for sin that dreadful leprosy, cleaves to all the family of Adam, and lays their boasted honours in the dust. The inspired records declare that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," Rom. iii. 23. The honours of the world are perishable, but the honour which cometh from God, only will as an imperishable blessing, survive the wreck of the worlds, and endure for ever "This honour have all his saints." First, We will enquire who are saints? Secondly, Notice the honour conferred upon them. First Who are saints? Every individual is not a saint. There are vast numbers, in whose hearts the fear of God has no place, Psa. xxxvi. 1. "These regard not the Lord, neither the operation of his hands," Psa. xxviii. 5. They never say, Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?" Job xxxvi. 10. These are they, who drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments, but are not grieved for the afflictions of Joseph, Amos vi. 6. The word of God speaks of them as being "dead in sins;" far from God; enemies to the blessed Jesus; "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God;" "True religion's more than notion, Something must be known and felt." Grace must be communicated; the power of the gospel must be felt; Christ must be formed in the heart the hope of glory, and the soul created anew in Christ Jesus, the praise and glory of free and sovereign grace. Those persons whom the word of God regards as saints, are such as are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, or set apart for holy uses; for the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself, Psa. iv. 3. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit. He who plants the fear of God in the heart; makes the eyes overflow with tears of penitence, and teaches the saved sinner to say, God be merciful to me a sinner." Saints are holy persons; not by nature but by grace. It is the Spirit, who plants a principle of holiness in the heart. Hence the redeemed shall be called a holy people, Isa. lxii. 12. He hath chosen his people that they should be holy, and without blame before him in love, Eph. i. 3. Election is the fruit of eternal purpose, but holiness is the fruit of sanctification. Election is the fountain, sanctification a stream, and holiness the effect produced by its gracious outflow. Hence the apostle, addressing himself to the Hebrew believers, calls them, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, and exhorts them to consider the apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, Heb. iii. 1. The saints of God are a called people; called out of darkness into light; from sin to holiness: yea, they are called to be saints, Rom. i. 7; 1 Cor. i. 2. Saints are lovers of God, of Christ, of truth; and of all good people of every denomination. Oh, love the Lord, yet more and more, all ye his saints; for he is good, and a strong hold in the day of trouble. Thus, the saints are a people chosen to salvation; redeemed and cleansed by Jesus' blood, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. October, 1843.] Dear reader, allow me to ask you one question; What do you know of the grace of God? Nay, What does the poor unworthy writer know of it? We must know something of it: we must be made saints here, or we cannot be glorified spirits hereafter. Secondly. The honour conferred upon them. 1. It is their honour to be the sons and daughters of the Most High God. It is said of ancient Israel, that the Lord had vouched them to be his peculiar people, high above all nations in praise, in name, and in honour, that they might be a holy people unto the Lord their God. Deut. xxvi. 17, 19. And the Lord assured the Corinthians, that he would be a "Father nnto them, and that they should be his sons and his daughters." To be a child of God, and a joint-heir with Christ, is an honour which transcends all the honours of this world; for when names of earthly renown shall cease for ever, and gems and monuments and crowns are mouldered down to dust, then shall the saints take the kingdom, and shine forth, in the dazzling splendour of consummated grace for ever and ever. Is God our Father? It is all of grace, for there was nothing in his creatures that could merit esteem; and therefore if he hath chosen us for his people, it must have been an act of free and sovereign grace. ""Twas even so, Father, you ever must sing, Because it seemed good in thy sight." 2. Another honour which is conferred on the saints is, that of access to God. God's children are praying ones: Jabez called on the God of Israel; David prayed morning, noon and evening; and Cornelius prayed and supplicated the divine throne always. May the Lord enable us to do the same, encouraged by the thought, that through Jesus we have access unto the Father, by the Spirit," Eph. ii. 18. Jesus is the L L 66 mercy-seat of the New Testament dispensation. He is the great meeting-place where the Father and the family meet and have fellowship with each other. Jesus pleads, the Father hears; faith pleads in his name, patience waits, hope longs, and eventually the soul receives the promised blessing, flowing through the media tion of God's dear love. Oh, what an honour to be admitted into the presence of God to plead for Jesus' sake. We should think ourselves highly honoured to be admitted into the presence of an earthly sovereign, but this would be nothing, compared with the honour of having access to God, at all times and under all circumstances. Access to a merciful God in seasons of affliction, in the hour of temptation, and in the chamber of death, is an honour great indeed. 66 3. They are honoured with his presence. It is good to have the presence of a christian friend, an honour to have an angel for my guardian; but to have the presence of God, is a greater honour than all. When Israel's leader was about to commence his journey to the borders of the promised land, he said, "Lord, if thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." For his encouragement the Lord said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest," Exod. xxxiii. 14, 15. Again, when he sent his ambassadors forth, it was with "Lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world." And for the encouragement of his tried children, he has promised to be with them in six troubles, and to preserve them from evil when the seventh come. Job v. 19. When the saints meet for social worship, Jesus is in their midst to hear their supplications, answer their prayers, and bless their souls. And when the sick chamber and the dying couch shall be their lot, he will be there. Hear what David says, "When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff (that is, thy word of promise and thy faithfulness) they comfort me," Psalm xxiii. 4. 4. It is the saints' honour to be clothed with the best robe-the robe of imputed righteousness. Jehovah says concerning every returning prodigal," Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him." This is the robe which the Lord Jesus wrought out, and which he dyed with his own blood. This robe hides all shame, justifies the soul to which it is imputed, and brings honour and glory to the great Redeemer. Hence the church says, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness," Isaiah lxi. 10. Thus the Lord taketh away the filthy rags of self-righteousness, and clothes his people with that righteousness in which they shall shine for ever. Oh what an honour. All praise to bonndless grace. 5. Every christian is a living temple of the Holy Spirit. As it is written, "Ye are the temples of the living God." Oh what an honour, what rich grace, what mercy, that the Holy One should condescend to dwell in the hearts of his people. 66. Unworthy dwelling, glorious guest, Favour astonishing, divine." The Spirit dwells in the heirs of grace as heaven's seal, truth's witness, the soul's earnest of joys to come, and as the revealer and glorifier of Christ. Dear reader, are you thus honoured? Then what manner of person ought you to be, in all holy conversation and godliness, that thou mayest honour that grace with which God hath thus honoured thee. Have thine eyes been made to overflow with tears of penitence, and thy soul taught to pray. This is the Spirit's doing, and blessed be his tempting foe. Well hath my friend name. 6. There is an honour in reserve for the saints, the honour of dwelling with God, of wearing a starry crown, of playing on a golden harp, of seeing Jesus as he is, of bathing in the sea of eternal love, and of singing the praises of Jesus for ever. A COUNTRY MINISTER. FACE ANSWERING TO FACE. IN the perusal of your October number, Mr. Editor, I find a letter headed, "Perplexed, but not in Dismay," in which epistle I recognise an old tried friend, and find therein the experience of a true Christian. God be praised for "bonds and imprisonments." Wisdom saith, the fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold," and that "the Lord trieth the hearts." This is for a great good, and the family knows the truth of it: the same unerring testimony declares, "their Redeemer is mighty" to "take away the dross from the silver;" therefore in the crucible they must be put, "and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer." Zion hath her weeping days; but she shall be surrounded with songs of deliverance, and joy shall be heard in the camp, for God cannot forget her. It is most astonishing how blessedly secure the dear children are held in love's Almighty arms, so that the devil can never touch their life; tempted, buffetted, and cast down as they often are; and sometimes, to all human appearance ready to die in the field, fresh faith, vigour and grace is given, new strength imparted; they rise again like giants, to combat with the enemy. In the letter referred to, there are marks and evidences, to establish the fact, how gloriously grace reigns in the heart to overcome, under all the perplexities of a sinful nature and declared, we are "not ignorant of Satan's devices;" but notwithstanding this, our utter helplessness convinces us, this knowledge is not sufficient; the almighty arm and power of the great Master must administer help, so that the soul duly appreciate and embrace God's kindness, through the sweet influence of his Holy Spirit, ere it can triumph. over the daring accuser of God's Israel. Here is no time-serving religion in all this, the soul is brought into needy circumstances, and none can afford help but Jesus: prayer arises out of the very condition and state he is placed in before the great "I Am;" perplexed indeed, so that help must come from the sanctuary in a way of divine grace, to the honour and glory of a three-one Jehovah. The devil in hell knows all this, that the saints shall finally overcome, which draws out his rage and malice tenfold, and whets his appetite afresh to make war with the Lamb and the saints; but the omniscient eye beheld him as lightning fallen to rise no more. Glorious day approaching, when God's family shall have their feet placed upon the necks of their enemies to hurt no more; perplexed now, if needs be, while travelling home, we cling the faster to the immoveable rock, and find in that strong hold a safety not to be found in ourselves. The Lord has various methods to wean his dear people from the flesh-pots of self. May be, many, who once lived, as they supposed, in the joy and comfort of his presence, embracing the promises, and were favoured to sip large draughts from the wine cellar of his love, now are brought into a sea where the winds arise, the storm beats, and the ungovernable billows threaten to engulph and swallow them up; prayer goes up, no answer returned: the word sealed, the means fail, ordinances insufficient, the stream dry, hope almost expired; and all-all |