In our present version the words stand as quoted: "If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" This foundation, as was said before, is God's foundation, and it is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Now being God's foundation it standeth sure, nothing in heaven, or earth, or hell being able to remove it; and is added, moreover, the Lord knoweth them who are his;" that is the Lord knows all those who are laid or built on the foundation. Known unto the Lord are all things from the beginning. They were laid there in eternity. The salvation of all God's elect was his purpose in eternity, and Jesus Christ was the foundation of that purpose; so that if this foundation, that is Christ Jesus, can be destroyed, so must the purpose of God also. This cannot be. The church is God's building, yet if the foundation he destroyed it cannot stand, it must fall down. Every poor quickened sinner is a lively stone in this building, and is built on Jesus Christ the true foundation. This building is called a righteous building, and so they are the righteous: but if their foundation be destroyed, what then can these righteous do? We may not suppose the thing possible, although the Holy Ghost hath prefixed the words with an if: for that if rather shows the utter impossibility of the thing. But supposing such could be the case, what could the righteous do? Oh! we know not; but certainly they would be able to do as well as the wicked, for these righteous are the godly in Christ Jesus, and so, leaving out the foundation on which they rest, they have this promise, which all the wicked are without, Godliness is profitable unto all things; having the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come."

It hath been admitted by some of the wisest men of this world, that virtue is its own reward. Now if this be true, the righteous must have the best of it at all events. But the

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apostle was not quite of their opinion, for said he, If in this life only we have hope, we are of all men the most miserable:" as though he had said, In the present life we have to endure many things; here we suffer trials and persecutions alike with others, and more than that we have to endure the scorn, reproach, and persecutions of the wicked; and if at death all are equal, what advantageth it us: let us eat and drink for to-morrow we die. And this is the very conclusion the devil wishes us to draw. He knows very well that the foundation cannot be destroyed, for that he has found out long ago; but that does not hinder him from trying to hide him from our eyes. He knows well enough that all the spiri tual stones of the building are everlastingly fixed by the will and purpose of Jehovah, and he knows that he can never remove one of them; yet he endeavours to rob them of the comfort of it, by stirring up the corruptions of their poor carnal hearts, such as doubting, fearing, mistrusting and disbelieving of the truths of God; and when he can do this, then he partly obtains his end. He is the grand enemy of poor feeble man, and were we not upheld by a superior power, we could not stand one minute against his awful wiles. He is ever endeavouring to undermine the foundation on which the poor soul is made by sovereign grace to rest. And oh, what a number of instruments he makes use of for that purpose. One has observed that the heart of man is the devil's workshop and so I really believe it to be, for it is there that he forms those instruments of death, and from thence through the mouth sends them forth to undermine that foundation which God hath laid in Zion.

The first is a curious compound called pride. And this as soon as brought forth swells and extends itself in the poor creature's breast, until it becomes a burden no longer

to be borne, and then it belches forth from his mouth that awful cry, "Who is the Lord that I should fear him?" and again, "We will not have this man to reign over us." And this cursed pride shows itself more or less in all; but whether it shows itself or not, still it is there. It is an ingredient instilled into our fallen nature, and whilst the soul remains a tenant in this vile body, it will be more or less molested by this monster pride. But there is another foul principle of the devil's begetting, and that is envy. Pride swelled in the bosom of Satan when in heaven until it brought forth envy, for he envied the glory put upon the God-Man, when set up in the counsels of old as the foundation stone, on which was to be built, according to the eternal purpose, a glorious structure, which was to yield to all eternity a revenue of praise to the great Eternal-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Satan's proud spirit

could not brook this, he envied him the glory and honour. He rebelled against the Most High, but soon feit the power of his almighty arm: he was cast down from the heavenly mansions, and will to all eternity feel the vengeance of almighty indignation. But his deadly principles of pride, envy, malice and revenge he still retains, and in the permitted exercise of which he still carries on the unequal war of rebellion against the Supreme Majesty of heaven, and by these he works in the hearts of the children of men.

It was through envy that Jesus was delivered unto Pilate, and Pilate knew it too, for it is declared positively that Pilate knew it was for envy that the Jews delivered him to be crucified; therefore it was envy that had the chief hand in that awful affair. though pride and envy are the principal of his deadly instruments, yet, as remarked before, there are many beside, such as hatred, malice, revenge, which he employs to batter down

But

this foundation. Yet there it stands, and there it shall stand, despite all the powers of earth or hell, men or devils: it shall never be destroyed. But, saith the Psalmist, "The foundations are cast down." What are these foundations, but the doctrines of divine, sovereign, discriminating, invincible and efficacious grace, as set forth in the ever blessed word of God. These are foundations, but not the foundation, and these are what are cast down; and surely never more so than in the present day. They are the stumbling-blocks that are kicked against by all Arminians, and by every professor who cannot endure sound doctrine. But the mouth of eternal truth hath said, "My word is not yea and nay, but yea and amen." And, he is not " a man that he should lie, nor the Son of Man that he should repent." Then who shall dare to gainsay or alter what he hath spoken? He has told us that he is of one mind and none can turn him, or who can say unto him, What doest thou? His purposes are like his word, and both like himself-unalterable. What he purposed in eternity respecting his church's salvation, he will fulfil in time. He will accomplish all his eternal decrees in spite of all the powers that may rise up against him. The preachers of a yea and nay gospel, or rather no gospel, can go no further nor do any more than he in his infinite wisdom permit ; nay I do believe that they are as much appointed to their work of opposing the truth, as his elect are appointed to obtain salvation through the alone blood-shedding of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the present day the gospel is said to be preached in almost every corner of our land, and many are running with a lo here and a lo there. But mark how the runners overleap the bounds that God hath appointed. The invitation is to the thirsty: 'Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to

the waters." Here is the character pointed out the thirsty; and it is to them and none others that the invitation is given.

"The word of the Lord standeth for ever, and the thoughts of his heart to all generations." The church of God was chosen in eternity, given to Christ in eternity, and he became her foundation in eternity; and every circumstance, both respecting her present and future state, was fully known and fixed in eternity. And it is a truth discovered by all God's people, when under the teaching of God the Holy Ghost, that every promise is given to particular characters. And so in the New Testament the Epistles are addressed exclusively to believers, that is to God's elect and regenerated people.

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But in the Old Testament it is said, The foundations are cast down:" yes the foundations, but not the Foundation. God's predestination is one of these foundations, and this they cast down, and set up a phantom called Chance in its place. God's immutability is another of these foundations, and this they cast down, and thus all becomes confusion; for a changing God is no God at all. God's everlasting love is another foundation; this they throw down. And so all the other grand doctrines of the gospel are treated; but what of all that, they cannot destroy them. But Christ alone is the Foundation, and until he give way the church is as eternally secure as the throne of God. There are many scriptures to prove that Jesus Christ is God; and these are foundations for God's people to trust in. But these the Christdespising Arian and Socinian throw down. And then again there are the Arminians with their lies and hypocrisy; and indeed with them may be classed all who fight against the immutability of Jehovah, let them be called by what name they may. And oh, what a host there are of this description, who acknowledge as

it were in one breath, what they deny in another. Do but hear them talk, and they will tell you that Christ is their only foundation, but then, say they, unless we do build upon (pray observe the little though important word, we) unless we build upon this Foundation with our good works, which we can do or not do just as we please, it will be of no utility or advantage to us! It is very true that God has laid this foundation in Zion, and every one that will may build upon it, and whosoever builds his house thereupon it shall stand strong; but it is left entirely with us whether we do so or not. God has begun the building by laying the foundation, but now it rests with us whether we will complete what he hath thus begun! So that we will now go to work and finish it. You know that we are commanded to work out our own salvation; the apostle Paul hath told us that we must be workers together with God! And thus the poor deluded Arminian or free willer goes to work to rear a building which may be shall stand until a dying hour, but longer it cannot, for then will the fire of divine wrath consume it, and, if grace prevent not, the builder likewise. Alas, according to their poor wretched plan, it must not be all Christ, no, that will not suit their master, but Christ and company will do very well; for he well knows that he shall never lose a subject who lives and dies in that awful delusion. May the Lord, if his pleasure, open their blind eyes, and unstop their deaf ears, and say to them as to his servant of old, "It is vain for thee to kick against the pricks."

And may the Lord bless these poor broken and unconnected remarks to the heart of some poor weak one in the household of faith, and to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost shall be given all the praise, to whom alone it belongs. Amen.

J. E. C.

LINES

Written on the Death of the Rev. Septimus Courtney, late Vicar of Charles, Plymouth, who fell asleep in Jesus, on Tuesday, March 7, 1843.

Mourners in Zion, cease to mourn, Rather rejoice our friend hath gone

To his joy above;

reap

He now hath joined the blood-washed throng,
In rapturous strains around the throne,
Singing eternal love.

Our pastor, much beloved and dear,
Hath finished all his service here-

The work he had to do;

In preaching Christ, the Sinner's Friend,
To those whom he was called to tend
As shepherd here below.

And, glory be to God above!
Redeeming grace and dying love

He did not preach in vain ;
I, for myself, can truly say

He held forth Christ, the living way,
The Lamb for sinners slain.

I heard him numerous times proclaim,
Sinners, behold! behold the Lamb

Who sits on yonder throne;
And though your sins are crimson red,
The Saviour's blood for you was shed,
Rest, sinner, there alone.

Christ's precious blood was all his theme,
Jesus almighty to redeem

His church from death and hell;
Electing, covenanting love,
All centered in their Head above,
'T was his delight to tell.

Salvation through a precious Christ,"
Who bought his people with the price
Of his most precious blood;

Cursed in their room, and place, and stead,
On Calvary's tree behold he bled,
To bring us near to God.

God chose them in his blessed Son,
And loved them long ere time begun,
Or earth or seas were made;

Therefore in Him are all things theirs,
Children of God, with Christ joint heirs,
Jesus their glorious Head.

These were the truths he used to preach, And prayed the Holy Ghost to teach,

And bless them to his soul; He was a witness for the Lord, To testify of Christ the Word,

The sinner's all in all.

Now all his work on earth is done,
Jesus hath called his spirit home,

To join the ransomed throng;

He now hath crossed o'er Jordan's flood,
Landed above, with Zion's God,
Singing redemption's song.

Worthy the Lamb, he loudly sings
By whom we are made priests and kings
Through precious blood divine;
Worthy to live and reign alone
On Zion's bright celestial throne:
The glory all is thine!

We cannot but lament the loss
Of him who was so dear to us;

Yet, by God's power sustained,
We do not sorrow without hope,
For Christ ere long will take us up

To heaven, with Him to reign.

Then we shall meet on Canaan's shore,
With him whose loss we now deplore,
And join the song of praise;
Brethren and sisters in the Lord,
We all shall sing, with one accord,

To Christ through endless days.

On earth we never more shall hear,
That saint of God we loved so dear
Proclaim free sovereign love;
Oh, no, salvation's blissful theme,
Shall never more be heard from him,
He's landed safe above.

Yet, glory to the Saviour's name,
He evermore remains the same,

Our glorious, faithful friend;
His people ne'er shall be forgot,
Christ is a friend who changeth not,
His love can never end.

Peace, endless peace with you I leave,
My peace to you I freely give,

The blessed Saviour said;
Because I live you shall live too,

My powerful arm shall bear you through, Therefore be not dismayed.

Though our beloved pastor 's gone
To dwell with Christ upon his throne,
Jesus still lives the same;
He'll surely sanctify our loss,
Giving us strength to bear the cross,
And glory in his name.
Thou Father of the fatherless,
Thou Friend of widows in distress

Regard our humble cry;
Grant those who still are left of thine,
May trust thy faithfulness divine,
And on thy word rely.

May his dear partner be resigned,
Bow to thy sovereign will, and find

A faithful friend in thee;
And may his children love to prove
The riches of a Saviour's love,

Eternal, full and free.

Farewell, dear brother, now at rest,
Now safely lodged on Jesus' breast,

We bid you now adieu;

But trusting God's unchanging love,
We hope ere long to meet above,
And join the song with you.
The praises of Jehovah's love,
Shall echo through the courts above,
All heaven with praise shall ring;
Each golden harp shall sweetly sound-
Celestial praises shall resound
From each harmonious string.

WILLIAM GENDLE.

RUTH'S STEADFASTNESS.

Entreat me not to leave, my friend,
Until this mortal life shall end,
Said pious Ruth, the friend of God,
As desert lands she firmly trod.
In spite of hell and every foe,
With good Naomi I will go;
Your arguments are all in vain,
To turn me to my land again.

Of Moab's land I 've had enough,
Its honours are but empty puff;
My soul has nobler things in view,
Substantial, holy, just and true.
Wherever thou, my friend, dost go,
I'll surely travel with thee too;
Nor foes, nor fears, nor beasts of prey
Shall my courageous soul dismay.
And where thou lodgest, there do I,
Close by my good Naomi lie;
Together sleep, together wake,
And of each others joys partake.
Thy people are the friends of God,
And bought with rich atoning blood;
With them I would for ever be,
And talk of what God's done for me.
They are my friends and kindred dear,
With whom the God of truth I fear;

And with them may I numbered be
Throughout a long eternity.

Thy God who doth in glory shine,
He is and ever shall be mine;
My refuge he, my portion too
In that bright world to which I go.
And as he is the God of truth,
I hope to be received his Ruth;
Guide my poor feet in all his ways
And fill my soul with lively praise.

And where thou diest I would die,
And in thy dusty chamber lie;
Would with thee rise, and with thee reign
In the bright world of heavenly gain.
May I through grace, like pious Ruth,
Cleave fast unto the God of truth,
Until from earth I soar away
To realms of everlasting day.
Bexley.

A COUNTRY MINISTER.

AN ACROSTIC.

S afely our brother's happy soul
E nters heaven's mansions bright and fair,
Prostrate at Jesus' feet to fall,
Tuning his harp for ever there.
In glory now secure he dwells,
Mercy divine is all his song;
Unchanging love saved him from hell;
Salvation doth to God belong.

Crossed over Jordan's swelling flood,
On Canaan's happy shore to dwell;
United to his covenant God,
Redemption's blissful theme to swell.
Trials, afflictions, all are gone,
No more shall grief his mind oppress;
E ver with Christ upon his throne,
Y onder bright mansion is his rest.

W.

ON THE CLOSE OF A PRAYER MEETING.

The Saviour we 'll bless for the many sweet hours,

He's placed in our sorrowing days; To strengthen our souls as the rain does the flowers,

And teach us to blossom his praise.

For this will we wrestle whenever we meet,
And when from each other we part;
Till grace shall enthrone us on Jesus' bright
seat,

And joy overflow every heart.

Then when on mount Zion the song we will swell,

While numbering our wanderings o'er; And bless the dear Shepherd who led us so

well,

And part from each other no more.

P. JOHN JARBO.