more decayed and languishing state than the present; and it becomes the duty of individuals and churches to solemnly enquire the cause. Our author has attributed it to "indifference" in various christian duties. 1. With respect to the truth of God-communion with God -gospel privileges, attainments, graces, and duties-indifference to our enemies and dangers-to the cause of our Lord and Master Jesus -and lastly, to the worship of God. On each of these Mr. C. has ably and closely appealed to the consciences of his readers, and while he advocates the grand and fundamental doctrines of the gospel, has with considerable judgment shewn the connexion that ought to subsist between doctrine and precept. We highly approve this little work, as we are frequently called to witness a great neglect in many in enforcing the duties as well as the doctrines of the gospel; our Lord says, 66 By their fruits shall ye know them." We do not fear the charge of legality though we thus speak. May the Holy Spirit attend this well-timed exhortation to his chosen family, and may they be roused from their lethargy by his own almighty power, carrying conviction to their hearts.

We have taken a short extract from our author's introductory remarks.

"It must be obvious to all mourners in and for Zion, that the church of God is now in a low state. Where shall we meet with christians like those described in the word of God? And then, as a consequence, where shall we find churches like those at Rome, Thessalonica, and Colosse? How few of God's own people bring the cross into daily use for sanctification, as well as for pardon and peace. Gal. vi. 14. How few reckon themselves dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God, Rom. vi. 11. Who is there now that abounds in a lively heart-purifying hope? 1 Pet. i. 3. 1 John iii. 3. Where are the heaven-bound pilgrims who walk through the world as strangers, burning with love, and adorned with humility? How few are there that act as though they believed the bible, and really were convinced they were bound for an eternity of bliss? Bible experience is but little known and exemplified; hence comes so much carnality, so little zeal and brotherly love; hence all seek their own, and not the things which are Jesus Christ's. It becomes us to enquire the cause. You will find this bane of our personal comfort, and our collective prosperity described by one word-it is indifference. This word I take for my text. What I feel within, and what I observe without, would furnish me with sufficient materials for a long address. Oh, if the Spirit of God would but be pleased to preach this indifference out of our hearts and from our churches, we should see better times, Isa. lii. 1. Who is there among us that has not encouraged this conspirator against our privileges and comforts? Is not the church now infested with this monster in a variety of shapes, and under a variety of names?

"The wise virgins are slumbering, and many of them are dreaming in their sleep, and talking of prosperous times, and the millennium dawn. Others there are, equally as drowsy, who say that God will do his own work, we need not pray for more labourers and for better times; he knows best. But God hath expressly said, "Pray the Lord of the harvest," and "Give the Lord no rest till he establish Zion," Isa. lxii. 6, 7, These persons forget there is a heaven to be enjoyed by the way to the one above; and that this enjoyment depends on a practical knowledge of the christian's rule of addition, See 2 Pet. i. 5—11. Let me beg my reader to think over

these verses, and if he is "not blind, and hath not forgotten that he was purged from his old sins," no doubt this faithful exhortation, for which many would call a man an Arminian now, will make him blush with contrition. We know well that all is the Lord's work; but shall we charge God's kindness, or our negligence and indifference with the cause of our leanness? Let God decide;-and if there be any meaning to one half of the bible, the fault must be ours. Being thoroughly convinced of the truth of these things, I now with Peter, desire, brethren, "to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance;" and my intentions are the same as his were, that both now and at death, " you might have an abundant entrance ministered unto you, into the everlasting kingdom of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ." I therefore now, indifferent christian, put the question to thee, which our Lord put to the lame man, "Will thou he made whole?" Say (but consider first), art thou willing to let him do what he will, take what he will, and try thee as he will, so that he does but make thee whole? Is the prosperity of thy soul dearer than any thing else? if so, thou wilt love searching and reproving; and say with David, “Search me, O God,” Ps. cxxxix. 23, 24. Indeed, we continually require being stirred up; for though in some measure convinced of our danger in this evil world, and also of the greatness of our privileges, yet as the angel hastened Lot from danger, Gen. xix. 16. and stirred up Elijah to eat, 1 Kings xix. 7. so do we need continually to be exhorted to "abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good."

An Apology for the Little Book; or, a few more Thoughts about the Law and the Gospel. In half a dozen Letters to Discipulus, by Sylvanus, 8vo. p.p. 66. Palmer.

THESE letters are in defence of the sentiments previously advanced by Sylvanus in a publication noticed by us in a recent Number, and amplify more at large the views the author before advanced as to the gentiles not being under the Mosaic law; and while Sylvanus in the examination of his opponent's arguments discovers much which he feels himself called upon to disapprove of and to censure as derogatory to the truth of God, he has evinced such a truly christian spirit, that we do wish all controversial writers possessed a similar one; and then controversy would often prove a blessing to the church. Such as wish to see our author's views will do well to peruse it for themselves.

DIED, on Wednesday, September 8, 1830, JANE, the beloved wife of the Rev. W. B. BowES, Baptist Minister, Woolwich, aged 28 years; leaving behind her a most blessed testimony of the faithfulness of her covenant God and Saviour; and three helpless babes, the youngest scarcely two months old. Her death-bed was to her, and to those about het, the very gate of heaven; her conversation and counsel most solemn, spiritual, and instructive; her end peace, and her dismission easy. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right ?"

Woolwich.

Farewell, farewell beloved shade,
Long shall thy mem'ry linger here;
"Till those that lov'd thee too are dead,
And mingling in another sphere-
Where death's cold hand shall never tear
The ties that bound us shortly here."

W. B. B.

POETRY.

LINES

Written after reading the Communication of “ C. G. C." on Resignation, in the Spiritual Magazine for January, 1829.

THE

Spiritual Magazine;

OR,

SAINTS' TREASURY.

"There are Three that bear record in heaven; the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST: and these Three are One."

Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

John v.7

Jude 3.

NOVEMBER, 1830.

(For the Spiritual Magazine.)

REMARKS ON JEHOVAH'S DEALINGS WITH HIS CHOSEN. I SHALL introduce the following remarks with those notable words of Him who spake as never man spake: "In the world ye shall have tribulation." If we take these words without their connexion, how melancholy is the effect on the mind, and how reluctantly must they have been forced from his dear lips, whose mouth is well known to be most sweet, by the many precious words that have dropped therefrom, like honey or the honeycomb into the soul of his beloved. But what tenderness and wisdom is displayed by our compassionate Redeemer! how he prepares the way to this unwelcome declaration, by directing the attention of his disciples to what he had been relating unto them, saying," These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace." How remarkably interesting is the method Jesus here uses; in one breath he shows his motive— their peace; and shows where their peace is," in me,”—in Jesus, the peace-maker. That they might not understand that peace on all hands should attend them, he goes on to say, "In the world ye shall have tribulation." But as though he suspected they would be altogether overwhelmed with the thought of approaching tribulation, he closely follows up the sentence with those sweet words, full of marrow, "but be of good cheer." The Lord does not merely desire them to be of good cheer, but that they may have every ground of consolation, closes the address with these full and expressive words,

It is well known, (by those who believe that with God all things are possible) that Jehovah could have made all his chosen sons and daughters at once-he could have brought them into existence in the heaven of heavens, the place appointed and prepared for them from the foundation of the world. If it had been his divine pleasure, he could have at once made them glorified beings, fit for his eternal companions and admirers, as they will be when called to dwell above. He could have prevented their fall, and the consequence would have been-no tribulation. Thus he might have got for himself an everlasting glorious name, by his preserving his favourites from sin and sorrow, at less expence than Jesus was at in redeeming his church from the miseries they deserve; but this was not the sovereign will of our almighty, all-wise Creator, and covenant God

in Christ Jesus.

He who is wonderful in counsel, and mighty in work, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, who needeth none to instruct him, who seeth and knoweth the end from the beginning, into whose mind can enter no new thought - he hath wisely ordained his own works to show forth the glory of all his perfections in so mysterious a way, that gratitude and astonishment must be the result of a due reflection on his handy works. How different are the ways of Jehovah to the ways of poor impatient man ! When the plan of a desired performance is contrived, how impatient is man in the execution! But see the regularity and perfection displayed in Jehovah's schemes and executions! Though he drew the plan of that unparalleled superstructure, the church, in eternity, no impatience could possibly exist in him in the performance; but when the period arrived for its commencement, the first man, Adam, was formed of the dust of the earth, and thousands of years are devoted to the production of his chosen from the first common stock. They are brought into visible existence-continue their allotted time here each fills his office-answers the purpose for which he was born, and is taken home. Thus, in continual succession, one generation passes away, and another comes, and will so continue till the full number have filled their distinct stations; then will all the chosen family meet, never more to part, in the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; sit down as having done their labour, and entered into rest, or stand as in a suitable posture for admiration and praise, and continue for ever and ever in full enjoyment of that glory worthy of that God who is full of wisdom, power, love, mercy, holiness, happiness, and every other infinite perfection to display, in as dignified a state as God could provide them, and as fit for the station as God can make them.

It is the opinion of some, that the principal design and particular use of the tribulations, trials, and troubles, of the Lord's children in their time-state, are preparatory for the enjoyment of heaven, which in my opinion is a fallacious argument in favour of the insufficiency of the rich display of blessedness of the state and place,