I presume, that no difficulty can be felt respecting the character of the persons here mentioned. It is obvious enough, from the following verses, that they were hypocrites. The difficulty then lies in reconciling what is here ascribed to them with their character; in conceiving how ungodly men can truly be said to delight in the ways and ordinances of God. In answer to this, let it be observed, 1. That the worship and ordinances of God are appointed by him, with reference to a superior ultimate end, and, that their real importance and value consist in their adaptation to answer that end. 2. "That our holiness, in the observance of these ordinances, 'consists in having the same ends in view, in using them, which God proposed in appointing them: but, 3. "That it is possible to value ́them highly, and engage in them with great earnestness and delight, in order to answer an end widely different." Such was the case in the instance before us. The end for which all the institutions of divine worship were appointed, is declared by Jehovah. "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people will I be glorified."* Let this end be lost sight of, and he indignantly enquires,To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me? Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings, in the wilderness, forty years, O house of Israel? I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies."+ Now it is evident that these Jews had not this end in view. Their design appears to have been to obtain some temporal good, or to avert some temporal calamity. Hence their frequency, earnest→ ness, and complacency in the worship of God, so far from being a proof of their delight in him, served only to shew that they had a very high esteem of themselves; and that when God's ways seem→ ed likely to answer their own to walk in them. purposes, they would condescend Did your limits allow, it would be easy to illustrate and confirm these positions, by referring to other scripture intances, in which unregenerate men are represented the service of God, or in their as feeling much complacency in ideas of him. Such was the case with the hearers of Ezekiel+—with the profane Jews in the time of Malachi§ with Herod ||—and with those who attend on the mi nistry of John the Baptist.¶ To the same purpose, also, might be quoted Job, xx. 5. Mark, iv. 16. Heb. vi. 4. But let me proceed to point out a few respects in which such delight is manifestly defective, and wholly differs from that which is experienced by real Christians. foundation in a 1. It has its proud, unbroken heart. This is its proper soil. As long as the worship of God may tend to pro mote self-interest, or to nourish self-importance, so long will it be rigidly and zealously adhered to. * Lev. x. 3. † Isa. i. 11. Amos, v. 25, 26, § Mal. iii. 1. Mark, vi. 20. Ezek. xxxiii, 31, 39.¶ John, vi. 35. This was exactly the case with the Pharisees of old, and with those persons described in the text. To such a height did their arrogance carry them, that they presumed to call God himself to account, for not taking notice of their devotions, see v. 3, 4. or temptation. It has no sanctifying tendency; but, sooner later, it will vanish before the power of sin and the world. In the instance before us, it was evidently a thin disguise, which ill concealed the rancour of their proud and rebellious hearts. In On the other hand, that delight the case of Herod, though John in the service of God, which was respected for awhile, yet that springs from gospel principles, respect proved too feeble to save is ever closely connected with him, when a licentious woman dereal humiliation and self-diffi-manded his life. The Pharisees, dence. So far from self being with all their fair shew in the exalted thereby, it is invariably flesh, were yet full of ravening depressed. In proportion as we and wickedness. In our day, rejoice in Christ Jesus, we shall perhaps, it may be possible to have no confidence in the flesh.* find individuals who say much of 12. Such a principle regards the the pleasure they find in religious externals of religion; it admires ordinances, but whose conduct the casket, but knows nothing of proves that such enjoyments are the jewel within. If good men quite consistent with a loose and are esteemed, it is rather on ac- inconsistent deportment. But count of those qualities which the sacred oracles represent the render them useful and amiable joy of the Lord as our strength;* in the world, than for those in it is that faith which is the cerwhich they bear the most direct tain evidence, and which affords resemblance to Christ; rather for a present foretaste of future and the appendages of religion, than unseen felicity, which enables the for its essence. Ministers will be Christian to deny himself, resist valued more for their learning, or temptation, and overcome the wit, or eloquence, than for their world. faithfulness in searching the conscience, and declaring the whole counsel of God. Devotional exercises will be performed, rather for the sake of maintaining credit, or satisfying conscience, than to enjoy communion with God. But the Christian esteems others in proportion as they reflect the image of his Saviour, and can never be satisfied with the most punctual observance of religious duties, unless by them he finds access to his Father and his God. 3. The delight, mentioned in the text, is not the governing principle of the mind, nor will it support the soul in the hour of Phil. iii. 3. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. The apostle Paul, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, 6th chapter, 4th to the 6th verse, speaks of certain characters, whom "it is impossible to renew again to repentance." Permit me to request some of your correspondents to favour the public, by resolving a difficulty which, I think, must arise in the mind of every one that attentively reads that passage, viz. "To what class of persons the passage is to be awarded, To real Christians, or to hypocritical professors?" + Neh. viii. 10. Obituary. pas THE Rev. John Rees, late pastor of the Baptist Church, at New Mill, near Tring, Hertfordshire, died May 5th, 1815, aged 25 years; having sustained the toral office only two years and three months. Though short his ministerial life, his labours were abundant and proportionably useful; there being a considerable accession to the number of the church and congregation during that period. Mr. Rees was thoroughly devoted to his Master's cause; and embraced every opportunity of shewing unto men the way of salvation; but his constitution was unable to sustain his unwearied exertions--his lungs were affected-a consumption ensued, which soon terminated his mortal career. The general state of his mind, during his last illness, will appear by the following statements, made by some of his friends. On being informed, by his medical attendants, that his lungs were ulcerated, but that he must not think of that: Mr.Rees remarked, "that, with respect to consequences, he was prepared to say, that he was not afraid to die." On another occasion, he gave the following reasons for desiring the hour when he should go to his Father and his God:-that he should see Jesus as he was, and serve him as he ought-and be free from every vestige of remaining depravity. On being asked by a friend, if his mind was in a comfortable frame; he replied, "that he was not elated with joy; but he could say, he knew in whom he had believed;"-and added, "that he was firmlyconvinced that 8 VOL. VII. no soul could be lost that really trusted in Christ;" adding, "What then can I want more?" One day, in the midst of great pain, he said, "I cannot tell how much this is in my favour, as it may hasten my departure to a better world, where I long to be at home." March 14th. He said, "I have now begun to live as I ought to have lived all my life; live as if every day were to be my last." Complaining, one day that he found his body a clog, a relation suggested his wish, that he might be blessed with patience to endure all the trials that his heavenly Father might impose upon him→→→ he replied, "I hope so; for I have need of great patience." He was particularly urgent with all who visited him, not to procrastinate on the subject of religion-not to defer the important business of their souls' welfare, till they were arrested by sickness, or stretched on the bed of death. April 24th. His mind was pleasingly occupied in contemplating the following passage of the word of God, and which it was his privilege to appropriate: "Ye are complete in him."From this period, till his death, his mind was generally tranquil. During the early part of the night of his dissolution, he slept tolerably well, while his wife and brother anxiously watched around his bed. On a sudden, he awoke, saying, "I am going. The Lord take me to himself: receive my spirit."-His wife asked him whether he was comfortable in 2 R his mind--he replied, "Quite comfortable. Glory! glory! salvation! salvation! I am going: --farewell all my earthly friends; the world, and all the vanities of the world." Having joined in prayer with a friend, he was heard, a few minutes afterwards, to say "Heaven! heaven! heaven!" and on being asked if his prospects were bright, replied, "Yes;" and immediately, without a struggle or a groan, fell asleep in Jesus. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace!" He has left a young widow and an infant to bemoan his loss. On the 10th of May his remains were interred in the vestry of the meeting-house, at NewMill. of informing you, that my dearest Elizabeth is no longer an inhabitant of this lower world. On the 19th of October she had a glorious entrance into the joy of her Lord, after giving me a lovely little girl. If it had been a son, it was to have been called John Saffery; if a daughter, Elizabeth Maria, which is the name given her. Sometime before her confinement, she thought she should not survive it. During the first period of her confinement she experienced much darkness, and insensibility of mind. While thus, she would say, "I should be glad to undergo any bodily pain to experience the frame of mind I had at Madras." In the midst of her darkness, she said, "Though dark, I have something I cannot Mr. Hunt, of Tring, delivered let go: I am sure I shall be saved the funeral oration. Mr. Newman, at last." Parting with me and of Stepney, preached the funeral the dear children was, at first, a sermon from 2 Cor. iv. 7. who great trial to her. Apparently testified that Mr. Rees, while at on the point of death, about the Stepney, had uniformly conduct- middle of September, she said, ed himself as a pious, diligent," I find it hard to give all up." affectionate, and grateful pupil. Soon after, she added, I am reMr. Wake, of Leighton-Buzzard, signed to give you up, my dear; and Mr.Liddon, of Hemel-Hemp-but it is hard work to give up the stead, engaged in prayer. May children, especially the youngest." the death of our young friend be I told her, God would provide improved by the church, and his for them. "Ah," said she," there relatives, particularly by the bre- are so many little things a mother thren in the ministry.-To them would do for them." When she the voice thus speaketh: "Work was informed that the doctor had while it is called to-day; for the said there was no hope of her night cometh when no man can recovery, she took an affectionate work." leave of me and children; and talked to several children who had been under her care, in the most affecting manner, respecting their salvation, expressing an ardent wish that her death may be their life. "To see my Spiritual Father, dear Mr. Saffery, in heaven," said she, "will be joy next to seeing you there."-At this time, she recovered a little, and we entertained some hope ELIZABETH ROWE, Missionary at Digah, in the East Indies. Extract of a letter from Mr. Rowe, to Mr. Saffery of Salisbury, (of whose church Mrs. R. was formerly a member,) dated Digah, Nov. 1, 1814. "I HAVE now the painful task 66 Moore; after a few minutes, I returned, when she fetched a few deep sighs, and bid the world adieu, without a struggle: thus sweetly falling asleep in Jesus.On the following evening, our dear brethren of the 24th regiment carried her to the house appointed for all living; and interred her by the side of her dear Eliza. After the chaplain of the natives had read the funeral service, we sung, Why do we mourn departing friends," &c. It was a very solemn season. that she would be raised up again. | Soon after, she recovered a little, "I thought," said she, "two and said, Oh, my dear, I must more breaths would have ended die:" and began telling me somethe scene, and feel disappointed thing of her hope in Christ, and at coming back again into the the joy she felt in the prospect of world." She felt apprehensive she glory. After this, she repeated should endure much pain before the triumphant language of the her death, but said, "The Lord's apostle, "O death, where is thy will be done: I wish to endure sting? O grave, where is thy victhat which will be most for his tory?" About five in the afterglory." During the last month noon, after continuing sometime of her life, she was in a most nearly speechless, she was able happy frame, and talked sweetly to tell me that she was very happy. of Jesus. "I sometimes think," At half past ten o'clock in the said she," that I want to die, to evening, observing a great change, get rid of my sorrows"-then, re-leaving sister Moore with her, calling herself, said, "Oh no!while I went to call brother it is sin I want to get rid of." She felt an unshaken confidence in the atonement of Christ. Alluding to what Mr. Pearce (of Birmingham) had said, she observed, "In the thought of leaving, I feel a momentary gloom; but in the thought of going, a heavenly triumph." Having heard that Mr.Venn was asked on his deathbed, by Mr. Simeon, who was about to pray with him, if he had any thing on his mind for which he should pray, replied, "No; let it be all praise." She said, in allusion to this, "When I review all the mercy of the Lord towards me, I think I can say, "Let it be all praise." She said, a little before her death, that what had often been an object of her desire was granted: "that her joys exceeded those she had experienced at Madras." At times she appeared to be in much pain, but, in general, she was enabled to endure the whole of the will of our merciful Father, without a O! what a blessed religion is murmuring word. About five o'clock, on the morning of the the religion of Jesus, to give such 19th, I perceived a change in joys in such trying seasons! her countenance, and found, when she attempted to speak to me, her voice faltered, and she was unable to say what she intended. I have been mercifully supported throughout this affliction. Our mingled language used frequently to be— "Sweet affliction! sweet affliction! Thus to bring our Saviour near.' The thought of her happy death gives me abundant consola tion. The assurance I feel, of ere long uniting with her in glory, transports my soul. I am, Most affectionately, yours, J. ROWE. |