begin to roar as his kingdom begins to fall; and so it must, if the Almighty support his servants in the work of trath. And blessed be his name he will support them, and make them more than conquerors too. Be not deceived, he that preaches the truth must suffer reproach for the truth. Then, my friend, be assured, if such a one who is decided for truth comes to H- -d, there will be an uproar created by the workmongers, and those who only please the ear will call him anything but a minister of Christ's gospel; while the children of the light will bless God's holy name for sending him; professors will be warned not to hear such dangerous doctrines, which debase the creature and exalt the Lord alone. April 6, 1829. (For the Spiritual Magazine.) HOPEFUL. AN UNEXPECTED CHANGE AND A SWEET RELIEF. "Behold, for peace 1 had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” — Isa. xxxviii, 17. VARIOUS are the changes to which human life is subject. The sun of prosperity may arise, but suddenly the clouds of adversity overspread the sky. This was strikingly illustrated in the case of Hezekiah. He entered on life with the fairest prospects, the favour of the Lord shone upon his path, and he looked forward to a season of tranquillity. But his expectations were disappointed. Where he anticipated comfort, he found trouble, yet one source of comfort remained, his sins were forgiven him, his soul for ever delivered from the pit of corruption. The change which Hezekiah experienced was expressive of the changes which the people of God experience in this world. When quickened by sovereign grace and led to discover the preciousness of Christ, they anticipate a course of happiness. Astonished at the wonderful change which has taken place, they imagine that the way to glory will be paved with comfort, that they shall walk in full sunshine to Immanuel's land. But as they advance in divine experience they find that through much tribulation they must enter the kingdom of God; that their peace here will often be broke, and that in heaven alone they will enter into perfect peace. They often expect upon their first acquaintance with divine things, that outward prosperity will be enjoyed: but they find many crosses, the way of providence dark, coolness from friends, even those who profess to be travellers to Zion. They experience much persecution from the world, and are brought to adopt the language of Jacob, "all these things are against me." When first made acquainted with the Lord they expect a great freedom from temptation; they expect from the sweet enjoyments which they have of the Lord's favour, that their spiritual foes are brought under, and that they shall sing in the ways of the Lord to glory. But they find much opposition from Satan, from the corruptions of their heart, various struggless with unbelief, and can feelingly say, "I find that when I would do good evil is present with me." The saints expect also when first brought into the enjoyment of spiritual blessings, a course of joy and peace with the Lord; but they have to walk in darkness and find no light. They are taught to enter into the experience of Job, "Behold I go forward, but he is not there," and to know what it is to come up to the house of the Lord and then find no comfort; to enter their closet and say, "O that I were as in months past.' They too experience many dark seasons in their course, whilst the language is adopted, "If it be so why am I thus." These changes though painful evince the Lord's wisdom and love. If the people of God could discover at the moment of regeneration all the trials they have to experience, sorrow would overwhelm them, they would be incapable of any exertion in the cause of God, and ready to turn back to the world. If they were to continue without trials, they would know nothing of the value of the divine support, nothing of the sympathy of Christ, and the consolation of the Spirit. The Lord therefore permits them to enjoy peace at first, that they may gather strength for future conflicts; that knowing from experience the kindness of the Lord, they may, under the Spirit's influence, trust him in future exercises. Their changes are absolutely necessary to check the pride of their hearts, to lead them to discover that they are nothing, can do nothing without Christ, that all their life and peace depends upon the Lord, and that it is only in his light they can see light. Experiencing a variety of changes in their religious feelings, passing from light to darkness, and from darkness to light, they are brought to sympathize and not condemn their afflicted, brethren, to see that the Lord is a sovereign in the distribution of comfort as well as of grace. These changes bring them also to depend more upon Christ. Experiencing various changes in themselves, they are brought to rest entirely upon him who is the same yesterday, and for ever, and who hath declared, "My grace shall be sufficient for thee, my. strength made perfect in weakness." By these changes they are. brought also to desire an entrance into glory. Finding many interruptions here from Satan, the world, and the flesh, they long to enter that world where there shall be no more a pricking brier, &c. What wisdom and love then appears in the changes through which Jehovah permits his people to pass, and how sweet appears the truth that under all their changes he changes not. In joy and sorrow, in life and death, his love is still the same. Whatever may be the dark seasons of persecution and distress the saints experience, they are ever in the sight of Jehovah, "precious, honourable, and beloved." Their interest in the covenant remains unalterably the same, and when oppressed and despised by the world, the promise breaks forth, "Fear not thou worm Jacob." The changes of the saints whilst thus consistent with unalterable love, are passing away, and they may individually say, "There shall I bathe my weary soul, In seas of heav'nly rest, And not a wave of trouble roll Across my peaceful breast." But amidst the changes which the people of God experience, the Holy Spirit brings to them one rich source of comfort. He shews them their interest in Christ, assures them of their calling according to his purpose. They were once in the pit of corruption, they indulged in all the pollutions of their corrupt nature, they obeyed the call of every sinful passion, and their thoughts were employed on evil and that continually. In this wretched state they must have for ever lien, had it not been for the purposes of the Lord, the grace of the Holy Spirit. But from this state the Lord hath delivered them, and enjoying the evidence of it by the testimony of the Spirit, they can rejoice in tribulation. Raised from the pit of corruption they shall die no more, but all things work together for their good. Enjoying this truth, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, enabled to see that the work of regeneration hath begun in his soul, the believer exclaims, "I will fear no evil." The path of sorrow may be appointed for me, but he who hath begun the good work within my soul, who hath delivered me from the slavish dominion of my corruptions, will sanctify all trials, and preserve me to endless glory. But there is another source of consolation that opens to the people of God amidst the changes through which they pass. Jehovah hath cast all their sins behind his back. Their sins are for ever removed from the sight of divine justice, so that if sought for they shall never be found. There is now not one condemnation against them, for Jehovah hath declared, "I have blotted out as a cloud thy transgressions, and will not remember thy sins." Experiencing a sense of the forgiveness of their sins the saints are unmoved by the storms of the world; they look back at the difficulties through which they have passed, they look forward and see many trials, but here is their comfort, their sins are forgiven. Whereas, exclains the believer, I expected a course of peace, anticipated that light would constantly shine upon my path; I find that I must take up my cross daily, and experience a continual warfare, yet I know that mine iniquities are done away. I know that the promise declares, "Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven," and my trials must form a part of this blessing. He who hath blotted out my sins is my Father and friend. I rejoice, therefore, knowing that when absent from the body I shall be present with the Lord. How encouraging to hear the people of God thus rejoicing under trials, amidst the efforts of their persecutors rejoicing that there are blessings of which they can never deprive them; that eternal love hath secured their happiness, and everlasting faithfulness will uphold them. If such are the changes which the people of God experience, let them press on for trials. They must experience a daily cross, a variety of changes, that the purposes of divine mercy may be accomplished. They VOL. VI.-No. 62. B must remember the declaration of their Lord, "In the world whereever ye are, ye shall have tribulation." But be not discouraged. He who hath delivered you from death, and drawn forth your desires Ere long after spiritual blessings, will conduct you to endless rest. you shall say, farewell sin and sickness, pain and sorrow, and welcome perfect holiness, health, and joy. Farewell persecuting world, and welcome the innumerable company and the throne. Farewell death, and welcome the promise, They shall sorrow no more at all." 66 Sunderland. CLERICUS. (For the Spiritual Magazine.) A CATECHISM, OR, ILLUSTRATION OF DIVINE TRUTH: Accustomed to be bound up between the Old and New Testament. Imprinted at London, by Robert Barker, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majestie. 1615. With observations thereon by a Clergyman of the Established Church. CERTAIN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TOUCHING THE DOCTRINE Question. WHY do men vary so much in matters of religion? Answer. Because, all have not the like measure of knowledge, neither do all men believe the gospel of Christ? Q. What is the reason thereof? A. Because, they only believe the gospel and doctrine of Christ, which are ordained unto eternal life? Q. Are not all ordained unto eternal life? A. Some are vessels of wrath ordained unto destruction, as others are vessels of mercy prepared to glory. Q. How standeth it with God's justice, that some are appointed unto condemnation ? A. Very well; because all men have in themselves sin, which deserveth no less; and therefore the mercy of God is wonderful in that he vouchsafeth to save some of that sinful race, and to bring them to the knowledge of the truth. Q. If God's ordinance and détermination must of necessity take effect, then what need any man to care; for he that liveth well must needs be damned, if he be thereunto ordained; and he that liveth ill must needs be saved, if he be thereunto appointed. A. Not so; for it is not possible that either the elect should always be without care to do well, or that the reprobate should have any will thereunto; for to have either good will or good work, is a testimony of the Spirit of God, which is given to the elect only, whereby faith is so wrought in them, that being graft in Christ, they grow in holiness to that glory whereunto they are appointed; neither are they so vain as once to think that they may do as they list themselves, because they are predestinate unto salvation; but rather they endeavour to walk in such good works as God in Christ Jesus hath ordained them unto, and prepared for them to be occupied in, to their own comfort, stay, and assistance, and to his glory. Q. But how shall I know myself to be one of these whom God hath ordained to eternal life? A. By the motions of spiritual life, which belongeth only to the children of God; by the which that life is perceived, even as the life of this body is discovered by the sense and motions thereof. Q. What mean you by the motions of spiritual life? A. I mean remorse of conscience, joined with the loathing of sin, and love of righteousness; the hand of faith reaching unto eternal life in Christ, the conscience comforted in distress, and raised up to confidence in God by the work of his Spirit, a thankful remembrance upon God's benefits received, and the using of all adversities as occa sions of amendment sent from God. Q. Cannot such perish as at some time or other feel these motions within themselves? A. It is not possible that they should; for as God's purpose is not changeable, so he repenteth not of the gifts and graces of his adoption, neither doth he cast off those whom he hath once received. Q. Why then should we pray, by the example of David, that he cast us not from his face, and that he take not his Holy Spirit from us? A. In so praying, we make protestation of the weakness of flesh, which moveth us to doubt; yet should we not have courage to ask, if we were not assured that God will give according to his purpose and promise that which we require. Q. Do the children of God feel the motions aforesaid always alike? A. No, truly; for God sometimes to prove his, seemeth to leave them in such sort, that the flesh overmatcheth the Spirit, whereof ariseth trouble of conscience for the time; yet the Spirit of adoption is never taken from them that have once received it, else might they perish. But as in many diseases of the body the powers of bodily life are letted; so, in some assaults these motions of spiritual life are not perceived, because they lie hidden in our manifold infirmities, as the fire covered with ashes. Yet, as after sickness cometh health, and after clouds the sun shineth clear, so the powers of spiritual life will more or less be felt and perceived in the children of God. Q. What if I never feel these motions in myself, shall I despair, and think myself a cast-away? A. God forbid; for God calleth his at what time he seeth good; and the instruments whereby he usually calleth have not the like effect at all times, yet it is not good to neglect the means whereby |