The Scriptures Fulfilled, or the Bible the Word of God; in Seven Lectures on the Fulfilment of Scripture Prophecies, delivered at Mansfield. By Robert Weaver. 8vo. pp. 204. Wightman.

THE subject of prophecy, if rightly discussed, is peculiarly interesting and instructive; but it is very much to be deplored, that in the present day not a few, who are designated calvinistic ministers-and who at the family circle will readily admit the sovereignty of Jehovah in the choice of his people-in their public discourses grieve the real christian, by so frequently reducing to a mere problem the glorious doctrines of our holy religion; nor will the ablest elucidations of prophecy convince the unbeliever, unless HE who has promised to open the blind eyes, and unstop the deaf ears, condescend to put forth his almighty power, by fulfilling his promise. But the preacher, like too many of his brethren, seems to imagine, that he has only to prove that certain prophetic events that have been fulfilled were previously foretold and recorded in the scriptures, and then his audience will immediately become believers. Álas, alas! what more decided proof can be required of the truth of that awful assertion of our Lord's, "If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch ?"

These lectures were delivered from the pulpit under the conviction, (as the author states in his preface) that while they could do no hurt, they might, on the contrary, do much good.' The author is evidently an advocate for duty-faith, and like many other apologists for the bible, exerts his abilities, which are very humble, to persuade his readers to allow the bible to be indeed of divine authority. But sensible as we are that it is Jehovah only that ever will persuade Japheth to dwell in the tents of Shem, so all human logic will be unavailing, until that Almighty Being who spoke the world into existence, make bare his holy arm, in convincing of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. Popery the Mystery of Iniquity. By Wm. Symington. 18mo. pp. 144. Young, Glasgow.

THE subject of popery has been so often and so ably discussed, and its incongruity with the very constitution of a protestant country so fully established, that we can scarcely expect any new light on the subject.

The work before us contains many of the arguments that have been previously advanced against the papacy. The writer considers the mystery of iniquity spoken of by St. Paul, as applicable to that antichristian church. He then adverts to the complicated iniquity of that church, under various particulars; then glances at the design of providence in the permission of its existence, as a mystery which is involved in much obscurity. The arguments in its favour are then noticed, and the duty of protestants towards the deluded votaries of that apostate church, is judiciously set forth. Though the present work does not rise above mediocrity, still we think much useful information is given in a small compass; and to such as have not any abler works on the subject in their possession, it may be very useful.

POETRY.

H

AN ACROSTIC.

ENCE carnal joys! to Christ, my soul, draw near,
A nd praise the Lamb of God, devoid of fear;
L et all the glory to his name be given;
Live on the gospel of the Prince of heaven.
Eternal God! who sitt'st enthron'd above,
Lead on my soul to sing thy wondrous love;
Unworthy though I am, O let me see
J esus the Saviour died to ransom me:
A gracious God will then be all my store,
Hosannahs shall I sing for evermore.

Fading is all the love that mortals know,
O 'ercome at once on any glimpse of woe;
R edeeming love of heaven aloud I'll sing,

The everlasting love of Christ our King.
Harmonious song!-high notes of joy and peace'
Employ'd to sing the God of truth and grace :

Ꮮ ost had we been, but for his precious blood;-
Oh! let us praise the gracious Son of God.
Regardless of contempt our sins he bore,
Despised the shame, and sav'd us by his power;

Groan'd on the earth beneath oppression's rod,
O ur sorrows took to bring us back to God;
Deign'd to be man, and took our nature too,

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."

1 John v. 7.

Jude 3.

MARCH, 1830.

(For the Spiritual Magazine.)

THE TENDER REGARD OF JEHOVAH FOR THE WEAKEST OF HIS PEOPLE.

"It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.-Matt. xviii. 14.

THE tender compassion of our adorable Lord is strikingly illustrated in the chapter from which these words are taken. In order to correct the pride and ambition of his followers, Jesus called a little child unto him, and asserted the necessity of their being in temper and disposition such, prior to their enjoyment of endless blessings. Having described the distinguishing mark of his followers, he urged the most tender regard to the weakest of his saints. He declares that whatever favour was done to any one of them, though it were one as feeble as the infant in his arms, he would consider it as done to himself; but that a contempt of them would be followed by a punishment infinitely more tremendous than temporal destruction. The subject being important, Jesus proceeded to enforce an affectionate regard for the least of his members. He asserted that the exalted spirits around the throne were continually the messengers of mercy and love to them. He declared the exalted state from which he descended to accomplish the purposes of eternal mercy concerning them; and that it was the will of his Father that not one of them should be lost. Here a rich source of comfort opens to the mourning penitent, the trembling believer in Christ. Mean as they appear in their own view, helpless as they feel themselves, the eyes of eternal love are upon them for good, nor shall all the powers of darkness destroy them.

In the words proposed for our meditation you have,

It is

1. The character of Jehovah your Father who is in heaven. impossible for any appellation to carry with it more consolation to the heirs of glory than this. Jehovah in his eternal love adopted them as his children, and sends down his Spirit to testify his paternal regard for them. He gives them an experimental knowledge of himself, and fulfils his promise, "thou shalt call me, my Father, and shalt not turn away from me."

In surveying the dispensations of Jehovah towards his people, we discover all the marks of an affectionate and ever watchful parent. An earthly father bears a warm affection towards his children, so does the Lord towards his people. Prior to the formation of this earthly state, his love was fixed upon them. He saw them in the ruins of the fall, and provided a Saviour for them, and prepared for them an everlasting state of rest. Amidst all the adverse scenes of life, his love remains the same towards them; and when the most painful outward losses are felt, his voice is heard, "I am still the Lord thy God." And there are seasons when the Lord discovers his loving-kindness towards his people-seasons when in the closet he declares, "I am thy Father and Friend," and gives them grace to look up to him, saying, "thou art my Father and my God."-Seasons when he manifests his loving-kindness in his house of prayer, and enables his people to say, "the Lord is my portion, therefore will I not fear."Seasons when he manifests his loving-kindness, and his people lose sight of their afflictions, and say, "I know that my heavenly Father directs my affairs, and that with everlasting kindness he will have mercy upon me.”

An earthly father pities his children, he feels their pain, and strives to relieve their distress; so the Lord pities his children. When in the furnace of affliction they sigh in the bitterness of their souls, he knows their sorrows; he sits by them, like an affectionate father, and proportions their consolations to their sorrows. Their cries and tears affect his soul, for he is afflicted in all their afflictions, and touched with the feeling of their infirmities. He knows the anguish of their minds when outward trials weigh them down; when the darkness of providence causes them to fear that all things are against them, he consoles them with his promises, relieves them with the light of his countenance, and opens before them an eternal rest from sorrow.

An affectionate earthly father relieves the wants of his children; he is willing to undergo any sacrifice to supply their need, and provides, as far as possible, for their future support: in like manner the Lord supplies the wants of his children. He from day to day supplies their temporal wants, and by the communications of his love and grace supplies their spiritual wants. Numerous as may be their wants, they are all supplied, and amidst all their outward distresses the promise declares, the Lord will provide." He supplies their present need, and hath made secure all future blessings. All the blessings of the covenant, all the riches of grace, all supplies of temporal good, are in

the hands of Jesus for them. With confidence therefore, Paul could say, "My God shall supply all your need, according to the riches of his glory by Christ Jesus." An eternal inheritance is provided for them, and "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heighth, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

An affectionate father instructs his children, while he corrects their faults; thus Jehovah instructs his children. He leads them into an experimental knowledge of the purposes of his mercy in their eternal origin and everlasting duration-into the glory and preciousness of Christ, the riches of his grace, and the full and complete nature of his salvation. He leads them into the mysteries of his providence, the way in which his people are taught by afflictions, and how those trials are blessings. And with love he corrects them for their faults. He sees that pride would increase upon them, that lukewarmness would spread over their religious services; or that there has been some departure from him; and he corrects them to bring them to himself, and teach them that all their happiness is in him.

An earthly father is ready to pardon the offences of his children; if the rod of correction is used, his bowels yearn over them, and his affection towards them breaks forth: thus Jehovah, though he corrects his children, yet no sooner do they, by the secret movings of the Holy Spirit, acknowledge their offences, than he heals their wounds, and speaks comfortably to them, saying, "I do earnestly remember thee still." Even whilst he corrects them, his voice goes forth, "return, thou backsliding Israel," &c. In the consideration then of Jehovah as the Father of his people, there is the richest consolation, and particularly in that he is their Father in heaven.

Heaven is described as the residence of the Lord. It is there where he displays his majesty, and dispenses the riches of his glory. Dwelling in heaven, he has all blessings at his command. He is above all creatures, so that he can protect his children, and control their foes. He sees from his holy place all the wants and sorrows of his people, and can deliver them out of all trials. Hence the Redeemer encouraged his people, saying, "your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.'

Never forget, ye that are followers of God, that your Father is in heaven, and that his kingdom ruleth over all. He knows the exercises of his children. Their foes may be mighty, but he is the Almighty God; their blessings are beyond the reach of earth and hell. And hence appears the privilege of the saints, God is their heavenly Father; he can and will protect them. Their poverty, their sorrows, their enemies, are before him, and he says, "Fear not, for I am with thee," &c. Isa. xli.

But the text sets forth, secondly, the character of all the Lord's people-they are described as little ones. The expression is applicable to all of them generally, and to some of them in particular.