3. A Ilint to the Readers of the Evangelical Magazine. Thousands are ready to attest that the Evangelical Magazine is a valuable work; and the experimental parts of it are often consoling to those poor Christians into whose hands they oc casionally fall. It is presumed that most of the purchasers of this work are at the expence of having it bound up; but this is not generally the case. I have lately been well informed, that a certain Reader of this Work is in the habit of selling the numbers for waste paper; and the numbers thus sold are bought by a gentleman of infidel principles, out of curiosity. I wish they may do him good. But I would recommend such persons as do not bind their Magazines, to give or lend them amongst the Poor in the Churches and Congregations to which they belong. I know some who have adopted this plan; by which religious knowledge and comfort are more widely dif fused.

DIFFERENCES

BETWEEN MORAL AND SAVING GRACE.

[By a Scottish Minister, who died in the Eighteenth Century.]

1. WHEN I was a mere moral man, I sought something from Christ, and rested on this; had no fellowship with Christ himself; but since the Lord visited me with the love of his chosen, I seck the Lord himself; I am never satisfied without him, and find fellowship with himself.-The virgins love thee.

2. When I was a moral man, I drew my comforts from my duties; but now I draw my duties from my comforts. My work was first; and because I did such a thing, or expected to get such a reward for working, I therefore went about duties; but now I first close with the promise, and, because alive, I yield ny members as weapons of righteousness. While a moral man, I did, and then believed; but now I first believe, and then do. My obedience is ingrafted upon the promises freely given, Work out your own salvation, for it is God that worketh in you to will and to do.' But before, I could never see a promise till I saw my works; the promises were ingrafted upon my works and duties, my duties did lie on my privileges, but now my privileges lie on my duties.

3. Whatever I did formerly was for myself; when, indeed, converted, I acted for the Lord, and to please him. When moral, I hated sin, as prejudicial to me; but now as separating from, and grievous to Christ.

4. What I did was from myself, and in my own strength, not seeing my need of a divine power to lean upon; but when under special grace I live a life of faith, I see my own strength in another, and wait upon him. I can do all things through Christ strengthening ine; and when I am weak, then am I strong.'

REFLECTIONS ON MATTHEW XXVI. 75.
And he went out and wept bitterly.

THE falls of great and good men are highly instructive when rightly considered. Infidels may mock, the sons of Levity may ridicule, and the fastidious may affect to reason; but after all, there are certain lessons of instruction to be gathered from these falls, that can hardly be gathered from any other part of the sacred writ.

Herein we see the impartiality of the Scriptures; they do not flatter any one; they do not conceal the failings of the best; they tell us the particular and aggravated faults of David, Solomon, Peter, and others. Now, when we consider the general character and holy conduct of these excellent men, how disingenuous and degenerate must be the heart of that man, who will venture to make a handle of those errors in life, against the persons of such worthy men, or the noble cause they maintained! But prejudice is a jaundiced medium; it discolours every object, and blackens even the best intentions.' Peter was too self-confident. He had declared, in the ardour of his affection, 'I will in nowise deny thee.' This must be brought to the test. Christ was apprehended, the heavens were suddenly overcast, and troubles came on. Now Peter cooled, and began to follow afar off." Into the palace he entered, but trembled and became pale; and when charged with being an associate with JESUS, his courage failed him, the fear of man prevailed, he took refuge in falsehood, -he ventured to be prophane! Here we see a falling star, and hear a loud admonition to watch and pray! But Peter was recovered, was again elevated, and shone with peculiar lustre in the church of God. With God nothing shall be im-possible.' The cock crew: how penetrating the sound! Jesus looked on Peter; the look wounded his heart. He could not support this! he went out.' Hypocrisy affects the sun, sincerity the shade. He went out and wept bitterly. Mark the language of those tears! I have sinned against light and love! Who (of all my Master's servants) has ever been so vile? 1 have sinned against honours conferred; how odious is my ingratitude! I have sinned against the church of God:what a bad example have I set to others! I have aided the vile cause of infidelity! wicked men will make a handle of my conduct! He wept bitterly! Let us learn never to boast of our present feelings, or confide in the ardour of the moment, but trust in the Lord alone. Let us mark the inefficacy of warnings unheeded, the propriety of watching unto prayer, the utility and benefit of mutual and kind forbearauce, our daily need of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet Priest, and King. He is all and in all' To him be glory and 'dominion for ever. Amen.

T. H.

INFLUENCE OF GOOD AND EVIL EXAMPLE
IN THE SAME PARISH.

A GENTLEMAN of fortune, who had extensive concerns, lived in defiance of all laws, human and divine: he seldom appeared in his parish-church to worship that God from whom he received all his mercies. His servants paid those employed under him on the morning of the Sabbath; and thereby prevented both servants, labourers, and others from attending public worship; and thus for years he was permitted to pursue his wicked course of life. His influence and example rendered the parish in which he lived a place of dissipation and wickedness, till death, unthought of and unprepared for, ushered him into eternity! Awful to relate, amidst his sufferings, God was not in all his thoughts, but to blaspheme and curse his domestics! — in this state he died! The ser vants who used to attend him when living, were struck with horror at such a dreadful end.

I am happy to state, that a person of a very different character succeeded him, who honoured the laws of God. The Sabbath was his delight; and he endeavoured to make it so to others he watched over the poor as a father, and instructed them in the ways of God. His servants and neigh bours blessed him. Such was his zeal for God and the good of his fellow-mortals, that the stated particular vices (such as dishonour both God and man, but such as had been practised in the parish previous to residing there) that if any of these vices continued to be practised, they would fall under his immediate displeasure; and that he was determined to put the law in force against all immorality. This he signed; and had it posted on the church-doors, with a view to prevent such practices. His own life was such, that he convinced them he was in earnest, by setting an example, that when he appeared at the judgment-day, it would be said of him Well done.' His family were blessed with such a parent,many of his neighbours valued him highly, and an unmediate reform took place in the parish. He enjoyed a happy and honourable end, living and dying in the faith of the Lord. — May my latter end be like us!

When an individual in a parish is determined to be on the side of religion and morality, when such blessed effects ensue, it should stimulate magistrates, who have influence, to do their duty; as much depends on the faithful discharge of it, and they are accountable both to God and man. Let no opportunity escape of pulling down the strong holds of sin and Satan; and remember, you are acting on the Lord's side. If God be for you, who can be against you? Your very op

posers may one day own your kindness, and bless God that you have been the honoured instruments in their reformation. Should your endeavours succeed, you will have the consciousness of discharging the duties of your station; and much depends on the conduct of magistrates. Once the chief magistrate of a metropolis failed in his duty. What were the effects, many now living may remember.

ON COMPLAINING OF OUR AFFLICTIONS,
AS SINGULAR.

It is nothing uncommon to hear many who are in trouble, justify their murmurs and fretfulness, from the supposed singularity of their trials. This is the case not only with nominal professors of the gospel, but with many real Christians, espe cially such as are not of a meek disposition. They who thus complain, persuade themselves that their crosses have no resemblance to those of others; and they think they could bear any other afflictions better than their own. It is true indeed that there may be a few uncommon circumstances in the trials of some; but it is to be questioned whether the afflictions of many who consider them as quite singular, are so in reality; for not being sufficiently acquainted with the tribulations of others, and enhancing our own, we are led to believe that our sorrows are singularly distressing; and Satan, no doubt, would persuade every saint that no one is troubled like him, in order to drive him to despair, or at least to keep him from comfort. But we are to remember, that such a view of our trials is injurieus to the soul, as it encourages distrust, makes us discontented in our situation, and keeps us from enjoying those blessings and privileges with which the Lord has favoured us.

It is, however, to be granted, that some believers who murmur or repine, have unexampled afflictions; but is it any good reason that they should give way to unbelieving fears and fretfulness? Certainly not. The love of God, the merits of Christ, and the promises, are all in their favour; they should therefore, like David, when in the most trying situation,' encourage themselves in the Lord,' being well assured that as their day, so their strength shall be.' When the crosses of believers are very heavy and singular, they should be the more ardent in prayer, and be looking to Jesus constantly for strength to bear them; but, instead of this, they frequently encourage unbelief, as if they were not the people of God, because their trials are so great.

The following observations by Bishop Massillon, are so very full and judicious on this point, that I think it quite unnecessary to add any more of my own remarks on this subject. "The

XIX.

Xx

more extraordinary our afflictions are, the more singular are the designs of the mercy of God upon our souls, seeing that he leads us by ways so uncommon, and so little trodden. This singularity of sorrows ought, in the eyes of our faith, to be a soothing distinction; for God has often conducted his chosen, in matters of affliction, by new or extraordinary ways. What afflictions, as well as surprizing adventures, are found recorded in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, Moses, Jeremiah, and Paul! Thus the less our affections resemble those of others, the more, generally speaking, we may consider them the trials of God's chosen; and further, to prevent us from com. plaining of the excess of our misfortunes or sufferings, we are to consider, that the more we are afflicted, the greater is God's love towards us, and his watchfulness over us. More common troubles might have appeared to us as the consequence merely of natural causes, and we might suppose that the Lord had no particular gracious design towards us, when we had only had certain afflictions, which happen frequently to the rest of men; but in the grievous and singular situation in which God places some of his people, he can no longer hide from them that they are the special objects of his merciful designs.' Buckingham.

AN ORIGINAL LETTER

G.G.S.

FROM THE REV. MR. HERVEY TO DR. WATTS.

Rev. and Dear Sir,

Weston Favel, Dec. 10, 1747.

PARDON me if I take leave to interrupt your important studies for the good of mankind, or suspend, for one moment, your delightful communion with the blessed God. I cannot excuse myself without expressing my gratitude for the present, by your order, lately transmitted from your bookseller*, which I shall always value, not only for its instructive contents, but in a very peculiar manner for the sake of the author and giver. To tell you, worthy Doctor, that your works have long been my delight and study, the favourite pattern by which I would form my conduct and model my style, would be only to echo back, in the faintest accents, what sounds in the general voice of the nation. Among other of your edifying composi tions, I have reason to thank you for your Sacred Songs, which I have introduced into the service of my church; so that in the solemnities of the Sabbath, and in a lecture on the week day, your Muse lights up the incense of our praise, and furnishes our devotions with harmony. Our excellent friend Dr. Doddridge informs me of the infirm condition of your health; for

* The Doctor's Discourses on the Glory of Christ as God-mau