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Such I consider to have been the origin and object of this Service and Sermon; and earnestly, and with all affection, would I call on my brother members to shew that our union at least has not lost sight of these important designs, that whilst proving ourselves useful members of our temporal union, we are earnestly desirous of being "members of Christ, children of God, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven." Then, and not till then, though we may be members' of our Club, we cannot be said "free indeed."

free

to be

L.

IT IS GOOD TO BE SURE.

I HAVE read of an old wicked usurer who had nothing in his mouth but It is good to be sure; if his servant went to receive money he would follow him, and being asked the reason, would answer It is good to be sure. If he had told his money once, he would do it a second, yea a third time, saying It is good to be sure. If he locked his door himself he would rise out of his bed to feel it locked, still pleading for his reason, It is good to be sure. It came to pass that this man fell desperately sick, his servant calleth to him, (desirous to make him sensible of his sins,) Master, have you been at prayers? Yea, John, saith he: Sir, said the servant, go to prayers again; you know, 'Tis good to be sure: that's more than needs, saith the usurer, I am sure enough of that. Truly this man's heart is the resemblance of most men; they are all for security in bargains, sales, and purchases; if they buy an inheritance on earth how sure will they Entitled to benefit, having paid two years.

make it! the tenure shall be as strong as the brawn of the law, or the brains of lawyers can devise: what bonds, deeds, fines, recoveries, leases, evidences, and, (if any scruple,) collateral security are there to ensure it! but alas who ensures the inheritance above! how few are there that take any pains to secure their right to those ever-living pleasures! Like Jacob, (though in another sense,) men put their right hand of care, caution, and diligence, upon the younger son, the body; and their left hand on the elder, the soul: how few make their calling and election sure!

In a dark night one torch carried before a man is worth many torches carried after him; one serious thought of death before hand, one tear shed for sin before death is worth a thousand shed after, when it is too late. Watson.

SINS IN PROFESSORS.

A STAIN in a black cloth is not so easily seen, or taken notice of: but a spot in a piece of scarlet, every one's eye is upon it. The sins of wicked men are not so much wondered at, they can do no other, their's is a spot in black; but a sin in a Professor, this is like a spot in a bright scarlet, every one's eye is upon it. Watson.

THY WILL BE DONE.

WELCOME alike the crown or cross,
Trouble I cannot ask, nor peace;

Father, thy only will be done.

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'NEATH old Tintagel's castle-crested brow
I stood within a cavern high and grand,
Arch'd like a rude cathedral; in the sides
Dark aisles were worn, unfathom'd yet by man;
Where haply, visited by gurgling waves,
The skeleton of ship-wrecked mariner lies tomb'd,
Waiting the summons of the judgment-morn.
The tide was flowing, and in clouds of snow
The foamy spray came drifting thro' the cave;
And soon the billows thickly thunder'd in,
And heav'd, and roar'd, and lash'd, beneath my
Pleasant it was secure to watch their strife,
And even there to rest upon His word
Who to the sea hath set him bars and doors:+
And saith to the proud waves, No further come.
"Tis thus with time-time, like the ocean tide,
Rolls on resistless to its destined height;

feet.

Each year a wave.-Yet where the mark is fix'd,
When the last wave shall reach th' Almighty's throne,
And time shall be no more-is unreveal'd.

In the dread counsels of Jehovah's mind
This year may be that last-to all the earth
The most eventful. Shall I then my soul
Build within reach of time?-see swept away
The things which I had fondly deem'd secure?
Liskeard, January 1st. 1835.

+ Job xxxviii. 11, 12.

REV. H. A. SIMCOE, (Penheale-Press) Cornwall.

TRE.

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HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH CHURCH.

No. XII.

THE beginning of the 14th century will be rendered ever remarkable in the history of the English Church, by the birth of WICKLIF, who has been justly stiled, The Morning Star of the Reformation.' A village in Yorkshire of the same name had the honour of being the birth place of this great herald of truth. In the University of Oxford, Wicklif pursued his studies with singular success. He was appointed not only to be the Master of a College, but also Professor of Divinity, an office which even in that age supposed a man to have a perfect knowledge of the learning of the schools, and of every branch of theology. It was here also that Wicklif attracted much notice by having a title conferred upon him, which marked his character. Bradwardine had been called, before this, the Profound Doctor.' Burley, the Perspicuous Doctor,' and Duns Scotus, the Subtle Doctor;' but it remained for Wicklif to acquire the more honourable epithet of the Evangelical, or Gospel Doctor.' This seems to have been bestowed upon him in consequence of his ardent devotion to the study of the Holy Scriptures, and his frequent appeals to this law and testimony, rather than to those human authorities which had usurped their place. The first work by which. he drew the public attention towards him, was a small tract, entitled, 'The Last Age of the Church.' In this he boldly attacked the existing corruptions, which, like a deadly disease, had overspread all the institutions of the country, and all orders of society. The dreadful visitation of pestilence which at this period

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