souls, who have learned truly to say that The set Time is Come. DEARLY BELOVED & FELLOW LABOurer. fully convinced of the ordinance of baptism being a divine command? Is it laid upon thy conscience as a command of the Lord? Why then not attend to the service, and have a conscience void of offence before God in this matter? as it is written," Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God." (1 Peter iii. 21.) What are those trivial excuses, "I am not well-afraid of taking cold-it looks so-I am too old? Look here! a female above seventy, others not well; but none sustained the least After taking pleasure in the stones of Zion, harm. But to return, some of those who and favouring the dust thereof with much were baptised have been in the divine life anxiety and solicitude, with much prayer ten, others twenty, thirty and forty years. and importunity, to him of whom it is Is there anything too hard for the Lord? said, "He will regard the prayer of the it was a solemn ordinance, and powerful; destitute and not despise their prayer." a few who were spectators, who had not Also having stood upon the walls of Zion, crymade up their minds before, would have ing in her behalf," For Zion's sake, Iwill not gladly attended to the ordinance had it hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I been convenient. The first Lord's-day in will not rest, until the righteousness thereof April we sat down in church fellowship to go forth as brightness, and the salvation commemorate the death of our Lord Jesus thereof as a lamp that burneth," I found the Christ, and by faith and hope looking for time drew on of which it was said, "Thou his second coming, who shall appear to shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion, for them that look for him the second time the time to favour her, yea the set time is without sin unto salvation. (Heb. ix. 23.) come." (Psa. cii. 13.) And we are surely together of the outcasts of Israel. It was And truly our company were the gathering thus constrained to conclude respecting what the Lord has done for us as a church a solemn, sweet, and blessed time, and the and people at Banbury, and more especially scribes it thus: "The Lord shall set his Lord was there. Isaiah spiritually deif we contrast the retrospect with our pre-hand again the second time to recover the sent position. Of the former we may remark, the late Mr. Radford (of blessed remnant of his people. The wolf also shall memory) who ministered in the glorious dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall gospel, of the ever-blessed God, in these lie down with the kid, and the calf and the parts, about twenty years, and who had a young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them." And so it number of faithful followers, of whom the greater part remain unto this day he was. I was almost the youngest of our comwas never favoured with gathering the pany, and Jeremiah's words were people together in church fellowship and feelings: then said I,' Ah, Lord God, behold attending to the ordinances of the house of cannot speak, I am a child! But blessed God. And the same may be said of my be his name who hath chosen the foolish predecessor, Mr. Galpine, who was minister things of the world, and weak, and base here seven or eight years, and for about things, and things that are not, to confound the space of ten years the church and or- the wise and mighty, and bring to nought dinances have been neglected; but of the the things which are. That no flesh should latter, viz. our present position, these glory in his presence. (1 Cor. i. 27.) And scriptures appear to be spiritually fulfilled you and I, my brother, know something in some measure. They shall cry, arise about these foolish things; how foolish and ye, let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our base are we in the world's esteem, yea, and God. For thus saith the Lord, sing with also in our own eyes, as in our Adam state gladness for Jacob, and shout among the nature. But oh! amazing condescension, nations, publish ye, praise ye, and say, O that He who was in the beginning, was Lord, save thy people, the remnant of with God, and was God, one with the Father Israel. Behold I will bring them from the and the Holy Ghost, should take our foolnorth country, and gather them from the ishness upon himself, and cry, "my wounds coasts of the earth, and with them the stink and are corrupt through my foolishblind and the lame, the woman with child, ness," was he not counted base and the offand her that travaileth with child. They scouring of all things, for he made himself shall come with weeping, and with suppli- of no reputation, was weak and poor, and cations will I lead them, I will cause them destitute, tempted and tried; thus in all to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight our afflictions he was afflicted, made perway, wherein they shall not stumble, (Jer. fect through suffering, that he might be xxxi. 6.) A few days before the first Lord's able to succour them that are tempted. The day in April, we attended to the ordinance Lord enable us to come boldly to the throne of baptism; thirteen were baptized in the of grace, and cry, "Not unto us, not unto name of the Father, and of the Son, and of us, O Lord! but to thy name give all the the Holy Ghost; a few of them were above glory," for thy truth and mercy's sake. Yours in Jesus, sixty years of age, and one, a female I think, above seventy. Reader! art thou 66 Banbury. D. LODGE. my The Afflicted Soul LOOKING TO, AND LONGING FOR CHRIST. DEAR FRIEND, I desire to bless the Saviour of poor lost sinners, for his great kindness and wonderful condescension to you; may it (if it be his gracious will,) constrain you to cleave to him with heart and affection, may it bind you to him, in such a manner, as to enable you to bear any loss, yea, the loss of all things for his sake; certainly you will find, if the Lord spare your life, that all your enemies will be put in arms against you. But blessed be God, should they fight against thee, I believe they will never prevail against thee; for it is the Lord that fighteth all the battles of his people. He hath done great things for thee, may he bless you more and more, you and your wife and children if it be pleasing in his sight, and grant you a thankful heart, for what he hath done. "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing." He doth not deal with many, my dear friend, as he hath in his loving kindness dealt with you, therefore, praise him, he is worthy to be praised: bless him, he is worthy to be blessed. Ah, how glad at heart should I be, to join with you in blessing, praising, honouring, and adoring the Friend of sinners, if my soul was set at liberty. But my bonds are not loosed. I have not received the forgiveness of my sins. The peace speaking blood of Immanuel is not yet applied to my troubled heart. My conscience is not healed. My burden is not removed. But, blessed be the Lord, for his kindness and mercy to such a vile wretch as me. He often encourages my soul to hope and believe, that the time will come, when I shall say with Paul, "He loved me and gave himself for me." This is the mark that my soul aims at; this is the prize my heart pants to obtain; this I desire to keep in view; and sincerely hope that the Lord will never permit me to loose sight of this unspeakable prize; my soul longs to know Jesus Christ and him cruicified for ME: to know him as none can know him but his own blood-bought bride; to know him by the teaching of his own blessed spirit; to receive him into my heart, soul, and affections; to embrace him as the wife embraces her husband; to cleave to him as the infant cleaves to its mother's breast; to believe with my heart unto righteousness, and with my mouth to make confession unto salvation. May the Lord put me upon your heart, if consistent with his holy and blessed will, that you may supplicate his mercy seat on my behalf. It is my desire to have a place in the heart of all the Lord's dear family; and he knows I would rather be interested in the prayers of his redeemed children, than in all the riches, honours, and pleasures of this wicked and deceiful world. What with the pride of my abominable heart, the deceit and treachery of my own self, and the power and subtlety of the devil, my soul often sinks in the conflict, and great fears harrass and perplex my mind, lest I should be deceived, and so come short of the prize at last. It is true what some good men have said-' It does not signify what we suffer by the way, so as we get safe home at last.' My heart is assured that what the Lord has got in reserve for his children, will make infinite amends for the trials they pass through in seeking a better country; for eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.' No tongue can tell, nor heart conceive, I wait; my soul indeed doth wait, With every broken, contrite heart, I hope you will be led to write from time to time, that we may know how your soul prospers. And may the God of all mercies preserve you and your's in the midst of this wicked and ungodly world, which appears to be fast ripening for destruction, and keep me also. Please accept my dear Father's kind respects, and remember your unworthy friend, Gosport, April 22, 1843. A. H. 'I tell you, when a soul is brought to see its want of Christ aright, it will not be kept back: Father, mother, husband, wife, lands, than the soul will miss Christ. Aye, and livings, nay, life and all shall go, rather the soul counteth Christ a cheap Saviour, if he can get him upon any terms; now the soul delays no longer."-Bunyan, MAY NOT A CHRISTIAN BE CARRIED OUT OF HIS WAY, AS WAS David, Noah, and Peter? THEIR'S were indeed ways of darkness, but they did not turn into them voluntarily, but through violence of temptation and corruption. 2nd, they continued not in them. 3rd, they grew not up in them, they took no pleasure in them. A man is not judged by a step or two, but according to his walk, what is his course? A man may take a step or two out of the way, but yet if he recover himself, we say that is his way; God judgeth not of a man's spirit by a step or two, for then who could be justified? No christian, but sometimes he steps awry, and it may be three or four steps, as David, into idleness, into adultery, drunkenness, murder, (2 Sam. xi.) he went into four wicked steps, foul steps, but you must not judge a man for two or three or four steps; for so on the contrary, a wicked man, may take a step or two into a godly course, he may read some good book, pray, hear the word, this is to bring about some end of his, he hath another way to go, only he is turned out of his way for some convenience as he thinks, so that there is no judging of a man, on either part, by a step or two, but we must judge of men by their walks; will you judge a man to be good that is good in good company? Many a man, for company sake, will go out of his way, so we must not judge what they do by a start; but what is their constant, voluntary, growing course; what way they hold to; that is their way. A good man in evil company, his heart is not quiet, it is no voluntary motion, and so contra, we often fail in judging some men by some few steps, but observe what is his voluntary constant course, and what doth he thrive and grow upon? If a man's christian course be voluntary, constant, and growing; it is not the going out a step or two that will condemn us, the wise men they came a long journey to seek Christ, and they went out of their way to Jerusalem to inquire, but then the star left them again; so a godly man goes to seek Christ, and God gives him the light of his word, yet upon some error he may turn out of the way, and then they leave God's word: but they stay not there, they go in the way again, and then they have the light of God's word to direct them. -John Cotton. "It is not the indwelling power of sin, nor spiritual desertions, nor violent temptations, nor heavy afflictions, nor divine delays, that can dissolve our covenant relation. Though sin may work, and Satan may tempt, and fears may be high, and God may hide his face from his people, and stop his ears at the prayers of his people, yet God will still maintain his interest in his people, and his people's relation to himself. God hath not cast away his people, whom he foreknew."-Brooks. Justice and Mercy. SAID Justice, Man, I'd fain know what you weigh, If weight, I spare you, if too light, I slay: Man leap'd the scale, it mounted: on my word Said Justice, less than nothing; where's my sword? Virtue was there, and her small weight would try, The scale unsunk, still kick'd the beam on high: Mercy, the whitest dove that ever flew, TOPLADY. No, nothing in that cold abode, Except the white and chilly shroud; A death-like silence there doth dwell, For ever in that gloomy cell. How dreary would the grave appear, He once did sleep among the dead, Come here, ye proud, the grave survey, Ye great and mighty view the scene, (Not as to worldly honour) none, And at the final judgment day, And all uprising from the grave, The wicked shall rise in sad dismay, Јов М. A Living Soul's Examination of itself before God, AS ΤΟ ITS INTEREST IN CHRIST-AND ITS COMFORTABLE ASSURANCE OF THE SAME. thine. Monday, March 6, 1848. of Jesus. O, for a stronger faith to trust MY DEAR, and much esteemed christian him at all times. I feel that I am by nafriend, and sister in the bonds of holy love ture, a lost, ruined, and undone wretch, but and fellowship-grace, mercy, and peace be I trust the Lord has stripped me of my filthy garments, and put upon me the best I know not how to address you this morn- robe, even the glorious robe of Christ's ing, I feel so completely shut up; I pray righteousness; then how can I doubt my that the dear Lord may help me with his heavenly Father's love towards me? He good spirit, then I shall be enabled to write has set his love upon me, from everlasting, what I desire to write. My eyes and my will never leave thee, nor forsake thee;' to everlasting; he has said to my soul, I heart are up unto the Lord for guidance and direction; for where the treasure is, then he cannot falsify himself; 'he is the there will the heart be also; and out of the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;' 'he abundance of the heart, the mouth speak- is of one mind, and none can turn him.' eth.' After a most glorious opportunity My dear friend, the more I am brought to last night, under the sermon, and at the know God, and the more I see of his glory, Lord's table, I am brought this morning to the more deeply and sensibly, I am brought question myself this way: Do I believe to see and feel the weakness and infirmities in the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of of the flesh; I feel to hate and abhor mymy soul? Have I been led by faith into self, and hate the light spirit that is too often manifest in me. Gethsemane's garden? Have I had a I do pray to be kept faith's view of the agony and bloody sweat humble, seeing that I am nothing, yet comof my dear Redeemer? Can I say from my plete in Christ, my living Head. I do feel inmost soul, that I have an interest in that the truth of that Scripture, which says, precious blood that was shed on Calvary's The heart is deceitful above all things, cross? Do I know what it is to have fel- and desperately wicked, who can know it?' lowship with Christ in his sufferings? Do None but God, my sister: it is a complete I know what it is to have holy converse sink of iniquity: it is a great mercy when with the God of my life? Do I love the we are enabled to look beyond all this, and Lord Jesus Christ-above all, is he my to look alone to the fulness that is treasured chief joy? Is he my peace-my everlast- up in Christ Jesus for us; but we cannot ing rest? O, thou spotless lamb of God! at all times: in numerous instances, the thou knowest my heart! I feel that I dare Lord has enabled me to rejoice with joy not say that I am deceived; then why, O unspeakable, and full of glory. my soul, why this cold, and apparently, while our dear pastor read the 27th chapter Last night I felt most deeply humbled lifeless frame this morning? O, I mourn an absent God! Last night I beheld, by first gave me to see and feel my lost and of Matthew. That was the Scripture that faith, the bright rays of the sun. This morning there appears to be a cloud be- ruined state. When he came to where they tween, and I cannot get near to God. The spat in my dear Lord's face, it brought very sound of his glorious name is as oint-afresh to my soul how deeply the arrow of ment poured forth. Come, then, thou conviction sunk into my heart at that time, blessed Lord Jesus, and water my soul with the dews of heaven! O, my dear friend, I feel softness of heart; my eyes overflow with tears of joy; it is the voice of my beloved I hear. Behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, and skipping upon the hills of sin and unbelief. One glimpse of his dear face drives all my doubts away. Do not I love thee, dearest Lord, That dares to rival thee, O what an unhappy wretch I am; when under the hidings of God's face, when God appears to sleep, the storm beats in upon my soul, and I am obliged to call aloud for help. And, does he come to my relief? All glory to his ever-blessed, and eternal name, he does, with a peace, be still.' O, my friend, the devil must flee at the presence never to be forgotten. Ah, who can forget He knows what sore temptations are, I felt rather dark in my mind, yesterday | to-day; I have not known what to do with morning; I said within myself O, that I myself; you talk about deliverance, I keep knew where I might find him whom my on wanting deliverance, for I find that I soul loveth, I would come even to his seat.' have temptations after temptations; and, I took up my Bible, and read a portion of thanks be to God, deliverance after deliverthe word; I felt but little comfort in read- ance. O what a mercy the Lord knoweth ing; I earnestly begged of the Lord to our feeble frame; grant me some fresh token of his love. As I sat alone in my bed room one thing after another came to my mind, and, more especially the many trials I had gone through for Christ's sake; it came so clear to me that it was for Christ's sake, I felt such a lifting up of soul I never felt before, on that account; this was the language of my heart, before the Lord, 'O, my precious Lord Jesus, what an unspeakable mercy it is that I should be counted worthy to suffer for thy sake!' I felt so inwardly to rejoice that I cannot describe what I felt; I have, many times, when faith has been in lively exercise, thought I could give up all for his sake, or give my body to be burned; but I never felt to rejoice in the way I did then. This was a fresh token of the love of God to my soul. O, my friend, it is one thing to talk of these things, it is another thing to feel, and experience them in the heart; but what are the sufferings of this time-state, to the glory that shall be revealed in us, the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. I feel that I would not have had one trial less, although they have been exceedingly painful to bear at the time; they all tend to wean me from the world. I felt very much for you on Sunday night; Darkness may endure for a night, but light cometh in the morning.' I hope the dear Lord has appeared before this to the joy and rejoicing of your heart. My dearly beloved friend, say beloved, because I do believe that you are accepted in the beloved, and was predestinated to eternal glory before the foundation of the world. I do pray that the dear Lord may give our dear pastor a word for you, that may be the means of setting your soul at a happy liberty; oh, God, grant it for Christ's sake, that thy name may be glorified. I know, by happy experience, that the Lord is not tied to time or place; he can, if he pleases, speak to your soul to this effect at home in private, as well as public. Is not this the language of your heart, my sister, Lord let me come with holy boldness to thee, Expecting deliverance to set my soul free. I do consider it is a great mercy, as well as a privilege, to sit under a living ministry; it has been clearly made manifest to me that our dear pastor's ministry is of God; not all the world could talk me out of it he is a tried soul, and stands much in need of our prayers. May the Lord enable us to pray continually for him. I do believe that we have very many sincere praying souls in our church, oh, that the Lord may knit and unite us still more together, in love and unity. Thursday, March 9. I have been sorely harrassed and tempted We have, indeed, a body of sin and death to contend with, from day to day; how often our feet are entangled in the world and worldly things; but oh, what a mercy that sin, death, and hell are all conquered for us by our Almighty Friend, King Jesus: in him we shall have peace, but in the world we must have tribulation. Temporal troubles are bad enough, but soultroubles are a great deal worse; or at least I have found them to be so. Sometimes in the heat of the conflict I have felt so rebellious that I have said, 'Lord, I shall give it up altogether;' at other times I have been enabled to say, 'Spare not, O Lord, spare not, only give me patience and submission; it is, indeed hard work to be stripped of every thing, and brought to see what we are by nature, poor and ignorant, blind and naked. They talk about good morals, oh, thou blessed covenant keeping God and Father, I feel from my inmost soul that true morality is love of thee; nevertheless, I would contend for a consistent walk and conversation; oh, that we may never judge rashly from outward appearances; I fear this has been too often the case to the piercing through of the heart of the poor child of God. Omy soul, thy witness is in heaven, thy record is on high. My dear friend, you lay very near my heart; I feel a very strong union of soul to you; I pray that the enemy of our souls may never be permitted to come between, and try to separate that union that never can be dissolved in time nor eternity. The time will come when we must give up all communion and fellowship in the church militant, to join the church triumphant. I trust he hath given me a white stone, and in that stone a new name written which no one knows but myself. O, when we get to glory, then shall we sing the never ending song, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, to receive power, and honour, and glory for ever and ever.' One morning last week I was presenting behalf of our church; I was begging of the my poor feeble petition before the Lord on Lord to let his blessing rest upon us from time to time, when those words came most sweetly to me, 'Their souls shall be like a titude to God for his goodness. Iawoke this watered garden.' I felt an overflow of gramorning early, and I thought about this letter; this was the language of my soul before the Lord, I said, Dear Lord, thou knowest my heart, and all my thoughts, I feel a fear in giving my friend this letter, lest it should be the means of casting her down in her feelings; those words immediately came to me, 'Cast thy bread upon the waters, |