miserable captivity; and I assure you Sir, if there had been such a wide door open, as brother Davies seems to suppose, methinks I would not have failed to see it. Neither at last did I come forth at this door. Having been brought up in the knowledge of the truth, and with these advantages, been entangled and overcome with the pollutions of the world, I feared my case was hopeless; and so far from me being concerned about returning to God in the way of legal repentance, my only concern was - lest it was impossible to renew me by evangelical repentance. a pillar of salt in the way to Zion, cautioning all that walk therein, against the danger of apostacy. What folly then, out of a vain regard for the doctrine, to take away those solemn cautions which God has left us in his Word - cautions which are left to ensure our safety. Better, far better, that the doctrine should be in jeopardy (though indeed it is not,) than one soul should pass on without caution, and sin or perish. It is a fearful thing to remove what God has set up; whoever falls thereby, their blood lies at the door of those who removed God's bounds. It is no light matter therefore, to put a false gloss upon Holy Writ. And did a real concern for souls actuate us more, instead of our own idolized views, I am persuaded we would not find such difficulties as we do; the truth is oftener on the surface than hidden-so that a little child can see it, while wise men are ever digging deep to find it. John Bunyan, Mr. Hart, and many others, have lain under the weight of these and similar scriptures, but none of those who have come under my notice, ever came forth from them at the door which brother Davies seems to think is wide open. Bunyan says and I am ready to endorse his views, after a careful survey, and fearful experience of these scriptures-that "it is possible for a man so to sin Brother Davies seems to be most clear in and fall away, that afterwards he will find no this: that the characters described by the repentance, though he seek it carefully and Apostle are not merely professors, but evident with tears. The scriptures which cannot be partakers of grace. Perhaps it is so; but broken, will shut him out." Again, did Mr. what of this? Suppose the Apostle in these Hart experience an evangelical repentance, words, alludes to his own high privileges as when he looked upon himself as a gospel sin- an Apostle and Christian, wherein does it difner? No, his terrors, on the contrary, were fer from a similar caution in this same epistle? inconceivable, notwithstanding all his know- "If we sin wilfully after we have received the ledge of evangelical truth. Can brother Da- knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no vies be ignorant of these things? Surely more sacrifice for sins." Will brother D. these examples are not hid in a corner; rather wrest this Scripture also from its cautionary they have gone abroad into all the world. If import, as some others have done? For this so, then, I draw this inference that the ex-is evidently an illustration of the other; and perience of standard saints is adverse to the conclusions of brother Davies. Having been brought up amongst Calvinists, I have heard, from time to time, many different views on those passages of Scripture in Heb. vi., and many have been the attempts to clear away the obscurity that seems to rest upon them; but like angry waves that dash against the rocks, and are spent in noisy spray -every attempt has been in vain, there these fearful Scriptures still stand, amid the wreck of ages, arrayed in all their terrors-an awful beacon to warn us where many a gallant ship has been wrecked. Arminians cannot rest their ark upon them, nor can Calvinists divest them of their terrors: and there they will still stand, a warning to all professors, to the end of time; and blessed are they that find grace to take heed unto them, lest they die. The reason that Calvinists are continually running to the rescue of these Scriptures, seems to be, because it is thought that the doctrine of final perseverance is in jeopardy by them a concern, therefore, for the doctrine more than for souls, is the motive for so many fruitless attempts at elucidation. But should not every man consider, before he attempts to wrest any Scripture from the hands of an enemy, that every fruitless attempt only recoils against the cause which he is anxious to support? And is it not far better to let the Scriptures rest in obscurity, than make them worse than obscure, by wresting them from the obvious meaning which the Holy Spirit designed they should bear. the conclusion to which the Apostle comes, is this, that if they that despised the law, died without mercy, how much more shall they die without mercy, who have despised the Son of God? If they were not allowed a sacrifice, how shall those obtain another sacrifice, who have crucified the Son of God afresh, or trampled him under foot? Might not the Apostle say this: "If we sin wilfully after we have been enlightened, it is impossible to renew us again unto repentance, seeing we crucify the Son of God afresh ?" Is this not a plain scriptural fact, whether we can see how it comports with our views of final perseverance or not? Paul once in his life persecuted Christ, by persecuting his members; once he had crucified Christ, when he blasphemed, and caused others to blaspheme his holy Name, but he obtained mercy because he did it ignorantly; but now, after he has been enlightened, if he should crucify the Son of God again, how shall he obtain mercy, seeeing he does not do it ignorantly? I say again, is not this a plain Scriptural fact? Neither does it follow, though the apostle makes such a supposition, that God could ever leave him thus to fall, or that it was possible for him to perish; but this very fear and godly caution God had put into his heart, by which he was preserved from such an irrecoverable destruction. The knowledge of such a yawning gulf in the way must ever lead us to fly with trembling from all appearance of apostacy. And this I am persuaded is the reason that these cautions are left on A child can understand that these Scrip- record. "Moreover, by them is thy servant tures are a fearful warning to all professors― | warned;" "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." Arminians judge from these Scriptures that a believer may apostatize; but though it is said, "It is impossible to renew such unto repentance who have once been enlightened," &c., it neither says nor implies that the believer can fall away. He is cautioned as well as others against this sin, and it is the believer only that profits by it. While others fall away in the time of temptation, the believer, like gold, endures the fiery trial. Dr. Gill justly observes, that the Arminian gains nothing by this Scripture. "A caution against apostacy is no proof that God will ever suffer a believer to fall away; but may be (and doubtless is) the means of his preservation." Our Lord Jesus informs us that it is impossible for any to deceive the elect; notwithstanding he cautions them, saying,"Take heed, lest any man deceive you." there is great reward. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall 1 be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." Again, we find the apostle Paul saying, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest after I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Now, we well know that it was not possible that the Psalmist could be guilty of the great transgression; nor could the apostle fail of salvation; yet we see the one thought it not unnecessary to pray for his safety, and the other acted upon the principle that he could not inherit the kingdom of God unless he, through the spirit, mortified the deeds of the body. The means is connected with the end; and he that expects to be saved without the means, separates what God has joined together. A BLAST FROM THE NORTH, Houghton-le-Spring, Feb. 14, 1855. Aseful Men. WE dearly love to read the honest details of those godly men who lived before us, and labored for the good of immortal souls. Some sources of ministerial biography, &c., have fallen into our hands, and we shall try. now and then to furnish a letter-press portrait of one whose example is worthy of notice, and whose successful labors may stimulate and encourage many a good man now in the gospel field. In that neat little volume, written by Mr. John Cooper, of Wattisham, entitled, "THE ROOT AND THE BRANCHES," we find the following reference to the late good old JOHN THOMPSON, Here all alike are cautioned, but the electecollections of some of Zion's alone are profited by it; for to them given, according to the new covenant promise -"a godly fear," to "take heed according to God's Word;" by which they "keep themselves from the paths of the destroyer." Yea, by which "they keep themselves, so that the wicked one toucheth them not." But others, who have not this grace, presume and perish. It appears to me, from my experience, that the doctrine of final perseverance is very little understood; and I would, with all humility and meekness, declare that it is my opinion that we have so much given ourselves up to controversy and debate about the doctrine, that satan has blinded our eyes; so that though we see the truth, we see it in a wrong light. We have so long been accustomed to say that a true believer cannot fall away, that we have arrived at the conclusion that he is safe without caution, and that he can persevere without those means which God has appointed for his perseverance; so that all cautions against apostacy are thought unnecessary, and to smack of Arminianism; and all exhortations to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling," are counted grossly legal. We forget, that although our God has made salvation sure, in order to obtain it, or in the way to it, we must "work," "fight," run," "take heed," "watch and pray,' 'keep under our body," "endure to the end," and overcome every foe, "God working in us to will and to do of his good pleasure.' And without these things there is no salvation. Why should it be thought a strange thing that God should warn us against falling away against coming short-against "falling after the same example of unbelief"against wilful, presumptuous sinning against being shut out, and. being cast away, like bad fish? These cautions are only in conformity with the rest of God's Word, by which the believer is enabled to cleanse his way. By these he knows what to shun, and what to strive for; and by these he is instructed how to avoid destruction, and how to obtain the promised good. Hence, we find the Psalmist saying, "Moreover, by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them 66 THE GRUNDISBURGH PASTOR. MRS. MARY ANN COOPER was the second daughter of the late Mr. John Thompson, formerly the honoured pastor of the Baptist Church at Grundisburgh, an elder daughter, also named Mary Ann, having died in childhood. Mr. Thompson was a truly laborious and successful minister of Jesus Christ, his labours being very extensive as a village preacher, which employment he zealously pursued during the entire period of his pastorate at Grundisburgh. Of his early life but little worthy of remark is known, except a few particulars which relate to his call by Divine grace, after he had arrived at manhood. He was trained in the principles and worship of the Established Church, his parents and ancestors for many generations having been rigidly attached to the forms of religion established by law. But the day of Jehovah's almighty power arrived, and John Thompson, who was a pharisee of the stricter sort-highly esteemed in the village (of Sproughton) for the urbanity of his manners, the frankness of his disposition, and the uprightness of his conduct was at length convinced of sin, and enlightened into the plan of salvation, through a series of conversations with the village that severe trial Mr. Thompson immediately escaped. Not a word was ever afterwards uttered against his religious views and proceedings by his family, who were compelled to respect his conscientiousness, if they could not sympathise with his principles. shoemaker, a godly man, whom young Thomp- | live!" The snare was instantly broken, and from son respected for his integrity, and upon whom he would occasionally commence an attack in religious debate, with a pharisaic consciousness of his own superiority, but which eventually terminated in the total subversion of his religious opinions, spiritual brokenness of heart, and, at first, an unwilling surrender of When about twenty-four years of age, he his idol-pharisaical righteousness! Now the gospel of Jesus Christ, to which hitherto he thus united with the church at Ipswich, where had been an utter stranger, was sought by the knowledge of Christ, and acquiring the for several years he remained, advancing in him in the ministrations of his own parish esteem of the church and a large circle of church, but sought in vain! For miles around friends. During his membership at Stoke he anxiously traversed the neighbourhood, to find within the pale of the Establishment Green, he was called to sustain the office of the joyful sound of salvation by free grace; lieved, about fifteen years. deacon, which he honorably filled, it is beHere also he but at that time, nearly eighty years since, commenced the exercise of his gifts in exit was not there to be found! His early pounding the Scriptures, in which early minprejudice against Dissenters had not wholly istrations the Lord greatly blessed him. subsided, and for a time he still was reluctant Among others who ascribed their first conto seek what he needed among "schismatics." victions, under God, to his first labors in the At length, however, urged by his friend the gospel, was the late Mr. John Keeble, of shoemaker, he went one Sabbath morning to Blandford Street, London, who was ever acStoke Green Chapel, Ipswich-it was on a customed to venerate the memory of Mr. baptising day-when the scene that opened Thompson as his 'spiritual father.' So evi. upon him, the solemnities of the occasion, dent, indeed, did it appear that the Lord had and the sound of free and sovereign mercy a work for him to accomplish, that he was from the lips of the venerable George Hall, pastor of the church, at once overpowered his church, to preach the gospel; nor was it long soon. sent forth, under the sanction of the feelings, enlightened his judgment, slew his ere "a wide door, and effectual," was opened remaining antipathies, and brought him into for his stated and abundant labors. About subjection at the feet of Jesus. With Mr. this time, the gospel was introduced into the Thompson determined action ever commenced village of Grundisburgh, by a Mr. George, where anxious and patient investigation ter- who commenced preaching in a house there, minated. He consulted not with flesh and about the year 1796, and continued his minblood. Conviction was immediately followed istrations, it is believed, but a short time. by a conscientious surrender of himself to the Soon afterwards, Mr. Thompson was directed Lord and to his people. This step, however, to that opening field of labor, and the success involved no little difficulty. A furious storm that attended his ministry speedily led to the of persecution now burst on him from his erection of a chapel, and the formation of a parents and friends, who considered their Christian church, which latter event occurred feelings to be outraged, and the honour of on July 12th, 1798, Mr. Thompson being their family scandalized by their son's estrange- chosen to the pastorate. In labors abundant, ment from the Church, and his resolved ad- and in the face of no small degree of opposihesion to the principles and worship of the tion, he was favored to see the cause arise un"conventicle." From urgent entreaties, and der his instrumentality: the Word of the severe admonitions, they proceeded to angry Lord multiplied and grew; the church greatly and fierce denunciations of his alleged dis- increased; and, owing to the blessing of God obedient and refractory conduct, and at length, on his extensive village labors, he became the at a family meeting, convened for the purpose instrument of planting several other churches of discussing the subject, and determining the in that part of the county, most of which conissue of the affair, his father, in a rage, threat- tinue to this day. During many of the early ened at once and for ever to disinherit him! years of his ministry, large accessions were Trying as was his position at this moment, made to the church, and on several occasions, the young man's faith was calm and unshaken from twenty to twenty-five persons were bapas a rock! It triumphed over his feelings, tised by him at once. Many persons now and enabled him to outride the tempest of living remember those seasons of rejoicing in raging elements that had gathered in that that part of Zion, when the indefatigable pasotherwise peaceful domestic circle. Argument tor devoted his talents and energies almost in such a case would have been useless. Fur- entirely to the furtherance of the cause of ther controversy with those who had winged Christ. During a period of twenty-eight the arrows of parental displeasure with despot- years, his labors were prosecuted with untirism, and aimed them at the conscience, might ing zeal, and crowned with varied measures have been unlovely. "The sword of the Spirit" of success, until the first Sabbath in October, was sufficient. "A soft answer turneth away 1826, when his services on earth were termiwrath." "When my father and mother for-nated. At the table of the Lord on that day sake me," gently replied the persecuted youth, his people saw his face and heard his voice "then the Lord will take me up." Instantly the last time! Almost immediately afterhis mother ran to him, and, falling on his wards he became seriously ill, and, under the neck, exclaimed in that impassioned manner excruciating agony occasioned by a carbuncle, a mother only can evince, "My dear boy, I he peacefully slept in Jesus on the 9th of vill never leave you, nor forsake you while I October, 1826, aged 72 years. SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LAST DAYS ON EARTH OF THE LATE MR. STEPHEN DARK. As a faithful, humble, and truly experimental servant of Christ, this good man was well known in Devizes, Market Lavington, and other parts of Wiltshire. The following communications have been kindly forwarded to us: THE Lord has, in his inscrutable wisdom, called the little flock over which the late Mr. Blackstock was pastor, to drink the cup of sorrow, in bereaving them of their friend and beloved minister, Mr. Stephen Dark, who fell asleep in Jesus, at a quarter to 9, Wednesday evening, March 14th. This dear servant of the Lord's had suffered from influenza at Christmas, which left him weak, but no danger was apprehended until a few days before his departure from this vale of tears. The aged saint was marvellously supported in his last days by the sensible presence of his gracious Lord, so that he was chiefly engaged in praising and exalting the riches of unmerited, sovereign, and discriminating grace. The church on earth have lost a warmhearted friend, the family a most affectionate parent, and the little flock at Salem a faithful, beloved, and loving pastor.-G. C. (From another Correspondent.) THE departed saint and pastor of Salem Chapel, Mr. S. Dark, had enjoyed his usual amount of health, with the exception of a debilitating attack of influenza, until Friday, February 23rd. He had preached on the Sunday previously, when he stated to his people that he had a sacred persuasion on his mind that, as a little remnant of the election of grace, it became them, to "sit in sackcloth and humiliation before the Lord," and to assemble themselves once a week for the purpose of petitioning the throne of mercy, that he who rules in heaven and among the armies of earth, would graciously be pleased to avert the solemn judgments that now hung over the land. On that evening he was in much distress of body, and could with difficulty reach his home. During the two following days, he suffered from acute rheumatic pains at intervals, but on the Wednesday he was sufficiently strengthened to go through the usual evening service. On Thursday morning he called on one of his flock, and remarked, "I thought this morning that it was all over with me; and was obliged to beg of the Almighty, that if he had no more work for me to do, he would make it plain;" adding, "I feel so weak and feeble, I love to get among the feeble ones, though I seem to have nothing to say to them." He then asked for the Bible, and read the latter part of the 2nd of Canticles, and engaged in prayer. He appeared cheered, and on parting said, "I am very glad, my dear friend, to come and see you once more; I cannot tell you how much I lose in not going more among the people; but I feel the cold so much I cannot get about so much as I did." On the afternoon of the day which he had fixed for the first prayer meeting with his flock, he was seized with a sudden aggravation of rheumatic pain across his chest, attended with great distress in his breathing, which continued unabated for upwards of twenty-four hours. He partially rallied from this severe shock, and once more visited his people on the succeeding Friday at the prayer meeting, when he read and engaged in prayer; and on the following Sunday he was enabled to preach morning and evening, from those words, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." On these occasions he was enabled to bring forth to the people many fragments of the word of life, with which his Divine Master had vouchsafed to bless and feed his soul during his illness-they consisted of some weighty promises which yet flowed warm, perfumed by the sacred unction and light of God the Holy Ghost. He On the following Wednesday, he stood up for the last time in his Master's name. spoke most sweetly from those words, "Like panteth my soul after thee, O God," and the as the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so following verse. Before he concluded he be came much exhausted, and alluded to the severe pantings which he had suffered from literally for many days past. In his petitions to the throne of mercy on this, and other occasions, he spoke of his dissolution being near, and that he had intreated the Lord, if consistent with his Divine will, to preserve him from pain in his last days-which petition was ing of the stream of life. There was, however, most graciously answered to the very last ebbnothing in his manner or appearance, to call forth alarm, until Saturday, when it was manifest that he was growing rapidly worse, and his medical attendant pronounced him "alarmingly ill!" Throughout the day he was oppressed in spirit, and observed to a friend that evening, "I am full of carnality-such foolishness, jesting, and vain conversation going on in my mind, and I am talking to people about the greatest nonsense and trifles, then I dose, and wake up only to renew the conversation." The Lord graciously appeared through the cloud on Sunday, and once more visited his dear servant, so that he broke forth in joyful language to the same friend, remarking, "I have had some fellowship with the Apostle in those words, "A messenger of satan to buffet me," but he added, "the Lord granted me help too from his word to his servant Paul, My grace is sufficient for thee."" One could but reinark a solemn earnestness was in the manner of our departed brother all through his short illness." He soon asked me, (writes his medical attendant, Mr. Cheyne,) whether I thought his natural life was flowing away. His bodily prostration from the first was so extremely great, and was so evidently increasing from hour to hour that but one reply could be given; although added, that Jehovah could even then fill up the spring again, if it would be for his glory. He cheerfully assented, and said, "You know I have, through grace, no doubt of my blessed interest in the precious blood of the covenant; I believe, and my hope is locked up here, (putting his hand to his heart ;) I know I have heard the voice of the Good Shepherd." On another occasion he remarked, in his state o general strengthlessness, that he felt the power of the word, "Comfort the feeble minded," in a peculiar manner; he wanted the Lord's felt presence; and ere he entered the valley of the shadow of death, he truly realized that his faithful Lord was with him-that his rod and his staff comforted him. On the morning of the last day of his earthly pilgrimage, I saw him lying, unconscious of all seen things, whilst the spiritual life within him found utterance in feeble sounds of praise, thus, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name." When told that his doctor had arrived, he at once seemed to recover his relation to the circumstances around him, and spoke of some symptoms in his case. He was cheerful and at ease in the secret of his Lord's presence. To the question as to whether he could lean his whole weight upon Jesus in that hour, he replied, "O yes! "Determined to save, he watched o'er my path, And whispers, thou art his." In an interview which our departed brother had with another friend, who shewed grief at the prospect of losing him, he said, "Weep not for me, my friend; the Lord will provide. I was lent to you for a little while, and you to me; and now, if it be the Lord's will to take me home, I am ready. I have lived long, (nearly 66 years,) and known many trials-but not too many; feeble in body, feeble in mind, feeble in soul, the Lord has made me feel to be; and that word has been good unto me, 'Comfort the feeble mind."" On Tuesday, the day before his departure, in the presence of one of his children, he repeated the following words : "If thou, my Jesus, still be nigh, Cheerful I live, and joyful die; Secure, when earthly comforts flee, To find ten thousand worlds in thee." In reply to the enquiry of one of his flock, "Is it well?" The dying saint said, "Yes, yes; 'tis with the righteous well." During the whole of this afternoon he appeared much exhausted, and his breathing shortened by the least exertion. Seeing his beloved partner in tears, he fixed his eyes on her, and waving his hands in a solemn and tender manner, said, "I must commit you to the Lord." Late in the evening he recognised a friend who had been with him a few hours previously-saying, "Ah, dear friend and brother, come again? I have had some conflict since you were here," and rubbing his forehead, he looked somewhat exercised, as though a slight cloud had passed over his happy spirit. It was remarked, "The Lord is the God of hosts; and our God is above men, devils and sin." "Yes," he instantly replied. "You shall stand still and hold your peace. I have no power to go against this great multitude." On another occasion, in answer to a friend's remark that the Lord was dealing mercifully with him, he said, "Yes; and what a "And, lest the shadow of a spot Adding, "Yes, all around." In consequence At During the night of Tuesday, he expressed a wish to have a quiet day; and that he minded of the text from which he spoke on might see no one but his doctor. He was rethat day week-"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God;" and replied, "Yes, I have had some depths of panting and struggling since; but the Lord must manage it." To the question, "Do you feel your standing in the covenant secure " he replied, "Yes, O yes; "Founded on right, His prayer prevails." One of his flock observed, "There is much mercy mixed with your affliction;" to which he replied, "Yes, mercy is his darling attribute;" adding, "A debtor to mercy alone." In the course of his last day on earth, he was heard on two occasions to whisper,— "There is a name above every"-the remainder of the sentence died away on his lips; but the hearer was impressed with the feeling that the 9th and 10th verses of Phillippians ii., were on the mind of our brother. He sent his love to some dear friends in the country, saying, "Tell them I am above the power of unbelief; and although we believe not, He abideth. He cannot deny himself." At 5 o'clock in the afternoon of Wednesday, 14th, he wished some portion of the Word to be read to him; and on being asked if there was any particular one on his mind, replied, "Not now. I had-but through conflict it is gone from me.' On taking his medicine for the last time, he implored the Divine blessing upon it, whether for life or for death. His strength now rapidly declined; and about 8 o'clock he began to sink in death. His lips moved, and it was evident that he was already on the confines of the eternal world of bliss; his eyes were fixed upward, and peace was stamped on the countenance. A convoy of ministering angels were, no doubt, at this moment around the dying saint, wafting the signal from their Almighty Creator and Lord, to carry this precious charge into the bosom of their Lord and his Lord: and could our brother have now spoken to us, assuredly his words would have been, "JehovahShammah!" for glory was already in his soul and around his bed; in proof of which, (if such be needed), the words, "glory! glory!" were repeated in an audible manner, and then his spirit fled to the bosom of the Lord, and the frail body was left in sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection unto life eternal, at 9 o'clock on Wednesday evening, March 14th. |