of himself." 4. Justification. As my Father has so loved me, as to have nothing against me, so have I loved thee, that I have nothing against thee. 5. Duration. As my Father has loved me, so as never to part from me, so have I loved thee so as never to part from thee. 66 end of the world." I am come after you, 'Lo! I am with you alway, even to the and will not go back without you. Mr. J. A. Jones read and prayed, and Mr. Wells preached from John xi. 8, 9. "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much IV. The Exhortation.-" Continue ye in fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the my love." First.-Vitally. In opposition Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; to the mere way-side, stony-ground hearer. continue ye in my love." Wherein he noticed This is what exercises the child of God all four things: 1. The manner of true disciple- through life---the vitality of his religion. ship: 2. The import of the character: 32. Practically. Not only in difficulties but The order of the love of God: 4. The exhortation. We only give a sentence or two of Mr. W.'s able discourse. I. The manner of true discipleship. Here I shall notice three distinct ideas. 1. Fellowship with God; 2. Faith in the Son, and 3. Love to him. When the Lord begins his work on the heart, it gives rise in the sinner's mind to an enquiry after eternal things. These matters have such a weighty effect on the mind as to cause them to desire fellowship with God; and this is one of the fruits. In a word, they are brought into a state of solitude, and this brings them to hold fellowship with God. You and I in seeking his glory-glorify God; and in order for a man to glorify God he must have a knowledge of his state as a sinner. 2. Faith or confidence. Now the people that are thus brought to love the Lord will be often under the influence of unbelief, and therefore they must venture on the promises of the Lord; and believe that crooked as things are, he will make them the means of bringing a greater weight of glory. Besides this, there will be other afflictions. Now it is that Satan will attack you and darkness will come. Whatever trials you may have as a church, stand still and seek the Lord for direction, and the Lord will appear for you; Jonah will be astonished to find he is turned out safe on dry land; Joseph will be astonish. ed to find himself in the palace of the King, clothed in royal apparel. 3. Love. We can do nothing without this. It would be a poor thing to believe the scriptures and not love them. "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye love much." "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it." III. The order of the love of God.-Jesus Christ is loved as the Son of God; and as such he loves us as the children of God. Observe the order of this love. 1. Relationship. 2. Eternity."Whose goings forth have been from of old; from everlasting." Therefore, there is an eternity of love. 3. Bestowment." How wonderful is this! "He put away sin by the sacrifice in prosperity. 3. Contentedly. It is a very comfortable thing when we can feel contented. I do feel thankful to say, that ever since I have known the Lord, I have been quite contented with his love; and never wished to change it. I defy any one to bring anything to equal it! Empty professors soon get discontented. The word of God to man, entered as a two-edged sword. When I was in a state of nature I was seldom contented with anything. I was going to say, if I was not contented with this, I ought to go to hell. Mr. Wells finished his discourse by expressing his good wishes for the welfare and prosperity of both church and pastor at Snows' Fields. Many ministers of the Gospel were present during the services of the day, and the chapel was crowded on each occasion; more particularly in the evening, when numbers could not obtain admission. The Blessings of Prayer. We look unto Jesus, who saves us by grace; Be it ever so feeble, there's nothing like prayer. Be it ever so feeble, there's nothing like prayer. When God we approach, through the Son of his love, Both his mercy and truth we know we shall prove : For our comfort and peace, his arm is made bare, And his grace we receive in answer to prayer. Prayer, sweet prayer! For acts of devotion, there's nothing like prayer. Holy Spirit of truth, 'tis thine to inspire The faith that enkindles the spark of desire, Which cleanses the heart, and perfumes all the air, With the odour of incense ascending from prayer. Prayer, sweet prayer! Be it ever so feeble, there's nothing like prayer, When sickness assails, and to death we draw near, We'll face the grim inonster, divested of fear! In Jesus's love we shall have a full share. While the flame is kept bright, in answer to prayer. Prayer, sweet prayer! Both in life, and in death, there's nothing like prayer. Christian Reviewer. "A Protest against the Doctrines, that a Child of God cannot Backslide: that the Lord does not Chastise his Children for Sin: that Sin in the Thought of the Heart is as offensive to God as Sin in the Outward Action." A Sermon Preached in the Baptist Chapel, St. George's Road, Manchester, on Lord's Day Evening, Jan. 23, 1848: by John Kershaw, Minister of the Gospel, Rochdale. London: R. Groombridge and Sons, 5, Paternoster-row; J. Gadsby, Bouverie-street, Fleet-street. As soon as this discourse was published, we purchased a copy, and read it carefully through; and felt a desire to notice it in the Vessel, but inasmuch as it had not been sent to us for Review, we rather reluctantly laid it aside. Since that a dear and much esteemed brother in the Lord, and in the ministry, has put it into our hands for the express purpose above named: we shall therefore now freely and fearlessly call the attention of our readers to the work. We have nothing to do, nor shall we notice, any of the circumstances which led Mr. Kershaw to enter this "solemn and scriptural protest against the errors" set forth in the title page; but we have to do with (and we feel called upon to give all the help in our power to make known,) the able, honest, wholesome and necessary declaration and defence of vital, experimental truth, which this sermon contains. We must not be told that there is no occasion for such a protest to be entered and published. We know that there is great occasion. We have ourselves heard one who was considered" a very able Gospel Minister," boldly declare from the pulpit that sin was no worse in practice, than it was in thought; and we also know that it has been again and again declared that" we have nothing to do with sin, nor sin with us." Moreover closet communion, closet retirement, and secret waiting upon God has been ridiculed; the fact is, the " PERILOUS TIMES ARE REALLY COME;" men are evidently "lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, heady, and high-minded; having a form, an elegant, and eloquent form of godliness, but denying the essential and the experimental power." We feel that these are solemn things. To stand up against them, is like the plucking out of a right eye, and cutting off a right arm; but be the consequences what they may, against that awful levity, profanity, perversion of God's most Holy Truth, and the making merchandise of Christ's house and ordinances, we must and will witness. We regret that inasmuch as this sermon did not come into our hands for review until the Vessel for May was complete, we can only this month briefly refer to it. We most sincerely and heartily trust its circulation will be extensive. We wish it could have been published for two-pence, instead of four-pence, knowing as we do that the Lord's people are for the most part exceedingly poor. Just to enable the reader to form some idea of the preacher's motive, spirit, and subject, we make the following extract:The summer before your late and esteemed pastor died, he and I, in the providence of God, were cast into the company of a clergyman of the Established Church, Vicar of a neighbouring parish. After the compliments which usually pass on such occasions, he being informed who my friend was, looked very earnestly at him, and said, 'Well, Mr. Gadsby, I have often heard of you, but never recollect seeing you before; you are a much older man than I expected.' 'Ah!' said my friend, 'I have attained to more than three score years and ten, and as good old Dr. Hawker was wont to say, after he had attained that age, I am living upon borrowed days.' The vicar, still looking earnestly at my friend, continued, Mr. Gadsby, I suppose you stand directly opposed to all such men as myself?' Mr. Gadsby replied, "Oh! no, doctor; you are greatly mistaken: I do not stand opposed to you or any man in the land; there is not a man upon earth whom I do not feel wishful to benefit so far as lies in my power. I do not stand opposed to men, but to erroneous principles and practices.' My dear friends, I feel thankful to the Lord that I can even now say the same as your esteemed pastor said. "The Lord has put it into my heart to do good to all men, but especially to the household of faith." It is neither men nor church that I stand opposed to as such, but to those principles and doctrines, both in theory and practice, which stand opposed to the word of God, and to the real happiness, peace, and prosperity of Zion. "On the present occasion you are aware that I stand pledged to enter a scriptural protest against the following errors :I. That a child of God cannot back slide. 66 II. That the Lord does not chastise his children for sin. 66 III. That sin in the thought of the heart is as great an offence to God as sin in the outward action. 66 our Beloved, these principles are either true or false, either in accordance with the records of heaven or opposed to them. Let us in examination follow the noble example of the Bereans spoken of in text, who searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so. The Lord enable us to try the principles under consideration by the rule, bringing them to the standard of God's word, christian experience, and the doctrines which are according to godliness." " Next month, if spared, we shall notice the work again. "A View of Christ in Glory." A Sermon by the late Mr. John Stevens. London: James Paul, Penny Pulpit Office, Chapter House Court, St. Paul's. At the close of this discourse, we find the following paragraph-" This sublime and most glorious sermon has been written out and carefully revised by Mr. J. A, Jone of Jireh." The subject certainly is both of faithful ministers and thousands of pre"sublime and glorious;" and in treating cious redeemed souls who never were of it there is nothing but what is calculated baptised in water: but this fact does not in the hands of the Spirit, to draw out the in the least alter the positive command souls of the redeemed in fervent aspirations for the time when "We shall see Him as he of Christ in the 19th and 20th verses of is, and be made like unto him." the 28th of Matthew. Neither does it shake or lessen our conviction that the first gospel church was a pattern for all the churches of Christ down to the end of time. There, in the second of Acts, you have these seven things beautifully and blessedly connected: "Triumphant Grace signally displayed in Some Desperate Struggles between Old Apollyon and a Young Believer." By James Osbourn, V.D.M., of Baltimore City. London: Printed and Published at the Office of the Earthen Vessel, 6, Pagoda Terrace, Bermondsey New-road. This is James Osbourn all over: both as an author and a preacher, he is never better at home than when treating on "Triumphant Grace." In this work he has ably worked out the attacks of Old Apollyon and the happy triumphs of sovereign grace. The work is a very long letter in twelve sections, addressed to his brother in the ministry, Mr. H. Holden. 6 First: They were all filled with the Acts ii. 4. This is the Holy Ghost.' baptism of the Holy Ghost. Secondly, Peter began to preach the fulfilment of prophecy, and the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Thirdly, sinners were convicted, and cried out, What shall we do?' 6 Fourthly, Peter answered,' Repent, and be baptised, in the name of Jesus Christ.' Fifthly, They that gladly received the We understand the Churches in England will not allow Mr. Osbourn yet to return. His invitations are so numerous and pressing, and his labours so acceptable, that he feels constrained to lengthen his visit; and to this desired arrangement, his belov-word, were baptised. ed partner and friends in America have, (for Christ's sake, and for the gospel's sake.) somewhat reluctantly bowed. "Short meditations on Elisha." London: Nisbett & Co. This is a clean, quiet, spiritual, and savoury little commentary on the History of Elisha. We will gather a few of the fruits from this little tree some day, if spared. Sixthly:The same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.' And lastly, 'They continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine, and in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and prayers.' Here, in these seven things, the Holy Ghost hath joined together-the materials, the order, the constitution, "Apollos" has our thanks for his kind and proper discipline of the New Testaacknowledgement of the Answers through ment church. And the powerful instructhe Supplement, published with the April tion of the blessed Spirit in our souls, is Vessel. It is astonishing what a num- this- WHAT GOD HATH JOINED TOber of letters of various kinds that simple GETHER, LET NO MAN PUT ASSUNDER. question has produced. Some profess to We do fearlessly declare that, in the have received much instruction and con- covenant of grace, God the Father did firmation from the perusal of the Supple- unite Christ and the church in the gosment; others are quite angry. We think pel kingdom, he has united the ordinances shortly of publishing another Supple- of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Withment, containing some other letters on out vital and external union to Christ in both sides of the question. In the mean the covenant of grace, we know no soul time let us be fairly understood; we do not can be saved: without either baptism or intend" to make the Earthen Vessel an the Lord's Supper, we believe thousands organ for Baptismal Controversy" No. have been, and will be saved. NevertheBut, after all the banging and beating less, we feel bound as much to honour the which we have had; after all the warm ordinances in Christ's house, as we do and angry, letters which we have perused; cordially believe in that covenant which still, our heads are so thick, and our gives existence, safety, and glory to the views respecting the ordinance of Bap-house. And having said thus much, we tism are so fixed that we cannot be so frightened by indirect threats as to bring our minds to make a promise that we will say no more about it. And as to the charge that none are christians, but those who are baptised with water,' we totally deny it. We believe and are fully persuaded that the Lord has hundreds shall for the present leave it and if for this avowal of our sentiments some good men become angry with us, and turn their backs upon us, be it so; sooner than hold back, or hide up any part of that truth which is written in God's word, and revealed in our hearts, we wouldthat the Earthen Vesselshould become extinct. DEATH DREADED, YET DESIRED. tremely from rheumatic gout, which brought on a rapid decline; prayer had been made for him without ceasing, that God would shew unto him his awful state as a sinner, his need of salvation, and his personal interest in the all-atoning sacrifice of the ever adorable Redeemer. Early in the morning of the day on which he died, his awakened and alarmed soul was in an agony, his bitter and incessant cries were, I am damned, and fast going to hell; on his parents wishing him to be carried up stairs, he refused, saying, that the lowest hell was his proper place. During the day Mr. D-, minister of Chapel, visited him, and prayed with, and for him, while his father was found pleading for him in one room, his mother in another; the perspiration produced by his intense sufferings and sorrow, rolled off him like water, until the evening time, when light divine broke in upon his mind, with kind and cheering rays, which liberated his soul from the blackness of despair, and the bondage of corruption, and caused him with holy rapture to cry out, I have seen Jesus Christ! Carry me up-carry me up, for I have seen Jesus Christ! A few hours after, he died in peace, giving praises to God. The minister before mentioned, preached a funeral sermon on the occasion, from the following apostolic appropriate testimony, "and last of all he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time." 1 Cor. xv. 8. "The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." Mark xiv. 38. On Friday, March 17th, died in the faith, | plucked out of the fire) had suffered exEmma Vinall, of Leader-street, Chelsea, in the 54th year of her age. She was born in sin, and in due time brought to know it, although she long remained a stranger to the God of her life. Being compelled to attend a place of worship every Lord's day, with her God-fearing parents, the chapel being four miles distant from their residence, she went much against her stubborn and rebellious will, at the same time, promising herself, that when she became her own mistress, she would see and have her own way, and her fill of pleasure. Blessed be God that "his ways are not as our ways, neither are his thoughts as our thoughts." But after she was married, and left her father's house, she found not the happiness she had proposed to herself, but instead of pleasure, many sorrows. Her sister-in-law having died suddenly, led her for the moment, to consider her state and danger as a sinner before God, where upon, she resolved to live a godly life, and in her own imaginary strength, she set about the business, as though heaven were to be obtained presently, being yet a stranger to "the grace that wills and works the change which makes the sinner free." At this period evincing some degree of concern for her soul, when she knew it was the time for her father to be engaged in family prayer, she would go and listen at the window, that she might hear him begging of his heavenly Father, to look in mercy upon his wicked children, but these things being merely the result of sudden and transient conviction, soon passed away like the morning dew. Shortly after this, she came to London, and receiving an affectionate letter from her youngest sister upon her having been baptized, at Hailsham, in Kent, she was greatly affected therewith, and her mind becoming deeply distressed with the felt consciousness of her sinnership, she was led to conclude that she should go to hell, while her sister would be in glory. The distress of her soul was considerably increased by reflecting on the persecuting spirit which she had formerly betrayed towards her much afflicted brother, who died at the age of 18. This youth (a brand VOL. IV.-PART XLI.-June, 1848. Our deceased sister on coming to London, attended for some time, the ministry of the word at Alfred Place Chapel, Brompton, where she was baptized and received into church relationship. But soon discovering that there was something wanting in the ministry to meet the growing necessities of her panting soul; she was led, in order of divine providence, to attend at Carmel Chapel, Pimlico; where she found food such as her soul loved and lived upon. Lord's day, December 5th, 1841, she, with ten others, joined the Church at Carmel, and continued regular in her attendance until the commencement of her illness, which terminated in the dissolution of nature's many close drawn R On . earnestly intreated her daughters not to be offended with big things, much less with trifles. Her feelings were keenly exercised touching her want of attention to her dear father's best advice; she often used to say, 'Ah! if I had my poor father here now; how differently would I behave towards him.' He was once speaking of the doctrine of election in her presence, when she told him she wished he would not name it before her, for it seemed to her to make God unkind; but he said, 'Emma, God does not say you are not elect,' which silenced and quieted her. This doctrine which she formerly deprecated and dreaded, she was brought by the power of the Holy Ghost to receive as the revelation of heaven's love to hell-deserving sinners, and not only desired to hear of it as set forth in the word of truth, but delighted to talk about it as sealed sure upon the heart by the Spirit of truth. She would often repeat the well-known lines of Dr. Watts: Broad is the road that leads to death, ties: her last appearance at Carmel was on Lord's day evening, September 12th, 1847, on the occasion of a funeral sermon being preached for our deceased brother Ashworth. During her longcontinued affliction, her mind was most blessedly stayed upon Jehovah's covenant love and faithfulness; and though she patiently waited the coming of her Lord, yet she earnestly desired to depart from the wilderness below, and ascend the mount above. Her two daughters (who are also members of Carmel) were unremitting in their attention to their afflicted mother, and their kindness was much felt by her, which she never failed to express to all that visited her. When they waited upon her, and gave her what she required, she would often say, 'Ah! I don't deserve this, when I was so cruel to poor Urban (her brother referred to in the preceeding narrative). One morning she was weeping, and being asked the cause, she said, She felt her end was near, and she was afraid her children and friends being so kind, that she could not be a child of God, or it would be otherwise; but she afterwards saw that this was the incoming of the enemy with his hellish suggestions, trying to darken her mind, in order to distress her soul.' One Lord's day morning, addressing her daughter, she said, Are you going to chapel, Susan?' On her answering, 'Yes, mother; unless you wish me not,' she cried very much, and said, 'I like you to be with me; but not for one moment would I keep you from the Lord's house, for when people begin to leave off going to chapel, it is a sign of a frost in the soul, and that is apt to nip all the buddings.' She also added, 'poor Mrs. E. (a companion of her early days,) was a Tell me, my soul, can this be death?" member of Mr. D.'s for many years, and Her daughter asking her, if she did not had to walk six miles to the chapel every tremble at the thought that she must week, hail, rain, or sunshine; and after soon die.' 'Oh no,' she said, 'it cheers a long time of health, was taken ill, and me up when they say, I am near my end.' could not go for three months, during Indeed, she had been for some weeks, which time none of the friends went to patiently, yet earnestly waiting for see her from the chapel; after her re- death; though a few days before her covery, she again visited the house of her decease, she said, 'I have been longing pilgrimage: it was the ordinance day, for death, but now it is come I find dying but she would not sit down with them, hard work.' Truly, the spirit is ready, though the members and deacons begged but the flesh is weak.' Her heart had of her not to despise her Saviour, because been greatly comforted for some time; she was displeased with them; but they the Holy Ghost keeping in her rememcould not prevail on her; and she went brance the sweet words of the Saviour, home full of anger, and died shortly after.'' In my Father's house are_many_manHaving related this striking incident, sions; if it were not so I would have which had long impressed her mind, she told you. The last words dwelt more With here and there a traveller." Her daughter was one day, during her illness, speaking to her of some business affairs, when she said, that is not what I want; read me a psalm, that suits me best.' On the Monday preceding her death, feeling the breaking up of nature within her she begged that her children would not leave her, 'As,' said she, 'I am sure I shall soon die,' and shortly after added cr What is this absorbs me quite! |