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19. Yea, by the presence and blessing of his Spirit, our afflictions are sanctified to subdue and purge out our corruptions. By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away sin.-Isaiah xxvii. 9. Now, if a man be instructed in the ends and designs of the rod, refreshed and comforted under every stripe of the rod, and have his sins mortified and purged by the sanctification of the Spirit upon his afflictions, then both the burdensomeness and bitterness of his afflictions are removed and healed by the internal presence of the Spirit of God with his afflicted ones. But,

"2. Besides this, God is providentially present with his people, in all their troubles, in a more external way, ordering all the circumstances of their troubles to their advantage. He orders the degree and extent of our afflictions, still leaving us some mercies and comforts to support and refresh us when others are cut off. In measure doth he debate with his covenant people, staying the rough wind in the day of the east wind. He might justly smite all our outward comforts at once, so that affliction should not rise up the second time; for what comfort soever hath been abused by sin is thereby forfeited into the hand of judgment. But the Lord knows our inability to sustain such strokes, and therefore proportions them to our strength. We have some living relations to minister comfort to us when mourning over our dead. He makes not a full end of all at once. Yea, and his providence supports our frail bodies, enabling them to endure the shocks and storms of so many afflictions without ruin. Surely there is as much of the care of Providence manifested in this, as there is in preserving poor, crazy, leaking barks, and weather-beaten vessels at sea, when the waves not only cover them, but break into them, and they are ready to founder

in the midst of them.

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"O what a singular mercy is the gracious presence of God with men! even the special presence of that God, who is above all, and through all, and in you all,' Eph. iv. 6; as the apostle speaks. Above all, in majesty, and dominion; through all, in his most efficacious providence; and in you all, by his grace and Spirit. As he is above all, so he is able to command any mercy you want, with a word of his mouth; as he is through all, so he must be intimately acquainted with all your wants, straits, and fears; and he is in you all, so he is engaged for your support and supply, as you are the dear members of Christ's mystical body.

"OBJECTION.-But methinks I hear Gideon's objection rolled into the way of this sovereign consolation. If God be with us, why is all this evil befallen us?

"SOLUTION.-All what? If it had been all this rebellion and rage against God, all this apostacy and revolting more and more, all this contumacy and hardness of heart under the rod; then it had been a weighty and stumbling objection indeed: but to say, If God be with us, why are all these chastening corrections and temporal crosses befallen us? why doth he smite our bodies, children, or estates ? is an objection no way fit to be urged

by any that are acquainted with the scriptures, or the nature and tenor of the covenant of grace ? Is afflicting and forsaking all one with you? must God needs hate, because he scourgeth you? I question whether Satan himself hath impudence enough to set such a note or comment upon Heb. xii. 6. 'For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.'

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"No, no, Christian, it is not a chastening rod, but the denying of such a favour, and suffering men to sin with impunity, and go on prosperously in the way of their own hearts-that speaks a rejected man, as the next words (ver. 7,) informs you. As he never loved you the better for your prosperity, so you may be confident he loves you never the less for your adversity and will not this close and heal the wounds made by affliction? What, not such a promise as this, I will be with him in trouble,' Psal. xci. 15. Will not such a presence revive thee? What then can do it? Moses reckoned that a wilderness with God, was better than a Canaan without him. If thy presence go not with me (saith he) then carry us not hence.'-Exod. xxxiii. 15. And if there be the spirit of a Christian in thee, and God should give thee thine own choice, thou wouldst rather choose to be in the midst of all these afflictions with thy God, than back again in all thy prosperity, and among thy children and former comforts, without him."

THE

DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS.

"And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Rev. xiv, 13.

THE institute of preaching is of the Lord, and is of perpetual obligation. The theme of the Preacher is substantially unchangeable. "Christ Jesus, and him crucified;' " but the mode of exhibiting that theme admits of change, and adaptation. Christ and his Apostles furnish examples for our imitation. purpose taking advantage of Death's visit to our circle last week, to make a few remarks upon that solemn subject, hoping the Lord will fasten the circumstance, and the word on the conscience of sinners.

I

I. Consider the universal reign of Death. Death awaits us all; it is a certain thing, a tremendous necessity. We shall all know more about it, for we shall all have to come into close combat therewith. It is the execution of a sentence passed upon all mankind; for we have all sinned. It dissolves earthly connexions, separates those who are most intimately related, and strongly bound in affection's ties. Death is a mighty one; his mandate must be obeyed; there is no resisting it. He reigns in the crowded city, and men of business must find time to die. He reigns in quiet villages, and the retired ones must follow him. He reigns on the battle field, and the warrior bold, and conquerors must surrender at his call. The rich miser must resign his gold, and the poor wayworn pilgrims bid adieu to their

privations and sorrows. Death brings eternal life and happiness to one, and brings second death and misery to another. He reigns at all times, and in all places, because sin exists. His scythe mows down generation after generation; his insatiable mow never cries enough, but give, give, is its exhorbitant demand. Yet I fear not its approach, for I expect my por-ceived him to glory. And it was a short contion, the other side of the grave.

II. Consider the exemption from Death's penal consequences enjoyed by some. And who are they? Those who die in the Lord. Then am I in him? The Church is in him, by Eternal Union, chosen in him, one with him, loved by him, and saved with an everlasting salvation. The Church always existed in him as the members in their head, and as the bride in her heavenly husband. When God created Adam, he created him male and female; the wife was in him, and the individual separation completed the conjugal union. So, "Christ and his members ever stood a glorious mystic man." They ever did and ever will stand in him.

But the Christian is in him personally and experimentally by grace calling, which is manifested by,

1st, Faith in Jesus Christ. This is the gift of God to his elect. The election hath obtained it; and by faith he comes unto, looks upon, and trusts in his merit; this proves him a living man. Faith is alike in kind, though different in degree in all the children. It is trusting Christ in the dark. There was no if about Peter's faith when he found himself sinking. We do not know the strength of our faith as long as we possess human props, and a good strong deck of sensible enjoyment to stand upon; but when we step on to the troubled waters, we discover where our strength lieth.

2nd, Manifested by repentance towards God. True evangelical repentance is never experienced till we see Christ. Law terms may distress us while we look more at the shame, and dread more the punishment of sin, than regret for having pierced our beloved with our sins. This regret cannot be felt, till we have knowledge of the fact. Faith therefore must precede repentance. It is true there is a repentance without faith, such as Esau's, Pharoah's, and Judas's; and thousands in the present day possess their repentance. Godly repentance leads to God, and forsakes the sin, whilst worldly repentance continues the sin and leads to destruction.

3rd, Manifested by hope in God's mercy. This is his anchor when swelling billows rise. When the anchor is most useful, it is not seen. It is fixed in the rock within the veil; we feel the effects in outriding the storm in safety, and see the advantage of possessing such an anchor.

4th, Manifested by confidence in his faithfulness. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," is his language.

5th, Manifested by love to his truth. Fixed purposes, faithful promises, &c., in rebelling against the sooty banner of Free-will, and unfurling the blessed banner of Soverign Grace; and,

6th, Manifested by obedience to his commands, walking in the ordinances of the Lord. Our deceased brother manifested his interest

in Christ by these particulars; what he was in these respects, he was by the grace of God. There is no praise due to the creature, but God exhibits his grace in the creature, and secures to himself the glory. He died in the Lord. The Lord preserved him in health, sustained him in sickness, led him through time, and reflict, it only lasted three hours. The foe was stingless; the King of Terrors acted Charioteer. And now having scaled the ramparts of time, he has taken possession of his throne.

"Faith strives, but all its efforts fail

To trace him in his flight."

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III. Consider the blessedness. They are blessed in being released from sin; here they carry about the body of sin and death. This evil principle still exists, though it does not reign. It annoys, and vexes, there sin cannot enter. Sickness there cannot exist. Sorrow there finds no place. They are blessed in being received to Rest; that will be uninterrupted and eternal. To Reward, the reward of Christ, merit on their behalf, not their own. And to Royalty, the poor prisoners raised from the prison-house to the palace, and made Kings and Priests unto God. They are blessed in being raised to holiness, honour and happiness. To the dying man, earth with all its treasures loses its charms; it must be left behind; but what we possess in the world above will endure for ever; heaven knows no decay, no darkness, no death. The flowers there never fade, the fruits there never decay, the sun there never sets, pleasures for evermore there endure, and sorrow and sighing are for ever banished. May we realize divine sunshine to cheer us on our way to the Celestial City, and there at last obtain an abundant entrance. Amen.

ELIAS GRIFFITHS.

Wellingborough, Feb. 12, 1855.

THE BELIEVER'S HYMN.

"Brightest of all the sons of light,
Our Brother and our Lord;
Help us to worship thee aright,
According to thy word.

And while thy glories now we sing,
Unveil thy beauteous face;
Accept the offerings we bring-
The products of thy grace.

Through grace we listened to thy voice,
Through grace we are forgiven;
Through grace we in thy love rejoice,
And hasten on to heaven.

Hail Son of God! our Jesus hail!

To thee shall praise be given;
Until we pass deaths darksome vale,
And find ourselves in heaven.
Then in a more mellifluous song,
Our voices we will raise,
And through unending years prolong
Thy well deserved praise."

T. J. MESSER.

OH! for the meekness and calmness of the Lamb of God in my soul! It is a sweet disposition heartily to forgive all injuries done to us.

Memorials of Departed Saints. of a Christian Church, and a Christian Church

consists of faithful persons meeting together to worship and glorify God." In the evening,

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR DOUBTING SOULS, AS she not thinking he was able to speak, asked

SEEN IN THE LORD'S GRACIOUS DEALINGS

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if he was happy, when he sweetly smiled; she said, "if so, wave your hand," which he did immediately.

I must omit much for the sake of being brief; but would just say, that, the night before he died, he held his wasted arms straight upward as if wishing to embrace something, or to mount up, and in a few minutes shaked his head, as if in the dark again.

DEAR BROTHER, -The person concerning whom the following remarks are made, was a Blacksmith, in the employ of Mr. Garrett, of Leiston, Suffolk; and was first known to me about two or three years since, by While Mrs. M. talked with him, he spoke his attending under my ministry. After I of his own sinfulness, and said, "Talk about had become acquainted with him, he told the hairs of your head, why, this house would me that he had been with the Wesleyans, not hold my sins!" He afterwards said, and had been a teacher in their School; but "Who murdered Jesus? I did! Look at the could not hear from their preachers what blood!" On being reminded that Christ his soul longed for, the Lord having now shed his blood for poor sinners, he said, "But showed him his lost and helpless state, and I want to know it was shed for me.". During his exposure to Divine wrath eternally, unless the last half-hour of his life he was in prayer saved by free and matchless grace. At last for some minutes together crying, Mercy, &c., he told one of the people he should go to and said, "If I perish, I will perish at thy Aldringham one Sunday; but the person told feet!" after which he said, "I have had a him there was such dangerous things preached severe conflict; Satan tried hard for the victhere, that he must not think of going there tory, and pointed his darts at me. I seemed on any account. This for a time prevented as if I could see them; of various shapes they his coming. However, the desire to come appeared to be, but not one touched me, still remained with him, in consequence of for my dear Saviour was there too, and he which he thought he would come once with- told me my sins were all forgiven; and then out apprising any one with his intentions; I could 'smile at Satan's rage.' I did not which he did, and found the truth, (which ask Jesus how much longer I should be here, had been reported to be so very dangerous,) but I think it will not be long. Give my to be food for his distressed mind. When he got home at noon-time, the Wesleyans came to know where he had been; he honestly told them he had been to Aldringham Chapel, and should never go to the Wesleyan Chapel again. But although he was favoured to feed upon the Word preached, his mind was often dark, his faith weak, his fears many, and his foes strong; and as he had no gift for public prayer, the enemy took great advantage of him, by trying to persuade him he could not be a chosen vessel of mercy, and if not, he knew he could not be saved.

He was a consumptive subject; and about six or eight months ago, he was taken with his death-illness, during which I (with other kind friends) often visited him, and found him generally in a dark frame, yet not without glimpses of light at intervals. On one occasion, after he had been secretly wrestling with the Lord for an evidence of pardoning mercy, he opened the Bible upon the 20th chapter of the 2nd book of Kings, and his eye caught the latter part of the 5th verse, which was a suitable portion, and afforded him much joy.

I was not with him when he expired, but what follows was told me by his wife, who is a member with us, and which statement is corroborated by the person whose name will be after mentioned: On the last Saturday he lived in this world, Mrs. Morling_asked him if he were happy. He replied, "I have been with Jesus this afternoon, and he told me I was safe." He then spoke to his wife, and said, "Remember, you are a member

love to the dear friends at Aldringham, and tell them I died rejoicing in the Lord. My love to Mr. Brand, and tell him not to say much about me, but to exalt Jesus all he can. I am afraid Satan should make another attack; but if he does, he will not conquer, for I have seen Jesus, and you know once for all." He again said, "Give my love to all relatives and friends ;" and then said to his wife, "Do not weep; you have great cause for rejoicing!" after which he took his leave of all present, and wishing his love to be given to Mr. Morling, his happy spirit took its flight from earth, to dwell where Jesus is!

Aldringham, Suffolk.

J. BRAND.

A SLIGHT SKETCH OF ONE WHO FOUND FAVOUR WITH GOD AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR.

THE infidel, who reads of death-bed conversions, says they are brought forward as evidences of the truth of Christianity, and that they are all the fabrications of deluded fanatics and silly women and children. Without staying to show how far this is true, we shall, for the comfort and edification of the followers of the Lamb, add another to the list of the innumerable instances on record, of those who have experienced the power of sovereign grace, though on a death-bed.

The subject of the following sketch was the son of a pious woman, and she was a widow. Early left without a father, he grew up under the careful teaching of his mother till he

Thus day after day passed away, till the evening of Jan. 12th, when strong in faith and trust, assured of a glorious resurrection, he breathed his last, aged only 31 years, and his spirit returned to God who gave it.

merged from the child into the youth. He his prayers. His prayers were the spontathen went out into the world, where he became neous utterances of a child to its father; acquainted with wicked companions. And while he thought he did not know how to here commences his downward career. His pray, the writer thought he could not pray Sabbaths, instead of being passed with his better. now sorrowing parent at a place of worship, were spent on the water, or sometimes in worse places. From bad he went to worse; and as he grew older he threw off all the restraints of home, and plunged into scenes of dissipation and vice, where all his early lessons appeared to be obliterated from his mind; and he lived without hope and God in the world. Years passed by-and still no change. We need not describe step by step his downward progress. It has been too often done. Suffice it to say, he continued apparently an unconverted man till within a few weeks of his death. Often had God stopped him in his mad career by illness-and he had experienced often and often the truth of the Scripture, that "the wages of sin is death"-still it appeared that resolutions made in sickness were forgotten when health came.

A few months before his death he became very ill; the cares of a wife and family pressed upon him, and he began to sink. Then it was he first began to think of his past life, and to review, step by step, his course. His bearing to all around him became changed, the lion became a lamb;—still he had not asked for forgiveness, nor did he till he was confined to his bed, when the arrows of the Almighty stuck fast in him. He saw himself condemned by God's law; Sinai's thunders roared around his dismayed spirit. He cried to the Lord for mercy, viewing himself as a guilty polluted sinner-as one of the worst of sinners! He thought there was no hope for him-no pardon for such a wicked wretch as he called himself. He thought he had sinned away the day of grace. But, blessed be God, his ways are not our ways, nor his thoughts our thoughts! He had purposes of mercy towards his penitent returning prodigal child.

The writer went to see him as he was labouring under these strong convictions, and spoke to him of the love of God, of the power of the blood of Christ to cleanse from all sinof his mercy to a Mary Magdalene-of the thief upon the cross-of his readiness to forgive all that come to him-and also, that inimitable parable, the Prodigal Son. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, sealing home these blessed truths with power, his perturbed spirits grew calm; his bleeding heart was bound up; the great Physician of souls was there pouring balm into his wounded breast; the Sun of Righteousness arose with healing in his wings, and he was happy; and it might have been said of him as one of old, "Behold, he prayeth!" He seemed to be convinced that he should never get up again, and only once did he express a wish that he might live to serve God in his house.

He gradually became worse. His bodily pain was excruciating; yet never once did he murmur. He employed his whole time in talking about his risen Lord, and prayed for a place at the right hand of God. Often did he lament his ignorance of scripture, so that he might have used words appropriate in

How strikingly evident does the power of sovereign grace appear in such instances as the above! What was it that caused a rebel against the authority of his Maker to bow his will in subjection to his Lord's will? What was it that caused him to see his state as a sinner, and to fly for refuge to the smitten rock ? Why was he not left to die and to sink into outer darkness? Truly we can assign no reason short of this, that sovereign grace sought him out and performed the work when he was more than ever helpless when man's extremity proved to be God's opportunity.

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Another fact which struck us was this: the ineffaceability of early impressions and teachings. Lines of hymns and passages of scriptures learnt in childhood were sources of immense comfort to the subject of this history. We know this to be the case, because he never attended a place of worship, nor read the Bible from his youth till his death. What may we not learn from this of the duty of parents and churches to the young? And yet how little is this thought of by parents! Happy are we to see that with a few-and thank God very few-exceptions, Sunday Schools are established-those noble institutions, which, under God, we believe are intended to become the great means of evangelizing the world. But it is time we came to a conclusion.

God grant that if any cast down, sin-sick soul read this, they may derive comfort therefrom, and experience the blessedness of our departed brother, who found that the blood of Christ did indeed cleanse from all sin. A. S.

FAITH'S VISION OF GLORY.

FAITH brings us report of bright mansions on high,
And tells us the ransom'd'of Jesus shall vie
A city with palaces fair;

With angels, and dwell with them there;
But what the bright bliss is we never can tell,
Till we in those mansions are favored to dwell.
It speaks of a Fountain as blissful as sweet,
For ever o'erflowing with love,
Creating new pleasures, and always replete
But what the delights are we scarcely can think,
Till we at that Fountain are favored to drink.
It tells us, those spirits so happy and blest,

With bliss to the blessed above;

That walk the gold pavement above,
Beneath the sweet smiles of their Saviour they rest
And bask in the sunshine of love;

But what the full bliss of his presence can be
We know not, nor can we, till each of us see.
She draws back the curtain that hides the blest
The Canaan we're longing to see;
[land,
And sometimes on Pisgah's high summit we stand,
And glance at that glory, till we
Are sweetly enraptured; but what will it be
To dwell there for ever, dear Jesus, with thee?

OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES.

MOUNT ZION CHAPEL, HILL STREET, DORSET SQUARE. ON Lord's-day, March 25th, brother Foreman baptised five brethren, who having searched the Scriptures for themselves were convinced that the ordinance of believers' baptism is a command of the King of Zion; honoured by his example and sanction, and was practised by all the Lord's obedient followers, until popery invented the figment of infant sprinkling. Our pastor preached from Matt. xxviii. 19, 20; observing that there were various opinions concerning baptism-but this text is our authority, for we have no knowledge of salvation, nor rule for conduct, but the Word of God. If a poor convinced sinner goes with his tale of woe to a man-made teacher, he will tell him to read the prayer book, come to church, and take the sacrament, but they never refer him to the Word of God. Now, true religion is the religion of the Bible; and by that man is either justified or condemned. Oh, but that's a non-essential. Never let such a subterfuge be named as connected with what God's word contains. Here we have love and authority combined: love sent the Saviour, and induced him to do all that he has done. Teach all. What? The love of God to them. That all power of right, au thority, and rule is in Christ. He speaks our text who has done such good to and for us. Every king chooses his ministers, and our King Jesus chooses his, and they have the honour and interests of their King at heart. The Bible is the text, and the minister of Jesus will declare all that is there, and nothing more. Teach what? No explanation is given, they are to teach what they had already been taught by their Lord. John's Gospel more particularly shows what the Lord taught; and in the Acts we find what the Apostles taught, and how they practised. The Epistles also bear their testimony to the same things. Baptised, whom and how? No instructions given. Why? Because they had been baptised, and had seen and understood perfectly their Mas-ter's will. Some say, another baptism than John's was intended; there is no other but the baptism of the Holy Ghost; and no man could ever baptise with the Spirit. Moses practised the same circumcision as Abraham; and so the disciples administered the same baptism as John. The baptism of John is declared to be the beginning of the gospel of God. See Mark What characters are to be baptised? He that believeth—no others can have any right "Teach them to observe all things," then there are no non-essentials. W. H.

i.

to it.

TUNSTALL, SUFFOLK.

THE cause of God and truth at the above place has greatly revived of late, by God's blessing, under the ministry of the word as proclaimed by our young brother in the Lord, Mr. J. Pells, (formerly a member of Mr. Jas.

Wells's, of London). Having preached with great acceptance about twenty-two Sabbaths, the church has given him a further call for twelve month's, with a view to the pastorate, commencing on Lord's-day, April 15th. Our congregation is now very large and attentive; and we believe the Spirit of the Lord is at work in our midst, and applying the word preached to the souls of many who listen to the gospel's joyful sound.

On Wednesday, March 21, (Fast-day) a goodly number gathered together in the morn ing, and we commenced the service by singing; and brother Mason, of Yoxford, read and gave a very appropriate address from 2 Chron. ii., and engaged in prayer. We again sung, and brother Branch (one of our members,) offered up prayer; we sung another hymn, and brother Pells concluded with prayer.

In the afternoon, brother Pells read the hymns, and brother Last, of Ipswich, read and offered a few remarks upon Isaiah Ixi. and lxii., and engaged in prayer; after which, brother Brown, of Friston, preached to a large congregation from Luke i. 70-73.

After the service, about two hundred persons sat down to a very comfortable tea, and all seemed very happy.

In the evening, there were supposed to be not less than seven hundred persons present. We opened the meeting by singing, and brother Pells offered up prayer; brother Whitehand, one of the deacons, presided over the meeting, Brethren Brown, Last, Reeve, Mason, Newman, Barham, and Pells, gave short but very suitable addresses, and we concluded the day with prayer. Truly, it was a time of rejoicing to very many precious souls; the Lord was truly in our midst, and that to bless us; and we trust it was a day that will long be remembered with gratitude to our God.

April 3, 1855.

A CONSTANT Reader.

UNICORN YARD CHAPEL,

TOOLEY STREET.

(To the Editor of the Earthen Vessel). DEAR MR. EDITOR.-Having been given to understand that the ordinance of Believer's Baptism would be administered on Thursday evening, March 29th, I cannot express the gratification and pleasure I felt at being present on that occasion. After the solemn exercises of singing, reading and prayer, their esteemed pastor took for his text John iii. 22, 23, "And after these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them and baptised, and John also was baptising in Enon, because there was much water there: and they came and were baptised." It was a most impressive discourse, setting forth baptism by immersion as the Scriptural way; noticing distinctly Christ, our Leader, submitting to that divine institution, and saying to all his followers, "If ye love me, keep my command

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