he sovereign, efficacious, and unfrustrable work of the divine Spirit in the heart to suppose or to declare otherwise, is to attempt to invert, and to overthrow the instituted connexion, in the means and end, in the plan and purpose, and the carrying into effect all in the good providence of God; so that, instead of God being a God of order, it makes him out the author of confusion, planning one thing and accomplishing another: or, at best, it represents him as weak and impotent, as unable to fulfil the desires of his heart, and so submitting to a fatal necessity, which he could not hinder; and though he has ever desired their conversion and salvation, and in many instances blest with external privileges of hearing and reading his word, and though he woos and beseeches, pleads and desires, subverted in his plan, defeated in his designs and determinations; here sin, Satan, and the world, or all combined, are represented as too strong for the Almighty, as though omnipotence had become weak, and eternal power failed; as if that arm to whom there is nothing hard, and who by his word and power created the heavens and the earth; who spread the starry skies, and hewed out the immense cavities of the ocean, in which its mighty waters roll; and who created all grades of beings, from the highest seraph that sings his praise, to the minutest insect or feeblest worm; who formed the loftiest mountains, and to the eye, almost invisible grains of sand, who still "takes up the isles as a very little thing," who balances the clouds and bounds the ocean, who holds the winds in his fists and the waters in the hollow of his hand; who guides the stars, and commands the sun to shine; to whom all nature is obedient; "who speaks, and it is done, who commands, and it stands fast;" who saith, I will work, and who shall let it; and though none of the creatures, from the greatest to the smallest enumerated, take up the

challenge, yet saith man, daring and impious man, arrogant and haughty creature, I, I can baffle and successfully oppose the great Omnipotent of heaven and earth; and if it is not uttered in so many words, yet, at least, this is the inference, that the great Jehovah would save all, regenerate all, and have all believe. I ask, then, for my Maker's honour, and for my own comfort, if this be true, why are not all saved, it cannot be for want of power, love, or faithfulness in Jehovah; but you say, the fault is in the creature, is not the Lord's power able to overcome the fault, and is there any, the least essential difference, between one fallen s nner, and another, cannot an almighty, and an omnipotent arm, reach the heart of any, however brutalized, or sordid, or obdurate, or however vile they may be; une might be led to think, that there was this difference, and that the same arm, was not sufficient, in some cases, especially as it appears according to such a system, as though the means of themselves, were sufficient for some, or with a very slight exercise of divine power, or a small blessing vouchsafed; but if the efficiency is not in the means, but is truly and only to be attributed, to tho mighty God, then we are led to this conclusion, that there must be a cause, why those means are blessed to some, and not to others, and scripture is explicit to the point, “ I will hiss for them, and gather them, (saith the Lord) for I have redecmed them;" "he calls his sons from far, his daughters from the ends of the earth, he gathers his sheep to his fold," and we are told, that as many, no more, nor any less, than those ordained to eternal life believe; "for whom Le did foreknow, them he also did predeetinate ;" and decree to to confirmation to the image of his Son," and whom he did predestinate, them and not others he justified, them and not others he glorified. Oh what a glorious and unbroken chain, every link is

firm and durable, the first runs to eternity fast, and is fastened to the throne of the great Jehovah; the last reaches to eternity to come, and is fastened to the same throne; we must ever remember, that regeneration is God's work, it is his to call from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan to God; and wherever the work is effectually wrought in the heart, it is the evidence of the Father's love, and proves the soul's interest in the Redeemer, and such an one, is a monument of the distinguishing grace, of the Holy Spirit, and till we see all, and every one effectually wrought upon, by divine grace; we must conclude upon Scripture grounds, that the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, is extensive with the available, and ever efficacious death of Jesus.

"cast

But, sixthly. The death of Christ Jesus can only extend to those, who shall ultimately be brought to glory; did I believe in universal redemption with myself, I must believe in universal salvation, I could not for a moment admit, that his blood, could ever be shed in vain, nor that the objects of Father, Son, and Spirit's love, should instead of being tuning their harps in eternal glory, and sending the high praises of this great deliverer, Lord and King, be groaning in the reigons of the damned, yea, into outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth;" yea, if one might miss of this, their destined felicity, then might each, and every one, for there is no security for one above another, and upon such a God dishonouring, Christ depreciating, redemption despising, Holy Ghost blaspheming and soul distressing hypothesis, heaven might be empty, and every tnrone vacant, every harp unemployed, heaven closed in perpetual silence, as it respects the church of God, and the triune God himself, clothed in mourning, for the abortion of his plans, and

angels struck with surprize, we might doubt, and justly question their own security, and weep not only over a fallen, but a redeemed world, yet for ever lost," tell it not in Gath, pub. lish it not in Askelon;" but to what must this failure be attributed, not to the want of love, in the great Jehovah, nor to the want of an equiva· lent and sufficient ransom in Jesus's death, nor to the want of demonstration of the Father, infinite delight in that work evidenced in his resurrection and his intercession, as God's right band, nor to any insufficiency, as some would say of the divine Spirit's power and work, ye that work is manifested to be insufficient, that is not equal to all opposition, and impediments, however great or numerous, whether it be from sin, Satan, or the world, or the corrupt and deceitful heart of man; now all this is maintained, that free will may be honoured, and the creature share part at least of the glory of co-operating, and rendering efficient God's plan, by accepting and believing in Christ, or otherwise determining by writing and despising all that God hath done, and so Father, Son and Spirit, the one Jehovah, may publish himself the defected, by a mortal worm, and weep through eternity, over souls in hell, designed for heaven; and no longer must it be declared, that he doeth according to his will in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth," and that none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou;" but here man defeats his Maker, and according to such a system the Arminians may still sing,

"Glory to my own dear will,

With which I move to God; I now wili get to Zion's hill, But hate electing love.

Before a sovereign godlike Paul I bow jeh k nee,

But shout that Jesus died for all, then sure he died for me."

ments of others, be it our high privilege, as taught by the Divine Spirit, to form true views of self, of God, and salvation, and to admire and adore his plan of saving sinners, in which Jehovah's highest glory is established, peace proclaimed and effected on earth, and the goodwill of a covenant God effectually sccuring, and triumphantly accomplishing all the good pleasure of his will and the work of faith with almighty power. I conclude with the lines of the celebrated Dr. Watts;

"Grace will complete what grace begins."

to W.

WHEN first the Lord sent me down to preach the glorious gospel of the blessed God, in the year 1833, the first Sabbath-day I was there, the word of the Lord, as the incorruptible seed, was sown in her heart, which as leaven hid in the meal, lay almost concealed twelve years, working secret conviction, and the poor soul was emptied from vessel to vessel;

but during all the twelve years she was outwardly and morally consistent. She felt unfeigned love to me for the truth's sake, and to all of the faithful servants of God she knew, and her house and heart was open to receive all who sincerely loved our Lord Jesus Christ.' She was not blest with any satisfaction as to the end of her profession, being always afraid she had no part nor lot in the

matter.

About ten months since she was first taken with a serious affliction, and which ultimately proved to be an inward tumour. Two or three months after she underwent a most painful operation, but it proved unavailing. At times her pains were almost insup

portable, For eight months out of the ten she was under deep and solemn convictions, the law did its office, guilt was charged home, and she fell down guilty before a just and holy God, convinced of all and judged of all, while the fears of death and hell awfully distressed her night and day. Being unable to attend on the word preached, she was frequently visited by myself and by several friends, but not a glimpse of hope could she obtain, except at short intervals, when she would say, Who can tell. At length she felt submis. sion to the will of the Lord, and was helped with a little help, and a little hope. Every time I saw her, it was only a little hope that supported her under thousands of gloomy fears, for creature merit and human goodness was most completely swept away, yea actually burnt off in the furnace, and her own words to me, were, Free-grace alone. Oh, what grace it will be to save such a sinner as me, a bell-deserving wretch, oh, what a mercy, Can there be any hope for

me?

About this time the fourth verse of the 48th Hymn in Mr. Hart's Supplement, was blessed to her soul's comfort, and she often repeated it till her death. But some five or six weeks previous to her death, the dear Lord was pleased so to break into her soul, with such melting, rich manifestations of his love, grace, and mercy, that every one of her bands

was

broken asunder, and all her chains fell off, and all her pains of death, wrath, law-terrors and hell, were completely removed to such a blessed degree, that it was a heaven upon earth, to sit by the side of her bed and see the glorious change. Indeed the winter was past, the rain was over and gone, the flowers appeared on the earth, and the time of the singing of birds was come, and the voice of the turtle was heard in our land. The conversation of some deer friends was much blessed to her,

and faith came by hearing. Oh, the change was so demonstrable, that all who knew her, could not but feel struck with the greatest wonder at what the Lord had done for her. She then spake of the glorious and precious merits of Jesus, his blood and righteousness, with that firm, yet most melting, humble confidence, aud sweetest assurance that many of the Lord's poor doubting family round that knew her, were filled with despondency, and Satan set in upon them and said, Ah, the blessing is not for you, Mrs. B has got that, and, your seeking is all in vain. Many very distressing feelings of this sort, several friends endured. But the dear Lord so comforted the dying woman that she could say as Toplady did, Death was no dissolution. And as to all the things of time, husband and family-she had one son and two daughters-they were all left most unreservedly with the Lord, many days previous to death. She had not strength to sing nor say much at last, but what she did say was all richly seasoned with grace, and the sweetest testimony she gave of the vitality of all that she felt and most blessedly experienced. When first I saw her after this dellverance, I was as it were struck with grateful amazement. I asked her first respecting her little hope. Oh, she said, bless. the Lord I am beyond that, Jesus is mine, and I feel he loves my soul, and my soul loves him, and now I possess the fullest assurance of my interest in his precious merits. Then as soon as I could speak, for the scene qnite overcame me, as well as a friend who was with me, I asked her if she was afraid of death now. No, no, no, was the prompt reply, no more than to change this bed for another. But with a smile more than mortal she hailed the cold messenger, and the scene was truly soul melting to me.

One night just before her exit, the enemy set in upon her with his ifs, buts and hows, which caused some

darkness and intervening clouds a few hours. But he was again silenced, and Jesus was manifested to her soul again until the next Sabbath evening. She had a restless night, in consequence of being painfully plagued with an unwelcome visit from one of the Puseyite clergy, who charged her with presumption and almost madness. declaring no one could feel or know such things as she spake of in this world. The devil sent him no doubt. But soon after Jesus the sun shone again, and peace was enjoyed, and hell was vanquished; the soul was embraced in the arms of love, and overcome with the earnest of heaven. She softly breathed her immortal spirit into the bosom of Immanuel, on Friday afternoon, July 18, 1845. And on Sunday. August 24, I was enabled to preach a sermon to about four hundred persons, in which I endeavoured to improve the circumstances of her death from those words," Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints," Ps. cxvi. 15.

May the Lord bless chis testimony to the comfort of Zion's mourners, for at evening time it shall be light.

J. RAYNSFORD.

"Whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."-LUKE. ix. 24.

THERR are no strains in music so delightful, as those in which dsicords are artificially bound in with concords: nor dishes so dainty, as those in which sweet things are seasonably mingled with sour; nor pictures so beautiful, as those in which bright colours with dark shadows are curiously tempered. Nor would the sweetness of honey be so much commended, if there were not difficulty and danger in the compassing of it. Did we not fear the sting in the bees' tale we would not so much value the honey in her mouth; but what with peril, if not pain, is procured, is better prized, more praised.

A HYMN OF PRAISE.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name." - Psalm ciii. 1.

ETERNAL love divine

My soul the anthem join:

Shout the conquest Christ hath won
Over sin, death and hell;
He the mighty work hath done:

Join, ye saints, the theme to swell,

In Christ our Head above, God did his people love, Ere the heavens or earth were made, Jesus and his church were one; He their great exalted Head, Members of bis flesh and bone.

In him for evermore
Their standing is secure:
Though they all in Adam fell

As a guilty, sinful race;
None shall ever fall to hell,

Jesus is their Head of grace.

The saints from death to raise, And judgment to appease, Christ in time did condescend

From his glorious throne on high, In our nature to descend,

In their room and place to die.

Ye ransom'd join with me,
In sweet harmony:
Him the lying bleeding Lab,

Heav'n and earth the chorus sing; Vict'ry through his blood proclaim,

Saints redeem'd your music bring.

The wine-press he hath trod,
To bring us near to God:
View him in Gethsemane,
There behold his bloody sweat;
Suff'ring all our agony,

Charg'd with all our dreadful debt.

Hark, how he groans and cries! And lifts his languid eyes, To his Father hear him pray, That if it be possible, Let this cup now pass from me, But I'm come to do thy will.

Father, thy will be done,
For this intent 1'm come;
Then the Saviour took the cup,

Out of God his Father's hand;
Drank the dregs and sorrows up,
Paid the rigid law's demand.

On Calvary's cursed cross,
Charg'd with our gilt and curse,
In the room, and place, and stead,
Of his dear beloved bride:
There the dear Redeemer bled.

There he wept, and groan'd, and died.

Now hear his dying groans!
Where he for sin atones;
Into thy dear sov'reign hands,
Father, I my soul commend ;
All that justice could demand,
I have made a final end.

Redemption's work is done, By God's incarnate Son, He hath spoil'd our hellish foes, And the glorlous conquest won ; From the grave he soon arose,

Now he reigns on yonder throne.

He ever lives above,

To bless us with his love; Interceding there with God,

Seated on a throne of grace; Pleading his atoning blood, For his chosen, ransom'd race.

His vict'ry, and his death,
I'll sing while I have breath;
Yea! my soul shall chaunt his love,
All that is within me, sing;
'Till with all the host above,
I shall see my precious King.

Though my weak sinful heart,
Is subject to depart
From my Jesus and my all;

Yet he will not me forsake, 'Till my helpless feeble soul,

He is pleas'd in heav'n to take.

With all the blood wash'd throng,
While ages roll along;

Loud hosannahs we'll proclaim,

To the Lamb who once was slain, Shouting his dear worthy name, In one sweet, delightful strain.