me, for thou hast overcome me," and this was manifested clear enough hoth in Jacob and in the woman of Canaan; this faith then, after a great many sore trials, in the which we conclude that we are deceived, yet in God's own time it will grow and we shall be more established in it. Believe in the Lord, so shall you be established, believe his prophets, so shall you prosper," and these young men had got here; then it is not to be wondered at, that the word dwells richly in such, because they are rich in faith, and faith has the honour of bringing every blessing from the fulness of Christ to us: and God fa vouring us with a door of utterance, we are helped with David to say, Oh, come hither all ye that fear the Lord, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul."

But there is such a thing as the riches of understanding, as you read, "that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledg. ment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ." What a blessed chain of truth lies in this verse to be sure, and what real love was manifested in the apostle: hence he speaks of the great conflict that he had for the church at Colosse, and it was also for many, who never saw him in the flesh," that they might be comforted: knit together in love unto the full assurance of understanding," and then traces it all up to the fountain head, a Trinity of Persons, in Jehovah. Now although the understanding of such is so rich, and so fully assured, yet observe, not so as to comprehend fully as it is, no, only to acknowledge; "for who by searching can find out God?" But God humbles his people, and they bow to divine truth. Well then this is it, the mystery of God, that is, God the Holy Ghost, this shews that he is a divine person in the Godhead, and a distinct person. The mystery of

God and of the Father, then another person, and of Christ, there is a third person, and we must never give this up, and at the same time we are sure that there is but one God, and a man or woman that denies this, never prayed to, nor prevailed with God so as to get an answer.

T.-But they tell us that they do pray, and if we go to hear them we shall find them carry on their worship in a similar way to us, they sing and they engage in prayer.

O.-My friend it is a damnable delusion that they are in, damnable because they err at the fountain head, we all have some errors, but all are not damnable: hence David says, "Who can understand his errors?" &c. But now to prove that such never prayed; then they tell us that they believe in one absolute God, and deny a Trinity of Persons. Well, well, try this by God's word: Christ says, "Whatsoever you ask the Father, (not absolute) but in my name, I will do it," but they deny Christ or God the Son, consequently they cannot prevail with God the Father. But again, we cannot pray to the Father, in Christ's name without the Holy Ghost, for Paul tells us, "We know not how to pray as we ought, but that the Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God," he it is that helps our infirmities, and testifies of the Lord Jesus; the apostle John tells us, not to believe every spirit, but to try the spirits, whether they be of God. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God, then he must have the devil: he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. And one grand part of the doctrine of Christ is a trinity of persons in Jehovah. Hence our Lord says, " And I will pray the Father, and he will send you another Comforter, even the Spirit of Truth," &c. Here are three divine Persons. This was Christ's doctrine. And he as

of

cribes divinity to each. 1, He says, My Father is greater than all, (our translation says,) and no man is able to pluck them out (that is, his sheep) my Father's hand." But the word, man, is in italics, so that we may reject it, and place in its room, none, neither men nor devils, is able; and ..why? because he is Jehovah. Then Christ says, "I and my Father are one," in essential divinity. Again, Christ says, "If ye believe not that I AM;" the word, be, bas no business there, and the translators have injured the sense by putting it; it is the same I AM as you read of in Exodus, and which God proclaimed to Moses. And the divinity of the blessed Spirit is as clear; and Christ declares that those who blaspheme him hath no forgiveness. I shall not enlarge. Blessed be God for divine teaching: "All thy children shall be taught of the Lord" we have nothing to do with carnal reason. These truths are matters of faith, and woe be to those who reject them, as it shews they are unhumbled, and wise in their own conceit. It is this fleshly wisdom and knowledge that perverts them, for "without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, (rod manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached to the gen. tiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory." into glory." Now to be established in the faith of these things and in heart to love them, is to be rich, as these young men were, and this is the doctrine of Christ, .6 as we therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so may we walk in him, rooted and built up. Then respecting these riches, which is "the riches of the glory," as it is written, "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Here, again, we have a most blessed chain of truth, oh that the Holy Spirit may guide us sweetly and experimentally into it, and then

our coming together will be for our mutual comfort as well as edification. First then, what may we understand by saints? Then I believe that a saint is one that is set apart in God's eternal purpose, chosen from all eter, nity in Christ Jesus before Adam fell,

sanctified by God the Father (from eternity) preserved in Christ Jesus, (while in a natural state, yet then his in, mark that, in Christ Jesus) and called," that is he is " called out of darkness into his marvellous light, called to be saints, (says Paul,) and called to the fellowship of Christ, that ye may know what is the hope hope of his calling," &c. Again a saint is one that is washed from his sins in the precious blood of Christ, as you read, "that he might sanctify his people with his own blood, he suffered without the gate. Lastly, a saint is one that the Holy Ghost takes possession of, he comes into his heart, and regenerates and renews him, producing a spiritual birth:

that the offering up of the gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost." This is a scriptural account of a saint, and the name belongs as much to those believers under the old testament dis. pensation as the new, and to all the elect when called to the end of time. Aaron is expressly called a saint:

They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord." But the next thing is, the saints' inheritance, and what it is? Why there are several things we are said to be heirs of. 1. Of salvation, saved from the damning and destroying power and dominion of sin, from the power of Satan, from the curse of the law, from the wrath of God, and from the second death. they not all (that is the angels) ministering spirits, sent forth to minis ter to them that shall be heirs of salvation. Again, these saints are heirs of promise, for every promise of eternal duration belongs to them only, and for this reason, because

"Are

they only are in Christ Jesus. The word (in) is eternal union with Christ, and to Christ, and all the promises of God are yea and Amen: but then it's in Christ Jesus-now we, as Isaac was, are heirs of promise. Again, we are heirs of life, that is everlasting and eternal life with God, Father, Son, and Spirit, with all the glorified saints and angeis, singing, loving, praising, worshipping, and adoring God throughout the countless ages of a never-ending eternity. This is life, and Peter says "" we are heirs of the grace of life." But again, "a saint is an heir of righteousness which is the imputed righteousness of Jehovah Jesus;" by his obedience many shall be made righteous, which righteousness is to and upon all that believe, high, low, rich or poor, ignorant or learned, of whatever nation or kindred, tongue or people.

In reply to your letter respecting the universality of redemption, I would advise you not to enter into any dispute with him, (viz. a clergyman of the establishment) it may be very injurious to you, and can be of no real service to either unless the Holy Spirit should be pleased to create you both anew in Christ Jesus, For .. If any man, minister or people, high or low, rich or poor, learned or unlearned, have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of us:" and "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Again," It is not of the will of man, nor of blood, but of God." The Holy Spirit's work I believe both of you to be as yet ignorant of; you

are a poor blind sinner, and he a poor blind guide. I would advise you to leave off contention before it be meddled with. If ever the Holy Spirit should convince you of your lost state, you would know something then of redemption's being particular only when he makes a particular application of it to your own conscience. Such a blind guide as he "would not be persuaded though one rose from the dead;" he has no eyes, but there will come a day when he will see, and then "whosoever is not found written in the Lamb's book of life will be cast into the lake of fire," Rev. xx. 15. It will be seen then whether it be universal or not. A sinner is saved in no other way than by the person and finished work of Christ, for there is salvation in none other; and a sinner cannot know that he is saved until the Holy Spirit reveals that by which he is saved. If Christ died for the whole world, and any go to hell, and we know that there are thousands there already; if Christ died for them, justice has had satisfaction of Christ, and also from them, so that instead of his obtaining eternal redemption for them, it is eternal damnation. Poor creature! he does not know that there is a world in the Holy One, and a world in the wicked one; and if he can find salvation out of Christ's work of redemption he must find it out of the Bible. As for election, spoken of Rom. ix, meaning that the people of God are chosen to different stations, is an awful lie, for they are said to be vessels of mercy afore prepared to glory. If you will look at the August number of "Zion's Casket," you will find an answer to all his falsehoods. In conclusion, I advise you to say nothing to him on the subject, and that you may be more concerned for personal religion is the wish of your sincere friend,

WILLIAM CROKER.

Zoar Chapel, Brighton.

LETTER FROM REV. T GUNNER, TO A

FRIEND.

To a tried soul in the faith, grace, mercy and peace, from God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

My tried friend, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience; therefore let patience have her perfect work; for it is written, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him," James i. 12. Thus you may see all God's people are tried by the adversary of souls, more or less; therefore what you see not now, hope for it, for we are saved by hope; but hope that is seen, is not hope, for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for; but, if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it," Rom, viii. 21. Thus you see patience is tried, and is to have her perfect work, by what hope does expect; and sometimes it is long before the soul gets what it really feels it wants; many dark days and nights too, and many sharp darts from the enemy enter into the soul at this period, which make the poor soul reel like a drunken man, to and fro, minding that scripture, 1 Thes. i. 3, which is the patience of hope. Now I am come to shew you a little of the Spirit's work in the soul. When it comes with power to any soul, light enters into such a soul, and by it he or her discovers the sinfulness of sin, as it is written, "When he the Spirit of truth is come, he shall convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of a judgment to come." Next he turneth out the strong man armed out of the soul, which is the influence of the devil. Take notice, my dear friend, God does not call any one to make them his, for that they were before all worlds, in Christ Jesus, 2 Tim. i. 9. Thus you may see the meaning of that scripture.

"And because you are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father." Not to make you sons or daughters, but because you were so; and called the soul to its privilege, which the devil wants to rob them of; but knowing he cannot do it, he will tempt them as follows: do not pray, for it is of no use, for God will not hear you.

He will tell you to curse God, and to despise Christ, which makes your poor soul tremble, knowing it is not your desire to do it: this is from the devil. And again, he will tell you that you have sinned against the Holy Ghost, and he will harden your heart so as not to take the Bible into your hands, perhaps for weeks together; then he will tempt thee to lay violent hands on thyself. Oh, do not parley with the devil, but resist the devil, and he will flee from you, and that in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, Therefore think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, it will work together for thy good in the end; and you will find it to be among the allthings. There have been some of God's people who have said, "My hope is clean gone, he will be merci ful no more ;" and others, "My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord;" others, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord in the land of the living; I shall behold men no more:" others have cursed the day they were born; and yet all those get safe to that kingdom above. Thus you may see all of them had faith when they could not discover it. And I think good Mr. Hart knew something of it when he wrote that sweet hymn,

"The soul, that with sincere desires,

Seeks after Jesus' love; That soul the Holy Ghost inspires, With breathings from above.

"Not every one in like degree, The Spirit of God receives; The Christian often cannot see His faith, and yet believes."