of grace from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, which like rays from the natural sun are continually poured down upon the Lord's inheritance, upon that land which the prophet addressed in the words, "O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord." And as the various inhabitants of the natural earth, are by the mutation of the world, so circumstanced as to experience the privation of light, and are sometimes brought into utter darkness, so believers in the changing scenes of time, occasionally lose sight of the manifestations of grace; nevertheless the natural sun never ceases to shine, neither does grace suspend its operations. To our gracious God, the night is as clear as the day, the darkness hideth not from Him. He gives his children many valuable lessons during the night seasons. Paul must have learned many "dark sentences," and have been ofttimes in the chambers of imagery in the dark; before he came so decidedly to the conclusion, "I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing." And oh! how many dark nights must he have passed through, before he could so confidently put the churches upon their guard against the stratagems of Satan, affirming with the assurance of faith in his Divine Teacher, "We are not ignorant of his devices."

In the pursuit of literature, earthly students have willingly devoted all their energies to the acquisition of learning, and in their thirst for knowledge, have

"O'er books consumed the midnight oil;"

and shall the disciple of Jesus shrink from following his Heavenly Instructor into those dark recesses of the human heart where hideous sights and scenes unutterable present themselves? Ezekiel had not

a word to say, but he had much to learn, as he was conveyed from oue scene of idolatry to another, and at every turn was informed of greater abominations than these. The greatest of all abominations is reserved for the eye of Omniscience alone, for the Holy Comforter kuows that frail mortality could not endure the full revelation of that "horrible thing." The world may think it strange that a believer in Jesus should pass through so many changes, but the heir of glory (in his right mind), rather wonders that so mighty a transformation should be effected with so much gentleness, tenderness, and kind consideration. Precious words of our adorable Immanuel! "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter that He may abide with you for ever" (John xiv. 16). So then this our compassionate God bears with our manners all the way through this wilderness world, and will never leave nor forsake the objects of his tender care, but will perfect that which concerneth every one, that each may be presented "faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."

Brighton.

E. S.

EXTRACT FROM THE 2nd PART OF THE MARROW OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

By Samuel Clark, Pastor of Bennet Fink, London. 1675.

[The following narrative has, for some time, been circulated by a constant reader of the "Gospel Magazine;" and thinking that the Lord might bless it to the comfort of some others of His family, it has been forwarded for insertion.] CATHARINE BRETTERG, the sister of John Bruen, of Stapleford, was born in Cheshire. She was studious of the Holy Scriptures from a child; she used the things of this world moderately and soberly, never following the vain pleasures and fashions which others too much delight in. The Lord's day was always welcome to her, and though many times she went far, yet she would not be without the ministry of the word. She made conscience of the least sin, even of such sins, as some take no notice of. She never used the names and titles of God without great reverence. Her daily exercise was to converse with God in reading, praying, singing, and meditating, all her delight was in the saints, and such only she esteemed the excellent of the earth. At the age of twenty she married Master William Bretterg, of Bretterghold, in Lancashire, a young gentleman who embraced religion sincerely, and suffered much for it at the hand of the Papists. This gracious couple lived together two years in such mutual joy and comfort as well became the children of God. Their habitation was in the midst of ignorant and brutish Papists, who were always doing them some injury; but her knowledge, patience, mildness, and constancy for the truth, edified her husband much, and encouraged him with patience to bear the wrongs and indignities which were daily offered him. Frequently his horses and cattle were killed in the night by such malicious Papists as hated him for the sake of his religion; these were severe losses to him, but she not only endured these afflictions with admirable patience, but even rejoiced, and praised God. She would say, " It is good that such things should be, but woe to those who do them." It is good in God to chasten his children, and thereby prevent some sin they were likely to fall into. It is good in respect of God's church that the weak may be confirmed in the truth, and that Popery may be disgraced, seeing such wickedness flows from it. It is good in God, that the wicked may be without excuse, in the day of judgment, when their consciences tell them that though he suffers them to do such villany for some just cause known to himself, yet they commit it only out of malice and revenge. In the midst of vexatious practises she would often say, "The mercies of God are infinite, who doth not only by his word, but by his justice also make us fit for his kingdom." Little do our enemies know what good they do to us, and what ruin they bring to their own kingdom, by thus setting forth its wickedness. She often prayed that God would forgive them who had thus wrongfully used them, and send them repentance for it. She entreated her husband to do the same, and to bless those that cursed him, and lest he should fail in this duty,

she daily prayed that God would sanctify her husband's thoughts, and direct his heart aright to seek only God's glory without seeking revenge. So careful was she to prevent sin in herself and others.

She was very bountiful to the poor, and kept close to praying, reading, and meditating; and when she saw time idly or foolishly spent, she called it "the time of temptation." Once as she was riding to church with her husband, he was angry with his man. "Alas! husband,”

she said, "I fear your heart is not right towards God, that you can be thus angry for a trifle." A tenant of her husband's being behind with his rent, she begged him to wait a quarter of a year longer; and when he did bring it, she said with tears to her husband, I fear you will not do well to take it of him, though it is your right, for I doubt he is not well able to pay it, and then you oppress the poor." She was so blameless in her whole course, that the common enemies of religion, the Papists, had nothing to say against her, and amongst the godly she was highly prized for her modest, holy, and humble carriage. Thus she continued with her husband about two years, when it pleased God to afflict her with a fever, which was extremely violent; and, through the craft of Satan, who always watches his opportunity, she fell into a heavy conflict of spirit. She first began to find more weakness of faith than usual, but through God's mercy she overcame it. Shortly after, Satan assaulted her in a more violent manner, but after a day or two, the Lord delivered her, sending her peace, and comfort of conscience, which increased in her more and more to her death. In the beginning of her conflict, the severity of God's justice, and the greatness of her sins came into her mind, which much afflicted her, and of which she often complained. She then accused herself of pride, saying that she had delighted in herself and in her beauty too much. She thought that she had no faith, but was an hypocrite; that she had not embraced religion so sincerely, nor glorified God so carefully (especially with her tongue) nor loved Him so fervently as she should have done. Sometimes she would cast her Bible from her, and say, "It is indeed the book of life, but I have read the same unprofitably, and therefore fear it has become to me the book of death." Sometimes she complained that her sins had made her a prey to Satan, a spectacle to the world, a disgrace to religion, and a shame to her husband, kindred, and all true Christians; and then she would weep bitterly. Sometimes she was troubled for the original corruption of her nature, the sin of her parents, yea, and of our first parents having made her unworthy of God. Sometimes she accused herself of impatience, bewailed her want of feeling God's Spirit; doubted her election, &c. She wished that she had never been born, or that she had been made any other creature than a Ofttimes she cried out, "Woe, woe, woe, a weak, woful, wretched, forsaken woman," with tears continually trickling from her eyes. She complained of grievous thirst, such as all the waters in the sea could not quench, and yet refused to drink, or drank very little; her anguish was so great that the perspiration burst out from her exceedingly. At other times her body burnt extremely. Sometimes she was very dull in prayer, and once she stopped, saying, "I may not pray," being so much interrupted, yet her friends left her not till she could both pray, and make confession of her faith with

woman.

special application to herself. These fits, though grievous to herself, and uncomfortable to her friends, were not continual, but in the midst of them she would give good evidences of her faith, striving and fighting against her temptations, and begging strength of God to overcome them. She would sometimes entreat her friends not to faint, nor to give her over, but constantly to pray, and to help her against the tempter. One of them asking her if she believed the promises, and whether she could pray, she answered, "Oh that I could, I would willingly; but he would not let me. 'Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.' And when he told her that her desires were accepted for a performance in Christ, she was much comforted. Once, after a great conflict with Satan, she said, "Satan, reason not with me; I am but a weak woman. If thou hast anything to say, say it to my Christ. He is my Advocate, my strength, and my Redeemer, and He shall plead for me.

Being at times sorely afflicted with the sight of her sins, and want of comfort, she would say with many tears and sighs, "Pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to help and comfort ine, a poor, woful, distressed woman. A godly Christian friend took much pains with her, reminding her of God's mercies, Christ's merits, and the many gracious promises contained in the word, and which, through God's blessing, greatly refreshed her, and occasioned her many times to call upon God for an increase of grace, and a deliverance from those grievous temptations, which prayer the Lord shortly after answered, so that she began to feel herself in a measure delivered from her afflictions and fears. The day before her death she was wholly released, and filled with abundance of divine consolations.

DEAR BROTHER,

(To be continued).

Having met with some of "George Herbert's" poems, I was induced to copy the enclosed experimental piece, thinking it might suit your "Gospel Magazine." It proves that heart religion was well known in the Church of England in the sixteenth century. Yours in truth and sincerity,

A MEMBER OF THE INVISIBLE CHURCH.

The Lord bring thee to this blessed stand, poor tempted reader (if thou art such), and thou wilt soon frighten the devil away. He would do anything rather than come in contact with thy Christ.-ED.

A guest I had (alas! I have her still)
A great big-bellied guest, enough to fill
The vast content of hell, Corruption.
By entertaining her, I lost my right

To more than all the world hath now in sight.
Each day, each hour, almost, she brought forth one
Or other base begot Transgression.

The charge grew great. I that had lost before
All that I had, was forced now to score

For all the charges of their maintenance
In doomsday book: whoever knew't would say
The least sum there was more than I could pay,
When first 'twas due beside continuance,

Which could not choose but much the debt enhance.

To ease me first I wished her to remove:

But she would not. I sued her then above,
And begg'd the court of heaven but in vain,
To cast her out. No, I could not evade
The bargain, which she pleaded I had made,
That whilst both lived, I should entertain,
At mine own charge, both her and all her train.

No help then, but or I must die or she;
And yet my death of no avail would be:

For one death I had died already, then,
When first she lived in me: and now to die
Another death again were but to tie

And twist them both into a third, which when
It once had seized on, never looseth men.

Her death might be my life; but her to kill
I, of myself, had neither power nor will.

So desperate was my case. Whilst I delayed,
My guest still teem'd, my debts still greater grew;
The less I had to pay, the more was due.

The more I knew, the more I was afraid :
The more I mus'd, the more I was dismay'd.

At last I learn'd, there was no way but one:
A friend must do it for me. He alone,

That is the Lord of life, by dying can
Save men from death, and kill Corruption :
And many years ago the deed was done;

His heart was pierced; out of his side there ran
Sins corrosives, restoratives for man.

This precious balm I begg'd, for pity's sake,
At Mercy's gate; where Faith alone may take,
What Grace and Truth do offer liberally.
Bounty said, Come, I heard it, and believed:
None ever there complain'd, but was relieved.
Hope waiting upon Faith, said instantly,

That henceforth I should live, Corruption die.