80; 66 Every believer in Jesus shall be in his kingdom; but there is a great difference in their manner of entrance. In attending to the injunctions of inspiration, we find the apostle saying an entrance shall be administer ed abundantly;" by which he manifestly intimates, that some professors pass into the kingdom of their Lord and Saviour under circumstances of greater triumph and glory than other Christians do; and Oh! how often has this been exemplified in the experience of believers. One loosens his anchor from this earth, and goes into eternity a gallant vessel, with every sail set to the favourable breeze; and rushes into the harbour of eternal peace, amidst the plaudits of redeemed men, and of waiting angels. tossed by the billows-almost wrecked -so weak, it is scarcely able to reach the port; but, blessed be God, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, it reaches it safe at last. The latter has an entrance, but the former an abundant entrance; and if there is aught, my brethren, which can be interesting to us in this world, respecting the moment of our departure from it, it is, that we may leave it under that full sail of bliss, which will bring heaven into our hearts before we get into heaven, and enable us to leave behind us our Ebenezer, (our stone of help,) and inscribe it with our hand, while death chills our vigour-" Hitherto hath the Lord helped me.” DR. MASON. In another instance, the frail bark is Folkestone. J. B. Obituary and Recent Deaths. MR. W. SPARSHALT. ON March the 2nd, 1825, died at Portsea, aged seventy-eight years, Mr. W. Sparshalt, many years an officer in His Majesty's Navy. He was called by Divine grace at an early period of life, and was for half a century an honourable member of the church of Christ in that town, under the pastoral care of the Rev. D. Miall, and for many years filled the office of a deacon in that church. In this, as well as every other relation he filled in society, he maintained an unblemished reputation. He was truly a spiritually-minded man, whose society it was impossible to enjoy, even for a short period, with out improvement. The subject of religion was never lost sight of in his company, and his method of introducing it was such as could give no offence to any person; thus it may be said, that his speech was always with grace, as it were, seasoned with salt, ministering grace to those who heard him. He took great pleasure in visiting the abodes of affliction and distress, and by bis cheerful piety,-his affectionate sympathy, his heavenly-mindedness, his savory conversation, and his devotional prayers, he soothed the sorrows, dried the tears, elevated the views and feelings of the sick and dying, and changed the chamber of solitude into a Bethel. His views of divine truth were in strict unison with the sacred records, and, in his devoted life, he displayed the holy influence of the religion he professed; of him it might be said, with strict propriety, that he “walked with God." So remarkable was his attachment to the house and ordinances of God, that he was never known to absent himself from his own place of worship but once during his whole religious career; and though at times he was so afflicted with deafness that he could not hear a word, he nevertheless continued to fill his place in the sanctuary. He told the writer of this article, that he felt it his duty thus to honour divine institutions, and that he felt an advantage in it. In this case he was accustomed to read and meditate on the hymns sung, and the scriptures which were read; in the time of prayer he prayed for himself, and during the sermon he would get a friend to shew him the text, and would employ his mind in reflection on it. In this way it is probable that he derived more benefit from the means of grace, than many who are not thus afflicted. He found, by happy experience, the supports and consolations of religion, under a very long and trying affliction, which he was enabled to bear with much patience and holy resignation. His joys were occasionally exalted, and, though he did not discover those rapturous feelings which sometimes animate a dying bed, he yet felt an unsbaken confidence in the rock of his salvation, and could say, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him unto that day." On one occasion, a little before his death, he conversed in the sweetest manner on the love and faithfulness of his covenant God, and the all-sufficiency and grace of Jesus Christ, and, anticipating the entrance which ho has now obtained into the everlasting kingdom, said, "What a scene will heaven present! the presence of God, and full perfection of holiness, bliss, and joy, without interruption, and without sin, and that for ever." On February 20th, he said but little during the day, but about eight o'clock in the evening he revived, and said to a friend, "I hope, if it is the Lord's will, that I shall go to my rest this night;" and, after lying a time apparently in mental prayer, he suddenly exclaimed, with considerable energy, Enter, enter, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." "What," said he, "such a wretch as I!" Pausing a little, he added, "That is joy unspeakable!" He then, in a most affecting manner, addressed his numerous friends and relatives, who stood round his bed, individually and affectionately, exhorting them to prepare for the hour of death; those who were young ho admonished to love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ in the days of their youth. When he saw one young friend near him, his feelings were excited beyond the power of utterance, and he wept aloud; when he had recovered his usual composure, he intreated her to choose the one thing needful, and encouraged her to follow the Lamb of God. He then talked delightfully of the joys of heaven, and, in the sweetest accents, though with a faultering voice, repeated nearly all that hymn of Dr. Watts's, beginning, "Come we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known." 66 He said, "I feel such an inclination to sing that I cannot describe." A friend said, "You are longing to begin that song which shall never end;" he replied, Yes, yes." He thus returned to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon his head; and now sorrow and sighing are for ever done away. He has descended to his grave like a shock of corn fully ripe in its season. His funeral sermon was preached by his pastor, the Rev. D. Miall, from 2 Kings iv. 9; “I perceive that this is a holy man of God." Portsea, March 10, 1825. Review. The Life of the Rev. Philip Henry, A.M. with Funeral Sermons for Mr. and Mrs. Henry, by the Rev. Matthew Henry, V. D. M.: corrected and enlarged by J. B. Williams, F.S. A. Pp. 488, Holdsworth. THIS truly apostolic man, whose important history is presented to us in more an enlarged form in this interesting ve lume, was, as is well known, for many years, a burning and shining light in the Church of Christ, and now, for than a century, his venerated name has been recollected and repeated by the truly pious of every denomination, with sentiments of unqualified respect, and hallowed affection. Both as a Puritan and as a Nonconformist, Mr. Henry appeared to great advantage: though it is obvious that as neither was he an ultra. Moderate, but yet firm, in his principles, he neither invited persecution, nor refused to suffer for conscience' sake. After the grossest violation of liberty, and spoliation of property, became legalized by the Uniformity and Five-mile Acts, he retired into comparative silence and obscurity, availing himself, however, of every degree of indulgence for the exercise of his ministry, and the moral and spiritual advantage of all around him, nor was his labour vain in the Lord. By the Revolution in 1688, the sphere of his exertion was again enlarged, and, until his death, which took place in 1696, he continued preaching the word in season and out of season, with a savour, seriousness, and earnestness, to which uninspired men have seldom arrived, and, perhaps, never excelled. In perusing this volume, the moral and spiritual elevation attained by Mr. Henry will be constantly presented to the eye of the reader, and he must himself be an extraordinary person, if, when attending this eminent servant of Jesus Christ in his retired devotion, his domestic worship, and his public exercises, he have not an impressive consciousness of great inferiority. Indeed, in so far as the comparison excites the exercise of humility, and stimulates to renewed endeavour, no inconsiderable part of the object contemplated in the undertaking of the pious biographer, becomes accomplished. Mr. Williams, the Editor of this interesting volume, appears to have judged, that every additional fragment of information he could collect concerning the distinguished subject of his inquiries, would be acceptable ; and we have no doubt his conclusion will prove correct. He seems to have been indefatigable in his research, and has certainly succeeded in bringing together many curions, various, and useful articles, by which his work is considerably enriched and enlarged; and, we hope, his diligence will meet its reward, in an extensive circulation of this valuable publication. In conclusion, we would call the attention, particularly of our young read ers, to the following extract of a letter, written by Mr. Henry to his youngest daughter, on her having received a proposal of marriage: P. 200. was no less a surprise to us than it was "Your present affair, we can truly say, to you; but we have learned, both from our fixed belief of God's universal pro vidence in every thing, and his particular special providence towards those that fear him, and also from our last year's expe rience, once and again, of his doing that for us which we looked not for,-to cease our wonder, and to apply ourselves, as we ought to do, to our duty. We would which was the first word that grace spoke have you do so likewise; saying, as Paul, in him,-Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Your way is, in the first place, to acknowledge God, not only in the thing itself, but in all the motions and events of it; and if you do so, he will direct you; that is, guide, and bless, and succeed your steps. You are next to admit the person into your converse, as in another case, 1 Timothy, v. 2. with all purity; that is, at no unfitting time, in no unát ting place, manner, or other circumstance; it to be granted. Your end herein is to as it will not be desired, so neither ought be the same with his; your next end, that you may be acquainted with each other's temper and disposition. Especially that you may feel the pulse of each other's soul, how it beats towards God, and his works and ways. As the agreement is in that, accordingly will be much of the sweetness and comfort of the condition. Our love and blessing is to your dear self, having confidence in you in all things; 2 Corinthians, vii. 16; but it is through the Lord, as it is limited, Galatians, v. 10, that you will act as I have counselled you. "Committing you to his protection and guidance, I rest your loving father, "PHILIP HENRY." "Feb. 17, 1687-8." Joseph and his Brethren; a scriptural Drama in Two Acts. By H. L. Howard. P. 252. Whittaker. THE narrative on which this drama is founded, is one of the most beautiful and impressive in the sacred volume. Prose and poetic authors have availed themselves of it, to exercise their talents, and instruct their readers. Bot, in these attempts, we fear the attractive simplicity of the original has not, unfrequently, been impaired; and some 2 of its most important lessons have been #overlooked, and, consequently, omitted. We are no advocates for superstition, and yet our veneration for the inspired volume is so entire, that we never meet with the term drama in connection with its holy contents, even though the adjective sacred be prefixed, without experiencing a certain emotion of apprehension, which we know not how to condemn. Under the excita tion of this feeling, we commenced reading the work before us; and, though, in our progress, we met with much, both as to harmony of numbers and justness of sentiment, which obtained our cordial approbation, yet, at the conclusion, we laid down the book with the same impression. Indeed, some passages in the character of Phraxanor, appear to us exceedingly questionable as to their tendency: for, though they are evidently intended to be condemnatory of an unhallowed passion, yet, we doubt the propriety of so minute a delineation of the influence of such a temper, as may place the purity of the reader's mind in imminent peril. We should be glad to yield to this work our unqualified recommendation, but, in doing this, we should violate the delicacy of our own conscience, and offend against the generation of the righteous. An Essay on the Divine Origin of Christianity. By G. Pike. Pp. 85. Baynes. ONE of the main supports of infidelity, is reluctance, on the part of its advocates, to undertake a serious, and impartial examination of revealed truth, to which, in many instances we fear, may be added an apprehension that the result of a fair and patient inquiry, may demonstrate the necessity of an entire revolution of sentiment and conduct. We would, however, most earnestly beseech all such persons to give this cheap "Essay on the Divine Origin of Christianity," an attentive perusal; for as it possesses the strong recommendation of compressing, within very narrow limits, a considerable body of evidence on a subject of vital and everlasting importance, so we are confident, should it happily be made instrumental in effecthig their conversion, the change will be universally beneficial. Mr. Pike's work is VOL XVM well worth the attention of Christians, and would be a most suitable tract to put into the hands of any persons, whose tendency to infidel principles may occasion just alarm in the minds of their friends. 1. Memoirs of Robert Barclay, who died at Glasgow, aged Twenty-three. By Alexander M'Leod. Pp. 90. Ogle. 1s. 2. Expressions of Parental Solicitude; extracted from the Letters of a Father to his Son, which were found among the Papers of the latter after his Death. Pp. 115. Ögle. 1s. 6d. WE have read these little volumes with much interest-the first, as affording another instance of the power of divine grace, in renewing the heart, and preparing the immortal mind for an early departure to its destined feli→ city; and the second, as an additional encouragement to pious parents to continue in fervent prayer to God, for the effectual conversion of their offspring. These Expressions of Parental Solicitude," are very creditable to the soundness of the parent's understanding, and the piety of his heart. Memoir of the late Mr. James Neil, Shipmaster, Irvine, who died there on the 15th of Nov. 1820, in the ninetyfifth Year of his Age. By the Rev. George Barclay. Pp. 104. Second Edition. Nisbet. 1s. 6d. THERE are some striking incidents in these Memoirs, but those who are only to be kept in good humour by extracts from the annals of the marvellous, may feel some disappointment in perusing such unpretending pages. There is, however, a pretty numerous class of readers, whose expectations on taking up a book of this description, are more serious and moderate: by such persons this little work will be read with advantage; and, in their names, as well as our own, we thank Mr. Barclay for having made this useful addition to pious biography. instruction of children, has undertaken an important, but, at the same time, a difficult service. We congratulate Mr. Nott, however, on what we consider to be a very successful attempt; and we strongly recommend his sermons for children, to the attention of all persons who are actively engaged in seeking the moral and spiritual improvement of the rising generation, as excellent examples of what such addresses should be. The Teacher's Manual, or Hints to a Teacher on being appointed to the Charge of a Sunday School. By W. F. Lloyd. Pp. 134. Weed. 1s. 6d. CONSIDERABLE caution and industry have evidently been exercised in compiling this useful book, which, it is desirable, every Sunday-school teacher should read, and, if practicable, possess. Some, perhaps, may be of opinion, that in certain parts, the author has trenched upon a higher department of instruction; but, as we are far from supposing this to have come within the comprehension of his design, so, also, we can scarcely conceive that this should form any impediment to the circulation of a work, so well adapted to accomplish the benevolent purpose for which it has been written. The united Claims of Home and of Foreign Missions. A Sermon, preached before the Home Missionary Society, at the Poultry Chapel, London, on Monday Evening, May 17, 1824. By Henry Forster Burder, M. A. R. Baynes. The Necessity and Propriety of Home Missions. A Sermon preached at CrownCourt Chapel, on Tuesday Morning, May 18, 1824, before the Committee and Friends of the Home Missionary Society, and published at their Request. By John Reynolds. R. Baynes. Two excellent sermons-skilfully adapted to promote the end for which they were delivered. Mr. Burder undertakes to establish three propositions. "The first is, that it is incumbent on us, to yield our mind, and hearts to the full force of the claims, both of those who are more nearly, and of those who are more remotely related to us. The second is, that a practical regard to the claims of the one class, is not to be postponed, till exertion and solicitude cease to be necessary on behalf of the other class. The third is, that by due attention to the claims of the one class, we, at the same time, promote the interests of the other class." And, in each of these particulars, we think he has happily succeeded. Mr. Reynolds has discussed four propositions. "I. The inefficacy of ery previous system, displays the excelier of the Christian scheme. II. The lap'- of the gospel of the grace of to the whole condition of man, furnishes abundant matter for triumph in Christ. III. T properties of the gospel, which ensu its success, enhance the exultation of its preachers and disciples. IV. The nature and history of apostolical triumph, furnish motives and encouragements for evangelical exertion." Under the second head, he shews, with great foree of evidence, and energy of language, that the gospel is admirably suited to the condition of man, considered as an immortal-guilty-depraved-miserable sinner. The first of these sermons is from Rom. i. 14. "I am debtor, both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians;" &c. The second, from 2 Cor. ii. 14. "Now, thanks be to God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ;” &c. We wish them both a wide and useful circulation. The Cottage Bible and Family Expositor; containing the authorized Translation of the Old and New Testaments; with prac tical Reflections and explanatory Notes, calculated to elucidate difficult and obscure passages, To be completed in two handsome Volumes Octavo. First nine Parts published Monthly, by Simpkin and Marshall, Stationers'-Hall-court. NOTWITHSTANDING its humble and unpretending title, yet this commentary promises to rank high as a work of great merit and extensive utility. The general reading, and correct theological sentiments of the author, afford a satisfactory pledge that, should his life be spared, it will be completed in a manner, equal to the "Parts" which are already published. The author does not profess to produce a work wholly original, his quota |