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A SINNER SAVED BY GRACE.

A Sinner Saved by Grace.

(Concluded from page 183.)

IN resuming the narrative of my dear departed father, I rejoice to know, it is written-" He abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself: God's covenant and purpose remain unshaken and unmoved still." It pleased our God to raise up my dear parent again, and to add to his days nine years: is it not a blessed truth, that our changes make no change in the Rock of our salvation? or lost he must have been-notwithstanding all he had previously felt and enjoyed-for he frequently had cause to mourn over the weakness of human nature, and the desperate wickedness of the heart -but grace reigned over all.

211

ed upon God. Christ was all to him; and
it was truly astonishing to see how the
Lord had called his thoughts entirely away
from the world: he had been of close busi-
ness habits through life; but now, upon
being referred to in a business dispute be-
tween two neighbours, he replied, 'Let the
potsherds of the earth strive with the pot-
sherds of the earth; but I desire
may be engaged with better things.' Some
my mind
short time after (feeling his poor taber-
nacle sinking and weak,) he rejoiced in the
prospect before him, and broke out in the
truly sublime and sweet language of the
63rd Psalm, 'O God, thou art my God, &c.'
here, my dear brother, was both assurance
and appropriation:—yes, said he,

"I hear, I read, I praise, I pray;
Thy footsteps, Lord, I trace:
I joy to know this is the way,

When I was a young man, (said he) and young also in the divine life, I knew what To see my Saviour's face." it was (for a time) to run without weari- After two days spent with him, I left him ness and to walk without fainting: but in the enjoyment of that peace which none satan was permitted to hinder; his heels but God can give, and his affections placed were tripped up-he wandered from the upon Christ. One day after this, he had a good way, and did that which to the day of visit of love from his Saviour; and the his death frequently chastened him sore- dear saint was rejoicing aloud, and praisyet, having the fear of God in his heart, he ing his blessed Redeemer-a worldling was afterwards made what reparation he could, in the room: poor creature,' (said he) how by entering into matrimonial bonds. The light-headed he is;' truly he was both remembrance caused him to smart; God light-headed, and light-hearted also; for shortly removed his partner from him by when God speaks peace to a sinner, it makes death, and he was left to reflect upon the him light: but how true is it, a stranger by-gone scene; the fruit of which, in after intermeddleth not with the joys of the years, was a constant source of trouble, and Christian! God has ever put a difference often he was heard adopting the mournful between the true Israel and the world; and language of David as his own; (2 Sam, xix. his secret is with the righteous only. Upon 4,) and at other times, when grace was in another occasion he appeared to have had exercise, he rejoiced in the Lord's gracious some comfortable sleep; and upon one saypromise, Psalm 1xxxix. 33, 34. But who ing you have had a sweet sleep; he replied, will dare to make light of sin? Theno, I have had a sweet meditation-I have chastening rod, or sword, was never to depart from David's house; so in a measure was it with my father; consequently he loved to hear those sermons, and to read that which more particularly spoke of hope in Israel concerning the backslider, But situated in the dark village of Carshalton, where vital truth is but little known, he was in a barren heath; often walking mournfully alone; much in darkness; but seldom could he lay hold upon the promises; his language constantly was, I desire to love him more-I hope in his mercy.' Well surely this is a safe position to be brought unto; for

had velvet and satin thoughts upon Christ and his righteousness.' He had a deep sense of his sinnership and unworthiness in the sight of God, as evinced by the following:-Upon the son (before alluded to) coming to see him, he said, are you glad to see me? My conduct has been very bad to you;' he replied, ' never name that subject again, my son; I, am the vilest of the vile; yet God has graciously forgiven me; how can I have any other feeling but love towards you?' On Lord's-day, December the 5th, I saw him again; and in the evening he called the family that were there around him, and taking each other by the hand, poured forth the desires of his soul for each; and implored the divine blessing upon them he appeared fired with heavenly love. In the night he suffered much from bodily pain, upon one saying to him, do you know me? He replied, "O yes.' She said, 'does the light shine (meaning spiritual light)?' He replied,' O blessed be his name. yes; he will never leave me nor forsake me.' On the 7th, I saw him again; and left in the Nov. 13th, 1847-I was informed he was evening after commending him to God in upon a bed of affliction, and not likely to earnest prayer, fully persuaded in my own survive long. I went to see him; the day mind, I should see him no more till we following I found his mind blessedly stay-meet above. He was very low; but blessedly

Gospel hope bears up the soul, Till an eternal calm shall shine." When staying a short time with me in London, he was privileged to hear the late David Denham, and rejoiced in the blessed truths delivered by that dear servant of Christ. I hasten to the last scene, when grace shone refulgent, and the work of God was apparent to all.

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He has gone-he has gone to fairer bowers-
He could not here remain :
Another of Jesu's chosen flowers
Is gather'd from earth again.

May that sweet hope which cheer'd our friend
In Jordan's chilling flood,'
Be ours when time with us shall end,
And we pass home to God.

Burgh, June, 1849.

SUSANNA.

Passing through the Water.

Untroubl'd it lay near my feet;

On the 9th, the day of his departure was come: in the morning he appeared quite lost to time things: in the afternoon, he passed through a severe conflict; satan thrust sore at him, knowing he was about to loose him for ever, he struggled hard; but grace was victorious: the dear saint fought with spiritual, powerful weapons; and was heard repeatedly to exclaim (as if in answer to satan's accusations-) The everlasting covenant, and blood of Jesus Christ! The everlasting covenant, and blood of Jesus Christ.' A blessed receipt truly, in full of all demands. The Lord be pleased I look'd on the pool, and the water was clear, to give us the same when in the like cir-Sense said, 'It's all form,' but faith shouted, "Draw cumstances, and we shall want no more. At length he came out of the trial a victor, and looking around with holy triumph, said with a sweet smile, 'Christ has finished the work for me. In about another hour, he cried out, 'Blessed Saviour! O bless you!' and I have no doubt saw him whom his soul loved, for the promise was now fulfilled; (John xiv. 2, 3;) his Redeemer was come. His youngest son seeing he was about to depart, quoted Deut. iii. 25. A heavenly gale wafted his soul in peace to that happy land, where the mourners cease to weep.'

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""Twas thro' the strength of Israel's king,
He proved a conqueror when he fell;
"Tis to the praise of grace we sing,
Though of a dying saint we tell.
"Fearless, he entered Jordan's flood;
At peace with him he closed his eyes;
His only trust was Jesu's blood,

In sure and certain hope to rise."

May the same support, the same grace, be granted to you, dear brother, to unworthy me, and to all the Lord's dear saints prays Your's in gospel bonds, W. BRADLEY.

Lines

On the Death of Richard Parkinson, a much esteemed member of the Baptist Church, Burgh, Lincolnshire.

He has gone to his Father's land,

He has gone to the Spirit's home;

He has gone where the white-rob'd armies stand
Before the eternal throne.

He has gone where the sons of light,
In radiant beauty fair,

Chaunt, midst a choir of angels bright,
Redemption's anthem there,

near,

In the water thy Saviour thou'lt meet.

Remember, thy Saviour was buried in grief,
The billows of trouble did roll;

He was deluged in sorrow to give thee relief,
To purchase true joys for thy soul.

If the Lord, in his mercy, has soften'd thy heart,
And led thee to value his love;

Then follow his footsteps, and ne'er from him part,
'Till you join him in regions above.'

I

felt, I obey'd, I descended the steps,

And I stood in the watery grave;
My God gave me faith to obey his behest,
For I felt he was present to save.

I came up from the pool; oh, what joy then was mine,
I could feel, but I cannot make known!

I felt that for ever I'd like to recline
On his bosom, and call him my own.

For the strength of that love he did graciously shew,
That led him to suffer for me;

It burn'd in my heart, and my bosom did glow,
As I felt that his grace was so free.
Worldlings, ye may boast of your perishing joys,
Ye know not what true happiness means;
God enable you soon to get rid of such toys,

And for comfort on Jesus to lean.

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THE SUDDEN DEATH OF THOMAS GUY.

Opening the New Baptist Chapel,

At High Wycombe, Bucks.

213

sons of men that I dare not let his death
pass unnoticed. Among the many thou-
sands that have been swept off the stage of
time (within the last few months,) by
Cholera, was this devoted man of God.
brief description of his death may be taken
as a sample of the sudden manner in which

A

a multitude of souls have been taken out of

time into eternity in these most solemn days.

TUESDAY the 31st of July, was a high-day with the friends of divine truth at High Wycombe; it being the day appointed for the Opening of the New Baptist Meetinghouse, which has this year been erected at New Land. Mr. James Wells, of the Sur-On Tuesday evening, August the 14th, he rey Tabernacle, preached an able discourse in the morning from Isaiah li. 16, And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.'

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At the

was in the house of God, hearing Mr. Rudman; expressed himself greatly profitted by the discourse, and went home. The next morning (Wednesday,) as he was crossing London Bridge, the Lord was pleased to manifest himself unto our departed brother in so In the afternoon the venerable John blessed a manner, that he cried out, Come Andrew Jones, of Jireh Meeting, Brick Cholera, come death, or what inay, I am preLane, was peculiarly favoured with the pared.' He called in upon one friend, and power and presence of his Lord and Master while preaching from the last clause of said, 'I believe my time is come.' the last chapter of Ezekiel's prophecy, The house of another friend he was seized with name of the city from that day shall be, cramps and pains, and was immediately conTHE LORD IS THERE.' The closing ser- veyed home in a cab. Mr. Tupper asked mon in the evening was by Mr. John Fore-him if death was any terror to him. He man, of Mount Zion; he preached, (says a answered, No; he was not afraid to die. correspondent), with much life, power, and His only anxiety was about his wife. If holy unction, from Isaiah li. 9. The house I die,' (said he) 'ask Mr. Banks to speak was crowded; and such were the blessed over my grave; and tell him, 'I AM A effects of the three discourses that they MONUMENT OF MERCY.' He laid apparently will not soon be forgotten. Truly, it may absorbed in the things of God until the be said, High Wycombe was favoured to next morning when he calmly fell asleep in have three of the greatest gospel preachers England now possesses; and we hope heavenly blessings and lasting benefits will result therefrom. The services of the day began at seven in the morning, by a prayermeeting, when our brother Jones was present with us; in the afternoon there were upwards of two-hundred persons sat down to tea in the meeting-house; and he who is the Head of the whole election of grace gave special proof that he was with us; for after the expences for tea and ministers was paid, the collections towards the debt amounted to £34 6 7; the brethren present during the day were Allnut, of Sydenham, Oxfordshire; Mason, of Knowl Hill, Berkshire; Pearce, of Prestwood, Bucks; Miller, of Penn Bucks.

Your's in the faith of Christ,

J. EVANS, Pastor of the Church.

Died, August 6th, 1849, Eliza Evans, daughter of J. Evans, pastor of the New Baptist Meeting-house, High Wycombe, after an illness of painful suffering, aged twenty-one years.

A FEW WORDS RESPECTING

The Sudden Death of Thomas Guy,
By Cholera.

THOMAS GUY was so great a monument of
the sovereign mercy of God; and of the
power of Christ to save even the vilest of the

Jesus.

The following is the introductory preface to A Narrative of his Life, Conversion, Christian Experience,' &c. &c. which is in the press, and will be shortly published. It will give the reader some idea of the character of the man

"Dear Reader.-Thomas Guy was one unto whom

it pleased the Lord to make my ministry a very especial blessing; and I can truly say, I loved him as a brother in the Lord; and never in any one did I see the grace of God more blessedly manifest than I did in him. In almost every particular he was like that poor mad Gadarene, whose history is recorded in the fifth chapter of Luke's gospel; but I he had found Jesus; and was clothed; in his right had no personal acquaintance with him until after

mind, and sitting at the Redeemer's feet.

"About twelve months ago he was led to write out the following account of himself. I knew nothing of it until it was done; he then brought it to me, and told me I might do what I pleased with it. Strange to say, I never read it; it got thrown aside amid a bundle of papers, and was as much forgotten by me as though I had never had it. I have no doubt but he often thought it unkind that I never noticed it, but so it was.

1 believe the Lord led him to write it. I believe the Lord led me to lay it aside until after his death; and I believe that the Lord stirred up my mind to think of it-to look after it-and enabled me to find it just a few hours before I went to preach poor Tom's funeral sermon. I also believe that the Lord constrained my brother Richard Channen to urge me to print and to publish this narrative; and furthermore, although the Lord has taken our dear brother to himself so quickly, instead of leaving him to grow up into much usefulness here, (as I sometimes hoped would have been the case,) still I have a sacred persuasion that the circulation of this little work will be a blessing unto many souls."

214

TIDINGS FROM A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST.

A RETROSPECT OF

enced his changes-he had his times of rejoicing and of weeping-of bondage and

Five Years' Labour in the Gospel Ministry of liberty-of the hidings of Jehovah's

A T CHELTENHAM.

[Cheltenham ! Ah, we cannot think of Cheltenham without serious thoughts as to the reality and vitality of some men's standing in the gospel ministry. There have been those in that place-and there are those there now-who have contended for the doctrines of grace in the boldest and most unqualified terms; but who have subsequently fallen into an apparent mixture of works and grace, and an unscriptural violation of gospel order. The following letter, (written to a friend at Maidenhead,) is from the pen of a Cheltenham minister, whom we hope will be faithful even unto death. ED.]

MY DEAR FRIEND :-Through the goodness and mercy of a covenant God, I have now been labouring at Cheltenham five years; and during that period what solemn exercises of mind I have passed through! Sometimes fearing, (notwithstanding the large increase of congregation and the many additions of the church) that I have laboured in vain and spent my strength for nought-that I never knew the truth in its power and life in my soul; yet there are times when I seem to have experienced real fellowship with the 'deep things of God,-when my doubts and fears for a few moments are taken away by the sweet revelations of eternal mercy by the Holy Ghost. Then I can say the Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I desire to feel grateful and glad. But during the five years what cause for lamentation and mournings, what awful backslidings of heart,-what base ingratitude for the innumerable mercies vouchsafed to me! What solemn searchings of heart I have felt! I have said, What, can it be that I am loved with an everlasting love-redeemed with the precious blood of the Lamb-regenerated by the Spirit of burning, wisdom, power and holiness-called to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to others and yet feel such oozing up of every evil in my soul? How true it is, the spirit lusteth against the flesh, and the flesh against the Spirit; and that when we would do good evil is present with us!

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face and of real fellowship with God. Those taught of God the Holy Ghost in all ages of the world, have been tried, tempest tossed and afflicted; and what are we, or our father's house, that we should expect to escape these severe trials? The end of these trials is to keep us humble and dependent upon the rock of our salvation. Notwithstanding all our darkness, bondage, and fears, view the deliverance experienced, the mercies realised, the exceeding great and precious promises made to us in Christ, and our cry will surely be, How is it, Lord, that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us? Surely, goodness_and mercy have followed us all the days of our life.' 'O, sing unto the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endureth for ever.' When the dear Lord in his rich and great mercy is pleased to reveal himself through the lattice unto us, our souls are gladdened, love is made more intense, hope is brightened, and confidence in the God of all our mercies is increased and in such prosperity, we are ready to say' We shall never be moved.' But oh, how soon are we moved in our frames and feelings! how soon we are troubled on account of the hidings of Jehovah's countenance, and the holding back of the face of his gracious throne or mercy seat! and in 1 Kings vi. 8, it is declared,' And they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber.' God be merciful to us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us, is the prayer of your unworthy pastor,

JOHN E. BLOOMFIELD. 5, Northfield Terrace, Cheltenham.

TIDINGS FROM

A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ.

I FIND faith's highway to heaven's sure kingdom to be thorny, strait, and narrow; plenty of thorns; but what are thorns under shoes of brass, made out of the mountains of brass? I find these shoes contain an invisible spring in them; they answer two purposes; by them I tread on thorns without injury, and leap over a wall of unbelief; and as to their perseverance and swiftness, I have many a time, (blessed be the kind and loving bestower of them) run through a troop of doubts, fears, and difficulties; even when the devil has been their general, and unbelief his armourbearer. I sing with the poet

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What from Christ my soul shall sever-
Bound in everlasting bands?

Well, my dear friend, though you are not experimentally acquainted with many of the solemn exercises of mind the minister passes through-yet you know something of the changes, the tribulations, and the buffettings the christian experiencesyou know what it is to have weeping for a night, and what it is to have spiritual joy in the morning! At times you have gone about mourning, without the sun-at another time the Sun of righteousness has From the strength of Israel's hands!" graciously arisen on your mind with heal- One glimpse of Christ, and I am all tiping in his wings. The psalmist experi- toe. The lattice may be small, through

Once in him-in him for ever;
Thus the eternal union stands:

None shall pluck thee

THE REAL CHRISTIAN'S PURSUIT AND DESIRE.

215

which I see the vision, but with another | spoken gospel of Christ. The church is poet I breathe

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Jesus, to thee my longing soul aspires!"

I am tempest tossed; the waves run high; satan seems to put his back right under the vessel to make it reel; and unbelief says I shall surely founder, while darkness clouds the troubled waters, and only reminds me of the dismal deep, the rising rock, and the distant quicksand. Like some of old, I go down on my knees, in order to awake Christ by prayer; for he says, 'For all things will I be enquired of;' and again, 'Call on me in the day of thy trouble, I WILL hear thee, and deliver thee; and thou SHALT glorify me.' Immediately Jesus appears on the deck, (the waters being in the hollow of his hand, and the winds in his fist,) with a look of sovereignty (at which both the heaven and earth must bow,) he raises his arm of salvation, and his harmonious voice of 'PEACE, BE STILL,' silences every rising wave; my soul says, it is the voice of my beloved! The morning breaks; the sun rises; the mist recedes; the gloom is scattered; the tempest ceases; the rocks and quicksands are no longer feared; the distant harbour rises to my longing eyes. Again I sing,

"Yes; I to the end shall endure,

I

As sure as the earnest is given; More happy, but not more secure, The glorified spirits in heaven." What a mercy salvation is of grace! thought much last night on what Paul says, 'By the grace of God, I am what I am; not what I was, an enemy to God, by wicked works; but what I AM-a poor, needy, helpless sinner, resting entirely on the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ for a full and free salvation. "Oh could I know and love him more; And his vast riches still explore!"

compared in Scripture in the Song of Solomon, to a Dove; and there is a peculiar power and emphasis in that simile. We know that the dove is a clean feeder-the dove will not feed on musty corn-neither will the dove drink muddy water. And so it is with the church; she will not have Romanism, she will not hear Arminianism, or mere professing, spurious evangelism; but she must have the bread of life. And hence she will only hear and follow those ministers that can say as the Apostle Paul did to the church at Corinth, 'We are not as many, which corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ,' O let unfaithful ministers, if they have any tenderness at all in their consciences, read such a verse as that in the Bible, and tremble-' In the sight of God speak we in (or of) Christ.' And the people of God will only hear such; they will have the TRUTH and nothing else. The mercy of God is only needed, and can be cried for only by those who feel that they are guilty, that they are deserving of God's vengeance: but they do not despair, for they have been led to distinguish between the law and the gospel; and though condemned by the law, by the gospel they are, in Christ, justified and sanctified. You that are in this condition, what can you want more? Do you want anything else? Do you want to meddle with the work which has been completely performed? With all your sins, and sorrows, and distresses, you may go to God, and find peace and pardon. Salvation is accomplished-the work is done; and therefore the great purposes of God in eternity were fully accomplished when our blessed Saviour died upon the cross. 'Him hath God exalted with his right hand, a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." You cannot repent then of yourselves! On the authority of that scripture, you see repentance is the gift of God; you have no power to repent, but what is the preaching of the

But alas! how often like the sparrow-day! If you repent, if you pray, if you alone! Yours's in hope,

THOS. EDWARDS.

believe, God will accept you.' But this is not the doctrine of the Bible. It is not there; there is no authority for it. "Tis Arminianism, and Popery, and heresy, as rank as the devil can make it, or wish it. The declaration of the Bible is, that Christ Real Christian's Pursuit and Desire. is exalted at the right hand of God, for to

Tunbridge Wells.

THE

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I AM afraid, that here, in London, there is a great deal of the itching ear; I am afraid there is a great deal of running from church to church, from chapel to chapel, with itching ears to hear something fresh; but, remember, the true worshipper, whether he worship in the church of England or among godly and orthodox dissenters, seeks TRUTH rather than novelty. God's people, after the new birth has been effected, are humbled, and nothing will satisfy such, but the honest, pure, and plain

give repentance to Israel,' (that is, to his people) and forgiveness of sins. You and I can never come to Christ till he commands us. As Dr. Hawker used to say, God's commandings are enablings, and when Christ said come,' the poor lunatic was then compelled to obey; he came, and and was healed immediately. Sinners may seek in vain to find relief or a cure, from another source, till Christ's power is exerted they will remain the same. Men may try to be more merciful than Godthey may have mercy for the world, but God has none! To the world he will one

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