The Straight Gate and the Broad Way. THE Scriptures of eternal truth clearly exhibit to our view two direct ways, with their two certain ends. The indirect ways into the direct are various. One way is represented exceeding narrow; the other amazing wide. The end of one is everlasting life; the end of the other is death. Man (left to himself) naturally chooses the wide way, although it terminates in death; it is altogether congenial to flesh and blood, and the end is quite forgotten till he gets there; and then, to his solemn confusion, he finds he has mistook the road. The narrow way is Christ exclusively, experimentally known and received. None walk this way but objects of eternal love, vessels of sovereign mercy, and subjects of distinguishing and saving grace. By nature, these are jovially travelling the wide way with all the rest, and keep on to a certain distance with them; when, wonderful to relate, omnipotent power is displayed in their behalf, and a final separation takes place. Convinced of the awful situation they are in, and of the dreadful mistake they had made in choosing the broad way, they are filled with consternation and confusion, till Christ, the true way, is revealed to them, and faith in him planted by the Holy Ghost in their hearts; by which faith (as an eye to the soul thus made to differ) they clearly see which is right, and which is wrong; consequently are made willing to reject the wrong, and embrace the right. And, O my soul! is this thy case? Then glorify that God that wrought the marvellous change. This faith, especially when in exercise, clearly discovers that no way of escape from hell, and admission into heaven can be found under the whole heavens, but by believing in Jesus to the saving of the soul. The believer plainly sees that the way is too narrow to get along in it with his own lumber in his possession; so that with the apostle, he suffers the loss of all things, yea, forsakes all to follow Christ; choosing rather, with Moses, 'to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.' For this, he is puffed at, disdained, contemptuously treated, loaded with opprobrious names and titles, and set down by the selfrighteous tribes for a bigot-an antinomian -and a very dangerous character. Still, with his eye divested of all film, he looks at his path, and clearly perceives it is the direct one to the shores of immortality and eternal day. And through having a supernatural strength communicated, he goes on in the way everlasting rejoicing. His faith in Christ makes him so much ashamed of, and 6 out of love with himself, that he labours "Fearless of hell and ghastly death, Shall bear me conqueror thro'." He is (in the estimation of thousands) as a deceiver and yet true,' 'as unknown, and yet well known,' as dying and behold he lives, as chastened and not killed, as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.' He is dead to Moses, to sin, and the world, but alive to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Christ is his meat, his drink, his hope, his holiness, his happiness, his honour, his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,' his peace, his pleasure, his perfection; in a word, his 'all in all,' and in some sweet experience, 'he walks by faith and not by sight.' And after a few years travel through the wilder 82 THE BLESSINGS OF TO-DAY. ness, he reaches the end of his journey, his | numbers are reduced to penury and desolalong anticipated, desired and expected end; for the end of this man is peace.' And let it be observed, that none but those who are born of water and of the Spirit, walk in this narrow way. Having thus finished his course,' and being clothed in the best robe,' washed in atoning blood, and made meet' for the company of the Most High and the 'spirits of just men made perfect,' he is thus triumphantly welcomed in by the King, "Come in thou blessed, sit by me, With my own life I've ransom'd thee, Lord, grant that I may live the life, and die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.' for Another traveller now presents himself to our view; yea, thousands ofthem together; "Broad's the road that leads to death, And thousands walk together there." The road in which they walk is carnal ease and sensual pleasure; together with profession and profanity of all sorts. The way is truly thronged with travellers. Here are seen altogether swearers, murderers, whoremongers, liars, thieves, traitors, false accusers, Sabbath-breakers, drunkards, swindlers, false prophets, Arians, proud professors, and hypocrites in shoals. Hey day, what a group! 'And who,' O, my soul! 'maketh thee to differ?' I do not say these will all be lost; but I do say that if grace prevent not, (which God grant that it may,) they will at the end most certainly drop into hell. Here, also, are vast multitudes of poisoned papists and avaricious priests, with some few who are rather more refined and moral in their manners and customs. Such are pharisees, who with all their wonderful works and pious appearanees are in the broad road that leadeth to destruction; for whether professors or profane, in the sight of a holy God, they are one company. Here are seen thousands of Galio's, Demas's, and Alexander's descendants. This vast convocation are not destitute of amusement on the road. The scenes are various. They love, and very much enjoy the theatre, the ball-room, the dice, and bagatelle department-the alehouse, the fair, the brothel, the Sunday excursion by railway or steam-boat-the prize fight, the bull-bait, the noble chase, (either the steeple, or pursuing the hare or the deer,) the Epsom triumph, (where thousands huddle together to witness barbarity and inhuman cruelty exercised towards, and inflicted on the noble steed, merely for the sake of transitory honour, and perishing gold. Here tion, (who just now were swimming in worldly riches,) through the infernal practice of betting and gambling. The whole are walking according to the course of this world. It is true, the deceived and the deceiving pharisee now and then steps aside out of the ranks to perform pennance or do his duty, of which he impudently boasts in the face of God himself. He very orderly passes through his ordeal of hypocritical worship, wipes his mouth, and again joins his companions. And as he can be religious or irreligious, as worldly matters may require, he is eulogised with the dignifying name of 'a good-hearted fellow.' Also, in this wide way you will see a vast quantity of college students, or men-made parsons of the Oxford and Cambridge manufactories (with a few exceptions) who delight in lies, novels, debauchery, hunting, shooting, drinking, and vice of every kind; with a large and permanent salary for their great care of souls, and instructing the people; the whole put together seem to me to be running down to hell with such velocity, as if they feared the gates will be closed ere they arrive; ignorant of God-haters of the Bible-persecutors of the saints-and millions of them vessels of wrath. Soon, very soon, these will reach the terminus, and their wild and mad career will be at an end; for the end of these things is death. Lost, ruined, and undone sinner, I will leave you with this request "May grace your guilty soul prepare, Then with you 'twill be well; T. STRINGER. The Blessings of To-day. Wellingborough, Feb. 13th, 1849. BELOVED BROTHER-I received your's this afternoon, and though it was market day, found time to read it, and found it to my soul the most profitable transaction of today: the light, life, liberty, and love, I feel, may well be called to-day; and as Jesus has given the hint," the night cometh wherein no man can work," I thought, ere the evening shades prevail, I would again pen a few lines to you, and knowing that it is never deemed dishonourable in persons (when they have it in their power) to pay off old debts, I am the more determined to do so, and thus score off one from arrears due, with interest and compound too. Quick as the lightning's flash, when the Almighty Spirit touches the spring of our joys, do our consolations abound; 'tis vain 66 THE BLESSINGS OF TO-DAY. 83 You ask, "What can we possibly render to rise up early, late take our rest, or eat the bread of carefulness, until Jesus, the day-to the Most High, as an acceptable acknowspring from on high, arise with healings in ledgment of our infinite obligations to his his beams; and then, O how pleasant is light Eternal Majesty ?" I bless the Lord the to our eyes. And when his well-known question is not a new one, and you very voice, (as he sheweth himself through the satisfactorily answered it: if there is anylattices,) thrills through our souls, and bids thing to be done, he must be the doer of it, us Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and and as the piece of money shewn to Christ, the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee;" with with the image and superscription of Cæsar what vigorous haste we joyfully reply," The upon it, must have come from the royal voice of my beloved, behold, he cometh." mint of Cæsar, to have been lawful and current coin; so the acceptable renderings of our souls to God, must be a free gift of heavenly coin, with the image of Jesus indelibly engraven thereon, so that with David we may say, "Of thine own, Lord, have we given thee" and while with our hands we put the crown on the head of Jesus, worthy the Lamb our lips reply, for he was slain: and is worthy to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessings. Rev. v. 24. "Sweet majesty and awful love, Sit smiling on his brow!" And the tender grass (i.e. desires) springing 'Tis blessed indeed, with Christ to proceed, How truly could I lift up holy hands with He will not, cannot, must not prove He never, never, never can If from his grace he e'er withdrew, And this was the mind of Christ when he declared, "Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end;" and armed with the same mind, we boldly defy all the powers that be, to produce proofs to the contrary. No sudden destruction we dread, I have enclosed twelve stamps, they are from an afflicted sister in Christ; who, on seeing the appeal made to the readers of the Earthen Vessel, wished me to forward them. If you will forward them to Mr. Banks, I should feel obliged, the odd one for the postage of the letter. last wrote, she desires again to be affectionMrs. B. is something better that when I ately remembered to you, and any who may enquire concerning her, in which I most cordially unite, and beg your acceptance of thanks for your kind wishes, desires, &c., and believe me ever to be, your affectionate brother in Christ, ROBERT BIRD. 84 THE MINISTER OF CHRIST LOOKING FOR HIS REWARD. afflicted sister that kindly regarded and responded to the appeal on behalf of the Earthen Vessel. I rejoice that the appeal, made in the fear of God, has been followed with divine favor; and I doubt not, that it will yet find its way to the hearts of many of the friends of truth. I shewed your first letter to our sister Cleave, which she returned to me, saying, our brother Robert is on high ground, sure he is not long for this world, or there is a sea of trouble before him ;" to which I answered, "we little know what is before him; but this we know, he has been a man of war from his youth up ;" and therefore, well tried and well prepared for all the will divine, knowing that God giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. While we rejoice that our God giveth liberally to the necessitous sons and daughters of Israel; yea, not only liberally, but exceeding abundantly above all that they can either ask or think: we should also remember that neither his gifts, nor his grace, bestowed upon his people in consummate wisdom, and understanding infinite, will ever be found to be either defective or superfluous. I should not have scrawled these hastily conceived lines, but for your having named the March meeting, to observe and record the seventeenth anniversary of my ordination at Carmel, and which ordination I most firmly and solemnly believe, was pre-ordained in the councils of eternity; but as such meeting seems to have so much reference and relationship to self and co., I do not feel led to avail myself of the otherwise desirable opportunity of meeting my brethren on this occasion. However, (if spared) one poor worthless, wounded, weak, and wretched worm, will have abundant cause to remember the day, (viz: March 6th); and if the fount of divine favour shall flow freely into my oft fainting soul, on that returning day, then shall my thankful heart record the goodness of the Lord before his mercy-seat, in the secrecy of his pavilion-like presence. Should you have any more mites for the Vessel, I shall be most happy to receive them, and forward them to their chosen destination. The Lord God of Israel bless you, and the helper he has given you. Remember me at the throne of the I AM that I AM, and believe me to be your's affectionately, JOHN STENSON. P.S.I have this moment received a savoury morsel from Higham Ferrers; tell our friend Ashby, I will (D.v.) write to him shortly. I know not what to say to him, as I had almost made up my mind not to leave home this year. My way is before the Lord, and I must wait the light above. My heart is full of grief, and my spirit sighs all the day long, waiting for God's salvation. The Minister of Christ LOOKING AFTER HIS REWARD. IWE received, the other day, a cheerful note from our brother John Wigmore; and knowing many of our readers would be glad to read it, we gather out therefrom the following. It is dated, Wolverhampton, March 19th. After a little introduction, he says :-] Since I have been here, I have sunk very low in my soul; I have groaned, and wept much, but not a word could I get from Him whom my soul desires to love, quite refreshing to me, 'If God be for us, till Monday last, when these words were who can be against us? And I could believe in my very soul that God was for me; so I went to chapel and had a refreshing time, and I have not sunk so low since; bless God for it; I am still going on in my hobbling way, desiring to preach peace by Jesus Christ; he is Lord of all; and I believe God is blessing his word to the glory of his holy name; for which I do feel a measure of thankfulof the Lord in my soul like a springing ness; I know what it is to find the word well; and at times he does enable me to tell it out to the comfort of some of his afflicted people, and I do know this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in my eyes. O, my brother, it is my soul's desire to have a conscience void of offence toward God and man, however I may fall short of it; and God doth know that what do preach is not a stranger's with me; it is manifested in my own soul by the I do try to tell out God's holy truth as Holy Spirit; and at this both men and devils rage; but if poor Zion be refreshed, I do rejoice, and I therein will rejoice; and by the help of our God, I am hoping to go on in this way, till the hand that now moves is still in death. O, my brother, what a mercy that you and I know a little about the earnest of our inheritance; and we can sometimes rejoice in a blessed assurance that we shall ere long enter upon its sweet possession. How cheering the prospet! No more sin to grieve our souls for ever! No more a tempting devil! No more the vileness of our fleshly feelings, making our very souls to groan being burdened, which is often the case now. No, brother, there is none of this; there is nothing to interrupt our everlasting joy in the heavenly state! O, who can unravel that blissful delight that we ere long shall be in the full possession of with the holy prophets and apostles of our Lord, and see him whose temples bled for us, whose hands and feet were nailed to the cross; and his side pierced for such wretches as we; a sight of which, through a glass darkly, does melt our hard hearts, and enable us to say with one of old, 'Our light afflictions which are but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' An Affectionate Address to the Ministers and Churches of Christ in England. "Judge not that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged." THIS unequalled sermon from the mouth of Christ's spirit, satan shall be cast out of every child of mercy, who is an elect vessel afore prepared unto glory. The prince of this world is judged and condemned; his power and dominion is destroyed and cast out of the church of God for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Glory to God in the highest! Amen. walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.' For in this judging and condemning ye please the devil, and not Christ; for you who would sit in judgment upon your brethren, would rob God of his glory, and Christ of his honour, whom God hath now appointed to be Judge of both the quick and the dead. And now beloved brethren, seeing these things are so of a truth, will ye help the prince of darkness to set up another triJesus saith, For judgment I am come bunal in the church of God? Will ye sit into this world, that they which see not in judgment upon your brother-judging might see, and that they which see might one another, and condemning one another? be made blind.' John ix. 39. That is, theThere is therefore now no condemnation Pharisees, who said they saw, were blinded to them which are in Christ Jesus, who by the bright shining light, which they hated. And though judically blind, they would judge others; and they judged the righteous Jesus as an abominable sinner, and as one who had a devil; yea, judged him to death, and crucified him. Thus, poor blind man will be a judge of others, while he judges not himself. Yea, in his pride and conceit he will do more than Jesus would do when here in the days of his flesh. Jesus said, 'ye judge after the flesh-I judge no man.' Jesus did not come to condemn the world; the world was condemned before he came; and man, born in sin, is under condemnation, 'condemned already.' Thus Jesus did not come to judge the world, nor condemn the world; he came to save it; that is, all believers, who are led by the Spirit to believe in his name, in all nations of the world. But those who will judge others bring a judgment upon themselves in the end. The wicked men who judged Jesus, will at the last day be judged by Jesus; and out of their own mouths they will be condemned. The following words from Peter, are solemn and awful concerning those wicked persons and wicked judges of Christ and his people Their judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.' 1 Peter ii. 3. Only think what a long time the prince of darkness raged, roamed, and roared about the world before he was brought to judgment, and then he was taken in his own craftiness. He influenced wicked men to judge, condemn, and crucify the Lord Jesus; and in that very act he was taken in his own craftiness-judged and condemned himself! His iniquity fell upon his own pate, and the just judgment overtook him at last. Jesus saith, Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out.' John xii. 31. Not cast out of the wicked world; he has still power and dominion over them: but his power and dominion over God's elect is for ever destroyed; and in every age and generation, at God's own time, and by the power VOL. V. O brethren! for Christ's sake, and for conscience sake, give over judging one another. Those brethren (I hope they are brethren) who left the Church of England, have, in discerning men's minds, been verily guilty in this matter. They came among the dissenting churches and set up their judgment; they left the ecclesiastical hierarchy, on account of its intolerance and oppression-and then immediately set up a hierarchy of their own, judging and condemning some of the brethren, who were much more advanced in the divine life than themselves were; and not only so, but 'rebuking the elders,' old ministers who were ornaments and pillars in the church of Christ before them; 'prating against them;' not receiving the brethren, and forbidding them that would. John iii. 10. Forbidding some old acknowledged, well established ministers to invade their precincts, or step within their circle; saying that if such and such ministers' preached in the pulpits where they occasionally preached, they would go there no more; judging and condemning those who were much further advanced in their judgment and knowledge of divine things than themselves. Therefore, this judging and condemning one another has made strange work among the brethren, such as division, envy and strife; and divided the people into sections and fragments, speaking evil one of another, judging one another, and condemning one another; and some weak brethren have looked up to them as new oracles, newly come up; as if those men had received some new revelation, which the fathers and the church had never known before; whereas their so-called wonderful, all-absorbing experience hardly M |