REVIEW.

Spiritual Lethargy. A Sermon, delivered at Beresford Chapel, Walworth. By Edward Andrews, L.L.D. Palmer, Paternoster Row. WHEN we took up this sermon, our object was to lay before our readers our opinion of its merits more fully than we are in the habit of doing. But, as we proceeded, our purpose relaxed, and was finally absorbed in the sorrowful feeling, that the picture presented to us by the hand of this master in Israel, of the spiritual apathy of the church, at this important and awful hour, was too correct-too affecting for mere criticism. This will be the opinion of all the royal seed, whose hearts, like the harp of the son of Jesse, are in tune; when they read this original, eloquent, sound, spiritual, and empassioned address to the church of the living God.

"RICHES.-They that will be rich, make to themselves a snare. If great talents require great grace, so do large riches. We read of some to whom the Lord gave their request, but sent leanness into their souls. We sometimes see in churches distinguished individuals, who seem to have all the characteristics of piety but this one--a proper deadness to the world; their amiableness and usefulness seem quite marred by an inordinate love of money. How frequently it happens that God permits such men to become rich, till suddenly, in their old age, by some miscarriage they lose nearly all, and then learn that they have put their " money into a bag with holes." You will say, perhaps we are in no danger of becoming so rich as to have our minds wholly engrossed in the preservation of our property, and its application to the best purposes. Be it so: but I have known some who have on a deathbed, in my own hearing, bitterly deplored the conduct and the fatal prosperities to which I have alluded. If you will make money your god, you cannot expect that Christ should be so too.

"I might mention many other causes, which might be deemed below the dignity of pulpit animadversion; yet nothing should be deemed so that is important to christian prosperity. However, I will wave noticing them for the present; only saying, that at least they are "the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes." It is in spirituals as in things temporal : a grain of sand in the eye, or a steely point, or thorn in the flesh, however small, may irritate and render feverish the whole constitution. I would reckon nothing minute which can affect the high and momentous destinies of the immortal soul!

"Loss. Great loss of spiritual comfort. This is supposed in the very argument: for soul-lethargy and deadness imply paralysis, coldness, inaction, indifference; and where these prevail, of course divine joys must in that proportion decrease. Is it not a strange view of human nature, that after all, this is what the fashionable religionist loves? He must have some religion, but it must be a dead one; the figure of a profession he must have, but it shall be an automaton : like the affectedly-refined preacher, who stands up a man of pasteboard, and minces out his words with no other sentiment whatever, than the fear of being thought in earnest :- - your even-speakers, as they call themselves! O man of God! is it not wretched for you to degenerate into such lifelessness as agrees with their notions?-such numbness and deadness as becomes an effigy, rather than a living man? Is not he in a horrible state who has fallen back ghastly on his pillow, and from whose VOL. VI.-No. 63.

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open and gaunt mouth, though silent, the physician, with a mirror, is anxiously attempting to condense a few vapours of vital breath? What can a man enjoy who is half dead? What are dulcet sounds to him who is asleep? What comfort can be expected from the cross to a divided heart? Is not the kingdom of heaven to be taken by violence? Are we not herein to be zealously affected? Is not God to be inquired of for these things? And can we expect to enjoy that redemption which convulsed heaven, earth, and hell, when we grow as forgetful of the first as we seem wedded to the second, and reckless of the last?"

"SYMPTOMS.-I mean the blessed symptoms of soul renewal: for as I stated before, the Divine Spirit will not suffer the true heirs of promise to remain finally under such delusions and degrading influences as we have considered. God speaks once, twice, yea thrice; and though nature may say, like Eli to Samuel, lie down again, my son,-lie down again : yet when God judgeth he will overcome: when he setteth his hand a second time to the work, his captives shall be brought back again. The symptoms of such a restoration in your soul will be

"CONCERN. ·

A holy concern for the unfruitfulness and backwardness of your spiritual state. The saint who has wandered long, returns to a sense of amazing wretchedness. "O that it were with me as in months that are past, when the candle of the Lord shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil!"— when every ordinance was blessed: when from the rock Christ a holy unction descended to my soul! Now, alas, how altered! O my leanness ! my leanness!

"This is but a perpetuation and renewal of the very first impression of conversion; and what was that?-A holy, awful concern for an eternal world: now comes the same sentiment again; now stirs the infinite feeling; we stand on the edge of the world; we look at rocks and mountains of difficulty, on wastes of untried being, and the majestic spirit trembles in herself, that she may rest in the day of trouble. I think it may fairly be asserted that this soul jealousy,-this suspicion of ourselves,-this constant dissatisfaction with our present attainments, and quickness of alarm at whatever may be below our privileges, and dishonourable to the Saviour, is one unalienable proof of grace, and is indeed quite inseparable from the christian character, unless for the time overshadowed and benumbed by the lethargy we have deplored. "Look well to the state of thy flocks and thy herds," may be applied spiritually. The man of God is ever anxious to be right; and, when made conscious that he has wandered or fallen, in however small a degree, he is filled with anguish.”

The Seeking Soul Encouraged: a Sermon. To which is added, an Account of the gracious dealings of God with the late Mrs. Creasey. By Robert Creasey, Baptist Minister, Heckington.

This is a sound, judicious, and experimental discourse, which we most sincerely and tenderly recommend to all the tried, feeble lambs of the spiritual flock of God. We have seldom read of a more touching instance of domestic sympathy, and the efficacy of prayer, than the following.

"How much her prayer, as a means, had an influence unto this, I know not; but this was what she mentioned to us, and seemed to fear she had acted wrong by so doing; yet it was the great love alone she declared that was borne to me, which caused her thus to pray.

"Subsequent to this period, she complained very much of being such a dreadful sinner, saying frequently that her sins were more in number than

the hairs of her head; and they lay upon her soul as a burthen too heavy to be borne. She also spake very much of the wickedness of the world, saying, that it was nothing but a sink of sin and misery, and that she had had very much of these views within the last six months; and the only thing that could at all induce her to desire to be restored, was her wish to walk with her dear husband in the good ways of God; these things were very often repeated by her at this time.

"Towards night, whilst complaining of the things above mentioned, and of her fears and misgivings of heart, she suddenly melted into tears, and spake of the following scripture being sweetly applied to her mind : "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" But in a very short time her distress of mind again returned, yet she was several times comforted afresh with that and other passages, in the course of the evening. She requested me to engage in prayer by her, and on asking what her desire was that I should pray for in particular, she answered, that the Lord would mercifully comfort her soul; and in all the times that I afterwards put up petitions by her, this request, or one similar to it was made, never seeming to desire me to pray for her bodily health. Her mother sat up with her alone through this night, and from her I understood that she was exceedingly distressed and tempted the greater part thereof; even to such a degree at times, that the agony of her mind caused a very great trembling in her whole frame, - complaining of her sins and horrible temptations was her chief employ, preventing her from obtaining any rest till morning. Several times did she take hold of her mother's hand, and exclaim, Oh! what horror do I feel, surely this is the very belly of hell.' In the morning she became more comfortable, and obtained some sleep. From hence, for two or three days, her experience was similar to this, that is, sometimes greatly distressed and tempted, and at others, much comforted and refreshed; yet the horror of mind before mentioned, never appeared to return with such great and dreadful violence afterwards."

The Happy Close of all the Believer's Trials. By the Rev. R. E. Leach, Curate of Sunderland, Durham. Palmer, Paternoster

Row.

The neat attire in which this little offering to the church appeared before us, excited a feeling of pleasure that became stronger, and more spiritual, upon perceiving that it contained the "whole counsel of God," in popular language; full of "an unction from the Holy One." The eloquence of this preacher is that of the common people, sanctified by the Holy Ghost, under whose sovereign influence, it is, like the notes of the nightingale, alike pleasing and attractive in villages, towns, and cities.

"Moreover, the trials of the saints are all limited to this life. The christian, as he passes through Jordan, will leave all his trials and enemies behind. He will enter into that land where all the mysteries of providence will be opened, and the love of God appear in his heaviest trials. Oh! ye mourning saints, look then beyond the tomb. Realize the shining robes of innocence, the splendour of the eternal crown, the rapturous views of Immanuel. Realize the days of mourning for ever closed, and the Saviour addressing you, "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Methinks I see the mourner approaching the gates of the eternal city, and witness the last tear wiped away. I behold the crown of glory sparkling before the immortal spirits - I witness the celestial gates opened; and welcome, welcome, welcome, re-echo through the celestial courts!

"But how shall this glorious consummation of the believer's trials be brought about ? Who shall conduct the people of God through all their trials, and wipe the tear of sorrow from their eyes? We reply, God.

"It is here that the richest consolation opens to the people of God. Who but God could deliver them from sorrows, overcome all their enemies, dissipate all their fears, and give them perfect joy? But, in the hands of the eternal Jehovah we see all the sorrows of the saints vanish; we witness all their enemies overcome. We see unutterable joy their eternal portion; for, in the first place, God is full of love to accomplish it. Jehovah hath loved his people with an eternal love; a love that can never be equalled, and which can never end. He so loved them as to provide grace and glory for them before the ruins of the fall, and to give up his beloved Son to that painful death for them. He so loves them as to take a part in all their sorrows, and engage all his attributes for their defence. He so loves them, that rather than they shall perish, nations shall perish, and the heavens be wrapped together as a scroll. Does Jehovah thus love his people? Does he watch over them by day and by night? Does he say, in the exercise of his love," He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye?" And, can he be indifferent to the sorrows of his people? Can he see them suffering the assaults of their enemies; weighed down with pain, tossed with tempests, and not comfort them? Can he fail to give them rest from all their trials, when he hath said, "I will give you rest from all your enemies round about?" Can he fail to wipe away every tear of sorrow, when he hath said, "My kindness shall not depart from me?" Surely not; this loving-kindness renders the deliverance of the saints from trial certain. In love he corrects them, and in that love he will deliver them from all trials. O believer in Christ, consider the loving-kindness of the Lord. Think of its heights, and depths, and then rest assured of deliverance from all trials. How many has this loving-kindness conducted through this vale of tears. Who are they around the eternal throne? They were once the sons and daughters of affliction; but eternal mercy brought them to glory; eternal love wipes the tear of sorrow from their eyes.”

The Prayer of the Dying Thief, and our Lord's gracious Answer: being the substance of a Sermon, occasioned by the Death of Josiah Paine, who was Executed for Sheep-stealing, on Penenden Heath, on 2nd April, 1829. To which is added, an Account of his Conversion to God. By Henry Heap, Minister of Bury Street Chapel. Palmer, Paternoster Row.

It requires no ordinary talent in a minister, to render a local, though an awfully important occurrence, like the subject of this discourse, generally and permanently interesting. The number of editions, through which this sermon has already passed, are pleasing evidences, that this talent is possessed by its kind-hearted author. The profits of this discourse are received by the deacons of Bury Street Chapel, to be given to the sorrowful widow, who has two small helpless children, and expects shortly to be confined with a third. May the blessing of Him, who is the husband of the widow, and the father of the fatherless, rest upon this zealous and useful minister of Jesus, and his deacons. We shall quote the following as a proof of the orthodoxy of the author.

"In the prayer of the dying culprit, there are three essential properties which are inseparably connected in the desires and petitions of every one taught by the Spirit of Christ.

"1. A clear conviction of his lost and ruined condition as a sinner in the sight of God, as well as before men. The knowledge of ourselves as apostate rebels against Jehovah, is absolutely necessary if we would worship him acceptably. An outward invocation of his name without a sight and sense of our wants, is neither to pray in truth nor sincerity, and is only to mock God with a solemn sound while our hearts are far from him; it is mere lip service, and bodily excrcise, which profiteth nothing. See Matt. xv. 8. This humble worshipper was far removed from the company of these painted hypocrites. He felt the weight of his transgressions to be an intolerable burden too heavy for him to bear; and saw himself like the publican, unworthy to lift up his eyes to heaven, when he smote upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful (or propitious) to me, a sinner." Many on account of the abhorrent views they have of themselves because of their sins, are fearfully discouraged and sorely tempted to think they have neither part nor lot in the living Redeemer, and that they shall one day or other prove castaways. It would be well for these afflicted people to know that he who sees the odious nature of sin, detests its polluting streams, desires to be cleansed from them in the blood of Christ, and to live to the glory of God, is undoubtedly under a saving work of grace, though at present, through the weakness of his faith, and the strength of inbred corruption, he cannot enjoy the comfort and blessedness of his state. "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Recollect the light of nature, or human agency, can no more convince a person of his sins, than it can convert or turn him from his sins unto God. It belongs as much to the province of the Holy Spirit to shew a man the depravity of his nature, and to give him to feel the plague of his heart, as it is his office in the mysterious economy of redemption, to reveal the glories of Christ, and to sprinkle upon the guilty conscience of his contrite people his peace-speaking blood. "Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth." "He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." "And when he is come, he will reprove (or convince) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." This is the established gospel method of setting a sinner free who is tied and bound with the chain of his sins. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

"2. The penitent thief was deeply sensible that had God left him for ever to perish in his sins he would have been just, and that his situation was so deplorable that vain was the help of creatures. When he affectingly cried, "Lord, remember me," he desired that he would extend to him, the chief of sinners, his sovereign, free, and rich mercy. This was his only plea. He knew that he had violated the laws of God and man, and deserved to be cut off from the land of the living, and die eternally. "He saw his kinsfolks and companions stand aloof, Ps. xxxviii. 11. unable to help him, had they been willing; and if they at all remembered him, it would be to consider him a reprobate character, and a disgrace to society. The sword of justice was removing him from the face of the earth in the midst of his days; and his former wicked associates in crime, on this account would be glad to forget him least a recollection of his ignominious end should remind them of their own deserved punishment, and embitter the short pleasures of sin by a serious consideration of its dreadful wages · death, temporal and eternal. Christ then is the last and never-failing refuge of a ruined and convinced sinner. This poor penitent could adopt the language of the Psalmist, as remarkably suitable to his forlorn condition-" I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O Lord; I said thou art my refuge," Ps. cxlii. 4, 5. Had he looked to all the hosts of heaven, and cried unto them to relieve and save him, they would have replied, O perishing sinner! in us there is no salvation. "There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved," but by Jesus Christ. "This

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