now you are glad.' Fixing her eyes upon me, with a tone which indicated her amazing distress, she exclaimed, "O, Mr. H.! O, Mr. H. !" several times. I said, 'Well; what do you want with me?' She replied, "I have much to say to you, - have patience, and I will tell you all." After a short interval, with a look of despair, wildness, and anguish, - a look which I shall never forget, she began to vent the black despair of her mind in bitter groans and cries, saying, "I cannot give you my hand. No, no.” I asked her why not. She answered, "I have lied to the Holy Ghost." I added, that I was fully assured she had not committed the sin against the Holy Ghost. I then expatiated on the infinite riches of God's grace to sinners, &c. She still persisted in saying there was no pardon for her; and confessed the crime of which she had been accused by the church; adding, You charged me with it: I denied it; but I was guilty. I kept up a criminal correspondence with S.; and continued to come to the ordinance. I have lied to the Holy Ghost; I shall never be with Jesus! O that I had minded what you said! I am now in Hell!' -I remonstrated onthe impropriety of saying she was in Hell; adding, she was certainly on earth; and that the blood of Christ was all-sufficient to atone for her numerous crimes. She replied again, My soul is in Hell-flames! O, it burns within me! O, my soul is exceeding sorrowful! O Hell, Hell, Hell! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus: I shall never be with Jesus!' After witnessing awhile this awful scene, I withdrew, which seemed to increase her agonics. She threw herself back on the pillow, whilst her louder cries sufficiently evinced the misery of her mind; and was to me a forcible comment on Ps. 1. 22. Meihought, here is a tearing to pieces indeed! Soon after this it was noised abroad that Mrs. K. had confessed to me her intimacy with S. The sentence of death which she passed on her self, on account of her sin and hypocrisy, was charged to my acconnt; and it was reported that I told her there was no pardon for her; whereas this was her own de

cision! I endeavoured to comfort her mind.

After this I continued to visit her at different times, finding her, alternately, the subject of gloomy despair, or frantic joy, or deep thought. But in going to see her one day, coming to the door, I found it fastened: I shook the door, at which a woman looked at me through the window, not attempting to open it. At length the door was opened. I had wondered at the circumstance; but coming to the poor afflicted woman, my wondering ceased, on being informed that an edict was issued, forbidding every one known by the terrible name of Methodist, to approach her any more. On enquiring into the cause of this prohibition, I was informed that the Doctor who at tended the dying woman, had informed her sister that the Methodists had turned her brains! From this time I saw her no more; but the poor woman desired a request to be sent for an interest in public prayer in the chapel; but Popish intolerance forbade it. However, it neither could nor did not hinder; prayer was made for her in the congregation.

From this awful and instructive providence learn we,

1. The convincing, condemning, tormenting power of conscience.

2. The justice and holiness of God. When his saints wander in paths of rebellion against him, they shall feel the rod

3. To charge the gospel of Christ and the way of truth with being the cause of the poor woman's agony and distress, betrays a total want of wisdom. When the holy truths of divine revelation come in contact with guilt, hypocrisy, and a sense of abused mercy in the heart, the effects must be dreadful.

Lastly, Let professors of the gospel in general, and members of gospel churches in particular, take heed to their state, and clearly examine the account between God and their own souls; for let those who cover secret practices of iniquity with a fair garb of profession, be assured, that their sin will one day find them out!

J. H.

Lectures on the Pastoral Character.

By the late Rev. George Campbell, D. D. F. R. S. Edinburgh. Edited by James Fraser, D. D. 8vo. 78.

THE name of Dr. Campbell must excite in the minds of those who are conversant with his writings, a profound respect for his talents, and a grateful sense of obligation for the laborious diligence with which those talents were employed in the investigation of truth, and the communication of the most useful knowledge. To the Biblical student the productions of his pen are so valuable, as to deserve a place among the limited number of modern works, which it is really a misfortune not to possess. His writings in general display, as their characteristic features, soundness, vigour, and maturity of intellect, patience of research, and perspicuity of expression. It may be expected that these inestimable qualities will be most apparent in the works which he himself intended and prepared for the press; and it would be unfair to form our opinion of him, or of any other author, chiefly from the perusal of a posthumous publication. We are certainly indebted to the editor for putting into our hands any additional lectures which were the composition of such a man as the judicious and venerable Campbell; and we thankfully acknowledge our obligations to him for giving

to the world the valuable Lectures

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on Systematic Theology and PulpitEloquence. On topics connected with the subjects of those Lectures, but of a nature more directly practical, are the Lectures before us composed. Though the following work,' says the editor, wants the benefit of his corrections, it will not, it is hoped, be found unworthy of the well-known and long-approved author. It is more of a practical nature than any of the other Lectures; and many of the valuable remarks and counsels respecting life and manners, with

which it abounds, will be useful, not to pastors only, but to others; especially to those who fill public stations in society.' In this opinion we are, upon the whole, disposed to coincide; although we should have attached more importance to the work had it eutered more into the spirit of the pastoral character and charge, had it referred more to the state of the

heart, the regulation of the desires and dispositions, and the importance of genuine piety and devotion to the suitable discharge of the pastoral office. We think also, that many of the remarks and directions are chiefly applicable to the state of things in the Established Church of Scotland: - a circumstance which must have greatly enhanced their value, considered as relations to candidates for admis

sion into that church, but which certainly does not increase the interest with which they will be perused by readers in general. To these remarks we can only add a brief outline of the contents of

these Lectures.

After an introduction on the importance of the subject, Dr. C. proceeds to represent the Influence of Example, the Nature of the Vices which are most reproachful - the in the Ministerial Character, Importance of Regard to Outward Decorum. the Virtues especially the Evils

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requisite in the Pastor, to which his occupation exposes him, especially to an excessive desire of popular applause, and to the indulgence of a slothful disposition.

The Works of the Rev. R. Cecil, M. A. with a Memoir of his Life. Arranged and revised; with a View of the Author's Character. By Josiah Pratt, B.D. F.A.S. In Four Vols. 8vo, 2.8.

[Concluded from our last.]

THE third volume of Mr. C.'s works contains thirty-three Sermons, taken from his lips in short

hand, and revised by his judicious editor, Mr. Pratt. Those who know Mr. Cecil's talents as a preacher, will approach these with high anticipations. Though they are short, and have not the finish of the author's hand, they are the sketches of a master, --a master in Israel, a workman that needed not to be ashamed.

The subjects being as numerous as the sermons, it would be tedious to enumerate all the titles: suffice it to say, they are all practical, and all the practical observations are founded on evangelical truth. Where all are excellent, we presume not to say which are best; but we shall point out some that have excited in us peculiar interest in the examination.

Sermon III. The Child of Providence' reminds us of the author,, who was evidently so himself. It is founded on the miracles wrought by Elijah on the widow's barrel of meal and cruise of oil,' 1 Kings xvii. 15, 16. First, The preacher considers the character of this widow as a child of Providence: and, 2dly, The lessons we are to gather from this history; of which we shall select but one:- As we would wish for God to honour our faith, so we must honour divine direction. You must go to God's word, not follow your own fancy, nor consult your own impressions. Too many religious persons forget this. They say, I had an impression on my mind that I ought to do such a thing; therefore I do it.' But do they know whence these impressions come? they may spring from the vanity of their own hearts, or they may be temptations of Satan; impressions are not our rule of action. Honour, therefore, your rule of direction, if you would wish God to honour your faith. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

a clear and express assurance that this was the word of the Lord; accordingly the word of the Lord was her rule: she rested on the promise. This was not the woman's impressions: this was not her fancy: she was not giving credit to reports; but she knew Elijah to be the prophet of the Lord, and that he spake the word of the Lord

to her.

The 13th Sermon is on the fiery furnace,' Dan. iii. 24, 25. This is another instance of Mr. C.'s happy manner of treating historical subjects. He first raises the following point of doctrine: • Whatever trials a child of God may be called to endure, he is sufficiently supported under them, by the assured presence of an Almighty Friend.“ In treating this proposition, the ingenious preacher remarks, 1. A character pointed out,--the servant of God.

2. The support of this sufferer, Christ in the furnace. 3. The deliverance which a suffering servant of God will obtain in fiery trials. 4. When God sends a man that support which he promises in the furnace of affliction, that man becomes a witness for God.

Sermon xx, On the power of faith,' is founded on the history of Lazarus, John xi. 39, 40. This is a masterly discourse, and in Mr. C.'s best manner. His observations are, 1. We may here see the special benefit of sanctified affliction. 2. Contrast the vanity of man with the sufficiency of God. 3. We may learn how we are to honour Christ. 4. While the exercise of faith is difficult, it is most highly honoured.---We shall notice only one other discourse, On Felix trembling before Paul: a discourse which the writer of this article heard from the revered preacher's lips not long before the close of his ministry; and can answer, in this instance, for the fidelity of the copyist. The following portrait is a miniature; but it is sketched to the life." We could not have mistaken it without the name - St. Paul had given an account of Christianity; but he neither considers the greatness of the persons before him, nor does he bend to their taste and no

tions, nor does he consider his own safety. He preaches justice to an oppressor; he preaches chastity to an adultress; he preaches judgruent to come to a judge on the judgment-seat, while he himself is the prisoner. Truth will pay no undue respect to persons. We may bow to truth; but truth will not bow to us. Truth will aim at the conscience; and St. Paul, the minister of truth, will prefer the salvation of a single soul to his own safety; and he will labour, even where there is little prospect of success.' P. 324.-We must here take leave of the sermons; and can truly say we never recommended a volume of discourses with more pleasure and satisfaction.

Mr. Cecil's 4th volume is called Remains, and contains a great number of valuable remarks on Meu and Manners, and on Divine Truth, arranged under various heads; of which the following are a few of the most important: On the Christian's Life and Conflict, On Subjects connected with the Christian Ministry, On Infidelity and Popery, On the Management of Children, On Family Worship, Remarks on Authors, On the Scriptures, On the Diversity of Character in Christians, &c.

Here we should be happy to give considerable extracts, but our limits compel us to forbear. Whether to ministers or private Christians, they are in the highest degree interesting and instructive.

Short Discourses, to be read in Families. By the Rev. William Jay. Volume III, 12mo, 5s. - 8vo, 9s. THE writer who contributes to the instruction and comfort of pious families on their Lord's Day Evenings, deserves well of the religious public, especially if his talent qualifies him to communicate instruction in a familiar manner. This talent Mr. Jay possesses in no inconsiderable degree; for though his style inclines to elegance, it is aot deficient in perspicuity or simplicity; and we conceive that, in transcribing these discourses for

the press, he has studied plainness, and kept in view the edification of the servants in the family, as well as that of their superiors.

The discourses in vol. iii. are 27 in number; and the subjects are as follow: - The Disciples in a Storm, Famine, - Conversion,Loss of Children, The Bread of Life, -The Scripture despised, The Advantage of having Godly Parents, Divine Knowledge, The Barren Fig-tree,- Saul of Tarsus praying,―The Paralytic,- The work of the day done in the day, The Martyrdom of Stephen, Christian not a Favourite with the World, How we are to honour God in Trouble, The Connection between Christians and Angels, The aged Saint comforted,-Gehazi, Dying Regrets, Death conquer

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ed, Daniel, or Constancy in Religion, The unspeakable Gift, → Divine Correction, The Ruler's Daughter raised to Life, The pro fitable Pusuit,-God the Sanctuary of the Afflicted, Obedience the Fruit of Redemption.

These important subjects are treated in an interesting manner; the divisions are generally natural, easy, and well adapted to memory; the illustrations striking; many very useful observations ou men and manners are interwoven with the discussion of the several heads of discourse; and, while evangelical truth is always kept in view, the whole is practically applied.

As a specimen to such of our readers as are unacquainted with Mr. Jay's preaching, we give a from the 19th discourse. It is enbrief analysis, and a short extract titled Dying Regrets, and founded on Prov. v. 11, 12. Mr. Jay con siders The subject, the period,

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and the nature of those regrets. The subject is a man who disregards the admonition and reproofs of a pious father or religious master, of the Scriptures, Ministers, his Conscience, the Irrationa! Creation round him, and the Dis pensations of Divine Providence. 2. The period of these regrets is a dying hour; and such a period is unavoidable, cannot be far off, may be near, is sometimes K