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business with the eternal God! More wait-ration and joy, that he could scarce forbear ing upon him! More retired communion shouting for joy. In conclusion, with abunwith him! Then, indeed, would there be dance of faith and fervency, he said aloud, less of empty profession, and more soul- 'Amen, amen !' satisfying acquaintance with God than is now commonly enjoyed: But William Jane-THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JAMES JANEWAY. way was not designed for many years in this world. Being called forth into the ministry of the Word, he only lived to preach two sermons. Consumption brought him to the grave at the early age of twenty-three.

His death-bed was a field of triumph; and as his ardent soul approached eternity, it seemed to catch the splendours of the invisible world, and reflect their glories around the dark valley, and upon every spectator of the rapturous scene.

About eight-and-forty hours before his death, his eyes were dim, and his sight much failed; his jaws shook and trembled, and his feet were cold, and all the symptoms of death | were upon him, and his extreme parts were already almost dead and senseless; and yet, even then, his joys were, if possible, greater still. He had so many fits of joy unspeakable, that he seemed to be in one continued act of seraphic love and praise. He spake like one that was just entering into the gates of the new Jerusalem; the greatest part of him was now in heaven; not a word dropped from his mouth but it breathed Christ and heaven.

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James Janeway was an indefatigable preacher of Christ's pure and precious gospel during the time of the great plague in London.

As soon as the persecuting spirit of the age allowed, a chapel, or meeting-house, as it was then termed, was erected for him in Jamaica Row, Rotherhithe. It was, however, pulled down by the soldiers; but the people built another on the same spot upon a larger scale.

The high party, being exceedingly exasperated at his popularity and success, made several attempts on his life. On one occasion, as he was walking along the wall at Rotherhithe, he had a narrow escape from a shot. The bullet went through his hat, but inflicted no personal injury.

He had a great conflict with satan somewhile before his leaving the world; and truly I do not wonder that the devil should buffet him who had with such vigour and success endeavoured to overthrow his kingdom: To prepare him for the encounter, the Lord at first did shine upon his soul, and gave him some assurance that heaven was his inheriWhen ministers or Christians came to see tance. But afterwards there intervened a him, he would beg of them to spend all the cloud, and satan's chain was lengthened. time they had with him in praise. O help That lion roared upon him and endeavoured me to praise God; I have nothing else to to disturb his peace. The accuser of the do, from this time to eternity, but to praise brethren was very fierce in his accusations, and love God. I have what my soul desires and so far prevailed, that Mr. Janeway cried upon earth. I want but one thing, and that out, I am at infinite uncertainties as to my is, a speedy lift to heaven. I expect no more future state. I thought I had been sincere, here, I cannot desire more, I cannot bear but satan tells me I have been a hypocrite; more. Oh, praise, praise, praise that infi- and then added, Whatever you do, do not dally nite, boundless love, that hath, to a wonder, in religion; it is only godliness in the power looked upon my soul, and done more for me of it, that can strengthen against the fear of than thousands of his dear children. Oh, death. Satan would not yet give over, but bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Oh, help me, help me, O my friends, to praise and admire him that hath done such astonishing wonders for my soul; he hath pardoned all my sins, he hath filled me with his goodness, he hath given me grace and glory, and no good thing hath he withheld from me.'

Come, help me with praises, all that's little; come, help me, O ye glorious and mighty angels, who are so well skilled in this heavenly work of praise! Praise him, all ye creatures upon the earth; let everything that hath being help me to praise him Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah! Praise is now my work, and I shall be engaged in that sweet employment for ever.'

A little before he died, in the prayer, or rather praises, he was so wrapt up with admi

having begun to batter his faith, gives a fresh assault; then with a mournful voice he cried out, Eternity! Eternity! Eternity! Infinite! everlasting! everlasting! everlasting! A relation that stood by, added, An eternity of glory! To which he replied, Of horror! of horror! unspeakable horror!

This was his conflict, and truly it was a sore one. But after this blackest darkness, followed the break of day. Satan prevailed so far, that he might be the more remarkably foiled, for the God of peace did tread the evil one under his feet.' The Comforter, even the Spirit of Truth, did visit him and bare witness with his spirit that he was a child of God.

Not long before he died, he blessed God for the assurance of his love, and said, He could now as easily die as shut his eyes; and

Our

added, here am I longing to be silent in the is the arm of the Lord revealed?' dust, and enjoying Christ in Glory. I long to place was then closed, and I believe remained be in the arms of Jesus. It is not worth while so for some years. This affair exercised my to weep for me. Then, remembering how mind not a little, and many questions arose busy the devil had been about him, he was in my mind whether I had any business exceedingly thankful to God for his good-there at first? I thought if the people had ness in rebuking him.

truly believed my report, (and I knew it was a good report,) they would not have joined the arminians. 'Many are called, but few chosen.'"

Afterwards, he brake forth, saying, though so weak, with a loud voice, Amen! Hallelujah! and desired others to join with him; which they not presently doing, he added-* 'James Janeway is the only singer.' He was quickly seized upon with another rapture of joy, and thus expressed it:-'Millions of praises to the most high Jehovah! Heaven and earth praise him! Ye mountains and hills praise him! All his hosts praise him! All ye saints bless him, who hath visited us in our low estate, and re-up many a prayer to my covenant God and deemed us unto himself! All must be ascribed to free grace from the beginning to

the end.'

Then he begged of God that he would bless his people, and take away animosities and names of division from among them.' These were the last words which he was heard to speak distinctly. Thus, triumphantly, he went to glory.

Life of the late Henry Fowler.

"For some months the providence of God appeared all against me; for by deaths failures, and removals, my sources seemed nearly dried up, so that I was sinking money every week for several months; and I had now four young children, over whom I have shed many tears, and for whom I have put

Father: for they lay near my heart.

"I was now shut up every way, and hemmed in on every side. This is the time, reader, for prayer, and for a man to prove God's faithfulness to his promise. But flesh and blood do not like this rugged road. My health was delicate at this time, and my nerves greatly shook with outward and inward trials. Having very little business, I thought I would go over to Bristol a week or two, to visit two of my very dear friends in the Lord, to whom I felt a close union; in order to relieve both body and mind. After committing myself and family into the (Continued from p. 138.) hands of my God by prayer and supplication, "About the year 1812, I left preaching at though in much weakness, and with many Ivybridge; the cause of which was this: fears, I made up my mind to go to Bristol. there was a preacher who used to preach in My object was not to preach unless a door turn with me in the above place: he was was fairly thrown open to me. I made arhigh in doctrine, and on the doctrines he rangements accordingly; and as I was passchiefly dwelt. The arminians also had a ing through the market place at Plymouth, place in the same village, and they used to I fell in with a man with whom I had had have the largest number of hearers, and no some slight acquaintance, and talked with wonder, as their doctrines are so congenial him some time on the subject of religion with every natural man's ideas. My fellow-chiefly. I said, I shall not see you again preacher seeing the arminians so prosperous, for sometime, as I am going to Bristol in a proposed to my honest friend, Mr. Ford, to few days.' Indeed,' he said, 'will you take meet the arminians half-way, that we might a letter for me to Bristol?' I said, 'Yes, increase our congregation and be more pros- certainly.' He said, 'Will you not preach perous also. Mr. Ford was indignant at there?' I said, 'I cannot say anything such a proposal, and told my fellow-preacher about preaching.' 'Will you go to Manthat he would sooner close our meeting-chester?' said this man, How far is it?' I house than say a confederacy with the armi-said. He said, 'three hundred miles!' I nians; and gave the preacher to understand said, 'No: that is out of the question.' that his services could be dispensed with. The next Lord's day, or shortly after, the said high Calvinistic preacher went over to the arminians, and preached for them; for he was determined to be more prosperous, though at the expense of truth. When I came to the village at my usual time, lo! my congregation was gone after the said preacher to the arminians, and I had the mortification to preach to less than a dozen hearers; I took for my text these words, 'Who hath believed our report, and to whom

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Well then,' he said, I will write a line to Mr. Robins, of Bristol, and I am sure he will let you preach for him there.' I said I am not anxious about preaching, but I will take a line to Mr. Robins.'.

This man also asked me if I would visit Birmingham, provided I should be requested and I consented. He therefore wrote to the people at Birmingham to send to me at Bristol. When I arrived at Bristol, I delivered the letter for Mr. Robins; and received for answer, that Mr. Robins was then

in London. Mr. Robins' friend opened the letter and read it; and observed to me he could say nothing about my preaching in their chapel, as they had two or three preachers since Mr. Robins went to London, but did not approve of one of them, and therefore they had dismissed them. I said 'my object here is not to preach but to see two friends: certainly I would preach if a door were fairly opened; but by no means would I obtrude.' We entered into spiritual conversation; and when I was going, he said, 'Suppose you come and preach on Lord's day morning: I should like to hear you once.' I agreed to his proposal, and went and breakfasted with him on the Lord's day morning. I read, and engaged in prayer in the family; and the blessed Lord poured upon me the spirit of grace and supplication in a most remarkable manner. I was humbled in the dust, and could say with my whole soul, Thy will be done.' I could now leave the Lord to make darkness light, and crooked things straight. I have often tried to do these things in my own strength, but could not. I was now contented with my lot, and made willing to follow the Lord wherever he might go, and not attempt to go before him, nor dictate to him. I now found the truth of this promise in my heart, In quietness and confidence shall be your strength. The great stumbling block was now removed: I had tried to remove it, but in vain; and I had often prayed the Lord to bring into entire submission to his will my will; for I often in my trials in providence discovered a selfish spirit working in me that was nothing less than rebellion against God. Nothing humbles, nothing teaches like grace.

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was no objection. This gave very general satisfaction, I soon perceived. I returned, and dined with the old man before mentioned, and we had some good conversation on the. things of God. He remarked to me,' When I heard you break off so abruptly, and saw, you sit down so suddenly, I was afraid you would not preach again, and I felt sorry that I should have been so scrupulous at the first.' I said, You did right: we are not to lay hands suddenly upon any man; but prove all things, and hold fast that which is good.

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I should have observed, that after the Lord that morning had favoured me in prayer, I had a firm persuasion that he was now about to work, and that he would employ me wholly in the ministry; but where I knew not. I stopped with the people at Bristol two or three Lord's days at their request; and before I left them, they had several meetings among themselves to see if means could not be devised to get me among them as a jointlabourer with Mr. Robins, as he could only preach there once on a Lord's day.

Before I left them, they asked me many questions on the subject, as also how I was situated, and whether I could remove from Plymouth? I told them plainly that I certainly should leave Plymouth whenever the Lord opened a door for me that I could see his hand in. But at present I could not tell what to do: I had been expecting a letter from Birmingham, as I had promised my friend in Plymouth, that I would preach there, if they requested me, before I returned; but the delay of the managers at Birmingham kept me in suspense some time; and I had concluded on returning home, judging that my services were not wanted in Birmingham. I was about to take my place by the coach for Yeovil; but before I booked myself, I thought I would once more enquire if there was a letter for me from Birmingham. There was a letter which had been received two days before, requesting me to come over and help them immediately, and apologizing for their delay which arose through one of the managers being in London.

When I had finished prayer, as above, I looked at the old people present, and I thought that they partook of my enjoyments; they seemed too full to speak for several minutes; and I saw tears of joy flow from their eyes. When they had recovered themselves, they began to speak to me with the utmost pleasure; all their scruples were removed, and they seemed as much at home with me as if they had known me some years. In I left Bristol for Birmingham the next this frame we went to chapel, and the dew morning, after having taken a most affectionrested on my branch. As we went to chapel, ate leave of the old disciples, under whose the old man said to me, 'You will give your-roof I found a Bethel. Many others of the self out to preach again at night.' I said, 'I cannot say anything about preaching again; perhaps once will be quite enough for you, and myself also.' I rejoiced, but it was with trembling; for having been so often buffeted by satan, and deceived by my own heart, after the Lord showered down his blessings upon me, it put me on my guard. I was favoured with much light, peace, and liberty in preaching that morning, and the people appeared fixed and attentive. Service ended I gave out, that from the feelings I had, I would preach again at night, provided there

Lord's family I also met with at Bristol at
this time; and it now appeared a very differ-
ent place to me to what it did about thirteen
years before this period, which I have given
an account of in a former part of this
work. I believe the friends at Bristol would
have strained every nerve to get me there,
for they heard me to their soul's satisfac-
tion. I also think that they had some fears
that some circumstance would take place
to remove Mr. Robins wholly from thein,
which indeed was the case not long after.
(To be continued.)

PAUL

Wishing Himself Accursed from Christ.

sake of my countrymen.' And the apostle willing to suffer the bitterest evils, to forego evidently means to say that he would be all pleasure, to endure any privation and toil, nay, to offer his life, so that he might be wholly devoted to sufferings, as an offering, if he might be the means of benefitting and saving the nation. For a similar case, see Exod. xxxii. 32. This does not mean that Paul would be willing to be damned for ever. The words do not imply that, and will not bear it. Such a destruction could in no conceiveable way benefit the Jews. Such a willingness is not, and cannot be required. It would be impious and absurd. No man can be willing to be the eternal enemy of God; and no man ever yet was, or could be, willing to endure everlasting torments. It evidently means that he was willing to be devoted by Christ; i. e. to be regarded by him, and appointed by him, to suffering and death, if by that means he could save his countrymen. It was thus the highest expression of true benevolence. It was an example for all Christians and Christian ministers"

"For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.' This passage has been greatly controverted. Some have proposed to translate it, I did wish,' as referring to a former state, when he renounced Christ, and sought to advance the interests of the nation by opposing and defying him. But to this interpretation there are insuperable objections. The object of the apostle is not to state his former feelings, but his present attachment to his countrymen, and willingness to suffer for them. The proper grammatical construction of the word used here is not I did wish, but I could desire; that is, if the thing were possible. It is not I do wish, or did wish, but I could desire, implying that he was willing now to endure it; that his present love for them was so strong, that he would, if practicable, save them from the threatened ruin and apostasy. It is not true that Paul ever did wish, before his conversion, to be accursed by the Messiah. He opposed Jesus of Nazareth; but he did not believe that he was Mercy found in the Swellings of Jordan.

the Messiah. At no time would he have
wished to be devoted to destruction by the
Messiah, or by Christ. Nothing would have
been more terrible to a Jew. The word,
therefore, expresses a feeling which the
apostle had, when writing this epistle, in re-
gard to the condition and prospects of the
nation. The words- Accursed from Christ,'
have been much controverted. The word
rendered accursed (anathema) properly means,
(1,) anything that was set up, or set apart, or
consecrated to the gods in the temples, as
spoils of war, images, statues, etc. This is
its classical Greek meaning. It has a similar
meaning among the Hebrews. It denoted
that which was set apart, or consecrated to
the service of God, as sacrifices or offerings
of any kind. In this respect it is used to
express anything devoted to Jehovah, without
the possibility of redemption,' Leviticus xxvii.
21, 28, 29; Numb. xviii. 14; Deut. vii. 26;
Josh. vi. 17, 18; vii. 1; 1 Sam. xv. 21;
Ezek. xliv. 29. (2.) As that which was thus
dedicated to Jehovah was alienated from the
use of him who devoted it, and was either
burnt or slain, and devoted to destruction
as an offering, the word came to signify a
devotion of anything to destruction, or to
complete ruin. And as whatever is devoted
to destruction may be said to be subject to
a curse, or to be accursed, the word comes to
have this signification, 1 Kings xx. 42; Isa.
xxxiv, 5. But in none of these cases does
it denote eternal death. The idea, therefore,
in these places is simply, 'I could be willing
to be destroyed, or devoted to death, for the

DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST-Grace, mercy, and truth be multiplied in you. I write to you as one of the most unworthy, and least of all God's dear family, but as one in whom the covenant promises of his precious word have been laid open and applied in all their rich and sweet fragrance very much of late. I have had to pass through deep waters; so that the waves and the billows have gone over me; the dispensations of divine sovereignty, have frequently appeared as a thick cloud of blackness; and in the midst of these, the Lord has seen fit, (in the unfathomed mines of love,) to correct me, by removing my partner in life from this time state of uninterrupted joy, where

"Not a wave of trouble rolls,

Across the peaceful breast."

I believe she was a chosen vessel of mercy, ordained to eternal life before time, although not manifested to her experimentally, till a few days before her dissolution; and then it was very evident that the dear Lord did display the glory of his rich, free, and sovereign grace to her poor soul upon her dying bed, in all its killing, quickening, soul-awakening, and soul-comforting power. I frequently read portions of the sacred volume to her, and one night after she had been agonizing and praying all day, when I came home, she requested me to read the Scriptures to her, and I opened the Bible at the fourteenth chapter of John, I read it very

"Oh, to grace how great a debtor,
Daily I'm constrained to be."

loud to her, as she was now getting very deaf; | thousand heavens of glory and felicity. and the Lord blessed almost every sentence How wonderful is Jesus! His name shall to her soul; she seemed quite happy after- be called wonderful!' He only doeth wonwards at the prospect of going to dwell with derful things; and he is the wonder of heaven her covenant Redeemer in his heavenly and earth! The wonder of wonders! The mansion. She frequently said, he is pre- mystery of all mysteries! The God of cious! he is precious!' And when I was gods; the Lord of lords; the King of kings; reading, she said, 'Blessed chapter! Glory in whom all fulness dwells; and he is mine, be to Jesus!' The nature of her complaint and I am his. He is all my own; his most would not allow her to converse much; I glorious person; his boundless attributes; got one of the Lord's dear servants to come his everlasting righteousness; his great saland visit her a few days prior to her decease, vation, mine; all mine: the free grace gift of (Mr. B-,) and he praised the Lord for my heavenly Father. O, how am I blessed, he found the work of grace was begun in a poor, vile, ill, and hell-deserving sinner! her soul, although she was much annoyed by What shall I render unto the Lord, for all the enemy's wily darts that sometimes would his benefits towards me? shake her confidence, and cause her to cry aloud almost in despair: this was a warfare that she had to contend with till the last half hour of her departure. Mr. G. C. Salso visited her; after giving her a consoling word or two, and praying, the Lord appeared as her helper again, and she struggled to cry out, I've found my confidence! I can trust in my Redeemer! I shall soon be with him!' These were her last expressions; and I do believe, as a trophy of God's eternal love, and as a brand plucked out of the burning, she is now in glory. This affords me strong consolation; and I feel that I can trust in the Lord for he has said they that trust in him shall be as Mount Zion that cannot be moved; and I do feel him very precious in all his covenant relationships at the present S. CROFT.

moment.

3, King Edward-street, Wapping.

Spiritual Epistles

WRITTEN BY THE LATE MR. E. CROWHURST.

Minister of the Gospel, Hadlow, Kent.

No. I.

The Lord deals well with me; he is fulfilling his promises to me; I have always cause to be praising him. And praise is the charming employment of heaven, whither I hope soon to arrive; for my Head is there already; my heart is there, my treasure being there; my hope is there also, so I expect to be there in the Lord's own time. Tell them I am aiming to depend more and more on him for all things; and so to enjoy more communion with him; and be more like him.

By his indulgence, divine teaching, and great kindness to me, some how, or other, he has so won my heart, esteem, and affections, that now, in my account, there is none like him; in my view, there is not his equal; he has not his comparison; he excels all; he outshines all besides; he is above all, greater than all, more blessed than all, and more than all to me. All things compared with him, are less than nothing, and vanity. He is my rich treasury, satisfying portion, Head pre-eminent, and my everlasting all; Glory be unto his holy name for ever! Oh, MY DEAR BROTHER:-Your last welcome I long to be praising in perfect strains; I letter came safe to hand, we were happy to want to praise him increasingly while I am hear from you, and that you and your's are in the present imperfect state. This is the as well as usual. As my health is some- sweetest employ, and the best time spent. thing better, and my sight a little improved, I love to put the crown of all my salvation, after a very long silence, I now write you a and his free grace, upon his most worthy few lines, touching the King, the King head. When I consider his great love to Eternal, Immortal, Invisible; the King of me a rebellious traitor, a lost sinner; that Glory ; our King; and our God; who he gave himself for me, died in my room, reigns for us, in us, and on us; blessing and was made a curse for me, to redeem me from honour, and glory, be to him for ever. But the curse of the law, that the blessing of God what shall I say of him? There is so much might be enjoyed by me to all eternity; so of him and in him, I scarcely know what to that now I can say, 'I have redemption say. But I will say, or endeavour to say, through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, that there are in him ten thousand seas of according to the riches of his grace.' Oh! grace; ten thousand oceans of happiness; what precious words! Oh, more precious a whole world of wealth; a hemisphere of redemption! Oh, much more precious, Rejoy; an universe of pleasures. In him, my deemer! What transcendant glories shine precious Jesus, there is an immensity of in him! His person delights my soul; his mercy, a boundless portion and heritage, an love warms my heart; and his goodness sainfinity of love; and ten thousand times ten tisfies my mind. What reason, then, have

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