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can, therefore, speak well of this haven; reference to the gospel dispensation and, when I see other vessels, and ship- when he broke forth in such holy lanmasters, who belong to the port of Ze- guage-Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going bulun, in distress, I feel all the powers of my heart and soul drawn out towards them—and I am often strongly disposed to encourage them to hope in the Lord, by a brief recital of the awful storm from whence the Lord delivered me. I can say―

Out of the depths I've often cried,

When deeper sunk than Jonah;
And God will hear the poor man's cry,
Though but a secret mourner.
Alas! how deep my soul was sunk,
When Jesus found me out;
All overwhelm'd with sin and filth,
With unbelief and doubt.
Just at the very gates of hell,
Quite ready to crowd in;
My Jesus stretched his mighty arm,
And pull'd me from my sin.
Oh! precious grace! Almighty grace!
What is it grace won't do?
'Tis grace has sav'd my guilty soul,
From wretchedness and woe.
Oh, had I now a thousand tongues,
I'd sing and talk of him

Who snatch'd me from the brink of hell,
When in the depths of sin.

But to speak more particularly-Notice Moses joins Zebulun and Issachar "And together. (Deut. xxxiii. 18, 19.) of Zebulun he said-Rejoice Zebulun in thy going out, and Issachar in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain," &c. &c. What can be the meaning of this prophecy? Zebulun typifies the glorious Person of our Lord as the dwelling place of his people, and Issachar typifies the atoning sacrifice which he made for his people; and wherever these two fundamental principles of the gospel are fully preached under the sacred anointings of the Holy Ghost, there God's elect are called into Mount Zion, where life-union to Christ— and pardon and peace by Christ are certainly found. It was to this (primarily) that the psalmist referred He that goeth forth weeping bearing precious seed'-(as our spiritual Zebulun didfor he was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief-yet in him dwelt the whole election of grace; he was and is the everlasting Father' of all the holy seed,)He shall doubtless come again, bringing his sheaves with him.' Certain it is that Moses spake with

out, and Issachar in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer the sacrifices of righteousness, for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.' Here is a prophecy descriptive of the manifestation and work of Christ in the gospel kingdomand of that spiritual worship which the elect of God render to him in the gospel church. But the compositor says there is no more room in this month's Vessel; so I must defer my thoughts upon Zebulun for the present.

I am in the midst of heavy labours. I trust the Lord is working in, and by me for the good of many souls: the enemy roars: sometimes darkness covers me; and trials press me down; but the God of Jacob is my refuge; and many times he has proved himself to be my present help in trouble.

Therefore I subscribe myself Your willing and loving brother in Jesus, C. W. BANKS.

6, Pagoda Terrace, Bermondsey New Road,

Seeing the King in His Beauty.

Ye angels who stand round the throne,
And view my Immanuel's face;

In rapt'rous songs make him known,
Tune, tune your sweet harps to his praise.
He form'd you the spirits you are,

So happy, so noble, so good;
While others, sunk down in despair,

Confirm'd by his promise, ye stood.
Ye saints who stand nearer than they,
And cast your bright crowns at his feet,
His grace, and his glory display,

And all his rich mercy repeat.
He snatch'd you from hell and the grave,
He ransom'd from hell and despair;
For, you he was mighty to save,

Almighty to bring you safe there.
Oh! when will the period arrive,
That I shall unite in your song?
I'm weary of lingering here,

And I to your Saviour belong. I'm fetter'd and bound up in clay, I struggle and pant to be free,

I long to be soaring away,

My God and my Saviour to see.

I want to put on my attire,

Wash'd white in the blood of the Lamb;

I want to receive my new lyre,
And tune my sweet harp to his name.

I want-oh, I want to be there-
Where sorrow and sin bid adieu:
Your joy and your friendship to share,
To wonder and worship with you.

MADAME MARIE DE FLEURY.

Spiritual Epistles,

WRITTEN BY THE LATE MR. E. CROWHURST,

Minister of the Gospel, Hadlow, Kent.

MY DEAR BROTHER :-Knowing you will be pleased to hear from us, and to be informed how we are now situated, and in what manner the Lord is dealing with us, I now send you a reply to your last very acceptable epistle; and to tell you of our present circumstances. While I was from home, I experienced a better appetite and digestion, and upon the whole felt rather stronger. The Lord was with me, and my mind was always peaceful and happy. I was enabled by my most gracious Lord and master, to speak of his matchless glories, great love, and finished salvation to my relations and friends, and that with freedom and delight. But after all, I said but little; how very imperfectly spoken; how very short of the reality of the sublime subjects. He pardons all. He casts a mantle of love over it all. He is wonderfully good in that way, to cover all our imperfections. What a Jesus is he! How kindly and lovingly he deals with us. Truly, he is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. All his ways towards us are love, nothing but love, grace, and truth. Adored be his dear name. By grace he tasted death for us; by grace he redeemed us; by grace he pardons us; justified us; and saved us by grace with an everlasting salvation. Grace reigns to eternal life through righteousness, by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thus far I wrote last week; but my sight being so very weak, I have not been in the humour for writing since, so I have delayed to finish my letter. My sight is still very weak, troubled to see, so you will excuse bad writing. Since we have been home from our visit, I have not felt any improvement, but I find my health declines rather than not. But notwithstanding, I have ten thousand blessings to praise my own blessed God, Triune God, Father, Son, and Spirit for from day to day. That I a most vile, sinful, unworthy being, should be so loved of my Father who is in heaven; that he should adopt me his son and heir, and provide me an inheritance, a kingdom of glory; ; yea, a crown and throne of glory. These are some of our good things in reserve for us. Oh what riches, what wealth is here. He has given his faithful promise of these things. He has called us by grace in order to inherit the same, has made us meet for the enjoyment of them, and has given us, and still gives some few tastes, as the earnest of the coming blessedness. We now, by faith, at times see the blissful mansions, our happy home, the king in his beauty, and the land that is afar off. These sights charm us: what our appetites for full

possession, make this world appear little sirable, and glorification longed for. To and mean, sin hateful, perfect holiness debe one with Christ Jesus the Lord; to be complete in him; to be perfect, quite perfect for ever in him. To have him for our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. What privileges are these!

and all our own. To be interested in that most glorious God-man, and to possess him with all his vast fulness, unsearchable riches, and immense glories, is happiness of the highest order. He is a fountain of happiness that always flows; of life too that ever runs, and is never dry.

We are now come to the closing part of another year of our short lives, and so nearer glory and the full enjoyment of eternal life. When in considering the dealings of my covenant God with me during this year, I do say he has dealt well with me according to his word. He has daily loaded me with benefits throughout the year. I think I may say this has been the best year of my sinful life. That although the Lord has laid me from preaching the word of life to my brethren, yet grants me the realization of divine truth day by day to my own soul. How good and merciful is my Lord to me a poor sinner. The many, very many happy seasons of communion I have been favoured with, with the sacred Trinity in the person of Christ, the many applications of the promises to my mind, and the enjoyment I have derived from, through the lively actings of faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the variety and clear evidences of my interest in the covenant promises, the love of the Father, Son, and Spirit; and of union with Christ. I have great cause to bless and praise the Lord's goodness and wonderful works towards me. affectionately, Yours most E. CROWHURst. Hadlow, Dec. 31st, 1846.

THE PARDONED SINNER. Since Jesus with his obedient life, and atoning death, and justifying resurrection, is the only channel of pardon and peace, and the only way of access that and may draw nigh to God, and yet his pardon was the Scriptures reveal; he that thinks he is pardoned, not gained by looking unto Jesus, is deceiving his own self. Worship God then in his Son, There he's love, and there alone; Think not that he will, or may Pardon any other way."

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When God's time of blessing the stranger has arrived, he is enabled, by whatever means the Lord pleases, to go a poor, guilty, black, and hell deserv and, notwithstanding all his guilt, and wretchedness, ing sinner, to a law-fulfilling and sin-atoning Saviour; to believe that he is welcome to Jesus, and that he his load of sins and woes upon the atonement of ' will in no wise cast him out,' and so drop with all Jesus, and so believe him to have stood in his lawplace, to have paid all his debts, and to have endured all his hell, that his conscience becomes unburdened heart is enlarged with the love of God, shed abroad and clean, his soul is in sweet rest and peace, and his therein by the Holy Ghost,'-SEPTIMUS SEARS.

What is the sin against the Holy Ghost? | which is evident by our Lord's answer to them

WHO CAN COMMIT IT?

THE Holy Spirit is a person of infinite dignity; one with the Father, and his beloved Son Jesus, in wisdom, power, and glory. (See Acts v. 3, 4; with Heb. ix. 14.) 'Sin is the transgression of the law.' All sin is, therefore, either directly, or indirectly, committed against God. (Ps. li. 4.) But there is one sin which is said by our Lord to be committed against the Holy Ghost. (Matt xii. 31, 32.) The subject of inquiry is-What this sin is; and what it is not.

-'Wherefore, I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the sin against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.' (Matt. xii. 31, 32.) In the above case light and malice were combined. Saul sinned in persecuting the saints; he had malice in his heart, but not light in his head.-Peter sinned when he denied his Lord and master; he had light in his head, but not malice in his heart; it was cowardice that caused him to do it. We may from hence infer that neither Paul nor Peter committed the unpardonable sin.

Many of the Lord's people labour under many doubts and fears lest they should have committed this unpardonable sin; but, dear children, thy fears and doubts are groundless; for, thou never hast, thou never shalt commit it; yea, thou never canst come into this dreadful dilemma. Some have thought, and said, that this sin has never been committed since our Lord's days; and that the different circumstances under which we are placed, render it impossible. Leaving, however, the abettors of this to their favourite hypothesis, I ask, is not the sin of apostacy almost, if not the very same, as the sin against the Holy Ghost? Does it not generally issue in a hardened course of rebellion against God? And is it not a flat denial of the sovereignty of the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration? The apostle plainly shews the impossibility of renewing such again to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.' Peter says, 'it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, (professedly) than, after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them ;'

First, we will endeavour to notice it negatively. It is not the sin of swearing; if it was, what would have become of Peter? Not the sin of drunkenness; if it was, what would have become of Noah? Not the sin of adultery; if it was, what would have become of David? Not to endeavour to stifle convictions of the Spirit; if it was, what would become of many, when first brought under convictions? Nor is it to sin against light and knowledge; ifit was, God's ancient Israel would all have been lost. No, beloved, nor yet the sin of persecuting the saints of God; for, if this was the sin against the Holy Ghost, Saul of Tarsus would never have been made praying and preaching Paul. Having noticed it negatively, we now notice it, secondly, positively. We find that all sin is remissable, except the sin against the Holy Ghost. All the sins of God's elect were laid upon Christ, through whose blood they are washed away, and through grace freely forgiven. (Ephes. i. 7.) He groaned beneath the weight of our sins in the garden, and bore them on Calvary's rugged brow, where all hell raged against him; Jehovah frowned upon him; vindictive jus-but,' he continues it is happened unto tice smote him; out poured the purple stream; angels were lost in holy wonder; saints were bathed in tears; creation was astonished; Jehovah was well-pleased; sin was expiated; salvation obtained; pardon bought with atoning blood; and the guilty captive freed from everlasting condemnation. Hallelujah to God and the Lamb.' There are two characters who cannot commit the sin against the Holy Ghost. The true believer cannot commit the unpardonable sin; for, his dwelling in the clefts of the smitten rock is to him an everlasting security. Nor can the grossly ignorant commit it. There must be two ingredients in the same character, in order to render him capable of this :-light in the head, and malice in the heart. The pharisees of Judea had both, when they blasphemously (knowing better than they said) attributed our Lord's miracle of casting out devils to the foul agency of the prince of devils; this, no doubt, was the very identical sin, called the sin against the Holy Ghost;

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them according to the true proverb, the dog (mark, he is only a dog) is returned to his own vomit again, and the sow (only a sow) that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.' Our Lord says, 'When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest and finding none; then saith he, I will return into my house (my old state) from whence I (by profession) came out; and when he is come he findeth it empty, (destitute of vital godliness) swept, and garnished; (swept by a few duties, and garnished with a few moral decorations ;) then goeth he and taketh to himself seven other spirits-(an impenitent spirit; a proud, haughty, and disdainful spirit; a self-righteous spirit; a rebellious spirit; a spirit of hatred to the Son of God; a spirit of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; a murderous spirit;)-' and these, (saith our Lord,) are more wicked than himself, they enter in, and dwell there, and the last state of that man is worse than the first.'

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The apostle John says, there is a sin; | siderable demur; for I felt that such an en(mark, there is a sin,) unto death';' and for-gagement would place me in a very different I bids us to pray for it. Paul says, 'If we sin position to that in which I then stood. wilfully, after we have received a knowledge was then an itinerant, preaching as the ocof the truth, there remaineth no more (no casion presented itself, among villages ten or other) sacrifice for sin, but a certain, fear- fifteen miles distant from each other; and ful looking for of judgment and fiery indig- among these what sometime served one, also nation, which shall devour the adversaries:' supplied the other, so that I did not feel parthen he refers to those who have trodden ticularly distressed about getting fresh subunder foot the Son of God, and have done ject matter every Sabbath-day; but I felt that despite unto the spirit of grace.' See these as a 'regular supply,' much greater variety Scriptures Heb. vi. 6; 2 Pet. ii. 21, 22; would be needed; and unbelief suggested Matt. xii. 43-45; 1 John v. 16; Heb. x. that I should have nothing in the way of 26-29. Biddle. food to supply the wants of the people. My aged friend, the deacon, strove to encourage me, telling me that from the time of my being called to speak in the name of the Lord, it was his impression that I should have to prophecy among the thick boughs.' This however, I altogether doubted; for, being little versed in human learning, I thought that so fashionable a city as Bath could surely

REMINISCENCES OF THE DEALINGS OF THE

LORD, AS SHEWN IN

The Ministry of Mr. W. Cromwell,
Baptist Minister, Providence Chapel, Bath.

ANNIVERSARY TEA-MEETING, Aug. 9, 1847. never be the scene of my labours. I was,

however, mistaken; and after some conflict
with my feelings, I agreed to supply the
church for one year, the Lord helping me.
I did so; but the Lord knoweth, in much
weakness and trembling. The fact how-
ever of a poor unlearned man, a lime-burner
by occupation, being come to preach at Bath,
was too singular not to be talked about; and
many came out of curiosity to hear what I
should say; and so, the Lord, in his allwise
purposes ordered it, that some of these con-
tinued to come, because the Lord touched
their hearts through my humble instrumenta-
lity. In the mean time I personally bitterly
regretted that I had ever come to Bath at
all, or engaged with the people for such a
purpose. I often felt, even whilst in the
pulpit, that if the Lord would let me get out
of it once more, I never would enter it
again; let the people say, or do what they
would. For, I felt quite sure, in my own
mind, that I never should be able to feed
them as they or I desired. These feelings
usually came upon me when the Lord did
not appear to give me a text or insight into
it. At such times I was as fretful as I could
be, and often determined mentally that I
never would again speak in his name. Again,
when the Lord has graciously appeared, and
taken off iny shackles, and helped me to de-
clare his truth, I have felt so much sweetness
in the work, that I have thought again,

AFTER a few preliminary remarks as to the lateness of the hour, Mr. C. began:-' It is not my intention to take up much of your time on the present occasion, there are however a few remarks which I desire to make, whilst I congratulate you as a church on this our sixth Anniversary. I find, on examining some memoranda, that this day is also the eleventh Anniverary of my coming among you to preach; and surely, when I consider what the Lord has done for you, as a church, and for me, as an individual, I feel that it is most fit and proper that I should this evening raise an Ebenezer of gratitude, and say,' Hitherto the Lord hath helped us !' And here I shall adopt the language of the apostle, and say, 'Having obtained help of God, I continue unto the present day;' which, as a fact, was totally contrary to my expectations, for when applied to by the deacons of this church to preach for you, I positively refused; having, previously determined never to preach at Bath if I should be invited, on account of the many divisions, and unsettled state of the Baptist churches in that city. The friends were very urgent, but I still said 'no;' till my father, then an aged christian, and another christian friend, a deacon of long standing in the church of which I was a member, both advised me to go once, remarking that if then I found any-Well, bless the Lord! I won't give up thing uncongenial to my views or wishes, I need not repeat the visit. After some hesitation, I concluded to accept the invitation, and went, accompanied by my father, and the deacon before mentioned. My poor service was approved; and in consequence, I received a very pressing invitation to become a regular supply' for this church; but to this last proposition I made a con

preaching just yet.' This one lesson I have learned, that when I could not get a text by begging for it in prayer, I never could succeed by attempting to frighten the Lord out of one, by declaring that I would not go to preach unless he would supply me. No; I have found after all I could do, the dear Lord would have his own way. Thus, year after year, I have been enabled amidst all my

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blessed us with much peace and union among
ourselves; so that the wild boar of the
wood hath not wasted us.' He hath, also,
added temporal prosperity beyond our ex-
pectations. Some of our members have
been called to take possession of the man-
sions prepared for them above; but the
Lord can, and I trust, will repair all the
breaches of this kind, abundantly; and
'increase us with men, as
a flock.' In
the past year, we have been especially
called to bear one-anothers' burdens.'
May more of this spirit be found and
felt among us, and may we grow up into
Christ, our living Head in all things. Amen.
"I shall call on you to unite with me, in
singing - Praise God,' &c. &c."

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A Letter to Mr. D. Lodge,

A Minister of the Gospel, Banbury.

fears, weaknesses, and unworthiness, to still | 'declare the name of the Lord in Zion;' till, from the increase of the congregation, it was deemed advisable to erect the present edifice for the worship and service of our God; which, through the aboundings of his love and mercy has been completed in spite of all our sinkings and downcastings and sometimes beclouded prospects. But, even thence, to me, as your minister, a new difficulty arose. The church was desirous that I should take the sole spiritual charge; in other words, that I should consent to be recognised in form, as their pastor; but to this, for a long time, I seriously objected; as I still doubted that I should be able to continue to preach; notwithstanding a gracious promise which the Lord made to me, sometime after I came among you; which word of promise was this- Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace; for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city.' Of this, however, I desired many and repeated proofs; and to the praise of his mercy, I would say that he has been gracious to me in this respect. For, during the period of my labours among you, ninety souls have been added to the church by baptism, and forty-eight others by letters of dismission. from other churches, or coming before the But it is incorruptible, undefiled, and that church; making a total addition of one-fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us, hundred and thirty-eight souls; yet for all who are kept by the power of God, through this gracious proof of the Lord's acceptance faith, unto salvation.' Thus, it is all perfect, of my poor labours, I shrank from the union all glorious, and complete; therefore, 'let proposed; for, I knew, as your supply,' him that glorieth, glory in the Lord.' should the Lord shut my month, a week's notice would free me from my engagement to you; whereas, if I should consent to become your pastor, I could not so readily leave you. At length, after severe conflict of mind, and rebiterated prayer to the Lord, for direction in this matter, I was answered, by having the satisfaction of baptizing on one occasion, seventeen candidates in the adjoining river; whom the Lord graciously gave as seals to my ministry. I further

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considered, that as a church, you were now acquainted with my preaching, temper, and manners; and I also knew somewhat of yours. Also, from time to time, the Lord was pleased to bless his word through me, as an instrument, however humble or despised; and in consequence, I was led, I trust, to give myself unto the church in the Lord; though, for years I had refused; not choosing so close a bond to any people. My health has been severely tried from time to time; and not unfrequently when grasping the hands of many who visited me, we have concluded it was a last farewell. Nevertheless, having obtained help of God, I continue unto the present day. Let us, then, take encouragement from the past loving-kindness of the Lord. As a church and people he hath

·

DEAR BROTHER BANKS :- Herewith I send
you a little treasure for the Earthen Vessel,
And truly,' the excellency of the power of
it is of God, and not of man.'

"Now this has been tried in poverty's vale,
In floods and in fires, by sin, death, and hell,"

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Thanks to Old Sincerity' for his discernment and faithfulness. Keep a watch, dear brother, for the July pirates; all hands aloft; listen to their whispers-'Some persons say you must preach Christ; never mind what they say; never lay yourself open to a vitiated taste: (by preaching Christ) let us be serious in those affairs; be diligent, beg, borrow, and steal-any how.' Ah, but he that sitteth in the heavens, shall laugh; the Lord of hosts, the Captain of our salvation shall have them in derision.

Yet have I set my King (Christ) upon my
holy hill of Zion. Let us, then my breth-
ren, with one accord, sing —

"Though rocks and quicksands deep,
Thro' all my passage, lie;
Yet Christ will safely keep,
And guide me with his eye.

My anchor, hope, shall firm abide,
I shall, each boist'rous storm outride."

Your's affectionately in the truth,

A PILOT, (not a pirate,) D. LODGE.

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