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"for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth:" the birds, beast, fields and trees all seemed to assist in the rejoicing of my soul; they all told of nature's God, while I could rejoice from my heart in the God of nature, and of grace; and many witnessed the change and wondered what new stage of existence I had

attained; the secret was within, lodged in the sweet evidence of a soul saved by Omnipotent grace. O! how lovely, how sweet and precious was the name of a dear Jesus, while I lay by faith before his cross; feeling the sweet healing droppings of his precious blood. Justice satisfying, soul redeeming, and peace speaking blood; how this awful, this precious, this astounding sight of a loving Saviour, extended on the cross, a curse for his dear children, caused my soul to mourn, love and grief divided my soul while I saw in the deed, mercy rejoicing against judgment. O! the wonders of redeeming love; "God so loved the world, that he gave his only beloved son to die," that we sinners might live for ever.

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Christian Reviewer.

The Lost Found; or the Rebel Saved," the experience of SAMUEL COZENS. Published by James Paul: price 6d.

(Continued from our last.) BEFORE we come to make our extracts from this little work, we must say a word or two more. The Holy Ghost says by Ezekiel that "the temple and the sanctuary had two doors; and the doors had two turning leaves apiece; and in the doors of the temple there were cherubims and palm trees." By these figures, four essential things are set out to view. First, no sinner can enter into glory, but such as are vitally in Christ by electing love and atoning blood; and in whose souls there is by the Holy Ghost, a revelation of the spirituality of God's righteous law, (on the one hand,) and a blessed apprehension of eternal redemption by the Lord's Christ, on the other: these are the two doors with two turning leaves apiece. Faith in Christ, (if it come not into the soul by the Holy Ghost,) will never save the sinner: neither will ever so deep and awful an acquaint

I found truly that "before honor comes humility," for the Lord had laid me low indeed, stripped me in his providence, of every earthly possession, my house and my goods; my state was so desolate, that being destitute of a shilling, I must have removed with my family to the union, had not temporary relief been afforded by the kindness of an indi-ance with the holiness of the divine law, vidual connected with and of the deceitfulness of the heart, official employment. My official sureties distressed me by an ever bring the soul into a solid gospel extent on my property; a professed friend peace, until a living faith embraces a deceived me; the dark cloud of providence living Christ. Christ opens the door in hung over me, so that I became distracted heaven; the Holy Ghost opens the sinalmost to insanity. I mourned in conse- ner's heart; Christ is revealed and formquence of my insolvency, that so many per- ed in the heart of the sinner, whereby sons should become sufferers by one, and no the sinner finds acccess to the mercy way left by which I could hereafter satisfy seat, and an abundant entrance into the them. On this account I secretly grieved, heavenly kingdom. until I could no longer mourn. My mind became almost calous to all the circum

Reader-think, deeply, if you can, stances of my existence, and thus I lay upon these two doors. Let not your during the period of seven years, without a hasty, and naturally presumptuous spirit ray of heavenly light, or a shadow of hea- hurl you from a prayerful consideration venly hope-bound under an apprehension of these things. I hesitate not to tell of utter perdition-filled with sins of nature, thee-(fearless of all the reproach it may of design, and of commission, as far as per- bring upon me)-that there are both primitted to go. But now raised to joy in vate and public, men in the kingdom; God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to re- (Matt xxv. 1.) some of whom profess to joice in Christ, and to have no confidence in have-and "seem to have”— -one of these the flesh, and feelingly to triumph that I am as a brand plucked out of the fire, pos-Christ; but they know not the Holy that is, plenty of strong faith in sessing marks of sonship by the fatherly rod of correcting love, I can bless the Lord for Ghost: and there are others who profess afflictions-proving thereby that the Lord to have the other door; that is, a very hath not given me over to the ways of death, dreadful acquaintance with their sins but hath sovereignly plucked me out of the and corruptions; but have not the faith burning. I am this day the living, to praise God's elect. We are afraid neither of his glorious name. these men are any real good to Zion: but, "let every man prove his own work."

WILLIAM CÆSAR.

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doors;

Moreover: there were cherubims and palm trees on the doors of the temple:

the cherubim is "a living creature," the palm tree is a fruitful and an upright plant: whereby the holy Ghost telleth thee again, that none of Adam's fallen children can ever enter into glory, but such as are truly made alive in their souls by God the Holy Ghost; and that such living souls have much fruit and perfect uprightness in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The altar, sacrifice, and priest; yea ALL
A sinner needs, to cleanse and save the soul;
Nor monkish rites, nor angels, men, or mass,
Can ever add a single virtue to
His precious blood. This, viewed by faith, and this
Alone, can heal and save the soul by sin
Condemned and lost. This, is the Christians' mass;
Adying, risen, and exalted Christ,
Whose agonizing cry upon the cross,
Proclaimed his work complete, his Father's law
Extolled, and church beloved, for ever saved
And blest. No other offering now the Father

Needs, nor will, nor can, approve. Yea, he, who Comes with any other name, or blood, or plea, Now, if we are not mistaken, the ex- Than this, spurns at the sacrifice which God perience of SAMUEL COZENS, furnishes of Christ, and stands condemned before his throne, Accepts, 'treads neath his feet the piercing blood you with some very striking evidences Whose word declares, the scoffers' portion, hell, of the existence of that two-fold revela-O then, how foolish and how vain, for man, Poor sinful man, to think that he, by his tion-that " taking root downward, and Best deeds, by sin defiled, can ever make bearing fruit upward," (Isaiah xxxvii.31) More perfect and complete the work of God, of which we have been speaking. Our or with his puny hand eclipse his beams, As soon might mortal man blot out the sun, extracts we defer again. As he could add a grain of merit to

Christmas: or the Christian's Mass.

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God." "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Heb, x, 12, 14. Christmas, by England's sons esteemed, a time Of joy and jubilee. But to a mind

By grace subdued, it well might bring far other
Thoughts than those of feasting or of mirth.
Methinks that as the christian's eye by light
Divine illumed, surveys the countless host
O'er which, in ages past, dark superstition
Threw her gloomy pall, his heart might well be
Sad, and holy sorrow bid his eyes to weep.

Christmas! thy name to some might be, but as
A passport into brighter lands, and mem'ry
At thy magic spell would wake, and joyful
Lead to scenes of home and pleasures long since
Passed; or kindle up anticipation

Keen of joys to come, in many a youthful
Breast: but, to the mind of one, who views thy
Name connected with the rite from whence it
Sprang, far different thoughts arise. Led on
By ignorance and her sister pride, a
Gloomy train he views; in sable garb arrayed;
Of every rank composed. Here old and young,
Peasant and prince, rich and poor, the ignorant
And the wise, unite; bound by one cord which
Superstition weaves, they travel on; one
Bond of union on each forehead seen, the
"Image of the beast." No sound of life is
Heard, but silently they move, with slow and
Solemn step: like some dark stream, the eye
Pursues through various scenes, 'till lost, it sinks
Into some vast abyss. And now the mind
Runs back to trace the spot whence issued forth
This mighty train, nor stays her course, 'till mid
The gorgeous temples, and rich vaulted fanes,
Of papal Rome, behold a scene, at which
Faith weeps,-a scene of blasphemy and lies.
There sits the scarlet whore, from whose embrace
One half of Christendom, so called, when struck
By death have fallen, and that to rise no more.
There see the golden cup, still full of that
Dread wine, to drink of which earth's princes, kings,
And potentates, have laid their crowns beneath
Her feet, and sold their souls to eternal
Hell. There stand her priests in costly vestments,
Sumptuously arrayed, who, mid the roll of
Music and soft plaintive sounds, and air with
Aromatic sweets perfumed, and gestures
Various, prepare,-to what? To offer up
The Son of God! O awful mockery!
O delusive cheat! ye sons of Belial
Dismally deceived. O list ye gaping
Crowds, see, and behold in Christ the only
Mass that e'er can save the soul! His precious
And atoning blood once spilt; for ever cleansed
purified the Church. He is alone,

The death of Christ. Could all the obedience
That shall ever spring from sovereign love
In ransomed souls revealed, with that which troops
Angelic gladly yield to his love mandates,
Whose good will confirmed, and mighty grasp still
Kept them firm 'mid reeling seraphs, heaven's
A postate sons; these, both combined, could never
Save a soul, or make a Saviour's work more
Perfect and secure. Ye thoughtless crowds,
Who, on a broken cake build all your hopes
Of heaven, behold in Christ, the smitten rock
Of safety and defence; the only way
Of life and peace with God. All other refuges
Save this, will fail, yea, melt before the fire
Of heavens' vindictive wrath, and leave the
Soul all naked and exposed to endless
Torments, an undying worm, and living death.
JUVENIS NERFLAB.

What is the cause of your trouble?

DEAR SIR,-I should feel obliged if you will give me your thoughts, upon what I am going to write. I wish to ask you what is the meaning of the words, "wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of Christ, for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body?" Thinking over these parts, I have concluded I have no right to the table of the Lord. The next thing is the sin against the Holy Ghost, for if I have not committed it I am afraid I shall. O the distress of soul no tongue can tell; there is another thing too-do you think a child of God can give up prayer, and reading the bible? This is an awful state to be in; and this is the state I am in: O that the Lord will keep me; I see nothing before my eyes but hell and damnation: I hope you will not refuse my request, and particular on prayer. I have been kept thus far from doing any harm to myself, though it follow me whereever I go. Oh may the Lord lead you to be able to give a word of comfort, whenever you shall speak in his name to his distressed children. The Lord be with and bless you, and enable you to dig into the deep things of God: from a distressed soul,

ELIZABETH F.

MR. JAMES OSBOURN, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.

THE friends and real lovers of gospel, a few sentences. He said, "Paul was a and experimental truth, residing in the bold champion for truth; and though Metropolis, have had many opportunities much opposed, yet he was not discouraged of hearing that sound and sober servant by anything: he went on preaching the of Jesus Christ, Mr. James Osbourn, kingdom of God: like the flint and the from Baltimore, in America. He appears steel, the more friction, the more fire; so to be very generally received by, and the more Paul was opposed, the more profitable to, the living in Jerusalem. the savour and power of the Spirit seemed On Wednesday morning, January 6, to rest upon him: that is, he smelled he preached at the Anniversary of the strong of heaven." "Paul's was an enSurrey Tabernacle, from Psalm cxlvii dowed dish from God; all for the build2, 3. "The Lord doth build up Jeru- ing up of Zion. All provision is made salem: he gathereth together the out- for Zion in God's great store-housecasts of Israel. He healeth the broken which is Christ; and this store-house ir. heart; and bindeth up their wounds." Christ opens, and deals out unto his peoHis discourse laid principally in taking ple." "Oh, dear child of God! as it up and opening such portions of the hath pleased the Father that in Christ Word of God, as were calculated to all fulness should dwell, so let it please illustrate and confirm the sentiments and you, if you can, and as Hart says-come subject-matter of the text. Mr.Osbourn, just as you are; filthy, and naked, and as a preacher, has not the rapid eloquence loathsome and bare: not in self-despair, of a Wells; neither has he the occasional nor, in self-sufficiency, nor in self-decepfiery and powerful breakings forth of a tion." "What! starve in a cook's Gadsby or Warburton. He is sedate, shop? Starve in Christ? Oh, shocking; without being tedious; he is solemn, to sit poring over your sins and wretchedwithout being heavy; he is bold and ness, is degrading to our once suffering decided, without approaching anything Christ!" "Our hearts truly are a renlike presumption, or manifesting an unbe-dezvous for the devil; but, dear friends, coming spirit. We consider him an es- the fulness that is in Christ, covers the tablished, experimental, safe, and certain preacher of the glorious gospel of the blessed God.

whole ground: the gospel will not fit a self-righteous pharisee or worldling: but it nicely fits a poor sensible sinner. I say, dear friends! whatever forebodings of worse to come, may be in your souls, let us away to the text "all fulness in Christ." It is the work of the devil to seduce the soul, by magnifying our sins; and then down goes the poor sinner into despair. O! what have I felt! All my sins like mountains crushing down my soul; but, bye and bye the Spirit comes; he brings Christ's fulness, and peace through it. As WATTS has it,

In the evening of the same day, he preached at Brown's Lane Chapel, Spitalfields, on behalf of "the Society for the Relief of Faithful Gospel Ministers in times of affliction and distress." He took for his text, Sol. Song, i. 2: "Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the virgins love thee." Under this discourse, we both laughed and cried the preacher seemed to be blessed with a sweet, savoury, cheerful, soul - comforting, sinner - encouraging sense of the boundless love and mercy "Dear children ! will you stand looking of the Lord Jesus Christ to his own at your fountain of sin? No, no! look soul. This sermon is shortly to be pub- to the fountain of love and blood divine! lished for the benefit of the Society. All fulness in him. Thousands have found it; and yet there is room.'

Mr. Osbourn preached his last sermon in London, for the present, at Zoar Chapel, from Colossians i. 19. "For it hath pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell." We have been favoured with some notes of this excellent discourse, taken by a dear brother at the time; but we can only gather up

PART XXV.-VOL. III.

"But a sense of blood-bought pardon, Soon dissolves a heart of stone.'

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MR. OSBOURN has been a most laborious man, both in the pulpit, and with his pen. We have been favored with a perusal of several volumes which are not as yet known in England.

MR. OSBOURN is engaged to supply at Zoar, during the month of March.

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Anniversary of Surrey Tabernacle.

THE eighth anniversary of the Surrey Tabernacle, was held on Wednesday, January 6, 1847. There is, perhaps, no place in this mighty metropolis where the whole truth as it is in Christ has been more unhesitatingly maintained, declared, and opened, than at the Surrey Tabernacle; and on the morning of the above day, in assembling with a numerous body of ministers and hearers, we were led secretly to rejoice, and to bless the Lord of all our mercies, for that, in the midst of the most awful heresies, and inconsistencies of these days, (stained as they are with the blackest blots,) we are yet favored with men who can experimentally, ably, and powerfully declare the whole counsel of God. This is indeed a soul comforting mercy. Mr. JAMES OSBOURN, from N. America, preached in the morning; Mr. JAMES WELLS, in the afternoon; and Mr. JOHN FOREMAN, in the evening. We believe it was an exceedingly happy day with

those who were favoured to attend, The discourse in the Afternoon was, to us, savoury, comprehensive, and delightful; displaying a mind richly fraught with that experimental knowledge which Solomon says, fills the hidden chambers of the children of grace, with all precious and pleasant riches. Mr. WELLS, (taking for his text, the last clause of the 14th chapter of Isaiah, "the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it;") shewed, first, that Zion was" a new state of things: and, secondly, that she was founded in the eternal purpose, gracious promise, mediation, and regenerating grace of a covenant God. We wish we could transcribe the whole discourse, but that is impossible.

A True Gospel Church.

THE PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF MR. J. WISE.

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Coming at once to the subject, with a very few prefatory remarks, the preacher said, There are three really useful points, which the text seems to furnish.

First-you may here see how it is, and with what material it is, that a true Gospel Church is to be made up-" of all the saints which are in Christ Jesus, with some bishops and deacons."

Secondly the text seems to shew us what kind of spirit and kindred feeling should exist among the churches of Jesus Christ. Thirdly-here are the two essential matters requisite for the proper-being and well-being of the Church, Grace and peace." Without grace, there can be no church at all: without peace, there can be neither comfort nor consistency in the church: so that Paul and Timotheus do well pray for the Philippians-and it is a most wholesome prayer, not only for all real churches, but for all true believers also, that "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father,

and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

is, and with what material it is, that a true In the first place, see here then,- How it Gospel Church must be really made up.

The church of God (as the bride of Christ,) has ever been the great object of Jehovah's delight. Of her, he says, "Here will I dwell, for I have desired it." It is no wonder therefore, that such glorious things are spoken of this city of the living God." The Bible is filled with the most eloquent, lofty and delightful descriptions of her origin, I must be brief, I will simply notice, first, constitution and spiritual character: but as the typical representation which we have of her: secondly, the prophetic; and, thirdly, the New Testament representation which the Holy Ghost has furnished of the real church of the living God.

First-her typical representation. If you turn into the book of Exodus, you may there see, that among the many things which God commanded Moses, there were four most especial things which pointed directly to that which constitutes the glory of the gospel church.

ON Wednesday evening, January 20, 1847, a public service was holden in the Baptist In the first place, (see Exodus xxv. 10,) Chapel, Edward Street, Dorset Square, for they were to make an Ark, which was to the purpose of publicly recognizing Mr. contain the testimony, which God would JAMES WISE, as Pastor of the church meet-give: and there was to be a mercy seat above ing for divine worship in that place.

The following is a brief outline of the introductory discourse respecting the nature of a true Gospel Church, as delivered by C. W. BANKS.

The preacher took for his text, the two first verses, of the first chapter of Paul to the Philippians-" Paul and Timotheus, the

upon the Ark: and of which the Lord God then says, most emphatically, "AND THERE, I will MEET WITH THEE; and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat." This is one of the most glorious types of the Person of Christ, which the Bible furnishes.

This Ark was to be made of Shittim wood, and overlaid with pure gold: of such exact

dimensions as were given by God: Jehovah's | ten curtains. The Holy Ghost has been testimony was to be put within it: the mercy pleased to employ this figure of curtains, seat was to be above upon it; and there, (among others) to set forth the elect of God. reconciliation and communion with a Holy See Sol. Song i. 5; Habakkuk iii. 7. WhereGod was to be found. See here, our most fore, in the tabernacle it is clear the church wondrous, our most glorious, and our highly of Christ is made up of an exact number who exalted Christ! He is a complex person; were originally told into the hands of perfect God and perfect Man: he is of such Christ: and when that solemn period shall exact dimensions, in his person, and in his arrive, when God will make up his jewels, all work, as is suited to meet all the necessities the elect shall then pass again under the of, and to bring salvation and glory unto, all hand of him telleth them: and the dear Rethat the Father has given to him: the testi- deemer will exultingly say " Father! Here mony of God; the whole counsel, decree, am I; and the children which thou hast and divine will of the Father is in him; he given me." Not an hoof shall be left beis the throne of grace, and the mercy-seat, hind-not one of the sheep shall perish. and it is in him, by and through him alone, that we can approach unto the holiest of all. Oh, what a blessed Ark is this! Surely, it was under such a view of him that the apostle exclaimed, "it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."

Notice, secondly, Moses was commanded to make a tabernacle, (Exod. xxvi.) which, I humbly presume, was a type of the real church of the living God. Thirdly, -Moses was then instructed to make "an altar of shittim wood;" (Exodus xxvii.) which was typical of that well-ordered mode of divine worship which the Lord Jehovah has instituted and maintained in his own church. And, lastly, Moses was to take Aaron and his sons and make holy garments for them, and anoint and consecrate them unto the service of the Lord.

These glorious Old Testament shadows did prefigure the very circumstances in which (if we are right before God in this service,) we are now found. First, we have Christ, I hope, revealed and formed in our hearts as the hope of glory. Secondly, we have, I trust, a gospel church rightly constituted; and a New Testament order of divine worship, and we come this evening to recognise and to pray for one whom we are led to hope, God, in his great mercy, has raised up, and sent among this people.

It is then of the tabernacle, as containing a typical representation of a true Gospel Church, that I am to speak a few words.

Of this tabernacle, notice the following things.

1. It was to be made in strict accordance with the sovereign and unerring direction of the Lord himself. Parliament may make and endow churches; false professors may make up and establish their gaudy and deceptive churches, as they are called, which in nine cases out of ten, are nothing more nor less, than fashionable bazaars, where pomp and pride are exhibited, and a mock worship of the Almighty is sold at the highest price they can possibly obtain; but the true church of Christ must be based upon, and maintained by, the given directions of the great Head of the church alone.

2. This tabernacle was to be made with

Let this glorious doctrine encourage and comfort the hearts of faithful pastors and churches. The Lord alone can truly add unto the church; and he will add none but such as shall be saved. The tabernacle had ten curtains.

3. These curtains are said to have been made with cherubims, "the work of a cunning workman." (See the margin of Exo. xxvi.) These cherubims seem to declare that the true church of Christ can only be made up of really living souls; such as have the life of God, the love, and truth of God, curiously, mysteriously, and incomprehensibly wrought in their souls by the power of the Holy Ghost. These curtains were very beautiful things; they were made of fine twined linen, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and withal having these cherubims so curiously wrought in them. It is thus with God's elect. They have eternal life, electing love, atoning blood, justifying righteousness, and vital union to Christ wrought in them, whereby they become dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God by Jesus Christ our Lord. These are the glorious things which beautify, adorn, and make honourable the church of God. And as these curtains had loops whereby they were attached to the frame-work of the tabernacle, even so, by the vital implanting of faith, and hope, and prayer, in these living souls, they lay hold on eternal life: and become so one with the Lord Christ, and his covenant, his cross, and his truth, that nothing can ever separate them. He that is thus joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

O, what a curious, mysterious work in the soul, is the new birth, conversion to God, condemnation by the law, and liberty by the gospel. God only knoweth how these things are begun, carried on, and perfected.

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4. Notice-all the curtains were to have ONE MEASURE." There is now a very great apparent distinction between the children of God. Some are blessed with extraordinary gifts to stand upon Zion's walls and declare the whole counsel of God, while others appear to be hidden as it were in obscurity, and are scarcely known. Some appear to enjoy much liberty and fellowship in the things of God; others are harassed, and

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