ciful speculator upon the oracles of God, and sporting with your own deceivings? Are you one who being wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own sight, have a tongue as clever as a parrot's; a dress as ragged and filthy as a vagrants; hands as dirty as a swine; a mind as brutish as a dog's; and a heart as proud as Lucifer's? If so, stand back; for thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter; though thou mayest prate about experience, doctrine, and prophecy with the tongue of angels, and of men; and in zeal and kindness give thy body to be burned, and thy goods to feed the poor. Stand back, I cry; for to you the door is closed; nor, if thou shouldest give all the substance of thy house, would the porter be bribed to turn the key; for those only, as aforesaid, who are brought between the noble persons of LIGHT and TRUTH, with deep poverty of soul, and the meekness of a new born babe, can possibly be admitted here to behold the rich-the heavenly the soul-transporting scenes of solemn and eternal realities! But these may, and do behold the true light that shines in a dark place, till the day dawn, and the day-star arise.

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But, if the question be proposed, by one, who, in very deed, walks not after the flesh, in fleshly views and interpretations, but, after the Spirit, who only can take of the things of Jesus, and shew them unto us, then I would stop and take thee by the hand, and saluting thee by Zion's own watch-word, would turn aside into some retired spot, and say, The things to be seen are all mystical. Mind now! all mystical; and shut up in this double word MYSTERY-mystery of godliness and mystery of iniquity! Hence each thing is a mystery; and, to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but to others it is not given: To you it is given to understand; while the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked

shall understand; but, mystery in their hand shall be only a parable in the mouth of fools, of the hidden meaning of which they can know no more than the Philistines knew of Samson's riddle when they asked 'What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?' For, they knew nothing of the sweet honey of gospel truth, which tells us of the victory obtained over the lion torn and slain at Calvary. And, here is a blessed simplicity which I would have the reader seriously to regard it is the simplicity of the fact of being guided into the hidden vein of essential truth, that runs along under the surface of the letter, to the ravishment of the spirit, the sweet baptism of the soul in the love of God, and the melting of heart in holy gratitude and adoration, and that too, at times, when his own goodness is as distant as the poles, which proves

that the revelation is as free and sovereign as grace could make it; and then the mind was so charmed and captivated, that soon it longed for another such time as much as the babe longs for the breast, or the thirsty hart for the water brooks.

This one thing rightly viewed and understood, saves from much puzzling perplexity, which, in the present day, is rather augmented, than otherwise, by some who pique themselves on their skill in clearing up the way, and making it more even and comfortable for the lame and feeble. But this perception of spiritual things is not that system of spiritualizing every thing in the word, which some have adopted; but it is the being 'led by the Spirit,' unsought, and unthinking, into the very essence and kernel of truth; so that with sweet surprise and ecstacy they cry out, I have found it! I have found it!' These, and these, alone, will understand me, when I say the things are all mystical;' and that the scenes are made up of mystical men, women, beasts, birds, fish, trees, and things, such as mountains, valleys, fields, gardens, fountains, heavens, sun, moon, stars, &c. &c.

But, as my paper apprizeth me of having written enough for one piece in the Earthen Vessel, I retain my remaining treasures for the next cargo; and beg to subscribe myself, both a servant of Jesus, and of this magazine. W. C. P.

Brenchley.

[This beautiful introduction to a series of valuable papers, fires our souls with much ardent longing for that which is to come. The Editor pledges himself to continue them in each successive month; fully believing they will prove interesting and profitable.] A few Words to those who have Questioned Mr. Meeres's Call to the Ministry.

To the Editor of the Earthen Vessel:DEAR SIR-In the Vessels of August, Sept., and Oct., I see three individuals have written very uncharitably against a well known minister of the gospel, and a sound minister of the distinguishing doctrines of grace, therefore, I hope you will allow me the privilege of writing a few lines to 'Old Sincerity,' to Theophilus Celetus,' and to 'D. Lodge.'

cerity' was sincere in his principles, he In the first place, I think if 'Old Sinwould not have written and sent forth into the world an error of speech of a minister of Christ, (and a good man, being made so by the sovereign electing love of God), without first taking the scriptural rule, and telling a brother his fault, (which he could by letter to Mr. Milner), and I am quite certain he would have given Old Sincerity' a sa

tisfactory answer; for there is not a perfect man in the world; and where is there a minister who has not uttered very wrong words, which have caused much grief to his hearers, and to his own mind also? and forsooth, for one error in speech, a minister is held up to ridicule and contempt; but, thank God, the judgment of man does not, nor cannot, take the feet of Mr. Milner from off that solid foundation whose builder and maker is God; therefore, I sincerely hope that 'Old Sincerity,' when he sees or hears the faults of a minister of Christ, will not judge or speak so rashly in future.

TO THEOPHILUS CELETUS: '— First, you say, you cannot see any clear call to the Ministry of Mr. Meeres: well, that is no reason that he is not called to the ministry, because you cannot see it. Perhaps, if you were to give us an account of your call to the ministry (if you are a minister) in as short a space of time as Mr. Meeres had to do it in, we might say the same of you; and then, perhaps, you would be offend ed, and say we were not able to judge in this matter. You well know that all ministers are not called alike; some are called to pass through very deep waters; while others are not so severely tried; yet, both are effectually called by the power of the Holy Spirit; and it is not possible that they could tell much of the dealings of God with them in one half-hour.

I have several times heard Gadsby, and Warburton, and they have mostly given us a little of their first call to the work, even year after year; and yet could not tell us all their experience; and, I have no doubt but Mr. Meeres will be able to tell, from time to time, the Lord's dealings with him, which will fully satisfy the church that he is called of God to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You next state some of the exercises and trials of a watchman or minister; and your statement is very good. You next slightly advert to the good things spoken by Mr. Milner; but a great stress is laid upon a sentence (which, no doubt, was inadvertently spoken), and you say you know not what to do with it: why, I would say do as you said in the commencement, put the good into vessels, and cast the bad away; throw it overboard, and let it be buried in oblivion.

I have known Mr. Milner about seventeen years, and have heard him preach the greater part of that time; and I can testify, that as a preacher of the truth, he is no way behind Gadsby, Warburton, Wells, Philpot, or Kershaw; and as it regards Mr M.'s call to the ministry, it is scriptural, for he was separated from his ungodly companions by the special and discriminating grace of the Holy Spirit: and it is experimental, for he was cut down by the sword of justice, and was brought to the feet of Jesus, as a poor penitent sinner: and it is effectual, for God hath called many under his ministry, and is now establishing and building up many in their most holy faith; and if Theophilus' was to set under Mr. M.'s ministry, he would hear that which would do his soul good, and he would then think very different to what he does at present of Mr. M.'s ministry, and I have no doubt, that he would blame himself for judging so rashly.

To 'D. LODGE,' THE PILOT.

There is an old saying abroad, 'give a dog a bad name, you had better hang him at once.' Thus it is with a minister of Christ. If he should be overtaken by the power of temptation, or should happen to speak a wrong sentence, his brethren, instead of trying to help him out of his trouble, he is branded from Dan to Beersheba, and his bright ornaments of grace are lost sight of, and any little dark spot of the flesh is trumpeted abroad, and the man is held up to stigma and reproach; and it matters not what the grace of God has done for the man. If he should speak a wrong sentence, that is enough; he is looked upon as a deceiver, or, in other words, as a pirate; but, thank God, although a minister may be called a pirate, that is no proof that he is one; for a pirate goes to sea for the express purpose, and with a determination to rob, plunder, and sometimes murder; but I do not expect that 'D. Lodge' thinks this of Mr. Milner; therefore, I consider he has committed an error of speech, as well as other people; and as it regards you being a pilot, there have been many vessels, and many lives lost through the neglect, or oversight of the pilot, although he may have his glasses, his compass, his maps, and his charts, yet he may be deceived, and bring destruction upon himself and the

MESSRS. EDITORS.-We, a few constant readers of your monthly periodical, beg to submit the following particulars of a dying saint for insertion within your pages, hoping that the blessing of God Almighty may rest upon it, to the comfort of some of his dear children, and the glory of his great name.

Mrs. H. was confined to her bed upwards of nine months, during which time she passed through many changes of soul experience; resting solely in a covenant keeping God: free grace, and dying love, was all her boast. She had been brought by the Holy Ghost to be willing to be saved in God's way and manner, and renounce all hope of salvation upon any other grounds than the merits of a precious Jesus. She had passed through much darkness in the former part of her life, greatly fearing death; she had been held in bondage through fear of death all her life; but when she came to lie upon a death-bed, she could say with Paul; "Forasmuch, then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that hath the power of death, that is the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Heb. ii. 14, 15: feeling the sweet enjoyment of it in her own soul, by a precious Jesus being revealed to her faith. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.'

Hearing that she had taken to her bed, I called to see her, and asked her how she felt in her mind? She said, 'I am as full as I can hold. Grace, grace! Ah! you'll never know what I know, till you come here on a death-bed, not to the same extent that I do. O, that word, grace, grace! O, that I could sound it out! O, if these bed-posts could speak, they would witness to the many prayers my soul has put up to God, that he would bless my soul! but I thought that he had clean gone for ever, that he would never come and answer my prayers, he seemed not to regard me: but bless his precious name, he has kept the best wine till the last; he knew what was best for me; I would not have it otherwise; it's all right; I can see it as straight as possible! O, the mercy of God! Talk about little mercies; there are no little mercies, they are all

"O to grace, how great a debtor, Daily I'm constrained to be." Oh, sound it cut, grace! grace! never be ashamed of it! He has took all care from my mind! I know no will but his, I can give up all!' I said, 'you know what the Holy Ghost by Solomon means, where he saith, 'My son give me thy heart ?". She said, "Yes, bless his precious name, if I had ten thousand hearts I could give him them all."

The next day I called to see her, she was still enjoying the presence of the Lord. A friend brought her something in, to which she replied," How good the Lord is to me, he knows what I stand in need of, and he sends these people with something for this poor body, and himself comes and refreshes my soul with his blessed presence, and fills my soul so full, that I think I shall part in two. Oh, I could not wish for more heaven than what I now enjoy, only that he would come and say, 'loose her, and let her go. I often think of those words of Mr. Gadsby's, 'Immortal lungs, and immortal tongues,' Grace-grace! Oh, that I could sound it out! I think if all God's children were here, I could make them hear me. I can see Christ has gone over the whole law for me, and standing at the end of the law for righteousness for me. Oh, what a sea of love, to be made partakers of Christ, and this body to be like his glorious body, and to sit at his blessed feet." Here she seemed lost in wonder; then she exclaimed, Eternity! eternity! will be short, to tell half, or one quarter of his condescending love to such an hell-deserving worm as me, for me too, and to know it for myself. I am not deceived; no, I am not deceived, though I have no particular passage for it, but I have the substance of the whole Bible in my soul; and its precious promises belong to me." I called to see her on the day following; she told me that the devil had been telling her that her mouth would be shut when her minister came to see her: she said, "he told me that he would be sure to find me out, and detect me in something or other, but as soon as he came into the room, she said my mouth seemed to be opened, and I could not shut it. O, never believe the

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