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Canterbury.

Mr. David Denham.

dant of himself altogether. He spoke thy Lord.' That this may be the case of Christ as the altar of earth, taking with him, yourself, and your affectionupon himself the seed of Abraham; be- ate, though unworthy, son, is the prayer coming flesh of our flesh, and bone of of ROBERT. our bone; that He came down into the place where the sinner was, to lift him up on high, and make his standing more secure than it was before he fell; that although He became this altar of earth, visited the earth, became the helpless babe upon the lap of his mother Mary, yet was He the mighty God, and as such, did the shepherds worship him.

Mr. C. next showed that this altar is erected in a poor sinner's soul, and said, what a mercy it was that God had thus visited his people by setting up this altar in their consciences!

Mr. C., in speaking of the dear Lord recording His name, said, it was recorded in ancient settlements, 'ere time began,-in Christ Jesus, and in the book of Life, but that especially the Lord recorded His name as the great I AM, full of truth and mercy, long-suffering, and of great goodness in a poor sinner's conscience, and in the preaching of the everlasting gospel. He recorded his name in poor Peter's heart when he so basely denied Him before a silly maid, or his sin would have remained, and like Judas's, would have been too heavy for him to bear; and the look which Peter received from his Lord, was a solemn, yet sweet proof of his having recorded it there; so doth He record His name, His grace, His willingness, and His ability to save with an everlasting salvation, all who hereafter shall believe on His great and glorious name. But He not only records His name, but comes Himself, where His name is recorded, and blesses with His own presence and power those who are thus favoured; and when He blesses, who is there can reverse it? None! When He saves, who is it can destroy? When He builds, who dares to pull down?

I shall forbear saying any more, further than that, upon the whole, we had a good day, and should be glad to be favoured with such a ministry, believing it to be the true ministry of the Spirit of the gospel of Christ, to poor lost sinners. I cannot help thinking he is a man destined of the Lord to fill an important post in His church below, and, at last, to be gathered home to eternal glory, with a well done good and faith ful servant, enter thou into the joy of

Trinity Chapel, Leather Lane, Holborn. We have before noticed that the friends of Mr. David Denham have taken this old-established place of worship, which, being in a sad condition, they have been under the necessity of cleaning, painting, and furnishing it; it is now an exceedingly neat and comfortable chapel; and we do most sincerely pray that here our highly-esteemed brother may labour in peace and with a goodly measure of real prosperity. He has been called, (like many of the ambassadors for Christ) to "go down to the sea (of tribulation,) and there he has had to do business in great waters : " he has "mounted up to heaven 99

(in the glorious ministration of the gospel); and he has gone down to some of those depths of anxiety, sorrow, and distress which most of the faithful ministers of the truth are called to endure. We feel a humble persuasion that the Lord is about to make the storm a calm, that the waves will presently be a little quiet; so that he may at last come to his desired haven, like a shock of corn that is fully ripe.

But this is not all we have to say. No, no. "Be ye warmed, and filled," is not enough. In drawing attention to these circumstances, we desire to "DO WELL; " and James says, "If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, (THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF), ye do well." (James ii. 8.) This is the royal law. And in rendering obedience to this law, we will first give our readers some information; and, secondly, offer a kind suggestion. In the first place, the cost-[ah, the cost, say you, we do not want to hear anything about that! Well, but that second verse of the sixth of Galatians is still in the statute book, and ye dare not to violate it. Read it!" Bear ye one another's burdens;" and so- -(look at it) and so-fulfil the law of Christ. Well, then, the cost] of rendering Trinity Chapel fit to worship in, has amounted to something considerably more than fifty pounds, and this is at

present a burden. Now, for our suggestion: let the ministers and churches of Christ in London, and its suburbs, give brother Denham one week evening service collection each of them; it will do them no hurt; it will be of considerable benefit to him, and to the cause with which he is connected. Come, come, brethren, let us put our shoulder to the wheel: let us not only talk about "loving one another," but let us manifest our love. Our motive in dropping this hint is pure; right glad shall we be, if, in any measure, it is adopted. Yea, in one or two cases it has been done; and it was this that led us thus to express ourselves.

On Women speaking in the Church.

admitted of in the Jewish synagogue: there, we are told, the men came to teach and the women to hear: and one of their canons runs thus, 'a woman may not read (that is, in the law) in the congregation, or church, because of the honour of the congregation;' for they thought it a dishonourable thing to a public assembly for a woman to read, though they even allowed a child to do it that was capable of it. But they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. In Gen. iii. 16, 'thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.' By this the apostle would signify, that the reason why women are not to speak in the church, or to preach and teach publicly, or be concerned in the ministerial function, is because this is an act of power and authority, of rule and government, and so

in his law requires of women unto men. The extraordinary instances of Deborah, Huldah, and Hannah must not be drawn into a rule or example in such cases.

["Numerist's" letter, (inserted in our last,) has constrained many to write on the sub-contrary to that subjection which God ject. Among others, we have a valuable letter by the late Garnet Terry; and another from "Elihu," which, (with some more) will be found in our subsequent numbers; but, for the present, we must confine ourselves to the following sent by brother Lodge.]

"Let your women keep silence in the churches." 1 Cor. xiv. 34, 36. This is a restriction of, and an exception to one of the above rules, viz. that all might prophesy; in which he would be understood of men only, and not of women; and is directed against a practice which seems to have prevailed in this church at Corinth, allowing women to preach and teach in it; and this being a disorderly practice, and what was not used in other churches, the apostle forbids and condemns it, and not without reason for it is not permitted unto them to speak; that is, in public assemblies, in the church of God, they might not speak with tongues, nor prophesy, or preach or teach the word. All speaking is not prohibited; they might speak their experience to the church, or give an account of the work of God upon their souls; they might speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; or speak as an evidence in any case at a church-meeting; but not in such sort, as carried in it direction, instruction, government, and authority. It was not allowed by God that they should speak in any authoritative manner in the church; nor was it suffered in the churches of Christ; nor was it

Ver. 35. "And if they will learn anything &c.' If they are desirous of learning anything in relation to doctrine,duty, or discipline, and of improving their knowledge of divine things, which is very commendable in them; if any difficulty arises in their minds whilst hearing the word, which they want to have removed, or any question to ask for information sake, let them ask their husbands at home-private, when retired from public assembly; for though men might ask one another concerning this and the other point, in the church, as was usual in the synagogue worship, to which this church at Corinth, in many things, conformed; yet women were not allowed this freedom, and even in things which belong to women to do; as, for instance, making the cake of the first of their dough, which was to be an heaveoffering to the Lord, the men were to teach the women at home how and when to separate it from the rest; so the apostle directs women, when they want to be informed about any point, to apply to their husbands at their own houses, if they were such as were capable of instructing them; if not, they might apply to other men that were christian men, and men of knowledge, especially to the prophets, pastors and teachers of their church, at their habitations; for it is a shame for women to

speak in the church; it is a shame to themselves, as being contrary to the natural modesty, and bashfulness of the sex, and a shame to the church, to the members of it, and especially to the elders and more experienced part of it, to be taught and directed by a woman; it is a disgrace to herself and sex, as betraying uncommon pride and vanity, and an unnatural boldness and confidence, and a disgrace to the church tobe under such ministry and conduct. GILL.

An old Veteran's Opinion of Mr. Tryon.

My worthy, and very excellent, nevertheless despised, tempted, persecuted, yet truly highly favoured brother in tribulation's path, the high and only road to glory everlasting, Ps. x. 7. Grace, mercy, and peace be with you and yours, and me and mine, for the sake of him, who in his time shall show who is the only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, unto whom be glory for ever. Amen. Which is the sincere prayer of a poor old weather-beaten watchman on Zion's walls, crying past twelve o'clock and a cloudy morning; may we not each feelingly say,— Lord, make those dismal clouds remove, Those gloomy clouds that rise ; That we may see the Christ we love, With unbeclouded eyes? Amen. I have read (my brother) your long chapter of doubts, trials, troubles, vexations, fears, perplexities, forebodings, and anxieties, all coupled with vile persecutions from Hagar's sons, &c., into whose secret I have no wish whatever to enter, and into whose assembly I have no desire to be united, such, however, I am happy to say, can neither dig down my wall, nor dig down the Man in God, in whom I have placed confidence. If, then, my brother, the Lord be on our side, of whom shall we be afraid? Your enemies with mine united, however formidable, powerful, subtle, artful, cunning, and designing, are, in reality, though not knowingly (on their part) our decided friends, as touching the divine will of our master, your's, and their's too; therefore, lift up your head, my brother, your redemption draweth nigh, &c.

Who, I ask, put in motion the poisonous pen, and bitter tongue of that TRYON against poor Philpot? What, I ask, has that dear man of God done, to draw down upon his head the ungodly censure

of Tryon ? who, from all I can learn of him, has much yet to learn, ere he fully knows the plague and depth of the depravity of his own heart; at all events, he is evidently one of the most ungrateful of beings, whose open manifest ingratitude exceeds by far the crime he ventures to palm upon his betters! What, in the name of common honesty and serious reflection, has he or any other like him to do with Mr. Philpot's marriage? Is it not to Philpot's own master he must stand or fall? I marvel much at the uncalled for condesension, not to say weakness of the dear man Philpot in stooping to such self-righteous Pharisees; let Mr. Philpot say or do what he may, in order to satisfy such captious beings, it will only increase the

lion's rage.

To dear Philpot, I would say, commit thy way unto the Lord, and he shall bring it to pass. Ps. xxxvii. 5; of dear tried Philpot, I would say "Why Isa. 10. And unto Mr. Tryon, on behalf boastest thou thyself, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth for ever; thy tongue deviseth mischief like a sharp razor, working deceitfully." see Psalm lii. 1, 2, 3, 4, &c.

As for you, my brother Banks, I would say, go on in the name of the Lord God of Israel, and the Lord prosper you, cast your burden upon him, and leave all that concerns your present and future circumstances at his feet, who hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." The God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob be with you, and bless you, support and keep you under all trials that may yet await you, so prays yours truly, in the sweet Lord Jesus.

The Glorious Gospel.

FYDAS.

When a vacant pulpit is filled up, and when a destitute church becomes settled with a pastor, it becomes a matter of inquiry, as to whether those scriptures are therein verified, where Israel's God declares that he will send his people "pastors according to his own heart, who shall feed the people with knowledge and with understanding?" In Southwark and Bermondsey, two old established churches have recently chosen new overseers to feed the flock of God among them. The church at Unicorn yard have called Mr. Bonner: and the church at Jamaica Row, have invited Mr. W. Bidder (late of Oldham-street, Manchester): and he is now

statedly labouring (with very consi- | years, instantly healed a man of an infirmity derable acceptance) in that place. But, which had existed eight and thirty years, who and what-is William Bidder? We answer, he is a King's son; and a bold and able defender of the glorious gospel of the ever-blessed God. We have been favoured with the perusal of some of the "Bethesda Tracts," published by Mr. Bidder, in Manchester: and from them we make the following extracts, wherein the author fearlessly declares not only his own mind, but the mind of the Eternal Spirit, upon some of those essential points, which are closely connected with the best interests of the ransomed people of God. We can sincerely pray that his labours among us may be greatly honoured and blessed to the souls of the people. As good old Nehemiah said, The work is great and large, and we (the ministers of Jesus Christ) are separated upon the wall, one far from another; but God is fighting for us; the master is with us; our portion and position is appointed the kingdom is secured unto us, and yet a little longer, and we shall enter the portals of eternal bliss. God Almighty keep us faithful. Amen. In our first extract, Mr. Bidder says:

us;

"The man that is born again knows something of a power that conquers the heart; that brings every high thought into subjection; that makes old things pass away and all things to become new; that delivers from the snare of the fowler and sets us free; a

power that mortifies and subdues old Adam; a power that makes us deeply feel our awful state in the fall, our danger, and our refuge too; that we were at hell's dark door; that made us tremble, quake and fear; that bowed our stiff necks; that humbled our haughty hearts; that laid us low in the dust before God, if so be there may be hope; that made us cry unto God as out of the belly of hell; a power that puts us in possession of heartfelt deliverance and a free grace pardon; that took the heart of stone away, and gave an heart of flesh; that sprinkled blood upon the conscience, and brought redemption nigh, and a perfect righteousness; a transforming, quickening, strengthening, upholding, preserving, keeping, power; by it alone grace was planted in our souls, and by it is grace drawn forth

into act and exercise.

"The mighty power of God is invincible; it called an Abram from Mesopotamia, a Lot out of Sodom, a Moses from Egypt, an Elisha from his plough, a David from his sheepcote, an Amos from the herdmen of Tekoa; made

a bedridden man borne of four take up his bed and walk, stanched an issue of blood that had run twelve years, cured a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen

raised a widow's only son from the dead, and a dead Lazarus from the grave; drew a Peter from his nets, a Nathaniel from under the fig-tree, a Matthew from the receipt of customs, a mad Gadarene from the tombs,a sordid Zaccheus from the sycamore tree, a Samaritan prostitute at Jacob's well, from the paths of iniquity; it changed a dying thief on the cross from a railer to a petitioner ; and turned seven devils out of Magdalene; drew three thousand into the gospel neton the day of Pentecost, and soon after multitudes both of men and women; a bloody Saul from persecuting the church of God to a first-rate preacher of have I heard this, that power belongeth unto the gospel. God hath spoken - once, twice God. These, then, are a few of the displays of his gracious power (Oh! say, if you have ever felt it?); our apostle declared he would not know the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power-1 Cor. iv. 19, 20. This, then, was his criterion of a regenerated person. Such know the power of God in their own souls-how it wounded the conscience, how it laid them prostrate, how it overcame their prejudice and love of sin, all their reasonings and arguments; native power, rank and education, all fell before it, as Dagon before the ark. Its effects are such as that the man, who could before wallow in every iniquity now delights in communion with God, respects his ordinances and walks before him unto well-pleasing, adorns the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things, proving thereby that the truth has come to him, not

in word only, but also in power and in the 1.5. This power does not make holy our Holy Ghost, and in much assurance-1 Thes. old Adam nature; no, that which is born of the flesh is flesh; but it imparts a new nature

to

these at times is sharp, but the victory sure. conquer the old. The struggle between Grace shall reign through righteousness unto eternal life. The new man cannot sin, because it is born of God; it is subjected in hope of a final deliverance from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God in glory.

I have often thought with pleasure of this distinguishing feature of the regenerate heirs of salvation-the life and power of God in the soul-that though our land abounds with people professing godliness, and thousands of them are settled down in a dry, dead form, concluding all beyond it wrong, that vital godliness is fanaticism, and its advocates enthusiasts; yet blessed be God, his secret is with the righteous. Unto them it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but to others in parables.

Our readers may be indulged with another extract from these tracts, by referring to page 284.

SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ARISING OUT OF | Word, but he does not mention either the

Mr. Philpot's Acknowledgment.

[We have letters from different parts of the country, expressing the deepest sympathy with Mr. Philpot, and the greatest indignation at the spirit manifested by Mr. Tryon; but we desire, as much as possible, to avoid controversy of any kind; nevertheless, in the following extracts which we make from one of the letters referred to, there are points, the consideration of which, may be useful.]

"Mr. Philpot's acknowledgment in this month's Vessel having been much laid upon my mind, I shall in the fear of God give my opinion thereon.

word or the Scripture where such a breach is named. If it is a breach of God's Word, and a sin, which he says it is, you as editors, and correctors, and ministers of God's word, point out to me the Scriptures containing the rule of conduct respecting believers' marriages. Mr. P. quotes Matt. v. 19, as an illustration of his adding sin to sin. I leave any believer, having the mind of Christ, to judge what reference it hath in such a case. Mr. P. says, further, that he never justitied his marriage to any of his friends. It would be well if brother Philpot had looked to his justification by Jesus Christ, rather than attempt to parley with, or before ungodly men, or even the church. Mr. P. says he ought to be reproved. I ask, who by? The devil, the world, the church, his own heart, or the "It grieves me to see ministers that pro- Lord? if the latter, it will be good reproof fess the glorious truths of the gospel of Jesus indeed; and it will be that secret reproof Christ, attempting to justify themselves that the devil, the world, and his own heart publicly before the world and the church. cannot understand; it is secret correction, It appears to me that brother goeth to law and fatherly love, and chastisement, like the with brother, and that before the unbelievers. excellent oil spoil spoken of in Ps. cxli. 5; I am sorry to see the pages of your Vessel, (which Mr. P. quotes.) This oil does not smeared with a confused confession of Mr. break the head, but softens the heart. I am P.'s public and private sorrows respecting sorry Mr. P. does not feel more reconciled to his marriage. Surely Mr. P. never read the Lord's choice. He says, he deserved to 1 Cor. vii. 14.-'The unbelieving wife is have had a persecutor, a busy body, a scold, a sanctified by the husband.' Again, 17th ver. canting hypocrite, a gossip, &c.; and because 'As the Lord hath called every one, so let he has not got one with these evils, he has him walk.' Does Mr. P. really believe that turned round and commenced a war with her he is called by grace, and sanctified to the and himself. If the Lord had conferred on Lord? If so, I do not see how he could Mr. P. his deserts, as a fallen son of Adam, write such things as the following, if he had he would not have obtained salvation and the mind of Christ. He begins thus-The mercy from the Lord, much less any other first evi!, then, and by far the most prominent, mercy naturally. I am aware that the Scripwhich I wish to confess, is my marriage in ture says, 'Be ye not unequally yoked to1838 with a person of whom I was not per-gether with unbelievers,' &c. But, I believe suaded that she was, at that time, a partaker of grace.' Does Mr. P. really mean that the King eternal, immutable, unchangeable, the Keeper of his people, hath suffered evil to take place by such a marriage? I fear that pride, and the reproaches of the ignorant have prompted Mr. P. to write this confession. However, to proceed, the Lord says that nothing by any means shall injure his church, and that he is ever watching over them for good. We are also called 'his peculiar trea

sure.'

And shall the Lord deal sovereignly with his people, and couple them together as his infinite wisdom sees fit, and they turn round, and call his transactions and mercies evils? I cannot, as a believer in the Lord Jesus, reconcile such sayings. And as Mr. P. acknowledges that she is an excellent wife, and does everything for his comfort, I ask, who made her thus an excellent partner? | And who can tell but that she is the salt of the earth, the excellent in Christ Jesus; for the Lord seeth not as we do, naturally; for, what we call evils, the Lord sendeth them for good. Mr. P. says it is a breach of God's

Paul's expression about the yoke has no re-
ference whatever to the marriage state.
But it is the same yoke that Christ
'Take my
speaks of in Matt. xi. 29, 30.
yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find
rest unto your souls.' I think this has a pretty
good analogy with Paul, for he saith, "What
agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
wherefore, come out from among them, and
touch not the unclean thing' -(the idols; not
the unclean women.) It was the idolatry
that the Corinthians were yoked with; for
the ceremonial law is called a yoke of bond-
age. Again, Gal. v. 1- Stand fast there-
fore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath
made us free, and be not entangled again
with the yoke of bondage. Also Matt. xi. 30,
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light.'

And it is rather remarkable that Christ, all through his ministry, never so much as hinted, or put any stress or command whatever, that I can read of, to his apostles, how or whom they should marry; and if he hath commanded it, why should,

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