REVIEW. The Glory of God's Grace; Being the Substance of Four Sermons from Ephesians, i. 6. By William Gadsby. 12mo. pp. 48. Manchester, J. Gadsby. THE author of these discourses is known to most of our readers as a man of truth, and though untaught in the learning of the schools, is well instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom of God. From the text, "To the praise of the glory of his grace," the preacher calls the attention of his readers to three general particulars. 1st. What is graceGod's rich and free grace. 2ndly. Describes some branches of the glory of God's grace. 3rdly. Makes a few remarks on some things as connected with the text, which the Lord has done to the praise of the glory of his grace. On each of these general heads Mr. G. has amplified very fully, and proved the grace of God as displayed in the salvation of sinners, to be both rich, sovereign and free; and has well described the wonders connected with this grace, which redounds to the glory of a Triune Jehovah, in quickening the dead; enlightening the blind; pardoning the guilty; justifying the ungodly; releasing the captive; communicating holiness to the unholy; strengthening the weak; restoring backsliders; raising the poor from the dunghill and setting him among princes and ultimately bringing millions of once poor wretched sinners to ineffable glory. With the exception of a few sentences, which could only have tended to excite levity in his audience, we cordially recommend the pamphlet to our readers. Seven Spiritual Letters. by the Late Rev. Henry Fowler, 18mo. pp. 36. London, Bennett. These Letters could not have been published at a more favourable time than at the present, when the recent death of the author has called up all the affectionate feelings with which he was regarded by the many who respected him as a faithful servant of the Lord. They were written at an early age, to a Soldier in the Royal Artillery, at Dublin. They will be family, particularly by those of it to read with much pleasure by the Lord's whom Mr. Fowler was known. Spiritual Pleadings and Expostulations with God in prayer, by Thomas Harrison, D. D. 32mo. pp. 266. London, Davis and Porter. THIS is a re-print of a scarce old book, by one of Cromwell's Chaplains, better known under its former title of "Spiritual Logic." We can guess no reason why the name its author gave it should be banished. The title page says, carefully revised and corrected, by the Rev. Peter Hall, we trust that in his revision and correction, he has not been so free with the contents as he has with the title. We look very askant at carefully revised new editions, and did we not believe that the Rev. Peter Hall, from what we have heard of him, cherishes an esteem as high as we do ourselves, for the gems of the puritan mine, we should be disposed to seek for an original edition. and collate it before we recommended this his new edition to our readers. The Editor, however, assures us in his preface, that his endeavour has been to retain the sense of the author while seeking to add to and amend the force and perspicuity of the language, We copy the following short extract, that our readers may form their own ideas of the work in this new edition. "But, peradventure, thou mayest think with thyself, that through grace (unto which nothing is impossible) thou mayest be both pardoned and purified too in time; but it will cost thee dear first: a world of afflictions must be expected, where there hath been such a world of provocations, and yet remains such a mass of corruption; and these fears of what may come take thee off from enjoying what is present. Go with this complaint to thy Judge, that these fears may be disarmed, and bound over no more to molest thee. Go, fill thy mouth with arguments: for who can say his mountain is so strong, he shall never be moved? or who can foretell or foresee the things that may befall him? Even pardoning mercy itself is no fence against this flail of affliction. First, tell him, whatever comes, it is thy desire to "bear his indignation, because thou has sinned against him;" and that thy stubborn, uncircumcised heart may "accept of the punishment of thine iniquity, because, even because thou hast despised his judgments, and carried it as if thy soul had abhorred his statutes." Nay, Secondly, tell him that thon hadst rather be under the schooling of his children, than the cockering of his castaways; under the severe mercy of his discipline, (as Augustine speaks of that of the Church,) than under the impunity of those desperate creatures, whom God hath thrown up as a lost case, and will not be at the cost to bestow another rod upon them. Even his correcting rod, as well as his supporting staff, shall be a comfort to thee. No punishment like impunity. Thirdly, though it be infinitely more eligible that way to be humbled and reformed, than not at all; yet tell him, if he will be pleased to spare thee, it will be more for his honour to do it in the midst of prosperity, because this is more difficult and more unusual: "I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, but thou saidst, I will not hear: this hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice." Now, what a glory will it be to him, to bore thine ear in the midst of thy prosperity! Fourthly, as this will be more glorious for him, so more useful to others. The example of such a convert is much more conspicuous and illustrious. In miserable ones, it is hard to distinguish between a devastation and a reformation; between their trouble for sin, and for suffering: in persons not humbled, and yet humble,- outwardly happy, and yet weaned from the breasts of sinful pleasures, it is very visible that it is not absence, but abstinence; that they do not make a virtue of necessity; that it is voluntary, uot extorted. And besides, men are far more forward to imitate the happy, than the wretched and miserable; to write after a fair copy, than one all blotted and blurred, soiled and sullied, by the tears and sweat of affliction. The examples only of such as are some way happy or eminent, carry compulsion in them. Fifthly, tell him, however, so he will go with thee through fire and water, according to his gracious promise, thou art not afraid to venture; thou wilt interpret it to be his affection, as well as his faithfulness; his magnifying of thee, and setting his heart upon thee; his utmost kindness unto thee; seeing he himself styles it so. "Behold I will melt them and try them, for what else shall I do, what more can I do for the daughter of my people?" Some affirm, if a knife or needle be touched with a loadstone of an iron colour, it will cut or enter into a man's body without any sense of pain at all: it is true of afflictions, well touched with the loadstone of Divine love. "Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teach est him out of thy law, that thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity." This, then, is a blessed condition, when correction and instruction are so linked together, that thou canst not be happy without both of them; nor hast thou been over eager after deliverance, when in affliction thou hast enjoyed his precious presence." A Word of Exhortation to the Heirs of Salvation, by John Cox. 32mo. pp. 128. The Noisome Pestilence, by John Cox. 12mo. pp. 12. London, Palmer & Son. never fails to cure, and never cures for pay. Scripture Emblems, by Mrs. Hewitt. 18mo., pp. 199. London, Palmer and Son. In this highly interesting little volume, the author regards thirteen natural subjects in a spiritual point of view, and deduces from the characteristics of each, resemblances to our divine Lord and his gracious gos. pel. The volume may be perhaps specially recommended to young persons, and indeed we scarcely remember one which we should more unhesitatingly suggest for a believing parent to give to his children. He will not have, while introducing to them the present, to guard their yet inexperienced mind, against the Ashdod phraseology so generally found in books suitable to the young. The first article atmosphere, regards the firmament naturally, and then as an emblem of the gospel. We had marked a peiee for extracting therefrom, but want of space prevents us, we shall most likely take up the book again next month, and make a selection therefrom. THE first article has now reached the fifth edition; its contents may by some be denominated legal, but it is not so, its appeals are in scriptural language, and enforced on right principles. We confess it to be a very favourite little book with us, and we are exceedingly gratified with its present beautiful attire. It is very common now to buy tracts to give to the ignorant, and very praiseworthy is it to do so; now let these generous individuals give away this little book to the wise, to those who think themselves elevated so much above the ignorant multitude around them; aye, even to those who have been made wise unto salvation: for alas! how many of these forget their privileges, and live unmindful of their high dignity and glorious expectations. To such it is appropriately addressed, and and fertilized, a Sermon, by the Rev. for them intended; and we believe and are sure that the blessing of God will attend the circulation. The second tract was first issued at the time of the alarming spread of the cholera, and now appears as an article in Palmer's Series. It is a good tract, shewing the universal prevalence of the more noisome pestilence, with which all the human family are infected: and pointing the reader to the one only Physician, who LITERARY NOTICES. In the press and will be published during March The Garden of the Lord refreshed Alfred Hewlett. Election, a doctrine clearly revealed in scripture, a Sermon,, by the Rev. Charles Brake, of Brighton. The work entitled ENOCH, by the Rev. C, Brake, announced to be ready early this year, has been delayed by reason of the author's illness. It may now confidently be expected in about Six Weeks, and will form one volume, 12mo., price 1s. 6d. POETRY THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD. "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself." 2 Tim. ii. 13. Infirm and weak is man, A traveller here below, Of sorrow, sin and woe: Immutable is God; The word that once he spoke His promises shall stand secure, He can't himself deny, Unchangeable's his name, The Lord of All, he reigns on high, Our God is faithful still; That he will guide them 'till they die, How often man complains, And unbeliefs arise, He reigns supreme above, Giver of grace and truth, He governs our concerns, Appoints each one his lot; Ye heirs of promise! praise his name, It is this care and love, Supports you on the road, Your Shepherd's guidance you shall prove E'en unto Jordan's flood: Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, Still in thy blessed paths to tread; Keep me near thee lest I wander. Keep me close to Christ my Head.. When temptations would assail me, Tried I am, O Lord, and often, Be my Husband, Brother, Friend, ANN HARDING. CHRISTIAN CONSOLATION MIDST STORMS OF TROUBLE "But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."-1 Sam. xxx. 6. "I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward" &c. Gen. xv. 1. Prov. xxx. 5. Psa. v. 11, 12. &c. lxxxiv. 11. "I am thy Shield and great reward," The Almighty, Great Jehovah cries; Whoe'er relies upon my word 1'll raise to dwell above the skies. Though friends forsake and foes attend, With loving kindnesses and grace I drew thee forth with bands of love, But thou art mine! my love shall last E'en through death I'll be thy guide, I am thy Husband, Brother, Friend, Arrayed in robes of spotless white, With joys like these before thine eyes, Thus shalt thou be prepared to die, There may we join his praise to swell, Clift House, Bristol. A HYMN. J. HARDING. How sweet the promise, dearest Lord, Yet not more sweet than sure, Which does thy rich free grace record, Unto the helpless poor.. The loss of all we must sustain, With holy Paul we see; But then, dear Lord, we do maintain All learning, Lord, we would disdain, Whate'er our loss, this is thy word, Twofold thou wilt restore; True wisdom, wealth, and honour too, What can we wish for more. ! All this in Jesus we behold, When the good Spirit doth unfold On the Death of Mrs. Allen, the respected Wife of Mr. Alleu, Pastor of Cave Adnllam Chapel, Stepney. A SAINT of God, a chosen sheep, R. G. EDWARD. |