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PROVIDENCES IN CONVERSION.

THERE are divers things in those providences which are versant about this work, and exceedingly sweet and taking; as,—

The wonderful strangeness and unaccountableness of this work of providence in casting us into the way, and ordering the occasions, yea, the minutest circumstances about this work. Thus you find in Acts viii. 26-30, the eunuch, at that very instant when he was reading the prophet Isaiah, had an interpreter, one among a thousand, that joins his chariot just as his mind was, by a fit occasion, prepared to receive the first light of the knowledge of Christ.

So, for the conversion of the Samaritans, it is observed (John iv. 4) Christ must needs go that way, because it lay just in the road betwixt Judea and Galilee, and at the sixth hour, i. e., high noon, he rests himself upon Jacob's well, still seeming to have no other design than his own refreshment by sitting and drinking there; but, oh what a train of blessed providences follow this, which seemed but an accidental thing! First, the woman of Samaria, and then many more in that city, are brought to believe in Christ, as you find in verses 29 and 41.

It is noted by Melchior Adams, in the life of Junius, how very an atheist he grew in his younger years; but in order to his conversion to God, a wonderful preservation of his life, in a public tumult at Lyons, in France, must first make way, which forces from him the acknowledgment of a Deity; then his father sends for him home, and with much gentleness persuades him to read the Scriptures; he lights upon the 1st of John, and with it he sensibly feels a divine, supernatural majesty and power seizing his soul, which brought him over by a complete conversion to Jesus Christ. Thus, as the woman of Tekoah told David, "doth God devise means to bring back his banished."

Lavater tells us that many Spanish soldiers, going into the wars of Germany, were there converted to Christ by falling into the cities and towns where godly ministers and Christians were.

Mr. Robert Bolton, though an excellent scholar, yet in his younger years was a very irreligious person, and a jeerer of holy men; but being cast into the company of the good Mr. Peacock, was by him brought to repentance, and proved a famous instrument in the church of Christ.

A scrap of paper accidently coming to view hath been used as an occasion of conversion. This was the case of a minister of Wales, who had two livings, but took little care of either. He being at a fair, bought something at a pedlar's standing, and rent off a leaf of Mr. Perkin's catechism to wrap it in, and reading a line or two in it, God sent it home so as it did the work.

The marriage of a godly man into a carnal family hath been ordered by Providence for the conversion and salvation of many therein. Thus we read, in the life of that renowned English worthy, Mr. John Bruen, that in his second match it was agreed that he should have one year's diet in his mother-in-law's house; during his abode there that year (saith Mr. Clark) the Lord was pleased, by his means, graciously to work upon her soul, as also upon his wife's sister, and half-sister, their brothers, Mr. William and Mr. Thomas Fox, with one or two of the servants in that family.

The reading of a good book hath been the means of bringing others to Christ. And thus we find many of the German divines converted by reading Luther's books: yea, and what is more strange, Mr. Sleiden, in his "commentary," tells us that Vergerius, though he were present an eye and ear-witness to that doleful case of Spira, which one would think would move a stone, yet still continued so firm to the pope's interest, that when he fell into some suspicion among the cardinals, he resolved to purge himself by writing a book against the Gerinan apostates; but while he read the Protestant books, out of no other design but to confute thein, whilst he is weighing the arguments, is himself convinced and brought to Christ. He, finding himself thus overcome by the truth, imparts his conviction to his brother, a zealous papist also; this brother deplores the misery of his case, and seeks to reclaim

him; but Vergerius, entreating him to weigh well the Protestant arguments, also yields; and so both immediately betook themselves to preach justification by the free grace of God through the blood of Christ.

Yea, not only the reading of a book, or hearing of a minister, but (which is most remarkable) the very mistake or forgetfulness of a minister hath been improved by Providence for this end and purpose. Augustine, once preaching to his congregation, forgot the argument which he first proposed, and fell upon the errors of the Manichees, beside his first intention; by which discourse he converted one Firmus, his auditor, who fell down at his feet weeping, and confessing he had lived a Manichee many years. Another I knew, who, going to preach, took up another Bible than that he designed, in which, not only missing his notes, but the chapter also in which his text lay, was put to some loss thereby; but, after a short pause, he resolved to speak to any other scripture that might be presented to him, and accordingly, read the text, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise" (2 Pet. iii. 9); and though he had nothing prepared, yet the Lord helped him to speak both methodically and pertinently from it; by which discourse a gracious change was wrought upon one in the congregation, who hath since given good evidence of a sound conversion, and acknowledged this sermon to be the first and only means thereof.

The accompanying of others, in a neighbourly civil visit, hath been overruled to the same end. Thus many of the Jews accompanied Mary into Bethany, designing only to manifest their civil respect; but there they met Christ, saw the things which he did, and believed on him (John xi. 45).

Mr. Firmin, in his "Real Christian," tells us of one who had lived many years in a town where Christ had been as clearly and as long preached as in any town in England. This man, when he was about seventy-six years of age, went to visit a sick neighbour. "A Christian friend of mine," said the author, "came to see him also; and finding this old man there, whom he judged to be one that lived upon his own stock, civility, good works, &c., he purposely fell into that discourse to show how many persons lived upon their duties, but never came to Christ. The old man, sitting by the bedside, heard him, and God was pleased to convince him that he was such a person who had lived upon himself, without Christ, to that day; and he would say afterwards, "Had I died before three-score and sixteen, I had perished, for I knew not Christ."

The committing of a godly man to prison hath been the method of Providence to save the soul of a poor keeper. So Paul (Acts xvi. 27) was made a prisoner, to make his keeper a spiritual freeman; and the like success had Dr. Barnes, in Queen Mary's days.

The scattering of ministers and Christians, by persecution, from cities and towns into the ignorant and barbarous parts of the country, hath been the way of Providence to find out and bring home some lost sheep to Jesus Christ (Acts viii. 1-4). The like signal event hath since followed upon the like scattering of godly ministers, whereof are many pregnant instances at this day.

A servant running away from his master, likely upon no other design but to live an idle life, yet falling into such places and companies as Providence ordered, in a design to him unknown, hath thereby been brought to be a servant of Christ. This was the very case of Onesimus, who ran away from his master Philemon to Rome, where, by a strange providence, possibly a mere curiosity to see the prisoners, he there falls into Paul's hands, who begat him to Christ in his bonds (Philemon, verses 10-16).

Going to hear a sermon in jest hath proved some men's conversion in earnest. The above named Mr. Firmin, in the fore-cited book, tells us of a notorious drunkard whom the drunkards called "Father," that one day would needs go to hear what Wilson said, out of no other design, it seems, but to scoff at that holy man; but, in the prayer before sermon, his heart began to thaw, and when he read his text, which was, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John v. 14), he could not contain; and in that sermon the Lord changed his heart, though formerly so bitter an enemy, that the minister on lecture days was afraid to go to church

before his shop door. "Lo, these are parts of His ways: but how small a portion is known of Him !"

The dropping of some grave and weighty word, accidentally, in the presence of vain, carnal persons-the death of a husband, wife, or child-a fit of sickness, with a thousand other such like occasions-have been thus improved by Providence to the conversion of souls. Flavel.

Page for the Afflicted.

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JOB's trial was the hiding of the Lord's face. One thinks that the loss of his property, the affliction of his body, the foolish talk of his wife, the false accusations of his three friends, and the fierce temptations of the enemy, were all nothing compared to the fact that the Lord had withdrawn. There is bitterness in the cry, "Oh that I knew where I might find him!" and there is deep mental conflict, yes, soul agony contained in other of his words, such as these, "I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him; on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him." If Satan is at the believer's right hand to resist him (Zec. iii. 2) it is at such a time. "Ah!" saith he to the poor soul, "Where is the Lord thy God? It is for thy sin thou art forsaken, and he will no more return to comfort thee." There is no access in prayer, the mind does not only wander, but infidel thoughts intrude, evil desires arise, and we have to cry unto God to forgive our attempt to worship him. There is some relief so long as we can look back to some former seasons, and like good Job say (xxix. 3) "His candle shined upon my head, by his light I walked through darkness." But the arch-foe suggests that all that was a mere delusion. Says he, "It was a false light; God is faithful, and if he had ever been so gracious to you, he would never have left you," and so on. I, for one, have suffered all these things in no small degree. But I never had any thing of the kind to endure when

living in sin. Then I was happy enough, if it may be called happiness. True, conscience sometimes accused, and looked very dreadful, but such moments were few and far between, and as a rule I enjoyed sin, and was only sorry that I could not go further into its depths than was in my power. I conclude, therefore, that the ungodly know nothing about such matters as are above stated. Take then, dear tempted one, these thy spiritual conflicts and soul troubles, as so many evidences of spiritual life in the heart, and be assured of final triumph. If you look over the experience of God's people, as recorded in the word, you will find in that word, as in a glass, your own image.

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But do you not even triumph now? Are you not ready to sing, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him ;" and again, "He knoweth the way that I take," &c. Yes, if Job could not see the Lord, the Lord could see him. He had put him into the furnace, and though the fire was hot, faith did not die. shall come forth as gold,” and the gold is all the better for the severe testing. The fire does not make the precious metal, but it separates it from the dross. Trials do no not create grace in our heart; no, all the afflictions in the world can never make the sinner into a saint. That is the work of the eternal Spirit. when the Holy Ghost has planted grace in the soul, then trials are the means of discovering it. If Job had not been a good man, he would have, at the advice of his wife, cursed God, as Satan said he would; that old accuser of the brethren told the Lord to touch his servant, and he would curse him to his face, and he had an agent ready to bid him do so. But faith triumphed. With such examples before you, "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, as though some

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strange thing had happened unto you," | Most High; but had he not been but rather be surprised if you are not put there the bush would have been coninto the furnace. "He knoweth the sumed. He walked with the three Heway that you take." How does he know brews in the furnace, and hence they came it? Not merely by his infinite know- out unsinged, but the cords that bound ledge of all things, but by experience. them were burned. Be of good cheer; Since Job wrote, the Lord Jesus is come every day brings thee nearer the time in the flesh. He was a man of sorrows;" when thy captivity shall be turned, and in all our afflictions he was afflicted; deliverance will be all the more sweet therefore he knows what sore temptations through having been so long delayed. mean. He manages them all the re"The bud may have a bitter taste, finer keeps his eye on the fire. He "dwelt But sweet will be the flower." in the bush." Strange dwelling for the BARNABAS.

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Gleanings.

GOD REPENTING. REPENTANCE Sometimes in Scripture is attributed to God, and then it is spoken after the manner of men ; and it must warily be understood, so as God may not be wronged in men's apprehensions thereby. In men's repentance there is grief, change, something falls out they did not foresee: David repents of murdering Uriah, defiling Bathsheba, because that fell out in it which he did not foresee, as the blaspheming God's name, and the sword it brought upon his house; hereupon he changed his mindwas affected with grief. These things are not in God; he foresees all events, he grieves not, he changes not: therefore, in this sense, he cannot be said to "repent." Theodaret speaks right when he saith, "Repentance in God is a change in his dispensations: if God had not destroyed Jerusalem, he should have been said to 'repent.' His repentance is alteration of things and actions, no change of his purpose and will. In human repentance there is a change of the will; in Divine repentance there is the willing of a change, and that in the thing, not in the thing, not in the will, or counsel of God, which is unchangeable.-Greenhill.

IDLENESS.

IDLENESS exposes a man to a variety of temptations-lays him open to Satan. A man unemployed is like a city without walls and gates, whither any enemy may

easily have entrance. "I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, and that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without What God saith here, that Satan saith walls, and have neither bars nor gates." of idle persons, they are unwalled villages, they have neither bars nor gates, no defensive nor offensive weapons; and therefore the devil doth boldly invade, and easily conquer them with his temptations. Paul knew this, and therefore counselled the Ephesians to make provision against Satan: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” An idle man either hath no armour, or if he hath, will not take the pains to put

it on.

idle, is like an empty vessel, any one A man out of employment, and that comes to it may put in what he will: so Satan pours into idle persons what liquour he pleases. Standing waters corrupt soonest, and more mud, filth, and vermin are to be found in them than in running waters.

Among the Sodomites was abundance of idleness, and abundance of lusts, which fight and war against the soul, and what madness is it for a man to feed his enemies that seek his life.—Ibid.

THE DANGER OF RICHES.

PLENTY is the parent of sin, yea, many sins.When Israel grew rich, had plenty of all things about her, then she became like a fatted ox, that kicks at the owner, and cares for none. "Where

fore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine | hearts, &c. offering?" Solomon, when he abounded blessing, it most in God's blessings, then he loved strange women, multiplied wives and concubines, and fell to idolatry. Plenty is dangerous, yet all men labour to be rich, and have much about them. Men's tables and estates prove snares. The bag caught Judas; and many in prosperity have fallen, who stood in the days of adversity.-Ibid.

ONENESS OF HEART.

"I WILL give them one heart." Men's hearts of themselves are divided, multiplied, not one. Phisically, men have but one heart; morally, they have many, according to the number of their lusts, proud hearts, froward hearts, unclean

Oneness of heart is a great is the fruit of the covenant of grace. It makes the communing one with another delightful and acceptable. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" It is an honour to the Lord Christ that Christians do agree. They are members of his body, and it is a disparagement to the Head to have the members fall out,-rend and tear one another; this makes strangers speak and think evil of the way of Christ; hereby he is dishonoured; but when there is one heart among his disciples, when they love one another and are peaceable, it is the glory of Christ. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another."-Ibid.

Loetry.

THE COMMUNINGS OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH:

A Poetic Paraphrase, and an occasional Commentary upon the Book of Canticles. No. XXIV. BY J. W. COLE, BRAUNSTON, RUGBY. CHAPTER IV.

Verse. 8. "Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lion's dens, from the mountains of the leopards."

COME with me, espoused one,
Come with me from Lebanon;
I thy debt of sin did bear,
Thou my royal throne shalt share;
To thy waiting husband come,
Come, my spouse, from Lebanon.

Goodly is the mountain-land,
Crown'd with cedars old and grand,
Verdure blooms on every side,
Flowers and fragrance* there abide;
But more glorious I to thee;
Come then, loved one, come with me.
Lebanon is wondrous fair,
But the evil beasts lurk there;
In its bleak and rugged sides,
The lion prowls, the leopard hides;
To my fond protection flec,
Only art thou safe in me.
Erom Amana's lofty tor,
Let thy vision glance afar;
See my perfect righteousness,

Forms, for thee, a marriage dress;

Lebanon signifies incense.

This a fairer robe shall be,
Than thine own integrity.
Shenir's light is pale and dim,+
View'd beside the light of Him
Who is reason's central sun,
God's belov'd, anointed One:
Wait the cheering light that gleams
From the Day-star's healing beams.
Breastplate, of Sidonian make,||
Surely thou wilt never take;
That can ne'er defend thy heart
From the tempter's fiery dart;
But all weapons harmless glide
From the breastplate I provide.
Come, my spouse, come unto me,
I thy all in all will be,
Armour, to protect thee well;
Light, thy darkness to dispel;
Righteousness, thy feet to stay;
Incense, to perfume thy way.
Duty and affection call;
Thou for me must yield thy all,-
Father's house, and mother's care, T
All, my bridal bliss to share;
Come, espoused, no more to roam,
Come, my well-beloved, home.
Come, and thou shalt dwell for aye,
In that region far away,
Where the night no more is known,
Where no rav'nous beast can come,
Where life's river peaceful flows,
Where the tree immortal grows.

+ Amana signifies integrity.

Shenir means, Light of the Ammonites. Hermon signifies, Breastplate of Sidonians. ¶ Psa. xlv. 10, 11.

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