146

WHERE, AND WHAT, IS NOW MY HOPE?

Where, and what, is now my hope

As I lay thinking over the goodness of God to such an afflicted unworthy worm as me, I began to reason with myself, and said, where and what is thy hope now in this barren lifeless state, and what have I now to trust to or in? Oh, I said, I have no hope but in and through Jesus. His blood and his righteousness is all I have to plead. That is to me the word of life. I have felt it such. Oh what a blessed Saviour he has been to me! When I was lost, he found me; when I was all filth, he cleansed me with his own precious blood. In debt, and had nothing to pay with, he paid all for me, and set me at sweet liberty. Oh how I loved his precious name! it was as ointment poured forth; his word then poured forth marrow and fatness; my soul was then as a well watered garden; what blessed manifestations of his love I then had! I walked all day in the light of his countenance; he shone upon my path; I could run in his commands with great delight; he was the joy of my heart; then I felt the love of Christ to constrain me, I said without hesitating, my beloved is mine and I am his, he has heard the voice of my supplication, and delivered me from going down into the pit, he is all my hope and all my desire. God is now a reconciled God, through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. From these sweet days that are gone and past, I began to think on time present with a heavy sigh. Oh that it were with me as in months that are past, when the candle of the Lord shone round about my tabernacle, then I thought I could bear any thing, but alas now I faint because of the way. Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of sin and death? how is the fine gold become dim, I have somewhat against thee, &c., once ye were light, but now are ye darkness, ye did run well, what doth hinder you? Alas, all things seem against me, oh what shall I do, the thing that I greatly feared, is coming upon me; God has set me as a mark for his arrows, what must I do, or whither flee? oh what have I to trust to, or hang upon? oh nothing but the word of God, that stands sure, 'tis the word of life. Oh that I could feel it more precious, hold thou me up, oh God, by thy word, all is vanity below the skies, nothing satisfying but Jesus manifesting himself by the power of the Holy Spirit to the soul. Oh how I long to be filled full of the love of Christ, to enjoy peace for evermore. With these thoughts, I dropped into a gentle sleep, and thought I with some more were labouring hard, tugging. striving and climbing up to reach heaven, (whilst many others were sitting careless below, regaling themselves with the comforts and pleasures of this world, who could hold and run with the world, and profess religion

| both. These were scoffing at us, and tried
to stop our strivings also, telling us that
'tis by grace and not by works, saying, oh
ye workers, ye are workers of iniquity, ye
will one day perish with your works, for we
can do nothing, 'tis by faith and not by
works, ye had better rest quiet as we do,
until the end come, for we shall be as safe
as you, yea more so, we can bring no one
thing with us to recommend us to God with,
for we are all polluted by sin, and Christ
died for the elect and none else; so if we
are elected, we shall be saved, &c., (and many
such like things did they cast upon us,) but
this did not move or hinder us in our pursuit
of heaven. So we left them, and ascended
higher and higher, yet we seemed to have
nothing to stand upon, but we still kept
getting higher, until we reached a dark
place where we had to go through, and
when I entered the dark place, I perceived
that underneath us were lines like steps
that we were borne upwards upon, and
these lines were fixed to nothing but a pas-
sage of the word of God at each end, such
as, "he that thinketh he standeth, take heed;
and-watch and pray, lest ye enter into
temptation. Strive to enter in at the strait
gate;-through much tribulation ye must
enter the kingdom, resist the devil, and my
grace is sufficient for you, when thou passest
through the waters, and where I am, there
shall ye be also," &c., and as we entered, I
heard heavenly voices singing, such blessed
harmony I never heard before, my soul was
filled with joy, and as they came nearer, I
heard them more distinctly, and I with my
feeble voice joined in the blessed chorus
with them, praising and singing glory to
God and the Lamb, and as I felt my feeble
voice to rise higher, joining theirs, they
passed off and left me behind, and I awoke,
and behold it was a dream. Oh how disap-
pointed I was when I was left behind, in
this dark desert to repine, with scarce a
twinkling ray of light. My dream was
much upon my mind, and it strengthened
me much, to think how God upholds us
with his unseen hand by his holy word; so
we go on from strength to strength, with
line upon line, precept upon precept, here
a little, and there a little, a little comfort
from reading a portion of God's word, and
there a little comfort from hearing the word
preached by his own ministers, and though
we have trouble from our own selves, our
own carnal hearts leading us into captivity,
this drives us to seek the Lord in his own
word, by prayer and meditation, and here
we find him again by his Spirit speaking
comfort to our souls, then we sing,

"The gospel bears our spirits up,

A faithful and unchanging God,
Lays a foundation for my hope,
In oaths and promises and blood."

THE BRIDEGROOM'S VOICE.

I

I also find by my dream, and experience too,'] that 'tis through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of heaven. Let formal professors say what they will, it was the word of God that first cut me down; there I lay, without hope, until the word was spoken to me, to enable me to hope and seek for mercy, and it was the word that enabled ine to press forward and would not let me go, until I had found Jesus for myself. know it was the Spirit of God that worked in me, the word of God testifying to me of Jesus, as God reconciled to me through him as my Mediator, Intercessor, and Redeemer. Then I could say "My Lord, and my God." Still I found the word of God said, strive to enter in at the strait gate, &c., this encouraged me to strive, that I may enter in, and I found the word of God says, run that ye may obtain; this enabled me to run in his despised commands, Yet I know 'tis the power of God by his Holy Spirit, upholding, preserving and saving hand, through Jesus my covenant head, that I am kept pressing forward, and 'tis he that will not let me go, or I should sink under my burden for ever. 'Tis by his almighty power (unseen by natural eyes) grace, love and mercy, that we are kept, or satan and our own sinful hearts would lead and sink us into endless misery for ever. Sometimes, I am up to my chin in deep waters, but I am comforted by Isaiah xliii. 2. Then again, on the mount, praising and blessing God for the wisdom, justice, grace, mercy, power and love of a three-one God, for taking such pains with so worthless a worm as I am, and feel myself to be. Indeed, I again find the word of God the power of God, and through it I find (saith Peter) that I am begotten again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God, through Jesus Christ, unto salvation. What blessed keeping! he that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. I hope to join chorus, in reality, with the ransomed of the Lord, to sing his praise for evermore, without a jarring note. There will be no tempting enemy, no wicked heart, no trying and alluring world, no afflicted body to bear, all tears will be wiped away from all faces.

Ever your's in the bonds of the blessed gospel of our covenant head, Jesus Christ the Lord, THOMAS FIELD.

Blunham, Bedfordshire.

WORK FOR COMMENTATORS.

DEAR BROTHER:-I beg the favor of you or some of your correspondents to give a scriptural interpretation of the 12th verse of the 2nd chapter of Romans. I trust the dear people of God may thereby be edified. Your's in the dear Lord Jesus, MARTHA.

The Bridegroom's Voice.

147

CHRIST's bride the Bridegroom's voice shall hear,
To stop her in her mad career,

And raise her from the dead;
He'll speak in thunder by his law,
To make her bow with solemn awe,
And fill her heart with fear.

The bride the Bridegroom's voice shall hear,
To make her bow in humble prayer,

For mercy from on high.
For pardon of her dreadful sin,
To cry because of guilt within,
Lord, save me, or I die.

The bride shall hear the Bridegroom say,
Arise, my love, and come away,

From every idol flee;

From all self-righteousness depart,
I come, my bride, to claim thy heart,
Then worship only me.

The bride the Bridegroom's voice shall hear,
When fill'd with sin, and guilt, and fear,

Base unbelief and doubt;
Tho' you as black as hell appear,
Yet come to me, and cease to fear,

I will not cast you out,

The bride shall hear the Bridegroom say,
My love, thy sins are put away,

I freely pardon thee.
Thy sins are cast into the sea,
No more shall they remember'd be,

They all were laid on me.

For thee, my love, the curse I bore,
And cancell'd all thy dreadful score,
I justice satisfied,

By pouring out my soul to death,
And for thy life resign'd my breath,
Then bow'd my head and died.
For thee, my love, I rose again,
In triumph led the hellish train,
I then ascended high;
To sit at the right hand of God,
And plead the merit of my blood,

To bring my chosen nigh,

The bride shall hear the Bridegroom say—
When fierce temptations thee dismay,

And hellish lions rave;
When troubles upon troubles roll,
And threaten to o'erwhelm thy soul,
I mighty am to save.

O may we hear the Bridegroom's voice
Say, trembling soul, in me rejoice,

Thou art my lovely bride,
My heart is firmly set on thee,
Thy debts I paid to set thee free,

When I on Calvary died.

Thou heavenly Bridegroom, to us say-
Strength shall be equal to thy day,

When call'd to fight the foe;

If thro' rough paths our souls are led,
We cheerful on the thorns will tread,

If thou with us wilt go.

The Bridegroom then shall hear our voice,
In him we'll triumph and rejoice.

For love so rich so free;

We then will spread his matchless fame,
And speak the honours of his name,
Through all eternity.

O may we hear when call'd to die,
The Bridegroom say, ascend on high,
And dwell in my embrace;
For ever free from guilt and sin,
With me eternally shut in,

To sing redeeming grace.

East Peckham.

G. CRITTLE,

148

MR. OSBOURN'S LETTER TO MR. PHILPOT.

Mr. Osbourn's Letter to Mr. Philpot. the labours of these men; God is in the

midst of them; he will help them, and that right early.

I have very long feared that there has been a class of ministers nursed up and encouraged in this country who know not what Paul meant when he said-' When it pleased God to reveal his Son IN ME.' Consequently, they have manifested a haughty, bitter, bigotted, and cruel spirit: this spirit they have thrown into many of the churches of truth in England. Fully believing, as I do, that no man can preach the pure Gospel of Christ until he himself has been brought into liberty by that Gospel, through the anointing and sealing powers of the Holy Ghost; and that all other preaching in a great measure gendereth to bondage, I do earnestly long for that day when the ministers who stand upon Zion's walls shall be men who stand in a holy and a happy freedom of mind and spirit, determined to know nothing among

To the Editor of the Earthen Vessel: DEAR SIR-As you profess, and have in some measure laboured to inculcate, UNITY AMONG THE TRUE MINISTERS OF CHRIST, I trust you will announce in your next a new work which I expect will be issued in a few days, entitled "Liberty taken without Grant; or, an Experimental, Faithful, and Discriminating Letter to the Rev. Joseph C. Philpot, of Stamford, Lincolnshire." By James Osbourn, of Baltimore. I am fully justified in saying this letter has not been put to press without the most solemn prayer for heavenly direction. Days and nights-weeks and months, have been spent in contemplation over it, and in seeking counsel from heaven respecting it. The result has been, a fixed determination to send it through the lengths and breadths of the land; and I believe the blessing of heaven will ac-men-(be they great men or little men,-) company it, and that good will be done.

The spirit of disunion that has long existed among ministers of the true gospel in England, has been a source of grief to many hundreds of the Lord's redeemed and quickened family. CHRIST-(in his ministers, and among the members of his mystical body-) HAS BEEN DIVIDED! There has been too much homage and honor rendered to men; and too little simple and sincere reliance upon, and devotion rendered to, Christ. The old Corinthian fever-'I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, has long raged in this little island, and it is so deeply rooted, and is supported by such powerful and influential advocates, that the man who shall dare attempt to expose or speak against it, risks, in a great measure, his standing and acceptance among the professed churches of truth.

I know very well that there is a class of men (running about in the ministry,) that are dangerous and unholy characters; but I also know that there is a vast number of really useful men ; men that the Lord has experimentally blessed, and ministerially honoured, who have been unjustly treated with scorn and contempt by those whom we look upon as our leaders in Zion; these things ought not so to be; and the time is hastening on when these strong bars of ministerial jealousy, popish tyranny, and bitter prejudice, must be loosened. The Lord is giving his people to see and to feel that living, experimental truth is not confined to the Gospel Herald, the Gospel Magazine, the Gospel Standard, nor to any of the good men who have the more immediate management of these works. The Great Head of the church has raised up and sent forth men into the ministry who have been solemnly baptised-not only into Moses-but also into the love, and blood, and healing power of a Triune Jehovah; and they must and will preach Peace by Jesus Christ-HE IS LORD OF ALL:' it is impossible to crush or silence

but Jesus Christ and him crucified. By
the help of my God, I will pray for
this great desideratum; and I humbly
hope my prayers will not be in vain.
I am, dear sir, your's faithfully,

A BAPTIST PASTOR.

Notices of New Works.

"The Stone of Israel; or, Christ the Rock of Ages:" by JAMES OSBOURN. London: Houlston and Stoneman. •

The different Metaphors employed in the Scriptures of Truth, to illustrate the character and offices, which our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ sustains for, and on the behalf of his Church, are here dilated upon, in a way calculated to lead the mind to much deeper contemplation.

66

Knowledge from afar; or, The only Safe
Way out of Trouble." A Tract for the
Afflicted in Zion:" by JOHN COATES.
London: Houlston and Stoneman.

We do certainly wish that many who stand on high places in Zion, might be induced to read this Tract; it is as plain and as blunt as you can wish it to be; but it deals with things the most solemn under the heavens; and, although it has no literary adornings, yet the man that could heedlessly condemn it, we should fear, was under the influence of a seared conscience. "Fruits and Effects; being a Continuation of the Tract, entitled, Nothing to Pay." Collingridge, City Press, Long Lane.

The ups and downs of the living soul, are here exhibited in an interesting narrative. The great and glorious change which grace makes, and the holy triumphs grace achieves are here beautifully borne witness to. We have given an extract from this tract in page 145.

"The United Brethren; their Privileges, Blessings, &c." By SAMUEL TURNER. London Groombridge.

Thirty-two pages full of those things which live inside the christian warrior.

A Divine Experience-a Living Faith-and a Gospel Practice.

150 A DIVINE EXPERIENCE-A LIVING FAITH-AND A GOSPEL PRACTICE.

teachings of God the Holy Ghost, then there | name, these cries are not in vain. Many will be a divine experience, a living faith, times have I wandered away in thoughts, and a practical obedience to the commands and feelings, and desires, but he restoreth of heaven. You find some are all for faith; my soul. There are two very solemn scripand almost laugh at experience; others tures, full of interest, full of Christian are all for experience of the darkest kind; experience and gospel truth, in Isaiah; and they look upon the man who has strong which will shew you the two-fold condition faith, as though he was a presumptuous of elect and redeemed souls, (that is before man. But this you may rely on; there and after restoration.) The first is in can only be strong faith in God, where Isaiah xlii. 22, 'This is a people robbed there has been a deep experience of the and spoiled; they are all of them snared things of God. This my soul is satisfied in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: about. Take Abraham and Job; Isaiah they are for a prey, and none delivereth; and Habbakuk; Paul, and Peter, and for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.' This John, as witnesses of this. Abraham was was true of the Jews; and is true of all strong in faith, he staggered not at the God's saints, more or less; they are frepromise; Job said, 'Though he slay me, quently robbed of their peace and comyet will I trust in him;' Isaiah said, fort; spoiled for all service and usefulness Though he was angry with me, his anger in the church; snared in holes, and shut is turned away, and he comfortest me. He up in prisons; that is, in dark places, in also is become MY SALVATION.' Habakkuk; places of bondage, unbelief, hardness of read the third of Habakkuk-see the deep heart; and a want of all divine power is things he saw, and heard, and felt-then felt. And what is worse than all, 'none listen to his strong faith. Although the saith RESTORE.' God gives no command; fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall Christ gives no smile; the Holy Ghost gives fruit be in the vine; the labour of the no meltings: the ministers give no help; olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield the Bible gives no encouragement; the no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the saints give no sweet communion. fold, and there shall be no herd in the saith RESTORE.' This is the state of a living stall; yet will I joy in the God of my sal-soul, while under satan's limited power vation.'

Strong faith then is the fruit of the Holy Ghost leading the soul to know and feel some of heaven's deep and precious things. In this twenty-third Psalm David tells you seven things that God had done for him; and this he calls, 'goodness.' (1.) He had restored his soul. (2.) The Lord had lead him in the paths of righteousness. (3.) He had made him to lay down in green pastures. (4.) He had led him beside the still waters. (5.) He had prepared a table for him in the presence of his enemies. (6.) He had anointed his head with oil, so that his cup had run over. (7.) He had been present with him; and made both his rod and staff to comfort him.

Look then briefly at these three things. First, the experience David had of God's goodness and mercy. Secondly, the faith he possessed. Thirdly, the practice he felt determined in God's strenth to stand in.

I. The divine experience David was the subject of.

(1.) Restoration of soul. The elect soul is never out of the covenant, nor out of Christ -but it may be stolen away in its affections and desires, as Joseph was stolen and carried away from his father, but he was Joseph still; and Jacob's son still; and there was a restoration, and coming together again: or, the soul may wilfully depart from the house and ways of God as the prodigal did go away from his father's home; but he was his son; and back he came, and was received. So do we often wander and turn away from the blessed Lord; we get entangled in worldly, fleshly, and sinful things; but he brings us back; makes us sorry for our sins; ashamed of our sins; puts a cry into our hearts for pardon and peace; and, blessed be his

None

before this restoration of soul takes place of which David speaks. See, then, in how dark, and dreadful a plight a living soul may be!

But, look at the other Scripture; it is Isaiah xlix. 6. There the work of Christ is said to be two-fold: to raise up the tribes of Jacob; and to restore the preserved of Israel.' The tribes of Jacob are raised up in effectual calling: and, they are ever preserved in Christ; consequently, wander, decline, or get imprisoned much as they may; they shall be restored: that is, brought back to the throne of grace; brought back to repentings, to confessions, to prayers, to pardon and to communion. And there are three things God promises to do in restoration, 'I will heal him; I will lead him also; and restore comforts unto him.'

When God doth bring back a poor bleeding, wounded, broken-hearted sinner, he doth presently give him such a sense of heavenly love; such faith in the rich atoning blood of Immanuel; and such communications of divine grace, as do heal up his wounds, and give peace in his soul. Ah, and the Lord will now lead him deeper and deeper into the mysteries of iniquity, and into the mysteries of sovereign grace, so as to engage, draw out, and, at times, greatly comfort this restored soul.

(2.) He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name sake. These are right paths; not presumption, nor false confidence, nor empty boasting; 'paths of righteousness,' are expressive terms, meaning paths that have their spring and rise in the Person and Righteousness of Christ; paths which lead souls to him; and to justification by him.

There are other paths spoken of-as in